Full Text RR-93-001

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

NIH GUIDE, Volume 22, Number 3, January 22, 1993

RFA:  RR-93-001

P.T. 14

Keywords: 
  Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl 
  Grants Administration/Policy+ 


National Center for Research Resources

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 12, 1993
Application Receipt Date:  April 13, 1993

PURPOSE

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) invites grant
applications for the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) IDeA is a merit-based, peer
reviewed program initiated in response to Congressional intent to
broaden the geographical distribution of NIH funding for biomedical
research.  Primary goals of the IDeA program are to:  (1) enhance the
competitiveness of investigators from research institutions in the
NIH eligible states within the peer review system and (2) to increase
the probability of long-term growth of NIH competitive funding to
investigators at institutions from the eligible states.  This Request
For Application (RFA) describes a one-year planning and development
program to increase, strengthen, and sustain the biomedical research
competitiveness of institutions within selected states.  The program
will be similar in some aspects to the Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) initiated by the National
Science Foundation (NSF).  For example, all applications must be
reviewed by state-based EPSCoR committees or comparable committees to
select eligible institutions to submit applications on behalf of
investigators.  Also, in response to specific Congressional intent,
all accredited Schools of Chiropractic Medicine are invited to apply.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Because of the pilot nature of this activity and the limited amount
of funds available, eligibility will be limited to all NSF-EPSCoR
states and all those states with a total funding level of less that
$30 million from the NIH in FY 1992.  Eligible institutions include
domestic for-profit and non-profit organizations public and private,
such as universities, colleges, hospitals, research foundations, and
laboratories.  It is the responsibility of the State-EPSCoR
committees to select institutions in their states that have limited
NIH funding, but for which both the states and the institutions have
a mutual agreement and commitment to the development of the
biomedical research infrastructure.  Only one application can be
submitted per state.  IDeA eligible states under these criteria are
listed in Appendix 1.

Applications from Schools of Chiropractic Medicine do not have to be
reviewed at the state level but only one application can be submitted
per institution.  Eligible Schools of Chiropractic Medicine are
listed in Appendix 2.  Applications from institutions with
significant minority enrollments are especially encouraged.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the grant-in-aid for exploratory grants (P20).
Applicants will be responsible for the planning, direction, and
content of the proposed programs.  Awards will be administered under
Public Health Service (PHS) grants policy as stated in the PHS Grants
Policy Statement.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  Up to $750,000 will be
available from NCRR in FY 1993 to support this initiative.  Subject
to the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications, it
is anticipated that approximately six to eight one-year awards will
be made.

Although the total project period for these applications may not
exceed one year, it is expected that institutional development goals
will be proposed beyond that period. Direct costs requested for this
one-year planning phase award should not exceed $100,000.  To ensure
that adequate resources are available, IDeA awards require a minimum
of one-to-one non-Federal match.  Each dollar of NIH support
requested must be matched by at least one dollar from state,
institutional, or private sector sources.  In-kind contributions
(faculty or technical support salaries, facilities, equipment) may
not be used to satisfy the one-to-one minimum matching funds
requirement.  This type of support is considered part of the
state/institutional commitment to achieve research competitiveness at
the national level.  Indirect costs will be provided.  The
anticipated award date is September 30, 1993.  This initiative is
provided for in the FY 1993 NCRR appropriation; future awards will be
contingent upon the availability of funds for the purpose.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

The mission of the NIH is to expand fundamental knowledge about the
nature and behavior of living systems, to apply that knowledge to
extend the health of human lives, and to reduce the burdens resulting
from disease and disability.  Through its institutes and centers,
each with its own research mission, the NIH provides funds for
research and research training activities to institutions.  Each
funding unit makes awards on a competitive basis after applications
are assessed for technical and scientific merit and program relevance
through a two-stage process of peer-review.

For many years, the NIH has made a special effort to stimulate
research in educational institutions that traditionally have not
received significant levels of funding through the NIH.  The Academic
Research Enhancement Award (AREA) program, initiated in 1985,
stimulates the research environment of institutions by providing
support to faculty at domestic institutions offering baccalaureate or
advanced degrees in the health-related sciences.

This program will address the same objectives, but on a state-wide
level.  NCRR acknowledges that, due to variability among potential
applications, the size and scope of the IDeA program will depend in
large part upon the current size and extent of the biomedical
research environment of the applicant institutions.  It is
recommended that, in order to achieve maximum impact of the available
funds, institutions propose innovative research activities that will
stimulate sustainable improvements in the capacities of institutions
in eligible states to compete successfully for NIH funds and to
enhance the research competitiveness of the institutions in future
years.

Example of activities include:

o  faculty development to develop and maintain competitiveness in
biomedical research within their institutions

o  mainstreaming of junior faculty into regular research programs of
the NIH

o  development of multidisciplinary approaches to building a
broad-based research infrastructure at the institution

In general, the applicant institution should provide evidence that an
IDeA award is necessary to enhance its capability for health-related
research and that there are state/institutional or other private
resources committed to improve and sustain their programs.

The research plan should provide sufficient information to allow the
reviewers to assess the program in terms of the stated Review
Criteria.  The narrative portion should provide:  (a) comprehensive
information about the institution's current involvement in biomedical
and health-related behavioral research; (b) biographical data for all
health scientists and related administrative personnel; (c) a
description of the long-range institutional research development
goals to be achieved; (d) a complete description of the specific
activities to achieve the goals of the program, including an
evaluation plan to measure the progress of the program and the
procedures to sustain the achievements obtained with IDeA funds after
termination of the award; (e) a description of the administrative
mechanisms to organize and oversee implementation of the plan; (f)
evidence of the institution's commitment to achievement of the
program goals; (g) a detailed budget explaining and justifying the
support requested; and (h) countersigned letters of commitment from
those persons whose cooperation is critical to the success of the
program including a statement from the institution's highest ranking
administrative authority explaining how the IDeA application is
consistent with the institution's (and/or the state's) long-range
objectives to enhance the biomedical research infrastructure and to
achieve research competitiveness at the national level.

Specific research projects (e.g., pilots studies, start-up support)
must be described in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of
scientific merit of each project.  This information is necessary to
justify an IDeA award and to provide evidence that the research that
will result from the award will be of high quality and be likely to
compete successfully for future federal funding.

Allowable Costs

In general, the direct costs listed in the PHS Grants Policy
Statement as allowable for research grants are also allowable for
IDeA applications.  Funds requested for the IDeA Program may be used
to support the following:

o  recruitment of research personnel, if consistent with applicable
cost principles
o  development of research data to be included in research grant
applications submitted to NIH for support through established support
mechanisms
o  development of research skills by investigators
o  research salary support of key investigators
o  consultants
o  establishment of research laboratories
o  central shared equipment and other research resources
o  alterations and renovations (modest level)
o  grant related support personnel
o  other direct costs of development of institutional research
capability

Costs Not Allowable

o  training
o  construction
o  salary for teaching and other non-research activities
o  institutional grants and contract office, central accounting, and
similar activities
o  research project support for established investigators unless
necessary for temporary start-up costs as in recruitment, or
relocation or initiation of new research directions

Support provided through the IDeA program may not replace existing
state, institutional or Federal research support.  IDeA support may
not be used to maintain current biomedical activities, but must be
used to develop innovative ways to enhance the quality and
competitiveness of the state institutional biomedical research base.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit by March 12, 1993, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
program, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, and the number and title of the RFA in response to
which the application may be submitted.

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does
not enter into the review of subsequent applications, the information
contained is helpful in planning for the review of applications.  It
allows NIH staff to estimate the potential review workload and to
avoid possible conflict of interest in the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle at the
address listed under INQUIRIES.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted using form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91).
These forms are available in most institutional business and
sponsored program offices and may be requested from the Office of
Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of
Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone
(301) 496-7441.

Applications must follow the instructions provided in the PHS 398
form and the following:

Application Face Page -

The RFA label in the PHS 398 kit must be affixed to the bottom of the
face page of the application.  Failure to use this label could result
in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach
the review committee in time for review.  In addition, the RFA number
and title must be typed on line 2a of the face page form, the "YES"
box must be checked, and "P20" typed in item 2b.

Item 6 - Dates of Entire Proposed Project Period.  The total proposed
project period should begin on September 30, 1993, and may not exceed
one year in length.

Form Page 4 - Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period

The budget presented should reflect the applicant's estimate of
activity costs for the one-year period.

Form Page 5 -

Budget for Entire Proposed Project Period - Not applicable; do not
complete.

Justification - Follow the instructions provided.

The signed, typewritten original of the application, including the
Checklist, and three exact photocopies of the signed application must
be submitted to:

Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**

At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application
must also be sent to Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle at the address noted
below.

Applications must be submitted by April 13, 1993.  Applications
submitted after this date will be returned to the applicant.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Review Procedure

Review of IDeA applications for scientific and technical merit will
be performed by an ad hoc review committee convened by the Office of
Review, NCRR.  Applications will undergo a second level of review by
the National Advisory Research Resources Council.

Applications in response to this solicitation will be reviewed using
the usual NIH peer review procedures.

Criteria for review of applications include the following:

1.  What are the merits of the research development goals to be
achieved by the requested IDeA award?

2.  What are the merits of the plan proposed to achieve the research
development goals?

3.  What is the quality of the research to be conducted during the
award?

Criteria for review for pilot or start up studies include:

o  Significance and relevance of the proposed research problem;
potential for publishable results and continued future funding.

o  Appropriateness of research plan, including specific aims,
experimental design, methodology, consideration of alternatives, data
analysis, scope and timetable.

o  Adequacy of resources, including background and training of
principal investigator and other personnel, availability and
suitability of specialized facilities and equipment.

o  Relevance of proposed project to institutional plan for expansion
of biomedical research capacity.

4.  What are the research qualifications of existing and proposed
personnel related to the IDeA award?

5.  Is the requested time and budget justified?

6.  What are the administrative strengths of the applicant
institution?

7.  What is the evidence of the commitment of the applicant
institution and the state to the achievement of the research
development goals and to sustaining those achievements?

8.  What is the probability that the research development goals will
be achieved and sustained, and that high quality health research will
result?

Special emphasis will be placed on the impact of the proposed project
on the institution(s) and the state and its potential to obtain
additional NIH research support to continue and expand its
activities.

AWARD CRITERIA

In making funding decisions, NCRR will give consideration to ensure
program balance among the various types of programs and/or geographic
distribution.  Consideration will also be given to focus on reaching
minority, rural and other underserved and disadvantaged individuals.

INQUIRIES

Prospective applicants are advised to communicate with NCRR program
and grants management staff who are available to assist applicants to
ensure that the objectives, structure and budget format for the
proposal are acceptable.

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.
The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential
applicants is welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle
Director, Biomedical Research Support Program
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 10A11
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-6743

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Mary V. Niemiec
Office of Grants and Contracts Management
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 849
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-9840

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

Awards will be made under authorization of the Public Health Service
Act, Title III, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended, 42 USC 241)
and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42
CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems Agency Review.

APPENDIX I

Alabama              Maine                  South Carolina
Alaska               Mississippi            South Dakota
Arkansas             Montana                Vermont
Delaware             Nebraska               West Virginia
Hawaii               Nevada                 Wyoming
Idaho                New Mexico
Kansas               North Dakota
Kentucky             Oklahoma
Louisiana            Puerto Rico

APPENDIX II

The Council on Chiropractic Education Accredited Status Holding
Institutions:

Cleveland Chiropractic College
Kansas City, Missouri

Cleveland Chiropractic College of Cleveland University -Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

Life Chiropractic College
Marietta, Georgia

Life Chiropractic College - West
San Lorenzo, California

Logan College of Chiropractic
Chesterfield, Missouri

Los Angeles College of Chiropractic
Whittier, California

National College of Chiropractic
Lombard, Illinois

New York Chiropractic College
Seneca Falls, New York

Northwestern College of Chiropractic
Bloomington, Minnesota

Palmer College of Chiropractic - West
Sunnyvale, California

Palmer College of Chiropractic
Davenport, Louisiana

Parker College of Chiropractic
Dallas, Texas

Texas Chiropractic College
Pasadena, Texas

Western States Chiropractic College
Portland, Oregon

.

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