From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Tue Sep 06 23:00:00 1994 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS - 4 September 1994 Date: 6 Sep 1994 17:38:43 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 82 Sender: kristoff@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <34j22j$vb@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net This message contains a summary of the documents added to the NSF STIS system in the previous week. Reference material concerning STIS follows the summary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** NEW DOCUMENTS ON STIS ** Document Type: Letter Title: LCIS9401 DEFINING ALL-OPTICAL NETWORKS File size (bytes): 117847 STIS Filename: lcis9401 Title: LENG9401 NATIONAL SBIR/FEDERAL HIGH TECH CONFERENCES FOCUS ON SBIR PROGRAM, COMMERCIALIZING R&D, AND NEW PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES File size (bytes): 3048 STIS Filename: leng9401 Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF 94-119 Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships File size (bytes): 41126 STIS Filename: nsf94119 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF93-151--Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Molecular Evolution File size (bytes): 367 STIS Filename: nsf93151 Also available: nsf93151.doc Document Type: Recruit Title: Senior Executive Service Nationwide Vacancy Listing File size (bytes): 53872 STIS Filename: sesvac ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** FOR YOUR REFERENCE ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOW TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS The above files can be retrieved in electronic form using the STIS system. If you don't know how to use STIS, send an E-mail message to stisinfo@nsf.gov (Internet). You will receive a copy of the STIS flyer via E-mail. If you are already using STIS, you can use the information above to retrieve these files: Documents via E-mail: Send a message to stisserve@nsf.gov (Internet). Use the "STIS Filename" shown above in the "get" command. For example, to retrieve sesvac, the text of your message should be as follows: get sesvac Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve sesvac, you would enter: ftp> get sesvac WAIS or Gopher: Do a word search on the filename as shown in the summary. If you want a *printed* copy of a document: Send your name and postal mailing address, and the document title and number to "pubs@nsf.gov" (Internet). If you have problems with the above procedures: Send a message to "stis@nsf.gov" (Internet). From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Mon Sep 12 23:00:00 1994 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS - 12 September 1994 Date: 12 Sep 1994 18:38:17 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 91 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <352vq9$pf5@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net This message contains a summary of the documents added to the NSF STIS system in the previous week. Reference material concerning STIS follows the summary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** NEW DOCUMENTS ON STIS ** Document Type: Recruit Title: Biologist (Science Assistant) File size (bytes): 3718 STIS Filename: vex9441 Title: Biologist (Science Assistant) File size (bytes): 3676 STIS Filename: vex9442 Title: Physicist/Chemist/Materials Scientist (Program Director) File size (bytes): 5150 STIS Filename: vex9443 Title: Systems Accountant (Special Assistant) File size (bytes): 5169 STIS Filename: vgs94116 Title: Computer Specialist File size (bytes): 5396 STIS Filename: vgs94117 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF93-151--Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Molecular Evolution File size (bytes): 32395 STIS Filename: nsf93151 Also available: nsf93151.doc Title: NSF 94-114 Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biosciences Related to the Environment File size (bytes): 26732 STIS Filename: nsf94114 Also available: nsf94114.doc Title: NSF 94-114 Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biosciences Related to the Environment File size (bytes): 26732 STIS Filename: nsf94114 Also available: nsf94114.doc ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** FOR YOUR REFERENCE ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOW TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS The above files can be retrieved in electronic form using the STIS system. If you don't know how to use STIS, send an E-mail message to stisinfo@nsf.gov (Internet). You will receive a copy of the STIS flyer via E-mail. If you are already using STIS, you can use the information above to retrieve these files: Documents via E-mail: Send a message to stisserve@nsf.gov (Internet). Use the "STIS Filename" shown above in the "get" command. For example, to retrieve nsf94114, the text of your message should be as follows: get nsf94114 Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve nsf94114, you would enter: ftp> get nsf94114 WAIS or Gopher: Do a word search on the filename as shown in the summary. If you want a *printed* copy of a document: Send your name and postal mailing address, and the document title and number to "pubs@nsf.gov" (Internet). If you have problems with the above procedures: Send a message to "stis@nsf.gov" (Internet). From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Thu Sep 15 23:00:00 1994 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA AI-94-029 - V23(33) 09/16/94 Date: 15 Sep 1994 23:47:44 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 444 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <35bf2g$qnq@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA AI94029 AI-94-029 P1O1 *************************************** PEDIATRIC AIDS: FACTORS IN TRANSMISSION AND PATHOGENESIS NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 32, August 26, 1994 RFA: AI-94-029 P.T. 34, AA; K.W. 0715008, 0765033 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Letter of Intent Receipt Date: November 15, 1994 Application Receipt Date: February 16, 1995 PURPOSE The Division of AIDS (DAIDS) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) invites applications for research designed to study transmission and pathogenesis of HIV-1 in infants and children. Applications are sought for laboratory studies that elucidate: (1) the timing and mechanism of transmission of HIV from mother to infant or (2) factors that determine whether infected children become long-term asymptomatic survivors or suffer from rapidly progressive disease. The NIAID seeks applications for research studies that utilize advances in virology, immunology, and genetics to address these questions. Of special interest are those basic research studies that hold promise for development of clinical strategies to prevent mother-to-infant transmission of HIV-1 or to treat perinatally infected children to prolong and improve the quality of their lives. For applications proposing use of clinical specimens, documented access to an adequate number of samples to address the study hypotheses will be required. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Request for Applications (RFA), Pediatric AIDS: Factors in Transmission and Pathogenesis is related to the priority areas of: HIV infection, immunization and infectious diseases, and maternal and infant health. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-782-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Research grant applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign, for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply for First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) Awards. Applications from minority individuals and women are encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanisms of support will be the individual research project grant (R01) and the FIRST (R29) award. Multidisciplinary approaches that involve collaborative efforts among investigators in the fields of basic immunology, molecular biology, genetics, virology, and infectious disease are strongly encouraged. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed five years. This RFA is a one-time solicitation for applications for new and competing renewal awards. Future competing renewal applications will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and will be reviewed according to customary referral and review procedures. FUNDS AVAILABLE The estimated total funds (direct and indirect costs) available for the first year of support for all awards made under this RFA will be $2,000,000. In Fiscal Year 1995, the NIAID plans to fund approximately 12 R01s/R29s. This level of support is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit. Applications may not request more than four percent annual inflationary increases for future years. The usual PHS policies governing grants administration and management will apply. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NIAID, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. Funding beyond the first and subsequent years of the grant will be contingent upon satisfactory progress during the preceding years and availability of funds. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background Mother to infant transmission of HIV continues to be one of the fastest growing aspects in the worldwide pandemic of AIDS. The World Health Organization has estimated that over 10 million children worldwide will be infected by the year 2000. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 10,000 children are currently infected with HIV, and approximately 6000 infants are born annually to HIV-infected women in the U.S. The recent success in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) protocol 076 suggests that prevention strategies in the perinatal period may be highly efficient at decreasing mother to infant HIV-1 transmission. The ACTG 076 study indicated that women with greater than 200 CD4 cells x 106 /cc3 who initiate treatment with zidovudine (ZDV) during pregnancy can prevent transmission of HIV to their infants in about two-thirds of the cases. However, this study did not address the effectiveness of ZDV in women with less than 200 CD4 counts or who may be infected with ZDV-resistant variants. Unfortunately, other studies have indicated that women with lower CD4 counts may have an even higher likelihood of transmitting HIV to their infants. The recently initiated trial (ACTG 185) comparing HIV Immune Globulin (HIVIG) with IVIG placebo, both combined with ZDV, will include women with a wider range of CD4 counts and prior anti-retroviral therapy, but results of that trial will not be available for four to five years. In 1991, the NIAID funded a series of grants focused on two areas of basic research in Pediatric AIDS -- early diagnosis of HIV infection and studies to investigate factors involved in mother to infant transmission of HIV. These grants focused primarily on immunological and virological factors influencing mother to infant transmission and have led to many of the concepts about the mode and timing of perinatal HIV transmission. The objectives of this RFA are: to encourage coordinated basic research on the immunology, host genetics, and virology associated with perinatal HIV-1 transmission, its timing and mode, and to identify factors that appear to delay progressive manifestations of pediatric HIV-1 infection. Scope of Research Sought in this RFA The NIAID wishes to support continued research in Pediatric AIDS in the following targeted areas. o Studies attempting to define the timing of perinatal transmission relative to HIV-1 viral load and disease progression. o Coordinated studies of immunological, virological and host genetic factors that might influence perinatal HIV-1 transmission. o Studies that evaluate viral pathogenesis with a specific focus on infection of cell subsets in fetuses, neonates and young infants. o Studies that investigate oral or mucosal surfaces either as the exposure route for infants or as a source of perinatal infection by AIDS viruses. o Studies that evaluate the immunology, physiology, genetics and virology of children with long-term survival of HIV infection. These are examples of appropriate studies; other studies addressing risk for or timing of transmission of HIV-1 from mother to infant, or disease progression in the infant may be proposed. Advances in quantitative HIV culture techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of HIV, detection of immune complex-dissociated HIV-1 p24 antigen, and detection of HIV- specific IgA have enabled clinical research teams to rapidly and accurately identify HIV-infected children within the first several months of life. It now appears that, in the absence of breastfeeding, about half of the infants infected with HIV at or before birth can be identified at the time of birth, whereas HIV is not detected in the remaining children until one to twelve weeks after birth. These and other findings have suggested that there may be at least two modes of perinatal HIV infection and that the timing of infection (in utero versus intrapartum) may greatly affect viral load and disease progression in the infant. Stratification of data based on the time of initial detection of HIV-1 may be useful in studies of perinatal or postnatal (breastfeeding) infection. Several other issues regarding perinatal HIV transmission and pediatric AIDS have received only limited attention. Although early detection of HIV infection is possible, information about immunological and virological factors that influence perinatal transmission is still fragmentary and studies that have coordinately evaluated both immunological factors and viral factors are limited in scope. Although it is widely believed that genetic factors may play a role in susceptibility to or severity of HIV infection, only a few studies have evaluated genetic factors related to perinatal HIV transmission along with either virological or immunological parameters. Thus, studies of the host (mother and child) genetics and immune responses coordinated with HIV virology will be considered responsive to this RFA. Fetuses, neonates, and young infants may become infected by entry of the virus into their blood (across the placenta) or by exposure of mucosal surfaces to HIV-infected blood, cervical secretions, or milk. Certain viral characteristics may facilitate infection of infants by one or both of these routes. Non-syncytium inducing (NSI) variants of HIV that can replicate well in macrophages and monocytes appear to be the predominant type of HIV that has been obtained from infants in several small studies. Macrophage-tropic and/or cytopathic HIV variants might have a selective advantage in transmission, pathogenesis or evasion of immune defenses. Studies that address these topics with respect to perinatal infection will be considered responsive to this RFA. Some recent data suggest that intrapartum transmission of HIV may occur by the oral/mucosal route. Studies that coordinate virological and immunological studies of mucosal surfaces in HIV-infected infants and/or women during different stages of pregnancy are of utmost importance to resolve issues of intrapartum transmission. Studies to evaluate the specificity, function and timing of pediatric IgA responses to HIV might shed light on the route and mode of exposure in infants that become infected with HIV. Highly focused animal studies to address oral transmission and potential intervention strategies will be considered responsive to this RFA. Finally, a number of children that have become infected with HIV have led disease-free lives for more that seven years with relatively little impact upon their CD4 cell number, immune system or health. Intensified studies on immunology, physiology, genetics and virology in these children might shed light on the factors that allow successful control of HIV infection and progression to AIDS. Clinical samples, if required, may be drawn from clinical trials or ongoing natural history studies. This solicitation is not intended for direct conduct of clinical trials, patient care, or maintenance of natural history cohorts. Availability of adequate numbers of clinical samples or animal resources to address the study hypotheses MUST BE documented in the application. STUDY POPULATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations) which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some new provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research", which have been published as a separate Part VIII in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (59 FR 14508-14513). This was also reprinted in the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS of March 18, 1994, Vol. 23, No. 11. Investigators may obtain copies from these sources, from program staff or from Dr. Fast or Dr. Mathieson (listed in INQUIRIES below) who may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. Note: Studies of mother-to-infant transmission may, by their nature, include women but not men as study subjects. The gender of their infants will be unknown to the investigator in studies beginning during pregnancy. If the population of HIV-infected women available for study is limited to, or primarily composed of, one racial or ethnic group, investigators should explain the circumstances in the application and address potential ways to overcome this limitation. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by November 15, 1994, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the overall proposed research, the name, address and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, and the number and title of this RFA. Although the letter of intent is not required, is not binding, does not commit the sender to submit an application, and does not enter into the review of subsequent applications, the information that it contains allows NIAID staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Dianne Tingley at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the standard research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91). For purposes of identification and processing, item 2a on the face page of the application must be marked "YES" and the RFA number and the words "PEDIATRIC AIDS: FACTORS IN TRANSMISSION & PATHOGENESIS" must be typed in. Application forms may be obtained from the institution's office for sponsored research or its equivalent and from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 594-7248. It is highly recommended that the Program Officers in the Vaccine Research and Development Branch be contacted in the early stages of preparation of the application. (See program contact in INQUIRIES below.) Applications must be received by February 16, 1995. Applications that are not received by the receipt date or that do not conform to the instructions contained in PHS 398 (rev. 09/91) application kit, will be judged non-responsive and will be returned to the applicant. The RFA label available in the application form PHS 398 must be affixed to the bottom of the face page. 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. FIRST (R29) applications must include at least three sealed letters of reference attached to the face page of the original application. FIRST (R29) applications submitted without the required number of reference letters will be considered incomplete and will be returned without review. If the application submitted in response to this RFA is substantially similar to a grant application already submitted to the NIH for review, but has not yet been reviewed, the applicant will be asked to withdraw either the pending application or the new one. Simultaneous submission of identical applications will not be allowed, nor will essentially identical applications be reviewed by different review committees. Therefore, an application cannot be submitted in response to this RFA that is essentially identical to one that has already been reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application including the checklist, three signed, exact, single-sided photocopies, and one copy of any appendix material, in one package to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** At the time of submission, two additional exact copies of the grant application and five sets of any appendix material must be sent to Dr. Dianne Tingley at the address listed under INQUIRIES. Applicants from institutions that have a General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) funded by the NIH National Center for Research Resources may wish to identify the GCRC as a resource for conducting the proposed research. If so, a letter of agreement from either the GCRC program director or Principal Investigator should be included with the application. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by DRG and for responsiveness to the RFA by NIAID staff. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. If NIAID staff find that the application is not responsive to the RFA, it will be returned without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to this RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NIAID. As part of the initial merit review, a process (triage) may be used by the initial review group in which the applications will be determined to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to this RFA. Applications judged to be competitive will be discussed and be assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be non-competitive will be withdrawn from further consideration and the principal investigator/program director and the official signing for the applicant organization will be promptly notified. The factors to be considered in the evaluation of scientific merit of each application will be those used in the review of traditional research project grant applications, including: the novelty, originality, and feasibility of the approach; the training, experience, and research competence of the investigator(s); the adequacy of the experimental design; and the adequacy and suitability of the facilities. The initial review group will also be instructed to provide an assessment of the extent to which the proposed research that might advance the fields of research specifically targeted by this RFA. While the following review factors do not usually influence the priority score, they are nonetheless carefully considered by the initial review group: the appropriateness of the requested budget to the work proposed; the adequacy of protection of human subjects and/or animals in research; and the adherence, whenever appropriate, to NIH guidelines concerning adequate representation of women and minorities in clinical research. Any documented concerns expressed by the initial review group about any of these factors on a given application may influence the recommendation of the Advisory Council concerning funding of that application. AWARD CRITERIA Funding decisions will be made on the basis of scientific and technical merit as determined by peer review, program priorities, and the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. Potential applicants are welcome to seek clarification of any issues or questions. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Bonnie J. Mathieson, Ph.D. or Patricia E. Fast, M.D., Ph.D. Division of AIDS National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 2B06 6003 Executive Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-8200 FAX: (301) 402-1506 or (301) 480-5703 Direct inquiries regarding review issues; address the letter of intent to; and mail two copies of the application and five sets of appendices to: Dianne Tingley, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 4C16 6003 Executive Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-0818 FAX: (301) 402-2638 Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Carol Alderson Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 4B27 6003 Executive Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7075 FAX: (301) 480-3780 Schedule Letter of Intent Receipt Date: November 15, 1994 Application Receipt Date: February 16, 1995 Scientific Review Date: June/July 1995 Advisory Council Date: September 1995 Earliest Award Date: September 1995 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, No. 93.856 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research and 93.855 Immunology, Allergy and Transplantation Research. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42 USC 241) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Thu Sep 15 23:00:00 1994 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA HL-95-001 - V23(33) 09/16/94 Date: 15 Sep 1994 23:47:49 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 519 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <35bf2l$qoe@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA HL95001 HL-95-001 P1O1 *************************************** GENE-NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFA: HL-95-001 P.T. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Letter of Intent Receipt Date: December 16, 1994 Application Receipt Date: April 21, 1995 PURPOSE The Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases invites applications to conduct research into the relationship between genes and nutrients in the etiology and prevention of Congenital Cardiovascular Malformations (CCVM). One goal is to foster basic research into the effects of nutrients on embryologic and fetal development of the cardiovascular system. Approaches may include cell and organ culture, the generation of genetically altered animal models and the use of molecular biology and molecular genetics to elucidate the mechanisms underlying those effects. A second goal is to encourage small epidemiologic investigations into the role of nutrients in the pathogenesis of human CCVM. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Request for Applications (RFA), Gene-Nutrient Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Congenital Heart Defects, is related to the priority areas of maternal and infant health, infant mortality and nutrition. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign, for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State or local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Applications from minority individuals and women are encouraged. Awards in connection with this RFA will be made to foreign institutions only for research of very unusual merit, need and promise and in accordance with PHS policy governing such awards. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual research grant (R01). Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period for an application submitted in response to the present RFA may not exceed five years. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Future unsolicited competing continuation applications will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and be reviewed according to the customary peer review procedures. Since a variety of approaches would represent valid responses to this RFA, it is anticipated that there will be a range of costs among individual grants awarded. FUNDS AVAILABLE The total funds available for the first year of this program (direct plus indirect costs) are $2.00M. Funding is expected to begin in September 1995. It is anticipated that no more than eight grants will be awarded under this program. This level of support is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit. Although this program is provided for in the financial plan of the NHLBI, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. Administrative adjustments in project period and/or amount of support may be required at the time of the award. In order to more evenly distribute administrative workload and reduce the number of awards with July 1 or September 30 start dates, the NHLBI will award ten months of time and money for the first competing budget period of this project. This action results in a project period of 58 months. Investigators should plan their research projects and budgets within these timeframes. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Disciplines and Expertise Expertise appropriate for investigators includes but is not restricted to: developmental biology, human or animal genetics, molecular biology, epidemiology, experimental nutrition, human nutrition and dietetics, biochemistry, and biostatistics. Background Congenital cardiovascular malformations (CCVM) present our society with an enormous burden of grief and expense. About eight percent of all deaths during the first year of life are due to CCVM. Each year approximately 30,000 babies are born with CCVM, of whom 2,900 will die before their first birthday. Birth defects comprise the largest component of infant mortality in the United States and 42 percent of deaths due to birth defects are caused by CCVM. All U.S. population groups are afflicted by these relatively high rates. For example, although much of the 2.5 fold elevation in infant mortality of African American infants is due to prematurity and Respiratory Distress Syndrome, these infants experience excessive deaths from CCVM as well. Many of the children with CCVM who survive infancy go on to suffer sustained disease. After asthma and mental retardation, CCVM represent the most frequent cause of serious chronic childhood morbidity, being more common than cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. CCVM in older children and adolescents are accompanied by chronic use of medications, multiple medical procedures, hospitalizations, and often, repeated open heart operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Not surprisingly, these children are likely to suffer impaired physical and social development. Furthermore, deaths due to CCVM occur throughout childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Three thousand six hundred children under age 15 die annually from CCVM; 700 of these are more than 1 year old. In 1992, nearly $500 million was spent to cover the costs of 44,000 hospitalizations of children under age 15 with CCVM. The societal costs of serious CCVM are unknown, but are certainly very high, considering the loss of productive years of life, the burden on caregivers, and the magnitude of medical expenses. For many years the etiology of CCVM was thought to be multifactorial, involving a complex interaction of the feto-placento-maternal unit and teratogens. Genes were thought to play only a small role, in part because few children with CCVM lived long enough to reproduce; this hampered detection of the genetic nature of many of these defects. After a decade of focused research, much of which was funded by NHLBI, there are new insights into the pathogenesis of CCVM. It now appears that many if not most CCVM are caused by gene mutations. A genetic etiology is now either strongly suspected or confirmed for at least eight different structural cardiovascular malformations. One of these, supravalvular aortic stenosis, is now known to be caused by a mutation in the elastin gene. It is possible that the abnormal genotype causing as many as half of these eight CCVM may be identified relatively soon. Given the unsatisfactory nature of current treatments for many CCVM, it seems prudent to consider strategies for prevention. Other than genetic counseling and avoidance of pregnancy, there are no interventions available to reduce the frequency of offspring with congenital heart disease. Recent findings in the pathogenesis and prevention of neural tube defects, however, support the concept that risk of other birth defects, including CCVM, may in some cases be related to maternal nutrient intake. This concept is buttressed by the results of clinical trials that have focused on the role of folate in the prevention of neural tube defects. Approximately half of all NTD, whether among the general population or among high risk mothers who have already borne a child with an NTD, may be prevented by daily supplementation of the maternal diet with 4 mg of folate interaction between the genetic background of the mother or fetus and the increased need for folate or other nutrients but the relative importance of such interactions in the causation of most cases of NTD is unknown. Recent genetic research on NTD has associated the location of different NTDs (ranging from anencephaly to sacral meningocele) with a variety of specific maternal exposures such as hyperthermia or low folate intake. NTDs are, by definition, the result of failure of early morphogenetic processes. The mechanisms underlying neural tube closure have been studied in considerable detail. There appear to be five different "zippers" that span the length of the neural tube and function to close it during development. These zippers are presumably under the control of one or more genes, mutations in which would cause an NTD in the region of that zipper. Proper function of two of these zippers appears to be sensitive to folate deficiency. These preliminary findings in the pathogenesis of NTD support the concept that risk of other types of birth defects may also be affected by maternal nutrient intake. Progress being made in elucidating gene-nutrient interactions in organs other than heart lends credence to the possibility that such connections could be made for CCVM. For example, Vitamin C has been shown to be required growth, malformations mirroring part of the CRBP I expression pattern during development. CRABP I transcripts, on the other hand, are found in tissues which are separate and distinct from those expressing CRBP I. Saturation of the cytoplasmic pool of CRABP I with large doses of exogenous RA could be expected to cause homeobox or other genes to be turned on inappropriately. This may be part of the mechanism by which one metabolite of vitamin A, isotretoin, consumed in the first trimester of pregnancy, produces conotruncal malformations in the human embryo. Not all of the malformations that may be secondary to gene-nutrient interactions are necessarily the result of inadequate or excessive maternal nutrient intake. Rather, mutated genes may interact with normal nutrient intake to produce an abnormal phenotype. This concept is well illustrated by the Pallid (pa) mouse mutant. When fed a normal diet, mice homozygous for the pa allele produce offspring which are ataxic due to failure of otolith formation. When these same genotypically mutant mice are fed supraphysiologic supplements of the trace element manganese, their pups are phenotypically normal, showing no signs of ataxia. Moreover, genotypically normal rats fed a diet deficient in manganese produce offspring with the Pallid phenotype of ataxia and absent otolith formation. The manganese deficient phenotype has also been reported in chick, mouse and guinea pig and appears to result from depressed mucopolysaccharide synthesis. According to Hurley, "Manipulation of a single agent (the nutrient manganese) could, through deprivation, alter the expression of the wild type gene to produce a phenocopy of the mutant. On the other hand, administration of large amounts of the agent (the nutrient manganese) altered the expression of the mutant allele to produce the normal phenotype." In this light, it is useful to consider the following paradigm (modified from Hurley): LEVEL OF NUTRIENT INTAKE Mutant Genotype ---------------------> Mutant Phenotype Normal Genotype ---------------------> Normal Phenotype Mutant Genotype ---------------------> Normal Phenotype Normal Genotype ---------------------> Mutant Phenotype Areas of Research Two general areas of research are appropriate for this RFA, namely molecular/genetic studies of cardiovascular morphogenesis in animal models and small epidemiologic investigations of the role of nutrients in the pathogenesis of human CCVM. It is anticipated that both approaches will yield much needed information on measures that eventually may prevent some cases of CCVM in humans. Successful applications will have hypotheses to direct the course of the research. The molecular/genetic research will test hypotheses regarding potential mechanisms by which a nutritional deficiency or toxicity may produce malformations comparable to human CCVM. Given the existing body of literature on Vitamin A/beta-carotene, studies involving retinoid related genes must address the mechanisms by which decreased RA affects normal morphogenesis of the cardiovascular system. Far less information is available regarding the role of other nutrients in organogenesis. Hence, research on the role of vitamins and trace elements in the pathogenesis of CCVM may be more broadly applied. The use of well-defined animal models, whether naturally occurring or transgenic, is encouraged. Researchers may propose to study gene-nutrient interactions in 'normal' animals fed a nutrient-deficient diet. Investigators also may wish to propose targeted interventions that may correct the abnormal phenotype of an animal model of inherited CCVM. Research resources, such as Keeshond Beagles, which suffer form conotruncal defects, or Yucatan miniature swine, which have a high frequency of ventricular septal defects, may be considered. Similar investigations in humans would be premature and are not appropriate for this RFA. Large new epidemiologic studies are not likely to be feasible with the budgets allotted for grants awarded under this RFA; 'add-on' projects may be proposed, however, to take advantage of existing or planned research programs. Studies that propose to make use of already existing epidemiologic data bases or cohorts with well-defined nutrient intake and pregnancy outcomes are acceptable. However, diagnosis of CCVM in children involved in studies must be performed by a pediatric cardiologist, using appropriate techniques such as echocardiography or angiography to avoid errors due to mis-diagnosis. The following examples of potential studies are given for illustrative purposes only. Investigators are urged to use their own knowledge of the field in preparing their grant applications. o small epidemiologic studies of cases of specific CCVMs for which maternal diets are well-defined o nutritional investigations in animal strains with known predispositions toward specific defects o studies of the role of nutrients in gene expression during cardiovascular development o studies elucidating the role of nutrients in the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells o Tissue culture studies of nutrient requirements for synthesis of the cardiac extracellular matrix o elucidation of the role of nutrients in the migration of cells and formation of tissues Exclusions Clinical intervention trials and treatment studies in humans will not be considered responsive to this RFA. Large epidemiologic studies and multiproject studies similar to program project applications will not be accepted. STUDY POPULATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations), which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513), and reprinted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by December 16, 1994, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, the name, address, and telephone number of the principal investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions, 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 that it contains is helpful in planning for the review of applications. It allows NHLBI staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. C. James Scheirer at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application for PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 240, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone 301/594-7248. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application form 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, to identify the application as a response to this RFA, Check "YES", enter the title "Gene-Nutrient Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Congenital Heart Defects", and the RFA number HL-95-001 on line 2a of the face page of the application. Send or deliver a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and three signed photocopies, in one package to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** Send two additional copies of the application to Dr. Scheirer at the address listed under INQUIRIES. It is important to send these two copies at the same time as the original and three copies are sent to the Division of Research Grants, otherwise the NHLBI cannot guarantee that the application will be reviewed in competition for this RFA. Applicants from institutions that have a General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) funded by the NIH National Center for Research Resources may wish to identify the GCRC as a resource for conducting the proposed research. If so, a letter of agreement from either the GCRC program director or principal investigator could be included with the application. Applications must be received by April 21, 1995. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant. The Division of Research Grants (DRG) will not accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The DRG will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by NIH staff for completeness and responsiveness. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. If the application is either late or not responsive to the RFA, NHLBI staff will contact the applicant to determine whether to return the application to the applicant or submit it for review in competition with unsolicited applications at the next review cycle. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NHLBI in accordance with the review criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, a process (triage) may be used by the initial review group in which applications will be determined to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to the RFA. Applications judged to be competitive will be discussed and be assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be non- competitive will be withdrawn from further consideration and the Principal Investigator and the official signing for the applicant organization will be notified. The second level of review will be provided by the National Heart, Lung, Blood Advisory Council. Review criteria for this RFA are generally the same as those for unsolicited research grant applications. o the novelty, originality and feasibility of the approach and the adequacy of the experimental design o the competence of the principal investigator and collaborators to accomplish the proposed research, and the commitment and time they will devote to the project o the suitability of the facilities to perform the proposed research, including laboratories, instrumentation and data management systems o the appropriateness of the requested budget and duration for the proposed research o adequate plans for interaction and communication of information and concepts among investigators involved in collaborative studies AWARD CRITERIA Awards made under this RFA to foreign institutions will be made only for research of very unusual merit, need and promise, and in accordance with Public Health Service policy governing such awards. Upon initiation of the program, the Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases will sponsor periodic meetings to encourage exchange of information among investigators who participate in this program and stimulate collaboration. Applicants should request additional travel funds for a one-day meeting each year, most likely to be held in Bethesda, Maryland. Applicants should also include a statement in their applications indicating their willingness to participate in these meetings. Applications must fulfill all the eligibility criteria to be considered for funding. The most important criterion in selecting awardees will be the scientific merit as reflected in the priority score. However, factors such as program balance and available funds may enter into selection from among meritorious applications. Timetable Letter of Intent Receipt Date: December 16, 1994 Application Receipt Date: April 21, 1995 Review by NHLBAC: September 1995 Anticipated Award Date: September 1995 INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries are encouraged. We welcome the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants. Inquiries regarding programmatic issues may be directed to: Dr. Abby G. Ershow Lipid Metabolism-Atherogenesis Branch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Federal Building, Room 401 7550 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9050 Bethesda, MD 20892-9050 Telephone: (301) 496-1681 FAX: (301) 496-9882 Dr. Constance Weinstein Cardiac Diseases Branch National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Federal Building, Room 3C06 7550 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9050 Bethesda, MD 20892-9050 Telephone: (301) 496-1081 FAX: (301) 480-6282 Direct inquiries regarding review and application procedures, address the leter of intent to, and mail two copies of the application to: Dr. C. James Scheirer Division of Extramural Affairs National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Westwood Building, Room 548B Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7478 FAX: (301) 594-7407 Inquiries regarding fiscal and administrative matters may be directed to: Mr. William Darby Division of Extramural Affairs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Westwood Building, Room 4A11 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7458 FAX: (301) 594-7492 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS The programs of the Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, are identified in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No, 93.837. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Section 301 (42 USC 241) and administered under specifically 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372, or to Health Systems Agency review. The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Thu Sep 15 23:00:00 1994 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 23, no. 33, pt. 1of3, 16 September 1994 Date: 15 Sep 1994 23:47:01 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 1499 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <35bf15$qi7@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID NIHGUIDE 19940916 V23N33 P1O3 ************************************ X-comment: RFAS described: AG-95-001, RR-94-005, HL-95-002, CA-94-030, AI-94- 029, CA-94-031, HL-95-001, HD-95-003 NIH GUIDE - Vol. 23, No. 33 - September 16, 1994 $$INDEX BEGIN ******************************************************* NOTICES $$INDEX N1 ********************************************************** IMPLEMENTATION OF MODIFICATIONS OF THE NIH GUIDE National Institutes of Health INDEX: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH $$INDEX N2 ********************************************************** THE HUMAN BRAIN PROJECT: PHASE I FEASIBILITY STUDIES (PA-93-068) National Institute of Mental Health National Institute on Drug Abuse National Institute on Aging National Institute on Child Health and Human Development National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Library of Medicine Fogarty International Center National Institute of Dental Research National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Science Foundation Office of Naval Research National Aeronautics and Space Administration Department of Energy INDEX: MENTAL HEALTH; DRUG ABUSE; AGING; CHILD HEALTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; DEAFNESS, OTHER COMMUNICATIONS DISORDERS; NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE; FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER; DENTAL RESEARCH; HEART, LUNG, BLOOD; ALCOHOL ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM; NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION; NAVAL RESEARCH; AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION; ENERGY NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs) $$INDEX R1 ********************************************************** STUDIES TO EVALUATE THE TOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC POTENTIAL OF SELECTED CHEMICALS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS VIA INHALATION (RFP NIH-ES-94-46) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences INDEX: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES $$INDEX R2 ********************************************************** ENHANCING RECOVERY IN CORONARY HEART DISEASE (ENRICHD) PATIENTS - CLINICAL UNITS (RFP NHLBI-HC-94-28) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute INDEX: HEART, LUNG, BLOOD $$INDEX R3 ********************************************************** SMALL ANIMAL MODELS OF LENTIVIRUS INFECTION FOR EVALUATING HIV THERAPEUTICS (RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-95-17) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases INDEX: ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES $$INDEX R4 ********************************************************** CLINICAL CENTERS FOR ETIOLOGY OF SARCOIDOSIS: A CASE CONTROL STUDY (RFP NHLBI-HR-94-21) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute INDEX: HEART, LUNG, BLOOD $$INDEX R5 ********************************************************** IN VITRO TEST SYSTEMS FOR EVALUATING CHEMOTHERAPIES AGAINST HIV (RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-95-19) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases INDEX: ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES $$INDEX R6 12/09/94 ************************************************* MINORITY DISSERTATION RESEARCH GRANTS IN AGING (RFA AG-95-001) National Institute on Aging INDEX: AGING $$INDEX R7 12/09/94 ************************************************* BIOENGINEERING FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL (RFA RR-94-005) National Center for Research Resources The Whitaker Foundation INDEX: RESEARCH RESOURCES; THE WHITAKER FOUNDATION $$INDEX R8 01/19/95 ************************************************* MECHANISMS OF POST BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION LUNG INJURY (RFA HL-95-002) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute INDEX: HEART, LUNG, BLOOD $$INDEX R9 01/20/95 ************************************************* SMALL GRANTS FOR HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (RFA CA-94-030) National Cancer Institute INDEX: CANCER $$INDEX R10 02/16/95 ************************************************ PEDIATRIC AIDS: FACTORS IN TRANSMISSION AND PATHOGENESIS (RFA AI-94-029) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases INDEX: ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES $$INDEX R11 02/21/95 ************************************************ SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS OF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE IN PROSTATE CANCER (RFA CA-94-031) National Cancer Institute INDEX: CANCER $$INDEX R12 04/21/95 ************************************************ GENE-NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS (RFA HL-95-001) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute INDEX: HEART, LUNG, BLOOD $$INDEX R13 05/18/95 ************************************************ SPECIALIZED RESEARCH CENTER PROGRAMS OR CENTER CORE GRANTS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH IN REPRODUCTION (RFA HD-95-003) National Institute of Child Health and Human Development INDEX: CHILD HEALTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS $$INDEX P1 ********************************************************** RESEARCH ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (PA-94- 094) National Institute of Mental Health INDEX: MENTAL HEALTH $$INDEX P2 ********************************************************** DRUG DISCOVERY FOR OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH AIDS (PA- 94-095) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases INDEX: ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES This publication is available electronically to institutions via BITNET or INTERNET and is also on the NIH GOPHER. Alternative access is through the NIH Grant Line using a personal computer (data line 301/402-2221). Contact Dr. John James at 301/594-7270 for details. THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE (PHS) STRONGLY ENCOURAGES ALL GRANT RECIPIENTS TO PROVIDE A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE AND PROMOTE THE NON-USE OF ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PHS MISSION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. $$INDEX END ********************************************************* NOTICES $$N1 BEGIN ********************************************************** IMPLEMENTATION OF MODIFICATIONS OF THE NIH GUIDE NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 P.T. 16; K.W. 1004017, 1014002 National Institutes of Health The next issue of the NIH Guide (Vol. 23, No. 34, September 23, 1994) will comply with the revised policies for format and distribution. The printed edition will include Notices of Availability of Program Announcements (PAs), Requests for Applications (RFAs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and policy notices. The full text of the PAs and RFAs is available online on several platforms as described below, and may be obtained electronically by sending a request via email to NIH program staff identified under the INQUIRIES section of each PA and RFA. 1. Electronic Subscriptions to the NIH Guide The NIHGDE-L list is open for subscriptions from individuals. To minimize the possibility of errors, it is best for each person to subscribe him/herself to the list. Subscribing and unsubscribing to/from a list is done via e-mail. BITNET users should send mail to LISTSERV@JHUVM, and Internet users to LISTSERV@JHUVM.HCF.JHU.EDU. To subscribe to the E-Guide list, the text of the mail should be: SUBSCRIBE NIHGDE-L First-name Last-name The First & Last names should be in upper & lower case; e.g.: SUBSCRIBE NIHGDE-L Bill Jones This will register the e-mail address from which the mail was sent for E-Guide distribution. If you wish to have the E-Guide sent to an address from which mail cannot be sent (e.g., an internal distribution list), send mail to WKJ@NIHCU (BITNET) or WKJ@CU.NIH.GOV (Internet). To remove yourself from this list, send mail to LISTSERV@JHUVM (or LISTSERV@JHUVM.HCF.JHU.EDU) containing as the text: UNSUBSCRIBE NIHGDE-L 2. Table of Contents Some users who subscribed to the NIHGDE-L list had problems with the volume of mail that was received each week. They would prefer to see a table of contents, and access the NIH Guide files via Gopher when necessary. For that purpose, the NIHTOC-L list has been established at the NIH. It will contain only the table of contents for each week's NIH Guide. It is an open list that one can subscribe to by sending mail to LISTSERV@NIHLIST or LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV (Internet). The mail should contain as text: SUBSCRIBE NIHTOC-L First-name Last-name If you do subscribe to the NIHTOC-L list and are already subscribed to the NIHGDE-L list, you will probably want to UNSUBSCRIBE from that list. 3. NIH Grant Line Bulletin Board The NIH Grant Line includes information about NIH extramural programs, including the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. A new feature on the NIH Grant Line allows the rapid transmission of files via Bitnet or Internet to a Bitnet or Internet address instead of downloading via a modem. To access the NIH Grant Line, the terminal emulator must be configured as follows: 1200 or 2400 baud, even parity, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, half duplex. Using the procedure specified in the communication software, dial 1-301-402-2221. When a response indicates that a connection has been made, type ,GEN1 (the comma is mandatory) and press ENTER; the NIH system will prompt for INITIALS?. Type BB5 and press ENTER. A prompt will ask for ACCOUNT? Type CCS2 and press ENTER. Messages and a menu will be displayed that allow one to read Bulletins and download Files. Back issues of the NIH Guide are found in different Directories. GUIDE90 has issues going back to July 6, 1990; GUIDE91, GUIDE92, and GUIDE93 have all issues for each year. Type F (for FILES) to access any of the files that are arranged into directories. To get an overview of the kinds of information available, type D (for Directory). Access to NIH Grant Line via the Internet To access the NIH Grant Line in an interactive Internet session, Telnet to WYLBUR.CU.NIH.GOV and, when a message has been received that the connection is open, type VT100. At the INITIALS? prompt, type BB5 and at the ACCOUNT? prompt, type CCS2. This puts the user into the NIH Grant Line. 4. NIH Gopher The NIH Gopher contains information about the NIH, including the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, and has text searching capability. One can tunnel to the NIH Gopher at gopher.nih.gov, if one has access to a system with a Gopher client. Local computer support staff should be consulted for additional information. INQUIRIES Myra Brockett, Program Analyst Institutional Affairs Office National Institutes of Health Telephone: (301) 496-5366 email: q2c@cu.nih.gov $$N1 END ************************************************************ $$N2 BEGIN ********************************************************** THE HUMAN BRAIN PROJECT: PHASE I FEASIBILITY STUDIES NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 PA NUMBER: PA-93-068 P.T. 34; K.W. 0705010, 1002030, 1004017 National Institute of Mental Health National Institute on Drug Abuse National Institute on Aging National Institute on Child Health and Human Development National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Library of Medicine Fogarty International Center National Institute of Dental Research National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Science Foundation Office of Naval Research National Aeronautics and Space Administration Department of Energy For those intending to apply for grants under the Human Brain Project, this addendum is meant to supplement the program announcement PA- 93-068; NIH Guide, Vol. 22, No. 13, April 2, 1993, which is still in effect and must be consulted in conjunction with this addendum. The Human Brain Project is a broadly based Federal research initiative, supported in a coordinated fashion by 14 Federal organizations across five Federal agencies. The general purpose of this initiative is to encourage and support investigator-initiated, basic and clinical neuroscience and behavioral research and development of computer-based resources that could be used to facilitate research on the brain and its functions. Particular emphasis is placed on research and development of tools and approaches to store and manipulate information about the brain and behavior, as well as electronic network technologies which will give scientists access to the stored information and the ability to integrate and synthesize information. The network tools will also provide electronic channels of communication and collaboration to geographically distant laboratories. These capabilities and approaches are referred to here as informatics and include areas such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, and engineering. The combination of brain and behavioral research with informatics research constitutes the developing field of neuroinformatics. To optimize their utility to brain and behavioral researchers, these technologies and approaches will be developed in the context of specific, ongoing, research on the brain and its functions. Thus, all applications need to have an informatics science research component as well as a research component related to the brain and/or behavior. It is, therefore, expected that each application will include a multidisciplinary research team. Application components related to ethical, legal, and social issues pertinent to this initiative are encouraged. Also encouraged are components of applications that are designed to reach out to the public, academic, and/or commercial sectors and educate them about the opportunities that are presented by research and development of neuroinformatics. Participation in an Annual Spring Meeting held in the Washington, DC area is encouraged. In applications for the R01 mechanism, funds to support travel to this meeting should be included in the budget for the principal investigator and up to one additional key member of the research team. In applications for the P20 mechanism, funds to support travel to this meeting should be included in the budget for the principal investigator (the director of the grant), the director of each subproject, and up to one additional key member from the P20 research team. All applications for these feasibility research grants should include a detailed, year-by-year timetable of specific goals. Applications should: o Contain both a brain and/or behavioral research component AND an informatics research component that are well integrated and which promise to move both fields forward o Include a specific plan to monitor progress and evaluate tools and approaches being developed Dates for the submission and resubmission of Phase I Human Brain Project applications and review cycles are as follows: Letter of Intent Receipt Date: July 1 Application Receipt Date: October 15 Administrative Review: October Scientific Review: February/March Advisory Council Review: May/June Earliest Start Date: July It should be noted that there is no additional receipt date for resubmitted applications or for competitive continuations (i.e., renewals). All applications, initial submissions, resubmissions, and competitive continuations will be received only once a year, October 15. Applicants may apply for Interactive Research Project Grants (IRPGs) in addition to the R01 and P20 mechanisms. The IRPG allows for formal interactions between and among research efforts that are funded independently. The IRPG encourages collaborative relationships that do not require extensive, shared, physical resources. A minimum of two independent investigators may submit concurrent, collaborative, cross-referenced individual R01/R29 applications. The proposed projects must not be dependent on each other to the extent that one could not be accomplished in the absence of the other. Applications may be from one or more institutions. Applications will be reviewed independently for scientific merit. Applications judged to have significant and substantial scientific merit will be considered for funding both as independent awards and in the context of the proposed IRPG collaboration. Those interested in applying for an IRPG should consult Program Announcement PA-94-086, NIH Guide, Vol. 23, Number 28, July 29, 1994. Grantees will be encouraged to take steps to perfect copyright protection of software produced as a result of Human Brain Project funding. These should include prominent notification in the software and its documentation that the software is copyrighted. Notification could consist of the following: "c Copyright [year] by [your name, the names of you and your colleagues, or the name of your institution] with funding from the Human Brain Project." This notification will identify the source of the software and help ensure that the software can be shared freely while protecting any commercial rights in it. In addition, grantees will be required to agree that they will provide the primary funding organization, upon its request and at a reasonable cost, a copy of any software produced under Human Brain Project funding, with the understanding that the Federal organizations directly involved with the Human Brain Project will have the right to use such software for internal research and archival purposes only and will not permit its distribution beyond those organizations. INQUIRIES Women, minorities, and those with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Agency or Institute representative to discuss their plans prior to preparing an application. The names of the representatives from each of the participating Agencies, Institutes, and Center may be obtained from: Michael F. Huerta, Ph.D. National Institute of Mental Health 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11-103 Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone: (301) 443-5625 FAX: (301) 443-1731 E-mail (internet): HMI@CU.NIH.GOV $$N2 END ************************************************************ NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs) $$R1 BEGIN NIH-ES-94-46 ********************************************* STUDIES TO EVALUATE THE TOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC POTENTIAL OF SELECTED CHEMICALS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS VIA INHALATION NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFP AVAILABLE: NIH-ES-94-46 P.T. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences The purpose of this contract is to evaluate the toxic and carcinogenic potential of selected chemicals of interest. Exposure to these test chemicals is via inhalation. This project includes two year studies of vanadium pentoxide and napthalene, prechronic and two year studies of propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, decalin and tetralin. The base contract award shall include work activities associated with the development of generation and monitoring methods, as well as health and safety concerns along with 14-day studies of decalin, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, and tetralin. The Government may, pending the availability of funds, exercise options for: a 14-day study of vanadium pentoxide; a 54-day study of naphthalene; 90-day studies of decalin, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, and tetralin; two year studies of vanadium pentoxide, napthalene, decalin, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, and tetralin; and a special 90-day study of vanadium pentoxide. These studies shall be conducted according to the Specifications for the Conduct of Studies to Evaluate the Toxic and Carcinogenic Potential of Chemical, Biological and Physical Agents in Laboratory Animals for the National toxicology Program" dated August 1992, with subsequent revisions. Award of one cost-reimbursement, completion type contract with an estimated period of performance for the base contract of approximately eight months on an open competition basis is contemplated as a result of this solicitation. Exercise of all options under this solicitation could result in a multi-year cost reimbursement type contract with a total term of four years five months. INQUIRIES Interested organizations should request either a streamlined or full RFP package. If no selection is made, a streamlined version of the RFP will be provided, which includes only the Statement of Work, deliverables and reporting requirements, special requirements and mandatory qualifications (if any), and technical evaluation criteria. After examination of these documents, any organization interested in responding to this RFP must request the entire RFP in writing or by telephone (919) 541-0416 or by telefax request (919) 541-2712. All responsible sources may submit a proposal that will be considered by the Agency. Expected release date of the RFP is September 19, 1994 with proposals due November 3, 1994. Requests must reference RFP No. NIH-ES-94-46 and are to be forwarded to: Marilyn B. Whaley Contracts and Procurement Management Branch, OM National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, 4401 Building P.O. Box 12874 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 $$R1 END ************************************************************ $$R2 BEGIN NHLBI-HC-94-28 ******************************************* ENHANCING RECOVERY IN CORONARY HEART DISEASE (ENRICHD) PATIENTS - CLINICAL UNITS NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFP AVAILABLE: NHLBI-HC-94-28 P.T. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is soliciting proposals from organizations/institutions to serve as clinic units in a multicenter trial to determine the effects of psychosocial interventions on morbidity and mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. The primary objective of this multicenter trial is to evaluate the effects of psychosocial interventions on the cardiac-related morbidity and mortality of MI patients at high psychosocial risk. High psychosocial risk is defined as the presence of depression and/or social isolation. The study design will compare a psychosocial intervention group, in which patients are provided with social support and psychological treatment designed to decrease social isolation and depression, with a health education control and a standard medical care group, using a combined endpoint of CHD death plus reinfarction. Secondary endpoints include health-related quality of life; adherence to medications and health-promoting behaviors; and ischemic events, measured by ambulatory electrocardiogram and exercise tolerance testing. To accomplish its objective, this program proposes to award approximately eight clinical units for patient accession, intervention, and data collection. It is anticipated that a total of 3,000 patients, or approximately 375 patients shall be enrolled per clinical unit. The period of performance is anticipated for six years beginning in August 1995. The Request for Proposal (RFP) NHLBI-HC-94-28 is available and proposals are due November 18, 1994. Offerors other than continental North American institutions will not be considered based on the need for scientifically comparable data. INQUIRIES All requests for this solicitation must be submitted in writing; oral requests must be confirmed either in writing or by FAX. Written requests must include three self-addressed mailing labels, cite RFP NHLBI-HC-94-28, and be sent to: Cheryl A. Jennings Division of Extramural Affairs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 7550 Wisconsin Avenue, Room 3C16 Bethesda, MD 20892 $$R2 END ************************************************************ $$R3 BEGIN NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-95-17 ************************************ SMALL ANIMAL MODELS OF LENTIVIRUS INFECTION FOR EVALUATING HIV THERAPEUTICS NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFP AVAILABLE: NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-95-17 P.T. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases The Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Basic Research and Development Program, Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH, has a requirement for the evaluation of antiviral therapies/strategies for HIV-1/AIDS in established small animal models of lentivirus infection. These capabilities will be used by the Division of AIDS, NIAID, it its effort to develop antiviral therapies/strategies for human subjects infected with HIV-1. Evaluation encompasses in vitro and in vivo determinations of efficacy and toxicity, and when needed, limited pharmacokinetics for in vivo studies. Further characterization and modification of the proposed animal model, or development of other models may be required. Therapies to be tested, alone and in combination, include antiviral agents (drugs and biologics), gene-based and other novel strategies. Examples of lentivirus models considered at this time to be appropriate for this RFP include HIV-1 in immunocompromised mice constituted with human cells or tissues and feline immunodeficiency virus in cats; nonhuman primate models are excluded from the competition. This announcement is for the recompetition of several current animal model contracts. The RFP is now available and proposals will be due by COB on or about November 30, 1994. It is anticipated that two level- of-effort, cost-reimbursement type contracts will be awarded and that the period of performance for each contract will be four years (estimated start date August 1, 1995). The Government reserves the right to make only one award per animal model and to limit the number of awards based on the merit of the technical proposals received. It is estimated that the Contractor will expend 340 percent effort per year in accomplishment of the Government's objectives for this requirement. INQUIRIES A short-form version of the RFP will be available, for informational purposes, which includes only the background information, the full Statement of Work, and Evaluation Criteria. There is sufficient information in this document to enable prospective offerors to determine if they have the expertise/capability to meet the Government's requirements. A full-text version will also be available, which includes all the necessary information, business forms, etc., in order to submit a proposal. There are a limited number of full-text versions available. Therefore, request the short-form RFP first, then the full-text version only if you are going to submit a proposal. All requests must be in writing. Specify if you are requesting the short- version or full-text version of the RFP. FAX requests are acceptable, but written requests containing two self-addressed mailing labels are preferred. Requests for the RFP must be directed to: Mr. Bruce E. Anderson Contract Management Branch National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 3C07 6003 Executive Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20892-7610 Telephone: (301) 496-8371 FAX: (301) 402-0972 $$R3 END ************************************************************ $$R4 BEGIN NHLBI-HR-94-21 ******************************************* CLINICAL CENTERS FOR ETIOLOGY OF SARCOIDOSIS: A CASE CONTROL STUDY NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFP AVAILABLE: NHLBI-HR-94-21 P.T. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute The overall objective of this program is to support a six year multi-center case-control study on the potential etiologic factors for sarcoidosis. The program will be conducted in three Phases. Phase I (12 Months) will involve protocol development. Phase II (48 Months) will involve recruitment and follow-up. Phase III will involve data analysis and publication preparation. This program will consists of a clinical coordinating center and up to twelve clinical centers. The clinical centers will recruit 840 sarcoidosis patients and 1680 control subjects for study over a four year period. The cases will also be followed to gain information on the natural history of this disease including risk factors for progression of disease. The protocol to be developed during Phase I (12 Months) will include a comprehensive clinical characterization of each participant and determination of markers of immune responsiveness. Each clinical center will: (1) participate in a cooperative effort with other study investigators to develop and pretest data reporting forms; (2) establish and train staff to conduct the study; (3) enroll, interview, and examine 70 patients (age 21 years or older) with sarcoidosis and, enroll, interview and collect a blood specimen from 140 matched control subjects over a four year period; (4) shall have a patient population composition that will enable the investigators to address factors of gender and ethnicity that are hypothesized to play a role in the susceptibility to and expression of sarcoidosis; (5) document the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in recruited cases by standard clinical criteria, including histologic evidence of non-caseating granulomatous inflammation and exclusion of other diseases; (6) perform follow-up assessment on the patients; (7) assess progression of disease and use of medical care resources; (8) collect data and forward the data to the Clinical Coordinating Center; (9) participate in the biological banking system as managed by the Clinical Coordinating Center in collaboration with the NHLBI-supported repository; (10) work with other study investigators in the preparation and writing of reports and manuscripts for publication; (11) interact with the Clinical Coordinating Center to provide data and related information necessary for data analysis, and (12) work with other study investigators in the preparation and writing of reports and manuscripts for publication. This announcement is for clinical centers only. A separate Request for Proposals (RFP) for the clinical coordinating center will be released in the near future. This is not a request for proposals. It is anticipated that RFP NHLBI- HR-94-21 will be available on or about September 15, 1994, with proposals due on or about November 30, 1994. It is to be noted that award of a contract for this study shall be made only to offerors who are located in the United States of America. INQUIRIES Copies of the RFP may be obtained by submitting a written request along with three self-addressed mailing labels to: Joanne C. Deshler Contracts Operations Branch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Westwood Building, Room 654 5333 Westbard Avenue Bethesda, MD 20892 $$R4 END ************************************************************ $$R5 BEGIN NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-95-19 ************************************ IN VITRO TEST SYSTEMS FOR EVALUATING CHEMOTHERAPIES AGAINST HIV NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFP AVAILABLE: NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-95-19 P.T. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases The Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Basic Research and Development Program, Division of AIDS of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH has a requirement for in vitro test systems to evaluate chemotherapies against HIV. The Contractor will be required to do the following with compounds provided by the Government: evaluate potential therapeutic agents in cell-based in vitro assays for anti-HIV efficacy and cytotoxicity; analyze the data generated in antiviral and cytotoxicity assays; and provide an assessment of the experimental data. The RFP contains mandatory qualification criteria that excludes pharmaceutical companies from participating as an offeror or subcontractor. A pharmaceutical company is defined as an organization which sells drugs or other therapeutic agents for profit. This announcement is a recompetition for two current contracts (Emory University N01-AI-05078 and IIT Research Institute N01-AI-05077). It is anticipated that there will be two awards. The issuance of the RFP will be on or about September 16, 1994 and proposals will be due by COB on or about December 9, 1994. It is anticipated that two level-of- effort type cost-reimbursement contracts will be awarded and that the period of performance for this contract will be five years. The approximate start date of the contract will be on or about July 9, 1995. INQUIRIES A short-form version of the RFP will be available, for informational purposes, which includes only the background information, the full Statement of Work, and Evaluation Criteria. There is sufficient information in this document to enable prospective offerors to determine if they have the expertise/capability to meet the Government's requirements. A full-text version will also be available, which includes all the necessary information, business forms, etc., in order to submit a proposal. Request the short-form RFP first, then the full-text version of the RFP. FAX requests are acceptable, but written requests containing two self-addressed mailing labels are preferred. Requests for the RFP are to be directed to: Mr. Ross Kelley Contract Management Branch National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 3C07 6003 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7610 Bethesda, MD 20892-7610 Telephone: (301) 402-2234 FAX: (301) 402-0972) This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. $$R5 END ************************************************************ $$R6 BEGIN AG-95-001 FULL-TEXT ************************************** MINORITY DISSERTATION RESEARCH GRANTS IN AGING NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFA AVAILABLE: AG-95-001 P.T. 34, FF National Institute on Aging Application Receipt Date: December 9, 1994 THIS IS A NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA); IT IS ONLY AN ABSTRACT OF THE RFA. POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MUST REQUEST THE COMPLETE RFA, WHICH CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION, FROM THE CONTACT LISTED IN "INQUIRIES," BELOW. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE COMPLETE RFA MAY RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, WHICH WILL BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT WITHOUT REVIEW. PURPOSE Small grants to support doctoral dissertation research will be available for minority doctoral candidates intending to study problems in aging. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA, Minority Dissertation Research Grants in Aging, is related to several priority areas applicable to aging. Potential candidates for the grants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY Individuals eligible to apply are minority students who belong to a particular racial or ethnic group. In awarding these grants the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will give priority to African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders or other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. The student must intend to conduct dissertation research on aging. The doctoral candidate must have a dissertation topic approved by the named committee. This information must be verified in a letter of certification from the thesis chairperson and submitted with the grant application (see APPLICATION PROCEDURES). The applicant institution must be domestic and must administer the grant on behalf of the proposed investigator. The candidate for dissertation research grant support must be a citizen, or noncitizen national, of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. The performance site may be foreign or domestic. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanism of support is the NIH small grant (R03). Grants may be made for up to two years. Grants to support dissertation research will provide no more than $30,000 in total direct costs, and no more than $25,000 in direct costs in any one year. FUNDS AVAILABLE The NIA anticipates funding approximately 20 grants with a total cost of up to $600,000. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS The doctoral candidate must be the designated Principal Investigator on the grant. The principal investigator's salary may not exceed $12,000 per twelve months. For other special requirements, see the RFA. STUDY POPULATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS Awards for research involving human subjects must follow the "NIH guidelines On the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research." See the RFA for details. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be prepared on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91). The application form is available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 594-7248. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) application form 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 title and number (Minority Dissertation Research Grants in Aging, AG-95-001) must be typed on line 2a of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Applications must be received by December 9, 1994. The investigator must submit the original and five copies of the completed application and letters of support. The original and three of these copies must be submitted directly to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 240 Bethesda, MD 20892** Two additional copies of the application must be sent to: Chief, S.R.O. National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Suite 2C212 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 ATTN: Minority Dissertation REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Dissertation research grants are competitive. Review will be conducted by a special committee convened by the NIA for this purpose. AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is May 1995. Final funding decisions are based on the recommendations of the reviewers, the relevance of the project to NIA priorities, and the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Written and telephone requests for the RFA and the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants are welcome. direct requests for the RFA and inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Dr. Robin A. Barr Office of Extramural Affairs National Institute on Aging 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C218 MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-9322 Direct inquiries relating to fiscal matters to: Mr. Joseph Ellis National Institute on Aging Gateway Building, Suite 2N212 7201 Wisconsin Avenue MSC 9205 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Telephone: (301) 496-1472 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.366. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act Title IV, Part A (Public Law 79-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 DSC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. The requirements of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," are not applicable to NIA research grant programs. $$R6 END ************************************************************ $$R7 BEGIN RR-94-005 FULL-TEXT ************************************** BIOENGINEERING FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFA AVAILABLE: RR-94-005 P.T. 34; K.W. 0706000, 0745027, 0795003 National Center for Research Resources The Whitaker Foundation Application Receipt Date: December 9, 1994 THIS IS A NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA); IT IS ONLY AN ABSTRACT OF THE RFA. POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MUST REQUEST THE COMPLETE RFA, WHICH CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION, FROM THE NIH CONTACT LISTED IN "INQUIRIES," BELOW. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE COMPLETE RFA MAY RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, WHICH WILL BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT WITHOUT REVIEW. PURPOSE The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) and The Whitaker Foundation invite investigator-initiated research project grant applications for the research and development of devices, instruments, and methodologies for the prevention and control of disease and disabling conditions, and the reduction of health care costs and risks. This solicitation is limited to novel, cost-effective bioengineering approaches in the following areas: (1) microsensors, (2) physiological monitoring, and (3) drug delivery systems. The Whitaker Foundation (Whitaker) is a private, non-profit foundation that encourages and supports biomedical engineering research and training. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA, Bioengineering for Disease Prevention and Control, is related to the priority area of disease prevention. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0, or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by foreign and domestic, public and private, non-profit and for-profit organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Women and minority investigators are encouraged to apply. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanism of NCRR support for this program will be the individual research project grant (R01) and the total project period may not exceed four years (three years for foreign applicants). Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The NCRR and Whitaker plan to make several awards each in Fiscal Year 1995. The earliest possible award date is July 1, 1995. Because the nature and scope of the research proposed in response to this RFA will vary, it is anticipated that the size of an award will vary also. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Future unsolicited competing continuation applications will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and be reviewed according to the customary peer review procedures. FUNDS AVAILABLE The NCRR and Whitaker anticipate making a total of six to eight awards for project periods of up to four years and anticipate that each will set-aside $1 million for the initial funding period. Funding in response to this RFA is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NCRR, the award of research grants pursuant to this RFA by NCRR is contingent on the availability of funds appropriated for Fiscal Year 1995. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background The recent explosion of new knowledge in both the physical and biological sciences offers unprecedented opportunities to develop devices, sensors, instruments, and novel methods for use in basic research and clinical care. Many of these technologies, if used appropriately, also should reduce health care costs. The overall goal of this program, jointly announced and sponsored by the NCRR and Whitaker, is to stimulate the development of new or improved technologies that (1) have the potential to prevent or detect disease and/or disabling conditions in the early stages, when often they can be most efficiently and effectively treated; (2) will reduce the length of hospital stay or eliminate the need for in-patient care altogether; (3) will transfer health care procedures from the hospital to the home or an ambulatory environment; and (4) will provide acute and/or rehabilitation therapy based upon the specific physiological or functional need of the patient. Objectives and Scope The objective of this program is to stimulate technological research and development of novel, cost effective bioengineering approaches to the prevention, treatment, or rehabilitation of disease or disabling conditions. Applications need to be based on sound scientific, engineering, and medical rationale. There must be a clearly identified target patient population to which the research is addressed. Since work in technological innovation typically involves many disciplines (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology, engineering), applicants should consider using appropriate multidisciplinary teams in many cases. Research supported under this program is restricted to the following areas: o Microsensors. The emphasis is on devices that are non- invasive, minimally invasive, miniature, stable, and durable. o Physiological monitoring. The emphasis is on innovative detection and accurate readout. The monitoring must be a cost effective alternative to current practices. o Drug delivery systems. The emphasis is on automating the delivery of the accurate amount of medication when needed by the patient. STUDY POPULATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS Awards for research involving human subjects must follow the "NIH Guidelines On the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research." See the RFA for details. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91). These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 240, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 594-7248. Applications must be received by December 9, 1994. Any application received after this date will be considered ineligible for this special solicitation and will be returned to the applicant without review. Applicants are requested to submit a brief letter with their application, co-signed by the institutional official, authorizing that the application and summary statement be made available to Whitaker. The absence of this authorization letter will preclude the possibility of funding by Whitaker. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by DRG and responsiveness by NCRR. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. If NCRR staff find that the application is not responsive to this RFA, it will be returned without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NCRR in accordance with the peer review criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, a process (triage) may be used by the initial review group in which applications will be determined to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to this RFA. Applications judged to be competitive will be discussed and be assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be non-competitive will be withdrawn from further consideration and the principal investigator and the official signing for the applicant organization will be promptly notified. The complete review criteria are included in the RFA. A second level of review will be provided by the National Advisory Research Resources Council (NARRC), whose review may be based on policy considerations as well as scientific merit. Only applications recommended by NARRC may be considered for funding by the NCRR. Grants made by Whitaker need to be approved by its Foundation Governing Committee. AWARD CRITERIA The earliest anticipated award date is July 1, 1995. INQUIRIES Written and telephone requests for the RFA and the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants are welcome. Direct requests for the RFA and inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Richard DuBois, Ph.D Biomedical Research Technology Program National Center for Research Resources 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 8A-15 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7934 Peter Katona, Sc.D. Biomedical Engineering Programs The Whitaker Foundation 901 15th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20005 Telephone: (202) 408-1505 Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Mr. Paul Karadbil Office of Grants and Contracts Management National Center for Research Resources 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 849 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7955 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.371, Biomedical Research Technology. 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 Parts 74 and 92. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. $$R7 END ************************************************************ $$R8 BEGIN HL-95-002 FULL-TEXT ************************************** MECHANISMS OF POST BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION LUNG INJURY NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFA AVAILABLE: HL-95-002 P.T. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Letter of Intent Receipt Date: December 1, 1994 Application Receipt Date: January 19, 1995 THIS IS A NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA); IT IS ONLY AN ABSTRACT OF THE RFA. POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MUST REQUEST THE COMPLETE RFA, WHICH CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION, FROM THE CONTACT LISTED IN "INQUIRIES," BELOW. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE COMPLETE RFA MAY RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, WHICH WILL BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT WITHOUT REVIEW. PURPOSE The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) invites research grant applications to support research on immunological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of post bone marrow transplantation lung injury. The primary objectives of this special grant program are to determine the etiology and to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) that frequently follows bone marrow transplantation. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA, Mechanisms of Post Bone Marrow Transplantation Lung Injury, is related to the priority areas of immunization and infectious diseases and cancer. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Applications from minority individuals, women, and new investigators are encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This program sill be awarded using an incremental funding method that is being tested by the NIH. Refer to the special instructions and the application procedures section in the RFA. Funds must be requested in increments of $50,000 each (direct costs), or applications will be returned. This RFA solicits applications for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual research project grant (R01) support mechanism. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. It is anticipated that support for this program will begin in August 1995. Up to four years of support may be requested for these R01s. For this RFA, funds must be requested in $50,000 direct cost increments and a maximum of four increments ($200,000 direct costs) per year may be requested. Only limited budget information will be required and any budget adjustments made by the Initial Review Group will be in increments of $50,000. Instructions for completing the Biographical Sketch have also been modified. In addition, Other Support information and the application Checklist page will be requested by NHLBI staff upon consideration for an award. The APPLICATION PROCEDURES section of the RFA provides specific details of modifications to standard application instructions. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Future unsolicited competing continuation applications will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and be reviewed according to the customary peer review procedures. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) also has interest in the immunological/inflammatory/ infectious aspects of post bone marrow transplant injury. Therefore, applications that are of mutual interest are likely to be given a secondary assignment to the NIAID in accordance with the NIH referral guidelines. FUNDS AVAILABLE The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of support for the entire program is $1.5 million. It is anticipated that no more than eight awards will be issued under this program. Since a variety of approaches would represent valid responses to this RFA, it is anticipated that there will be a range of costs among individual grants awarded. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NHLBI, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. Funds will be awarded in lump sum direct cost amounts in increments of $50,000, less any overlap or other necessary administrative adjustments. Indirect costs will be awarded based on the negotiated rate at the time of each award. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Bone marrow transplantation offers potentially curative treatment for a growing number of patients with a variety of diseases. However, in spite of encouraging developments, transplantation-related complications, especially those involving the lung, have limited the success of bone marrow transplantation. Interstitial pneumonitis is a primary or contributing cause of mortality, accounting for more than 40 percent of deaths related to bone marrow transplantation in most large series. Of these pneumonias, approximately half were attributed to non-infectious idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS). It is also possible that undetectable infectious agents are involved. For the purposes of this RFA, the definition of IPS will be that proposed in the NHLBI Workshop Summary: Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome after Bone Marrow Transplantation (Am Rev Respir Dis 1993;147:1601-1606). A better understanding of the immunological, cellular, and molecular basis of pathogenesis of post transplantation lung injury is needed to identify those at risk and eventually treat or prevent this type of lung tissue injury. Examples of specific aspects of research that are encouraged, but not limited to, under this initiative are as follows: cellular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the afferent phase of the cell-mediated immune response; characterization and regulation of the inflammatory cell population involved in IPS; assessment of the capacity of resident lung cells, (for example, macrophages, lymphocytes, epithelial and endothelial cells) to produce cytokines and their role in generating the inflammatory and immune responses associated with IPS; and immunopathologic roles of infectious agents. These might include latent viral gene expression as it relates to dysregulation of cytokine gene expression and alteration of immune recognition and role of Gram negative bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide and other cell wall constituents. The overall objective of this initiative is to encourage basic research on the etiology, mechanisms of pathogenesis, and the host determinants that are involved in the initiation and progression of post bone marrow transplantation lung injury. Applications are invited for innovative multidisciplinary approaches to identify the cause(s) of IPS associated with bone marrow transplantation and to delineate cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis. Applications submitted in response to this RFA should clearly define the rationale, background, and specific aims of the proposed studies, and should provide a succinct description of the methods and procedures to be used. The ability to make significant progress in understanding the basic mechanisms involved in IPS would be greatly enhanced by adaptation of animal models, especially small laboratory animals. For example, inbred strains might be used to learn about genetic determinants of post bone marrow transplantation lung injury, and models of pneumonitis, including CMV pneumonitis, might be helpful in determining the role of cytokine-mediated lung injury related to IPS. In addition to animal studies, innovative studies using human cells or tissues that can be obtained incidentally are desirable. Research involving human subjects should be formulated in the context of mechanistic studies and should address specific hypotheses. Large scale clinical studies are beyond the scope of this RFA. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Applications that propose descriptive studies and do not contain studies directed at uncovering mechanisms of disease or supporting hypotheses related to mechanisms of disease will not be acceptable. This program will not support studies directed at development of animal models alone. Models must be applied to the study of disease mechanisms associated with post bone marrow transplantation lung injury. Applications that focus on molecular biology and molecular immunology of these disorders are of particular interest. STUDY POPULATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS Awards for research involving human subjects must follow the "NIH Guidelines On the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research." See the RFA for details. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by December 1, 1994, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions, 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 that it contains allows NHLBI staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the review. NHLBI staff will not provide a response to a letter of intent. This letter is to be sent to Dr. C. James Scheirer, at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications must be received by January 19, 1995. Submit applications on form PHS 398, (rev. 9/91). Application kits containing this form and the necessary instructions are available in most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone 301/594-7248. Additional instructions for completing the PHS 398 are provided in the RFA. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the DRG and responsiveness to this RFA by the NHLBI. Incomplete and/or unresponsive applications will be returned without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by a special emphasis panel convened by the Division of Extramural Affairs, NHLBI, solely to review these applications. As part of the initial merit review, a process (triage) may be used by the initial review group in which applications will be determined to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to the RFA. Applications judged to be competitive will be discussed and be assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be non-competitive will be discussed and be assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be non-competitive will be withdrawn from further consideration and the Principal Investigator and the official signing for the applicant organization will be notified. The personnel category will be reviewed for appropriate staffing based on the requested percent effort and any changes requested in future years. The budget request will be reviewed for consistency with the proposed methods and specific aims. The duration of support will be reviewed to determine if it is appropriate to ensure successful completion of the recommended scope of the project. INQUIRIES Written and telephone requests for the RFA and the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from the potential applicants are welcome. Direct requests for the RFA and inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Hannah H. Peavy, M.D. Division of Lung Diseases National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Westwood Building, Room 6A09 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7425 FAX: (301) 594-7487 Direct inquiries regarding review matters and address the letter of intent to: C. James Scheirer, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Affairs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Westwood Building, Room 557 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7478 FAX: (301) 594-7407 Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Raymond L. Zimmerman Division of Extramural Affairs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Westwood Building, Room 4A17 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 594-7420 FAX: (301) 594-7492 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.838. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) 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 to review by a Health Systems Agency. $$R8 END ************************************************************ $$R9 BEGIN CA-94-030 FULL-TEXT ************************************** SMALL GRANTS FOR HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFA AVAILABLE: CA-94-030 P.T. 34, FC; K.W. 0715035, 0710030 National Cancer Institute Letter of Intent Receipt Date: October 28, 1994 Application Receipt Date: January 20, 1995 THIS IS A NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA); IT IS ONLY AN ABSTRACT OF THE RFA. POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MUST REQUEST THE COMPLETE RFA, WHICH CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION, FROM THE CONTACT LISTED IN "INQUIRIES," BELOW. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE COMPLETE RFA MAY RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, WHICH WILL BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT WITHOUT REVIEW. PURPOSE The Cancer Biology Branch, Division of Cancer Biology, Diagnosis, and Centers (DCBDC), National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites new faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to apply for small research grants to pursue basic science projects that are relevant to the goals of the NCI. The aim of this RFA is to provide new HBCU faculty with an opportunity to establish a research program to which they will commit time both during the academic year and the summer. It is expected that this opportunity will not only increase the research base at HBCUs, but also broaden the educational experience for students and expand mentoring possibilities. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA, Small Grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, is related to the priority area of cancer. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Health People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The faculty member who serves as Principal Investigator (PI) for the project must have had no more than seven years of experience beyond his or her post-doctoral training. Applications from From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Thu Sep 15 23:00:00 1994 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA HD-95-003 - V23(33) 09/16/94 Date: 15 Sep 1994 23:47:40 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 382 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <35bf2c$qnb@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA HD95003 HD-95-003 P1O1 *************************************** SPECIALIZED RESEARCH CENTER PROGRAMS OR CENTER CORE GRANTS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH IN REPRODUCTION NIH GUIDE, Volume 23, Number 33, September 16, 1994 RFA AVAILABLE: HD-95-003 P.T. 04; K.W. 0413002, 0710110, 0710115, 0710030 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 3, 1995 Application Receipt Date: May 18, 1995 PURPOSE The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) provides funding for a limited number of research centers in the reproductive sciences. These centers are broadly based investigative endeavors encompassing research of a biomedical nature. They are supported through either Center Core Grants (P30) or Specialized Research Center Grants (P50). These centers form a national network that fosters communication, innovation, and high quality research. Reproductive Sciences Research Centers provide a stimulating, multidisciplinary environment that attracts and nurtures both established and promising young investigators. Each Center works closely with the NICHD staff in participating in a Center Network and in carrying out its objectives in a manner consistent with the goals and mission of the NICHD. Background The Reproductive Sciences Branch (RSB) of the Center for Population Research (CPR) of the NICHD supports basic and clinical research on reproduction that relies on a variety of approaches in biomedical sciences. Among the grant mechanisms used to provide research support, the RSB uses: (1) Specialized Research Center Grants (P50s), which support integrated groups of research projects and supporting core service facilities. The research activities included in such project grants must comprise, by definition, a multidisciplinary approach to biomedical problems addressing the research objectives announced in this RFA. These research programs may have more than one theme, focus, or emphasis, but all of the subprojects involved must be responsive to one or more of the specific research areas of reproduction supported by the RSB. (2) Center Core Grants (P30s), which support Center Core facilities designed to enhance existing federally supported research projects within the purview of the RSB, CPR, NICHD. Such center awards require a critical mass of individual awards for which coordinated technical support would be cost-effective to the NIH. Core Grants provide no funds for the direct support of research projects other than for new program development; however, by making cost-effective resources and facilities available, they enhance the productivity of existing projects that are either integrated in a specialized research area or organized within a central theme of research that addresses the research objectives announced in this RFA. At present, the RSB supports a fixed number of centers with a commitment of five years of support that is competitively renewable for additional five-year periods. Committed support for three P50 Centers and three P30 Centers ends in FY 1996, and it is anticipated that these Centers will submit renewal applications. New groups of investigators, in addition to the current awardees, are invited to compete for up to six awards in FY 1996. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Request for Applications (RFA), Specialized Research Center Programs or Center Core Grants to Support Research in Reproduction, is related to the area of family planning. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Domestic institutions are eligible to apply for these centers. Applications prepared for this competition may not propose multi-institutional consortium arrangements. In order to receive funding, an individual domestic institution's application for a specialized reproductive research center (P50) must have three or more related, integrated, and high quality research subprojects that provide a multidisciplinary, yet thematic, approach to the problems to be investigated. These research subprojects may be accompanied by an appropriate number and type of core facilities, as described below, for providing them cost-effective technical support. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The support mechanisms for these programs are the P50 Specialized Reproductive Sciences Research Center Grant and the P30 Reproductive Sciences Research Center Core Grant. The applications should be prepared in a manner consistent with the policy and instructional details of this RFA and the general guidelines presented in the publications entitled either P50 SPECIALIZED RESEARCH CENTER GRANT GUIDELINES or P30 CENTER CORE GRANT GUIDELINES that are available from the NICHD offices listed below. The current policies and requirements that govern the research grant programs of NIH will prevail (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, Part 52 and Title 45, Part 75). The total project period for applications submitted to this RFA is five years. The anticipated award date will be April 1, 1996. The concurrent submission of an R01 or R29 research project application to do essentially the same research as that proposed in a subproject of a P50 Center application is permissible within the context of extant NIH policy. As a general policy, preference in selection for funding by NICHD will be given to the subprojects of the P50 Center in order to maintain the integrity of the program and the validity of its merit assessment. The coincident R01 or R29 application(s) will usually be expected to be withdrawn or relinquished. P50 subprojects must address one or more of the biomedical topics announced in this RFA to be eligible for funding. A domestic institution's application for a reproductive sciences research Center Core facility (P30) must be predicated on the existence of a comprehensive research base in the reproductive sciences comprised of a substantial number of relevant, eligible, and funded research grants which will be active on April 1, 1996. Such grant projects must directly address one or more of the biomedical topics announced in this RFA to be eligible for inclusion in the center. A majority of these grants must be supported by the NICHD. In addition, the eligibility for funding a core in a P30 Center is determined by the demonstrated need of a minimal number of three relevant NIH (or other federally reviewed and funded) research grants from the research base in the application. P30 Center grant funds support only active users of the core facilities and services from the research base (projects) proposed in the Center grant application and only serve programs of scientific research relevant to the mission of the RSB, CPR. Core facilities eligible for support under this RFA are organized activities directly providing reagents, assays, sophisticated technical services and technical expertise in areas required by multiple projects of a center. Such Core facilities neither directly conduct project type research nor serve as a funding source for non-Center technical services available elsewhere at the institution. It is expected that such Core facilities will be organized to provide training only for eligible users and only to the extent necessary to utilize the Core effectively. The general guideline request for information demonstrating research training program history and availability pertains to discussing the overall richness of the environment of the Center's setting and should not be confused with Core service needs per se. If a New Program Development (NPD) component is requested, it must be a single investigator's subproject description with a research plan formatted in the usual NIH research project style. Sufficient detail should be provided to allow a full peer-review evaluation of its merits. New Specialized Research Center Grant (P50) applications may not request more than $600,000 in direct costs for the first year. New Center Core Grant (P30) applications may not request more than $500,000 in direct costs for the first year. Renewal applications from existing P30 or P50 Centers may not request initial year direct costs exceeding 120 percent of the Council recommended direct costs for the final year of the preceding project period. Unless pri