From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Fri Nov 03 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA AR-96-001 - V24(39) 11/03/95 Date: 3 Nov 1995 22:44:48 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 402 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <47f250$sac@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA AR96001 AR-96-001 P1O1 *************************************** SKIN DISEASES RESEARCH CORE CENTERS NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 RFA: AR-96-001 P.T. 04; K.W. 0715185 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 10, 1996 Application Receipt Date: June 19, 1996 PURPOSE The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) invites applications for research core centers (P30s) in skin diseases. The Skin Diseases Research Centers (SDRCs) will provide the resources for a number of established, currently funded investigators, often from different disciplines, to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to common research problems in skin diseases and to ensure greater productivity than from each of the separate projects. 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), Skin Diseases Research Core Centers, is related to the priority area of chronic disabling conditions. 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 202-512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic 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. An established clinical and research program in skin diseases should be present. At the time of award, the applicant institution cannot have another Skin Diseases Research Core Center funded by NIAMS. Foreign organizations are not eligible. Applications from racial/ethnic minority individuals and women and persons with disabilities are encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the NIH Core Center Grant (P30). Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. Investigators may request five years of support. The direct costs requested cannot exceed $400,000 each year. The anticipated award date is March 1, 1997. FUNDS AVAILABLE The direct costs requested may not exceed $400,000 each year. The NIAMS intends to fund two SDRCs from this RFA in FY 1997, subject to the availability of resources and receipt of sufficiently meritorious applications. The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of support of these centers are $1.2 million. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Research in skin diseases is at a stage where a number of areas are making broad advances that can be effectively fostered by research core centers. Examples of these areas include, but are not limited to: o stratum corneum: biochemistry, structure, function o epidermis: differentiation, keratinization, cellular constituents o dermal-epidermal junction: structure, functions, diseases o skin as an immunological organ o autoimmune skin diseases o dermis: structural components, diseases The choice of research problem upon which the SDRC would focus is made by the principal and collaborating currently funded investigators. The SDRCs will provide support for: 1. Core resources and facilities to be used by investigators of individually supported research projects in order to enhance and coordinate their activities. This support may include personnel, equipment, supplies, services, and facilities. 2. Limited funds for pilot and feasibility studies. 3. Program enrichment activities. An SDRC should be an identifiable organizational unit within a university-affiliated medical center. An Administrative Core should be proposed to coordinate the Center and administer the program enrichment activities. One or more research cores may be proposed. A research core is a facility shared by two or more Center investigators that enables them to conduct their independently funded individual research projects more efficiently and/or more effectively. Cores generally fall into one of four categories: (1) provision of a technology that lends itself to automation or preparation in large batches (e.g., histology and tissue culture); (2) complex instrumentation (e.g., electron microscopy); (3) animal preparation and care; and (4) service and training (e.g., molecular biology, biostatistics). A pilot and feasibility study program provides modest research support for a limited time (3 years or less) to enable eligible investigators to explore the feasibility of a skin diseases-related concept and amass sufficient data to pursue it through other funding mechanisms. Eligible investigators include 1. an established investigator in skin diseases or related areas with a proposal for testing the feasibility of a new or innovative idea that is skin diseases-related but represents a clear and distinct departure from the investigator's ongoing research interest; 2. an established, supported investigator with no previous work in skin diseases or related areas who is willing to test the applicability of his/her expertise on a skin diseases-related problem; and 3. a new investigator who has not been a principal investigator in a past or current NIH research project grant (R01, R29, P01). New investigators should be clearly independent and have a faculty appointment higher than that of postdoctoral fellow or research associate. 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. Details of the interactions of the SDRC staff with the GCRC staff and research personnel may be provided in a statement describing the collaborative linkages being developed. A letter of agreement from the GCRC Program Director must be included with the application. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS The director and co-director should budget for an annual one-day meeting in Bethesda, MD with NIAMS staff. 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 May 10, 1996, 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 NIAMS staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the selection of reviewers. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Julia B. Freeman at the address listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) 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, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3034, MSC 7762, Bethesda, MD 20892-7762, telephone 301/435-0714, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov. Special guidelines have been developed for the SDRC program in NIAMS. These guidelines should be used in assembling the application. See INQUIRIES for obtaining a copy of these guidelines. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) 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, "Skin Diseases Research Core Center", and number, "AR-96-001" must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed photocopies of the application in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, send two additional copies of the application to: Review Branch National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Natcher Building, Room 5AS.25U - MSC 6500 Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 Bethesda, MD 20814 (for express/courier service) Applications must be received by June 19, 1996. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. 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 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 NIAMS in accordance with NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council or board. The factors to be considered in the evaluation of the merit of each application will be those used in the review of the cores in standard multi-project research grant applications. Applicants should clearly demonstrate the ways in which the SDRC will build the local research program, will support on-going projects and will attract both senior and new investigators to skin diseases research. Each application must be thorough and complete enough to stand on its own and should be prepared as if no site visit will occur. Additional materials or revisions will not be accepted after the receipt date. It is strongly recommended that, if appropriate, Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use committee (IACUC) approval be secured before the application is submitted. Otherwise, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure these certifications are sent to the NIAMS Review Branch within 60 days of the receipt date. Applications failing to comply with this requirement will be returned without review. Review Criteria o scientific, technical, or medical significance and originality of proposed research; o appropriateness and adequacy of the experimental approach and methodology proposed to carry out the research; o qualifications and research experience of the Principal Investigator and staff, particularly, but not exclusively, in the area of the proposed research; o availability of the resources necessary to perform the research; o appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research; o adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects, the safety of the research environment, and conformance with the NIH Guidelines for the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research. Additional factors to be considered in evaluation of the scientific merit of each SDRC application will include an evaluation of the independently funded biomedical research base, the appropriateness of the proposed cores, the quality of the proposed pilot and feasibility studies, and their proposed management. The evaluation of the biomedical research base will encompass the record of research training and the institution's commitment to the Center program. Research o The overall purpose of a SDRC is to increase the quantity and quality of research in skin diseases within an applicant institution. The expected effect of the SDRC on the capacity of the institution to conduct skin diseases research and to secure extramural funding will be a factor in review. o A base of ongoing high quality research dependent on core resources and the potential to launch additional appropriate research activities is a prerequisite for the establishment or continuation of a SDRC and is an important component of the review. o The merit of the pilot and feasibility grant program proposed in the new application and the quality of pilots funded in the previous award period for competing continuations will be an important criterion for evaluating pilot programs. Administration o The scientific and administrative leadership ability of the SDRC director and his/her staff, and their commitment and ability to devote adequate time to the management of the SDRC program. o The proposed administrative organization. o Coordination of ongoing research and its use of the SDRC. This includes various mechanisms of internal monitoring. Cores o How does each proposed core fit into the overall research program? Will it enhance collaborative and/or interdisciplinary research? o Would the proposed core(s) duplicate existing resources or services? If so, are the requested new resources justified? Do other grant funds already provide any of the requested capabilities? AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is March 1, 1997. The primary factors determining the award will be the priority score and the availability of funds. Since the NIAMS is interested in funding only the best research, individual pilot and feasibility projects or cores of lesser quality will not be funded, even if recommended for approval, under the "umbrella" of the SDRC mechanism. INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Inquiries regarding programmatic issues and letters of intent may be directed to: Dr. Julia B. Freeman Centers Program, EP National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Natcher Building, Room 5AS.19F - MSC 6500 Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 Telephone: (301) 594-5052 FAX: (301) 480-4543 Email: freemanj@ep.niams.nih.gov Copies of the guidelines for the SDRC program may be obtained from: NIAMS Clearinghouse 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 Telephone: (301) 495-4484 FAX: (301) 587-4352 Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Sally A. Nichols Grants Management Officer National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Natcher Building Room 5AS.49F - MSC 6500 Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 Telephone: (301) 594-3535 FAX: (301) 480-5450 Email: nicholss@ep.niams.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.846, Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301 (Public Law 410, 78th Congress, as amended, 42 USC 241) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. 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 Fri Nov 03 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA DK-96-008 - V24(39) 11/03/95 Date: 3 Nov 1995 22:44:42 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 394 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <47f24q$s9r@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA DK96008 DK-96-008 P1O1 *************************************** DIABETES ENDOCRINOLOGY RESEARCH CENTERS NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 RFA: DK-96-008 P.T. 04; K.W. 0715075, 0785050 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 25, 1996 Application Receipt Date: March 14, 1996 PURPOSE The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) supports six Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers (DERCs). These Centers are part of an integrated program of diabetes-related research support within the NIDDK. Centers have provided a focus for increasing the efficiency and collaborative effort among groups of successful investigators at institutions with established comprehensive diabetes research bases. The NIDDK invites applications for funding of two DERC grants to be competitively awarded in Fiscal Year 1997. 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), Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers, is related to the priority area of diabetes mellitus. 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) 512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic 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. Racial/ethnic minority individuals and women are encouraged to submit as Principal Investigators. Any institution with an outstanding, existing program of biomedical research in the area of diabetes may apply for a DERC. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Support of this program will be through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) center core grant (P30) award. Awards will be administered under PHS grants policy as stated in the PHS Grants Policy Statement. 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 reaching the goals and objectives of the DERC. If so, a letter of agreement >From either the GCRC program director or principal investigator should be included with the application. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total requested project period for an application submitted in response to the RFA may not exceed five years. The maximum dollar request is limited to $750,000 in direct costs for the initial budget period. Budget escalations of four percent may be requested for future years up to the $750,000 limit. The earliest anticipated award date is December 1, 1996. FUNDS AVAILABLE The NIDDK anticipates awarding two DERC Grants in Fiscal Year 1997 on a competitive basis. The receipt of two competing continuation applications is anticipated, which will be in competition with other applications received in response to this RFA. The anticipated award will be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. Requests for support must be limited to no more than $750,000 in direct costs per year. Any application exceeding the direct cost amount indicated will be returned to the applicant. The NIDDK has allocated $2,156,000 in total costs to support this RFA. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The objectives of the DERCs are to bring together investigators from relevant disciplines in a manner that will enhance and extend the effectiveness of research related to diabetes and its complications. A diabetes center must be an identifiable unit within a single university medical center or a consortium of cooperating institutions, including an affiliated university. The overall goal of the DERC is to bring together on a cooperative basis, clinical and basic science investigators in a manner that will enrich the effectiveness of diabetes research. For this purpose the applicant must clearly state the considerations for center membership. An existing program of excellence in biomedical research in the area of diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine disorders in required. This research should be in the form of NIH-funded research projects, program projects. or other peer-reviewed research that is in existence at the time of submission of a center application. Close cooperation, communication, and collaboration among all involved personnel of all professional disciplines are ultimate objectives. Applicants should consult with NIDDK staff concerning plans for the development of a center. The DERCs are based on the core concept. Cores are defined as shared resources that enhance productivity or in other ways benefit a group of investigators working in diabetes or diabetes-related areas to accomplish the stated goals of the Center. These centers also support a pilot and feasibility program and an enrichment program. The pilot and feasibility program provides modest support for new diabetes initiatives or feasibility research studies. This program is directed at new investigators or established investigators in other research disciplines when their expertise may be applied to diabetes research. The Center grant may also include limited funds for program enrichment such as seminars, visiting scientists, consultants, workshops, etc. Although funds are not provided directly for training purposes, the core laboratories and program enrichment activities should provide training opportunities for center members. 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 are 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 Minority 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 in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513), and reprinted in the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS of March 18, 1994, Volume 23, Number 11. Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the program staff or contact person listed below. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by January 25, 1996, 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 a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NIDDK staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to: Chief, Review Branch Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 45 Center Drive, Room 6AS 37-E, MSC 6600 Bethesda, MD 20892-6600 Telephone: (301) 594-8885 FAX: (301) 480-3505 APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) 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, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3034, MSC-7762, Bethesda, MD 20892-7762, telephone 301/435-0714, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov. Applicants are strongly encouraged to request a copy of "Guidelines for Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers." These guidelines contain important suggestions and information on the format, content, and review of applications and review criteria. Prospective applicants may obtain guidelines from and may address inquiries to Dr. Sanford A. Garfield at the address listed under INQUIRIES. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) 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 must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, plus three signed photocopies, in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to: Chief, Review Branch Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 45 Center Drive, Room 6AS 37E, MSC 6600 Bethesda, MD 20892-6600 Applications must be received by March 14, 1996. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. 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 previously reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS 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 NIDDK in accordance with NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council or board. Review Criteria o scientific/technical merit criteria specific to the objectives of the RFA; o scientific, technical, or medical significance and originality of proposed research; o appropriateness and adequacy of the experimental approach and methodology proposed to carry out the research; o qualifications and research experience of the Principal Investigator and staff, particularly, but not exclusively in the area of the proposed research; o availability of resources necessary to perform the research; o appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research; and o adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects and the safety of the research environment. The initial review group will also review each application using the criteria stated below and detailed in the DERC Guidelines: New and Competing DERC Applications: Biomedical Research o Scientific excellence of the Center's research base that must have a broad and central focus in diabetes and may extend to related research in metabolism and endocrinology. The relevance of the separately funded research to the DERC objectives (see above) and the likelihood for meaningful collaboration among Center investigators must be demonstrated. o Potential of the cores for contribution to ongoing research, their appropriateness and relevance, their modes of operation and, suitability of facilities. Renewal applications must include the use, utility, quality control, cost effectiveness, and demonstrated progress of any developmental research in the shared resources. o For new applications, the pilot and feasibility program is judged on the basis of: (1) scientific merit of the studies as submitted and (2) the merit of the administrative process for selecting subsequent studies. In competitive renewal applications, emphasis is placed on the program as a whole, including past track record and management of the program. Research Training o Although the Center does not specifically support research training, demonstration of accomplishments and future plans related to the training of investigators necessary to conduct research in diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine disorders will be considered in assessing the potential to meet Center objectives. The integration of these efforts into the overall Center, including core facilities is of particular importance. Administration o The scientific and administrative leadership abilities of the DERC Director and Associate Director and their commitment and ability to devote adequate time to the effective management of the DERC program. o The appropriateness of the DERC budgets for the proposed and approved work to be done in core facilities, for pilot and feasibility studies, and for enrichment in relation to the total Center program. o Efficiency and effectiveness of use and/or planned use of enrichment funds. o Institutional commitment to the program, including lines of accountability regarding management of the DERC grant and a commitment to establish new positions as necessary. AWARD CRITERIA The earliest anticipated date of the award is December 1, 1996. Applications will compete for available funds with all other applications submitted in response to this RFA and recommended by peer review. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o Quality of the proposed Center as determined by peer review o Availability of funds Schedule Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 25, 1996 Application Receipt Date: March 14, 1996 Initial Review Dates: Jun/Jul 1996 Second Level Review Dates: Sep/Oct 1996 Earliest Anticipated Award Date: December 1, 1996 INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues and requests for the DERC guidelines to: Dr. Sanford A. Garfield Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 45 Center Drive, Room 5AN 24B, MSC-6600 Bethesda, MD 20892-6600 Telephone: (301) 594-8803 FAX: (301) 480-3503 Email: GarfieldS@ep.niddk.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal and administrative matters to: Linda Stechlein Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 45 Center Drive MSC 6600 Bethesda, MD 20892-6600 Telephone: (301) 594-8847 Email: StechleinL@ep.niddk.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.847. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as 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 Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. 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 Fri Nov 03 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 24, no. 39, pt. 1of1, 3 November 1995 Date: 3 Nov 1995 22:44:24 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 486 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <47f248$s97@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID NIHGUIDE 19951103 V24N39 P1O1 ************************************ X-comment: RFAs described: DK-96-008, AR-96-001, HL-96-002, PAR-96-006 X-URL: gopher://gopher.nih.gov:70/11/res/nih-guide/guide-files/95.11.03 NIH GUIDE - Vol. 24, No. 39 - November 3, 1995 $$INDEX BEGIN ******************************************************* NOTICES $$INDEX N1 ********************************************************** NIMH ACCEPTANCE OF LARGE GRANT APPLICATIONS National Institute of Mental Health INDEX: MENTAL HEALTH $$INDEX N2 ********************************************************** NICHD TRANSGENIC MOUSE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY National Institute of Child Health and Human Development INDEX: CHILD HEALTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs) $$INDEX R1 03/14/96 ************************************************* DIABETES ENDOCRINOLOGY RESEARCH CENTERS (RFA DK-96-008) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases INDEX: DIABETES, DIGESTIVE, KIDNEY DISEASES $$INDEX R2 06/19/96 ************************************************* SKIN DISEASES RESEARCH CORE CENTERS (RFA AR-96-001) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases INDEX: ARTHRITIS, MUSCULOSKELETAL, SKIN DISEASES $$INDEX R3 09/10/96 ************************************************* COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL CENTERS (RFA HL-96-002) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute INDEX: HEART, LUNG, BLOOD $$INDEX P1 ********************************************************** INITIATIVE FOR MINORITY STUDENT DEVELOPMENT (PAR-96-006) National Institute of General Medical Sciences INDEX: GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES THIS PUBLICATION IS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY VIA BITNET OR INTERNET, BY SUBSCRIPTION, AND IS ALSO ON THE NIH GOPHER (GOPHER.NIH.GOV). ALTERNATIVE ACCESS IS THROUGH THE NIH GRANT LINE USING A PERSONAL COMPUTER (DATA LINE 301/402-2221); CONTACT DR. JOHN JAMES AT 301/435- 0692 FOR DETAILS. THE PHS STRONGLY ENCOURAGES ALL GRANT AND CONTRACT RECIPIENTS TO PROVIDE A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE AND PROMOTE THE NON-USE OF ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, PUBLIC LAW 103-227, THE PRO-CHILDREN ACT OF 1994, PROHIBITS SMOKING IN CERTAIN FACILITIES (OR IN SOME CASES, ANY PORTION OF A FACILITY) IN WHICH REGULAR OR ROUTINE EDUCATION, LIBRARY, DAY CARE, HEALTH CARE OR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PHS MISSION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS (DRG) HAS MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION. ALL COMPETING GRANT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH MUST BE SENT TO: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) $$INDEX END ********************************************************* NOTICES $$N1 BEGIN ********************************************************** NIMH ACCEPTANCE OF LARGE GRANT APPLICATIONS NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 P.T. 34; K.W. 1014006 National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is now actively implementing the NIH policy published earlier (NIH Guide, Vol. 24, No. 37, October 20, 1995), that strongly advises applicants to contact Institute staff if they are planning to submit an investigator-initiated research grant application requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year. Because of the limited funds currently available, all grant applications, especially large ones, are being more closely scrutinized by staff for program relevance, balance, and significance to the mission of the NIMH. The NIMH requests that investigators contemplating large grant applications communicate their intentions in writing, in addition to any informal inquiries, so that NIMH staff can provide a specific response. Applications submitted without such prior written communication may be delayed in the review process or returned to the applicant without review. INQUIRIES Inquiries regarding this notice may be directed to: Hugh Stamper, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Mental Health 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9-105 Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone: (301) 443-3367 Email: hstamper@nih.gov $$N1 END ************************************************************ $$N2 BEGIN ********************************************************** NICHD TRANSGENIC MOUSE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 P.T. 34; K.W. 0780035 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Transgenic Mouse Development Facility (NTMDF) is a research resource that develops transgenic mice for investigators requiring these services. It was established to provide reliable and affordable transgenic mice in a timely manner primarily to biomedical research grantees supported by the National Institutes of Health. Specifically, the NTMDF supports basic biomedical research by providing investigators with the following customized services: o Analyzing DNA constructs for microinjection. o Microinjecting DNA constructs into fertilized one-cell mouse eggs and reimplanting them into pseudopregnant recipient females. o Testing potential founders for DNA integration. o Producing at least two transgenic (integration-positive) mice. o Fast turnaround time (10-12 weeks) Information and applications for services should be requested from the Director, NTMDF. Completed applications may be submitted anytime to the NTMDF Director for review. Review is completed within two weeks of receipt. All applications are handled confidentially and those DNA constructs approved are microinjected at the NTMDF. The Investigator is charged a non-refundable fee of $500 per construct for initial analysis. An additional fee of $2000 per construct is assessed if two or more transgenic mice are produced. The NTMDF is supported by a contract award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH. INQUIRIES Direct requests for information and applications regarding this research resource to: Carl A. Pinkert, Ph.D., Director NICHD Transgenic Mouse Development Facility c/o The University of Alabama at Birmingham 1670 University Boulevard, VH-227 Birmingham, AL 35294-0019 Telephone: (205) 934-2998 Email: Pinkert@cmed.bhs.uab.edu Direct programmatic inquiries to: Allan Lock, D.V.M. NTMDF Project Officer National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Building 6100, Room 4B01, MSC-7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Telephone: (301) 496-5541 Email: LockA@HD01.NICHD.NIH.GOV $$N2 END ************************************************************ NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs) $$R1 BEGIN DK-96-008 FULL-TEXT ************************************** DIABETES ENDOCRINOLOGY RESEARCH CENTERS NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 RFA AVAILABLE: DK-96-008 P.T. 04; K.W. 0715075, 0785050 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 25, 1996 Application Receipt Date: March 14, 1996 PURPOSE The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) supports six Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers (DERCs). These Centers are part of an integrated program of diabetes-related research support within the NIDDK. Centers have provided a focus for increasing the efficiency and collaborative effort among groups of successful investigators at institutions with established comprehensive diabetes research bases. The NIDDK invites applications for funding of two DERC grants to be competitively awarded in Fiscal Year 1997. Support of this program will be through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) core grant (P30) award. The NIDDK has allocated $2,156,000 in total costs to support this RFA. The NIDDK anticipates awarding two DERC Grants in Fiscal Year 1997 on a competitive basis. The receipt of two competing continuation applications is anticipated, which will be in competition with other applications received in response to this RFA. 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, Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers, is related to the priority area of diabetes mellitus. 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) 512-1800). INQUIRIES The RFA, which describes the research objectives, applications procedures, review considerations and award criteria for this solicitation, may be obtained electronically through the NIH Grant Line (data line (301) 402-2221) and the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the Program Staff listed below. Dr. Sanford A. Garfield Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 45 Center Drive, Room 5AN24-B - MSC-6600 Bethesda, MD 20892-6600 Telephone: (301) 594-8803 FAX: (301) 480-3503 Email: GarfieldS@ep.niddk.nih.gov $$R1 END ************************************************************ $$R2 BEGIN AR-96-001 FULL-TEXT ************************************** SKIN DISEASES RESEARCH CORE CENTERS NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 RFA AVAILABLE: AR-96-001 P.T. 04; K.W. 0715185 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 10, 1996 Application Receipt Date: June 19, 1996 PURPOSE The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) invites applications for research core centers (P30s) in skin diseases. The Skin Diseases Research Centers (SDRCs) will provide the resources for a number of established, currently funded investigators, often from different disciplines, to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to common research problems in skin diseases and to ensure greater productivity than from each of the separate projects. The direct costs requested may not exceed $400,000 each year. The NIAMS intends to fund two SDRCs from this RFA in FY 1997, subject to the availability of resources and receipt of sufficiently meritorious applications. The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of support of these centers are $1.2 million. 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), Skin Diseases Research Core Centers, is related to the priority area of chronic disabling conditions. 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 202-512-1800). INQUIRIES The RFA, which describes the research objectives, application procedures, review considerations, and award criteria for this solicitation, may be obtained electronically through the NIH Grant Line (data line 301/402-2221) and the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the program contact listed below. Dr. Julia B. Freeman Centers Program, EP National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Natcher Building, Room 5AS.19F - MSC 6500 Bethesda, MD 20892-6500 Telephone: (301) 594-5052 FAX: (301) 480-4543 Email: freemanj@ep.niams.nih.gov Copies of the guidelines for the SDRC program may be obtained from: NIAMS Clearinghouse 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 Telephone: (301) 495-4484 FAX: (301) 587-4352 $$R2 END ************************************************************ $$R3 BEGIN HL-96-002 FULL-TEXT ************************************** COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL CENTERS NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 RFA AVAILABLE: HL-96-002 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute P.T. 04; K.W. 0715032, 0765035, 0710030 Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 1, 1996 Application Receipt Date: September 18, 1996 PURPOSE The Division of Blood Diseases and Resources (DBDR) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites applications for the support of Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers to focus on multidisciplinary programs of basic, applied, and clinical research, and also to include relevant service activities in diagnosis, counseling and education concerning sickle cell disease and related disorders. Although significant progress has been made over the past two decades in understanding the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, many unresolved problems remain. Research in the Center's program should take advantage of new scientific advances to address the broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of research questions about sickle cell disease that will ultimately lead to improvement in treatment and prevention of complications of this disorder. The scope of research is unlimited, however, emphasis is placed on the development of innovative approaches, and new hypotheses applied to understanding this disease process. While a Center must devote its major effort to basic and clinical research, it must also provide supporting activities in diagnosis, education, and counseling. The total program, i.e., all ten Centers combined, should achieve a mix of outstanding projects that are two-thirds research oriented and one-third devoted to supporting activities. The actual balance between research and other activities will vary from Center to Center and will depend on local circumstances and competencies. The FY 95 fiscal support for the Centers program is $19.3 million. Although the NHLBI will consider a modest expansion of this program, it should be noted that the availability of FY 98 funding is contingent on the provision of money through the appropriation process. It is anticipated that ten comprehensive centers (P60) grants will be awarded under this program. The specific number to be funded will, however, depend on the merit and scope of the applications received and on the availability of funds. 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), Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers, is related to the priority areas of chronic disabling conditions and maternal and infant health. 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 202-512-1800). INQUIRIES The RFA, which describes the research objectives, application procedures, review considerations, and award criteria for this solicitation, may be obtained electronically through the NIH Grant Line (data line 301-402-2221) and the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov) and by mail or e-mail from the program contact listed below. Special instructions for Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center applications may also be obtained by mail or e-mail from this individual. Dr. Junius G. Adams, III Division of Blood Diseases and Resources National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7950 Bethesda, MD 20892-7950 Telephone: (301) 435-0055 FAX: (301) 480-0868 Email: ja33m@nih.gov $$R3 END ************************************************************ $$P1 BEGIN PAR-96-006 FULL-TEXT ************************************* INITIATIVE FOR MINORITY STUDENT DEVELOPMENT NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 PA AVAILABLE: PAR-96-006 P.T. 34; K.W. 0710030, 0720005 National Institute of General Medical Sciences Application Receipt Date: February 1 PURPOSE The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) announces an initiative directed toward increasing the number of underrepresented minorities entering careers in biomedical research. The objective of this program announcement is to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minority students entering competitive careers in biomedical research by promoting the initiation and development of new programs, as well as the expansion and enhancement of existing programs, to motivate and foster the development of underrepresented minority students in biomedical research careers. Programs developed under this initiative must be specifically designed to target underrepresented minority students majoring in the biomedical sciences or in medical, dental, or veterinary training who are interested in pursuing research careers. For the purposes of this program announcement, underrepresented minority students are individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Nationally, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research include, but are not limited to, United States citizens who are African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. The term "science" is used in this announcement to mean the natural, physical, and behavioral sciences and mathematics relevant to biomedical research. The NIGMS recognizes the heterogeneity in institutional settings and institutional missions. Therefore, the emphasis of this initiative will be on the institution's program, as defined by its own goals and specific objectives, to make a substantial contribution to ameliorating the underrepresentation of minority groups in biomedical research. Some institutions may have the greatest opportunity for impact by motivating undergraduate students. Other institutions may be poised for success in developing graduate students. Still others may wish to motivate and develop the research skills of students in -- or recently graduated from -- medical schools or other biomedically relevant professional schools. Applications may be submitted by any domestic private and public, educational institutions. The application may be directed toward the development of underrepresented minority scientists who are in any phase of their career development, from the undergraduate level through the Ph.D. Applications proposing to develop the competitive research skills of recent clinical doctorates are also eligible. An applicant institution may submit only one application for this program announcement. This initiative expands on and replaces the MBRS Associate Investigator Institution category of support. Those institutions currently funded under this category are encouraged to apply for this initiative for a start date to coincide with the end of their current project period. Institutions holding active MBRS regular research (S06) or undergraduate (S14) awards are not eligible. INQUIRIES The PA, which describes the objectives, application procedures, review considerations, and award criteria for this program, may be obtained electronically through the NIH Grant Line (data line 301-402-2221) and the NIH Gopher (gopher.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the program contact listed below. Clifton A. Poodry, Ph.D. National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AS.37 - MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-3900 FAX: (301) 480-2753 Email: poodryc@gm1.nigms.nih.gov $$P1 END ************************************************************ From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Tue Nov 07 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: M J Geisow Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: UK LINK CELL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME Date: 7 Nov 1995 22:37:10 -0800 Organization: BIODIGM Ltd. Lines: 18 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <47guo9$348@soap.news.pipex.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net UK LINK CELL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME The objective of this Initiative is to encourage more commercial exploitation of Government Funded research. A wide range of idustries could benefit from multidisciplianry collaboration with universities and institutes supported by the Cell Engineering Programme. Funding in LINK is 50:50 government:private industry and so at least one public sector and one industrial partner is required in each project. The Programme has just launched a newsletter and (UK) molecular and cell biologists interested in receiving a copy may send a request by E-mail to biodigm@dial.pipex.com Appologies to non UK scientists, but the Programme is restricted to companies and research organisations based in the UK :-) -- BIODIGM Tel: +44 (0) 1949 839077 Fax: +44 (0) 1949 831886 Email: biodigm@dial.pipex.com From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Tue Nov 07 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA HL-96-002 - V24(39) 11/03/95 Date: 7 Nov 1995 22:48:42 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 689 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <47pjsa$796@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA HL96002 HL-96-002 P1O1 *************************************** COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL CENTERS NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 RFA: HL-96-002 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute P.T. 04; K.W. 0715032, 0765035, 0710030 Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 1, 1996 Application Receipt Date: September 18, 1996 PURPOSE The Division of Blood Diseases and Resources (DBDR) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites applications for the support of Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers to focus on multidisciplinary programs of basic, applied, and clinical research, and also to include relevant service activities in diagnosis, counseling and education concerning sickle cell disease and related disorders. 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), Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers, is related to the priority areas of chronic disabling conditions and maternal and infant health. 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 202-512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic 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. Applicant organizations must be associated with an established medical institution with facilities and patient populations available for clinical investigations in sickle cell disease. Awards will not be made to foreign institutions. However, subprojects to foreign institutions may be considered for research of unusual merit, programmatic need, unique potential, and documented evidence of effective collaborative arrangements. Applications from minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Minority health professional institutions are strongly encouraged to apply. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Comprehensive Center (P60) mechanism. Sickle Cell Center grants are identifiable units within sponsoring institutions that are organized around a group of investigators and other health professionals engaged in ongoing basic and clinical research and community service related to sickle cell disease. Centers provide support for multi disciplinary programs of basic, clinical and behavioral research; for core resources such as laboratory and data analysis; and for quality service activities including diagnosis, counseling, and education. A Center is headed by a Program Director who is responsible for and provides leadership to all Center components, and who may also be principal investigator on one or more of the projects contained within the Center. Although individual components may enjoy a certain amount of autonomy in the conduct of a specific project, each is directly accountable to the Center Program Director, who has overall responsibility for program coordination, implementation, and evaluation. The Program Director must maintain close contact with NHLBI program administrators and grants management officers responsible for each grant. Committees, internal and external, which provide scientific and fiscal overview of Center activities are required. In addition, a formal ongoing agreement between the sponsoring institution and the Center must be developed spelling out the commitment of each to the other. In particular, the sponsoring institution should make a formal commitment of financial support to all components of a proposed Center specifically defining the resources for the salaries, equipment, supplies, and facilities that will be available to the investigators for the entire project period. Under the guidance of the Program Director, each of the required program components and services (research, education, diagnosis, and counseling) should be coordinated and integrated to strengthen the overall program, enhance transfer of new findings to the clinical setting, and identify new research directions. Such interaction should be frequent, formalized, and documented to facilitate continuous exchange of relevant information between projects and components, thus contributing to greater program productivity and effectiveness. Regular meetings of project directors, seminars, poster sessions, and staff lectures are excellent mechanisms for fostering communication and interaction among Center staff. Finally, each Program Director will be expected to develop a mechanism for the ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the activities constituting the Center program. While NHLBI will continue to assess the quality and performance characteristics of the program through periodic peer review and staff evaluation, each of the Centers must consider approaches by which it can demonstrate how the local program has influenced understanding and practice in matters related to sickle cell disease. Only by establishing and validating the benefits of the Center program can the long term support of this approach be justified. FUNDS AVAILABLE The FY 95 fiscal support for the Centers program is $19.3 million. Although the NHLBI will consider a modest expansion of this program, it should be noted that the availability of FY 98 funding is contingent on the provision of money through the appropriation process. It is anticipated that ten grants will be awarded under this program. The specific number to be funded will, however, depend on the merit and scope of the applications received and on the availability of funds. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background Sickle cell disease is a worldwide health problem and is one of the most common inherited disorders of man. This genetic blood disorder is probably the best understood disease at the molecular level and Linus Pauling coined the term "molecular disease" over forty years ago in ascribing the abnormality to the globin portion of the hemoglobin molecule. Almost ten years later, the specific molecular defect was identified as a single amino acid substitution of valine for glutamic acid at position 6 of the beta-globin polypeptide chain. With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, investigators were able to further define this genetic mutation in the globin gene as a change in the codon GAG to GTG. The substitution of glutamic acid by valine results in a loss of two negative charges on the surface of the molecule making sickle hemoglobin less soluble than normal hemoglobin upon deoxygenation. This abnormal hemoglobin aggregates and forms fibers within the red cells, leading to morphological changes that subsequently affect the ability of the cells to traverse the microvasculature, causing occlusion of these small vessels that results in acute pain, and acute as well as chronic organ damage. In addition, sickle red cells are less resilient than normal cells, leading to their early destruction and thus a chronic anemia. This cascade of events caused by the abnormal cell morphology affects the structure and function of the red cells, blood flow through tissues and organs throughout the body, and abnormal interaction of these cells with the microvasculature. The complex pathophysiology of this disorder is a direct consequence of the change in morphology of red cells containing sickle hemoglobin. Despite the distinction of being the first described molecular disease, there is no cure or effective treatment currently available. The NIH established the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center Program in 1972, in response to a Presidential initiative and Congressional mandate. After an open competition, ten Centers were funded in 1972 and five additional Centers in 1973. Subsequent RFAs were announced in 1977, 1978, 1983, 1988, and 1993. Ten Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers are currently funded. With this RFA, the Sickle Cell Disease Scientific Research Group, Blood Diseases Program, Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, announces its plan to fund 10 Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers, for the period 1998-2003. Research Opportunities Although significant progress has been made over the past two decades in understanding the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, many unresolved problems remain. Research in the Center's program should take advantage of new scientific advances to address the broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of research questions about sickle cell disease that will ultimately lead to improvement in treatment and prevention of complications of this disorder. The scope of research is unlimited, however, emphasis is placed on the development of innovative approaches, and new hypotheses applied to understanding this disease process. While a Center must devote its major effort to basic and clinical research, it must also provide supporting activities in diagnosis, education and counseling. It is anticipated that the total program, i.e., all ten Centers combined, will achieve a mix of outstanding projects that are two-thirds research oriented and one-third devoted to supporting activities. The actual balance between research and other activities will vary from Center to Center and will depend on local circumstances and competencies. Examples of ongoing research and/or new areas of opportunity in basic, clinical, behavioral, and other services include, but are not limited to, the following: Basic Research o Gene therapy, including the development of methods to improve the propagation of hematopoietic stem cells and alternative gene delivery systems o Study of the regulation of globin gene expression, including the regulation of fetal to adult globin gene switch environment of the red cells in sickle cell disease o Analysis of the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of red cell adhesion and of the microenvironment of the red cells in sickle cell disease o Examination of the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of vaso-occlusion o Study of non-red cell contributors to sickle cell disease pathophysiology, including clotting factors, cytokines, white cells, endothelial cells, free radicals, etc. o Analysis of the role of genetic polymorphism on phenotypic expression in sickle cell disease o Improving animal and cellular model systems to clarify pathogenesis and to evaluate new approaches to treatment Clinical Research o Collaborative clinical research - Joint efforts are strongly encouraged to develop, design, implement, conduct, and publish findings from clinical studies for sickle cell disease; to foster the development of standardized approaches for the care of patients; and to support centralized data and statistical services for clinical research. Collaborative clinical research among Center applicants can be proposed as a part of the original application. It may also be planned following the Center competition. Research areas appropriate for single center or collaborative approaches to clinical studies include, but are not limited to: o Development of disease severity indices o Drug therapies o Central nervous system disease o Pulmonary disease o Renal disease o Immune system dysfunction o Pain management - pharmacologic interventions Behavioral Research o Pain management - non-pharmacologic interventions o Newborn (or perinatal/neonatal) medicine - e.g., outcome evaluation of early intervention in newborn screening o Adolescent medicine - e.g., assessing barriers to treatment, enrolling in clinical trials o Adult medicine - e.g., achieving optimal transition from pediatric/adolescent to adult care modes o Patient compliance with treatment regimens o Outcomes research - e.g. assessing the impact of different health care systems (e.g. managed care organizations) on patterns of care for sickle cell patients o Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention strategies to achieve optimal adjustment of the patient and family to sickle cell disease Other Supporting Activities A number of ancillary integrated activities are needed for the successful implementation of the sickle cell center concept. These other activities include education, counseling, and diagnostic testing. The provision of community outreach programs is also encouraged. Although supporting activities are not research projects, they should be well described with objectives and methodology. o Diagnostic Testing - providing facilities where accurate diagnosis including hemoglobin genotyping can be performed o Counseling - all counseling should be non-directive and aimed at helping counselees to make informed decisions about health-related and/or family planning issues that they believe to be in their best interest o Education - sponsoring activities that provide training and information about sickle cell disease to health care professionals at the Center and in the community or region that the Center serves; and to patients, their families and communities o Community Outreach - developing a liaison between the Center and the community which would inform the community about Center programs and provide community input into their development New Components In May 1995, the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources convened a Concept Review Committee that included active participation by current Sickle Cell Center Directors to make recommendations to the NHLBI that would facilitate and enhance the operations of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers and offer opportunities for career development. As a result of Committee deliberations, the following new components have been incorporated into this Center competition: Data Management Core (Data Coordinating Center) This central resource core will provide data management and statistical needs for specific aspects of the Centers program sharing common clinical protocols, as well as for information related to health services utilization and health outcomes. This core will coordinate the clinical collaboration between the ten centers and will serve as the primary unit to collect, manage, statistically analyze, and store clinical data obtained from the individual Centers. This will require the full range of coordinating center activities including study design and protocol development; preparation of forms and Manual of Operations; training center staff in data collection procedures; maintaining the study database; monitoring clinical center performance; providing patient accrual reports; performing appropriate statistical analyses of study data; and participating in the preparation of study publications. It is anticipated that the centers will share two to three clinical research protocols each year; however, it is unlikely that all centers will participate in each clinical study. For health services data, a standardized reporting format would be developed across all centers that would permit accurate annual reporting to the Institute. Centers wishing to apply for the data management core will submit a separate document with an application face page, budget, and project description, which will be reviewed separately from the main application. The maximum possible total costs for this facility will be $300,000. This will be supplemental to the allowable funding cap for each Center and will be covered within the total funds allocated to the Centers for each year. (See Document on "Special Instructions"). Because of the Data Management Center, large separate data cores will not be funded at individual Centers. However, support can be requested in the administrative core for statistical expertise and data services related to research projects at each Center. Sickle Cell Research Scholars Program This component offers modest career development support for up to three years in the field of basic or clinical sickle cell research to a young scientist at the institution where a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center is located. Each Center will set aside $100,000 per year for the exclusive purpose of providing partial salary and research support for a Scholar who would be chosen by a panel of principal investigators at each Center with final approval from the Institute. These funds cannot be rebudgeted by the Program Director for other purposes. The Sickle Cell Research Scholar is expected to spend at least 75 percent of his/her effort in sickle cell anemia-related research under the guidance of an established investigator at the Center. Pilot Projects Pilot studies will be allowed (i.e., "seed money") for the pursuit of promising, but untested innovative research that emerges during the project period for established scientists who did not previously work in sickle cell related research or new investigators with state-of- the-art core technologies that will enable them to be competitive in the field. Pilot projects, with funding up to $25,000 in direct costs (within the total cost allocation), will be purely optional and will be reviewed and selected by experts within each Center. Progress will be reported to the Institute upon completion. Center Program Directors are also encouraged to use the Scholars Program and Pilot Projects to attract young minority scientists into biomedical research. Collaboration Active cooperation among Centers is required. Collaborative efforts among Center projects and between Centers enhance productivity and facilitate technology transfer between research and clinical application. Center Program Directors shall meet annually to review their progress and to plan new approaches for future collaborative work. Thus, the accomplishments of Centers will be shared freely and expeditiously. Exclusions Studies of the clinical course ("natural history") of sickle cell disease are currently being conducted in a multi-institutional collaborative Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease. Therefore, applications to pursue such investigations are not appropriate for this competition. Applications lacking any of the required components (basic and clinical research; supporting services for education, diagnosis, and counseling; and the Scholars Program) will be considered as non-responsive to this RFA and will not be accepted. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Application Funding Levels: a. New Center Applications: New applications may request up to $1.17 million direct costs (exclusive of indirect costs on subcontracts) in the first year with a maximum increase of no more than four percent for each additional year requested in that application. Applications that exceed these limits will be returned to the applicant. Requests for expensive pieces of equipment that cause the application to exceed these limits, will be considered on an individual basis. However, applicants should make every attempt to include all equipment in the ceiling amount and must discuss any equipment requests that cause the application to exceed the ceiling with NHLBI staff early in the planning phase of the application. Such requests for equipment will require in-depth justification and will be carefully considered throughout the review process. Final decisions will depend on the nature of the justification and the Institute's fiscal situation. b. Competing Renewal Center Applications: Competing renewal applications whose total costs currently exceed $2.0 million will be allowed to apply to apply for up to $2.2 million in total costs for the first year, with a maximum increase of no more than four percent in each succeeding year. Other competing renewals can request 10 percent above the recommended direct costs of the last noncompeting year or up to $1.6 million in total costs, whichever is greater, with a maximum increase of no more that four percent in each succeeding year. The same policy regarding equipment, which is described under "New Applications" applies to competing renewals. Applications that exceed these limits will be returned to the applicant. 2. NHLBI-sponsored annual meetings will be held to encourage the exchange of information among investigators who participate in this program. In the preparation of the budget for the grant application, applicants should request additional travel funds for one meeting each year to be held at various locations where there are Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers. Applicants should also include a statement in the applications indicating their willingness to participate in such meetings. 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 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 in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513), and reprinted in the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS of March 18, 1994, Volume 23, Number 11. Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the program staff or contact person listed below. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by March 1, 1996, 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 identification of any other participating institutions. The letter should also indicate any interest in applying for the Data Management Core. Such letters are requested only for the purpose of providing an indication of the number and scope of applications to be received; therefore their receipt is usually not acknowledged. A letter of intent is not binding, and it will not enter into the review of any application subsequently submitted, nor is it a necessary requirement for the application. This letter of intent is to be sent to: Chief, Review Branch Division of Extramural Affairs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7924 Bethesda, MD 20892-7924 Telephone: (301) 435-0266 FAX: (301) 480-3541 Email: james_scheirer@nih.gov APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95). This form is available in an applicant institution's office of sponsored research and from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3034, MSC 7762, Bethesda, MD 20892-7762 telephone (301) 435-0714, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov. Use the conventional format for research grant applications and ensure that the points identified in the section on REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS are fulfilled. The page limitations described in the form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) instructions are to be considered as applicable to all subprojects. Supplemental application guidelines for Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center applications may be obtained >From Dr. Junius Adams 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 could be included with the application. If collaborative arrangements involve sub-contracts with other institutions, Ms. Jane R. Davis of the NHLBI Grants Operations Branch (telephone: (301) 435-0166) should be consulted regarding procedures to be followed. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) 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 (Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center -HL-96-002) must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. Send or deliver the completed application and three signed, exact photocopies of it to the following, making sure that the original application with the RFA label attached is on top: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for courier/overnight mail service) Send an additional two copies of the application to the Chief, Review Branch at the address listed under LETTER OF INTENT. 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. Applications must be received by September 18, 1996. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the DRG and responsiveness by the NHLBI. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. If NHLBI staff determine that the application is not responsive to the RFA, it will be returned to the applicant 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 in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council or board. Applications should be prepared so that they can be reviewed without the necessity of interaction between the applicants and the reviewers, since no site visit or reverse site visit will be part of the technical review. Review Criteria Criteria for evaluation of the application will include: 1. The qualifications, experience and commitment of the Center Director and the ability to devote adequate time and effort to provide effective leadership. 2. The scientific merit and quality of the proposed projects. Each project will be assigned a priority score based on scientific merit and relevance to the goals of the Center. 3. The competence of the senior personnel to accomplish the proposed goals of the Center, their commitment, and time they will devote to the project. 4. The adequacy of the facilities to conduct the proposed research including laboratory and clinical facilities, access to patients, instrumentation and data management systems, when needed. 5. The nature of the overall structure and management of the Center, including scientific and fiscal management, integration of the parts, and quality control. 6. The appropriateness of the budget in relationship to the proposed program. 7. The committee structure, both internal and external, and process for ongoing evaluation of the Center's effectiveness. 8. The institutional commitment to the program as evidenced by provision of resources, and the appropriateness of the institutional resources and policies for the administration of a center program of the type proposed. 9. The willingness of the Center leadership to work cooperatively with other Sickle Cell Centers and with the NHLBI. Criteria for the evaluation of the Data Management Center will include: 1. Adequacy of the plans for data management, analysis, and coordination of clinical protocols 2. Qualifications, experience and commitment of the Data Management Core Director to provide effective leadership 3. Competence of the senior personnel to accomplish the proposed goals of the Data Management Core, their commitment, and time they will devote to the project 4. The adequacy of the facilities to conduct data management, analysis, and coordination of clinical protocols 5. Overall structure and management of the Core including fiscal management and quality control 6. Appropriateness of the budget in relationship to the proposed program 7. Institutional commitment to the Data Management Core as evidenced by provision of resources, and the appropriateness of the institutional resources and policies for the administration of a Data Management Core of the type proposed 8. Willingness of the Core leadership to work cooperatively with all Sickle Cell Centers and the NHLBI. AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is April 1, 1998. Funding decisions will be made on the basis of scientific and technical merit as determined by peer review, program needs and balance, and the availability of funds. INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Inquiries regarding programmatic issues and requests for the program guidelines may be directed to: Dr. Junius G. Adams, III Division of Blood Diseases and Resources National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7950 Bethesda, MD 20892-7950 Telephone: (301) 435-0055 FAX: (301) 480-0868 Email: ja33m@nih.gov For fiscal and administrative matters, contact: Ms. Jane R. Davis Blood Division Grants Management Section National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7926 Bethesda, MD 20892-7926 Telephone: (301) 435-0166 FAX: (301) 480-3310 Email: jane_davis@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS The programs of the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, NHLBI, are described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.839. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Section 301 (42 USC 241) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal regulations, most 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 PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. 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 Tue Nov 07 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS - 5 November 1995 Date: 7 Nov 1995 22:47:29 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 134 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <47pjq1$73v@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: Dir of Awards Title: NSF 96-07 EAR/GEO Award List File size (bytes): Fiscal '94 STIS Filename: nsf9607.txt (NSF) Also available: nsf9607.doc Document Type: Letter Title: LMPS-9502 - Dear Colleague (MPS) File size (bytes): STIS Filename: lmps9502.txt Document Type: Press Release Title: NSF SCIENTISTS TO STUDY AIRBORNE PARTICLES THAT MAY BE COOLING EARTH File size (bytes): STIS Filename: pr9574.txt Title: COMPUTER SCIENTIST AND LINGUISTS DEVELOP POWERFUL NEW TOOL TO ANALYZE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGES File size (bytes): STIS Filename: pr9575.txt Title: CIRCADIAN RHYTHM SET BY PAIRING OF TWO PROTEINS File size (bytes): STIS Filename: pr9576.txt Title: ANTARCTIC FISH FOSSILS FUEL ASTEROID IMPACT DEBATE File size (bytes): STIS Filename: pr9577.txt Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF 96-06 DATABASE ACTIVITIES IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES File size (bytes): STIS Filename: nsf9606.txt Also available: nsf9606.doc Document Type: Recruit Title: Biological Science Administrator (Associate Program Director) File size (bytes): STIS Filename: vex963.txt Title: Clerical and Administrative Support Positions File size (bytes): STIS Filename: vgs95104.txt Title: Secretary (Office Automation) File size (bytes): STIS Filename: vgs967.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: Grant Conditions Title: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) -- Phase II Grant General Conditions File size (bytes): 59455 STIS Filename: sbirii.txt Document Type: Phone Book Title: NSF Alpha Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 113276 STIS Filename: phnalpha.txt Also available: phnalpha.dlm Title: NSF Organization Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 118421 STIS Filename: phnorg.txt Document Type: Recruit Title: Senior Executive Service Nationwide Vacancy Listing File size (bytes): 28212 STIS Filename: sesvac.txt Document Type: STIS Title: Document Types on STIS File size (bytes): 2174 STIS Filename: stistype.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** 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 stistype.txt, the text of your message should be as follows: get stistype.txt Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve stistype.txt, you would enter: ftp> get stistype.txt 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 Tue Nov 07 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: djt2@po.cwru.edu (Dennis Templeton) Newsgroups: bionet.general,bionet.sci-resources,bionet.announce Subject: Re: Electronic PHS398 Form-- Free or Commercial? Date: 7 Nov 1995 22:38:39 -0800 Organization: CWRU School of Medicine Lines: 47 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: References: <473755$k22@ixnews6.ix.netcom.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net Xref: biosci bionet.general:18351 bionet.sci-resources:1520 bionet.announce:2605 In article <473755$k22@ixnews6.ix.netcom.com>, djblakes@ix.netcom.com (Dennis Blakeslee) wrote: > A full electronic (WYSIWIG) version of the new PHS398 NIH Grant > Application form (Rev. 5/95) has been approved by the NIH Division of > Research Grants and is now available to individuals and institutions. > The file contains all grants pages, including the face and checklist > pages, and has spreadsheet capabilities--all dollar amounts and > indirect costs are calculated automatically and entered in the correct > fields. Also, the form can be customized for use at a particular site, > with information such as addresses, phone numbers, performance site, > and appropriate check marks entered already entered when the form is > opened. > > An electronic version of the PHS2590 is also availble. > > The previous version of the phs398 (and the 2590) has been in > widespread use at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA for > the past three years. > > These forms run on a commercial (Delrina) software "filler" program > (with which I am in no way affiliated) and only Windows and UNIX > versions are currently available--a Mac version of the filler has been > promised but has not yet been released. > > For information on obtaining these forms as well as customization > services, contact: > > Dennis Blakeslee > djblakes@ix.netcom.com Is this version freely available? If so, will you please post it on an accessible server? How is the DRG "approval" significant compared to the defacto "approval" of grant form templates in use for several years? This form-filling approach does seem advantageous to word processor templates, but use of the templates is not complicated, uses a known technology and allows use by all platforms. These templates have been in use since 1991 and are available for the updated forms too. Parties interested in the free Mac PHS398 templates are referred to our server at http://129.22.87.13 Dennis Templeton Institute of Pathology CWRU School of Medicine djt2@po.cwru.edu From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Tue Nov 07 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - PAR-96-006 - V24(39) 11/03/95 Date: 7 Nov 1995 22:48:47 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 400 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <47pjsf$79c@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA PAR96006 PAR-96-006 P1O1 ************************************* INITIATIVE FOR MINORITY STUDENT DEVELOPMENT NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 39, November 3, 1995 PA NUMBER: PAR-96-006 P.T. 34; K.W. 0710030, 0720005 National Institute of General Medical Sciences Application Receipt Date: February 1 PURPOSE The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) announces an initiative directed toward increasing the number of underrepresented minorities entering careers in biomedical research. This initiative seeks to encourage the development and/or expansion of innovative programs to improve the academic and research competitiveness of underrepresented minority students at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels and to facilitate their progress toward careers in biomedical research. Programs developed under this initiative must be specifically designed to target underrepresented minority students majoring in the biomedical sciences or in medical, dental, or veterinary training who are interested in pursuing research careers. For the purposes of this program announcement, underrepresented minority students are individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Nationally, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research include, but are not limited to, United States citizens who are African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. The term "science" is used in this program announcement to mean the natural, physical, and behavioral sciences and mathematics relevant to biomedical research. ELIGIBILITY Applications may be submitted by domestic private and public, educational institutions. The application may be directed toward the development of underrepresented minority scientists who are in any phase of their career development, from the undergraduate level through the Ph.D. Applications proposing to develop the competitive research skills of recent clinical doctorates are also eligible. An applicant institution may submit only one application for this program announcement. This initiative expands on and replaces the MBRS Associate Investigator Institution category of support. Those institutions currently funded under this category are encouraged to apply for this initiative for a start date to coincide with the end of their current project period. Institutions holding active MBRS regular research (S06) or undergraduate (S14) awards are not eligible. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards under this program will use the institutional education project (R25) grant. Responsibility for the planning, direction, execution, and tracking for evaluation of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this program announcement may not exceed four years and is renewable. In general, requested direct costs are not to exceed $500,000 a year for the four-year period. Indirect costs will be paid at 8% of the direct costs, minus appropriate exclusions. A budget for each year must be provided. Allowable Costs The budget request may include the costs of administering, coordinating, and evaluating the program. Requests for equipment, supplies, travel, and other expenses for program operation should be carefully and specifically justified. Student remuneration through salary/wages and/or other forms of compensation paid in lieu of wages for participation in research experiences may be requested, provided the following conditions are met: o the student is performing necessary work, o there is an employer-employee relationship between the student and the institution, o the total compensation is reasonable for the work performed, and o it is the institution's practice to provide compensation for all students in similar circumstances, regardless of the source of support for the activity. Tuition remission is allowable for graduate students only and is limited to the current NIGMS allowable level. It is an expectation of NIGMS that students who are enrolled in a Ph.D. program as a result of this program announcement will not be excluded from support from other sources, if needed, while making satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. In summary, allowable costs include, but are not limited to: graduate student tuition remission, supplies, equipment, travel, other expenses, salary, wages, and fringe benefits for students and faculty. Unallowable Costs Undergraduate tuition or recruitment expenses of any kind are not allowable costs under this program. Release time solely for faculty mentoring is not allowable. Routine research support for faculty is not allowable, since faculty mentors in competitive programs are expected to have their own research support and an active research program capable of supporting the research of students. OBJECTIVE Background As of 1992, underrepresented minorities constituted only 4.5 percent of the postdoctoral fellows in the life sciences and less than 2.7 percent of the principal investigators of NIH research grants. In addition, the number of underrepresented minority applicants for research grants and training positions is very low. In the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, NIH was encouraged to increase the number of underrepresented minorities participating in biomedical and behavioral research. In response to the Act, this program announcement will establish an opportunity for universities and other eligible institutions that are involved in biomedical research and training to target qualified underrepresented minorities at various stages in their education and move them along the path to competitive research careers. The objective of this program announcement is to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minority students entering competitive careers in biomedical research by promoting the initiation and development of new programs, as well as the expansion and enhancement of existing programs, to motivate and foster the development of underrepresented minority students in biomedical research careers. NIGMS recognizes the heterogeneity in institutional settings and institutional missions. Therefore, the emphasis of this initiative will be on the institution's program, as defined by its own goals and specific objectives, to make a substantial contribution to ameliorating the underrepresentation of minority groups in biomedical research. Some institutions may have the greatest opportunity for impact by motivating undergraduate students. Other institutions may be poised for success in developing graduate students. Still others may wish to motivate and develop the research skills of students in -- or recently graduated from -- medical schools or other biomedically relevant professional schools. Additional Information Institutional programs must be designed with special attention to the needs and special requirements of underrepresented minority students who are pursuing biomedical research careers. For example, they may include, but are not limited to, the following: o providing research opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, medical, or post-clinical doctoral students at the institution (students may receive compensation for these activities); o while routine research support is not allowable, funds may be provided for strengthening the research capabilities of faculty who are uniquely successful in the development of underrepresented minority students or who are critical to the development of an environment supportive of minority students; o research-oriented technical training courses or workshops for students; o activities to improve technical skills of students such as writing; o student travel for presentation of research at scientific meetings; and o mentoring activities. Professional degree-granting institutions should describe modifications and/or additions to their existing programs that would encourage and facilitate minority students to enter research careers. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research; from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3032-MSC 7762, Bethesda, MD 20872-7762, telephone (301) 435-0714, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov; and from the NIGMS program director listed under INQUIRIES. The title and number of the program announcement must be typed in Section 2 on the face page of the application. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and five legible copies of the signed application in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20872-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must also be sent to the Dr. Poodry at the address listed under INQUIRIES. Application receipt date is February 1. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Applicants should describe their proposed program in detail. They should explain how the program will meet their institutional goals and specific measurable objectives and how meeting these institutional goals will fulfill the objectives of this program announcement. Applicants should describe: o the criteria to be used in the selection of, and steps taken to ensure the retention of, the student participants for this program; o the criteria for selecting participating faculty; o the methods and facilities available for tracking student participants; and o the criteria to be used for program evaluation. In this context, the applicant should provide institutional data for the previous five years to serve as a baseline for the specific measurable objectives proposed. Other Training Programs Applicants should describe the type(s) of support available to underrepresented minority students at their institutions. Applications from academic institutions with funding for student development programs such as, but not limited to, National Research Service Award (NRSA) training grants (e.g., NIH pre- and post-doctoral T32 grants or MARC T34 grants), NIH minority supplements, National Science Foundation grants or Howard Hughes Medical Institute grants, should define the relationship between those programs and a program responding to this program announcement. Reporting Requirements An annual progress report will be required. A final report will be required 90 days after the termination date of the award and must include information for each student participant and the benefits derived from the program. Student Population and Career Tracking The nature and extent of underrepresented minority student participation must be thoroughly delineated. The applicant should describe the institution's success in training its students from underrepresented minority groups in the sciences, including information on the number of minority students receiving baccalaureate, master's, or Ph.D. degrees and data on the subsequent careers or education of the institutions underrepresented minority graduates. In order to evaluate the success of the program, applicants should describe the systems by which they would monitor and track the student participants in their programs, including the careers students choose after graduation. Applicants should maintain data to be able to demonstrate the benefits of their programs on retention rates and graduation rates. These data should be compared to those of non-minority students and to those of minority students at their institutions from the previous five years. Key Personnel The program director is the individual designated on the application as the principal investigator and is responsible for the overall execution of the program. Unless otherwise stated in the application, the program director will have direct responsibility for all projects/activities (e.g., mentoring activities, individual research or pilot projects, curriculum development), including the Student Population and Career Tracking project. The names and qualifications of the program director, the directors of individual projects within the program (where appropriate), and any other key personnel, shall be listed in the application under Key Personnel and in the Biographical Sketch. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be administratively reviewed by NIH staff. Incomplete and/or unresponsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated by the NIGMS in accordance with the criteria stated below for scientific and technical merit by appropriate peer review groups. The second level of review will be provided by the National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council. Review criteria Proposed Education Plans: o the difference the program will make as defined by the stated goals and specific measurable objectives relative to the status quo (previous five years); o the degree to which the program's plan may be expected to meet the goals of this solicitation as well as the goals and specific measurable objectives of the applicant institution; o the budget and cost-effectiveness of the program, including its appropriateness to the scope of the program, benefit to the students, number of students involved, and responsible and prudent senior personnel costs; o evidence of a programmatic quality of the projects/activities proposed as distinct from a potential collection of minority supplements to existing research grants; and o the appropriateness of the applicant's plan for the evaluation of the impact of the program, including a system to track the future course of program participants. Institutional Setting and Personnel: o the availability of significant numbers of underrepresented minority students in the participating science department(s) who are interested in developing their research careers in biomedical and health-related fields; o the qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator, faculty and staff to carry out the proposed program; o evidence of institutional commitment, and strength of the efforts of the institution, to foster the professional development of underrepresented minority faculty and to train underrepresented minority students in the biomedical sciences; o the past training record of both program and designated preceptors, as determined by the success of former trainees in establishing independent and productive research careers; o the caliber of the proposed preceptors as researchers, including their successful competition for research support. AWARD CRITERIA Award decisions will be based on the technical merit of the applications, the diversity of the underrepresented minority student participants within the grant portfolio of NIGMS, and the geographical distribution of the awardee institutions. Awards can be made only to institutions with financial management systems and management capabilities that are acceptable under PHS policy. Awards will be administered under the PHS Grants Policy Statement. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are strongly encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to the program director: Clifton A. Poodry, Ph.D. Division of Minority Opportunities in Research National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AS.37 MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-3900 FAX: (301) 480-2753 Email: poodryc@gm1.nigms.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Annette Hanopole National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AN.50J MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-3928 FAX: (301) 480-3423 Email: hanopola@gm1.nigms.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS Awards are authorized by Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, and administered under PHS grants policies and the code of Federal Regulations 45 CFR Part 74, 45 CFR Part 92 and 42 CFR Part 52. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. 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 Mon Nov 13 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS - 12 November 1995 Date: 13 Nov 1995 22:10:21 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 90 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <489bsd$pss@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: Press Release Title: PR 94-52 NSF ANNOUNCES AWARDS FOR DIGITAL LIBRARIES RESEARCH File size (bytes): STIS Filename: pr9452.txt Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF 95-145 -- Local Systemic Change Through Teacher Enhancement in Mathematics File size (bytes): STIS Filename: nsf95145.txt Title: Long-Term Ecological Research Network Office (Special Competition) NSF 96-5) File size (bytes): STIS Filename: nsf965.txt Title: NSF 96-8 Academic Research Infrastructure (Instrumentation) Program (ARI) File size (bytes): 31698 STIS Filename: nsf968.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: News Title: MPSLECT -- Bose-Einstein Condensation in an Ultracold Gas File size (bytes): 1278 STIS Filename: mpslect.txt Document Type: Phone Book Title: NSF Alpha Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 113057 STIS Filename: phnalpha.txt Also available: phnalpha.dlm Title: NSF Organization Directory Directory File size (bytes): 118414 STIS Filename: phnorg.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** 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 phnorg.txt, the text of your message should be as follows: get phnorg.txt Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, you would enter: ftp> get phnorg.txt 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 Fri Nov 17 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH MAIL No Eguide This Week Date: 18 Nov 1995 14:07:23 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 5 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <48ller$s4d@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$MAIL BEGIN *********************************************************** Due to the shutdown of the Federal Govenment, there will be no NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts this week. There was also no Guide last week, the message was not distributed properly. $$MAIL END************************************************************** From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Mon Nov 20 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: IMPORTANT: BIOSCI miniFAQ Date: 21 Nov 1995 15:15:34 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 196 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <48tmim$5t8@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net This is a new "miniFAQ" designed to answer the questions that come up the *most frequently*. The main BIOSCI FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is accessible on the World Wide Web at URL http://www.bio.net/. Contents: -------- 1) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. 2) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. 3) How to access BIOSCI/bionet newsgroup archives. 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. 1) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. ------------------------------------------------------- BIOSCI is a set of parallel USENET newsgroups (the "bionet" groups) and mailing lists. The same postings are distributed on both media (except for a small number of mailing-list-only groups at net.bio.net). Unfortunately it is becoming a despicable practice on the Internet (by a few people out to make a fast buck) to do automated mass postings to thousands of newsgroups and mailing lists. These attempts to grab free advertising are refered to as "spams" in the usual, somewhat boneheaded, net terminology. USENET is more susceptible to this practice, and many spams originate on the USENET groups and then are passed on to the mailing lists. However, spammers also get lists of mailing addresses and hit these too, so neither medium is immune. What should you do personally if you get junk mail? --------------------------------------------------- Just delete it and move on without reading it further. Filing a protest is becoming increasingly useless because spammers are often disguising the addresses where the messages are sent from. Unless you really understand Internet mail systems, your attempt at protest by sending replies to the message will often end up being sent to the address of an innocent person that the spammer is victimizing. What can BIOSCI/bionet do to protect its newsgroups? ---------------------------------------------------- The only solution currently available is to moderate the newsgroup. If this newsgroup is already moderated, then you are in good shape. Moderation protects the newsgroups from about 95% of the spams that are being sent to date. This means that someone has to take the time to review each message before it goes out. We have set up software here that simply allows the moderator to forward to an address at net.bio.net messages that (s)he wishes to have distributed. This takes no more time than that needed to read the message and pass it on, say about 1 min. per message. Most newsgroups currently have a discussion leader who is responsible for their newsgroup. The discussions leaders and their e-mail addresses are listed in the BIOSCI Information Sheet which is available on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. If a newsgroup is being hit with too many junk postings, please contact the discussion leader for that group and see if there is interest in moderating the group. Please do not assume that by simply posting a complaint to the newsgroup itself, anyone on the BIOSCI staff will act on your complaint. With close to 100 newsgroups to run, the BIOSCI staff has to rely on the discussion leaders of each newsgroup to report problems directly to us at biosci-help@net.bio.net. We will moderate any of our newsgroups if the discussion leader tells us that the readership of the group wishes to do so and if a moderator is willing to do the work. For most BIOSCI/bionet groups, this entails only a few minutes of work each day. Moderating a newsgroup will resolve probably 95% of the junk postings. Unfortunately there are easy ways for determined spammers to override the moderation mechanism. We are working on new systems to provide access to our newsgroups over the WWW. These should be available soon, probably November 1995, and will allow you to use your Web browser to look at the news postings. While this will not stop spammers from trying to post to the groups, this will give you yet another way, besides using USENET news, to keep the junk out of your personal mail files. 2) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE NOTE: The BIOSCI management does NOT act on subscription/unsubscription requests that are posted improperly to the newsgroups and mailing lists. People who do this only bother everyone on the lists to no avail. Please be sure to follow the proper procedures below. Gory details are in the BIOSCI Information sheets on the Web at http://www.bio.net. Below we give an example utilizing the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list at both of our two BIOSCI sites: Users in the Americas and Pacific Rim countries who use the BIOSCI ------------------------------------------------------------------ node at computer net.bio.net: ---------------------------- A) Determine the "listname" which is the <=8 character mail address ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ for the group. These can be found in the BIOSCI Info. Sheet. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS group the mailing address is methods@net.bio.net. The listname is the portion of the address to the left of the @ sign, i.e., "methods". The listname is used with the "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" commands illustrated below. B) Mail all commands in the body of a mail message addressed to biosci-server@net.bio.net. Do NOT send commands to the newsgroup posting addresses! Leave the Subject: line blank, any text on it will be ignored. C) In the body of your message put one or more of the following commands with an "end" command on the last line, e.g., subscribe methods unsubscribe methods end Do NOT put your e-mail address or other text on these lines. The server only allows you to cancel your subscription if the address on your mail header matches the address on our mailing list. Please ask for help at biosci-help@net.bio.net if your address has changed, e.g., if you know you are on the list but the server tells you that you are not a member. Users in Europe, Africa, and Central Asia who use the BIOSCI node at -------------------------------------------------------------------- computer daresbury.ac.uk (also known as dl.ac.uk): ------------------------------------------------- To subscribe and unsubscribe to/from the BIOSCI lists, you need to specify the full USENET newsgroup name with "bionet-news." prepended. The USENET newsgroup names are listed in the BIOSCI Information sheet on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list the USENET newsgroup name is bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts, thus the appropriate commands are sub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts unsub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts These commands are included in a message addressed to mxt@dl.ac.uk, NOT to the newsgroup mailing addresses. As usual, include the text in the body of the message as text on the Subject: line is ignored. To unsubscribe from all the lists at the UK node, use unsub bionet-news Please note that if the address in the list is different than the one in your mail message header, you will not be able to unsubscribe by this method. If you have problems, please mail biosci@daresbury.ac.uk. 3) How to access BIOSCI/bionet newsgroup archives. -------------------------------------------------- Back postings of all BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups can be found on the World Wide Web at URL http://www.bio.net/. There are several searchable newsgroup indices at this site. E-mail users can search the BIOSCI archives by using our waismail e-mail server. For instructions send the message help to waismail@net.bio.net. Leave the Subject: line blank (anything entered on the Subject: line is ignored). 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. ----------------------------------------------------------- Please take this opportunity to add your name, address, and research interest information to the BIOSCI User Address Database if you have not already done so. You can fill out the address form directly through our Web page at URL http://www.bio.net/adrform.html. The address database is reindexed nightly for WWW access (the URL is http://www.bio.net/). If you are not directly on the Internet but can reach it by e-mail, please use our waismail server to access the user directory. waismail use is described above. You can also request a user address form by e-mail from biosci-help@net.bio.net. Please check your database entry from time-to-time to see if your address information is still up-to-date. Because of our limited personnel resources, we ask that you resubmit a *complete* form to revise your entry; we only replace complete entries and do not have resources to edit old forms. Sincerely, Dave Kristofferson BIOSCI/bionet Manager biosci-help@net.bio.net From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Mon Nov 20 22:00:00 1995 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS - 19 November 1995 Date: 21 Nov 1995 15:34:55 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 96 Sender: biohelp@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-moderator@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <48tnmv$82b@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 ** Doc