From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Sun Mar 03 22:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 25, no. 6, pt. 1of1, 1 March 1996 Date: 3 Mar 1996 16:01:58 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 561 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4hdbtm$3iv@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID NIHGUIDE 19960301 V25N06 P1O1 ************************************ X-comment: RFAs described: LM-96-001, HS-96-002, CA-96-005, PAR-96-030 X-URL: gopher://gopher.nih.gov:70/11/res/nih-guide/guide-files/96.03.01 NIH GUIDE - Vol. 25, No. 6 - March 1, 1996 $$INDEX BEGIN ******************************************************* NOTICES $$INDEX N1 ********************************************************** AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE RESEARCH ON THE CO-OCCURRENCE AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLENCE, DRUG ABUSE, AND HIV/AIDS National Institute on Drug Abuse INDEX: DRUG ABUSE $$INDEX N2 ********************************************************** REVISED PHS 416-1 INDIVIDUAL NRSA APPLICATION FORM National Institutes of Health INDEX: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs) $$INDEX R1 ********************************************************** CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION OF A FLOWCELL FOR ATTENUATED TOTAL REFLECTANCE-FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED (ATR-FTIR) SPECTROMETER/SCANNING CONFOCAL LASER MICROSCOPE (SCLM) STUDIES OF ORAL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES (RFP NLM-96-104/VMS) National Library of Medicine INDEX: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE $$INDEX R2 05/16/96 ************************************************* INTERNET CONNECTION FOR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS (RFA LM-96-001) National Library of Medicine INDEX: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE $$INDEX R3 06/18/96 ************************************************* MEDTEP RESEARCH ON NON-CANCEROUS UTERINE CONDITIONS (RFA HS-96-002) Agency for Health Care Policy and Research INDEX: HEALTH CARE POLICY, RESEARCH $$INDEX R4 07/19/96 ************************************************* PROGRAM PROJECTS IN NUTRITION AND BASIC BIOLOGY RESEARCH FOR CANCER PREVENTION (RFA CA-96-005) National Cancer Institute INDEX: CANCER $$INDEX P1 ********************************************************** MARC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TRAINING IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH (U-STAR) PROGRAM (PAR-96-030) National Institute of General Medical Sciences INDEX: GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES THE NIH GUIDE IS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY VIA BITNET OR INTERNET, BY SUBSCRIPTION, AND IS ALSO ON THE NIH GOPHER (GOPHER.NIH.GOV). ALTERNATIVE ACCESS IS THROUGH THE NIH GRANT LINE VIA MODEM (DATA LINE 301/402-2221); CONTACT DR. JOHN JAMES AT 301/435-2801 FOR DETAILS. THE PHS STRONGLY ENCOURAGES ALL GRANT AND CONTRACT RECIPIENTS TO PROVIDE A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE AND PROMOTE THE NON-USE OF ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, PUBLIC LAW 103-227, THE PRO-CHILDREN ACT OF 1994, PROHIBITS SMOKING IN CERTAIN FACILITIES (OR IN SOME CASES, ANY PORTION OF A FACILITY) IN WHICH REGULAR OR ROUTINE EDUCATION, LIBRARY, DAY CARE, HEALTH CARE OR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PHS MISSION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. ALL COMPETING GRANT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH MUST BE SENT TO: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) THE GRANTS INFORMATION OFFICE, DRG, HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE NEW OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL OUTREACH & INFORMATION RESOURCES, OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH, OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, NIH. REQUESTS FOR APPLICATION FORMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER INFORMATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING: OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL OUTREACH & INFORMATION RESOURCES 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, MSC 7910 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7910 TELEPHONE: (301) 435-0714 EMAIL: GIRG@DRGPO.DRG.NIH.GOV $$INDEX END ********************************************************* NOTICES $$N1 BEGIN ********************************************************** AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE RESEARCH ON THE CO-OCCURRENCE AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLENCE, DRUG ABUSE, AND HIV/AIDS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, March 1, 1996 PA NUMBER: PA-95-072, International Epidemiology Research on Drug Abuse PA-95-060, Drug and Alcohol Use and Abuse in Rural America PA-95-059, Local Population/Area Epidemiologic Drug Research PA-95-057, HIV Risk Behaviors, Determinants and Consequences PA-94-054, Strategies to Reduce HIV Sexual Risk Practices PA-94-010, Needle Hygiene & Needle Exchange Program Research PA-94-007, Survey Research on Drug Use/Associated Behaviors PA-93-111, Partner Notification to HIV-Infected Drug Users PA-93-046, Drug Abuse in Minority & Underserved Populations P.T. 34; K.W. 0715008, 0404009, 0404023, 0404000 National Institute on Drug Abuse PURPOSE For those investigators applying for new grants or competing supplements under the program of research sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Community Research Branch, this notice is meant to amend Program Announcements PA-95-072 (NIH Guide, Vol. 24, No. 2, June 16, 1995), PA-95-060 (NIH Guide, Vol. 24, No. 16, May 12, 1995), PA-95-059 (NIH Guide, Vol. 24, No. 15, May 5, 1995), PA-95-057 (NIH Guide, Vol. 24, No. 16, May 5, 1995), PA-94-054 (NIH Guide, Vol. 23, No. 14, April 8, 1994), PA-94-010 (NIH Guide, Vol. 22, No. 40, November 5, 1993), PA-94-007 (NIH Guide, Vol. 22, No. 39, October 29, 1993), PA-93-111 (NIH Guide, Vol. 22, No. 33, September 17, 1993), and PA-93-046 (NIH Guide, Vol. 22, No. 5, February 5, 1993), which are still in effect and should be consulted in conjunction with this amendment. (Research on violence has already been requested under PA-95-083, "Women's HIV Risk and Protective Behaviors.") The referenced PAs address rural-, local area-, and international epidemiologies of drug abuse, including enhanced survey research on drug use issues; the patterns, causes and consequences of drug use among minority or underserved populations; the epidemiologies of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS; and interventions to reduce behaviors linked to the transmission of HIV among drug users and their sex partners. This addendum focuses on the co-occurrence, interrelatedness, and health consequences of three major public health problems: drug abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS. To this end, NIDA will support the following kinds of studies: (1) local-level community epidemiology studies to document and monitor trends in the nature, extent, and patterns of co-occurring drug use, violence, and HIV/AIDS, as well as their negative health consequences; (2) studies of the common and unique risk/protective antecedents and correlates of these phenomena; (3) studies of reciprocal linkages among drug use, violence, and HIV risk taking (e.g., the effect of drug use on sexual assault or other HIV risks; the effect of sexual assault or coercion on HIV infection; the effect of sexual risk-taking on drug use); (4) studies that design, implement and evaluate interventions to reduce/prevent drug-related violence and HIV risk behaviors and their negative health consequences; and (5) methodological studies to improve the measurement, data collection, and analysis of drug-related violence and HIV behaviors, or to extend prevailing research paradigms thereon. In contrast, this addendum will not support research focusing exclusively on the criminal behavior/criminal justice outcomes of drug abuse. Populations of concern include high-risk male and female drug injectors and non-injectors from urban and rural communities as well as subgroups of the population that are disproportionately at risk for drug abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS. Applications must be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) using the receipt dates outlined in the PHS 398 kit. INQUIRIES Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Richard Needle, Ph.D., M.P.H. or Susan Coyle, Ph.D. Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research National Institute on Drug Abuse 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9A-42 Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone: (301) 443-6720 FAX: (301) 443-2636 Email: RNEEDLE@AOADA.SSW.DHHS.GOV or SCOYLE@AOADA.SSW.DHHS.GOV $$N1 END ************************************************************ $$N2 BEGIN ********************************************************** REVISED PHS 416-1 INDIVIDUAL NRSA APPLICATION FORM NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, March 1, 1996 P.T. 34; K.W. 1014006 National Institutes of Health The revised (8/95) PHS 416-1 Individual National Research Service Award application is now available. The new application forms will be accepted for the April 5 and August 5, 1996, receipt dates and must be used for the receipt of December 5, 1996. The PHS 416-1 (rev. 8/95) supersedes all previous editions. A major change in the new PHS 416-1 is the format of the application kit. The form pages are not attached to the instruction booklet. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to retain the instruction booklet for use with future applications. INQUIRIES To request one copy, contact: OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL OUTREACH & INFORMATION RESOURCES OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE MSC 7910 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7910 EMAIL: GIRG@DRGPO.DRG.NIH.GOV To request two or more copies, contact: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OFFICE DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE MSC 7760 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7760 EMAIL: AMRG@DRGPO.DRG.NIH.GOV $$N2 END ************************************************************ NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs) $$R1 BEGIN NLM-96-104/VMS ******************************************* CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION OF A FLOWCELL FOR ATTENUATED TOTAL REFLECTANCE-FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED (ATR-FTIR) SPECTROMETER/SCANNING CONFOCAL LASER MICROSCOPE (SCLM) STUDIES OF ORAL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, March 1, 1996 RFP AVAILABLE: NLM-96-104/VMS P.T. 34; K.W. 1002024 National Library of Medicine The National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) has a requirement to develop a Fourier-Transform-Infrared-Spectroscopy (FTIR) flowcell for establishment and characterization for various conditioning films on a substratum appropriate to the oral milieu (e.g., dental enamel), and to reversibly install this flowcell on a Scanning Confocal Laser Microscope (SCLM) located at the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR), NIH, thereby creating an instrument for on-line four-dimensional study of microbial attachment to conditioning films. The successful contractor will be provided access to the Leica TCS-4D SCLM located at NIDR, to test the suitability of the flowcell for use on the microscope stage to conduct preliminary tests. Integration onto the SCLM, and support to set necessary baseline parameters for studying orally-relevant biofilms are required. It is anticipated that a two-year, cost reimbursement (level of effort) type contract will be awarded. The total project effort is estimated at 3,400 labor hours over the two year period of performance. The skills of trained and experienced analytical chemists, microbiologists, microbial ecologists, materials science engineers and access to laboratory-scale (developmental) and projection-scale prism-coating facilities as well as analytical facilities (XPS, SIMS, and Auger) will be essential for the successful completion of this project. INQUIRIES Request for Proposals (RFP) No. NLM 96-104/VMS will be available on or about March 11, 1996, with proposals due on or about April 26, 1996. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NIDR. This acquisition is being managed for the National Institute of Dental Research by the Office of Acquisitions Management at the National Library of Medicine. Verbal and FAX requests for the RFP will not be accepted; requests must be submitted in writing, addressed to: Valerie M. Syed Office of Acquisitions Management National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike Building 38A, Room B1N17 Bethesda, MD 20894 $$R1 END ************************************************************ $$R2 BEGIN LM-96-001 FULL-TEXT ************************************** INTERNET CONNECTION FOR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, March 1, 1996 RFA AVAILABLE: LM-96-001 P.T. 34; K.W. 0710078, 1004017 National Library of Medicine Letter of Intent Receipt Date: April 17, 1996 Application Receipt Date: May 16, 1996 PURPOSE The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is encouraging the development of a communications infrastructure to promote the rapid interchange of medical information nationally and throughout the world. This infrastructure is based upon the Internet, a network of networks that was developed with the support of the National Science Foundation. The proposed evolution of the Internet into the National Research and Education Network (NREN) is a key element in important federal initiatives in High Performance Computing and Communication and a National Information Infrastructure. Internet access provides health professionals engaged in education, research, clinical care, and administration with a means of accessing remote databases, libraries, NLM's Grateful Med, DOCLINE, and Loansome Doc, of transferring files and images, and of interacting with colleagues throughout the world. To accelerate the pace with which health-related institutions become part of the electronic information web, NLM is offering grants to support Internet connections. 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), Internet Connection for Medical Institutions, is related to the priority area of surveillance and data systems. 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), the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and the NIH Website (http://www.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the program contact listed below. Ms. Frances E. Johnson Division of Extramural Programs National Library of Medicine Building 38A, Room 5S-520 Bethesda, MD 20894 Telephone: (301) 496-4221 FAX: (301) 402-0421 Email: FJOHNSON@NLM.NIH.GOV $$R2 END ************************************************************ $$R3 BEGIN HS-96-002 FULL-TEXT ************************************** MEDTEP RESEARCH ON NON-CANCEROUS UTERINE CONDITIONS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, March 1, 1996 RFA AVAILABLE: HS-96-002 P.T. 34, II; K.W. 0705075, 0755015 Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 1, 1996 Application Receipt Date: June 18, 1996 PURPOSE The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) invites applications for cooperative agreements (U01) to design and conduct collaborative, multi-site randomized controlled trials to compare the effectiveness and outcomes of hysterectomy to those of other common treatments for non-cancerous uterine conditions. These trials will emphasize outcomes important to patients. The conditions of interest are: uterine fibroids (leiomyomata), endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and uterine prolapse. Each application must be submitted by the institution where the Data Coordinating Center is located. The Data Coordinating Center will be the applicant and control point for project coordination, and for management and analysis of the data. The project should include a consortium or network of Clinical Centers and a Study Chair. Dependent upon the availability of funds, AHCPR expects to award up to $3 million to support the first year of approximately three projects under this Request for Applications (RFA). Funding beyond the initial budget period will depend upon annual progress reviews by AHCPR and 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 RFA, MEDTEP Research on Non-Cancerous Uterine Conditions, addresses several of those objectives. 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), the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and the NIH Website (http://www.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the program contact listed below. Miriam A. Kelly, Ph.D. Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 2101 East Jefferson Street, Suite 605 Rockville, MD 20852-4908 Telephone: (301) 594-1485 Email: COER_RFA@PO4.AHCPR.GOV $$R3 END ************************************************************ $$R4 BEGIN CA-96-005 FULL-TEXT ************************************** PROGRAM PROJECTS IN NUTRITION AND BASIC BIOLOGY RESEARCH FOR CANCER PREVENTION NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, March 1, 1996 RFA AVAILABLE: CA-96-005 P.T. 34; K.W. 0710095, 0715035, 0745027 National Cancer Institute Letter of Intent Receipt Date: April 12, 1996 Application Receipt Date: July 19, 1996 PURPOSE The Division of Cancer Prevention and Control and the Division of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute (NCI), are reissuing an invitation for the submission of Program Project Grant (P01) applications for multidisciplinary nutrition and basic biology research relevant to the prevention of cancer, with a special emphasis on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer in women and minorities. This RFA seeks to improve understanding of the roles of dietary patterns, individual dietary constituents, and nutritional status in the development and prevention of cancer. The objectives of this RFA are to increase the pool of quality applications addressing nutrition and human cancer prevention using multidisciplinary approaches; to stimulate the use of modern biological approaches and techniques in order to elucidate the effects of nutrition on cancer initiation, promotion, progression, and prevention; and to promote the translation of knowledge of the impact of nutrition on the basic biology of cancer into dietary interventions for its prevention. Up to $2.0 million in total costs per year for up to four years will be committed specifically to fund applications that are submitted in response to this RFA. It is anticipated that two to three awards will be made. 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, Program Projects in Nutrition and Basic Biology Research for Cancer Prevention, is related to the priority areas of nutrition and cancer. 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), the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and the NIH Website (http://www.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the program contact listed below. Susan M. Pilch, Ph.D. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control National Cancer Institute 6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 212, MSC 7328 Bethesda, MD 20892-7328 Telephone: (301) 496-8573 FAX: (301) 402-0553 Email: PilchS@dcpcepn.nci.nih.gov Victor A. Fung, Ph.D. Division of Cancer Biology National Cancer Institute 6130 Executive Boulevard, Suite 700, MSC 7420 Bethesda, MD 20892-7420 Telephone: (301) 496-5471 FAX: (301) 496-1040 Email: FungV@epndce.nci.nih.gov $$R4 END ************************************************************ $$P1 BEGIN PAR-96-030 FULL-TEXT ************************************* MARC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TRAINING IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH (U-STAR) PROGRAM NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, March 1, 1996 PA AVAILABLE: PAR-96-030 P.T. 44, FF; K.W. 0720005, 0710030 National Institute of General Medical Sciences Application Receipt Dates: January 10 and May 10 PURPOSE The Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Branch of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) announces the Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) program, which replaces the existing Honors Undergraduate Research Training (HURT) program and supersedes all previous MARC HURT announcements. Although NIGMS will no longer accept competing applications for the HURT program, existing policies and provisions will remain in effect for current MARC HURT recipients until completion of the non-competitive years of their existing grant period. NIGMS-MARC provides support for underrepresented minority students to improve their preparation for graduate training in the biomedical sciences. To this end, the objectives of the MARC U-STAR program are: to increase the number of competitively trained underrepresented minority students enrolled in programs that lead to the research doctorate; to strengthen the faculty, science course curriculum and research training programs in biomedical sciences at minority serving institutions; and to aid in the development of research training infrastructure at minority serving institutions. INQUIRIES The PA, 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), the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and the NIH Website (http://www.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the program contact listed below. Adolphus P. Toliver, Ph.D. Minority Access to Research Career Branch 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: ToliverA@GM1.NIGMS.NIH.GOV $$P1 END ************************************************************ From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Sun Mar 03 22:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA CA-96-005 - V25(06) 03/01/96 Date: 3 Mar 1996 16:03:01 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 507 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4hdbvl$3p0@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA CA96005 CA-96-005 P1O1 *************************************** PROGRAM PROJECTS IN NUTRITION AND BASIC BIOLOGY RESEARCH FOR CANCER PREVENTION NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, February 23, 1996 RFA: CA-96-005 P.T. 34; K.W. 0710095, 0715035, 0745027 National Cancer Institute Letter of Intent Receipt Date: April 12, 1996 Application Receipt Date: July 19, 1996 PURPOSE The Division of Cancer Prevention and Control and the Division of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute (NCI), are reissuing an invitation for Program Project Grant applications for multidisciplinary nutrition and basic biology research relevant to the prevention of cancer, with a special emphasis on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer in women and minorities. This Request for Applications (RFA) seeks to improve understanding of the roles of dietary patterns, individual dietary constituents, and nutritional status in the development and prevention of cancer. The objectives of this RFA are to increase the pool of quality applications addressing nutrition and human cancer prevention using multidisciplinary approaches; to stimulate the use of modern biological approaches and techniques in order to elucidate the effects of nutrition on cancer initiation, promotion, progression, and prevention; and to promote the translation of knowledge of the impact of nutrition on the basic biology of cancer into dietary interventions for its prevention. Application of the tools and techniques of the basic biological sciences in research designed to increase understanding of the complex role of nutrition in cancer prevention will be enhanced significantly by a mechanism that promotes collaborations across disciplines and across institutions. Therefore, investigators are encouraged to submit Program Project Grant (P01) applications for a multidisciplinary research program in nutrition and basic biology for cancer prevention with a focused theme and a minimum of three interrelated and synergistic individual component projects that comprise basic research efforts and at least one component project involving human subjects or human tissues. 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), Program Projects in Nutrition and Basic Biology Research for Cancer Prevention, is related to the priority areas of cancer and nutrition. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic non-profit and for-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and units of State and local governments. Applications may be submitted from a single institution or may include arrangements with several institutions, if appropriate. Foreign institutions are ineligible to apply. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Program Project Grant (P01). P01 grant applications must comply with Guidelines for Program Project Grant of the National Cancer Institute, as revised in 1995. Applicants will be responsible for the planning, direction and execution of the proposed projects. The total project period for applications submitted in response to this RFA must not exceed four years. Because the nature and scope of the research proposed in response to this RFA may vary, it is anticipated that the total amount of the direct cost awards will vary. This is a one-time solicitation. Future unsolicited competing continuation applications will compete with all investigator-initiated applications and be reviewed according to the customary peer review procedures. FUNDS AVAILABLE Up to $2 million in total costs per year for up to four years will be committed specifically to fund applications that are submitted in response to this RFA. It is anticipated that two to three awards will be made. This level of support is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NCI, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES A. Background Associations of dietary patterns, dietary constituents, or nutritional status with mortality and incidence have been suggested for a variety of cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, stomach, esophagus, and cervix. Among these, breast and prostate cancer are of particular significance because of the large numbers of persons affected in the United States. The state of current knowledge of the role of nutrition in the development and prevention of breast, prostate, and other cancers is still rudimentary. It has been subject to the inherent methodological limitations and inadequacies of the epidemiologic studies and animal models upon which it is largely based. Further significant advances in understanding the role of nutrition in cancer prevention require answers to questions about the fundamental mechanism(s) of action of dietary patterns and dietary constituents in the initiation, promotion, progression, and prevention of cancer, in the context of nutrient-gene-environmental interactions. Information is needed regarding nutrient and dietary non- nutrient microconstituent interactions with and effects on cellular metabolism, genomic stability, intracellular signal transduction, the net expression of growth-promoting and growth-inhibiting genes, and other modulators of gene expression and carcinogenesis. More information is also needed about the transport of nutrients to target tissues and about individual variability in susceptibility and response to nutrient effects. Such knowledge of the basic mechanisms of action of dietary components in cancer development is needed to provide informed recommendations about the optimal range of intake of specific dietary constituents and to refine and individualize dietary guidance for prevention of cancer. Studies that provide the necessary information would encompass research on nutrients at the cellular level and the metabolic and behavioral consequences of food or nutrients in living organisms including humans. With the increasing recognition of the invaluable contributions of the techniques of molecular biology and molecular genetics to all facets of biomedical research, it is appropriate that their use in addressing important questions about nutrition and cancer prevention be encouraged. These new technologies have the potential to revolutionize many aspects of the science of nutrition, by increasing understanding of the nutrient-cell interactions that affect transition from healthy to diseased cells and by permitting more reliable determination of the nutrient requirements for optimal health and functional capacity. To realize this potential, nutritional science must encompass a broad range of activities from basic research through translational research to practical applications. B. Research Areas of Interest The studies encouraged by this RFA should employ innovative approaches to examine fundamental effects of nutrients and other food constituents on initiation, promotion, progression, and prevention of cancer, as well as individual variability in response, in order to develop more effective nutrition interventions for prevention of cancer, especially breast and prostate cancer and other cancers affecting women and minorities. A wide variety of potential Program Projects, comprising individual projects ranging from basic to translational research and tests of practical applications, may be considered for support; however, all applications must delineate clearly the relevance of each proposed individual research project, especially those with a basic biology focus, for the prevention of human cancer. Illustrative, but not exhaustive, examples of research areas relevant to nutrition and basic biology research for the prevention of cancer that may be included in proposed Program Projects are studies to: o Evaluate nutrient-genome interactions in carcinogenesis and anticarcinogenesis, e.g., nutrient effects on DNA repair or modulation of gene expression. o Examine the potential for nutrients or other dietary constituents to influence the activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. o Study nutrient influences on differentiation and on signals induced by physiological or chemical differentiation in various tissues. o Evaluate nutrient effects on growth factors for cellular transformation, including the ability to block or prevent the interaction of growth factors with receptors. o Examine nutrient-carcinogen-promoter interactions, including cellular defense mechanisms against environmental carcinogens/promoters that may be regulated by dietary factors. o Elucidate mechanisms and controls of nutrient transport to target sites in various tissues. o Quantify dose-response relationships for nutrients, nutrient derivatives, and other bioactive dietary constituents as part of the evaluation of their absorption, metabolism, and distribution in target tissues and their effects on molecular and cellular events. o Identify biomarkers indicative of early cellular transformation that may be monitored in nutrition epidemiologic studies and modulated in dietary intervention trials. o Identify biomarkers that will provide improved assessment of dietary intake and/or nutritional status for use in nutrition epidemiologic studies and dietary intervention trials. o Characterize the nature, extent, and causes of individual variability in cancer risk and in responses to dietary constituents. o Develop dietary intervention strategies to modulate expression of genetically determined cancer risk, including risk resulting from loss of response to natural regulators of proliferation and/or risk resulting from blocked expression of differentiation (maturation) programs. o Conduct small-scale clinical/metabolic intervention studies to test dietary modifications with potential for cancer prevention developed on the basis of knowledge of nutrient-genomic interactions. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS The Program Project Grant is intended solely for the support of a multidisciplinary or multifaceted research program that has a focused theme. This grant mechanism builds on the leadership of the principal investigator and the interaction of the participating investigators to integrate the individual projects in a way that accelerates the acquisition of knowledge beyond that expected from the same projects conducted separately, without combined leadership or a common theme. A project within a Program Project is similar to the traditional research grant application in the sense that each is reviewed for scientific merit; however, it is evaluated within the context of the special collaborative interrelationships required for a Program Project. In order to be responsive to this RFA, a Program Project must include basic research efforts and at least one component project involving studies of human subjects or human tissues. The relevance of each component project, especially those projects with a basic biology focus, to the prevention of human cancer must be clearly delineated. A Program Project Grant may contain one or more core component(s), each with a separate budget, for administrative and/or research support services that are required for and shared solely within this particular Program Project. Each core must provide essential facilities or services for two or more projects judged to have substantial merit. There is no allowance for unspecified developmental research funds (seed money) in Program Project Grants. A Program Project should include a sufficient number of scientifically meritorious projects to promote an effective collaborative effort among the participating investigators. For this RFA, Program Projects should be no larger than necessary to achieve the desired collaboration among basic biology and nutrition investigators. To be eligible for an award, a Program Project must consist of a minimum of three scientifically meritorious projects. There is no limit for the maximum number of projects to be included in a Program Project; however, the Program Project should not be so large that it exceeds the scientific and administrative leadership capability of the principal investigator, or that it loses a tight focus. In the peer review process, components not recommended for further consideration are considered in the peer review evaluation of the principal investigator's scientific judgment and program administration skills. The principal investigator of the Program Project Grant must be an established scientist with a strong record of accomplishment, who is substantially committed to and capable of exercising the responsibility for the scientific leadership, integration and administration of the entire Program Project. Also, the component projects should be directed by investigators who are experienced in the conduct of independent research and whose backgrounds and interests relate sufficiently to one another to allow for integrated group pursuit of the proposed Program Project goals and objectives. 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 on the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which were 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 also may obtain copies of the policy from these sources or 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 April 12, 1996 a letter of intent that includes the names of the principal investigator and principal collaborators; a descriptive title of the potential application and a list of titles for the anticipated components of the P01; identification of the organization(s) involved; 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, it is requested in order to provide an indication of the number and scope of applications to be reviewed and to allow NCI staff to avoid conflict of interest. The letter of intent is to be sent to: Susan M. Pilch, Ph.D. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control National Cancer Institute 6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 212 MSC 7328 Bethesda, MD 20892-7328 Telephone: (301) 496-8573 FAX: (301) 402-0553 Email: PilchS@dcpcepn.nci.nih.gov APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used in applying for these grants. Applications kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained >From the Grants Information Office, Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/435-0714, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov; and from the NCI program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Instructions provided in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) application kit are designed primarily for traditional research project (R01) applications. Program Project applications require additional information and a special format as described in the publication, "Program Project Grant of the National Cancer Institute: Guidelines 1995." Applicants should request a copy of this publication from the NCI Referral Officer cited below in this section. If collaborations or subcontracts are involved that require transfer of funds from the grantee to other institutions, it is necessary to establish formal subcontract agreements with each collaborating institution. A letter of intent from each collaborating institution should be submitted with the application. 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. All requirements with regard to type size, page limitations, appendix material, etc., must be followed or applications will be returned without review. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and three signed photocopies in one package to: Division of Research Grants National Institutes of Health Rockledge 2, Room 1040 6701 ROCKLEDGE DR MSC 7710 BETHESDA MD 20892-7710 (if using U.S. Postal Service) Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission two additional copies of the application must be sent to: Ms. Toby Friedberg Referral Officer Division of Extramural Activities National Cancer Institute Executive Plaza North, Suite 636 6130 EXECUTIVE BLVD MSC 7405 BETHESDA MD 20892-7405 (if using U.S. Postal Service) Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service) Applications must be received by July 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. 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. In such a case, a letter of agreement from either the GCRC program director or principal investigator should be included with the application. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by DRG and responsiveness, including responsiveness to the special application procedures, by the NCI. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. If NCI staff find that the application is not responsive to the RFA, it will be returned without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened 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 National Cancer Advisory Board. Peer review of the overall scientific and technical merit of each Program Project application submitted in response to this RFA will emphasize a synthesis of two major aspects: (1) review of the program as an integrated research effort focused on a central theme, and (2) review of the merit of individual research projects and core components in the context of the proposed program. Detailed review criteria for the overall program, the program as an integrated effort, and individual projects and cores in P01 grant applications are specified in the publication, "Program Project Grant of the National Cancer Institute: Guidelines, 1995," which may be obtained from the NCI Referral Officer cited under the APPLICATION PROCEDURES section above. AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is March 1, 1997. Scientific merit of the Program Project, as reflected by the priority score; availability of funds; and programmatic priorities will be considered in making awards pursuant to this RFA. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcomed. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Susan M. Pilch, Ph.D. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control National Cancer Institute Executive Plaza North, Room 212 6130 EXECUTIVE BLVD MSC 7328 BETHESDA MD 20892-7328 Telephone: (301) 496-8573 FAX: (301)402-0553 Email: PilchS@dcpcepn.nci.nih.gov Victor A. Fung, Ph.D. Division of Cancer Biology National Cancer Institute Executive Plaza North, Suite 700 6130 EXECUTIVE BLVD MSC 7420 BETHESDA MD 20892-7420 Telephone: (301) 496-5471 FAX: (301) 496-1040 Email: FungV@epndce.nci.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Robert E. Hawkins Grants Administration Branch National Cancer Institute Executive Plaza South, Room 243 6120 EXECUTIVE BLVD MSC 7150 BETHESDA MD 20892-7150 Telephone: (301) 496-7800 Ext. 213 FAX: (301) 496-8601 Email: HawkinsR@gab.nci.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.399, Cancer Control. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Services Act, Title IV, (Public Law 78-410, 42 USC 241 and Section 412, as amended by Public Law 99-518, 42 USC 285a-1) and administered under Federal regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and PHS grant policies 45 CFR Part 74 and 92. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12732 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant 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 Sun Mar 03 22:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA HS-96-002 - V25(06) 03/01/96 Date: 3 Mar 1996 16:02:38 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 709 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4hdbuu$3nb@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA HS96002 HS-96-002 P1O1 *************************************** MEDTEP RESEARCH ON NON-CANCEROUS UTERINE CONDITIONS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, February 23, 1996 RFA: HS-96-002 P.T. 34, II; K.W. 0705075, 0755015 Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 1, 1996 Application Receipt Date: June 18, 1996 PURPOSE The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) invites applications for cooperative agreements to design and conduct collaborative, multi-site randomized controlled trials to compare the effectiveness and outcomes of hysterectomy to those of other common treatments for non-cancerous uterine conditions. These trials will emphasize outcomes important to patients. The conditions of interest are: uterine fibroids (leiomyomata), endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and uterine prolapse. Each application must be submitted by the institution where the Data Coordinating Center is located. The Data Coordinating Center will be the applicant and control point for project coordination, and for management and analysis of the data. The project should include a consortium or network of Clinical Centers and a Study Chair. 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), MEDTEP Research on Non-Cancerous Uterine Conditions, addresses several of those objectives. 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, non-profit organizations, public and private, including universities, clinics, units of State and local governments, non-profit firms, and non-profit foundations. Racial/ethnic minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigator. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The administrative and funding instrument will be the cooperative agreement (U01) in which substantial AHCPR scientific and programmatic involvement with the awardee is anticipated during the performance of the project. The total project period for each application submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed five years. The earliest anticipated award date is September 1, 1996. FUNDS AVAILABLE Dependent upon the availability of funds, AHCPR expects to award up to $3 million to support the first year of approximately three projects under this RFA. The number of awards is dependent on the number of high quality applications and their individual budget requirements; it is not the intent of AHCPR that the awards be equal in size. This is a one time solicitation. Funding beyond the initial budget period will depend upon annual progress reviews by AHCPR and the availability of funds. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background This RFA is part of AHCPR's Medical Treatment Effectiveness Program (MEDTEP), which is a major component of the health services research agenda of AHCPR. MEDTEP projects assess the relative effectiveness and costs of available interventions for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease, emphasizing a broad set of outcomes important to patients. MEDTEP projects are patient-centered and policy relevant; they focus on common clinical problems and attempt to determine which clinical services and procedures are most effective, and for whom. In all MEDTEP work, the generalizability of findings is emphasized. Non-Cancerous Uterine Conditions This RFA addresses the subject of non-cancerous uterine conditions, specifically uterine fibroids (leiomyomata), endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and uterine prolapse. In May 1994, AHCPR convened a public meeting to explore the important unanswered effectiveness questions regarding the proper role of hysterectomy and to examine research priorities in the management of non-cancerous uterine conditions. The meeting provided a forum for critical review and discussion of the scientific literature and identification of the important research questions in each of the clinical conditions listed above. There was a consensus of the meeting participants that the scientific literature related to non-cancerous uterine conditions provides little hard evidence of effectiveness for any of the available treatments, and that there is a critical need for studies that would compare the outcomes of hysterectomy to other available treatments. Prospective applicants are encouraged to obtain a copy of the summary of the May meeting, which includes recommendations for research and references (See INQUIRIES). The management of non-cancerous uterine conditions includes a variety of invasive and noninvasive treatments: surgical, pharmacologic, and other treatments. There has been little research demonstrating the effectiveness of these treatments relative to each other or compared to watchful waiting. Approximately 530,000 hysterectomies are performed annually for non-cancerous conditions, at a cost for hospitalization of over $5 billion (Wilcox, 1994). Most of these procedures are performed for one of several common, non-cancerous conditions that often produce pain, discomfort, excessive uterine bleeding, emotional distress, and related symptoms. National data for 1988-1990 reveal that most women who undergo hysterectomy are between the ages of 35 and 54, with the highest age-specific rate for women 35-44 (11.8 per 1,000). By the age of 65, over one third of U.S. women have undergone this surgery. Except for some preliminary studies funded by AHCPR (Carlson, 1993; Kjerulff, 1993; Kritz-Silverstein, 1994), few studies provide information about the effects of hysterectomy on the symptoms that lead to treatment or on the long-term outcomes that contribute to the patient's quality of life, functional status or satisfaction with the care received. Purpose and Scope of the Activity This RFA solicits studies that will directly compare the effectiveness of hysterectomy to other common treatments for non-cancerous uterine conditions. AHCPR intends to initiate up to four separate, collaborative, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that will compare the outcomes of hysterectomy to those of other common treatments. AHCPR is also interested in cost analyses of effective treatments evaluated in the proposed trial. Applicants should pay special attention to defining the outcomes to be measured and should include outcomes that are of greatest concern to women seeking care for non-cancerous uterine conditions. Each application is to propose an RCT comparing hysterectomy with one or more other treatment(s), for one of the following conditions: o Uterine fibroids o Endometriosis o Dysfunctional uterine bleeding o Uterine prolapse Applicants may submit one or more applications, each proposing a different RCT. For each trial, the application must be submitted by the Principal Investigator of the Data Coordinating Center, who will have responsibility for project coordination and for the management and analysis of the data to be collected by the Clinical Centers. The Study Chair will participate in the development of the proposed study, and will provide clinical leadership to the Data Coordinating Center and the Clinical Centers throughout the study. The proposed Clinical Centers should be identified and should participate in the development of the proposed protocol, which is to be presented, in detail, in the application. The final protocol, sampling plan, and manual of operations will be developed jointly by the Steering Committee with the assistance of AHCPR, and will be reviewed by an independent expert group, called the Policy and Data Monitoring Committee. The study will move into its operational phase (Phase 2) only with the concurrence of the Policy and Data Monitoring Committee and AHCPR. It is expected that the trials supported under this RFA will be carried out over a period of five (5) years. Each trial will progress through the following phases: Phase 1: The planning phase includes the collaborative development/refinement of the protocol and manual of operations, including all procedures for data collection and pretesting of procedures. The manual of operations will include detailed plans for the training of all personnel in study procedures. If the final sampling plan requires additional or different Clinical Centers to meet patient enrollment targets, these will be recruited by the Data Coordinating Center in Phase 1. Phase 2: Conduct of the full-scale collaborative clinical trial, including patient recruitment and all data collection. Phase 3: Analysis of data and reporting of results. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS One of the proposed Clinical Centers may be at the same institution as the Data Coordinating Center provided that the units are administratively and fiscally distinct. Study Organization 1. Study Outline. The proposed study design must include the rationale for the treatments addressed, detailed description/explanation of the approach to randomization, clinical variables and patient outcomes to be studied, and an estimate of the number of patients required in each study arm to provide convincing evidence that the results will be statistically and clinically significant. Applicants should provide a detailed justification for whatever strategy is proposed for subject selection, eligibility requirements, inclusion and exclusion criteria for enrollment, an estimate of the number of subjects in the source population, approach to randomization, and an estimate of the necessary time and effort needed for recruitment. The approach should allow for subanalyses, such as socioeconomic status. All Clinical Centers must agree to implement the protocol and manual of operations developed cooperatively by the Steering Committee (defined in section 2d below) during Phase 1, and agree to transmit all study data to the Data Coordinating Center for aggregation and analysis. 2. Study Components a. Data Coordinating Center. The institution where the Data Coordinating Center and the Principal Investigator are located will be the applicant. The Data Coordinating Center will have a major role in study design and primary responsibility for project coordination, and data management and analysis. The Principal Investigator will oversee all activities of the Data Coordinating Center and will have the responsibility for the overall management of the project budget and resource use. The Data Coordinating Center will maintain a stable core of expertise for the conduct of data management and analysis. It is desirable to also have health services research expertise in the core. The Principal Investigator will serve as the primary methodologic expert for the study. This individual should be an experienced biostatistician, epidemiologist, physician, or other professional with experience in directing a coordinating center for a large-scale collaborative clinical trial. The application should present a complete and detailed preliminary trial design, including specification of hypotheses to be tested, discussion of measures and instruments, rationale and inclusion criteria for subject selection, how surgical versus non-surgical patients will be managed and by whom, the plans for recruitment and follow-up of study participants, and a data analysis plan. The application should include a succinct discussion of previous relevant experience as a coordinating center for a collaborative trial or other large-scale epidemiological research projects, including the implementation of systems for communication and coordination among investigators and sites. Responsibilities of the Data Coordinating Center and the Principal Investigator include monitoring both the quality of the data and the performance of each Clinical Center in the conduct of the protocol, as well as ensuring the safety and confidentiality of all data. The applicant should discuss in detail the important management and resource considerations for coordination of the proposed trial. The Data Coordinating Center will perform interim analyses as needed to monitor the course of the trial as well as analyses needed for final reporting. Preparation of progress reports, final reports, and articles will be collaborative undertakings by the Principal Investigator of the Data Coordinating Center, the Study Chair, and the Clinical Centers. The Principal Investigator will participate with the Study Chair, the Clinical Centers, the Steering Committee, and AHCPR staff during the entire clinical trial. b. Study Chair. The Study Chair will provide clinical leadership and research direction to the Clinical Centers and the Steering Committee. This individual will work actively and collaboratively with the Principal Investigator regarding the clinical aspects of the protocol throughout the study. The application should include a succinct discussion of previous relevant experience of the Study Chair in a collaborative trial or other large scale epidemiological research project. c. Clinical Centers. The Clinical Centers will recruit and follow study participants. Each Clinical Center should consist of a core team of researchers, gynecologists, a Clinical Director, and a full-time Clinic/Nurse Coordinator. Each Clinical Director should be a gynecologist who will oversee the enrollment and follow-up of the patients in the particular Center and coordinate the activities of the medical team. A full-time Clinic/Nurse Coordinator should manage clinical aspects of the trial including logistical aspects of patient recruitment, follow-up, survey administration, and data transmittal to the Data Coordinating Center. The Clinical Director and treatment team in each Clinical Center should be skilled in the treatment of non-cancerous uterine conditions as well as in collaborative clinical investigation. In order to maximize the generalizability of the study results, efforts should be made to select Clinical Centers with patient populations that are adequate for important subanalyses, such as race and ethnicity, income, and age. Efforts should also be made to include Clinical Centers that provide a mix in terms of geography and academic versus non-academic affiliations. Clinical Centers will be required to submit all data expeditiously to the Data Coordinating Center for analysis. The application should describe the experience of each Clinical Center in recruiting, studying, and treating patients with non-cancerous uterine conditions, and the ability of each Center to minimize loss of patients to follow-up during long-term clinical studies. There should be evidence of strong institutional support for each Clinical Center, including documentation of adequate facilities for clinical and administrative project activity. An organizational structure for each Clinical Center should be provided in the application delineating lines of authority and responsibility. In addition, a statement of agreement to follow the common protocol developed in Phase 1, and to work cooperatively with the other Clinical Centers, the Study Chair, and the Data Coordinating Center should be included. d. Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will be the primary governing body. Managing the scientific direction of the study will be the responsibility of the Steering Committee and its chairman, i.e., the Study Chair. The Steering Committee will consist of the Principal Investigator from the Data Coordinating Center, the Clinical Directors of each Clinical Center, the Study Chair, and the AHCPR Project Coordinator (See Terms and Conditions). e. Policy and Data Monitoring Committee. An independent Policy and Data Monitoring Committee will be appointed by AHCPR. The purpose of this committee is to review periodically the progress of the study. The activities of this committee will not be the responsibility of the grantee (See Terms and Conditions). f. Project Coordinator. AHCPR will name a staff member from the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research (COER) as the Project Coordinator. The functions of the Project Coordinator will be to work closely with the Steering Committee and the Policy and Data Monitoring Committee and provide technical assistance to assure that the study is carried out in a rigorous and efficient manner (described in detail under Terms and Conditions). Study Phases The protocol completed during the planning phase (Phase 1) will be reviewed by the Policy and Data Monitoring Committee and AHCPR. Progression to Phase 2 is dependent on the acceptance of the protocol by the Policy and Data Monitoring Committee and the concurrence of AHCPR. In Phase 2, the Clinical Centers will implement the protocol according to the manual of operations. This will include recruiting and randomizing patients, collecting all data specified in the protocol, and providing all data to the Data Coordinating Center for analysis. All patients must be followed for a minimum of two years. Phase 3 of the study will be for final data analysis, reporting of results, and close-out of project activities. Budget Preparation Applicants should submit adequately justified budgets for each year of the anticipated five year project period. Additionally, a separate detailed budget for each subcontract is required. The costs of clinical care provided to participants in this clinical trial will not be paid out of grant funds. Confidentiality of Data Information obtained in the course of this study that identifies an individual or entity must be treated as confidential in accordance with section 903(c) of the Public Health Service Act. Applicants must describe in the Human Subjects section of the application procedures for ensuring the confidentiality of identifying information. Terms and Conditions of Award 1. Cooperative Activities. The administrative and funding mechanism to be used for this program will be the cooperative agreement (U01) in which substantial AHCPR scientific and programmatic involvement with the awardee(s) is anticipated during the performance of the activity. Consistent with this concept, AHCPR will be involved substantially in the operations and research efforts by working collaboratively with the awardee in a partner role. 2. Awardee Responsibilities. These include development and refinement of the study protocol and operations manual, patient recruitment and follow-up, data collection, quality control, data analysis and interpretation, and preparation of publications. The awardee agrees to finalize the common protocol and develop the manual of operations during Phase 1 of the study. 3. AHCPR Responsibilities. AHCPR will name a Project Coordinator >From within the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research, who will work closely with the Steering Committee and Policy and Data Monitoring Committee throughout the project. In particular, the AHCPR Project Coordinator will assist in quality control, review of data analysis plans and interpretation, preparation of publications, and coordination and monitoring of project performance. The independent Policy and Data Monitoring Committee, supported by AHCPR, will consist of individuals with expertise in relevant medical, surgical, social science, health services research, and methodological fields who are not directly involved in the study. The function of this Committee will be to review periodically the progress of the study. Specifically, the Committee will oversee participant safety, evaluate results, monitor data quality, and provide operational and policy advice to the Steering Committee and AHCPR regarding the status of the study. Committee members will be appointed by the Director of COER in consultation with members of the Steering Committee. AHCPR will assume responsibility for logistics and costs associated with the activities of the Policy and Data Monitoring Committee. The AHCPR reserves the right to terminate or curtail the study (or individual components) in the event of (a) a major breach in the protocol or substantial changes in the agreed-upon protocol with which AHCPR does not agree, or (b) unresolved human subjects/ethical issues. 4. Governance. The primary governing body of the study will be the Steering Committee comprised of each of the Clinical Directors of the Clinical Centers, the Study Chair, the Principal Investigator of the Data Coordinating Center and the AHCPR Project Coordinator. The Steering Committee has primary responsibility for developing the common clinical protocol, facilitating the conduct and monitoring of the study, and reporting the study results. Each member of the Steering Committee will have one vote, except for the AHCPR Project Coordinator, who will be a non-voting member. The Study Chair will serve as the Chair of the Steering Committee. It is anticipated that the Steering Committee will meet on a monthly basis during protocol development (Phase 1), three times a year in Phase 2, and two times in Phase 3. Subcommittees of the Steering Committee may be established and will meet as necessary. The AHCPR Project Coordinator or designee and the Data Coordinating Center will be represented on each subcommittee. 5. Arbitration. Any disagreement that may arise in scientific and/or programmatic matters between awardees and AHCPR may be brought to arbitration. An arbitration panel will be composed of three members: one selected by the Steering Committee (without a vote by the AHCPR member), a second member selected by AHCPR, and a third member selected by the preceding two members. This special arbitration procedure in no way affects the awardees' right to appeal an adverse action that is otherwise appealable in accordance with the PHS regulations at 42 CFR, Part 50, Subpart D, and DHHS regulations at 45 CFR, Part 16. The special terms of award described above are in addition to and not in lieu of otherwise applicable PHS grant policies and Federal regulations. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH STUDY POPULATIONS INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS Since this RFA deals only with issues affecting women, the following applies to the inclusion of minorities in the study population. It is the policy of AHCPR that women and members of minority groups be included in all AHCPR supported 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. The NIH policy resulting from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) supersedes and strengthens NIH's previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations), which were in effect since 1990 and which AHCPR had adopted. The new NIH policy contains provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines on the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which was published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513), and printed in the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS of March 11, 1994, Volume 23, Number 10. AHCPR follows the revised NIH Guidelines, as applicable. Investigators may obtain copies from those sources or from the AHCPR contractor, Global Exchange, listed under INQUIRIES. AHCPR program staff may also provide information concerning this policy (See INQUIRIES). LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by May 1, 1996, a letter of intent that includes the name, address, and telephone number, of the proposed Principal Investigator and other key personnel; the identities of proposed consortia members, including any other participating organizations or institutions; a descriptive title of the proposed trial(s); and the number and title of this RFA. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the consideration of any subsequent application, the information allows AHCPR staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflicts of interest in the review. AHCPR will not provide responses to letters of intent. Letters of intent are to be addressed to: Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research Attention: Ms. Joanne Book Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 2101 East Jefferson Street, Suite 605 Rockville, MD 20852-4908 Email: COER_RFA@PO4.AHCPR.GOV APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used in applying for these grants. State and local government applicants may use form PHS-5161-1, Application for Federal Assistance (rev. 9/92), and follow those requirements for copy submission. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/435-0714, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov. AHCPR applicants are encouraged to obtain application materials from the AHCPR contractor Global Exchange, Inc., 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 400, Bethesda, MD 20814-3015; telephone 301/656-3100 or FAX 301/652-5264. The RFA label available in the form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the original application. Failure to do so could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, in item 2 on the face page of the application, mark the "YES" box and enter "RFA HS-96-002" and the title. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed photocopies, in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to: Miriam A. Kelly, Ph.D. Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 2101 East Jefferson Street, Suite 605 Rockville, MD 20852-4908 Applications submitted under this RFA must be received in the Division of Research Grants, NIH, by June 18, 1996. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. Seminar for Prospective Applicants AHCPR plans to convene a special technical assistance workshop to assist potential applicants, especially those with limited experience with the application process. The purpose of this seminar is to give background information and respond to any questions about the preparation of an application in response to this RFA. The workshop will be held in the Rockville/Bethesda, Maryland area approximately one month after the publication of this announcement. Attendance is not a prerequisite to applying. Attendees must pay for their own travel and accommodation costs. The workshop will be open to any individual or organization wishing to attend. A synthesis of pertinent Questions and Answers discussed at the prospective applicants meeting will be available from the AHCPR contractor, Global Exchange, Inc., listed under INQUIRIES. For further information contact Dr. Mim A. Kelly, at the mailing/internet address listed under INQUIRIES. 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 in accordance with AHCPR peer review procedures. As part of the merit review, all applications will receive a written critique, and also may undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit will be discussed and assigned a priority score. Recommendations of the peer review committee may be reviewed subsequently by AHCPR's National Advisory Council. General Review Criteria Review criteria for AHCPR grant applications are: significance and originality from a scientific and technical viewpoint; adequacy of the method(s); availability of data or proposed plan to collect data required for the project; qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator and proposed staff; adequacy of the plan for organizing and carrying out the project; reasonableness of the proposed budget; and adequacy of the facilities and resources available to the applicant (See also Special Review Criteria). Special Review Criteria In addition to the general criteria above, the reviewers will assess the application in terms of the SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS of this RFA, including: o adequacy of the proposed study design to address the objectives of the RFA, including criteria for subject selection, plans for recruitment of subjects, proposed follow-up assessments and schedule for data collection during follow-up, proposed diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, proposed outcomes measures, proposed cost analyses, and techniques for monitoring and maintaining continued contact with subjects during the course of the study; o ability to recruit and involve Clinical Centers that have the experience and capacity to select, treat, manage, retain, and follow a sufficient number of subjects for the study proposed; o clinical experience and research expertise of the Study Chair in the diagnosis, treatment and management of non-cancerous uterine conditions, and demonstrated leadership ability in the conduct of large clinical studies; o documentation of specific competence and previous experience of the professional, technical, and administrative staff pertinent to the operation of the Data Coordinating Center, working in collaboration with other investigators under a common protocol, and experience with careful and expeditious handling of study data; o prior experience in the collection, management, quality control, and analysis of data from multiple clinical sites; o prior experience in developing a detailed manual of operations and forms for multicentered clinical trials; o evidence of substantive institutional commitment and support for the proposed project; and o willingness to work cooperatively in the manner summarized above. AWARD CRITERIA Applications will compete for available funds with all other applications under this RFA. The following will be considered in making the funding decisions: quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review, program balance, and availability of funds. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. Copies of the RFA, the related background conference summary, and a bibliography are available from: Global Exchange Inc. 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 400 Bethesda, MD 20814-3015 Telephone: (301) 656-3100 FAX: (301) 652-5264 Copies of the RFA and the background conference summary document (AHCPR Pub. No. 95-0067, July, 1995) can also be requested through e-mail at COER_RFA@PO4.AHCPR.GOV and through AHCPR InstantFAX at 301/594-2800. To use InstantFAX, you must call from a facsimile (FAX) machine with a telephone handset. Use the key pad on the receiver when responding to prompts from InstantFAX. The RFA will be sent at the end of the ordering process. AHCPR InstantFAX operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For questions about this service, call AHCPR's Division of Communications at 301/594-1364 ext. 159. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues, including information on the policy of inclusion of women and minorities in study populations, to: Miriam A. Kelly, Ph.D. Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 2101 East Jefferson Street, Suite 605 Rockville, MD 20852-4908 Telephone: (301) 594-1485 Email: COER_RFA@PO4.AHCPR.GOV Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Carol Roache Acting Chief, Grants Management Staff Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 2101 East Jefferson Street, Suite 601 Rockville, MD 20852-4908 FAX: (301) 594-3210 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 93.180. Awards are made under authorization of Title IX of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299-299c-6) and Section 1142 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-12). Awards are administered under the PHS Grants Policy Statement and Federal regulations 42 CFR 67, Subpart A, and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372. 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 Sun Mar 03 22:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA LM-96-001 - V25(06) 03/01/96 Date: 3 Mar 1996 16:02:20 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 362 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4hdbuc$3jq@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA LM96001 LM-96-001 P1O1 *************************************** INTERNET CONNECTION FOR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, February 23, 1996 RFA: LM-96-001 P.T. 34; K.W. 0710078, 1004017 National Library of Medicine Letter of Intent Receipt Date: April 17, 1996 Application Receipt Date: May 16, 1996 PURPOSE The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is encouraging the development of a communications infrastructure to promote the rapid interchange of medical information nationally and throughout the world. This infrastructure is based upon the Internet, a network of networks that was developed with the support of the National Science Foundation. The proposed evolution of the Internet into the National Research and Education Network (NREN) is a key element in important federal initiatives in High Performance Computing and Communication and a National Information Infrastructure. Internet access provides health professionals engaged in education, research, clinical care, and administration with a means of accessing remote databases, libraries, NLM's Grateful Med, DOCLINE, and Loansome Doc, of transferring files and images, and of interacting with colleagues throughout the world. To accelerate the pace with which health-related institutions become part of the electronic information web, NLM is offering grants to support Internet connections. 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), Internet Connection for Medical Institutions, is related to the priority area of surveillance and data systems. 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 Domestic, public and private, non-profit institutions engaged in health sciences administration, education, research, and/or clinical care are eligible to apply. "Health sciences" is defined as medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and other sciences related to health. Hospitals are encouraged to apply. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators. Domestic applications may not have international components. Groups (or cooperatives) of health-related institutions are also eligible to apply. A single, lead institution must apply on behalf of the group; letters of agreement defining mutual responsibilities must be provided in the application and signed by authorized officials of each participating institution. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Resource Grant (G08) mechanism. Indirect costs are not provided. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed one year. The anticipated award date is September 20, 1996. For a single institution, support is available up to $30,000; a group of institutions may receive up to $50,000 to support development and enhancement of multi-institution networks including extending connectivity to outlying sites, or otherwise furthering NLM's goal of expanding information outreach. The overall cost of a connection to the Internet includes: gateway or router equipment, associated communication hardware (CSU/DSU), the leased line and its installation, local network user support staff, and Internet Service Provider fees. The NLM grant is expected to support the purchase and installation of the gateway system and associated connection hardware and to defray the cost of installation and leasing of communication circuits to connect to the Internet Service Provider. In some cases the award may also be used to defray the cost of Internet Service Provider fees and local network staff. Institutions will usually be expected to fund the local area network and support other costs of the gateway system. Grant funds may be used to expand access to the Internet in an institution with an existing connection. FUNDS AVAILABLE Funds available for this RFA are approximately $600,000; however, expenditure of this amount is conditional upon the receipt of applications of high merit. Number of awards to be made is estimated to be between 10 and 16. Although the NLM budget is expected to permit support of these projects, funding of any applications pursuant to this RFA is contingent upon the availability of funds at the appropriate time. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background The Internet currently is a collection of interconnected networks connected by the NSFnet which was developed with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Internet comprises three types of networks: (1) a national backbone network, (2) regional networks usually based around some geographical region of the country, and (3) local networks at educational, research and clinical institutions. Individual institutions are connected to a regional network in the appropriate geographical area. The regional network is in turn attached to the high-speed national backbone network, usually at its network operation center. The backbone is connected to other national networks including the Defense Research Internet, NASA Science Network, and the Energy Sciences Network; these interconnected networks and many others worldwide comprise the Internet. The Internet provides electronic mail service and access to a variety of scientific facilities including: digital libraries, unique databases such as MEDLINE via Grateful Med as well as a host of federal and private sector databases, supercomputers, and remote scientific sensing instruments. The Internet promotes interaction and collaboration with a single, well-integrated connection to end users using the Defense Data Network protocols: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol referred to as TCP/IP. Network management and operations services as well as information services are provided by each of the levels. The national backbone network provides for technical and information services to the regional networks which in turn provide technical expertise and information services, including training and documentation, to local level network administrators. Local network officials provide technical and information services to the overall local network administration and also provide consultative and liaison services to end-users of the network. Objectives and Scope The purpose of this RFA is to encourage U.S. medical institutions including medical research institutions, health science schools, hospitals, and professional organizations to connect to the Internet. Some institutions may belong to organizations that are already connected to the Internet, for example, medical schools adjacent to university campuses. In such a case, the NLM grant can be used by a health science school or hospital to connect to an existing campus network. In other cases, the project will aid the institution in connecting directly to the regional network. In general, it is expected that institutions will use an existing local or campus network to distribute access to the Internet, or will build a new local or campus network and connect it to the Internet. A local or campus network is connected to the Internet by installing an IP router/gateway. This gateway will link the campus or local network to an appropriate regional network by means of leased or dial-up communication circuits of varying speeds (9600 bits per second to 1.5 million bits per second). The resultant connections to the Internet provided by the gateway should be made widely available to all appropriate health professionals, -- researchers, faculty, students, clinicians, and administrators. Ideally the institution will have installed a high-speed campus or local area network and have adopted the TCP/IP protocols as the standard communication protocol. Where other networking protocols are used, the institution will be responsible for the installation of any additional network gateway systems required to resolve the protocol conversion issues so as to provide connectivity to the Internet gateway. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by April 17, 1996, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed project, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel in the sponsoring institution and in participating institutions, the identities of consultants, and the number and title of this RFA. It is particularly helpful if groups provide complete lists of key people who will be associated with the project. 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 NLM staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to: Ms. Frances E. Johnson Division of Extramural Programs National Library of Medicine Building 38A, Room 5S-520 Bethesda, MD 20894 Telephone: (301) 496-4221 FAX: (301) 402-0421 Email: FJOHNSON@NLM.NIH.GOV APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used in applying for these grants. Applications kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained >From the Grants Information Office, Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/435-0714, email: girg@drgpo.drg.nih.gov; and from the program administrator listed under INQUIRIES. Supplemental Application Guidelines. Applicants should not feel constrained by the emphasis on research in the language used by the forms. It may be useful for an applicant to read "project" whenever the form refers to "research". NLM considers these grants to be projects, not research applications, and will evaluate the applications in that spirit. NLM recommends that those writing the application keep the "project" concept in mind. Internet uses may support administration, education, research and/or patient care endeavors. Applicants are encouraged to include their health science library in the proposed Internet connection. "Resources and Environment," form page (HH). Applicants are encouraged to substitute applicable headings such as computers, communications, and networking resources in place of "Resources and Environment" . "Biographical Sketch," form page (FF). Include computer, communications, and networking skills, including TCP/IP experience. In Section 4 of the "Research Plan" (read "Project Plan") also provide: 1) proposed benefits of Internet access to the targeted population; 2) plans for provision of institution-wide access, user training and user support and 3) plans for future support. The success of an Internet connection depends upon training users in establishing accounts and passwords and in teaching Internet capabilities. Describe user training plans including topics to be covered and the personnel who will provide the training and follow-up training. Library involvement in user training is strongly encouraged. In regard to future support, the Internet Connection Grant is intended to provide seed money to initiate an Internet connection; therefore, plans for budgeting ongoing costs for Internet access must be described. All applicants, particularly those relatively unfamiliar with the application review form and with NIH procedures, are encouraged to consult Ms. Frances Johnson (address below) for assistance as needed in completing the application. Additional Application Procedures 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, and three signed, photocopies, in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, MSC 7710, SUITE 1040 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must also be sent to: Ms. Frances E. Johnson Division of Extramural Programs National Library of Medicine Building 38A, Room 5S-520 Bethesda, MD 20894 Telephone: (301) 496-4221 FAX: (301) 402-0421 REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the NIH Division of Research Grants (DRG) and responsiveness by NLM. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NLM in accordance with the review criteria stated below. Applications that are complete and 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. Review Criteria o Significance of proposed project relative to the services, programs and personnel expected to benefit from Internet access, and the nature of the anticipated benefits. o Quality of local infrastructure including plans to provide institution-wide access to the Internet gateway and plans to develop institution-wide high-speed networks. o Quality of user services and proposed training. o Technical expertise in computer networking (especially TCP/IP-based networking) or plans to provide such expertise including coordination with appropriate Internet service provider. o Plans for future support of the network connection. AWARD CRITERIA In addition to the review criteria identified above, awards depend upon available funds and programmatic priorities. 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 to: Ms. Frances E. Johnson Division of Extramural Programs National Library of Medicine Building 38A, Room 5S-520 Bethesda, MD 20894 Telephone: (301) 496-4221 FAX: (301) 402-0421 Email: FJOHNSON@NLM.NIH.GOV Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Ruth Bortz Grants Management Specialist Division of Extramural Programs National Library of Medicine Telephone: 301-496-4253 FAX: 301-402-0421 Email: BORTZ@NES.NLM.NIH.GOV AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS The Resource Grant Program is described in the "Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance" under Medical Library Assistance, Chapter 93.879. Grants will be awarded under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Section 474(42 USC 286b-5) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations, most specifically at 42 CFR Part 59a and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the inter-governmental 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 Sun Mar 03 22:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - PAR-96-030 - V25(06) 03/01/96 Date: 3 Mar 1996 16:03:22 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 417 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4hdc0a$3pk@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA PAR96030 PAR-96-030 P1O1 ************************************* MARC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TRAINING IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH (U-STAR) PROGRAM NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 6, February 23, 1996 PA NUMBER: PAR-96-030 P.T. 44, FF; K.W. 0720005, 0710030 National Institute of General Medical Sciences Application Receipt Date: January 10 and May 10 PURPOSE The Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program Branch of the Division of Minority Opportunity in Research (MORE) of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) provides research training opportunities for students and faculty from minority groups who are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, including mathematics. As part of its ongoing commitment to the development of prospective underrepresented minority researchers and the enhancement of their training environment, the MARC Program provides support for underrepresented minority students to improve their preparation for graduate training in the biomedical sciences. This program announcement for MARC'S new Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) program replaces the existing junior/senior and freshman/sophomore components of the MARC Honors Undergraduate Research Training (HURT) Program and supersedes all previous MARC HURT announcements. The most significant change in the MARC U-STAR program is the emphasis on the measurable goals and specific objectives as stated by the applicant institutions in fulfilling the objectives of this announcement. Institutions submitting renewal applications must comply with the submission requirements as set forth in this new announcement. NIGMS will no longer accept competing applications for the previous MARC HURT components. However, existing policies and provisions will remain in effect for current MARC HURT recipients until completion of the non-competitive years of their existing grant period. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Institution Applications will be accepted from colleges and universities offering the baccalaureate degree in which students enrollments are drawn substantially from ethnic minority groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, including mathematics. For purposes of this 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 research. Nationally, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical research include but are not limited to US citizens who are African American, Hispanic American, Native American, and Pacific Islanders. Student The MARC program is open to qualified undergraduate honors students majoring in the sciences with an expressed interest in a career in biomedical research and intentions to pursue postgraduate education leading to a Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. or other combined professional degree/Ph.D. The period of appointment to the MARC U-STAR program is two years at the junior/senior level. Effective with this program announcement, freshman and sophomore stipends will no longer be provided. Although freshman/sophomore stipends are not provided, institutional programs may be designed to include pre MARC student development activities to identify and prepare students for the MARC U-STAR program. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Awards under this program announcement will use the Institutional National Research Service Awards (NRSA) T34 mechanism. The responsibility for planning, direction and execution of the proposed project lies solely with the applicant institution. The maximum initial grant period is five years, with opportunity for competitive renewal at the end of that period. Allowable Costs The requested budget may include costs for stipends, tuition, and fees for trainees, and limited travel for trainees and faculty, and release time for MARC faculty. Funds for trainee-related costs such as course supplies and equipment essential for research training or faculty costs for enhancing their professional credentials may be requested with strong justification. Stipends: NRSAs provide funds, in the form of stipends, to MARC U-STAR students. A stipend is provided as a subsistence allowance for trainees to help defray living expenses during their appointment period. It is not provided as a condition of employment with either the Federal Government or the awardee institution. The current annual stipend for students in their junior/senior year is $7656. No departure from the established NIH stipend schedule may be negotiated by the institution with the trainee. The sponsoring institution is allowed to provide funds to an individual in addition to the stipends paid by the NIH. Such additional amounts may be in the form of augmented stipends (supplementation). This supplementation to offset the cost of living may be provided by the awardee institution but must not require any additional obligation >From the trainee. Federal funds may not be used for supplementation unless specifically authorized under the terms of the program from which such supplemental funds are to be received. Under no circumstances may PHS funds be used for supplementation. Tuition and Fees: Tuition and fees, including self-only medical insurance, for the individual in training, are allowable trainee costs if such charges are required of all persons in a similar training status at the institution, without regard to their source of support. Family medical insurance coverage is not an appropriate charge to the MARC U-STAR grant. Travel: Trainee/faculty travel including attendance at scientific meetings that the institution determines to be necessary to the individual's research training is an allowable expense. However, there must be a strong justification for faculty travel. In addition, support for trainee travel to a research training experience away >From the grantee institution is permitted. Trainee Related Expenses: Trainee related expenses may be requested to defray the cost of other research training expenses such as equipment and research training supplies. However, requests for these expenses must be strongly justified. Faculty Related Costs: MARC U-STAR faculty related costs for workshops or to take courses to enhance their professional credentials may be requested. Evaluation costs: Costs related to an institution's evaluation of its MARC U-STAR program may be requested. Student Development Activities: Costs related to student development activities to aid freshman and sophomores may be requested and should be strongly justified. However, the MARC U- STAR program will NOT provide stipends and student travel. Release Time: Release time for specifically identified faculty, who are directly involved in special training activities for MARC students, and whose responsibilities for training these students extend beyond what is routinely and normally expected of faculty at the applicant institution may be requested with significant and strong justification. In general, the MARC U-STAR program will NOT provide research support and research release time for faculty. Indirect costs: An indirect cost allowance based on eight percent of total allowable direct costs (this excludes tuition), or actual indirect costs, whichever is less, will be paid. Tax Liability Section 117 of the Internal Revenue Code applies to the tax treatment of all scholarships and fellowships. Under that section, non-degree candidates are required to report all stipends, and any monies paid on their behalf for course tuition and fees required for attendance as gross income. Degree candidates may exclude from gross income (for tax purposes) any amounts used for tuition and related expenses such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at a qualified educational institution. The taxability of stipends, however, in no way alters the relationship between NRSA trainees and institutions. NRSA stipends are not considered salaries. In addition, trainees supported under the NRSA are not considered to be in an employee-employer relationship with the NIH or the awardee institution. It must be emphasized that the interpretation and implementation of the tax laws are the domain of the Internal Revenue Service and the courts. PHS takes no position on what the status may be for a particular taxpayer, and it does not have the authority to dispense tax advice. Individuals should consult their local IRS office about the applicability of the law to their situations and for information on the proper steps to be taken regarding their tax obligations. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Responsible Conduct of Research Applicants should describe plans for teaching responsible conduct in biomedical research to all trainees (attendance mandatory) and provide progress reports on the type of instruction provided, who attended, and who taught.The plans will be judged acceptable or unacceptable separately from the overall merit of the training program on the appropriateness of the topics, format, participation of faculty, and the frequency and duration of instruction to the level and type of training being provided. If the plan is unacceptable, the application will not be considered for an award until an acceptable plan is provided. Reporting Requirements A progress report will be required at the end of each fiscal year. A final report will be required within 90 days after the termination date of the award. All progress reports must include information on each student participant delineating the student's progress and all benefits the student derived from the program, as well as the training plan for the coming year. This progress report must also contain information on MARC U-STAR (and where appropriate, MARC HURT) graduates, their subsequent schooling and/or their careers. For applicants submitting competing renewals the progress report in the competing application may satisfy this requirement. TRAINING OBJECTIVES It is the intent of the MARC U-STAR program to address the current deficiency of, and the anticipated crisis regarding, the paucity of minority students earning degrees in biomedical sciences, including mathematics. To this end, the objectives cited below have been identified.The objectives of the MARC U-STAR Program are: to increase the number of competitively trained underrepresented minority students enrolled in programs that lead to the research doctorate; to strengthen the faculty, science course curriculum and research training programs in biomedical sciences at minority serving institutions; and to aid in the development of research training infrastructure at minority serving institutions. The MARC Branch recognizes that there are differences in institutional environments and institutional missions. Therefore, the emphasis of this program will be on the measurable goals and specific objectives as stated by the applicant institution in fulfillment of the objective of this announcement. Applicants should define the nature and extent of under-represented minority student participation in the biomedical sciences at the applicant institution and the previous history of the MARC U-STAR (formerly, the MARC HURT program) program at the applicant institution (if applicable) including the uniqueness, coherence and success of this program at the applicant institution in sending competitively trained students on to graduate programs that lead to the research doctorate. Applicants should define the goals and specific measurable objectives of the institution's program and how meeting these institutional goals and objectives will fulfill the goals of this announcement. Applicants should explain their proposed MARC U-STAR program in detail. Discussion should include, but is not limited to, an explanation of how their MARC U-STAR Program as designed will significantly strengthen the institutions capability for training students in the biomedical sciences; the impact of the institutions proposed program on retention and academic success of students majoring in the biomedical sciences, including mathematics; how students will be selected and specific arrangements for any special extramural activities; and how student participants will be better prepared for graduate training. Applicants who request funds for freshman and sophomore student development activities must specify why such activities are appropriate for the overall goals of the institutions MARC U-STAR program. These applications should describe how the extension of preparatory training to the freshman and sophomore levels with a combination of mentoring, tutoring, science preparatory courses and laboratory experiences during the academic years and summers is appropriate for this specific population. For example, a student development activity may need additional resources to serve the academic non-research needs of the students. Academic institutions with other programs for supporting student development and research training such as a Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) grant, Bridges to the Future grants, NRSA training grants, National Science Foundation grants or Howard Hughes Medical Institute grants should define the relationship between those programs and the MARC U-STAR program. The application should delineate the manner in which MARC U-STAR trainees will interact with the programs of these other sources of support. The applicant institution should describe the institution's plans for assessing its proposed program, by stating the goals of the evaluation, the questions that will be addressed by the evaluation design, and the methods that will be used for analyzing the data. Tracking of student participants in the institution's program must extend to determining the careers/postgraduate school outcomes of the MARC students.The applicant institution should describe specific arrangements for providing special extramural summer training at universities and laboratories other than the applicant institution. The applicant institution should be able to demonstrate the benefits of this program on recruitment, development, retention, graduation rates and career outcomes of students in the biomedical sciences at the applicant institution. These data will be used as a baseline for future evaluation of the success in meeting the goals and specific objectives of the proposal. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Minority serving institutions wishing to apply for support under this program should request application forms, guidelines, and additional information by calling (301) 594-3900, or writing to the MARC Program Branch Office, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, 45 Center Drive MSC-6200, Natcher Building, Room 2As.37D, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three photocopies 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 should also be sent to the MARC Program Branch at the address given below. 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. Those applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated 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: o feasibility of the proposal as defined by the stated goals and specific measurable objectives; o qualifications and experience of the Program Director and faculty to carry out the proposed program; o appropriateness of the program's plan to meet the goals of this solicitation as well as the goals and specific measurable objectives of the application; o availability of honors undergraduate underrepresented minority students in the participating science departments who are interested in graduate study leading to the Ph.D in the biomedical sciences; o evidence of graduating underrepresented minority students progressing to, and completing, higher education in the sciences; o feasibility of the student development activity, if proposed; o evidence of institutional commitment and strength of the efforts of the institution to foster professional development of underrepresented minority faculty and to train underrepresented minority students in biomedical sciences; o appropriateness of the administrative plan for managing the proposed program, including adequacy of space for research training, additional courses and/or workshops; o the proposed plan for the trainee's off-campus research experience; o appropriateness of the applicant institution's plan for evaluating the impact of the program, including a system to track the future course of program participants and their academic and career outcomes; and o acceptability of the Responsible Conduct of Research plan. AWARD CRITERIA Award decisions will be based on the merit of the applications, the applicants' ability to meet the goals and objectives of this program announcement and an acceptable responsible conduct of research plan. Awards are 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 program announcement are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions >From potential applicants is welcomed. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Adolphus P. Toliver, Ph.D. Minority Access to Research Career Branch 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: ToliverA@GM1.NIGMS.NIH.GOV Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Antoinette Holland Grants Management Officer National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive, Room 2AN.50B - MSC 6200 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Telephone: (301) 594-5132 FAX: (301) 480-3423 Email: HollandA@GM1.NIGMS.NIH.GOV AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants made under the authority of Section 487 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act as amended and administered under Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 66. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.880 is applicable to these awards. 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 Mar 04 22:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS - 3 March 1996 Date: 4 Mar 1996 23:06:40 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 102 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4hgp60$so2@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: NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD APPROVES RENEWED SUPPORT FOR MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY IN FLORIDA File size (bytes): 3942 STIS Filename: pr967.txt Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF 96-36 FY 1996/1997 COMBINED RESEARCH-CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM File size (bytes): STIS Filename: nsf9636.txt Document Type: Recruit Title: Physicist (Program Director) File size (bytes): STIS Filename: vex9612.txt Title: Physicist (Program Director) File size (bytes): STIS Filename: vex9613.txt Title: Secretary (Office Automation) File size (bytes): STIS Filename: vgs9627.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: Phone Book Title: NSF Alpha Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 113588 STIS Filename: phnalpha.txt Also available: phnalpha.dlm Title: NSF Organization Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 122805 STIS Filename: phnorg.txt Document Type: Press Release Title: NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD APPROVES RENEWED SUPPORT FOR MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY IN FLORIDA File size (bytes): 3942 STIS Filename: pr967.txt Document Type: Recruit Title: Senior Executive Service Vacancy Listing for the 2 Week Period Beginning 02-21-96 File size (bytes): 48312 STIS Filename: sesvac.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 sesvac.txt, the text of your message should be as follows: get sesvac.txt Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve sesvac.txt, you would enter: ftp> get sesvac.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 Wed Mar 13 22:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - PA-96-032 - V25(07) 03/08/96 Date: 13 Mar 1996 23:59:46 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 325 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <4i8jli$4rp@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net $$XID RFA PA96032 PA-96-032 P1O1 *************************************** COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE OF USERS OF AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC) SYSTEMS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 7, March 8, 1996 PA NUMBER: PA-96-032 P.T. 34; K.W. 0715055 National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders PURPOSE The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) invites applications for the support of research studies on issues related to the communicative competence of users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Such research may lead to a better understanding of the impact of AAC on the development or restoration of communicative competence of individuals with the severe communication difficulties commonly seen in association with developmental or acquired disorders, such as brain injury, and diseases or disorders affecting the oral motor system. It may also define the ways in which augmentative and alternative strategies can influence all phases of communication development and activity. Findings from these studies will direct the establishment and refinement of tools and intervention strategies enabling the development or recovery of communicative function. 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 PA, Communicative Competence of Users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Systems, is related to the priority area of diabetes and 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 and foreign, for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Foreign institutions are not eligible for First Independent Research Support Transitions (FIRST) (R29) awards. Applications from minority individuals, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The support mechanisms for grants in this area will be the individual investigator-initiated research project grant (R01) and the FIRST (R29) award. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Oral speech is not possible for individuals with severe communication disorders. Demographic research in several countries reveals that >From 8 to 12 persons per 1000 have such severe communication disorders that they cannot meet their daily communication needs using only natural speech and handwriting. The 2 to 2.5 million Americans in this group are all ages and have various disorders. Some examples are: young children with developmental disabilities, teenagers and young adults with traumatic brain injury, middle-aged adults with multiple sclerosis and brain stem strokes, and older adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cortical stroke. During the past twenty years, many new technologies and intervention strategies have been used to assist these individuals in communicating. The overall effectiveness of AAC interventions has been documented in a number of anecdotal reports, single case studies, and few group studies. It is apparent that following intervention, many individuals who were previously unable to communicate are able to communicate much more effectively. However, there has been little systematic investigation of the impact of AAC systems on the development or restoration of communicative competence of children and adults with severe communication disorders. The impact of AAC systems, system features, and intervention strategies on all phases of communication development and use requires evaluation. In addition to these primary research goals, many other issues related to understanding the communicative competence of AAC users need to be explored. Communication and language development studies of children using augmentative communication have centered largely on alternative modes of communication used in conjunction with specific instructional approaches. This has provided ways of correcting language deficits and the subsequent or accompanying developmental difficulties often found in this population. Several investigations have reported positive language outcomes, including increases in vocabulary size and use and production of multi -symbol utterances. However, the long-term process of communication, language, and literacy development through augmented means, as well as the broader educational and social implications of this process, has not been analyzed in detail. It is important to determine how the process of communication, language, and literacy learning through augmented means progresses, the theoretical framework underlying this process, the conditions that best facilitate it, and its broader impact on the development of children with a wide range of disabilities. The goal of AAC is to foster and support the development of communicative competence so that individuals who require AAC can participate as fully as possible in home, school, work, and community environments. Little is known, however, about the communicative competence of people who use AAC, or about the skills, strategies, and techniques that contribute to their communicative competence. For example, there is not an accepted definition of or reliable and valid method to measure the communicative competence of those using AAC. The systematic identification of the communicative variables that affect perceptions of communicative competence of AAC users from both the social and personal perspectives, may be a first step. Identifying such variables has implications for selecting valid targets for communication intervention, which bear directly on issues related to quality of life. Successful AAC use depends on a functional compatibility between the motor, cognitive, linguistic, and sensory capabilities of the user and the operational requirements imposed by the AAC system itself. Many aspects of this user-system interface have not been studied thoroughly. These include issues that relate to the special needs considerations across the life span, such as the needs of a child in the early stages of communication and motor development, the special needs of the elderly, the specific requirements of an individual recovering from injury, or the rapidly changing requirements of a patient with a degenerative disorder. For all AAC users, it is important that techniques be developed by which the AAC system can be efficiently customized to reflect the changing needs of the individual. Related areas of the user-system interface that require study are the mechanisms by which residual motor gestures may be recognized by AAC smart systems,