From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Mon Sep 02 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS, 31 August 1996 Date: 3 Sep 1996 15:04:29 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 141 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <50ia1d$od5@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net This message contains a summary of the documents added to the NSF STIS system for the week ending August 31, 1996. Reference material concerning STIS follows the summary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** NEW DOCUMENTS ON STIS ** Document Type: Graduate Fellowships Title: FMAPPL Application Form with instructions File size (bytes): 272 STIS Filename: fmappl.txt Also available: fmappl.pdf fmappl.doc Title: FMINFO Information form with instructions File size (bytes): 271 STIS Filename: fminfo.txt Also available: fminfo.pdf fminfo.doc Document Type: Recruit Title: Auditor File size (bytes): 8564 STIS Filename: vgs9654.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: Graduate Fellowships Title: FMCRSRPT Course Report Form File size (bytes): 260 STIS Filename: fmcrsrpt.txt Also available: fmcrsrpt.doc fmcrsrpt.pdf Title: FMGENINS General Instructions & Inventory List File size (bytes): 278 STIS Filename: fmgenins.txt Also available: fmgenins.doc fmgenins.pdf Title: FMGFKITD - Instructions for MS Word for Windows 6.0 Forms Kit File size (bytes): 3238 STIS Filename: fmgfkitd.txt Also available: fmgfkitd.doc Title: FMGFKITD - Instructions for MS Word for Windows 6.0 Forms Kit File size (bytes): 3238 STIS Filename: fmgfkitd.txt Also available: fmgfkitd.doc Title: FMGFKITP - Instructions for PDF Forms Kit File size (bytes): 3248 STIS Filename: fmgfkitp.txt Also available: fmgfkitp.pdf Title: FMGFKITP - Instructions for PDF Forms Kit File size (bytes): 3248 STIS Filename: fmgfkitp.txt Also available: fmgfkitp.pdf Title: FMGPA Undergraduate GPA Form File size (bytes): 256 STIS Filename: fmgpa.txt Also available: fmgpa.doc fmgpa.pdf Title: FMGRE GRE Information and GRE Candidate Identification Form File size (bytes): 288 STIS Filename: fmgre.txt Also available: fmgre.doc fmgre.pdf Title: FMPRERES Previous Research Experience Form File size (bytes): 273 STIS Filename: fmpreres.txt Also available: fmpreres.pdf fmpreres.doc Title: FMPROPLN Proposed Plan of Study or Research Form File size (bytes): 279 STIS Filename: fmpropln.txt Also available: fmpropln.doc fmpropln.pdf Title: FMREFRPT Reference Report Form File size (bytes): 262 STIS Filename: fmrefrpt.txt Also available: fmrefrpt.doc fmrefrpt.pdf Title: FMTRSREQ Transcript Request Form File size (bytes): 263 STIS Filename: fmtrsreq.txt Also available: fmtrsreq.doc fmtrsreq.pdf Document Type: Phone Book Title: NSF Alpha Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 113967 STIS Filename: phnalpha.txt Also available: phnalpha.dlm Title: NSF Organization Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 125372 STIS Filename: phnorg.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** FOR YOUR REFERENCE (updated 8/23/96) ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOW TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS We are currently migrating to a completely Web-based information dissemination system. Please visit our Web site at the following URL: http://www.nsf.gov/ The above files refer to the STIS system, which is being replaced. If you are familiar with STIS, you can use the information above to retrieve these files: Documents via E-mail: Send a message to stisserve@nsf.gov Use the "STIS Filename" shown above in the "get" command. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, the text of your message should be as follows: get phnorg.txt Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, you would enter: ftp> get phnorg.txt 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". If you have problems with the above procedures: Send a message to "stis@nsf.gov". From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Wed Sep 04 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 25, no. 30, pt. 1of1, 6 September 1996 Date: 5 Sep 1996 16:27:00 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 579 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <50nnk4$bhs@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net X-comment: RFAs described: PA-96-072 X-URL: gopher://gopher.nih.gov:70/11/res/nih-guide/guide-files/96.09.06 NIH GUIDE - Vol. 25, No. 30 - September 6, 1996 $$INDEX BEGIN ******************************************************* NOTICES $$INDEX N1 ********************************************************** SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM National Institutes of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention INDEX: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH; CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION $$INDEX N2 ********************************************************** NCI PROGRAM PROJECT APPLICATION INFORMATION National Cancer Institute INDEX: CANCER NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs) $$INDEX R1 ********************************************************** TB RESEARCH MATERIALS AND VACCINE TESTING (RFP NIH-NIAID-DMID-97-06) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases INDEX: ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES $$INDEX P1 ********************************************************** MECHANISMS OF AIDS PATHOGENESIS (PA-96-072) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Dental Research INDEX: ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES; DENTAL RESEARCH THE NIH GUIDE IS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY VIA BITNET OR INTERNET, BY SUBSCRIPTION, AND IS ALSO ON THE NIH GOPHER (GOPHER.NIH.GOV) AND THE NIH WEBSITE (HTTP://WWW.NIH.GOV). ALTERNATIVE ACCESS IS THROUGH THE NIH GRANT LINE VIA MODEM (DATA LINE 301/402-2221); CONTACT DR. JOHN JAMES AT 301/435-2801 FOR DETAILS ON THE NIH GRANT LINE. THE PHS STRONGLY ENCOURAGES ALL GRANT AND CONTRACT RECIPIENTS TO PROVIDE A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE AND PROMOTE THE NON-USE OF ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, PUBLIC LAW 103-227, THE PRO-CHILDREN ACT OF 1994, PROHIBITS SMOKING IN CERTAIN FACILITIES (OR IN SOME CASES, ANY PORTION OF A FACILITY) IN WHICH REGULAR OR ROUTINE EDUCATION, LIBRARY, DAY CARE, HEALTH CARE OR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PHS MISSION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. ALL COMPETING GRANT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH MUST BE SENT TO: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) THE GRANTS INFORMATION OFFICE, DRG, HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE NEW OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL OUTREACH & INFORMATION RESOURCES, OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH, OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, NIH. REQUESTS FOR APPLICATION FORMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER INFORMATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING: OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL OUTREACH & INFORMATION RESOURCES NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, MSC 7910 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7910 TELEPHONE: (301) 435-0714 EMAIL: ASKNIH@ODROCKM1.OD.NIH.GOV $$INDEX END ********************************************************* NOTICES $$N1 BEGIN ********************************************************** SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 30, September 6, 1996 P.T. 34; K.W. 0710030 National Institutes of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Contract Proposal Receipt Date: November 5, 1996 Innovative technologies and methodologies fuel progress in biomedical and behavioral research and represent an increasingly important area of the economy. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides support for research and development (R&D) of new or improved technologies and methodologies that have the potential to succeed as commercial products. The purpose of this notice is to (1) announce the issuance of the "Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract Proposals (PHS 97-1)" with a due date for receipt of proposals of November 5, 1996; and (2) inform the public about the opportunities that the SBIR program offers to small business concerns as well as to scientists at research institutions, including colleges and universities. Beginning October 1, 1996 (FY 1997) through FY 2000, Public Law 102-564, dated October 28, 1992, requires the Public Health Service (PHS), Department of Health and Human Services, and certain other federal agencies to reserve 2.5 percent of their extramural research or R&D budgets for an SBIR program. The PHS SBIR set-aside requirement for FY 1997 is estimated to be $230-$240 million. The offeror organization must be a small business concern, and the PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT of the principal investigator MUST be with the small business concern at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In accord with the intent of the SBIR program to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived >From federal R&D, scientists at research institutions can play an important role in an SBIR project by serving as consultants and/or subcontractors to the small business concern. Normally, up to one-third of the Phase I budget may be spent on consultant and/or subcontractual costs, and up to one-half of the Phase II budget may be spent on such costs. In this manner, a small business concern with limited expertise and/or research facilities may benefit from teaming with a scientist(s) at a research institution; for the scientist(s) at a research institution, this team effort provides support for R&D not otherwise obtained. The SBIR program consists of the following three phases: PHASE I: The objective of this phase is to determine the scientific and technical merit and feasibility and potential for commercialization of the proposed research or R&D efforts and the quality of performance of the small business concern, before consideration of further Federal support in Phase II. PHASE II: The objective of this phase is to continue the research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding shall be based on the results of Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the Phase II proposal. Only Phase I contractors are eligible to apply for Phase II funding, and Phase II proposals may be submitted upon the request of the Contracting Officer ONLY. (However, see ~Fast-Track~ Pilot Initiative below.) PHASE III: The objective of this phase, where appropriate, is for the small business concern to pursue, with non-SBIR funds, the commercialization of the results of the research or R&D funded in Phases I and II. The amount and period of support for SBIR awards are as follows: PHASE I: Normally, awards may not exceed $100,000 for direct costs, indirect costs, and negotiated fixed fee for a period normally not to exceed six months. PHASE II: Normally, awards may not exceed $750,000 for direct costs, indirect costs, and negotiated fixed fee for a period normally not to exceed two years, that is, generally, a two-year Phase II project may not cost more than $750,000 for that project. Only one Phase II award may be made for any SBIR project. "FAST-TRACK" PILOT INITIATIVE (Applicable only to proposals submitted to National Institutes of Health [NIH]) Fast-Track is a parallel review option available to those small business concerns (offeror organizations) whose proposals satisfy additional criteria which enhance the probability of the project's commercial success. Proposals that do not meet these criteria may be redirected for review through the standard review procedures described in the PHS SBIR Contract Solicitation under section VIII, Method of Selection and Evaluation Criteria. Fast-Track offers two major advantages: 1. Concurrent peer review of both Phase I and Phase II projects. Fast-Track SBIR proposals for both Phase I and Phase II must be submitted together for concurrent initial peer review and evaluation. To Identify the proposals as Fast-Track, check the box marked "Yes" next to the words "Fast-Track Proposal" shown on the Phase I Proposal Cover Sheet (Appendix A). The Phase I proposal must specify clear, measurable goals (milestones) that should be achieved prior to initiating Phase II. Failure to provide clear, measurable goals may be sufficient reason for the peer review committee to exclude the Phase II proposal from Fast-Track review, retaining it for Phase I consideration only. The peer review committee will evaluate the goals and may suggest other milestones that should be achieved prior to the Phase II award. The Phase I and Phase II proposals will be scored individually and the scores for both phases totaled. Following the initial peer review, Fast-Track proposals may receive secondary review by the program staff of the respective NIH awarding component. 2. Minimal or no funding gap between Phase I and Phase II. Fast-Track Phase II proposals may be funded following submission of the Phase I progress report and other documents necessary for continuation. Phase II proposals will be selected for award based on the project's scientific and technical merit of the proposed Phase II research; the awarding component's assessment of the Phase I progress report and determination that the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; the potential of the proposed research for technological innovation; and the availability of funds. (See section VIII of the PHS SBIR Contract Solicitation for discussion of the Technical Evaluation Criteria.) SBIR contract proposals submitted to the NIH are eligible for the Fast-Track review process upon meeting the following criteria: 1. The Phase II proposal must be accompanied by a commitment(s) for funds and/or resources for commercialization of the product(s) or service(s) resulting from the SBIR contract. Although a specific level of commitment is not specified, funds or resources matching or greater than the Phase II award are encouraged. Any commitment(s) >From an investor or partner organization must be described in a letter of agreement or contract signed by an official of the investor or partner organization with the authority to legally bind the organization. Details of the commitment(s) must be included in a COMMITMENT APPENDIX to the Phase II proposal. 2. The COMMITMENT APPENDIX must specify the amount of funds and/or the nature of resources that will be dedicated to activities directly related to the SBIR project and must describe those activities. Non- federal commitments may support additional research and development on the project or activities that are beyond the scope of federal SBIR funding, such as market research. The activities supported by the commitment(s) should begin in Phase II and provide for a smooth transition into Phase II commercialization. 3. Because of the risk involved, the commitment(s) may be contingent upon the small business concern receiving the Phase II award, achieving technical objectives, and the technology continuing to be scientifically and economically viable in the marketplace. Details of commitment contingencies must be described in the COMMITMENT APPENDIX. Withdrawal of the commitment(s) may be considered sufficient reason by the participating awarding component to remove the Phase II proposal from consideration under Fast-Track or withhold further Phase II support. 4. The small business concern must submit a concise Product Development Plan (limited to five pages) as a PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPENDIX to the Phase II proposal addressing each of the following areas: a. Company information, including size, specialization area(s), products with significant sales, and history of previous federal and non-federal funding, regulatory experience, and subsequent commercialization. b. Value of SBIR project, including lay description of key technology objectives, current competition, and advantages to competing products or services. c. Commercialization plans, milestones, target dates, market analyses of market size, and estimated market share after first year sales and after five years. d. Patent status or other protection of project intellectual property. Following are the research topics contained in the SOLICITATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) CONTRACT PROPOSALS (PHS 97-1) for the proposal receipt date of November 5, 1996: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM (NIAAA) o Antibodies to peptides and proteins mediating alcohol-related behaviors (from DBR); NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES (NIAMS) o Markers of Osteoarthritis NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES (NIDDK) o Assays for Identification of High Risk Individuals for the Development of Insulin Dependent Diabetes (IDDM) o Transplantation of Human Islets or Beta Cells o Improved Methods for Production of Clinical Gene Therapy Vectors for Diseases of Interest to NIDDK o Development of Materials for Screening and Recruitment of Clinical Trial Participants o Self-study Materials for Achieving Intensive Management of Glycemic Levels o Methods to Detect and Quantify Kidney Damage o Acute Renal Failure o New Noninvasive Body Iron Test NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA) o Drug Supply Services Support o Develop Animal Model(s) with Compromised Immune Function Induced by Abused Drug(s) to Screen Potential HIV/AIDS Medicating Agents o Develop Animal Models to Assess the Potential for Genetic Predisposition or Increased Sensitivity to Cardiovascular Complications Associated with Abused Substance(s) o Computerized Neuropsychological Testing Software o Development of a Computerized Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (Posit) o Development of Improved HIV Risk Reduction Questionnaire and Interview o Questionnaires or Brief Interviews for Assessment of Drug Abuse in Individuals Seen in Primary Health Care Settings o Handbook for Conducting Drug Abuse Research with Ethnic/Racial Minority Populations o International Drug Abuse Epidemiology Data Bank NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES (NIEHS): o Development of a Transgenic Teleost Animal Model for Assessing Mutagenesis o Better Nitrone Spin Traps for Oxygen-Centered Radicals o Commercialization of Laboratory Methods for Assessing the Genetic Responses to Chemicals o Device/Capability for Quantitative Assessment of Bone Strength in Rodents o Methods for Assessing the Estrogenicity and Other Endocrine Activity of Environmental Chemicals o Development of Device and Procedure for Collecting DNA by Mail with a Cheek Swab NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE (NHLBI) o Stage- and Tissue-Specific Animal Models of Hemophilia o Radio-frequency Coils for High Field MRI o ECG Monitoring in MRI to Detect Cardiac Ischemia NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) o Animal Models o Models for Screening Antiepileptic and Antiepileptogenic Therapy o Alertness Measures o Improved EEG/ICU/OR Interface o Medication Dispensing Monitor o Improving Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Evaluate the Central Nervous System of Critically-ill Neonates o Development of Neuronal Pluripotential Neuronal Stem Cells o Quantitative Tremor Measurement o Inducible Knockout Technology o Genome Scanning o Direct Gene Transfer NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES (NCRR) o General Software Tools for Biomedical Research CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS (NCHS) o Electronic Death Registration System Prototype NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM (NIP) o Design a Multi-channel, Needleless Injector Device to Administer Vaccines PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE PROGRAM OFFICE (PHPPO) o Distance Learning (DL) Support Technology. INQUIRIES Eligibility requirements, definitions, submission procedures, review considerations, contract proposal forms and instructions, and other pertinent information, including the "Fast-Track" Pilot Initiative, are contained in the Solicitation of the PHS for SBIR Contract Proposals for the proposal receipt date of November 5, 1996, which will be available electronically on or about September 6, 1996, through the NIH Home Page at: HTTP://WWW.NIH.GOV. A limited number of hard copies of the Solicitation will be available on or about September 13, 1996, from: PHS SBIR/STTR Solicitation Office 13687 Baltimore Avenue Laurel, MD 20707-5096 Telephone: (301) 206-9385 FAX: (301) 206-9722 Email: a2y@cu.nih.gov Those interested in the PHS SBIR GRANT program may access -- electronically -- the OMNIBUS SOLICITATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) GRANT APPLICATIONS for the calendar year 1996 receipt dates of April 15, August 15, and December 15 (same dates each year) at: HTTP://WWW.NIH.GOV:80/GRANTS/OEP/SBIR/SBIR962.HTM. The "Fast-Track" review option is a pilot initiative for SBIR grant applications also. Hard copies of the PHS SBIR GRANT Solicitation may be obtained from the PHS SBIR/STTR Solicitation Office at the address above. See also the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, Volume 25, Number 7, March 8, 1996. $$N1 END ************************************************************ $$N2 BEGIN ********************************************************** NCI PROGRAM PROJECT APPLICATION INFORMATION NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 30, September 6, 1996 P.T. 34; K.W. 1014006, 0715035 National Cancer Institute Application Submission There are three receipt deadlines for all NCI Program Project (P01) applications. Regardless of whether the application is new, a competing renewal, amended, or a request for a supplement, the only receipt dates are: February 1, June 1, and October 1. Incoming applications are assigned to the review round that follows the date that they are received by the Division of Research Grants. For example, a grant application received in March would be assigned to the June 1 review cycle. Also note that effective June 1, 1996, NIH Program Staff are required to notify the Division of Research Grants Receipt and Referral Office of any new application requesting $500,000 (direct costs) or more in any one year, before the application is received. In order to do this, Program Staff must be notified in advance of the intent to submit such an application. Since the vast majority of NCI P01s exceed $500,000 per year, you must inform the NCI Referral Officer of your intent to submit a new P01 application. The mailing address, telephone number and E- mail address are as follows: Referral Officer Division of Extramural Activities National Cancer Institute 6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 636A - MSC 7405 Bethesda, MD 20892-7405 Telephone: (301) 496-3428 FAX: (301) 402-0275 Email: FRIEDBET@DEA.NCI.NIH.GOV Amended Applications The Office of the Director, NIH, issued a notice in June 1996 that beginning with the October 1, 1996 receipt date the NIH no longer accepts applications amended more than twice. This policy applies to all applications, including new and competing continuation program projects. Applicants approaching this limit are strongly advised to consider alternative funding mechanisms (e.g., concurrent submission of individual R01s) at the time of submission of any A2 (second amended) P01 application. Instructions to Applicants Copies of the NCI P01 Guidelines can be obtained from the NCI Referral Office (address shown above). The Guidelines may also be accessed via the NCI Home Page at: HTTP://WWW.NCI.NIH.GOV/EXTRA/DEAWEB/DEA.HTM INQUIRIES Questions related to NCI P01 review may be directed to: David Irwin, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Activities 6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 635E - MSC 7405 Bethesda, MD 20892-7405 Telephone: (301) 402-0371 FAX: (301) 496-6497 Email: IrwinD@DEA.NCI.NIH.GOV $$N2 END ************************************************************ NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs) $$R1 BEGIN NIH-NIAID-DMID-97-06 ************************************* TB RESEARCH MATERIALS AND VACCINE TESTING NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 30, September 6, 1996 RFP AVAILABLE: NIH-NIAID-DMID-97-06 P.T. 34; K.W. 0740075, 0715165 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases The Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has a requirement for a contractor to supply tuberculosis research materials to the scientific community and to provide animal models for aerosol challenge studies. Integral to this project will be efforts, in cooperation with other interested tuberculosis researchers, directed toward identification and evaluation of the major M. tuberculosis antigens associated with protection against tuberculosis. It is anticipated that one cost-reimbursement, completion contract will be awarded for a period of seven years. RFP NIAID-DMID-97-06 is available electronically and may be accessed through the World Wide Web by using the following Web address or URL (uniform resource locator): http://www.anser.org/nih/. This RFP is only available via this RFP Home Page, and proposals in response to this RFP must be submitted electronically. Instructions for this procurement and for proper submission are set forth at the Web Site mentioned above. Following proposal submission and the initial review process, offerors comprising the competitive range will be requested to provide additional documentation to the Contracting Officer. Responses to this RFP will be due on October 28, 1996. Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal that will be considered by the Government. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. Questions regarding this acquisition may be directed to Mr. Carl Henn at (301) 496-0993, or internet address ch24v@nih.gov. $$R1 END ************************************************************ $$P1 BEGIN PA-96-072 FULL-TEXT ************************************** MECHANISMS OF AIDS PATHOGENESIS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 30, September 6, 1996 PA AVAILABLE: PA-96-072 P.T. 34; K.W. 071508, 0765033, 0705048 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Dental Research PURPOSE This Program Announcement (PA) is intended to foster applications for integrated, multi-disciplinary pathogenesis research linking in vitro studies to in vivo disease, focusing on the following targeted areas of research identified in the 1995 NIAID HIV/AIDS Research Agenda: (1) possible direct and indirect mechanisms of HIV-mediated immunodeficiency; (2) events at cell and organ levels that characterize or predict HIV entry or disease progression; (3) host genes, alleles, corresponding proteins and their mechanisms of action that control susceptibility to HIV infection, level of infectivity for HIV transmission, and/or rate of disease progression; and (4) impact of vaccine-induced immune responses on mucosal transmission and in vivo pathogenesis. The mechanisms of support will be research project grants (R01), Interactive Research Project Grants (IRPG), the First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) award, and the Small Research Grants (R03). Research support may also be obtained through applications for a competitive supplement to ongoing NIH-funded grants. 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, Mechanisms of AIDS Pathogenesis, is related to the Priority area of HIV infection. 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 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. Opendra Sharma, Ph.D. Division of AIDS National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 2C04 - MSC 7620 Bethesda, MD 20892-7620 Telephone: (301) 496-9041 Email: os4g@nih.gov Eleni Kousvelari, D.D.S; D.Sc Division of Extramural Research National Institute of Dental Research Natcher Building, Room 4AN-24 Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Telephone: (301) 594-2427 Email: Kousvelari@de45.nidr.nih.gov $$P1 END ************************************************************ From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Wed Sep 04 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - PA-96-072 - V25(30) 09/06/96 Date: 5 Sep 1996 16:27:40 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 368 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <50nnlc$bjg@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net MECHANISMS OF AIDS PATHOGENESIS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 30, September 6, 1996 PA NUMBER: PA-96-072 P.T. 34; K.W. 071508, 0765033, 0705048 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Dental Research PURPOSE This Program Announcement (PA) is intended to foster applications focusing on an hypothesis for AIDS-related pathogenesis applying state-of-the-art methods and approaches to in vivo research. In vivo research includes studies of human clinical or epidemiologic cohorts, animal models, or appropriate specimens from humans or animals. Where scientifically justified, applicants are encouraged to include both human and animal studies. While the research necessary to test a proposed pathogenesis hypothesis may be possible within a single laboratory, some applications may require separate components at the same or different institutions specializing in different scientific disciplines (e.g., molecular biology, biochemistry, cellular biology, cellular immunology, pathology, genetics and biophysics). 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, Mechanisms of AIDS Pathogenesis, is related to the Priority area of HIV infection. 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 or local government, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. The total requested project period for an application submitted in response to this PA may not exceed five years; a foreign application may not request more than three years of support and will receive no support for indirect costs. Domestic applications may include international components but these components will receive no support for indirect costs. Foreign institutions are not eligible for the First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) Award. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanisms of support will be investigator-initiated research project grants (R01), Interactive Research Project Grants (IRPG), the First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) award, and the Small Research Grants (R03). Research support may also be obtained through applications for a competitive supplement to ongoing NIH-funded grants. Information on the IRPG mechanism is available in program announcement PA-96-001, published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 24, No. 35, October 6, 1995. Applicants for R03 grants may request up to $50,000 annual direct costs for a period not to exceed two (NIDR) or three (NIAID) years. Applicants for R03 grants must follow special application guidelines, which are referenced below. Publications containing IRPG and R03 application guidelines are available from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate, through the use of consortium arrangements or subcontracts, integrated approaches with individuals or institutions having relevant reagents and expertise in their use, demonstrated ability in a particular area of relevant research, or access to relevant animal or patient populations. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the program staff listed under INQUIRIES for guidance concerning the organization and scope of the proposed work, the most appropriate support mechanism, and the preparation of the application. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This PA encourages hypothesis-focused applications for HIV pathogenesis research linking in vitro studies to in vivo disease on the targeted areas of research identified in the 1995 NIAID HIV/AIDS Research Agenda listed below. Additionally, this PA encourages investigators with current NIH-funded grants on in vivo AIDS pathogenesis to submit competitive supplement applications to examine the effect of vaccination on lentiviral mucosal transmission and/or viral disease. The targeted research areas below are not listed in priority order and are intended to be illustrative rather than exhaustive examples. o Possible direct and indirect mechanisms of HIV-mediated immunodeficiency; e.g., the effect of HIV infection on immune regulation including signaling ligands, receptors, pathways, and cellular maturation processes. o Events at the cell and organ system levels that characterize or predict HIV entry or disease progression; e.g., virus and infected cell trafficking, viral burden and characteristics in blood and tissues (particularly in lymph nodes, oral and gut mucosa, spleen, bone marrow, and brain), and sites and kinetics of CD4+ cell destruction in vivo. o Host genes, alleles, corresponding proteins and their mechanisms of action that control susceptibility to HIV infection, level of infectivity for HIV transmission, and/or rate of disease progression, e.g., adhesion proteins, receptors, cytokines/chemokines and regulatory pathways. o Impact of vaccine-induced immune responses on mucosal transmission and in vivo pathogenesis. The most relevant studies are expected to examine molecular and cellular biology, virology, and immunology within the context of animal models and/or well-defined human cohorts or patient samples. Investigators are encouraged to minimize the number of new animals entered into research studies (and related support expenses) by using, whenever possible, animals in ongoing supported non-human primate research. Descriptive research that is not structured around a specific hypothesis(es) is not within the scope of this PA. For example, natural history epidemiologic studies in many DAIDS-supported cohorts are critically important for collecting information on the cause and course of disease. Although the information provided by such studies may provide a foundation for hypotheses that may be tested in research, this PA is intended to encourage the next step in research, the testing of these hypotheses. Clinical trials and recruitment or retention of cohorts are not encouraged under this PA. However, identified costs for patient visits, sample storage and handling specific to the applicant's proposed research are appropriate. Proposed analyses of samples acquired from epidemiologic or clinical trials are also appropriate. Investigators are encouraged to use existing supported epidemiologic or clinical cohorts instead of requesting funds to support or establish additional cohorts. Applicants are responsible for establishing components and/or collaborative arrangements. Program staff listed under INQUIRIES may be able to assist in forming collaborations and suggesting relevant cohorts or reagent resources. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results >From the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations), which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the Federal Register of March 20, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and reprinted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) and will be accepted at the standard application deadlines as indicated in the application kit. The receipt dates for applications for AIDS-related research are also found in the PHS 398 instructions. Application kits 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: ASKNIH@odrockm1.od.nih.gov. The title and number of this program announcement must be typed in Section 2 on the face page of the application (i.e., "Mechanisms of AIDS Pathogenesis," PA-96-072). The completed original application and five legible copies must be sent or delivered 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) NIAID R03 APPLICANTS ONLY Applicants for NIAID R03 grants must follow application guidelines for SMALL RESEARCH GRANTS - NIAID, which appeared in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 25, No. 9, March 22, 1996, and are available from the NIAID program staff listed under INQUIRIES. The completed original and three legible single-sided copies of the application must be sent or delivered to the Division of Research Grants at the above address. In addition, mail two copies of the R03 application and all five sets of any appendices to the address below. Also, direct inquiries regarding review issues and special instructions for application preparation to the address below. Stanley Oaks, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 6003 Executive Boulevard, Room 4C06 - MSC 7042 Bethesda, MD 20892-7610 Telephone: (301) 496-7042 FAX: (301) 402-2638 Email: os4g@nih.gov NIDR R03 APPLICANTS ONLY Applicants for NIDR R03 grants must follow the guidelines for the Small Grants Program, which appeared in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 20, No.12, March 22, 1991. Applicants are also required to follow the R03 page limitations described in the NIH Guide Vol. 22, No. 1, January 8, 1993. Copies of these guidelines are available from the NIDR staff listed under INQUIRES. The completed original and three legible single-sided copies of the application must be sent or delivered to the Division of Research Grants at the above address. In addition, mail two copies of the R03 application to the address below. Also, direct inquiries regarding review issues and special instructions for application preparation to the address below. William Gartland, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Research National Institute of Dental Research Building 45, Room 4AN-32 Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Telephone: (301) 594-2372 FAX: (301) 480-8303 Email: GartlandW@de45.nidr.nih.gov FIRST (R29) AWARD APPLICANTS ONLY FIRST (R29) applications must include at least three sealed letters of reference attached to the face page of the original application. FIRST applications submitted without the required number of reference letters will be considered incomplete and will be returned without review. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines. Applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by study sections of the Division of Research Grants, NIH (or by the review group of the relevant Institute, Center, or Division), 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 Scientific, technical, or medical significance and originality of proposed research; o Appropriateness and adequacy of the experimental approach and methodology proposed to carry out the research; o Qualifications and research experience of the Principal Investigator and staff, particularly, but not exclusively, in the area of the proposed research; o Availability of the resources necessary to perform the research; o Appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research; o For studies involving human subjects, adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects, the safety of the research environment, and conformance with the NIH Guidelines for the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research. AWARD CRITERIA Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o Quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review o Availability of funds o Institute priority for area of proposed research INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Opendra K. Sharma, Ph.D. Division of AIDS National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 2C06 - MSC 7620 Bethesda, MD 20892-7620 Telephone: (301) 496-8378 FAX: (301) 402-3211 Email: os4g@nih.gov) Eleni Kousvelari, D.D.S., D.Sc Division of Extramural Research National Institute of Dental Research Natcher Building, Room 4AN-24 Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Telephone: (301) 594-2427 FAX: (301) 480-8318 Email: Kousvelari@de45.nidr.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Jackie Johnson Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Solar Building, Room 4C16 - MSC 7610 Bethesda, MD 20892-7610 Telephone: (301) 496-7075 FAX: (301) 480-3780 Email: jj19e@nih.gov Mr. Martin Rubinstein Division of Extramural Research National Institute of Dental Research Natcher Building, Room 4AN-44A Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 Telephone: (301) 594-4800 FAX: (301) 480-8301 Email: Martin.Rubinstein@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, 93.856 - Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research and 93.855 - Immunology, Allergy and Transplantation Research. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Sun Sep 08 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS, 7 September 1996 Date: 9 Sep 1996 16:29:48 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 114 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <51299c$3n6@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net This message contains a summary of the documents added to the NSF STIS system for the week ending September 7, 1996. Reference material concerning STIS follows the summary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** NEW DOCUMENTS ON STIS ** Document Type: Graduate Fellowships Title: FMINFINS Instructions for completing the Information Form File size (bytes): 4735 STIS Filename: fminfins.txt Document Type: Press Release Title: nsf pr96-46-OCEAN SEDIMENTS CONTAIN RECORD OF PAST VEGETATION FIRES IN AFRICA May Provide File size (bytes): 4540 STIS Filename: pr9646.txt Title: pr96-47 - JURIS HARTMANIS TO LEAD NSF'S DIRECTORATE FOR COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING File size (bytes): 4086 STIS Filename: pr9647.txt Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF 96-138 - Research on Education, Policy and Practice (REPP) File size (bytes): 35259 STIS Filename: nsf96138.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: Dir of Awards Title: Minority Graduate Fellowship Awards Program for Fiscal Year 1996 File size (bytes): 14768 STIS Filename: gf96mawd.txt Also available: gf96mawd.dlm Title: Minority Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention Recipients - FY 1996 File size (bytes): 21630 STIS Filename: gf96mhm.txt Also available: gf96mhm.dlm Title: Graduate Fellowship Awards for Fiscal Year 1996 File size (bytes): 69540 STIS Filename: gf96rawd.txt Also available: gf96rawd.dlm Title: Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention Recipients for Fiscal Year 1996 File size (bytes): 112050 STIS Filename: gf96rhm.txt Also available: gf96rhm.dlm Document Type: Graduate Fellowships Title: FMGINS General Instructions File size (bytes): 11840 STIS Filename: fmgins.txt Document Type: Phone Book Title: NSF Alpha Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 114864 STIS Filename: phnalpha.txt Also available: phnalpha.dlm Title: NSF Organization Directory File size (bytes): 125406 STIS Filename: phnorg.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** FOR YOUR REFERENCE (updated 8/23/96) ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOW TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS We are currently migrating to a completely Web-based information dissemination system. Please visit our Web site at the following URL: http://www.nsf.gov/ The above files refer to the STIS system, which is being replaced. If you are familiar with STIS, you can use the information above to retrieve these files: Documents via E-mail: Send a message to stisserve@nsf.gov Use the "STIS Filename" shown above in the "get" command. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, the text of your message should be as follows: get phnorg.txt Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, you would enter: ftp> get phnorg.txt 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". If you have problems with the above procedures: Send a message to "stis@nsf.gov". From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Sun Sep 15 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS, 14 September 1996 Date: 16 Sep 1996 15:45:46 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 72 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <51klaq$6rf@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net This message contains a summary of the documents added to the NSF STIS system for the week ending September 14, 1996. Reference material concerning STIS follows the summary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** NEW DOCUMENTS ON STIS ** Document Type: International Document Title: INT 96-24 Special Scientific Report 96-01, Cooperative Studies of Crustal Deformation using Borehole Strain File size (bytes): 5280 STIS Filename: int9624.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: News Title: MPSLECT - The Big Crunch File size (bytes): 2090 STIS Filename: mpslect.txt Document Type: Phone Book Title: NSF Alphabetical Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 113527 STIS Filename: phnalpha.txt Also available: phnalpha.dlm Title: NSF Organization Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 126460 STIS Filename: phnorg.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** FOR YOUR REFERENCE (updated 8/23/96) ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOW TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS We are currently migrating to a completely Web-based information dissemination system. Please visit our Web site at the following URL: http://www.nsf.gov/ The above files refer to the STIS system, which is being replaced. If you are familiar with STIS, you can use the information above to retrieve these files: Documents via E-mail: Send a message to stisserve@nsf.gov Use the "STIS Filename" shown above in the "get" command. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, the text of your message should be as follows: get phnorg.txt Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, you would enter: ftp> get phnorg.txt 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". If you have problems with the above procedures: Send a message to "stis@nsf.gov". From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Thu Sep 19 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: BIOSCI/bionet miniFAQ & Fundraiser Date: 20 Sep 1996 14:11:52 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 240 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <199609200900.CAA10257@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net (LAST REVISION: 30-JUL-95) This BIOSCI "miniFAQ" is designed to answer the questions that come up the *most frequently*. The main BIOSCI FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is accessible on the World Wide Web at URL http://www.bio.net/. If you can not find an answer to your question in this or other documentation, the BIOSCI technical support staff answers e-mail queries sent to biosci-help@net.bio.net We can only answer questions about the use of the newsgroups and mailing lists. We unfortunately do not have the staff to do Internet information searches or answer scientific questions. Please post those to the appropriate BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. Contents: -------- 0) BIOSCI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!! 1) Using the WWW to access the BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. 2) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. 3) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. 0) BIOSCI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!! ------------------------------ BIOSCI's government funding has been expended, and we are now operating solely from advertising revenue that we have raised from our Web site at http://www.bio.net/. We need just a few minutes of your time to help us serve you. You can do two important things which will take very little time for you individually and will immensely help us continue to help you. First, please use our WWW system at http://www.bio.net/ to access the archives. You can post or reply to messages via your Web browser as described in item #1 below. Your usage helps attract sponsors. If you contact any of our sponsors, please be sure to thank them for supporting BIOSCI. It is critical for them to get this feedback if they are to continue their sponsorship for the long term. Second, if you work for a company or organization that provides products or services of interest to the biology community, please pass this message on to your marketing or marketing communications department or other appropriate group. Please ask them to help support BIOSCI by sponsoring our Web site and explain the uses and benefits of the system to the biology community. If they are interested, they can then contact us for further information at our tech support address, biosci-help@net.bio.net. 1) Using the WWW to access the BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups. -------------------------------------------------------- As of 10 December 1995, all BIOSCI/bionet full newsgroups are accessible through the World Wide Web (WWW) at URL http://www.bio.net. One can read and reply publicly or privately to both recent postings and archived messages through one's Web browser if it is configured properly to send e-mail. Each newsgroup is equipped with its own WAIS index. The main BIOSCI home page also has access to the BIO-JOURNALS Table of Contents database WAIS index and the BIOSCI user address database described in another item further below. 2) What to do about "spams," i.e., junk mail, ads, etc. ------------------------------------------------------- BIOSCI is a set of parallel USENET newsgroups (the "bionet" groups), mailing lists, and a hypermail archive at URL http://www.bio.net/. The same postings are distributed on all media (except for a small number of mailing-list-only groups at net.bio.net). Unfortunately it is becoming a despicable practice on the Internet (by a few people out to make a fast buck) to do automated mass postings to thousands of newsgroups and mailing lists. These attempts to grab free advertising are refered to as "spams" in the usual, somewhat boneheaded, net terminology. USENET is more susceptible to this practice, and many spams originate on the USENET groups and then are passed on to the mailing lists. However, spammers also get lists of mailing addresses and hit these too, so neither medium is immune. What should you do personally if you get junk mail? --------------------------------------------------- Just delete it and move on without reading it further. Filing a protest is becoming increasingly useless because spammers are often disguising the addresses where the messages are sent from. Unless you really understand Internet mail systems, your attempt at protest by sending replies to the message will often end up being sent to the address of an innocent person that the spammer is victimizing. What can BIOSCI/bionet do to protect its newsgroups? ---------------------------------------------------- The only solution currently available is to moderate the newsgroup. If this newsgroup is already moderated, then you are in good shape. Moderation protects the USENET distribution from about 95% of the spams that are being sent to date and protects the mailing lists completely. Moderation means, however, that someone has to take the time to review each message before it goes out. We have set up software here that simply allows the moderator to forward to an address at net.bio.net messages that (s)he wishes to have distributed. This takes no more time than that needed to read the message and pass it on, say about 1 min. per message. Most newsgroups currently have a discussion leader who is responsible for their newsgroup. The discussions leaders and their e-mail addresses are listed in the BIOSCI Information Sheet which is available on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. If a newsgroup is being hit with too many junk postings, please contact the discussion leader for that group and see if there is interest in moderating the group. Please do not assume that by simply posting a complaint to the newsgroup itself, anyone on the BIOSCI staff will act on your complaint. With close to 100 newsgroups to run, the BIOSCI staff has to rely on the discussion leaders of each newsgroup to report problems directly to us at biosci-help@net.bio.net. We will moderate any of our newsgroups if the discussion leader tells us that the readership of the group wishes to do so and if a moderator is willing to do the work. For most BIOSCI/bionet groups, this entails only a few minutes of work each day. Moderating a newsgroup will resolve probably 95% of the junk postings on the USENET distribution. Unfortunately there are easy ways for determined spammers to override the moderation mechanism on USENET, but we can protect our e-mail subscribers from unwanted postings if the newsgroup is moderated. You can also access our newsgroups over the WWW at URL http://www.bio.net. While this Web interface will not stop spammers from trying to post to the groups, this will give you yet another way, besides using USENET news, to keep the junk out of your personal mail files. For those of you with local USENET news systems, the Web interface will also give you faster access to new newsgroups and recent postings. 3) Examples of subscribing and unsubscribing to the mailing lists. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE NOTE: The BIOSCI management does NOT act on subscription/unsubscription requests that are posted improperly to the newsgroups and mailing lists. People who do this only bother everyone on the lists to no avail. Please be sure to follow the proper procedures below. Gory details are in the BIOSCI Information sheets on the Web at http://www.bio.net. Below we give an example utilizing the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list at both of our two BIOSCI sites: Users in the Americas and Pacific Rim countries who use the BIOSCI ------------------------------------------------------------------ node at computer net.bio.net: ---------------------------- A) Determine the "listname" which is the <=8 character mail address ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ for the group. These can be found in the BIOSCI Info. Sheet. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS group the mailing address is methods@net.bio.net. The listname is the portion of the address to the left of the @ sign, i.e., "methods". The listname is used with the "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" commands illustrated below. B) Mail all commands in the body of a mail message addressed to biosci-server@net.bio.net. Do NOT send commands to the newsgroup posting addresses! Leave the Subject: line blank, any text on it will be ignored. C) In the body of your message put one or more of the following commands with an "end" command on the last line, e.g., subscribe methods unsubscribe methods end Do NOT put your e-mail address or other text on these lines. The server only allows you to cancel your subscription if the address on your mail header matches the address on our mailing list. Please ask for help at biosci-help@net.bio.net if your address has changed, e.g., if you know you are on the list but the server tells you that you are not a member. Users in Europe, Africa, and Central Asia who use the BIOSCI node at -------------------------------------------------------------------- computer daresbury.ac.uk (also known as dl.ac.uk): ------------------------------------------------- To subscribe and unsubscribe to/from the BIOSCI lists, you need to specify the full USENET newsgroup name with "bionet-news." prepended. The USENET newsgroup names are listed in the BIOSCI Information sheet on the Web at http://www.bio.net/. For the METHODS-AND-REAGENTS list the USENET newsgroup name is bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts, thus the appropriate commands are sub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts unsub bionet-news.bionet.molbio.methds-reagnts These commands are included in a message addressed to mxt@dl.ac.uk, NOT to the newsgroup mailing addresses. As usual, include the text in the body of the message as text on the Subject: line is ignored. To unsubscribe from all the lists at the UK node, use unsub bionet-news Please note that if the address in the list is different than the one in your mail message header, you will not be able to unsubscribe by this method. If you have problems, please mail biosci@daresbury.ac.uk. 4) The BIOSCI user address and research interest directory. ----------------------------------------------------------- Please take this opportunity to add your name, address, and research interest information to the BIOSCI User Address Database if you have not already done so. You can fill out the address form directly through our Web page at URL http://www.bio.net/adrform.html. The address database is reindexed nightly for WWW access (the URL is http://www.bio.net/). If you are not directly on the Internet but can reach it by e-mail, please use our waismail server to access the user directory. waismail use is described above. You can also request a user address form by e-mail from biosci-help@net.bio.net. Please check your database entry from time-to-time to see if your address information is still up-to-date. Because of our limited personnel resources, we ask that you resubmit a *complete* form to revise your entry; we only replace complete entries and do not have resources to edit old forms. Sincerely, Dave Kristofferson BIOSCI/bionet Manager biosci-help@net.bio.net From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Sun Sep 22 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NSF - Summary of new documents on STIS, 21 September 1996 Date: 23 Sep 1996 15:22:49 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 94 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <5272jp$9b3@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net This message contains a summary of the documents added to the NSF STIS system for the week ending September 21, 1996. Reference material concerning STIS follows the summary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** NEW DOCUMENTS ON STIS ** Document Type: Bulletin Title: BUL 96-10 -- NSF October Bulletin V-24; No. 2 File size (bytes): 103930 STIS Filename: bul9610.txt Document Type: International Document Title: INT 96-25 Special Scientific Report 96-03, Suzuki Research Group, Department of Physics, University of Tokyo File size (bytes): 4400 STIS Filename: int9625.txt Title: INT 96-26 Special Scientific Report 96-04, IBM ARC System Workshop File size (bytes): 6681 STIS Filename: int9626.txt Document Type: Press Release Title: NSF NAMES NEW ADMINISTRATION HEAD File size (bytes): 2501 STIS Filename: pr9648.txt Document Type: Program Guideline Title: NSF 96-142 - Earth System History (ESH) File size (bytes): 13557 STIS Filename: nsf96142.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** UPDATES TO EXISTING STIS DOCUMENTS ** Document Type: Letter Title: REULIST -- Current List of REU Sites File size (bytes): 89814 STIS Filename: reulist.txt Document Type: Phone Book Title: NSF Alphabetical Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 115376 STIS Filename: phnalpha.txt Also available: phnalpha.dlm Title: NSF Organization Telephone Directory File size (bytes): 128596 STIS Filename: phnorg.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** FOR YOUR REFERENCE (updated 8/23/96) ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOW TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS We are currently migrating to a completely Web-based information dissemination system. Please visit our Web site at the following URL: http://www.nsf.gov/ The above files refer to the STIS system, which is being replaced. If you are familiar with STIS, you can use the information above to retrieve these files: Documents via E-mail: Send a message to stisserve@nsf.gov Use the "STIS Filename" shown above in the "get" command. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, the text of your message should be as follows: get phnorg.txt Anonymous FTP: FTP to stis.nsf.gov. Use the "STIS Filename" shown above to retrieve a file. For example, to retrieve phnorg.txt, you would enter: ftp> get phnorg.txt 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". If you have problems with the above procedures: Send a message to "stis@nsf.gov". From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Tue Sep 24 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA HD-96-009 - V25(31) 09/20/96 Date: 24 Sep 1996 17:25:44 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 1016 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <529u68$gpe@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net ADOLESCENT MEDICINE HIV/AIDS RESEARCH NETWORK NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 31, September 20, 1996 RFA: HD-96-009 P.T. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute on Drug Abuse Letter of Intent Receipt Date: October 15, 1996 Application Receipt Date: November 19, 1996 PURPOSE The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invite applications for cooperative agreements to expand the clinical science component of an existing adolescent health research network, the Adolescent Medicine HIV/AIDS Research Network. This Network is conducting basic and clinical research on the medical, biobehavioral, and psychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS in adolescents infected with HIV through sexual or drug-taking behaviors. The network, established in 1994, is recruiting adolescents ages 12 through 18 years. Additional funding >From Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has been provided to the Network to fund the infrastructure to support research in clinical sites including outreach efforts and to develop and disseminate treatment and policy guidelines specific to HIV-infected adolescents. 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), Adolescent Medicine HIV/AIDS Research Network, centers on a high priority research area: the health and well-being of several special population groups, viz. people in minority groups (particularly Hispanic and African Americans) and people with low income, as well as specific research HIV infection Needs. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (Telephone 202-512-1800). ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal Government. Racial/ethnic minority investigators, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is required that applicants for the Clinical Science Group have clinical experience pertinent to the objectives of the network delineated in this RFA. Applications from individuals without this experience will be returned without review. Applicants to join the existing Clinical Science Group of this Network must be providing comprehensive health care and support services to HIV-infected adolescents. Furthermore, they must demonstrate the proven capacity to reach sufficient numbers of adolescents with HIV infection to satisfy subject accrual expectations. In addition, applicants must be willing and able to participate in a cooperative program of research and evaluation with other successful applicants and current Clinical Science Group members. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The administrative and funding instrument to be used for this program will be a cooperative agreement (U01), an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism) in which substantial NIH scientific and/or programmatic involvement with the awardee is anticipated during the performance of the activity. [GRANTS POLICY STATEMENT, DHHS PUBLICATION (OASH) 90-50,000 (REV) APRIL 1, 1994]. Under the cooperative agreement mechanism, the NIH purpose is to support and/or stimulate the recipient's activity by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipient in a partner role, but it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activity. Specifically, members of the NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA scientific and program staff will cooperate with principal investigators as partners in the projects and serve as science collaborators or program managers. All parties will agree to accept the participatory and cooperative nature of the group process. Details of the responsibilities, relationship, and governance of the study to be funded under cooperative agreements are discussed later in this document under the section "Terms and Conditions of Award." The total project period for applications submitted in response to the present RFA may not exceed three years. The anticipated award date is February, 1997. At this time, NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA have not determined whether or how this solicitation will be continued beyond the present RFA. Awards and level of support depend on receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high merit. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. FUNDS AVAILABLE It is estimated that $ 1,044,000 (total costs in fiscal year 1997) will be available to fund approximately three to six awards to support the scientific and subject accrual activity of the members of the Clinical Science Group who are recruited through this RFA. Future year funding will be determined based on initial funding level. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development will provide the total of these funds. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background of the Problem Through December 1995, 2,354 AIDS cases in adolescents (aged 13-19 years) were reported to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although adolescents comprise less than one percent of all reported AIDS cases, the impact of HIV infection acquired during adolescence is far more profound for several reasons. First, the long incubation period between initial HIV infection and the development of AIDS-defining conditions suggests that the majority of AIDS cases in persons between 20 and 29 years of age, which constitute nearly 20 percent of all reported AIDS cases, can be attributed to infection as teenagers. Secondly, HIV infection, and to some extent AIDS cases under the new case definition, are not accurately estimated through reporting mechanisms because adolescents lack easy access to medical care for diagnosis. Many may actually succumb to competing causes of mortality (e.g., violence). Recent blinded HIV serosurveys indicate a range of estimates: from prevalence rates of 0.34 per 1000 in 17-19 year-old applicants to the military, 1.7 per 1000 in the users of student health services on selected college campuses, 3.9 per 1000 in Job Corps applicants, to 88 per 1000 in an urban homeless youth center. Of the groups affected by HIV, the U.S. adolescent population is the one in which basic biologic issues are the most poorly understood and the one in which therapeutic and clinical management trials have not been effectively initiated. At the present time, it is not known how HIV infection affects continuing development in those adolescents who have been infected through sexual or injecting drug use practices. It is not clear how age at infection influences the course of maturation nor is it clear how maturation might proceed in HIV+ adolescents with repeated HIV sexual exposure, drug abuse, sexually transmitted disease co-morbidity, and/or pregnancy. The heterosexual transmission of HIV is attaining increasing importance as a mode of HIV spread to uninfected individuals. This mode of HIV transmission is particularly important in the adolescent population due to the high prevalence of high-risk behaviors. The factors which modulate the heterosexual transmission of HIV have not been determined. However, it is likely that the replication of HIV at genital mucosal surfaces plays a major role in the likelihood of the occurrence of viral transmission following heterosexual exposure. Background of the Adolescent Medicine HIV/AIDS Research Network and the Scope of Its Research Agenda This Adolescent Medicine HIV/AIDS Research Network initiative calls for a descriptive examination of the full spectrum of HIV disease and its behavioral manifestations in adolescents who have become infected with HIV through sex and drug-taking behaviors in order to identify and pursue an HIV/AIDS-specific research agenda in the adolescent population between the ages of 12 and 19 years of age. The ultimate goal of this project is to achieve a better understanding of HIV disease progression and co-morbidity in adolescents and thus improve health care management. This goal is being addressed through the enrollment of HIV-infected adolescents into a standardized base protocol to characterize a population-based spectrum of disease, disease progression, and the effect of comorbidity with drug abuse, other sexually-transmitted diseases and pregnancy in the adolescent population. A secondary goal involves the resolution of remaining questions related to HIV infection in adolescents through the development of special studies to be undertaken in the assembled cohort enrolled in the base protocol. These unresolved questions include but are not limited to the susceptibility, infectivity, and transmissibility of HIV in adolescents, particularly related to developing genital mucosa; the characterization of the variation in adolescent immune function; the identification of useful adolescent-specific clinical markers of HIV disease progression; the effect of HIV on adolescent neuropsychologic function and development; and the influence and effect of specific adolescent behavioral patterns on risk-taking and health-seeking activities. Organizational Components The NIH entered into cooperative agreements establishing the network in 1994. The Adolescent Medicine HIV/AIDS Research Network consists of two interactive groups, Basic Science and Clinical Science, managed by Steering and Executive Committees, supported by a Data and Operations Center, advised by a Community Advisory Board, and reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Panel. The current Network includes an eight member Basic Science Group, a twelve member Clinical Science Group, and a Data and Operations Center. The Basic Science Group, in collaboration with the Clinical Science Group and a Data and Operations Center, has produced a base protocol which addresses the primary objective of the initiative. The study began accruing research subjects in February 1996. This solicitation seeks cooperative agreements with investigators to augment the subject accrual capacity of the Clinical Science Group in order to establish a subject cohort of sufficient size to address more completely the research objectives outlined above and thus permit the conduct of a wide- ranging, multi-stage series of investigations which examine specific facets of HIV infection in adolescents. This RFA is intended to recruit additional members of the Clinical Science Group with responsibility for the (1) implementation of the base protocol and secondary protocols where feasible and the recruitment and monitoring of study participants, associated data collection, and quality control; (2) participation in the production of the supplemental research agenda through review and evaluation at regularly scheduled interactive Network meetings; (3) clinical management guidelines for the standardization of health care delivery across network sites which address the unique biological, biobehavioral, and psychosocial issues of adolescence including pharmacologic prophylaxis, the scope and frequency of medical monitoring, and service organization, overcoming barriers to care, among others; and (4) the convening of consensus panels on the dissemination of clinical management guidelines and the definition of adolescent- specific HIV policy among other tasks consistent with functioning as a national resource body. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Applications to become members of the Clinical Science Group must submit evidence of clinical experience, comprehensiveness of health care and support services, and availability of subjects. All members of the Clinical Science Group are expected to participate in conference calls and attend two Network meetings per year contributing to the research and policy life of the Network. Applicants must implement an existing base protocol which measures health status, service utilization, sexual and drug-taking behaviors, and psychological state at three month intervals over the duration of the project. Sensitive information is collected through an interactive computer interview and the data collected in this manner are not available to the site personnel. Health status measures include routine physical examinations and twice-yearly genital examinations including PAP smears, cervicophotography, cervico-vaginal lavage, and swabs. Anal swabs, radiologic examination of the wrist to assess bone age, and drug assays are performed on all subjects. HIV-positive youth will be assessed for disease progression through virologic and immunologic measures, entailing blood draws, urine collection, and delayed-type hypersensitivity assessment. No measure will entail risk greater than that encountered within routine history and physical examination for sexually active youth. There will be no therapeutic intervention in this protocol, although medical management (primary therapy, prophylaxis, and immunization schedule) will be measured and its influence on outcome evaluated within statistical constraints secondary to sample size. Applicants should have access to AIDS Clinical Trials Group certified immunology and/or virology laboratories. Applicants should appropriately complete the human subjects sections of the PHS 398; however, human subjects review by institutional review boards (IRB) should be deferred until applications have been evaluated by the NIH scientific review group. All applicants meeting review criteria and recommended for funding will be provided a copy of the base protocol and supporting documents for submission for human subjects review while award criteria are evaluated. Successful applicants will be required to have approved assurance and IRB certification on file with the Office for Protection from Research Risks, National Institutes of Health, and acquire a Certificate of Confidentiality prior to the award of funds. Terms and Conditions of Award The following terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable OMB administrative guidelines, HHS Grant Administration Regulations at 45 CFR Part 74 and 92 and other HHS, PHS, and NIH grant administration policies. Business management aspects of these awards will be administered by the NICHD Grants Management Office in accordance with HHS, PHS, and NIH Grant Administration policies. All awarded funds will be administered by the NICHD Grants Management Office. The administrative and funding instrument to be used for this program will be a cooperative agreement (U01), an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism) in which substantial NIH and HRSA scientific and/or programmatic involvement with the awardee is anticipated during the performance of the activity. Under the cooperative agreement, the NIH purpose is to support and/or stimulate the recipient's activity by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipient in a partner role, but it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activity. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility for the activity resides with the awardees for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities in carrying out the studies will be shared among awardees and the NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA staff collaborators. The research effort will be a cooperative venture with participation by all awardees as outlined below, the NICHD, the NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA. The Primary Rights and Responsibilities of the Awardees Basic Science Group: The Basic Science Group consists of those awardees whose submissions were chosen on the basis of scientific merit, representative(s) of the Data and Operations Center (DOC), and the NICHD, NIAID, NIDA staff collaborators. The Basic Science Group has a chair and vice chair elected by its members for a two year term; NIH and HRSA staff collaborators may not serve as officers. The Basic Science Group does Retain the primary responsibility for defining and prioritizing the research agenda and submitting the agenda to the Steering Committee for approval; Specify research objectives for the base study to characterize a population-based spectrum of disease and disease progression and secondary special studies, develop corresponding protocols, provide for monitoring the progress of various studies, and analyze and interpret study protocol results. It is expected that this responsibility will be undertaken with significant interaction with the members of the Clinical Science Group; Consult and review Clinical Science Group plans for the evaluation of clinical management guidelines which address the unique biological, biobehavioral and psychosocial issues of adolescence including pharmacologic prophylaxis, the scope and frequency of medical monitoring, and organization of services, among others; The full database for the base protocol will come from all funded clinical sites; the full database for nested substudies may come from all or a subset of the clinical sites. These databases will be physically located at the Data and Operations Center and the use and publication of these data will be governed by policies established by the Executive Committee. NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA staff collaborators, in collaboration with the Executive Committee, may have access to data generated under this cooperative agreement and may use these data to generate internal reports of the Network activities. Basic Science Group awardees, as a group, will retain custody of and have primary rights to the protocol data developed under these awards, subject to government rights of access consistent with current HHS, PHS, and NIH policies. Protocol development for special studies shall be undertaken when two-thirds of the Basic Science Group members approve the research concept; Performance Reports: Basic Science Group members must submit a progress report as part of the annual application for noncompetitive renewal. Clinical Science Group: The Clinical Science Group will consist of awardees, and the NICHD and HRSA staff collaborators. The Clinical Science Group has a chair and vice chair elected by its members for a two year term; NIH and HRSA staff collaborators may not serve as officers. The Clinical Science Group does Participate in the production of the research agenda through review and evaluation at regularly scheduled interactive Network meetings; and by submitting concepts for study (both primary or secondary analyses). Clinical Science Group members will be strongly encouraged to submit research concepts to the Basic Science Group and may participate in their subsequent protocol development. Decisions related to protocol development and protocol team formation are the responsibility of the Basic Science Group; Retain primary responsibility for the implementation of the base protocol and secondary protocols where feasible and the recruitment and monitoring of study participants, associated data collection, and quality control; Awardees will be required to accept and implement the common protocol developed by the Basic Science Group and all procedures approved by the Steering Committee; Derive clinical management guidelines for the standardization of health care delivery across network sites which address the unique biological, biobehavioral, and psychosocial issues of adolescence including pharmacologic prophylaxis, the scope and frequency of medical monitoring, and service organization, overcoming barriers to care, among others; and submit a corresponding evaluation plan to the Basic Science Group for consultation and review; The full database for the base protocol will be developed from research data collected in all funded clinical sites; the full database for nested substudies may come from all or a subset of the clinical sites. These databases will be physically located at the Data and Operations Center and the use and publication of these data will be governed by policies established by the Executive Committee. Data from individual sites may have limited value or may have substantial independent scientific value for specific research questions. The Executive Committee may establish policies encouraging or limiting publication of such site- specific institutional data as appropriate for a given circumstance. NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA staff collaborators, in collaboration with the Executive Committee, may have access to data generated under this cooperative agreement; and may use these data to generate internal reports of the Network activities. Clinical Science awardees, as a group, will retain custody of and have primary rights to the data specific to guidelines evaluation developed under these awards, subject to government rights of access consistent with current HHS, PHS, and NIH policies. Study development for the secondary analyses of data generated through the clinical management guideline evaluation shall be undertaken when two-thirds of the Clinical Science Group members approve the research concept; Clinical Science awardees, as a group, will convene consensus panels on the dissemination of clinical management guidelines and the definition of adolescent- specific HIV policy among other tasks consistent with functioning as a national resource body; Clinical Science Group members will recruit two adolescent/family member community representatives from each clinical site (one as primary representative, and the other as an alternate), at least one of whom from each site must be an adolescent between 15 and 19 years, to serve on the Community Advisory Board; Satisfy the expectations of participation in the Network committee and group activities, research subject recruitment and retention, timely data reporting and quality control measures. Individual awards may be curtailed or terminated by the government if these expectations are not met, or a major breach of protocol, or substantive protocol changes are undertaken without prior approval >From the staff collaborators and Basic Science Group members; Performance Reports: Clinical Science Group members must submit as part of the progress report for the non-competing continuation application information detailing progress towards achieving patient accrual and retention goals and other measures of performance (including followup activities, data quality, timeliness of data submission, proportion of required repository specimen volumes collected and sent to Central Repository, and specific contributions to the Network's agenda which involves active participation in the scientific and clinical research activities of the Network). The purpose of this report is to inform funding requirements for the remaining budget period. Future year funding is contingent upon persistent satisfactory performance in meeting goals and measures noted above; Existing Track B awardees will be required to comply with the reporting requirements imposed on HRSA funded Title IV Pediatric-Adolescent Demonstration Projects. The Data and Operations Center (DOC): The Data and Operations Center does Manage all meetings of the Network, Basic and Clinical Science Groups as well as the Community and Scientific Advisory Boards including necessary conference calls among members; Support protocol development and distribution; and assume responsibility for protocol site registration and training, site-monitoring for subject safety, data collection practices, and regulatory compliance; Support development of clinical management guidelines assuming responsibility for required consensus conferences and guidelines dissemination; Remain responsible for the integrity of the scientific databases and provide statistical consultation during protocol development as well as timely analyses; Program Staff Involvement: The research effort is a cooperative venture with participation by all awardees as outlined above, the NICHD, the NIAID, the NIDA, and HRSA. One NICHD, one NIAID, one NIDA, and one HRSA staff collaborator do: Participate in the Steering Committee which oversees the establishment and maintenance of the Network and Network progress in achieving program goals; Assist the Basic Science Group in the selection of research topics and the development of protocols for specific studies and interventions; Assist the Clinical Science Group in the development and evaluation of the clinical management guidelines; Arrange, when necessary, for the external peer review of the protocols for the base study, special studies, and clinical management guideline evaluation clearing these studies for implementation; Explore mechanisms to offer study subjects the opportunity to participate in clinical drug trials funded through mechanisms outside the network and provide this information and organizational support to clinical sites; Assist the Executive Committee in monitoring the progress of ongoing studies, including field data collection, standardization of methods across study sites, and adherence to protocol and quality control measures; Assist in data analyses, interpretation and publication of study results. Collaborative Responsibilities: The Research Network The Research Network is composed of all principal investigators of the Basic Science Group, all principal investigators of the Clinical Science Group, all members of the Study Coordinators Group, all representatives of the Community Advisory Board, the principal investigator and project coordinator from the Data and Operations Center, the NICHD, the NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA. The entire Network will attend interactive annual meetings to inform and review the research agenda. The Steering Committee The Steering Committee is the main governing body of the Network. The Committee is composed of the Chair, Vice Chair, and two elected representatives from the Basic Science Group; the Chair, Vice Chair, and two elected representatives from the Clinical Science Group; the Chair and Vice Chair of the Study Coordinators Group; the Chair and Vice Chair of the Community Advisory Board; the principal investigator and project coordinator from the Data and Operations Center; and the NICHD, the NIAID, the NIDA, and the HRSA staff collaborators. All members will have one vote each; NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA will have one vote each, and motions will carry with simple majority. The Chair and Vice Chair of the Steering Committee will be elected by the entire committee from among the principal investigators of the Basic Science Group and the Clinical Science Group; none of the NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, or HRSA staff collaborators are eligible to serve as Chair or Vice Chair of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will Maintain primary responsibility for the identification of adolescent HIV/AIDS research issues; Approve the direction of the research effort, and facilitate the conduct and monitoring of the studies; Approve the research agenda specific to its feasibility and clinical relevance and advise on the development of implementation strategies; Approve the clinical management guidelines addressing the unique biological, biobehavioral, and psychosocial issues of adolescence including pharmacologic prophylaxis, the scope and frequency of medical monitoring, and service organization, among others; and the plans for their evaluation. The Executive Committee The Steering Committee chairperson will chair the Executive Committee as well. The Executive Committee, composed of the Steering Committee chair and vice chair, the chair and vice-chair of the Basic Science Group, the chair and vice chair of the Clinical Science Group, the principal investigator and project coordinator of the Data and Operations Center, the NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA staff collaborators, will supervise the functioning of the network and will Establish timelines for the completion of tasks and monitor progress; Coordinate the integration of data collection for base protocol and guidelines evaluation procedures; Oversee site participation and performance informing the appropriate program managers; Define rules regarding access to data and publication and direct the publication process. Study Coordinators Group The Study Coordinators Group is composed of all the primary research nurses or associates at the clinical sites supported by the grant award. The Study Coordinators Group, with a chair and a vice chair elected for a two year term, does Recommend issues of concern to be studied within the research agenda and collaborate on their development; Advise on the Network's subject recruitment and retention strategies; Review and evaluate the study and evaluation research protocols for acceptability and feasibility; Review and evaluate subject protection procedures and confidentiality of records in support of the Clinical Science Group principal investigators; Review and evaluate the integrity of data collection procedures in support of the Clinical Science Group principal investigators; Provide consultation to the Clinical Science Group at consensus conferences for policy or management affecting HIV+ youth. Community Advisory Board The Community Advisory Board will consist of two adolescent or family member community representatives from each clinical site, one of whom must be an adolescent between 15 and 19 years of age and who are to be chosen by the principal investigator at the corresponding clinical site. The Community Advisory Board will Recommend issues of concern to be studied within the research agenda; Choose a chair and vice-chair to coordinate and organize its Community Advisory Board meetings and conference calls and represent community interests on the Steering Committee; Advise the Network on subject recruitment and retention strategies; Review and evaluate the study and evaluation research protocols for acceptability and feasibility; Provide consultation to the Clinical Science Group at consensus conferences for policy or management affecting HIV+ youth. Scientific Advisory Panel A Scientific Advisory Panel, consisting of federal and non-federal experts in the disciplines related to the Network's research agenda, will be appointed by the NICHD in consultation with NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA and will report directly to the Director, NICHD. The Scientific Advisory Panel will undertake the following functions: Review and evaluate the overall direction, objectives, content and progress of the Basic Scientific Research Agenda in an annual meeting or more frequently if necessary; Review and evaluate the overall direction, objectives, content and progress of the Clinical Management Evaluation Research Agenda in an annual meeting or more frequently if necessary. Data and Safety Monitoring Board The intention of the Network is to establish a cohort of adolescents for whom an observational study will be conducted. No primary intervention studies were envisioned in the original RFA. However, the potential for the implementation of intervention studies exists, particularly in the area of secondary prevention strategies and the evaluation of clinical management guidelines. If this potential is realized, the NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA science collaborators will establish a Data and Safety Monitoring Board and establish procedures for its conduct. Any Data and Safety Monitoring Board will report to the NIH and HRSA science collaborators and the Network Steering Committee. Approval Process for Research Undertaken in the Network The Basic Scientific Agenda will be approved in the following manner: Potential research areas will be proposed through multiple mechanisms, including professional (internal and external to Network) and community presentations/ sessions at the Research Network meetings, as well as individual concept proposals submitted by principal investigators (alone or in collaboration); The Basic Science Group, supported by the Data and Operations Center, will define and prioritize the agenda, assess the merit of concept sheets, proposing protocol development around those with specific study hypotheses consistent with the research agenda, returning others to proposing investigators with constructive comments attached; The Clinical Science Group will review and evaluate the agenda and proposed protocol(s); The Community Advisory Board will review and evaluate the agenda and proposed protocol(s); The Steering Committee will vote to approve the Network Scientific Agenda; if approved the protocol will be forwarded to the Scientific Advisory Panel; if unapproved, the protocol will be returned to the Basic Science Group; Before implementation of the base protocol in the first year, the Scientific Advisory Panel will review its direction, its objectives, and its content; the Scientific Advisory Panel will meet annually (or more frequently if necessary) thereafter to review the direction and progress of the Network Scientific Research Agenda. The Clinical Management Evaluation Research Agenda will be approved in the following manner: The development of the Clinical Management Guidelines is the responsibility of the Clinical Science Group, alone or in consultation with clinical expertise and community experience external to the Network, and supported by the Data and Operations Center; The Clinical Science Group will define the scope of the guidelines and propose hypothesis-driven evaluation for their effectiveness; The Basic Science Group will review the research protocol for the clinical management guidelines evaluation; The Community Advisory Board will review the evaluation research protocol; The Steering Committee will vote to approve the evaluation research protocol; if approved the protocol will be forwarded to the Scientific Advisory Panel; if unapproved, the protocol will be returned to the Clinical Science Group; Before implementation of the evaluation protocol in the first year, the Scientific Advisory Panel will review its direction, its objectives, and its content; the Scientific Advisory Panel will meet annually (or more frequently if necessary) thereafter to review the direction and progress of the Clinical Management Evaluation Research Agenda. Arbitration Process These procedures will be in addition to the customary programmatic and financial negotiations that occur in the administration of grants. Arbitration procedures will be invoked only when agreement cannot be reached on programmatic issues that may arise between awardee(s) and the science collaborator(s) after the award has been made. In that event, an arbitration panel will be composed of three members-- one selected by the executive committee (with the NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA science collaborators not voting) or by the individual awardee in the event of an individual disagreement, a second member selected by the science collaborators, and a third member selected by the two prior selected members. The decision of the arbitration panel by majority vote will be binding. This special arbitration procedure in no way affects the awardee's right to appeal an adverse action that is otherwise appealable in accordance with the PHS Regulations at 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart D and HHS Regulation at 45 CFR Part 16. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification are provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This new policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43) and supersedes and strengthens the previous policies (Concerning the Inclusion of Women in Study Populations, and Concerning the Inclusion of Minorities in Study Populations), which have been in effect since 1990. The new policy contains some provisions that are substantially different from the 1990 policies. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and reprinted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by October 15, 1996, a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, the name, address and telephone number of the Principal Investigator and the number and title of the RFA in response to which the application may be submitted. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of subsequent applications, the information that it contains is helpful in planning for the review of applications. It allows NICHD staff to estimate potential review workload and to avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to: Audrey Smith Rogers, Ph.D., M.P.H. Center for Research for Mothers and Children National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 4B11, MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Telephone: (301) 496-7339 APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on PHS Form 398 (rev. 5/95). 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: ASKNIH@odrockm1.od.nih.gov; and from the NIH program administrator named below. Materials to Include in the Application To permit evaluation of the merits of an application (peer review), information is needed on the following topics. Applications to become members of the Clinical Science Group must include 1. Documentation of three or more years of clinical experience in adolescent health care for the physician candidate for the Clinical Science Group; 2. A description of the physical structure and administrative arrangement for the site at which health care and support services are provided (including hours of operation, provision for off-hour coverage, and established patterns of referral); 3. Evidence of an interdisciplinary approach to the delivery of adolescent health care and support services ( the breadth of services and qualifications of the corresponding providers should be listed and described); 4. Demonstration of availability of on-site gynecologic services and case management, on-site or established and functioning referral networks for mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and enabling services such as childcare and transportation; 5. Numbers of the adolescent population categorized by ages 10-11, 12-14, 15- 17 years currently served by the clinic; 6. Description of the population in #5 must include gender, race/ethnicity, and should include (if available) socioeconomic strata, educational achievement, blinded serosurveys of HIV infection, AIDS cases numbers (cumulative and annual), STD and pregnancy rates, substance abuse statistics, and other evidence of high risk behaviors. If women or minorities are excluded or inadequately represented in clinical research, particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear and compelling rationale must be provided; 7. Evidence of ability to enroll 20 HIV-infected adolescents and 10 HIV- negative but high risk adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 years within the first year of funding; 8. The interaction between the clinic and the community it serves should be described. Of specific interest are community advisory or consultative groups which have substantial adolescent participation, efforts at parental or community education, clinic policies for adolescent involvement in their own care and details of existing or planned community outreach and prevention programs to identify adolescents and bring them into care; 9. Budgets for the Clinical Science Group applications should include physician principal investigator salary support at 0.10 FTE, clinical associate/research nurse at 1.0 FTE, and three research visits for study subjects (estimated by comprehensive routine physical/laboratory examination costs, HIV RNA PCR and culture, and immunologic panel for subjects for three research encounters). Travel for the principal investigator and the research nurse should be requested to two (three day meetings) in the Washington DC area. A budget worksheet is available on request and its use is strongly recommended. This application will be used to judge the clinical expertise and technical proficiency of the applicant and should not exceed the 25 page limit (including graphics) for the entire submission. For all applications, the RFA label available in the application form PHS 398 must be affixed to the bottom of the face page. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for evaluation. In addition, the RFA title ("Adolescent Medicine HIV/AIDS Research Network") and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the "YES" box must be marked. The signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed photocopies must be sent or delivered 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, in addition to the applications and copies mailed to the Division of Research Grants, two copies of the application must be sent under separate cover to: Susan Streufert, Ph.D., Director Division of Scientific Review National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 5E01 - MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892 Bethesda, MD 20852 (for express/courier service) Applications must be received by close of business on November 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 a substantial revision of an application already reviewed, but such an application must follow the guidance in the PHS 398 application instructions for the preparation of revised applications, including an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by DRG and responsiveness by the NICHD. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. If the application is not responsive to the RFA, the application will be returned to the applicant. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NICHD in accordance with the review criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, a process may be used by the initial review group in which applications will be determined to be competitive or non-competitive based on their scientific merit relative to other applications received in response to the RFA. Applications judged to be competitive will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit and assigned a priority score. Applications determined to be non-competitive will be withdrawn from further consideration and the Principal Investigator and the official signing for the applicant organization will be notified and receive a summary statement containing reviewers' comments. Review Criteria: Clinical training and experience of project staff specific to adolescent care; Evidence of an interdisciplinary approach; Adequacy of site characteristics as described in this RFA; Appropriateness of the plans for inclusion of women and minorities; Appropriateness of recruitment and retention methods and willingness to work as part of the cooperative study with existing awardees and NICHD, NIAID, NIDA, and HRSA scientists. The review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects, the safety of the research environment, and the appropriateness of accompanying budget. AWARD CRITERIA Applications recommended by the National Advisory Council to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development will be considered for award based upon (a) merit as reflected in the priority score; (b) program balance including sufficient compatibility of features to make a successful collaborative program likely; (c) availability of funds; (d) identified needs in the established network. Schedule Letter of Intent Receipt Date: October 15, 1996 Application Receipt Date: November 19, 1996 Review by NICHD Advisory Council: January 1997 Anticipated Award Date: February 1, 1997 INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Audrey Smith Rogers, Ph.D., M.P.H. Center for Research for Mothers and Children National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 4B11 - MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Telephone: (301) 496-7339 FAX: (301) 496-8678 Email: rogersa@hd01.nichd.nih.gov Judy Lew, M.D. Division of AIDS National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 6003 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7620 Bethesda, MD 20892-7620 Telephone: (301) 496-6178 Email: jlew@exec.niaid.pc.niaid.nih.gov Katherine Davenny, M.P.H. or Vincent Smeriglio, Ph.D. Division of Clinical and Services Research National Institute of Drug Abuse 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A33 Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone: (301) 443-1801 Email: kdavenny@aoada.ssw.dhhs.gov Email: vsmerigl@aoada.ssw.dhhs.gov Direct inquiries regarding administrative/fiscal matters to: Ms. Mary Daley Tozzolo Grants Management Branch National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 8A17F - MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20852-7510 Telephone: (301) 496-1303 Email: tozzolom@hd01.nichd.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.865. Awards are made under the authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. From owner-sci-resources@net.bio.net Tue Sep 24 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: BIOSCI Administrator Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources Subject: NIH GUIDE - RFA HL-96-022 - V25(31) 09/20/96 Date: 24 Sep 1996 17:25:22 -0700 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 640 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: biosci-help@net.bio.net Distribution: world Message-ID: <529u5i$glj@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net TUBERCULOSIS ACADEMIC AWARD NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 31, September 20, 1996 RFA: HL-96-022 P.T. 34, K.W. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Letter of Intent Receipt Date: October 4, 1996 Application Receipt Date: November 1, 1996 THIS RFA USES "JUST-IN-TIME" PROCEDURES. THE FULL RFA INCLUDES DETAILED MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED WHEN PREPARING AN APPLICATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFA. PURPOSE The primary objective of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to stimulate the development and/or improvement of the quality of medical curricula, physician/patient/nurse/and community education, and clinical practice for the prevention, management, and control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in the United States. 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, Tuberculosis Academic Award, is related to the priority areas of immunization and infectious diseases and HIV Infection. 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 Institutions Applications may be submitted by domestic schools of medicine or osteopathy. In this competition, there is an interest in a diversity of types of applications. These include, but are not limited to, applications from any of the following: o established researchers and/or faculty specializing in the field of tuberculosis; o minority faculty members interested in medical education; o minority medical institutions; o institutions serving a high proportion of minority medical students or minority patients; o institutions having other tuberculosis research projects to which this award would be complementary; o institutions located in those areas where there is a high incidence of TB; Candidates A candidate for an award must: o be an established physician and a medical faculty member in an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy in the United States, its territories or possessions; o have the unqualified support of the Dean and the educational leadership at the institution and demonstrate knowledge and commitment to medical education for medical students, physicians, patients, nurses, and the public; o have sufficient clinical training, and practical experience in the control of TB to develop and implement a high quality curriculum in TB encompassing current knowledge and methods applicable to the control of tuberculosis in individuals of all ages and to provide leadership in applied research in control of TB; o be aware of the training and educational needs of health care professionals at all levels who are working in the area of TB control, and be a leader in providing the appropriate instructional programs for these individuals; o be a citizen or non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence at the time of application; o commit 30-50 percent effort for a five year period. Individuals who have held another NIH career development award (K series) or a regular research grant (R01) are eligible to apply for the Tuberculosis Academic Award. Applications from minority individuals and women are encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA is part of the Academic Award Program (K07) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period may not exceed five years and is non-renewable. It is anticipated that support for this program will begin July 1, 1997. Application instructions have been modified to implement "just in time" streamlining efforts being considered by the NIH. This requires an applicant to submit certain information only when and if it is likely that an award will be made. It is anticipated that these changes will reduce the administrative burden for the applicants, reviewers and NHLBI staff. For this RFA, no budgetary information is required in the application. However, the anticipated level of effort in all years and a brief description of responsibilities for the Principal Investigator and key personnel must be included in the research plan. In addition, instructions for completing the Biographical Sketch have been modified and no "Other Support" information or "Checklist" page is required in the initial application. If an award is likely, necessary budget, Other Support, and Checklist information will be requested by NHLBI staff. The SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS section of this RFA provides specific modifications to standard PHS 398 application kit. FUNDS AVAILABLE Awards will be limited to a maximum of $62,000 for the salary of the PI, plus applicable fringe benefits, and a maximum of $20,000 for technical support. Indirect costs may not exceed 8 percent The estimated funds (total costs) for this fiscal year will be $300,000. It is anticipated that three new grants will be awarded. The specific number, however, will depend upon the merit and scope of the applications received and the availability of funds. The total TBAA program will be advertised for competition each year through 1997. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background Despite major advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis, detection and treatment of tuberculosis, in the early 1990s, more than 25,000 cases/year were reported in the United States. TB was spreading rapidly, especially in some population groups. From 1985 through 1990, the number of TB cases increased by 44 percent in the 25-44 year old age group. There was a 12 percent increase among Asians, a 25 percent increase among non-Hispanic whites, a 55 percent increase among blacks, and a 77 percent increase among Hispanics. There is also a high prevalence of TB among HIV infected patients. It is estimated that about 12 percent of all AIDS cases develop TB. HIV-associated TB has occurred in virtually all age groups, both men and women, all race/ethnic groups and in all HIV-transmission categories, although the largest numbers of cases have occurred in intravenous drug users and homosexual/bisexual men. Other groups at high risk for TB include persons living or working in a group or institutional settings such as hospitals and correctional facilities. Frequent outbreaks of multidrug resistant TB continues to occur. These outbreaks are a dramatic manifestation of serious underlying problems in public and private efforts to control TB. Very recently, the numbers of TB cases have begun to show a slight decline, probably, in large measure, because of the increased efforts in prevention and control. In order to assure that this encouraging trend continues, efforts to educate health care professionals about TB must also continue. Although considered "curable" since the development of effective chemotherapy in 1950, the TB problem has not been dealt with adequately. This has been attributed to a lack of sufficient awareness of the problem and inadequate resources, as well as clinical management errors and patient nonadherence to treatment regimens. The management errors include failing to diagnose and treat the cases in a timely manner, relying heavily on Isoniazid (INH) therapy even in patients likely to have INH-resistant organisms, using a single drug therapy, prescribing inappropriate drug dosages, and failing to isolate patients appropriately with infectious TB thereby missing opportunities to prevent the spread of the disease. Surveillance has often been slow or incomplete. Noncompliance with treatment regimens for chronic diseases has been a major problem with approximately 50 percent not taking their medicine. A study in 1988 in New York City reported 89 percent of the patients at one hospital failed to complete therapy, more than half failed to keep their first clinic appointment, and within twelve months of discharge 27 percent of the patients had been readmitted at least once with confirmed active TB. The concept for this initiative originated with the Tuberculosis Education Planning Committee convened by the NHLBI in December 1991, which emphasized the need for increased efforts to educate health care workers, patients, and the public on tuberculosis. They also recommended that public health officials identify populations and geographic areas in the community where tuberculosis screening programs should be intensified as well as conduct public education campaigns targeted to high risk populations to encourage symptomatic patients to seek prompt treatment. In addition, in 1987 the Department of Health and Human Services established an Advisory Council for the Elimination of TB (ACET), and in 1992 a "National Action Plan to Combat Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis" was published to complement and supplement the "Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Tuberculosis." These plans indicate the urgency to improve the control of TB in the United States. In summary, in spite of major advances in the ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent TB, this disease remains a major health problem in the U.S. today, largely because of inadequate education of health professionals, patients, their families, and the larger community. Objectives The objectives of the Tuberculosis Academic Award are to: o encourage the development of high quality curricula in schools of medicine or osteopathy that will significantly increase the opportunities for students, house staff, and others, including practicing physicians and nurses, to learn the principles and practice of preventing, managing, and controlling TB; o develop and implement interdepartmental programs with common goals and standardized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches; o promote interdepartmental communication between primary care and other specialists to ensure appropriate control and treatment s