Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CERC) [P01]

Description:

Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,600,000.00.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) seeks applications for Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CERC), using the NIH Program Project (P01) mechanism. The CERC constitute one component of NCCAM's multi-faceted Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) research program.

The purpose of the CERC is to provide a vehicle for accomplished researchers to apply their expertise to CAM research questions, with an emphasis on applying cutting-edge scientific approaches to elucidating the mechanisms of action of CAM therapies and modalities. Applications must comprise three to four research projects structured around a central scientific theme that is clearly relevant to CAM.

Some examples of disciplinary approaches of potential interest include: Molecular biology, Cellular biology, Immunology, Pharmacology, and Neurobiology.

CERC should be focused around a central scientific theme such as wellness or expectancy, a disease or class of diseases treated using CAM modalities, or a specific CAM modality. Studies using animal models are encouraged. CERC may also include mechanistic studies of human participants, and one Phase I or one Phase II clinical study of modest size, provided such studies are adequately powered to detect a meaningful difference between groups or to validate surrogate markers of disease or clinical endpoints.

NCCAM defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. NCCAM groups the wide range of CAM modalities into four domains:

1. Mind-Body Medicine;
2. Biologically-based practices;
3. Manipulative and body-based practices; and
4. Energy Medicine.

   Applicants should consult the NCCAM website (http://nccam.nih.gov/training/centers/index.htm) for relevant information regarding current specific NCCAM research priorities.

   Sponsor(s):
       National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
       US Department of Health and Human Services
       Public Health Service
       National Institutes of Health
       National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
       NCCAM Clearinghouse

   Funder's Fund ID: PAR-06-047

   Web Page:
   grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-047.html

   Letter of Intent Date: 01/23/2006
   The LOI should contain the following information:
       descriptive title of proposed research;
       name, address, and phone no. of PI;
       names of other key personnel;
       participating institutions;
       no. and title of this funding opportunity.
   Application Due Date: 02/23/2006
   Peer Review Date: June/July, 2006
   Council Review Date: September 8, 2006
   Project Start Date: 09/01/2006

   Letter of Intent Date: 01/12/2007
   The LOI should contain the following information:
       descriptive title of proposed research;
       name, address, and phone no. of PI;
       names of other key personnel;
       participating institutions;
       no. and title of this funding opportunity.
   Application Due Date: 02/12/2007
   Peer Review Date: June/July, 2007
   Council Review Date: September, 2007
   Project Start Date: 09/01/2007

   Letter of Intent Date: 01/12/2008
   The LOI should contain the following information:
       descriptive title of proposed research;
       name, address, and phone no. of PI;
       names of other key personnel;
       participating institutions;
       no. and title of this funding opportunity.
   Application Due Date: 02/12/2008
   Peer Review Date: June/July, 2008
   Council Review Date: September, 2008
   Project Start Date: 09/01/2008

   Fund Duration: Up to 5 years.

   Application Process:
   Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 9/2004); The PHS 398 document is available in an interactive format at grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Additional instructions for R21 application preparation are available at grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-107.html.

   For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435-0714, Email: Grantsinfo@nih.gov.

   Applications must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the web site at www.dnb.com/us/.

   Number of Awards: Up to 3 awards/year
   Total Award: $3,600,000.00

   Award Notes:
   This PAR sollicits applications for Centers comprised of three or four synergistic, R01-level projects focused on the mechanisms of action of Complementary/Alternative therapies or modalities. This PAR will use the P01 (Program Project) mechanism. Up to three awards per year, for up to five years of support, and up to $1.2 million total cost per Center per year will be awarded.

   Eligible Locations:
       National

   Fund Notes: This is a reissue of PAS-03-038 that was previously released December 4, 2002.

   Application Contact Name:
       George Tucker, Chief Grants Mgt. Officer

   Application Contact Address:
       NIH, NCCAM
       6707 Democracy Blvd., Ste. 401,
       MSC 5475
       Bethesda, MD 208925475
       United States
       Email: gt35v@nh.gov
       Phone: 301-594-9102
       Fax: 301-480-1552

   Technical Contact Name:
       Barbara Sorkin, Coordinator, Centers for Research on CAM Program

   Technical Contact Address:
       NIH, NCCAM,
       6707 Democracy Blvd., Ste. 401
       Bethesda, MD 208925475
       United States
       Email: sorkinb@mail.nih.gov
       Phone: 301-594-8018
       Fax: 301-480-3621

   Support Types:
       Research

   Subject Areas:
       Alternative Therapy
       Clinical Research
       Research Programs

   Audiences:
       At Risk Persons
       At Risk Youth

   Eligibility:
       City Agencies
       Colleges/Universities
       Community Based Organizations
       County Agencies
       Federal Government Agencies
       Hospitals
       Nonprofit Organizations
       Religious Organizations
       State Agencies
       Tribal Organizations

   Eligibility Notes:
   Eligible organizations include: For-profit organizations; Non-profit organizations; Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; Units of State government; Units of local government; Eligible agencies of the Federal Government; Domestic Institutions; Faith-based or community-based organizations; Units of State Tribal government; Units of Local Tribal government.