EDWARD R. ROYBAL CENTERS FOR TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL AND 
SOCIAL SCIENCES

RELEASE DATE:  October 28, 2002

RFA: AG-03-002
 
National Institute on Aging (NIA) 
 (http://www.nia.nih.gov/)

LETTER OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE: December 27, 2002

APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE:  January 21, 2003

THIS RFA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

o Purpose of this RFA
o Research Objectives 
o Mechanism(s) of Support
o Funds Available
o Eligible Institutions
o Individuals Eligible to Become Principal Investigators
o Special Requirements 
o Where to Send Inquiries
o Letter of Intent
o Submitting an Application
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Receipt and Review Schedule
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations

PURPOSE OF THIS RFA
 
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites applications from qualified 
institutions for Edward R. Roybal Centers for Translational Research in the 
Behavioral and Social Sciences.   NIA invites both new teams of investigators 
and continuing centers (funded under AG-97-005) to apply.

The long-range objectives of the Roybal Centers are to improve the health, 
quality of life, and productivity of middle-aged and older people, through: 
(1) facilitating the translation of what we have learned about aging 
processes from the basic behavioral and social sciences (including human 
factors) to practical outcomes, including new technologies, for the benefit 
of the aged, and 2) stimulating new "use-inspired" basic research in the 
behavioral and social sciences.  
 
By making research resources more accessible, a Roybal Center grant will 
provide the research infrastructure to: (1) Enhance the productivity of 
relevant research, including the promotion of translational research into 
existing projects.  (2) Stimulate ideas for new program development in the 
area of translational research in the social and behavioral sciences.  
Successful Centers are expected to encourage researchers at their 
institutions to pursue additional funding to further develop, test, and 
implement ideas piloted within these Centers.  Mechanisms for additional 
funding through NIH would include program projects (P01), research grants 
(R01), and Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR ) awards (R43, R44).  (3) 
Facilitate acceleration in the development of new products or technologies to 
enhance the health and quality of life of older Americans.  (4) Facilitate 
and accelerate application through studies and analyses of the translational 
process itself.  (5) Recruit new researchers to the area of translational 
research.  (6) Facilitate interaction and collaboration among academic 
researchers, and commercial interests or Governmental bodies.  (7) Develop 
innovative networks of researchers with interests in translational research.  

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

NIA has long been the primary sponsor of research in the basic social and 
behavioral sciences on the processes of aging at both the individual and 
societal levels.  This long-term investment in research has generated a large 
body of knowledge about how people change over the adult life course (both 
physically and in such areas as cognition, motivation, personality, and 
memory), on the inter-relationships between older people and social 
institutions, and on the societal and economic impact of the changing age-
composition of the population.  The BSR Program has supported research and 
training both (i) at the population level, on the antecedents and impact of 
changing social, demographic, economic, and health characteristics of the 
older population, and (ii) at the individual level, on the bio-psychosocial 
processes linking health and behavior, cognitive functioning, human factors, 
and integrative approaches to the study of social, psychological, 
contextual/environmental, genetic, and physiological influences on health and 
well-being over the life course.    

As recent years have seen an explosion of fundamental insights in the basic 
social and behavioral sciences, translating this knowledge into practical 
advances to benefit the health and well being of older Americans has 
increasingly become a priority for the NIA.  The underlying objective of this 
RFA is to fund research Centers to accelerate the process of translation to 
address that need.  Beyond Center funding, it is anticipated that 
investigators will develop and submit applications for P01s, R01s, or SBIRs 
to implement ideas developed in the Roybal Centers.    

A. Specific NIA Objectives

The theme of a proposed Roybal Center may be organized to examine:  

(a) Acceleration in the process of translating basic behavioral and social 
science research theories, methodologies, and findings about aging 
processes into practical outcomes and new technologies that would 
improve the lives of later middle-aged and older people.  The end-point 
could be improvement in some indicator or indicators of functioning or 
well-being in different environments, whether in the home, at work, or 
in spheres as diverse as health care, communications, transportation, 
retirement planning and saving, etc.  The Center could also facilitate 
and accelerate application through studies and analyses of the 
translational process itself.  

(b) New "use-inspired basic research" as defined by Stokes (Pasteur's 
Quadrant: Basic Science and Technological Innovation, 1997).  Using the 
work of Pasteur as an example, Stokes argued that the most beneficial 
research is frequently motivated by considerations of use while 
simultaneously advancing basic understanding.  Such "use-inspired basic 
research" is distinguished from those studies that serve as theoretical 
exercises designed mainly to further the body of knowledge on a 
particular topic and from those that are "strictly applied research" 
that may be undertaken to solve a particular problem but not 
necessarily concerned with the advancement of scientific knowledge per 
se.  

The focus on investigating a practical problem will require applicants to 
show familiarity with the practical domain or environment being investigated 
as well as with relevant aspects of aging research.  Such familiarity may be 
achieved by collaboration with specialists in the domain or community, or by 
prior experience in applying aging research successfully to this domain.  
Because practical problems will likely benefit from cross-disciplinary 
attention, applications that reflect broad-based expertise are particularly 
encouraged.

B. NIA's Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) Program's "Areas of Emphasis" 

With an underlying crosscutting principle of "translation and application of 
findings", the BSR Program is particularly interested in, but does not 
require, applications that address one or more of the "areas of emphasis."  
BSR's areas of emphasis include:

(a) Aging Minds 
(b) Increasing Health Expectancy 
(c) Health, Work, and Retirement 
(d) Intervention and Behavior Change 
(e) The Burden of Illness and the Efficiency of Health Systems
(f) Health Disparities
(g) Genetics, Behavior, and the Social Environment

C. Examples of Areas of Concentration

The following section provides examples of potential areas of concentration 
for proposed Centers in a number of different practical domains.  These ideas 
are intended to be non-exhaustive and illustrative only, as applications are 
welcome from all domains that would increase our understanding of the 
processes of technological innovation and translation of basic research to 
practical outcomes, as related to individual and population aging.  
Applications are strongly encouraged to focus on one topic.   
 
o With increasing age, adults face important decisions regarding their 
investments, retirement plans, mobility (e.g., motor vehicle 
operation), health care, and living arrangements.  A "Center for 
Applied Decision-Making" could extrapolate existing knowledge, 
conceptual models, and research paradigms to the study of older adults' 
decision-making skills and their effect on instrumental activities of 
daily living.  Related to this, another example might be a "Center for 
Health Communication and Literacy."  Research is needed to evaluate, 
and translate this research to practical interventions, how older 
adults read and comprehend health-related information pertaining to 
long-term care and health insurance, media reports of medical research, 
treatment benefits and risks, and other medical or genetic risk 
information.  In addition, studies might be supported that examine how 
adults seek and evaluate health information sources (i.e., credibility 
of source), the nature and style of information presented via various 
types of health-related media, and the development and testing of 
health education curricula.  

o Being able to adapt your behavior frequently determines whether you 
will or will not perform a given task successfully.  As adults grow 
older, we respond more slowly to simple stimuli and take longer to 
learn new material, thus potentially decreasing our ability to adapt.  
Vision, speech and hearing can become impaired.  In addition, older 
adults often exhibit larger temporal variations in sensory, motor, and 
more abstract cognitive abilities than do younger and middle-aged 
adults.  Advances in technology provide the opportunity to construct 
technology that can augment greatly the adaptivity and functionality of 
older adult users (NRC, 2000).  This line of research includes 
developing and testing various devices (e.g., miniaturized computers) 
to aid perception and processing of environmental information for 
activities such as walking, driving, and reading and viewing of 
computerized or electromechanical displays, so improving quality of 
life among the elderly.  The Center might also focus research on 
personalized and interactive interfaces.  Such a Center should 
integrate the social and behavioral sciences with engineering as well 
as contribute to theory building for broader applications. 
Alternatively, a Center could focus on enhancing health outcomes by 
means of enhanced caregiver interaction technologies, such as through 
mobile patient monitoring systems that alert healthcare providers or 
caregivers to problematic or changed patient status.  Auto regulatory 
systems, that is, devices that alert the user to change or adjust their 
behavior to maximize or enhance their health and functioning, could 
also be a Center focus.

o A Center could stimulate research on various topics aimed at 
translating our basic understanding of the theories and principles of 
economics, psychology, and other behavioral and social science 
disciplines to improved interventions for older persons in the areas of 
work and retirement.  For example, a Center might focus on using 
behavioral economics and basic cognitive science to improve retirement 
planning, such as increasing the savings rate for retirement, whether 
through 401k plans or personal savings, or increasing participation in 
long term care insurance programs.    The influence of 
employer/corporate behavior on such interventions might also be 
examined.  

o A Center focusing on maintaining and accelerating the decline in 
disability in the older population might encourage research on adapting 
the principles of behavior change to design or modify health promotion 
programs or to address specific conditions affecting older people's 
functional status in terms of the activities of daily living.  Topics 
might include the encouragement of increased exercise, improved 
management of chronic diseases, and treatment of conditions such as 
diabetes, hypertension, or glaucoma  -- that require the patient to 
strictly follow complicated regimens.  Another Center could explore the 
genetics of behavioral medicine that analyze how genetic differences 
affect individual ability to modify behavior and how genes affect 
variation in responses to these behavioral changes.  Another example 
might be to develop and apply models and methodologies from the 
behavioral and social sciences to the development of interventions and 
clinical trials, such as how best to increase compliance to 
pharmaceutical regimens or how to improve cognitive IADLs.  Such a 
Center would also identify underlying factors that could be used to 
enable "best practices" targeted interventions with defined populations 
(e.g., employed and married versus retired and living alone adults).  
Other Centers could design improved measures of well-being and quality 
of life for use in clinical trials and other interventions or could 
design multi-level social and behavioral interventions.

o Differing degrees of efficiency with which health systems organize and 
finance themselves, and react to the needs of their populations, 
explain part of the widening gap in death rates between the rich and 
the poor, in nations and between countries, around the world (WHO, 
2000).  Such health system inefficiencies and consequent under-
utilization of resources have resulted in a high degree of inequality 
in the provision of services and in preventable disability.  A "Center 
on the Efficiency of Health Systems" could stimulate basic research to 
document how middle-aged and older adults are affected by these trends, 
linked with pilot projects to address how best to offer a safety net 
for those groups who are disproportionately affected by health system 
inefficiencies.  A related area would be to translate what has been 
learned about the strengths and weaknesses of various health financing 
(insurance) schemes to practical programs for the delivery of health 
care services for the older population. 

o Large differences in health outcomes by socioeconomic status (SES) – 
less education and lower income and wealth -- have long been 
identified, but cannot be explained fully by traditional arguments, 
such as access to health care or poor health behaviors.  Recent 
research by Goldman and Smith (2002) examined differences in treatment 
adherence among patients with two illnesses, diabetes and HIV, and 
found, after controlling for other factors, more educated patients are 
more likely to adhere to therapy, and this adherence makes them 
experience improvements in their self-reported general health.  The 
ability to maintain a better health regimen is an important independent 
determinant of subsequent health outcomes. Differences associated with 
less education could be effectively overcome, resulting in improved 
compliance and improved health outcomes.  A Center in this area might 
develop a theory of SES differences in health-related risks and test 
the theory through multi-level practical interventions among lower SES 
patients.  

D. Center Components

Each Center Grant (P30) must consist of: (a) a management and administrative 
core and (b) a pilot core.  In addition, a dissemination core may be included 
at the discretion of the Principal Investigator.  

Although the Center grant is primarily designed to support a research Center 
at a specific institution, some Centers may also wish to make research 
resources available to the larger scientific community or galvanize 
scientists at several academic institutions.  Consortium arrangements are 
permissible, provided that the applicant institution meets the eligibility 
requirements.  Centers are also encouraged to collaborate with other NIA-
funded Centers, including the Resource Centers and Coordinating Center for 
Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) and the Demography Centers. Information about 
these Centers is available from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES.  

(a).  Management and Administrative Core (MANDATORY)
 
The Management and Administrative Core is central to each Center.  Activities 
of the core should include:

o developing a strategic vision for the Center, coordinating all Center 
activities that fall within the Center's tactical framework; 

o ensuring overall management of the Center and compliance with NIH and NIA 
policies; 

o monitoring pilot projects that are part of the Center, assessing their 
progress, and reassigning resources as needed during the course of the 
award; 

o encouraging and facilitating the development of networks among 
researchers, commercial interests, community interests, and Governmental 
entities; 

o encouraging the pursuit of additional financial and/or material resources 
to support and expand Center research, for example through collaborating 
with commercial interests and submitting small business and traditional 
research applications to NIH; pursuing additional resources for non-
research support services to, for example, promote dissemination, 
marketing, and/or corporate sponsorship of product development;   

o creating and maintaining an Advisory Committee that oversees the 
functioning of the Center, including the individual pilot projects.  See 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS for further details;

o initiating and maintaining interactions with relevant community groups 
(e.g., community boards, businesses, health care facilities) in order to 
facilitate the conduct of the Center's pilot research projects.

The PI of the Center will coordinate the day-to-day running of the management 
and administrative core.  

(b).  Pilot Core (MANDATORY)
 
The Center application must request funds to initiate small-scale (in the 
range of $15,000 to $50,000 direct costs) pilot research that is consistent 
with the theme of the Center grant.  Such pilots could be implemented by both 
junior and established investigators at the Center institutions or at outside 
institutions or in association with academic and/or corporate partners.  It 
is expected that two to four pilot projects will be funded annually.  While 
pilot projects may be proposed for one or two years' duration, it is expected 
that most will be funded for one year.  The Center application must include 
examples of two, and only two, of the pilot projects, and each example should 
not exceed 2 pages.   In addition, the application must describe a plan to 
develop, identify, review, and monitor pilot projects.

(c).  Dissemination Core (OPTIONAL)
 
The practical outcomes generated by the Roybal Centers should be widely 
disseminated to the research community and general public so that others can 
implement them.  Therefore, each Center could optionally participate in a 
program of dissemination of research results. If a dissemination core is 
included, the applicant should address how research dissemination activities 
will be included, such as newsletter publication, presentations at scientific 
conferences, publication in scientific and popular press outlets, web sites 
that allow outcome and/or data access, marketing, and interface with 
community agencies and programs. 

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the NIH Research and Development Core Center Grant (P30) 
award mechanism.  P30 grants support shared resources and facilities for a 
multidisciplinary research team or group of investigators focusing on a 
common research topic.  As an applicant you will be solely responsible for 
planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.  The anticipated 
award date is September 30, 2003. 

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The NIA intends to commit approximately $3.0 million in total costs in FY 
2003 to fund 8-10 new 5-year grants in response to this RFA.  NIA expects to 
fund Centers of different sizes.  Although this program is provided for in 
the financial plans of the NIA, awards are contingent upon the availability 
of funds for this purpose and the receipt of a sufficient number of 
applications of outstanding scientific and technical merit.  Maximum 
allowable total costs are $350,000.  A 3% per annum inflation increase is 
allowable in subsequent years. At this time it is not known whether the RFA 
will be reissued. 
 
The NIA appreciates the value of complementary funding from other public and 
private sources, including foundations and commercial and industrial 
concerns, for activities that will complement and expand those supported by 
the NIA.

ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS

You may submit an application if your institution has any of the following 
characteristics:

o For-profit or non-profit organizations
o Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, 
and laboratories
o Units of State or local governments
o Eligible agencies of the Federal government
o Faith-based or community-based organizations

Note that foreign organizations are not eligible to apply for P30 grants. 

An Edward R. Roybal Center Grant (P30) requires relevant pre-existing 
research activity at the institution.  Ideally, applicant institutions will 
have a substantial base of relevant research.  A minimum of one peer-reviewed 
and externally funded research project in the behavioral or social sciences 
is required. The project should be active at the time of application and the 
Principal Investigator (PI) of the Roybal Center application should be PI of 
the active project. 

INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry 
out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to 
develop an application for support.  Individuals from underrepresented racial 
and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always 
encouraged to apply for NIH programs.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
 
Advisory Committee

The Management and Administrative Core should include an Advisory Committee 
that oversees the functioning of the Core and the individual pilot projects.  
The Advisory Committee should consist of at least five members drawn from 
diverse expertise.  The PI of the Center should be the chair of the Advisory 
Committee.  During the first year of the Center, the Advisory Committee 
should meet at least twice (one of these meetings may be a conference call, 
but at least one meeting must be in person) to review the research plans and 
status of current projects.  During the out-years of the Center, the Advisory 
Committee should meet at least once per year, either in person or by 
conference call.  Minutes of these meetings should be prepared and provided 
to the NIA Program Official.  The Administrative Core budget should reflect 
the costs associated with communicating with and convening the Advisory 
Committee.  Members of the Advisory Committee should not be named in the 
application; instead areas of expertise should be listed.

Annual Meeting

Roybal Center Principal Investigators and Core leaders will be required to 
attend an annual meeting and the travel budget should therefore reflect 
appropriate allocation for this activity.  The meetings will be held at the 
NIH in Bethesda, MD, or at another site agreed to by the PIs and the NIA.  
The purpose of the meetings is to have investigators working in the same 
general area share information about translational research methods and 
findings.  Applicants should include a statement in the application 
indicating a willingness to participate in such meetings and to cooperate 
with other researchers in the exchange of data, materials, and ideas.

Approval of Pilot Projects

NIA policy requires that the specific aims of any pilot project, in addition 
to the pilot project budget and Curriculum Vitae of the pilot investigator, 
must be submitted to the NIA Program Official for approval before funds may 
be expended.  
 
WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES

We encourage inquiries concerning this RFA and welcome the opportunity to 
answer questions from potential applicants.  Inquiries may fall into three 
areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management 
issues. 

o Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:

Sidney S. Stahl, Ph.D.
Behavioral and Social Research Program
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Suite 533
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 402-4156
E-mail:  StahlS@nia.nih.gov

o Direct your questions about peer review issues to:

Mary Nekola, Ph.D., Chief
Scientific Review Office
Gateway Building, Room 2C212
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-9666
E-mail: NekolaM@nia.nih.gov

o Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:

Linda Whipp, Chief
Grants and Contracts Management Office
Gateway Building, Room 2N212
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-1472
E-mail: WhippL@nia.nih.gov

LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes 
the following information:

o Descriptive title of the proposed research
o Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
o Names of other key personnel
o Participating institutions
o Number and title of this RFA

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not 
enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it 
contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan 
the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning of 
this document.  The letter of intent should be sent to:

Dr. Mary Nekola
Scientific Review Office
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C212, MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-9666
FAX:  (301) 402-0066
Email: NekolaM@nia.nih.gov
 
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application 
instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001).  The PHS 398 is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive 
format.  For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435-0714, 
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS: Center applications must follow the application 
format and page limitations described in the NIA Program Project Guidelines 
available on the NIA Webpage at http://www.nia.nih.gov/GrantsAndTraining/Policies/ProgramProjectPoliciesandGuidelines.htm.  The following exceptions to these guidelines 
apply:  no pre-application permission is required; the eligibility 
requirements do not apply; the submission date is January 21, 2003; the 
instructions for amended and supplemental applications do not apply; and the 
applicable review criteria are listed in the RFA.  The Center application 
must follow the organization format described in the Guidelines.  To 
summarize: Cores are limited to 10 pages for sections a-d and there should be 
up to a ten-page introduction of the Center as a whole.  Regarding the Pilot 
Core, as part of the 10 pages allotted, the application should include 
examples of two pilot projects, and each example should not exceed 2 pages. 
For current ROYBAL Centers being funded under AG-97-005, a progress report of 
no more than 2 pages should be included as part of the 10-page introduction.

USING THE RFA LABEL: The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) 
application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the 
application. Type the RFA number on the label.  Failure to use this label 
could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not 
reach the review committee in time for review.  In addition, the RFA title 
and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form 
and the YES box must be marked.  The RFA label is also available at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf.

SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten original of 
the application, including the Checklist, and three signed, photocopies, in 
one package to:

Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7701
Bethesda, MD  20892-7710
Bethesda, MD  20817 (for express/courier service)

At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be 
sent to:

Chief of Review
Scientific Review Office
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2C212, MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205

APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by the application 
receipt date listed in the heading of this RFA.  If an application is 
received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without 
review.

The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) 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 
CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one 
already reviewed.  This does not preclude the submission of substantial 
revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must 
include an Introduction addressing the previous critique.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and 
responsiveness by NIA staff.  Incomplete and/or non-responsive applications 
will be returned to the applicant without further consideration.

Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated 
for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group 
convened by the NIA in accordance with the review criteria stated below.  As 
part of the initial merit review, all applications will:

o Receive a written critique
o May undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the 
highest scientific merit, generally the top half of the applications under 
review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score
o Receive a second level review by the National Advisory Council on Aging

REVIEW CRITERIA 

The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of 
biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health.  In 
the written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the following 
aspects of your application in order to judge the likelihood that the 
proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these 
goals.

A. Overall Center

o  Significance of the proposed mission or theme of the Center.  If the aims 
are achieved, how do they advance the translation of behavioral and social 
science research into practical advances to benefit the health and well being 
of older Americans or forward "use-inspired basic research"?

o  Although one peer-reviewed, externally funded, currently active grant in 
the behavioral and social sciences is the minimum requirement, considerable 
weight will be given to: (1)  significant on-going research activity that is 
relevant to the theme of the proposed Center or (2) that demonstrate the 
ability to translate a body of research previously funded by BSR to 
significant practical outcomes. 

o  Demonstrated potential to act as a conduit between basic behavioral and 
social science research and applied outcomes.  This will be judged by 
evidence of past involvement in related research and the specific plans for 
seeking applied outcomes as described in the application.

o  The theoretically and empirically supported rationale for the particular 
approach to extending basic behavioral and social science research into 
applied areas, and the degree to which the proposed approach is innovative 
and employs novel concepts, approaches or methods.  

o  Commitment as stated in the application to collaborate with commercial, 
non-profit or governmental interests to support and expand Center research.  
Such commitment should be demonstrated by letters of support regarding new 
collaborations and/or evidence of past partnerships.  Proposed collaborative 
activities must increase the opportunities for research and translation.

o  Quality of plans to ensure that the outcomes of the translational research 
will directly improve the quality of life of older Americans. 

o  Evidence of institutional support, such as commitment from the host 
institution to the research activity and availability of appropriate 
facilities for the research activities proposed.

o  Appropriateness of the budget for the Center. 

o  Leadership ability, relevant experience in appropriate areas, and 
scientific stature of the PI.  The time commitment of the Center PI must be 
sufficient to show substantial personal supervision of the various activities 
of the Center.  A past history of applying basic behavioral and social 
research in a relevant area will be an important advantage.

o  The likelihood that the scientific environment and proposed collaborative 
arrangements will lead to the probability of success.  
  
B.  Management and Administrative Core

o  Whether the lines of authority and the administrative structure are 
designed for effective Center management.  Whether the administrative 
structure maximizes the Center's capability to take advantage of research 
opportunities.

o  The qualifications, responsibilities and effectiveness of senior leaders.  
Appropriateness of percent effort of senior leaders.

o  Appropriateness of the duties and percent efforts of administrative staff 
of the Center in terms of their qualifications and contributions to the 
specialized needs and conduct of the Center's theme.

o  The effectiveness of the Center's internal planning activities and the 
Advisory Committee as described.  

C. Pilot Core

o  Adequacy of the proposed process for developing, soliciting, reviewing, 
selecting, monitoring and evaluating pilot projects.

o  Quality, innovativeness and importance to the theme of the Center.

o  Relevance of the proposed pilot projects to the theme of the Center;

o  Degree to which pilot project funds will be used to stimulate projects 
that will promote the theme of the Center;

o  The qualifications, responsibilities and effectiveness of Pilot Core 
senior leaders.  Appropriateness of percent effort of senior leaders.

D.  Dissemination Core (where applicable)

o  Quality of the plans for dissemination activities, such as newsletters, 
web sites, publications and   presentations, interface with community 
agencies and programs, interviews with electronic media, and planned 
strategies for translating research findings into practical programs or 
services. 

o  Scientific value and public good that might result from any proposed 
dissemination activities.

o  The qualifications, responsibilities and effectiveness of Dissemination 
Core senior leaders.  Appropriateness of percent effort of senior leaders.

ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA: In addition to the above criteria, your 
application will also be reviewed with respect to the following:

o PROTECTIONS: The adequacy of the proposed protection for humans, animals, 
or the environment, to the extent they may be adversely affected by the 
project proposed in the application.

o INCLUSION: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders and 
all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), as appropriate for the 
scientific goals of the research.  Plans for the recruitment and retention 
of subjects will also be evaluated.  (See Inclusion Criteria included in 
the section on Federal Citations, below).

o DATA SHARING: The adequacy of the proposed plan to share data.

o BUDGET: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period 
of support in relation to the proposed research.

RECEIPT AND REVIEW SCHEDULE

Letter of Intent Receipt Date: December 27, 2002
Application Receipt Date: January 21, 2003
Peer Review Date: June 2003
Council Review: September 23-24, 2003
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 30, 2003

AWARD CRITERIA

Award criteria that will be used to make award decisions include:

o Scientific merit (as determined by peer review)
o Availability of funds
o Programmatic priorities

REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS
 
MONITORING PLAN AND DATA SAFETY AND MONITORING BOARD: Research components 
involving Phase I and II clinical trials must include provisions for 
assessment of patient eligibility and status, rigorous data management, 
quality assurance, and auditing procedures.  In addition, it is NIH policy 
that all clinical trials require data and safety monitoring, with the method 
and degree of monitoring being commensurate with the risks (NIH Policy for 
Data Safety and Monitoring, NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, June 12, 
1998: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).  

INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: It is the policy of 
the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-populations 
must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research projects unless a 
clear and compelling justification is provided indicating that inclusion is 
inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of 
the research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 
(Section 492B of Public Law 103-43).

All investigators proposing clinical research should read the AMENDMENT "NIH 
Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical 
Research - Amended, October, 2001," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts on October 9, 2001 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html);  a complete 
copy of the updated Guidelines are available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm.
The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of 
clinical research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with 
the new OMB standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase 
III clinical trials consistent with the new PHS Form 398; and updated roles 
and responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community.  The policy 
continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) 
all applications or proposals and/or protocols must provide a description of 
plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by 
sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable; 
and b) investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting 
analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group 
differences.
REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS:  NIH 
policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants for 
all investigators submitting NIH proposals for research involving human 
subjects.  You will find this policy announcement in the NIH Guide for Grants 
and Contracts Announcement, dated June 5, 2000, at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT: The 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to 
provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) under some circumstances.  Data that are (1) first produced in a 
project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) 
cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action 
that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed 
through FOIA.  It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope 
of this amendment.  NIH has provided guidance at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.
Applicants may wish to place data collected under this RFA in a public 
archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the 
distribution for an indefinite period of time.  Is so, the application should 
include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include 
information about this in the budget justification section of the 
application.  In addition, applicants should think about how to structure 
informed consent statements and other human subjects procedures given the 
potential for wider use of data collected under this award.  

URLs IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES: All applications and proposals 
for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations.  
Unless otherwise specified in an NIH solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) 
should not be used to provide information necessary to the review because 
reviewers are under no obligation to view the Internet sites.  Furthermore, 
we caution reviewers that their anonymity may be compromised when they 
directly access an Internet site.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010: The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to 
achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy 
People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This 
RFA is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may 
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/.
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: This program is described in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance, Number 93.866, and is not subject to the 
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health 
Systems Agency review.  Awards that are made under authorization of Sections 
301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) 
and administered under NIH grants policies described at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm and under Federal Regulations 
42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.

The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free 
workplace and to discourage the 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.

REFERENCES

1. Goldman, Dana P and James P. Smith, 2002.  Can patient self-management 
help explain the SES health gradient?  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Vol. 99, 
Issue 16, 10929-10934.

2. Behavioral and Social Research Program, National Institute on Aging, 
National Institutes of Health.  Website: 
http://www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/ExtramuralPrograms/BehavioralAndSocialResearch/ 

3. National Research Council, 2001.  New Horizons in Health: An Integrated 
Approach.  Committee on Future Directions for Behavioral and Social 
Sciences Research at the National Institutes of Health.  Burton H. Singer 
and Carol D. Ryff, editors.  Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences 
and Education.  Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

4. National Research Council, 2000.  The Aging Mind: Opportunities in 
Cognitive Research.    Committee on Future Directions for Cognitive 
Research on Aging.  Paul C. Stern and Laura L. Carstensen, editors.  
Commission on Behavioral and Aging Sciences and Education.  Washington, 
DC: National Academy Press.

5. Stokes, Donald E. (1997).  Pasteur's Quadrant: Basic Science and 
Technological Innovation.  Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.

6. World Health Organization (2000).  The World Health Report: 2000.  Health 
Systems: Improving Performance.  Geneva: WHO.
Center

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