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Application and Submission Information
for AITRP Planning Grant
Applications must be prepared using the grant application forms found in the PHS 398 instructions for preparing an Institutional Research Training Application including Ruth L. Kirschstein-NRSA Applications and this additional information.
The PHS 398 application instructions are available at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of the PHS 398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo: Telephone (301) 435-0714, Email GrantsInfo@nih.gov. Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY (301) 451-0088.
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 http://www.dnb.com/us/. The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form.
The title and number of this funding opportunity (PAR-07-348-AIDS International Training and Research Program (D43) must be typed in item (box) 2 only of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.
Follow the PHS 398 Instructions for Preparing an Institutional Research Training Application including Ruth L. Kirschstein-NRSA Applications with the additions or exceptions as noted below:
8.3 Description, Project/Performance Sites, Senior/Key Personnel, Other Significant Contributors, and Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Project/Performance Sites:
List the applicant institution and all of the collaborating institutions as Performance Sites.
Senior/Key Personnel and Other Significant Contributors
List applicant institution PD as Senior/Key Personnel. At least ONE person at each of the collaborating institutions should be listed as Senior/Key Personnel and list their role as "Collaborator." Include members of the Training Advisory Group (See 8.9.3 a Program Plan: Program: Program Administration for a description of the Training Advisory Group) as Senior/Key Personnel.
Do not list faculty who will serve as mentors as Other Significant Contributors. See directions in Section IV. 8.9.3 a: Program Plan: Program Faculty.
8.4 Table of Contents
Use the substitute Table of Contents for Kirschstein-NRSA training grant application.
8.5 Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period
In place of the instructions in 8.5, use the following instructions for preparing Budget:
Develop a budget that reflects the resources necessary to implement the planning grant activities included in your application.
Provide a detailed budget justification.
All expenses related to trainee participation in the program should be itemized on the PHS Form 398 (NRSA substitute budget pages 4 & 5) in the appropriate categories. All expenses related to faculty participation in the program should be itemized on the PHS Form 398 (budget form pages 4) in the appropriate categories. The total direct costs of the trainee participation budget should be identified on PHS Form 398 (budget form pages 4) in the "Other" category. The combining of the budget figures will allow reviewers and FIC staff to review a composite budget of all costs.
Faculty Participation (budget form page 4)
- Requested Salary Support
- Faculty Travel
Trainee Participation (NRSA substitute budget page 4)
- Trainee Stipends
- Tuition and Fees for Trainees
Note that health insurance is not included as part of this budget category, and is now included under Training Related Expenses category. Institutions are referred to the policy for funding of tuition, fees, and health insurance, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-06-093.html.
- Trainee Travel
- Training Related Expenses
8.6 Budget for Entire Proposed Period of Support
In place of the instructions in 8.6, use the following instructions:
Use the Institutional Training Grant Substitute Form Page 5 for the trainee expenses and PHS Form 398 Budget form page 5 for administrative and faculty expenses and for the aggregated total direct costs for the trainee expenses.
8.7 Biographical Sketch
Include biographical sketches for the Program Director and Other Senior/Key Personnel contributing to the training program. This will include "Collaborators" and TAG members. Do not include bio-sketches for mentors as they are attached at 8.9.13 as Participating Faculty).
Program Director must be registered in the eRA Commons and must include the assigned Commons User ID.
8.8 Resources
Resources pages should be completed for all performance sites. Pertinent research resources and the educational environment including the options, if relevant, available for distance learning for the proposed training at the U.S. and partner country institutions should be described.
8.9 Research Training Program Plan
8.9.1 Introduction
If you are preparing a Resubmission (amended) application, prepare an Introduction section.
An unsuccessful application may only be re-submitted in response to a FOA for AIDS International Training and Research Program.
Note: Fifteen page limit for Sec 8.9.2-8.9.5
Follow these directions for Sec 8.9.2-8.9.4
8.9.2 Background
In addition, include the following in the Background:
Identify the priority HIV-related health problems in the country and an assessment of the specific needs for research training at the foreign institution. The assessment should describe any current research training efforts that the institution is receiving, with detailed description of efforts funded by FIC.
Describe the gaps in research training that the applicant is proposing to address in a research training program and a plan for avoiding duplication of research training by others.
Describe the background of the research and training collaborations between the key personnel at the applicant institution(s) and any other proposed partner institution(s). Each site should provide an illustrative list of these awards to support its application.
Describe current and potential future HIV-related research that will serve as the research base for the proposed training program.
Provide documentation (Letters of Support in Section 8.9.15) by the institutions of long-term commitment to strengthen HIV-related research through government support or other resources.
Identify areas of mutual interest between the country and the co-sponsoring NIH Institutes, Centers or Offices identified on the Program Announcement.
Do not complete Tables 1 and 3. See 8.9.3 Program faculty for instructions for Table 2 Participating Faculty Members.
8.9.3 Program Plan
a. Program Administration
In addition, include the following in the description of the Program Administrations:
Describe the composition and expertise of a Training Advisory Group (TAG) composed of expert faculty from the partner countries who are not directly involved in mentoring trainees. The TAG will assist in trainee selection, scientific review of trainee projects, and evaluation of trainees and training program progress, the specific responsibilities of the group, and the processes for it to accomplish its responsibilities.
Describe the procedures to assure that the research training program functions within the context of the collaborative relationship, including input from scientific and community advisory boards in the foreign country.
b. Program Faculty
In addition, include the following in the description of the Program Faculty:
Describe the roles, responsibilities and commitments of the Senior/Key Personnel from the partner institution(s). State what these individuals would actually do and their time commitments to the program.
Include a list of the other participating faculty and their scientific areas of interest at the applicant institutions in Table 2 and include bio-sketches in 8.9.13. Include a list of additional potential mentors and their scientific areas of interest, if appropriate.
Include letters from Senior/Key Personnel and participating faculty defining their specific roles (such as mentoring and teaching) and time commitments in the proposed training program in 8.9.15.
In Table 4, include a list of the research grants in which the PDs, key or relevant faculty at the partner institutions have played a key role. Please include source of support and grant number (if applicable), grant title, project period and current year direct costs. Include PI if not the faculty member and role played by faculty member with Grant Title. Include Institution with faculty member name.
Do not complete Table 5 or 6.
c. Proposed Training
In place of the instructions in 8.9.3c, use the following instructions.
Describe the proposed research training program, including the goals, objectives and plan for meeting the objectives outlined in the program announcement.
Describe the plans for the integration of the research capacity building activities at the LMI country institution(s).
Describe how the proposed research training program may serve as a bridge among academic research, policy makers and public health communities to help to link the research supported in the country by NIH and other sponsors with other country programs by U.S.G. and other donors and by the country itself.
Explain in detail the plan and process that the applicant will use to prepare the application. This process should include developing a relevant transition plan to eliminate duplication of research training with the current AITRP awards in which the applicant institution is included.
d. Training Program Evaluation
e. Trainee Candidates
In place of the instructions in 8.9.3e, use the following instructions.
Describe the characteristics of the trainees you plan to recruit for each type of training proposed. Training may be offered to a wide range of scientists, included laboratory scientists, clinicians, social scientists, and other health professionals, as well as technical and administrative staff. The intent of all training proposed should be to build a critical mass of researchers and support staff with the combined expertise and skills to conduct research.
Provide a short description of the recruitment and selection procedures and possible criteria for the doctoral and post-doctoral scientists and other beneficiaries of the research training program (short term trainees, workshop participants, etc). The TAG should be included in this process. Criteria should include a list of standards that will be used to ensure that trainees have appropriate prior training and experience, are likely to complete the program, and are likely to develop into productive independent researchers in their home country. The recruitment and selection process must be transparent and widely advertised within the appropriate country. Applications must identify a major role of the partner institutions in the recruitment and selection plan.
Degree candidates must meet all entrance requirements of the U.S. or foreign degree-granting institution. Thought should also be given to preparation of non-degree long-term trainees in English language and/or computer skills in the summer preceding studies in the U.S. or at the foreign site, where appropriate, to allow them to make optimal use of their formal training period. Fees for such courses are allowable costs.
This plan should include procedures for retaining students in the program until completion.
Describe strategies to encourage trainees to return to their home country. Trainees should be encouraged and mentored to apply for awards under the Global Health Research Initiative Program for New Foreign Investigators (see http://www.fic.nih.gov/programs/research_grants/grip/index.htm) and the NIAID International Research in Infectious Diseases (IRID) Program (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-130.html).
Do not complete Tables 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B.
8.9.4 Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity
Discuss plans to promote diversity relevant to the proposed LMI countries, rather than those defined within the U.S. context. Do not complete Tables 1, 7A, 7B, and 10.
Applicants should describe strategies for recruiting and retaining women and socially and economically disadvantaged persons as trainees.
8.9.5 Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
8.9.6 Progress Report (Not Applicable)
8.9.7 Human Subjects
In place of the instructions in 8.9.7, use the following instructions:
Applicants should describe plans to meet the requirements related to the protection of human subjects in all training-related research. All training-related research projects in which trainees are involved under this award must be peer-reviewed through the Training Advisory Group. All trainees involved in human subjects research need documented evidence for education in the protection of human subjects for the trainee, compliance with the required federal citations, and approval from institutional (or ethical) review boards or committees at applicant and collaborating foreign institutions, and from the relevant government authority.
8.9.8 Vertebrate Animals
8.9.9 Select Agent Research
8.9.10 Literature Cited
8.9.11 Multiple PD Leadership Plan
8.9.12 Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
8.9.13 Participating Faculty Biosketches
8.9.14 Data Tables
Attach all Data Tables (1-12B) but complete only Tables 2 and 4.
8.10 Checklist
8.11 Appendix Materials
All paper PHS 398 applications submitted for May 25, 2008 and subsequent due dates must provide appendix material on CD only, and include five identical CDs in the same package with the application. Paper applications submitted for due dates prior to May 25, 2008 may voluntarily provide the appendix on five identical CDs; if submitting CDs it is not necessary to include a paper appendix. (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-031.html.)
Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan component. An application that does not observe the required page limitations may be delayed in the review process.
Resource Sharing Plan(s)
The following resource sharing policies do not apply to this FOA:
- Data Sharing Plan. Not Applicable.
- Sharing Model Organisms. Not Applicable
- Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Not Applicable
Specific Instructions for Foreign Applications
All foreign applicants must complete and submit budget requests using the instructions above. See NOT-OD-06-096, August 23, 2006.
