Part I Overview Information


Department of Health and Human Services


Participating Organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov)

Components of Participating Organizations
National Institute on Aging (NIA), (http://www.nia.nih.gov)

Title:  Partnering Awards to Support Collaborative Research on the Biology of Aging (R01)

Announcement Type
New

Request for Applications (RFA) Number:  RFA-AG-09-011

NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.

This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).

A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four (4) weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.


A compatible version of Adobe Reader is required for download. For Assistance downloading this or any Grants.gov application package, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at http://grants.gov/CustomerSupport.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.866

Key Dates
Release/Posted Date: December 3, 2008
Opening Date: February 10, 2009 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: February 10,  2009
Application Due Date: March 10, 2009
Peer Review Date:June 2009                         
Council Review Date: August 2009          
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 15, 2009
Additional Information Available Date: Not Applicable
Expiration Date: March 11, 2009

Due Dates for E.O. 12372  

Not Applicable

Additional Overview Content

Executive Summary

Table of Contents


Part I Overview Information

Part II Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
1. Mechanism of Support

2. Funds Available

Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
    A. Eligible Institutions
    B. Eligible Individuals
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Request Application Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
    A. Receipt, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
          1. Letter of Intent
    B. Submitting an Application Electronically to the NIH
    C. Application Processing   
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
    A. Additional Review Criteria
    B. Additional Review Considerations
    C. Resource Sharing Plan(s)
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting

Section VII. Agency Contacts
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/Grants Management Contact(s)

Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations

Part II - Full Text of Announcement


Section I. Funding Opportunity Description


1. Research Objectives

Purpose

This funding opportunity (FOA) solicits collaborative applications from scientists in the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.), focused on furthering our understanding of the basic biology of aging.  Several aspects of basic aging biology have been identified by the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/ ) located in the U.K. as high priority areas where research collaboration between investigators in the U.S. and U.K. would significantly benefit the pace of scientific discovery and further our knowledge of the basic mechanism(s) underlying biological aging at the molecular, cellular, biochemical and physiological levels.  Such knowledge is key to the development of intervention and/or prevention strategies to delay or prevent age-related functional decline and age-related diseases and to extend the health spans of both the U.S. and U.K. populations.  Current funding for the direct support of long-term collaborative research efforts between U.S. and U.K. scientists is scarce.  The major goal of this funding opportunity is the establishment of a pilot joint funding program specifically designed to develop and support fruitful U.S.- U.K. collaborative studies on the biology of aging.  Given the relatively limited resources for aging biology research in both the U.S. and U.K., this cooperative funding program is expected to maximize the impact of these resources in benefitting the aging research communities in both countries. These collaborative research projects will significantly hasten the progress of scientific discoveries related to solving the puzzles of normal aging, extending longevity and the health span and improving the quality of life for U.S and U.K. seniors. In addition, this cooperative funding program will aid in the future development of biologically-based intervention strategies to delay or prevent age-related functional decline.

Background

The National Institute on Aging is the primary U.S. funding agency for biomedical research to understand the biology of aging and the underlying molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying biological aging, age-related functional decline and the development of age-related diseases.  The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funds a significant amount of non-medical, basic, aging research in the U.K.  In September 2007, the NIA sponsored a workshop to explore the potential for the development of a “Trans-Atlantic Collaboration on the Biology of Aging”.  This meeting and subsequent strategy meetings between the NIA and BBSRC led to the decision to pursue the development of a Joint NIA-BBSRC Pilot Program on the biology of aging to promote the development and short-term support (three years) of collaborative research teams between U.S. and U.K. scientists with interest and expertise in the biology of aging.  The proposed NIA-BBSRC Collaborative Grant Program is intended to provide pilot or seed funds to both encourage the formation of collaborative scientific teams and the development of formal collaborative research projects between U.K. and U.S. scientists.  The successful recipients of the Joint NIA-BBSRC Collaborative Awards will be organized into an interactive network of researchers to promote scientific interactions and hasten research progress to understand the basic biology of aging.  These collaborative grants would provide funding to strengthen both the scientific and collaborative bond between U.K. and U.S. investigators.  It is expected that these collaborators will generate sufficient preliminary data to support applications for long-term research support for collaborative research initiated by the U.S. or U.K., or both funding agencies jointly.

This FOA is supported by the National Institute on Aging of the United States National Institutes of Health and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council in the United Kingdom.  All applications submitted in response to this FOA must be submitted using the electronic SF424 (R&R) format for the R01 mechanism and in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) application guide.  The U.S. investigator of the proposed collaborative NIA and BBSRC partnering proposals will serve as Principal Investigators (PI) and the U.K. investigator will be designated the Lead Investigator of the U.K. component on submitted applications.  Submitted applications will be assigned by the NIH Center for Scientific Review to an NIA Special Emphasis Panel for peer-review.  Only truly collaborative research projects will be accepted as responsive to this FOA. 

Objectives and Scope

The overall objective of this FOA is to encourage the development of collaborative research teams composed of a U.S. PI and a U.K. Lead Investigator focused on understanding the molecular, cellular, biochemical and physiological mechanisms underlying biological aging and the development of age-related functional decline.  This initiative will support basic research projects that utilize appropriate animal and cell culture models and well characterized human populations when appropriate.  All research supported by BBSRC must fall within its mandate.

Collaborative research teams funded under this FOA will be required to participate in a kick-off meeting and annual grantee meetings to share research findings and foster collaborations among funded investigators.  Awardees (both the U.S. and U.K. partners) will be eligible to obtain aged animals (mice, rats) and frozen tissues from the NIA-sponsored aged rodent research facilities (general website and pricing information available at: http://nia.nia.gov/ResearchInformation/ScientificResources/). 

The BBSRC will provide support only to U.K institutions and investigators eligible for support as described under the Call for Proposals. 

Both the U.S. PI (or multiple PIs) and the U.K. Lead Investigator should devote equal time and effort to the proposed collaborative research grant.  The U.K. Lead Investigator should devote equal time and effort to the proposed collaborative research project as that specified for the U.S. Principal Investigator.

Examples of high priority areas of basic research studies encouraged by this FOA, include, but are not limited to the following:

See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.

Section II. Award Information


1. Mechanism of Support

This funding opportunity (FOA) will use the Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism. The Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) of these collaborative research projects will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.  

This funding opportunity uses “Just-in-Time” information concepts (see SF424 (R&R) Application Guide). It also uses a non-modular budget format (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm).  Both the U.S. and U.K. applicants of each partnership must complete and submit budget requests using the Research and Related Budget Component.  The U.K. institution and PI should prepare a sub-contract to be submitted through the U.S. institution.  If the collaborative project is funded through this joint NIA-BBSRC funding program, the sub-contract will be paid directly to the U.K. institution by the BBSRC. A mandatory sub-contract form for the U.K. component can be downloaded from the BBSRC website.  The completed U.K. budget form should be submitted as part of the “Other” attachment in the SF 424 form package. The URL for the BBSRC website and further information for U.K. applicants can be obtained from Dr. Louisa Jenkin at BBSRC (louisa.jenkin@bbsrc.ac.uk).

2. Funds Available

The NIA strongly encourages all applicants to send a copy of the final submitted application to Dr. Louisa Jenkins (louisa.jenkin@bbsrc.ac.uk) at the BBSRC.  In addition, the NIA strongly encourages all applicants to send a copy of the written results of the scientific review (critique/summary statement) to Dr. Louisa Jenkin (louisa jenkin@bbsrc.ac.uk) when it is available.

All funding requested by the U.K. Lead Investigator must be calculated on full economic costs (BBSRC to fund 80% £EC using TRAC methodology) and comply with the resources framework detailed in the BBSRC Grants Guide:  (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.pdf). 

Justification for these costs should be included with the overall justification of program costs but should be set out in a way that enables the peer reviewers to comment on the justification for the U.S. and U.K. components of the proposed budgets.

Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of NIA and BBSRC provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds.

Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation. See NOT-OD-05-004.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section III. Eligibility Information


1. Eligible Applicants

1.A. Eligible Institutions

The following organizations/institutions are eligible to apply for NIA support:

The U.K. component must be from an institution that is eligible for BBSRC support under “Calls for Proposals” (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.html).

1.B. Eligible Individuals

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the PD/PI is invited to work with his/her organization 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 support.

The U.S. Principal Investigator is the Principal Investigator of the application submitted to the NIH for the NIA and BBSRC Partnering Awards in Aging Biology.  The U.K investigator should be listed as a Lead Investigator on the NIH application. A given application may have more than one U.S. Principal Investigator as described below.

More than one PD/PI (i.e., multiple PDs/PIs), may be designated on the application for projects that require a “team science” approach and therefore clearly do not fit the single-PD/PI model. Additional information on the implementation plans and policies and procedures to formally allow more than one PD/PI on individual research projects is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi . All PDs/PIs must be registered in the NIH electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons prior to the submission of the application (see http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm for instructions).

The decision of whether to apply for a grant with a single PD/PI or multiple PDs/PIs grant is the responsibility of the investigators and applicant organizations and should be determined by the scientific goals of the project. Applications for grants with multiple PDs/PIs will require additional information, as outlined in the instructions below. The NIH review criteria for approach, investigators, and environment have been modified to accommodate applications involving either a single PD/PI or multiple PDs/PIs. When considering the multiple PD/PI option, please be aware that the structure and governance of the PD/PI leadership team as well as the knowledge, skills and experience of the individual PDs/PIs will be factored into the assessment of the overall scientific merit of the application.  Multiple PDs/PIs on a project share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PD/PI is responsible and accountable to the grantee organization, or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of required reports. For further information on multiple PDs/PIs, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi .

The BBSRC will provide support only to U.K. Lead Investigators who are otherwise eligible for BBSRC support under Calls For Proposals. See:  (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.html).

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

This program does not require cost sharing as defined in the current NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

Applicants are not permitted to submit a resubmission application in response to this FOA.

Renewal applications are not permitted in response to this FOA

Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information


To download a SF424 (R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for completing the SF424 (R&R) forms for this FOA, use the “Apply for Grant Electronically” button in this FOA or link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/ and follow the directions provided on that Web site.

A one-time registration is required for institutions/organizations at both:

PDs/PIs should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the NIH eRA Commons.

Several additional separate actions are required before an applicant can submit an electronic application, as follows:  

1) Organizational/Institutional Registration in Grants.gov/Get Registered

2) Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons

3) Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the NIH eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.

Both the PDs/PI(s) and AOR/SO need separate accounts in the NIH eRA Commons since both are authorized to view the application image.

Note that if a PD/PI is also an NIH peer reviewer with an Individual DUNS and CCR registration, that particular DUNS number and CCR registration are for the individual reviewer only. These are different than any DUNS number and CCR registration used by an applicant organization. Individual DUNS and CCR registration should be used only for the purposes of personal reimbursement and should not be used on any grant applications submitted to the Federal Government.

Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should immediately check with their business official to determine whether their organization/institution is already registered in both Grants.gov and the Commons. The NIH will accept electronic applications only from organizations that have completed all necessary registrations.

1. Request Application Information

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply.

Note: Only the forms package directly attached to a specific FOA can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA), although some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than one FOA.

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

Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY 301-451-5936.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Prepare all applications using the SF424 (R&R) application forms and in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply.

The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is critical to submitting a complete and accurate application to NIH. Some fields within the SF424 (R&R) application components, although not marked as mandatory, are required by NIH (e.g., the “Credential” log-in field of the “Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile” component must contain the PD/PI’s assigned eRA Commons User ID). Agency-specific instructions for such fields are clearly identified in the Application Guide. For additional information, see “Frequently Asked Questions – Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.”

The SF424 (R&R) application has several components. Some components are required, others are optional. The forms package associated with this FOA in Grants.gov/APPLY includes all applicable components, required and optional. A completed application in response to this FOA includes the data in the following components:

Required Components:
SF424 (R&R) (Cover component)
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Locations
Research & Related Other Project Information
Research & Related Senior/Key Person
PHS398 Cover Page Supplement
PHS398 Research Plan
PHS398 Checklist
PHS398 Modular Budget or Research & Related Budget, as appropriate (See Section IV.6., “Special Instructions,” regarding appropriate required budget component.)  

Optional Components:
PHS398 Cover Letter File
Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS  

Applications with Multiple PDs/PIs

The U.S. applicant may name multiple (U.S. based) principal investigators.

When multiple PDs/PIs are proposed, NIH requires one PD/PI to be designated as the "Contact” PI, who will be responsible for all communication between the PDs/PIs and the NIH, for assembling the application materials outlined below, and for coordinating progress reports for the project. The contact PD/PI must meet all eligibility requirements for PD/PI status in the same way as other PDs/PIs, but has no other special roles or responsibilities within the project team beyond those mentioned above.

Information for the Contact PD/PI should be entered in item 15 of the SF424 (R&R) Cover component. All other PDs/PIs should be listed in the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component and assigned the project role of “PD/PI.” Please remember that all PDs/PIs must be registered in the eRA Commons prior to application submission. The Commons ID of each PD/PI must be included in the “Credential” field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component. Failure to include this data field will cause the application to be rejected.

All projects proposing Multiple PDs/PIs will be required to include a new section describing the leadership plan approach for the proposed project.

Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan: For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs, a new section of the research plan, entitled “Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan” [Section 14 of the Research Plan Component in the SF424 (R&R)], must be included. A rationale for choosing a multiple PD/PI approach should be described.  The governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, and should include communication plans, process for making decisions on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PDs/PIs and other collaborators.

If budget allocation is planned, the distribution of resources to specific components of the project or the individual PDs/PIs should be delineated in the Leadership Plan.  In the event of an award, the requested allocations may be reflected in a footnote on the Notice of Award (NoA).

Applications Involving a Single Institution

When all PDs/PIs are within a single institution, follow the instructions contained in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Applications Involving Multiple Institutions 

When multiple institutions are involved, one institution must be designated as the prime institution and funding for the other institution(s) must be requested via a subcontract to be administered by the prime institution. When submitting a detailed budget, the prime institution should submit its budget using the Research & Related Budget component. All other institutions should have their individual budgets attached separately to the Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form. See Section 4.8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for further instruction regarding the use of the subaward budget form. 

The NIA and BBSRC Partnering Awards to support Collaborative Research on the Biology of Aging will involve investigators from two Institutions, one in the U.S. and one in the U.K.  The U.S. Institution will be designated as the prime institution and the funding for the U.K. component must be requested via a subcontract to the grant submitted by the U.S. institution.  The U.S. Institution will not be required to administer the funds requested by the U.K. institution for these Partnering Awards because they will be issued to the U.K. partnering institution directly by the BBSRC partner. The U.K. based investigator will not be a principal investigator on applications submitted in response to this announcement.

3. Submission Dates and Times

See Section IV.3.A. for details.

Applications must be received on or before the receipt date described below.

3. A. Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
Opening Date: February 10, 2009 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letter of Intent (NIA) Receipt Date: February 10, 2009
Application Due Date: March 10, 2009
Peer Review Date: June 2009
Council Review Date: August 2009
Earliest Anticipated Award Start Date: September 15, 2009

3.A.1. Letter of Intent

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

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 NIA staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed in Section IV.3.A.

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Anna M. McCormick, Ph.D.
Chief, Genetics and Cell Biology Branch
Genetics Program Director
Biology of Aging Program
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Suite 2C231
Bethesda, MD  20892
Phone:  301-496-6402
FAX:  301-402-0010
Email:  mccormia@nia.nih.gov

Investigators in the U.K. are to send the letter of intent to Dr. Louisa Jenkin at BBSRC (louisa.jenkin@bbsrc.ac.uk ) by the date listed in Section IV.3.A.  This will enable BBSRC to check the eligibility of the applicant and the project for BBSRC support.

3.B. Submitting an Application Electronically to the NIH

To submit an application in response to this FOA, applicants should access this FOA via http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp  and follow Steps 1-4. Note:  Applications must only be submitted electronicallyPAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

In order to expedite the review, applicants are requested to notify the NIA Referral Office by email (vemuri@nia.nih.gov) when the application has been submitted.  Please include the FOA number and title, PD/PI name, and title of the application.

3.C. Application Processing

Applications may be submitted on or after the opening date and must be successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the application due date(s). (See Section IV.3.A. for all dates.) If an application is not submitted by the due date(s) and time, the application may be delayed in the review process or not reviewed.

Once an application package has been successfully submitted through Grants.gov, any errors have been addressed, and the assembled application has been created in the eRA Commons, the PD/PI and the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) have two weekdays (Monday – Friday, excluding Federal holidays) to view the application image to determine if any further action is necessary.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the CSR and responsiveness by NIA. Incomplete and non-responsive applications will not be reviewed.

There will be an acknowledgement of receipt of applications from Grants.gov and the Commons. The submitting AOR/SO receives the Grants.gov acknowledgments. The AOR/SO and the PI receive Commons acknowledgments. Information related to the assignment of an application to a Scientific Review Group is also in the Commons. 

Note: Since email can be unreliable, it is the responsibility of the applicant to check periodically on the application status in the Commons.

The NIH will not accept any application in response to this funding opportunity that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. However, when a previously unfunded application, originally submitted as an investigator-initiated application, is to be submitted in response to a funding opportunity, it is to be prepared as a NEW application. That is, the application for the funding opportunity must not include an “Introduction” describing the changes and improvements made, and the text must not be marked to indicate the changes from the previous unfunded version of the application.

4. Intergovernmental Review

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

5. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Pre-award costs are allowable. A grantee may, at its own risk and without NIH prior approval, incur obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or renewal award if such costs: 1) are necessary to conduct the project, and 2) would be allowable under the grant, if awarded, without NIH prior approval. If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the grantee must obtain NIH approval before incurring the cost. NIH prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or renewal award.

The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on NIH either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred. NIH expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement).

All BBSRC awards are subject to the BBSRC grant regulations as set out in the BBSRC Grants Guide (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.html).

6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

A Funding Annex (Appendix) for the U.K. partner, downloadable from the BBSRC website, should be completed and submitted by the Lead Investigator to the U.S. Principal Investigator to be included as an Appendix to the final application.  A copy of the completed Funding Annex should also be submitted directly to Dr. Louisa Jenkin at the BBSRC (louisa.jenkin@bbsrc.ac.uk).

PD/PI Credential (e.g., Agency Login)

The NIH requires the PD(s)/PI(s) to fill in his/her Commons User ID in the “PROFILE – Project Director/Principal Investigator” section, “Credential” log-in field of the “Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile” component.

Organizational DUNS

The applicant organization must include its DUNS number in its Organization Profile in the eRA Commons. This DUNS number must match the DUNS number provided at CCR registration with Grants.gov. For additional information, see “Frequently Asked Questions – Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.” For the NIA-BBSRC Partnering Awards, the U.S. institution will serve as the applicant organization)

PHS398 Research Plan Component Sections

Page limitations of the PHS398 Research Plan component must be followed as outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. While each section of the Research Plan component needs to be uploaded separately as a PDF attachment, applicants are encouraged to construct the Research Plan component as a single document, separating sections into distinct PDF attachments just before uploading the files. This approach will enable applicants to better monitor formatting requirements such as page limits. All attachments must be provided to NIH in PDF format, filenames must be included with no spaces or special characters, and a .pdf extension must be used.   

All application instructions outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide are to be followed, incorporating "Just-in-Time" information concepts, and with the following additional requirements:

BBSRC Eligibility Requirements

All research supported by BBSRC must be within BBSRC’s scientific remit (area of responsibility) and is subject to BBSRC funding regulations detailed in the BBSRC Grants Guide (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants/guide.html.

Appendix Materials

Applicants must follow the specific instructions on Appendix materials as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm).

Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan component. An application that does not comply with the required page limitations may be delayed in the review process.

Annual Grantee Meetings

The U.S. and U.K. Principal Investigators should commit to attending one annual grantee meeting per year as a condition of accepting an award from this collaborative funding initiative. All investigators awarded under this FOA are expected to participate in annual grantee meetings (total of three meetings/one per year) to share research findings and foster collaborations among the investigators. Applicants are responsible for all travel costs for themselves and relevant staff to attend the annual grantee meetings. These costs should be included in the application budgets.  The anticipated cost of each grantee meeting per individual is $1500.  NIA and BBSRC Program Officials will organize the meetings and provide details to the participants in a timely manner.  

Resource Sharing Plan(s)  

NIH considers the sharing of unique research resources developed through NIH-sponsored research an important means to enhance the value and further the advancement of the research. When resources have been developed with NIH funds and the associated research findings published or provided to NIH, it is important that they be made readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community. If the final data/resources are not amenable to sharing, this must be explained in the Resource Sharing section of the application (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_faqs.htm.)

(a) Data Sharing Plan: Regardless of the amount requested, investigators are expected to include a brief 1-paragraph description of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data-sharing is not possible. Applicants are encouraged to discuss data-sharing plans with their NIH program contact (see Data-Sharing Policy or http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-032.html.)

(b) Sharing Model Organisms: Regardless of the amount requested, all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated are expected to include a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organisms and related resources or state appropriate reasons why such sharing is restricted or not possible (see Sharing Model Organisms Policy, and NOT-OD-04-042.)

(c) Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS): Regardless of the amount requested, applicants seeking funding for a genome-wide association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation why submission to the repository is not possible.  A genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (e.g., blood pressure or weight) or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. 

For further information see Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies (go to NOT-OD-07-088, and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/.)

BBSRC will support only research that complies with BBSRC’s data sharing policy (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/policy/data_sharing_policy.html). Applicants should include relevant information in the Resources Sharing Section of the application.

Foreign Applications (Non-Domestic [non-U.S.] Entities)

The applications will be domestic applications with a foreign component. Nevertheless indicate how the proposed project has specific relevance to the mission and objectives of the NIH/NIA and the BBSRC and has the potential for significantly advancing aging biology in the United States and the United Kingdom.

BBSRC Terms and Conditions

For BBSRC terms and conditions please refer to the BBSRC grants guide (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.html).  U.K. Investigators are asked to note section 4:

General application procedure, specifically;

For BBSRC policy on access to research outputs please refer to http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/policy/access_research_outputs.html

Section V. Application Review Information


1. Criteria 

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process:

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications that are complete and responsive to this RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by NIA in accordance with NIH peer review procedures (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/peer/), using the review criteria stated below.

As part of the initial scientific merit review, all applications will: 

Applications submitted in response to this FOA will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this FOA. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

The goals of NIH supported research are to advance our understanding of biological systems, to improve the control of disease, and to enhance health.  In their written critiques, reviewers will be asked to comment on each of the following criteria in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, and weighted as appropriate for each application. Note that an application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a meritorious priority score. For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field forward.

Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?  What is the value of the proposed collaboration in achieving the aims of the project?

Approach: Are the conceptual design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs, is the leadership approach, including the designated roles and responsibilities, governance, and organizational structure, consistent with and justified by the aims of the project and the expertise of each of the PDs/PIs?  How do the researchers plan to establish and maintain a collaborative, long-distance relationship that will be adequate in serving the goals of their project?

Innovation:   Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area? Does the proposed collaborative research provide special opportunities or synergy through 1) international collaboration for furthering aging biology research programs in both the U.S. and the U.K., and 2) through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions?

Investigators: Are the PD(s)/PI(s) and other key personnel appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers? Does the collaborative U.S.-U.K. investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project?

Environment:  Do the scientific environments in which the collaborative work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support?  

2.A. Additional Review Criteria

In addition to the above criteria, the following items will continue to be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the rating:

Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk: The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed.  See the “Human Subjects Sections” of the PHS398 Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R). U.K. applicants should refer to section RG2 ‘Medical and Health Research’ in the BBSRC grants Guide [http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.html].

Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research: 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, will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. See the “Human Subjects Sections” of the PHS398 Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R)

Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the adequacy of the plans for their care and use will be assessed. See the “Other Research Plan Sections” of the PHS398 Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R).

All U.K. applicants intending to use animals in their research should familiarize themselves with the U.K. funders’ expectations as set out in the ‘Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research’ document (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/policy/animals_in_bioscience_research.html ). Implementation of the principles in this guidance is a condition of receiving funding for all research involving the use of animals in the U.K., and the provisions of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 must be observed. Institutions and grant holders are responsible for ensuring that all appropriate personal and project licenses required under the Act have been granted by the Home Office, and that appropriate Local Ethical Committee approval has been given. All BBSRC awards are made on the absolute condition that no work that is controlled by the Act will begin until the necessary licenses have been obtained. For BBSRC funded research that involves the use of animals overseas (for example through international collaborative research) researchers and the local ethics committee in the U.K. should satisfy themselves that welfare standards consistent with those required under UK legislation (e.g. ASPA) and set out in the ‘Responsibility in the Use of Animals in Bioscience Research’ guidance are in force and maintained. Where there are significant deviations, prior approval from the funding body should be sought and agreed. Applicants proposing to use animals in experiments should make themselves aware of BBSRCs priorities in animal welfare (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/grants/animal_sciences/animal_welfare.pdf ) and its commitment to developing alternative methods to reduce and/or replace animal experiments. These applicants should also keep themselves aware of developments in best practice, for example through familiarizing themselves with publications accessible through the website of National Centre for 3Rs www.nc3rs.org.uk. Applicants intending to use Genetically Altered mice in their research should refer to the report of GA mice working group ‘Assessing the welfare of genetically altered mice’ ( http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/page.asp?id=231 ).

Biohazards: If materials or procedures are proposed that are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, determine if the proposed protection is adequate.

2. B. Additional Review Considerations

Budget and Period of Support: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the appropriateness of the requested three years of support in relation to the proposed research may be assessed by the reviewers. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.

2. C. Resource Sharing Plan(s)

When relevant, reviewers will be instructed to comment on the reasonableness of the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed resource sharing plan(s) into the determination of scientific merit or priority score, unless noted otherwise in the FOA. Program staff within the IC will be responsible for monitoring the resource sharing.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Not applicable

Section VI. Award Administration Information


1. Award Notices

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the NIH eRA Commons

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant. For details, applicants may refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document. Once all administrative and programmatic issues have been resolved, the NoA will be generated via email notification from the awarding component to the grantee business official.

Funding for the resources requested by the U.K. component of the programme will be provided by BBSRC, and will require the completion of a Joint Electronic Submission form to enable the payment process. BBSRC will advise successful applicants of the steps required.

Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See Section IV.5., “Funding Restrictions.”       

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General  and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities.

All BBSRC awards will be made subject to the standard terms and conditions of the BBSRC: The research grant is awarded in accordance with the current terms and conditions set out in the document "BBSRC Research Grants", available on the BBSRC website (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.html) and any terms and conditions specified in this Research Grant Announcement.

3. Reporting

Awardees will be required to submit the Non-Competing Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are required when an award is relinquished when a recipient changes institutions or when an award is terminated.

It is a condition of BBSRC awards that final scientific and financial reports are submitted. U.K. applicants should refer to section 6.3 – 6.8 of the BBSRC grants guide (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/apply/grants_guide.html).

U.S. and U.K. awardees are encouraged to share progress and final reports with the program contact from the partnering agency.

Section VII. Agency Contacts


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

Potential applicants to the NIA-BBSRC Partnering Awards FOA (from the United States and the United Kingdom) are encouraged to contact Dr. Anna McCormick of the Division of Aging Biology, National Institute on Aging for further details regarding this FOA including, but not limited to: discussion of potential research topics; preparation of a joint application; clarification of NIH requirements for electronic grant applications; and special details of this unique joint funding program between NIA and BBSRC.  Potential research partners in the U.K. should contact Dr. Louisa Jenkin at BBSRC prior to the development of a collaborative research proposal for the NIA-BBSRC Partnering Awards on the Biology of Aging. 

1. Scientific/Research Contacts at NIA and BBSRC

Anna M. McCormick, Ph.D.
Division of Aging Biology
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Gateway Building, Suite 2C231
7201 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-6402
Email: mccormia@nia.nih.gov

Louisa Jenkin, Ph.D.
Programme Manager, Healthy Organism Branch
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1UH
England, Great Britain
Telephone +44 (0) 1793 413352
Email: louisa.jenkin@bbsrc.ac.uk

2. Peer Review Contact(s):

Ramesh Vemuri, Ph.D.
Scientific Review Branch
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Suite 2C212
7201 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 402-7700
Email: vemuri@nia.nih.gov

3. Financial/Grants Management Contact(s):

Lesa McQueen
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Suite 2N212
7201 Wisconsin  Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-1472
Email: whippl@nia.nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information


Required Federal Citations

Use of Animals in Research:
Recipients of PHS support for activities involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf) as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm) as applicable.

Human Subjects Protection:
Federal regulations (45 CFR 46) require that applications and proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm).

Data and Safety Monitoring Plan:
Data and safety monitoring is required for all types of clinical trials, including physiologic toxicity and dose-finding studies (Phase I); efficacy studies (Phase II); efficacy, effectiveness and comparative trials (Phase III). Monitoring should be commensurate with risk. The establishment of data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) is required for multi-site clinical trials involving interventions that entail potential risks to the participants (“NIH Policy for Data and Safety Monitoring,” NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).

Sharing Research Data:
Investigators submitting an NIH application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are expected to include a plan for data sharing or state why this is not possible (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing). Investigators should seek guidance from their institutions, on issues related to institutional policies and local institutional review board (IRB) rules, as well as local, State and Federal laws and regulations, including the Privacy Rule. Reviewers will consider the data sharing plan but will not factor the plan into the determination of the scientific merit or the priority score.

Policy for Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS):
NIH is interested in advancing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify common genetic factors that influence health and disease through a centralized GWAS data repository. For the purposes of this policy, a genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire human genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (such as blood pressure or weight), or the presence or absence of a disease or condition. All applications, regardless of the amount requested, proposing a genome-wide association study are expected to provide a plan for submission of GWAS data to the NIH-designated GWAS data repository, or provide an appropriate explanation why submission to the repository is not possible. Data repository management (submission and access) is governed by the Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies, NIH Guide NOT-OD-07-088. For additional information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/gwas/

Sharing of Model Organisms:
NIH is committed to support efforts that encourage sharing of important research resources including the sharing of model organisms for biomedical research (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/model_organism/index.htm). At the same time the NIH recognizes the rights of grantees and contractors to elect and retain title to subject inventions developed with Federal funding pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Beginning October 1, 2004, all investigators submitting an NIH application or contract proposal are expected to include in the application/proposal a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organism research resources generated using NIH funding or state why such sharing is restricted or not possible. This will permit other researchers to benefit from the resources developed with public funding. The inclusion of a model organism sharing plan is not subject to a cost threshold in any year and is expected to be included in all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated.

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 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 funding opportunity in a public archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an indefinite period of time. If 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

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 "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research” (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); a complete copy of the updated Guidelines is 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 SF424 (R&R) application; 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 applications for research involving human subjects and individuals designated as key personnel. The policy is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC):
Criteria for Federal funding of research on hESCs can be found at http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp and at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html. Only research using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (http://escr.nih.gov/). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide in the project description and elsewhere in the application as appropriate, the official NIH identifier(s) for the hESC line(s) to be used in the proposed research. Applications that do not provide this information will be returned without review.

NIH Public Access Policy Requirement:
In accordance with the NIH Public Access Policy, investigators funded by the NIH must submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed Central (see http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/), an electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication. The NIH Public Access Policy is available at (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-033.html). For more information, see the Public Access webpage at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/.

Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued final modification to the "Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information", the "Privacy Rule", on August 14, 2002. The Privacy Rule is a federal regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that governs the protection of individually identifiable health information, and is administered and enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Decisions about applicability and implementation of the Privacy Rule reside with the researcher and his/her institution. The OCR website (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/) provides information on the Privacy Rule, including a complete Regulation Text and a set of decision tools on "Am I a covered entity?" Information on the impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on NIH processes involving the review, funding, and progress monitoring of grants, cooperative agreements, and research contracts can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-025.html.

URLs in NIH Grant Applications or Appendices:
All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations. For publications listed in the appendix and/or Progress report, Internet addresses (URLs) or PubMed Central (PMC) submission identification numbers must be used for publicly accessible on-line journal articles. Publicly accessible on-line journal articles or PMC articles/manuscripts accepted for publication that are directly relevant to the project may be included only as URLs or PMC submission identification numbers accompanying the full reference in either the Bibliography & References Cited section, the Progress Report Publication List section, or the Biographical Sketch section of the NIH grant application. A URL or PMC submission identification number citation may be repeated in each of these sections as appropriate. There is no limit to the number of URLs or PMC submission identification numbers that can be cited.

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 FOA 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 at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372. Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

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

Loan Repayment Programs:
NIH encourages applications for educational loan repayment from qualified health professionals who have made a commitment to pursue a research career involving clinical, pediatric, contraception, infertility, and health disparities related areas. The LRP is an important component of NIH's efforts to recruit and retain the next generation of researchers by providing the means for developing a research career unfettered by the burden of student loan debt. Note that an NIH grant is not required for eligibility and concurrent career award and LRP applications are encouraged. The periods of career award and LRP award may overlap providing the LRP recipient with the required commitment of time and effort, as LRP awardees must commit at least 50% of their time (at least 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour week) for two years to the research. For further information, please see: http://www.lrp.nih.gov/.


Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices


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