Instructions to Principal Investigators
Applying for Research Supplements to Promote
Diversity in Health-Related Research
(Diversity Supplements) at the

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

The Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (or "Diversity Supplements") program was established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to increase the numbers of underrepresented scientists participating in biomedical and behavioral research. Funding is provided to current NIH research grants to support a minority, disabled, or disadvantaged student or investigator who wants to pursue a career in the biomedical or behavioral research sciences, through research experiences with NIH-funded investigators.

NIDA strongly supports and encourages participation in its diversity supplements program. Support is available to minority and disabled students and investigators at the high school, undergraduate, predoctoral, postdoctoral, and investigator levels. (PLEASE NOTE: NIDA does not support and will not accept applications for funding at the post-baccalaureate and post-master's degree levels.) For a description of the NIH diversity supplements program, refer to NIH Program Announcement PA-05-015 "Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research."

The diversity supplements program at NIDA is intended to expand the support of underrepresented groups in drug abuse research by providing funding to minority and disabled students and investigators pursuing careers as biomedical or behavioral scientists. Candidates may not be recipients of any type of Public Health Service (PHS) funding support at the time of application. NIDA does not intend this program as a replacement source of funds for interested parties.

Principal Investigators interested in applying for NIDA diversity supplements should consult with Ms. Pamela Goodlow, NIDA Special Populations Office, before applying: 301/443-0441, or e-mail: pg46n@nih.gov

IMPORTANT: In order to avoid delays in review and funding, NIDA recommends investigators use the following format in preparing applications:

1. Complete all information on the front (face) page of PHS 398 (Research Grant Application). Include the title and grant number of the parent grant on Line 1 of the page, and specify “Diversity Supplement� or “Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research� on line 2. Signature of the Applicant Organization official with authority to sign grant applications is required.
2. Page numbers should be inserted at the bottom of each page of the application, beginning with page 2.
3. An abstract or summary of the funded parent grant or project must be included. The abstract page from the funded parent project is preferred.
4. Provide detailed description (at least 2-4 pages) of the research experience proposed for the minority or disabled student or investigator. In this section, include: 1) the actual work proposed for the candidate; 2) discussion of how the candidate's proposed research will enhance his/her research capabilities; and, 3) the relationship of the proposed research experience to the overall goals of the parent grant. Proposed research must fall within the scientific scope of the parent grant. (Note: NIDA does not support new research/research that expands the scientific scope of the funded parent project.) It is expected that candidates at the investigator level give evidence that research proposed during the funding period will enhance research skills and lead directly to careers as independent drug abuse researchers. Research plan should address specific skills, responsibilities, and activities that demonstrate increasing independence as researchers. Include timeline for applying for independent research funding. Except in rare instances, funding for candidates at the postdoctoral or investigator level will be limited to two years.
5. A detailed plan for mentoring the candidate must be included. Describe mentoring activities (e.g., routine meetings, supervision in writing, publishing; etc.) and support throughout the duration of the period of funding, specifying the mentor(s) for each major research activity.
6. A written timetable for the proposed research experience, outlining the candidate's major research and development activities by month and year, must be provided. In this section, include proposed activities that will enhance the research career development of the candidate (e.g., grant development activities).
7. A signed statement (1-2 pages) from the proposed candidate, outlining his/her interest in pursuing a research science career, particularly as it relates to drug abuse/addiction, must be included. (Note: If the candidate is enrolled in a master's level program, he/she should indicate any plans to enter Ph.D. or equivalent program.) A current biographical sketch or curriculum vitae (use "bio sketch" page from the PHS 398 application packet) from the candidate that details education, work experience, science and research experiences, and publications, must be included as well.
8. A copy of the most recent transcript, if the candidate proposed for support is a student at the high school, undergraduate or graduate level, must be provided. 3
9. Proposed budget, using the budget pages from PHS 398 (research grant application) form, for proposed initial budget period and future years. All columns and subheadings ("percentage effort on project," "fringe benefits," etc.) must be complete; provide detailed justification for line items such as "supplies" and "other expenses."
   • High School: salary should be consistent with individual salary policies
   • Undergraduate: up to $10.00/hr. *
   • Predoctoral: up to $26,000/yr total, for salary, fringe benefits, and/or tuition remission. *
   • Postdoctoral: up to $46,000/yr. *
   • Investigator: up to $60,000/yr. * (note: at least 40% effort on the parent project is required of candidates at the investigator level)
   
   *For all levels of support, up to $500/yr. may be requested for "general supplies," and up to $1,500/yr. may be requested for conference/meetings travel.
10. Enclose signed statement from the Principal Investigator of the parent grant that certifies the eligibility of the candidate to receive funding through the program based on ethnicity or disability (be specific regarding the ethnicity or nature of disability). Indicate U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and any prior PHS research grant support received.
11. If applicable, documentation that proposed research experience has received approval by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or human subjects Institutional Review Board (IRB) should be included.
12. If candidate is a student or faculty at an institution different from that of the parent grant, a letter from an official at the candidate's institution indicating support and approval of participation by the candidate with no distraction or interference from his/her studies or professional responsibilities, must be included in the application.
13. Carefully read, fill in page numbers, and insert attached Checklist Page to front of application package before mailing to NIDA.
14. Send--via Federal Express or overnight mail service--original application (with appropriate institutional signatures) and five (5) copies to:
    
    Pamela Goodlow
    Special Populations Office
    National Institute on Drug Abuse
    6001 Executive Boulevard Room 4216
    Rockville, MD 20857

The following checklist is to be attached to the front of your original application, before mailing to the address below:

Pamela Goodlow
Special Populations Office
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 4216
Rockville, MD 20857

Please check where appropriate or insert page numbers where applicable

1.	Pages of applications are numbered	Application consists of _____ pages
2.	Abstract or summary of funded parent grant or project	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
3.	Detailed description of research experience proposed for eligible candidate	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
4.	Timetable for proposed research	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
5.	Detailed plan for mentoring eligible candidate	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
6.	Proposed budget	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
7.	IACUC & IRB approval, if appropriate	Page _____ of application
8.	Signed statement from proposed candidate outlining interest	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
9.	Current biographical sketch or curriculum vitae	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
10.	Current or most recent transcript	Pages _____ thru _____ of application
11.	Signed statement from PI verifying eligibility of candidate	Page _____ of application
12.	Letter of support/approval if candidate is student or faculty at different institution	NA _____ or Page _____ of application
13.	CHECKLIST – To be attached to front of original application before mailing.

NOTE: Upon receipt of application package, NIDA will forward an email acknowledgement of its receipt to the Principal Investigator. If email acknowledgement is not received by the applicant institution, please call the NIDA Special Populations Office (301/ 443-0441) to confirm receipt.