MINORITY K-12 INITIATIVE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS (MKITS) 

RELEASE DATE:  November 13, 2002 

RFA: HL-02-026

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) 
 (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov)

LETTER OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE: February 21, 2003

APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE:  March 19, 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 purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to provide 
support for the research into and development and evaluation of 
innovative science training programs that will provide minority 
students in grades K-12 with the exposure, skills, and knowledge that 
will encourage them to pursue advanced studies in the biomedical and 
behavioral sciences. The goal is to increase the number of 
underrepresented minorities who choose to enter scientific research 
careers in the future. Applications to this NHLBI MINORITY K-12 
INITIATIVE (MKITS) should (1) describe programs that are designed to 
provide students with scientific and research experiences while they 
are still undecided about their future education and career choices, 
(2) enable teachers to improve exposure to scientific and research 
experiences in their schools, and (3) demonstrate an organizational 
infrastructure that supports development, implementation, and 
evaluation of exposure to scientific research experiences. Participants 
in the program will include NHLBI-supported investigators and K-12 
students and teachers. Teacher training activities will enable teachers 
to enhance the scientific knowledge and skills and research experiences 
of students in their classrooms. Applications that propose 
supplementary activities, such as family-based learning, are 
encouraged. 

It has long been a goal of the NHLBI to increase the number of 
underrepresented minorities in scientific research.  The 2000 National 
Science Foundation report on the status of underrepresented minorities 
in science shows progress since 1982 in increased numbers and 
percentages of African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans who 
have completed bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in science and 
engineering. However, African American and Hispanic faculty were less 
likely than white faculty to be full professors (after adjusting for 
age), and earned lower salaries than White and Asian scientists within 
the same age range and scientific fields [National Science Foundation. 
Women, Minorities, and Persons With Disabilities in Science and 
Engineering: 2000. Arlington, VA, 2000 (NSF 00-327), 
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf00327/start.htm.  Currently, the NHLBI 
funds undergraduate and postdoctorate training and career development 
(http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/redbook/trgnprog.htm), 
however the MKITS would be the first program to promote scientific and 
research experiences in grades K through 12. 

MKITS will fund exposure to scientific and research experiences in 
heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders and health, consistent with the 
mission of the NHLBI. (See NHLBI Mission Statement 
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/org/mission.htm.) Focusing on these 
scientific content areas is a means to facilitate students learning 
about the scientific process and inquiry, and to encourage their 
enthusiasm for science and its importance in their lives. 

Grant applications will be accepted in response to the RFA from NHLBI-
funded organizations that propose to provide creative and innovative 
scientific and research experiences for program participants. This 
solicitation requires collaboration among NHLBI-funded institutions, 
local schools and school districts, the local school community, and 
other local organizations or educational institutions.  Individual 
schools are eligible to participate in the MKITS program if their K-12 
student population is at least fifty percent underrepresented 
minorities. Underrepresented minorities are defined as individuals 
belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group determined by the 
grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, 
clinical, or social sciences. African Americans (Blacks), Hispanic 
Americans, Native Americans and Alaska Natives, and non-Asian Pacific 
Islanders are considered to be underrepresented nationally in 
biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences.

Scientists and educators who plan to apply for this grant are strongly 
encouraged to contact appropriate NHLBI staff (listed under INQUIRIES) 
prior to preparing an application to determine whether their 
application meets the program priorities of the NHLBI.  

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

MKITS programs provide the opportunity for underrepresented minority 
students in grades K-12 to meet the following primary objectives: (1) 
to gain scientific knowledge and research skills in heart, lung, blood 
and sleep disorders and health; (2) to participate in research 
experiences in heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders and health; and 
(3) to facilitate students developing career goals that include 
science, research, medicine and related fields. MKITS programs may 
serve an entire school or one or more classes, as long as the entire 
population is at least fifty percent underrepresented minorities.  
MKITS programs should aim to increase science literacy and skills among 
a broad group of students, not only gifted students.  Although the 
primary participants in the MKITS programs will be students and 
teachers, applicants may involve guidance counselors, and parents or 
families in order to meet the primary and secondary program objectives.  
Secondary objectives are specified by applicants and may address topics 
such as training the trainer, peer educators, community health 
promotion, and scientific career opportunities. 

Applicants are required to collaborate with schools or the local school 
district, local institutions, organizations and other key partners.  
Additional key partners include community-based organizations with an 
interest in minority health, career development; minority-serving 
institutions; parent, student and teacher organizations; and local 
chapters of disease-specific associations, such as the American Heart 
Association, the American Lung Association, and the Sickle Cell Disease 
Association of America.  Applicants should include a three to six month 
period for building partnerships ("coalition building") at the start of 
funding, and describe plans for this phase of the program. 

Applicants should specify secondary objectives for their proposed MKITS 
program, and the additional participants and partners. To meet these 
primary and secondary objectives, research scientists and other 
specialists at NHLBI-funded institutions must develop collaborative 
partnerships with students' schools, school personnel and 
administrators.  The NHLBI recommends that applicants include parents 
and/or families, community organizations and/or minority-serving 
institutions in the collaborative partnerships.  If inclusion of these 
is not possible for some reason, applicants should explain the reasons 
for their exclusion. 

Applicants are required to take a multidisciplinary approach to (1) 
establish the program infrastructure and (2) develop and implement the 
MKITS curricula.  The MKITS infrastructure (see Cores, below) should 
include personnel from the applicant institution and collaborating 
partners with expertise in all necessary fields.  For example, 
applicants may design a program infrastructure that includes experts in 
psychology, elementary and secondary science education, child 
development, minority health, career counseling, evaluation research, 
community empowerment and leadership. The program infrastructure should 
include representatives from participating institutions, organizations 
and other key partners.

Multidisciplinary approaches to MKITS curricula activities should 
replicate how research scientists collaborate in their work lives. 
Curricula and activities should be developmentally and age-appropriate, 
and enable students to develop skills such as planning experiments or 
community health activities; hypothesizing; observing phenomena whether 
planned and cumulative or unsuspected discoveries; recording and 
visually displaying data; manipulating large numbers or amounts of 
data; and presenting information to various audiences. Curricula and 
activities for teachers and guidance counselors may address theory, 
careers in science, career development by networking and mentoring, 
summer internships, college applications and scholarships for science 
majors, how to access equipment and supplies, assistance with 
implementing school district curricula, and science or health fairs and 
other presentations. Collaborative partners, especially from local 
organizations, will help applicants determine the appropriateness of 
including parents and families in various activities, and the methods 
for doing so. Approaches to curricula and activities will include the 
traditional basic sciences such as chemistry, physics, biology, and 
mathematics; and may include epidemiology, nutrition, psychology, 
sociology, genetics, molecular biology, scientific theory and research 
methods, community and public health, statistics, anatomy and 
physiology.  

Applicants and collaborators will create a program infrastructure for 
the MKITS programs that includes:

1. An Administrative Core that will be responsible for infrastructure 
and capacity building, coordinating functions within and across the 
different organizational structures and performing oversight 
responsibilities.  The Administrative Core will provide the 
organization and infrastructure that will design, promote, manage, 
deliver, assure evaluation, and plan for sustainability of the program. 
It will draw upon multiple disciplines and involve collaboration with 
multiple partners, many of whom may have not previously worked 
together.  The Administrative Core should, in collaboration with 
members of the other organizational cores, plan for program 
sustainability after the period of NHLBI funding. The Program Director 
should be a proven leader, have the authority and institutional support 
for implementing the program, and be at a level in the organization 
where s/he can garner the necessary support and resources.  The Program 
Director will have a leadership role in the Science and Research Core 
and the Evaluation Research Core. 

2. A Science and Research Core that will develop and deliver the  
programs, scientific training, and research activities. The Science and 
Research Core will have primary responsibility for developing and 
delivering the scientific and research activities.  Curricula that are 
age-appropriate, and combine science and research experiences in the 
basic and clinical sciences and public health should be developed by a 
multidisciplinary team that includes representatives from participating 
institutions.  Curricula that address minority health problems are 
encouraged.  Students should be given the opportunity to participate in 
projects that can be displayed or reported to a larger audience.  

3. An Evaluation Research Core that will develop and conduct short-term 
(i.e., process and formative) and long-term (i.e., over the course of 
the program) evaluations of the program objectives, interventions, 
outreach strategies, and other program components. The Evaluation 
Research Core staff should be involved in all phases of program 
development and delivery so that mid-course corrections can be 
implemented.  Plans for evaluating the effectiveness of the program and 
for identifying program features that promote program sustainability 
must be included. 

The activities supported by MKITS grants can involve training and 
research experiences of short (e.g., 3 months) or longer-term (e.g., 
year-long) duration.  Formats for the programs may vary to include a 
series of classes, field trips, short-term or long-term research 
experiences or projects; curriculum development, implementation and 
evaluation; and teacher training or professional development.  
Innovative approaches to learning, including web-based technologies, 
are encouraged.  The NHLBI expects applicants to propose their own 
creative and innovative MKITS programs in heart, lung, blood, and sleep 
disorders and health. 

For the MKITS programs to succeed, it will be essential for the Program 
Director, faculty and administration at the NHLBI-funded institution, 
local K-12 school teachers and administration, and members of other 
local institutions to collaborate in developing a program that meets 
local needs, designing an evaluation plan to determine program 
effectiveness, selecting students and/or classes to participate in the 
program, and designing outreach efforts to inform parents and the local 
community about the program. 

Specifically, MKITS programs will:

o Provide students with science training, exposure to research and 
mentoring with outstanding PIs who are actively engaged in biomedical 
research in heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders;

o Provide K-12 teachers with training in science, the philosophy of 
science and the scientific method;

o Encourage students to continue studying science in high school and 
beyond into college, graduate school and postgraduate training;

o Develop a pool of students who are interested in pursuing science 
courses and/or research careers;

o Enhance students' academic performance in science; 

o Plan for program sustainability after NHLBI funding by describing 
strategies to obtain funding from other sources, and identifying those 
sources; and

o Evaluate progress of the program in reaching its objectives. 

Additionally, MKITS programs may:

o Familiarize guidance counselors with scientific research careers;

o Improve knowledge about minority health issues and health 
disparities; and

o Establish partnerships with local minority institutions or 
organizations that do not have NHLBI funding in order to include 
minority role models for the students.  
 
The NHLBI anticipates that the MKITS programs will increase the 
scientific knowledge about (1) best methods for designing and 
delivering programs that encourage underrepresented minority students 
to pursue advanced education and training in biomedical sciences and 
about (2) program features that encourage sustainability of K-12 
science programs after NHLBI funding.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the NIH R25 award mechanism.  Applicants are solely 
responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed 
program.  This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  Future unsolicited, 
competing-continuation applications based on this program will compete 
with all investigator-initiated applications and will be reviewed 
according to the customary peer review procedures. The anticipated 
award date is September 2003. 

This RFA uses just-in-time concepts.  It uses the modular budgeting 
format (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm).   
Specifically, an application submitted in response to this RFA must use 
the modular format.

FUNDS AVAILABLE 

NHLBI intends to commit approximately $2,400,000 in FY2003 to fund 6 
new grants in response to this RFA. An applicant may request a project 
period of up to 5 years and a budget for direct costs of up to $250,000 
per year. 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 the NHLBI provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this 
RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a 
sufficient number of meritorious applications. At this time, it is not 
known if this RFA will be reissued.

Since the total costs for a subcontract or consortium are included in 
the direct cost request, one additional module of $25,000 above the cap 
may be requested for the facilities and administrative costs associated 
with third party agreements.  A module requested for this purpose must 
be clearly identified in the budget justification section of the 
application, and will be restricted for this purpose only at the time 
of award.

ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS

Applications may be submitted by institutions that have 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 Domestic
o Faith-based or community-based organizations

Applicant institutions must have at least one currently (i.e., at time 
of submission) funded NHLBI-funded research (R series) or research 
training (T series) grant, or cooperative agreement (U series). 

INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS/ PROGRAM 
DIRECTORS  

Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to 
carry out the MKITS objectives are invited to work with their 
institution and collaborative partners 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

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible institutions are organizations that have an active NHLBI-
funded grant at the time of submission. Individual K-12 schools are 
eligible to participate with an NHLBI-funded organization in the MKITS 
program if their K-12 student population is at least fifty percent 
underrepresented minorities. Underrepresented minorities are defined as 
individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group determined 
by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical, 
behavioral, clinical, or social sciences. African Americans (Blacks), 
Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Alaska Natives, and non-Asian 
Pacific Islanders are considered to be underrepresented nationally in 
biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences.

The Program Director of the MKITS program will be a faculty or staff 
member at an institution with at least one NHLBI-funded research (R 
series) or research training (T series) grant, or cooperative agreement 
(U series). The Program Director may be the Principal Investigator on 
one of these awards, but not on a mentored career development (K08 or 
K23) or National Research Service Award F31 or F32 fellowship award. 
The Program Director should have a history of mentoring or teaching, 
and a strong commitment to training young people and advancement of 
underrepresented minorities in scientific research careers. The Program 
Director should be in a position to coordinate and direct use of 
facilities and resources by program participants. 

At least one Principal Investigator on the applicant institution's 
NHLBI-funded research (R series) or research training (T series) 
grants, or cooperative agreements (U series) must participate in at 
least one activity in the MKITS program.  For example, the NHLBI-funded 
PI may deliver a lecture, demonstrate a lab experiment to students, act 
as a resource for curriculum development especially for lab-based 
projects or experiments, or lead teacher training activities. If the 
applicant institution has more than one NHLBI grant or cooperative 
agreement, the NHLBI encourages the applicant to involve additional 
Principal Investigators in MKITS activities. 

Allowable Costs

Allowable costs must be consistent with NIH policy and be reasonable, 
allocable, well documented and justified for the MKITS program.  Grant 
funds may not be used to supplant funds otherwise available at the 
applicant institution.

Personnel Costs - individuals participating in the design and 
implementation of the MKITS program may request salary and fringe 
benefits appropriate for the percent of time devoted to the program.  
Normally, all personnel costs (including administrative and clerical 
costs) associated with directing, coordinating, and administering the 
program are not expected to exceed 25% of the total direct cost.  
Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the 
institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the 
Congressionally mandated maximum ($166,700 in fiscal year 2002). 

Limited administrative and clerical salary costs associated distinctly 
with the program that are not normally provided by the applicant 
organization may be direct charges to the grant only when specifically 
identified and justified.  Consultation costs, equipment, supplies, 
necessary travel, and other program related expenses must be justified 
as specifically required by the program proposed and not duplicate 
items generally available for programs at the host institution.

Participant Support – K-12 students may not receive support for 
participating in the program. 

Individuals, other than the primary Program Director, who are supported 
by NIH training and career development mechanisms (K, T or F Grants),  
may not receive stipend or salary support from the MKITS award.  
However, if funds are not available from other sources, limited support 
to defray costs (e.g., travel, meals, lodging) may be provided.

Partial costs for off-site rental space will be considered if it is 
short term and shown to be necessary for the implementation and 
execution of the MKITS program (museum workshop, laboratory space, 
computer lab, etc.).  Matching funds from applicant institutions or 
other organizations for such off-site costs are strongly encouraged.

Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs, formerly known as "indirect 
costs," will be reimbursed at a rate of 8% of modified total direct 
costs for the applicant organization and any approved subcontract.

Funds will not be provided for fringe benefits or health insurance for 
participants involved in the MKITS program.

Note that all costs associated with consortium/contractual 
arrangements, both direct and F&A costs, are considered direct costs 
and are included in the $250,000 direct costs ceiling limitation for 
this program.

Normally, funds for the evaluation plan are not expected to exceed 5% 
of the total direct cost.

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:

Ellen M. Werner, Ph.D.
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Rockledge II, Room 10156
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7950
Bethesda, MD  20892-7950
Telephone:  (301) 435-0061
FAX:  (301) 480-0868
Email: wernere@nhlbi.nih.gov

Patrice Desvigne-Nickens, M.D.
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Rockledge II, Room 9158
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7940
Bethesda, MD  20892-7940
Telephone:  (301) 435-0494
FAX:  (301) 480-1336
Email: DesvignP@nhlbi.nih.gov

Jared B. Jobe, Ph.D.
Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 8122, MSC 7936
Bethesda, MD 20892-7936
Telephone: (301) 435-0407
FAX: (301) 480-1773
Email: jobej@nhlbi.nih.gov

Sri Ram, Ph.D.
Division of Lung Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Rockledge II, Room 10206
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7952
Bethesda, MD  20892-7952
Telephone:  (301) 435-0202
FAX:  (301) 480-3557
Email:  rams@nhlbi.nih.gov

Carl E. Hunt, M.D.
Center for Sleep Disorders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Rockledge II, Room 10038
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7920
Bethesda, MD  20892- 7920
Telephone:  (301) 435-0199
FAX:  (301) 480-3451
Email:  huntc@nhlbi.nih.gov

o Direct your questions about peer review issues to:

Anne P. Clark, Ph.D.
Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Rockledge Drive, Room 7214, MSC 7924
Bethesda, MD  20892-7924 (20817 for express mail)
Telephone: (301) 435-0270
FAX: (301) 480-0730
Email: clarka@nhlbi.nih.gov

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

Ryan Lombardi 
Grants Operations Branch
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Rockledge Drive, Room 7160, MSC 7926
Bethesda, MD  20892-7926 (20817 for express mail)
Telephone: (301) 435-0170
FAX: (301) 480-3310
Email: lombardr@nhlbi.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/Program Director
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 NHLBI 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. Clark at 
the address listed under WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant 
application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001) with the exceptions 
listed below. The PHS 398 is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an 
interactive format.  Applications that do not conform to the specific 
instructions under SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS will be returned without 
review. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435-
0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Application face page:  item number two on this page must include 
the RFA number and the title, MINORITY K-12 INITIATIVE FOR TEACHERS AND 
STUDENTS (R25).

2. Description, Performance Sites, and Key Personnel (Form Page 2):  
under Performance Sites include "Consortium/Contractual Arrangements," 
and a list of collaborating sites. If multiple sites are to be used, 
the applicant institution or local school must be one of those sites.  
A strong justification must be included if any other sites will be 
used.

3. Resources (Resources Format Page):  describe the scientific and 
research environment; include a description of the facilities, 
laboratories, participating departments, computer services, and any 
other resources to be used in the conduct of the proposed program.  Use 
continuation pages, as necessary.

4. Research Plan: part "c" of this section should be re-titled 
"Preliminary Data and Activities" and included if applicable.  This 
section should contain information on steps that have led to the 
proposed MKITS program, including collaborations to date. 

5. Research Plan: part "d" of this section should be re-titled 
"Scientific and Research Training Program Plan" and should contain 
material organized under the following subheadings, as appropriate to 
the specific program:

a) Program Direction - describe arrangements for administration of the 
program; provide evidence that the Program Director is actively engaged 
in research and/or teaching, and can organize and administer the 
program; include evidence of institutional and community commitment and 
support for the proposed program. Include a description of plans for 
collaborating with other institutions for purposes of exchange and 
sharing of resources, including faculty, equipment, and facilities.

b) Program Faculty/Staff - describe the characteristics and 
responsibilities of the faculty; provide evidence that participating 
faculty are actively engaged in research or other scholarly activities 
related to heart, lung, blood or sleep disorders or health, and in 
other disciplines relevant to the proposed program. 

c) Proposed Scientific and Research Training Program - provide 
programmatic detail about the special activities proposed, including a 
description of plans to provide information to participants regarding 
the responsible conduct of research; if human subjects will 
participate, the use of human subjects in research; and if animals will 
be used, the use of animals in research. See the Required Federal 
Citations section of this RFA. 

d) Program Participants - provide details about the proposed 
participants; include a description of plans for recruiting teachers, 
students, and other participants. The application should include the 
total number of students in each participating K-12 school's student 
population, and the number of students in each underrepresented 
minority.

e) Evaluation Plan - include evaluation plans for determining success 
of the program in achieving its objectives.  Please note that 
applications that do not have an adequate evaluation plan will be 
considered non-responsive to this RFA.  The inclusion of evaluation 
instruments is encouraged.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODULAR GRANT APPLICATIONS: All applications 
submitted to this RFA must use the modular budget format. Applications 
requesting up to $250,000 per year in direct costs must be submitted in 
a modular grant format.  The modular grant format simplifies the 
preparation of the budget in these applications by limiting the level 
of budgetary detail.  Applicants request direct costs in $25,000 
modules. Applications requesting one module ($25,000) above the cap due 
to subcontract or consortium facilities and administrative costs 
associated with third party agreements must also be submitted in 
modular format and may request up to $275,000 per year in direct costs. 
Section C of the research grant application instructions for the PHS 
398 (rev. 5/2001) at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html includes step-
by-step guidance for preparing modular grants.  Additional information 
on modular grants is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm.

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 7710
Bethesda, MD  20892-7710
Bethesda, MD  20817 (for express/courier service)
 
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application as 
well as all 5 collated sets of appendix material must be sent to Dr. 
Clark at the address listed under WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES.

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.

Principal investigators should not send supplementary material without 
first contacting the Scientific Review Administrator (SRA).  The SRA 
will be identified in the letter sent to you indicating that your 
application has been received.  If you have not received such a letter 
within three weeks after submitting the application, contact Dr. Anne 
Clark at the address listed under WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS  

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR 
and responsiveness by the NHLBI. 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 NHLBI in accordance with the review 
criteria stated below.  As part of the initial merit review, all 
applications will:

o Receive a written critique
o 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 NHLBI National Advisory Council. 

REVIEW CRITERIA

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 program will have a substantial impact on the pursuit 
of the RFA goals. The scientific review group will address and consider 
each of the criteria in assigning your application's overall score.  

Scientific and Research Training Program 

o Quality of the research training program and activities
o Adequacy of plans for providing students with appropriate science and 
research experiences

Evaluation Plan

o Adequacy of plans and methods for monitoring student progress 
o Adequacy of plans for evaluating the short- and long-term 
effectiveness of the MKITS Program 

Program Infrastructure

o Documentation of schools', collaborating partners', and consultants' 
willingness to participate in the MKITS program. 
o Adequacy and appropriateness of plans for outreach and building 
collaborative partnerships
o Evidence of involvement of a wide variety of research areas in 
disciplines relevant to heart, lung, blood diseases and sleep disorders
 
Program Leadership

o Qualifications and experience of the Program Director, and level of 
effort that will be devoted to direction and leadership essential for a 
successful program
o Relevant scientific, research and training experience of MKITS 
faculty and staff
o Plans for effective program administration and coordination among 
faculty and collaborating partners by the Administrative Core
o Expertise in the disciplines required for the Administrative, Science 
and Research, and Evaluation Cores 

Institutional Commitment and Resources

o Access to facilities and related resources, including laboratory 
space, computer time, equipment, and research samples
o Adequacy of facilities and resources at the applicant institution or 
local school to sponsor the program

ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA: In addition to the above criteria, 
applications 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, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children 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: February 21, 2003
Application Receipt Date: March 19, 2003
Peer Review Date: June/July 2003
Council Review: September 2003
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 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.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN 
SUBJECTS: The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals 
under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research, 
conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and 
ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all initial 
(Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1, 
1998.

All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should 
read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines" on the inclusion of children as 
participants in research involving human subjects that is available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm. 

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 PA 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 
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 No. 93.837, 93.838, 93.839 and is not 
subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 
12372 or Health Systems Agency review.  Awards 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 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.

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