POPULATION RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Summary Table: R21 and R24 Differences
Application Guidelines: Developmental Awards (R21)
Sample Research Support Summary Table

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PAR-04-138

APPLICATION GUIDELINES: DEVELOPMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE AWARDS (R21)

Applications for the R21 must be prepared according to Modular Grant instructions. The modular grant concept establishes specific modules in which direct costs may be requested as well as a maximum level for requested budgets. Only limited budgetary information is required under this approach. The just-in-time concept allows applicants to submit certain information only when there is a possibility for an award. It is anticipated that these changes will reduce the administrative burden for the applicants, reviewers and Institute staff. The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/01, updated 9/9/2003) is to be used in applying for these grants, with the modifications noted below.

For responses to this PAR, Modular Grant applications will request direct costs in $25,000 modules, up to a total direct cost request of $150,000 per year. The total direct costs must be requested in accordance with the program guidelines and the modifications made to the standard PHS 398 application instructions described below:

Applications should be prepared according to instructions in the PHS 398 except as indicated below.

SECTION I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. FACE PAGE

The PAR title ("Developmental Infrastructure for Population Research") and number (PAR-04-138) must be typed on line 2 of the face page and the YES box must be marked.

B. DESCRIPTION, PERFORMANCE SITES, AND KEY PERSONNEL

Under Key Personnel, list key scientific and technical personnel participating in the grant. Do not list all researchers affiliated with the applicant program. List only those individuals who contribute significantly to the leadership and guidance of the proposed program and infrastructure components.

C. TABLE OF CONTENTS

In lieu of the preprinted Table of Contents outline on Form Page 3 of PHS 398, a table of contents should be prepared listing major sections and paginated to enable reviewers to find specific information readily. The Table of Contents should contain information in three sections: Section I - General Information, Section II - Research Plan, and Section III - Appendix. Major areas to be listed and paginated in the Table of Contents appear in capital letters in these guidelines.

D. MODULAR BUDGET

In addition to providing estimates of overall project costs, provide an estimate of direct costs associated with each proposed infrastructure component. Provide requested information on personnel separately for each infrastructure component.

E. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

A biographical sketch is required for all key scientific and technical personnel named on Form Page 2, as well as for all active program researchers, as defined in the RFA under "FUNDS AVAILABLE." Include active program researchers first, beginning with the Principal Investigator, and following with others in alphabetical order. Then provide biosketches for all technical personnel involved in infrastructure components of the application in alphabetical order.

F. SUMMARY TABLE OF RESEARCH SUPPORT

Present a summary table of the levels of infrastructure and research support received by the unit, by source. This table should show, for the applicant unit as a whole, the total funds supporting research and infrastructure in the unit for the most recent budget year available. Show sources of funds in major categories (e.g., NICHD R24, P30 or P50 grant, if applicable, other NICHD, other NIH, NSF, Foundations, parent institution, etc.). This table should be presented in a format such as that presented in the Sample Research Support Summary Table.

G. RESOURCES

In addition to information required by PHS 398, provide a floor plan for the space available to the applicant unit, indicating the locations of any spaces that are not physically contiguous.

SECTION II - RESEARCH PLAN

Include a detailed Table of Contents with pagination (numeric only) at the beginning of Section II. Identify each section by title, and assign each a capital letter (A,B,C) that reflects the order in which they are presented in the application research plan.

Page limitations: The length of the sections devoted to the overall description of the program, progress report, research activity, and proposed infrastructure components must not exceed those specified below. Applicants should be concise.

Assurances and Collaborative Agreements. Any arrangements for collaborative and cooperative endeavors or subcontracting should be highlighted in the appropriate section below. Letters of Intent to Collaborate and Letters of Agreement from consultants should be referenced here and included at the end of the appropriate component.

A. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Summarize the unit's research program, identifying signature population-related themes that exemplify the unit's most significant current and/or anticipated contributions to population research. Address the scientific and practical significance of each research theme. Describe the current and recent research activity in the unit that has contributed to the theme, identifying relevant scientific accomplishments and describing their impact. Highlight activities that have produced significant innovation and/or interdisciplinary collaboration. Describe the vision of program scientists for advancing research related to the theme.

Also describe other major contributions the unit's active researchers have made to population research within the last five years. Examples of such contributions include large-scale projects that benefit the field broadly, creation of interdisciplinary collaborations, training and mentoring of junior scientists, scientific leadership of program personnel, and translational activities to improve clinical practice, public intervention programs, and public policy formulation. Do not repeat contributions discussed in the context of signature population-related themes.

Summarize the vision of program researchers for the unit's future scientific advances and contributions. Describe strategies the unit employs for advancing the quality and innovation of its population research program over the short and long run. Describe how the unit fosters the development of an intellectual community that bridges investigators from different disciplines and different projects and promotes innovation in population research. Describe how the unit develops and implements its goals. Describe how the unit assures the development and success of junior scientists.

Describe the configuration and governance of the unit and provide an organizational chart. Include information on administrative position of the unit within the larger institution, the authority of the Director, and the role of advisory or user committees. Outline the principles and procedures the unit uses to determine membership in or affiliation with the unit and to allocate resources and grant access to core services. If the unit employs more than one category of membership or affiliation, explain the privileges and responsibilities associated with each. Describe how the NICHD support would leverage and interact with all other forms of support contributing to the research activities of the program.

Summarize the key features of the proposed infrastructure program and explain how each element will advance the quality, productivity, and innovation of the unit's research activities.

Do not exceed 20 pages for this section.

B. PROGRESS REPORT

Not required.

C. RESEARCH ACTIVITY OF PROGRAM SCIENTISTS

Briefly summarize the recent and current research activity of each active program scientist with respect to each of the five points listed below. Use one page per active researcher. Describe the Principal Investigator's research activity first and that of all other researchers subsequently in alphabetical order.

D. INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENT DESCRIPTIONS

Describe proposed infrastructure components, as applicable, in the order listed below. If more than one component is proposed under a given category, assign letters to distinguish the components (e.g., 1.a; 2.c). For each component, provide the name of the Director and describe procedures used to assure cost-efficiency and high quality administrative and research activities.

Do not exceed five pages in describing each component (core or activity). If any component is described as a collaborative activity (i.e., involving partnership with another institution), applicants may use one additional page to describe how each partner will contribute (e.g., in terms of administration, staffing, and other resources); how each partner will benefit (e.g., in terms of access to services or research productivity); and how decision-making will be shared.

1. Research Support Cores - Describe the objectives, administrative organization (use organizational chart), staffing (including a Core Director and any professional or technical personnel and their duties, space and physical resources, current and projected services, eligibility for and allocation of services, and cost-sharing arrangements. Briefly describe current or planned research activities that will utilize the core services.

Explain how the proposed research support cores will contribute to advancing the research program and its signature population-related themes of the and to fostering innovation in the program's research. Describe strategies for assuring that research support services effectively respond to and anticipate the evolving needs of science conducted in the unit. Justify the core in terms of scientific impact and cost-effectiveness. Explain what the proposed core services will provide over and above research support that the applicant's institution and specific research projects already provide and why they are essential to meet the needs and goals of the research program.

2. Developmental Infrastructure - Describe the objectives and administrative organization of each type of developmental infrastructure. Describe the impact of the infrastructure on population research within the unit. In describing seed grant programs, provide details on program procedures and policies, including review procedures; priorities for allocating funds; requirements for leveraging funds or preparing research proposals to extend or continue the project; size of awards; length of award periods; number of awards permitted to an individual researcher; mentorship arrangements; and cost-sharing arrangements with the parent institution.

Faculty development may include salary and/or research support for new faculty. Describe the probable use of faculty development funds and the ways in which the plan will advance the unit's research objectives.

Back to PAR-04-138

Back to PAR-04-138