THIS RFA REPLACES AND SUPERSEDES RFA-HL-02-004, WHICH APPEARED IN THE NIH GUIDE ON OCTOBER 15, 2001. INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES TO DEVELOPING FUNCTIONAL TISSUES AND ORGANS FOR HEART, VASCULAR, LUNG, AND BLOOD APPLICATIONS: EXPLORATORY/DEVELOPMENTAL (R21) RESEARCH GRANTS Release Date: December 3, 2001 RFA: RFA-HL-02-017 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov ) Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 21, 2002 Application Receipt Date: February 20, 2002 THIS RFA USES "MODULAR GRANT" AND "JUST-IN-TIME" CONCEPTS. MODULAR INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE USED FOR RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS REQUESTING LESS THAN $250,000 PER YEAR IN ALL YEARS. MODULAR BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED IN SECTION C OF THE PHS 398 (REVISION 5/2001) AVAILABLE AT http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. PURPOSE The intent of this solicitation is to encourage innovative research leading to the development of new approaches, technologies, tools, methods, devices, cells, biomolecules, and biomaterials that can be used to either engineer tissue in vitro as a biological substitute for implantation or to foster tissue regeneration in vivo, with the purpose of replacing, repairing, maintaining, or enhancing organ function. 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 Request for Applications (RFA), Innovative Concepts and Approaches to Developing Functional Tissues and Organs for Heart, Vascular, Lung, and Blood Applications: Exploratory/Developmental Awards (R21), 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/. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign, for-profit and non- profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators. The use of human embryonic stem cells will be allowed in accordance with the NIH guidelines for applications requesting funding that proposes research with human embryonic stem cells which can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-006.html. Principal investigators and their applicant institutions are urged to read this guidance carefully and follow the steps outlined. In addition, up-to-date information regarding these guidelines is provided in the form of frequently asked questions at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/stem_cell_faqs.htm. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Exploratory/ Developmental Research Grant (R21) award mechanism. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed three years. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. The R21 cannot be renewed: if sufficient data are generated during the term of the award, investigators could apply for further funding through regular research grant mechanisms, e.g. the research project grant (R01) mechanism. The anticipated award date is September 30, 2002. Specific application instructions have been modified to reflect "MODULAR GRANT" and "JUST-IN-TIME" streamlining efforts that have been adopted by the NIH. Complete and detailed instructions and information on Modular Grant applications have been incorporated into the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001). Additional information on Modular Grants can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm. FUNDS AVAILABLE The NHLBI intends to commit approximately $6,750,000 in FY 2002 to fund 30 new grants in response to this RFA. An applicant may request a project period of up to three years and a budget for direct costs of up to $150,000, or six modules, per year. Because the nature and scope of the research proposed may vary, it is anticipated that the size 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. The new National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) also has a strong interest in this area of research. The NIBIB will consider support of applications submitted in response to this RFA after the Institute's accounting structures have been set up. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background Every day thousands of people of all ages are admitted to hospitals because of the malfunction of some vital organ. Estimates of the total U.S. health care costs for patients with tissue loss or end-stage organ failure exceed $400 billion annually. Until very recently, most damaged or diseased human tissue could only be replaced by donor transplants or with totally artificial parts. Both of these solutions are imperfect, in part, because of the dearth of transplantable organs and the risks associated with prosthetic replacements. Today, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine promise to revolutionize the treatment of patients who need new vital structures. These approaches apply the principles of engineering and the life sciences in an effort to reach a fundamental understanding of structure-function relationships in normal and pathological tissues and to develop biological substitutes, with the capacity to grow and remodel, to restore, maintain, or improve tissue and organ function. The field has already made headway in the synthesis/regeneration of structural tissues such as skin, cartilage, and bone. Furthermore, bladders have been successfully bioengineered and implanted in dogs. Thus, progress to date predicts future success in the bioengineering of more complex internal organs and the field is now poised for moving ahead in that direction. However, high risk, innovative research in some critical areas could serve as a catalyst for engineering functional cardiovascular, lung, and blood tissues and help lay the foundation for success that could impact tremendously on human health. Scope This RFA is being issued in recognition of the nascence of this scientific area for heart, lung, and blood applications, and the need for the development of novel concepts and approaches to engineering or regenerating functional tissues and organs. The primary purpose of the solicitation is to provide investigators with the opportunity to explore entirely new approaches and test imaginative new ideas in areas that will have a significant impact on developing functional cardiovascular, lung, and blood tissues and organs through fabrication of engineered constructs in vitro or by regeneration and remodeling in vivo. In addition, it is intended to encourage the development of substantial and meaningful changes to existing technology. The proposed research should be at the frontiers of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, it should be unusually imaginative or dramatically different from past paradigms, and it must have the potential for a broad impact on current efforts directed at growing tissues for repair or replacement. To be eligible for consideration, proposals must be distinct from those traditionally submitted through the R01 mechanism. For example, projects designed to produce incremental advances in knowledge will not be considered. Proposals submitted under this mechanism should be limited to those with the potential for truly ground-breaking impact. Since the R21 mechanism is intended to encourage exploratory research, no preliminary data are required. However, the application should make clear that the proposed research is scientifically sound, the qualifications of the investigators are appropriate, and the resources available to the investigators are adequate. Applications from both individuals and groups interested in developing suitable novel approaches are encouraged, however team approaches to these efforts are especially encouraged in the belief that a synergistic blend of expertise and resources may be needed. It is expected that this research will require expertise from a variety of disciplines, including engineering, chemistry, physics, materials science, biology, and medicine. Efforts in cardiovascular, lung, and blood tissue engineering and regenerative medicine share many common scientific challenges and can benefit from some common technological approaches. At the same time, each application area also presents its own challenges that relate to specific clinical problems and the unique biology and physiology of the tissue. Research under this program should thus proceed along one, or both, of two parallel fronts; cross-cutting basic science and technology and/or focused approaches aimed at well-defined clinical problems. The NHLBI anticipates the receipt of applications addressing, but not limited to, the following areas: 1. Basic Science and Technology Common to Heart, Lung, and Blood A. Stem/Progenitor Cell Biology B Studies focused on heart, vascular, lung, and blood stem/progenitor cells is needed including: 1) molecular identification of stem/progenitor cells; 2) development of cellular markers to distinguish stem/progenitor cells; 3) study and improvement of stem/progenitor cell homing; 4) understanding growth factors, matrix molecules, and signaling pathways involved in stem/progenitor cell growth and differentiation; 5) development of standard protocols for culturing stem/progenitor cells B. Vascular Assembly in Engineered and Natural Tissues - Research in at least two major areas is needed: 1) for cells or patches of tissue implanted directly into a site in vivo or for tissue regenerated in vivo; analysis of the spacial and temporal interplay of multiple genetic and environmental signals involved in the development, regeneration, and regression of vascular networks; 2) for tissues grown in vitro; methods to create vascular networks ranging from capillaries to arteries/veins that are capable of anastomosing with vessels at the site of implantation. C. Signaling and Remodeling B Knowledge of the interplay between environmental factors and intrinsic cell factors that together regulate renewal of cardiovascular, lung, and blood tissues is needed including: 1) understanding what environmental cues, including growth factors and matrix molecules, attract the cells that ultimately lead to repopulation of sites of injury and identification of where such cells originate; 2) understanding the factors that prevent regeneration of injured structures; and 3) developing quantitative analyses and modeling of how signals are presented physically and temporally to cells and how cells integrate multiple signals to generate a response. This knowledge could provide a design basis for the manipulation of the environment to achieve tissuegenesis. D. Scaffold Fabrication and Control of Cellular Behavior - Techniques for creating 3D scaffolds with complex architecture and chemistry must be developed significantly beyond current stages to address the needs of vascularized and innervated tissues. This includes development of novel molecular design strategies, materials fabrication processes, and methods for functional analysis of biomaterials. Highly novel research focused on genetic approaches to tissue engineering, regeneration, and repair, innervation of tissue-engineered/regenerated tissue, functional assessment of engineered/regenerated tissue, issues related to the immune response to engineered tissues and cells, and bioreactors and bioprocessing, will also be considered responsive. 2. Functional Applications of Science and Technology to Clinical Problems A. Heart B Engineer cells, myocardial patches, or heart ventricles for implantation to restore, renew or replace the contractile function of the failing heart. Tissue engineer valves to treat congenital or acquired diseases of the heart valves and great arteries. Develop biomechanical environments for engineering cardiac tissues in vitro. Design methods to foster cardiac tissue regeneration in vivo. B. Vascular B Efforts to develop tissue-engineered vascular grafts with improved long-term patency need to be undertaken particularly with the addition of physiologically relevant mechanical forces to the growing tissue. Design methods to foster vascular regeneration in vivo. C. Lung B Novel approaches such as using progenitor cells or patches of cultured primordial lung tissue to replace gas exchange areas destroyed by injury and replaced by dysfunctional tissue. Effects of mechanical factors on function of newly generated or transplanted tissues will need to be assessed. D. Blood B Hematopoietic stem cells: assays for stem cell products that predict engraftment in patients, transplant regimens with reduced toxicity, regimens that induce tolerance, methods to identify, purify, and expand specific populations of lineage committed cells, and generation of "generic" stem cell populations. Transfusable blood components: culture-derived red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets (or their precursors), artificial oxygen carrying solutions, methods to prevent immunization by such cells or artificial blood components, and large scale production and storage methods are needed. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Grantees will meet annually to share results, to ensure that the NHLBI has a coherent view of the advances in the field, and to have an opportunity for collective problem solving among investigators. Applicants should request travel funds in their budget for the principal investigator and one additional young investigator to attend this annual meeting. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS 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 It is the policy of NIH 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 was published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html Investigators also may obtain copies of these policies from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. 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. This policy announcement is found in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts Announcement dated June 5, 2000, at the following website: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html. 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. Reviewers are cautioned that their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an Internet site. 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 RFA 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. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to which the application may be submitted. 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 IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Deborah Beebe, at the address listed under INQUIRES, by the letter of intent receipt date listed in the heading of this RFA. APPLICATION PROCEDURES The PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001) at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html must be used in applying for these grants. This version of the PHS 398 is available in an interactive, searchable format. Beginning January 10, 2002, the NIH will return applications that are not submitted on the 5/2001 version. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone 301/435-0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODULAR GRANT APPLICATIONS 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 NIH staff. The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html is to be used in applying for these grants, with modular budget instructions provided in Section C of the application instructions. All application instructions outlined in the PHS 398 application kit are to be followed with the following modifications for R21 applications: 1. R21 applications will use the "MODULAR GRANT" and "JUST-IN-TIME" concepts, with direct costs requested in $25,000 modules, up to the total direct costs limit of $150,000, or six modules, per year. 2. Items a-d of the Research Plan for the R21 application may not exceed 15 pages, including tables and figures. The following information should be taken into account for items a, b and c: o Item a, SPECIFIC AIMS--The instructions for this section suggest that the applicant state "the hypotheses to be tested". Since some applications submitted in response to this RFA may also be design- or problem-driven (e.g., development of novel technologies), or need-driven (initial research to develop a body of data upon which future research will build), hypothesis testing per se may not be the driving force in developing such a proposal and, therefore, may not be applicable. Thus, the application should state the hypotheses, design, problem and/or need which will drive the proposed research. o Item b, BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE--In this section, it is important to identify clearly how the application addresses the specific objectives of this RFA and the purpose of the R21 mechanism. o Item c, PRELIMINARY STUDIES/PROGRESS REPORT-- Although preliminary data are not required for an R21 application, they may be included. 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. 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 five collated sets of Appendix material, must be sent to Dr. Deborah Beebe at the address listed under Inquiries. 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 sent 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 yet received such a letter within three weeks after submitting the application, contact Dr. Deborah Beebe at the address listed under Inquiries. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS 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 receive a written critique and 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, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the NHLBI National Advisory Council. Review Criteria The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health. In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects of the application 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, weighting them as appropriate for each application. Note that the application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score. (1) Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? (2) Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? (3) Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? (4) Investigator: Is the investigator 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 (if any)? (5) Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? In addition to the above criteria, in accordance with NIH policy, all applications will also be reviewed with respect to the following: o The adequacy of plans to include both genders, minorities and their subgroups, and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. o The reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research. o 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. Schedule Letter of Intent Receipt Date: January 21, 2002 Application Receipt Date: February 20, 2002 Peer Review Date: May/June 2002 Council Review: September 5-6, 2002 Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 30, 2002 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. INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or answer questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Cardiovascular Christine A. Kelley, Ph.D. Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Rockledge II, Room 9142 Bethesda, MD 20892-7940 Telephone: (301) 435-0513 FAX: (301)480-1335 Email: kelleyc@nhlbi.nih.gov Lung Mary Anne Berberich, Ph.D. Division of Lung Diseases National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Rockledge II, Room 10102 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 435-0222 FAX: (301) 480-3557 Email: berberim@nhlbi.nih.gov Blood Phyllis Mitchell, M.S. Division of Blood Diseases and Resources National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Rockledge II, Room 10163 Bethesda, MD 20892-7950 Telephone: (301) 435-0481 FAX: (301) 480-1060 Email: mitchelp@nhlbi.nih.gov Send letter of intent and 2 copies of the application and direct inquiries regarding review issues to: Deborah P. Beebe, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Affairs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7178 (MSC 7924) Bethesda, MD 20892-7924 (20817 for Courier) Telephone: (301) 435-0270 Fax: (301) 480-3541 Email: BeebeD@nhlbi.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Diane Drew Grants Operations Branch Division of Extramural Affairs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7157A, MSC 7926 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7926 Telephone: (301) 435-0177 FAX: (301) 480-3310 Email: drewd@nhlbi.nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.837, 93,838, and 93.839. 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 and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-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.
Return to NIH Guide Main Index
Office of Extramural Research (OER) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
||||||||
Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, RealPlayer, Video or Flash files, see Help Downloading Files. |