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Applications must be prepared using the grant application forms found in the PHS 398 instructions for preparing an Institutional Research Training Application including Ruth L. Kirschstein-NRSA Applications and this additional information.
The PHS 398 application instructions are available at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of the PHS 398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo: Telephone (301) 435-0714, Email GrantsInfo@nih.gov. Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY (301) 451-0088.
Applications must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/. The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form.
The title and number of this funding opportunity (PAR-07-348-AIDS International Training and Research Program (D43) must be typed in item (box) 2 only of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.
Follow the PHS 398 Instructions for Preparing an Institutional Research Training Application including Ruth L. Kirschstein-NRSA Applications with the additions or exceptions as noted below:
8.3 Description, Project/Performance Sites, Senior/Key Personnel, Other Significant Contributors, and Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Project/Performance Sites:
List the applicant institution and all of the collaborating institutions as Performance Sites.
Senior/Key Personnel and Other Significant Contributors
List applicant institution PD as Senior/Key Personnel. At least ONE person at each of the collaborating institutions should be listed as Senior/Key Personnel and list their role as "Collaborator." Include members of the Training Advisory Group (See 8.9.3 a Program Plan: Program: Program Administration for a description of the Training Advisory Group) as Senior/Key Personnel.
Do not list faculty who will serve as mentors as Other Significant Contributors. See directions in Section IV. 8.9.3 a: Program Plan: Program Faculty.
8.4 Table of Contents
Use the substitute Table of Contents for Kirschstein-NRSA training grant application.
8.5 Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period
In place of the instructions in 8.5, use the following instructions for preparing Budget:
The budget may include costs to support the various types of research training proposed (tuition, stipends, salary, travel, per diem) for trainees and faculty, and costs to support the administration of the program and grant. Adequate resources to meet U.S. government requirements for training and training-related research should be included in the budget.
Provide a detailed budget justification explaining how requested funds will primarily support low- and middle-income country (LMIC) trainees. All expenses related to trainee participation in the program should be itemized on the PHS Form 398 (NRSA substitute budget pages 4 & 5) in the appropriate categories. All expenses related to faculty participation in the program should be itemized on the PHS Form 398 (budget form pages 4) in the appropriate categories. The total direct costs of the trainee participation budget should be identified on PHS Form 398 (budget form pages 4) in the "Other" category. The combining of the budget figures will allow reviewers and FIC staff to review a composite budget of all costs.
Faculty Participation (budget form page 4)
- Requested Salary Support:
- Faculty Travel
- Network Meetings
Trainee Participation (NRSA substitute budget page 4)
- Trainee Stipends:
- Tuition and Fees for Trainees
Note that health insurance is not included as part of this budget category, and is now included under Training Related Expenses category. Institutions are referred to the policy for funding of tuition, fees, and health insurance, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-06-093.html.
- Trainee Travel
- Training Related Expenses
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8.6 Budget for Entire Proposed Period of Support
In place of the instructions in 8.6, use the following instructions:
Use the Institutional Training Grant Substitute Form Page 5 for the trainee expenses and PHS Form 398 Budget form page 5 for administrative and faculty expenses and for the aggregated total direct costs for the trainee expenses.
8.7 Biographical Sketch
Include biographical sketches for the Program Director and Other Senior/Key Personnel contributing to the training program. This will include "Collaborators" and TAG members. Do not include bio-sketches for mentors as they are attached at 8.9.13 as Participating Faculty).
Program Director must be registered in the eRA Commons and must include the assigned Commons User ID.
8.8 Resources
Resources pages should be completed for all performance sites. Pertinent research resources and the educational environment including the options, if relevant, available for distance learning for the proposed training at the U.S. and partner country institutions should be described.
8.9 Research Training Program Plan
8.9.1 Introduction
If you are preparing a Resubmission (amended) application, prepare an Introduction section.
An unsuccessful application may only be re-submitted in response to a FOA for AIDS International Training and Research Program.
Note: Twenty-five page limit for Sec 8.9.2-8.9.5
Follow these directions for Sec 8.9.2-8.9.4
8.9.2 Background
In addition, include the following in the Background:
Present a detailed assessment of the needs for the research training at the proposed LMI country institution(s). The assessment should identify specific gaps in HIV-related research skills, and adjunct skills needed to address the research agenda.
Describe how the proposed research training and capacity building will support the research priorities of the country of the foreign institution.
Explain in details the relevance of the proposed research training to the overall institutional development plan of the proposed foreign institution(s).
Provide documentation (Letters of Support in Section 8.9.15) by the institutions of a long-term commitment to strengthen HIV-related research through government support or other resources.
Describe the background of the research and training collaborations between the key personnel at the applicant institution(s) and any other proposed partner institution(s). Each site should provide a comprehensive list of these awards for at least the past five years to support its application.
Provide evidence that all foreign partners collaborated in creating the research training development plan for the foreign site.
Identify areas of mutual interest between the country and the co-sponsoring NIH institutes, Centers or Offices identified on the Program Announcement.
Do not complete Tables 1 and 3. See 8.9.3 Program faculty for instructions for Table 2 Participating Faculty Members.
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8.9.3 Program Plan
a. Program Administration
In addition, include the following in the description of the Program Administrations:
Describe the composition and expertise of a Training Advisory Group (TAG) composed of expert faculty from the partner countries who are not directly involved in mentoring trainees. The TAG assist in trainee selection, scientific review of trainee projects, and evaluation of trainees and training program progress, the specific responsibilities of the group, and the processes for it to accomplish its responsibilities.
Describe in detail the internal procedures that will be put into place for all training-related research projects for:
- independent peer-review
- written evidence of documentation of education in the protection of human subjects for the trainee (see 8.9.5);
- evidence of compliance with the required federal citations;
- approval from an institutional (or ethical) review board or committee at the foreign institution (and also by the U.S. institution for research supported by the U.S. award) and from the relevant government authority. Please see: Procedures for Registering Institutional Review Boards and Filing Federal-Wide Assurances of Protection for Human Subjects (FWAs) at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/assurances/assurances_index.html.
Describe the procedures to assure that the research training program functions within the context of the collaborative relationship, including input from scientific and community advisory boards in the foreign country.
b. Program Faculty
In addition, include the following in the description of the Program Faculty:
Describe the roles, responsibilities and commitments of the Senior/Key Personnel from the partner institutions(s). State what these individuals would actually do and their time commitments to the program.
Include a list of the other participating faculty and their scientific areas of interest at the applicant institutions in Table 2 and include bio-sketches in 8.9.13. Include a summary of the experience of the faculty in training pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees particularly trainees from LMI countries, with special mention of trainees from the country focus of the proposed program. Include a list of additional potential mentors and their scientific areas of interest, if appropriate.
Include letters from Senior/Key Personnel and participating faculty defining their specific roles (such as mentoring and teaching) and time commitments in the proposed training program in 8.9.15.
In Table 4, include a list of the research grants in which the PDs, key or relevant faculty at the partner institutions have played a key role. Please include source of support and grant number (if applicable), grant title, project period and current year direct costs. Include PI if not the faculty member and role played by faculty member with Grant Title. Include Institution with faculty member name.
Provide a short description of the funded research in Table 4 and any other currently funded and future research that will serve as the research base for the proposed research-training program.
Do not complete Table 5.
For Renewal applications only: In Table 6, only include publications in peer-reviewed journals, including local journals, from trainees who have been supported by the research training grant in the (name of program) program and for which the grant was cited. These data constitute part of the Progress Report (see Section 8.9.6 Progress Report below).
c. Proposed Training
In place of the instructions in 8.9.3c, use the following instructions.
Describe the proposed research training program, including the goals, objectives and plan for meeting the objectives outlined in the program announcement.
Describe the plans for the integration of the research capacity building activities at the LMI country institution(s).
Describe how the proposed research training program may serve as a bridge among academic research, policy makers and public health communities to help to link the research supported in the country by NIH and other sponsors with other country programs supported by U.S.G. and other donors and by the country itself.
Describe an appropriate balance of research training options (degree-related and non-degree, long, medium and short term training) and disciplines to match the needs of the trainees and their LMI country institution.
Describe the plans for strengthening core research support capabilities necessary for long-term sustainability, such as the use of scientific literature, scientific writing and presentation, grant writing, bioinformatics, bioethics, good clinical practice, biosafety, data management, research administration, the management of intellectual property and English as a second language, if necessary.
Describe plans to include education in the inclusion of children, women and individuals from underrepresented racial, ethnic and disenfranchised groups in research their country. Where appropriate, the design of training-related research projects should take into account potential sex and gender differences that may affect the questions asked and the analyses performed. These might include different responses to the impacts of health interventions, differences in physiology, and different behavioral bases for disease prevention strategies.
Describe strategies that will be used to achieve a wider regional impact. This could be done by strengthening other institutions in the foreign country or in neighboring countries ("south to south" training). The ultimate goal is to become not only a national, but also a regional center of research excellence that is capable of offering training in these areas, and in introducing appropriate technology to scientists from other countries. Pertinent research resources and the educational environment including the options available for distance learning for the proposed training at the partner and low- and middle-income country institutions should be described.
d. Training Program Evaluation
In addition, include the following in the description of the Training Program Evaluation:
Describe the system that will be used to track and document the long-term impact of this training program on the research capacity of the foreign institution(s).
Describe a plan for self-evaluation of the program, including a plan to track long- and medium-term trainees for at least five years after completion of their training. Data regarding trainees should be entered into the web-based Fogarty Trainee Tracking System, FIC Career Trac, when it becomes operational. Success of the trainees can be measured by the number and quality of publications, presentations, courses developed, professional awards, grant funding, career advancement and subsequent employment that demonstrates their sustained commitment to research centers in their home countries; their contributions to future international research collaborations and research training; their influence on the development and use of research findings in their countries; and their ability to act as consultants, teachers, collaborators and role models to other local investigators and further disseminate the lessons learned.
Evaluation metrics should eventually encompass both the success of the individual trainees and the impact of the program on research capacity at the foreign institution(s) and the establishment or strengthening of multidisciplinary research training capability of HIV-related research. An evaluation of the impact of research training resulting from each program will be considered an important criterion during any re-competition of this PA/RFA. Applicants should establish some benchmarks and a mechanism to periodically review the progress of the trainees and the effectiveness of the program. This may consist of regular meetings among faculty participating in the program and periodic review by the TAG and other outside group of consultants.
e. Trainee Candidates
In place of the instructions in 8.9.3e, use the following instructions.
Training plans should describe in detail each of the following processes:
- Trainee recruitment;
- Trainee candidate evaluation and criteria for selection;
- Pre-training orientation;
- Trainee mentorship;
- Trainee evaluation;
- Post-training integration into the collaborating developing country institution's infectious disease research activities; and
- Dissemination of trainee research results to the relevant international scientific community and the clinical or public health sectors of the developing country.
Describe the characteristics of the trainees you plan to recruit for each type of training proposed. Training may be offered to a wide range of scientists, including laboratory scientists, clinicians, social scientists, and other health professionals, as well as technical and administrative staff. The intent of all training proposed should be to build a critical mass of researchers and support staff with the combined expertise and skills to conduct research.
Provide a detailed description of the recruitment and selection procedures and criteria for the foreign doctoral and post-doctoral scientists and other beneficiaries of the research training program (short term trainees, workshop participants, etc). The TAG should be included in this process. Criteria should include a list of standards that will be used to ensure that trainees have appropriate prior training and experience, are likely to complete the program, and are likely to develop into productive independent researchers in their home country. The recruitment and selection process must be transparent and widely advertised within the appropriate country. Applications must identify a major role of the partner institutions in the recruitment and selection plan.
Degree candidates must meet all entrance requirements of the U.S. or foreign degree-granting institution. Thought should also be given to preparation of non-degree long-term trainees in English language and/or computer skills in the summer preceding studies in the U.S. or at the foreign site, where appropriate, to allow them to make optimal use of their formal training period. Fees for such courses are allowable costs.
This plan should include procedures for retaining students in the program until completion.
Describe strategies to encourage trainees to return to their home country. Trainees should be encouraged and mentored to apply for awards under the Global Health Research Initiative Program for New Foreign Investigators (see http://www.fic.nih.gov/programs/research_grants/grip/index.htm) and the NIAD International Research in Infectious Diseases (IRID) Program (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-130.html).
Do not complete Tables 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B.
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8.9.4 Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity
Discuss plans to promote diversity relevant to the proposed LMI countries, rather than those defined within the U.S. context. Do not complete Tables 1, 7A, 7B, and 10.
Applicants should describe strategies for recruiting and retaining women and socially and economically disadvantaged persons as trainees.
8.9.5 Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
8.9.6 Progress Report (Renewal Applications Only)
In place of the instructions in 8.9.6, use the following instructions:
You do not need to complete Table 11
Complete Table 6, 12A and 12B.
Describe how the research training has increased the research capacity of the institution(s) in the collaborating country(ies) to address the research agenda around the priority health needs of the country(ies);
Describe how you have been able to leverage other NIH and non-NIH program opportunities in the country(ies) as a result of the research training;
Complete Tables 12A and 12B. Describe the trainees, including country, training received, any degrees awarded, training-related research and post-training positions, assumed upon completion of training.
In Table 6, only include publications in peer-reviewed journals, including local journals, from trainees who have been supported by the research training grant in the (name of program) program and for which the grant was cited.
Describe of how the previous (name of program) awards addressed the recruitment and support of women and socially disadvantaged groups within the population of the LMI country;
Describe the success of the program for the return of long-term trainees to their country of origin following the completion of their training, and a description of the strategies used by the program to maximize the number of trainees who return to their country of origin upon completing their training;
Describe how the returning trainees are using their research skills to strengthen the research capacity of their country and influence policy decisions. Prior performance through impact will be an important criterion in the re-competition of this program. Examples of such impact include how training received under the program has allowed former trainees to more critically evaluate new and existing interventions and programs, how the training has helped them to assume more responsible positions upon returning home, how continuing collaborations with former trainees resulted in the funding of investigators or co-investigators, and publications authored or co-authored by trainees that were passed upon support under this program; include a list of the research grants or other awards received by former trainees or in which former trainees are playing key roles;
Give examples of health policies that were influenced or implemented by trainees in their home countries.
8.9.7 Human Subjects
In place of the instructions in 8.9.7, use the following instructions:
Applicants should describe plans to meet the requirements related to the protection of human subjects in all training-related research. All training-related research projects in which trainees are involved under this award must be peer-reviewed through the Training Advisory Group. All trainees involved in human subjects research need documented evidence for education in the protection of human subjects for the trainee, compliance with the required federal citations, and approval from institutional (or ethical) review boards or committees at applicant and collaborating foreign institutions, and from the relevant government authority.
8.9.8 Vertebrate Animals
8.9.9 Select Agent Research
8.9.10 Literature Cited
8.9.11 Multiple PD Leadership Plan
8.9.12 Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
8.9.13 Participating Faculty Biosketches
8.9.14 Data Tables
Attach all Data Tables (1-12B) but complete only Tables 2 and 4 for all applications and complete Tables 6, 12A and 12B for renewal applications.
8.10 Checklist
8.11 Appendix Materials
All paper PHS 398 applications submitted for May 25, 2008 and subsequent due dates must provide appendix material on CD only, and include five identical CDs in the same package with the application. Paper applications submitted for due dates prior to May 25, 2008 may voluntarily provide the appendix on five identical CDs; if submitting CDs, it is not necessary to include a paper appendix. (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-031.html).
Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan component. An application that does not observe the required page limitations may be delayed in the review process.
Resource Sharing Plan(s)
The following resource sharing policies do not apply to this FOA:
- Data Sharing Plan. Not Applicable.
- Sharing Model Organisms. Not Applicable.
- Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Not Applicable.
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