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Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
April 22, 2003 |
Bulletin
This Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program (EGRP) Bulletin provides
information about research funding, research resources, and policies and
procedures important for grantees and grant applicants who may be supported
through its Program. Our aim is to help you successfully navigate the
grant application process and to support your research efforts. EGRP manages
a comprehensive program of grant-supported, population-based research
to increase our understanding of cancer etiology and prevention.
Contents
Funding Opportunities
Following are a variety of NCI funding opportunities that may be of interest
to EGRP grantees and prospective grantees. The listing includes Program
Announcements (PA, PAR), a Request for Applications (RFA) for research
on cancer survivorship, training grants, supplemental funding opportunities,
and new PAs for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small
Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Programs.
Program Announcements Sponsored by EGRP:
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Cohort Studies in Cancer Epidemiology (PAS-02-009)
Mechanism: R01(research project grant).
There is a receipt date of November 1, 2003, for new and
revised R01 grant applications from investigators intending
to initiate, competitively supplement, or competitively renew epidemiologic
cohort studies of human cancers. (NIH Guide, NOT-CA-02-026).
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Contact: Sandra Melnick, Dr.P.H.
Telephone: 301-435-4914
Fax: 301-402-4279
E-mail: melnicks@mail.nih.gov |
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Small Grants Program for Cancer Epidemiology (PAR-03-010)
Mechanism: R03 (small grant).
This PAR invites small grant (R03) applications relating to cancer
epidemiology with a primary focus on etiologic cancer research.
These are short-term awards intended to provide support for pilot
projects, testing of new techniques, or development of innovative
projects that could provide a basis for more extended research.
Applications are encouraged that focus on high priority research
areas identified by NCI's Progress
Review Groups to raise awareness of scientific opportunities.
Of special interest (but not limited to) is development of a novel
way to explore the relationship of obesity to cancer risk.
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Contact: Virginia (Ginny) Hartmuller,
Ph.D., R.D.
Telephone: 301-594-3402
Fax: 301-402-4279
E-mail: hartmulv@mail.nih.gov.
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Molecular Epidemiology of Cancers Associated with Acquired Immunodeficiency
(PA-03-024)
Mechanism: R01 (research project grant), competing supplements.
Applications are invited for interdisciplinary studies to better
understand the molecular epidemiology and role of cofactors in the
etiology and pathogenesis of pre-neoplastic conditions and cancers
occurring among persons infected with the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), specifically those cancers associated with viruses
such as human papillomavirus(HPV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human
herpesvirus 8/Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (HHV8/KSHV),
and hepatitis viruses B and C. Also included is research on malignancies
arising within the context of acquired immunosuppression from non-HIV
sources.
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Contacts: Vaurice Starks
Telephone: 301-402-9375
Fax: 301-402-4279
E-mail: starksv@mail.nih.gov
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Sandra Melnick, Dr.P.H.
Telephone: 01-435-4914
Fax: 301-402-4279
E-mail: melnicks@mail.nih.gov |
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Occupational Safety and Health Research (PA-99-143)
Mechanism: R01 (research project grant).
This PA is currently accepting applications and will be reissued
in 2003. Its purpose is to stimulate research to develop knowledge
that can be used in preventing occupational diseases and injuries,
and to better understand their underlying pathophysiology.
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Contact: Kumiko Iwamoto, M.D.,
Dr.P.H.
Telephone: 301-435-4911
Fax: 301-402-4279
E-mail: iwamotok@mail.nih.gov |
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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Programs
The SBIR Program is a set-aside program (2.5% of an agency's extramural
budget) for domestic small business concerns to engage in Research
and Research and Development that has the potential for commercialization.
The STTR Program also supports the participation of small businesses
in Federal research and development, with an additional requirement
for a formal collaboration with the research institution in Phase
I and II. The President's budget proposal for the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) would increase the set aside for the STTR Program
from 0.15 to 0.3% of the total NIH extramural research and development
base in Fiscal Year 2004. The STTR Program requires that 30-60%
of the work be performed by the non-profit research institution
and the principal investigator be an employee of either the small
business or the academic research institution. The program is designed
to stimulate technological innovation and encourage partnerships
between research institutions and small businesses.
List of research topics of
particular interest to EGRP.
NCI Notice (NOT-CA-03-019)
in the NIH Guide.
Omnibus Solicitation Part
I and Part
II (program descriptions, research topics), Jan. 15, 2003.
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Contact: Jay
Choudhry, M.S.
Telephone: 301-435-6613
Fax: 301-402-4279
E-mail: choudhrj@mail.nih.gov |
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| RFA and PARs sponsored by other
components of our Division: |
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Long Term Cancer Survivors: Research Initiatives
(CA-04-003)
Mechanisms: R01 (larger applications with pilot data); R21 (instrument
development, exploratory, innovative research, no prior relevant pilot
data, junior investigators); and R03 (junior investigators, no prior
relevant pilot data).
Sponsored by the Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS). Letters of
intent are due May 12, and applications are due June 16, 2003. This
newly reissued RFA recognizes the critical need for more information
about long-term cancer survivorship, and is intended to catalyze
efforts to address the many unanswered questions in this spectrum
of the cancer control continuum.
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Contact: Noreen Aziz, M.D., Ph.D.,
M.P.H.
Telephone: 301-496-0598
Fax: 301-594-5070
E-mail: na45f@nih.gov |
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NCI Transition Career Development Award (PAR-01-134) |
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Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral, and Population
Sciences Career Development Award (PAR-01-135) |
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Contact: Brian Kimes, Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-496-8537
Fax: 301-402-0181
E-mail: bk34t@nih.gov |
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View other
NCI research training opportunities. |
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| Sponsored outside our Division: |
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Administrative Supplement Requests for Studies of Cancer in
HIV/AIDS (NOT-CA-03-017)
Sponsored by AIDS Malignancy Program, Division of Cancer Treatment
and Diagnosis (DCTD). DCTD has set apart funds in Fiscal Year 2003
specifically designated for studies of cancer in HIV+ populations
and acquired immunodeficiency. The funding is to foster clinical
and basic investigators to interact in a coordinated, complementary,
or synergistic manner to conduct translational research in AIDS
malignancies. Investigators are encouraged to submit proposals for
novel studies including but not limited to those that translate
basic research findings into clinical application. Approved projects
will be supported by administrative supplementation.
NCI-funded investigators conducting studies relevant to increasing
knowledge of the basic biology, pathogenic mechanisms, epidemiology,
immunology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer in the
context of HIV/AIDS or other acquired immunodeficiency, may receive
supplemental funding for one year to conduct studies broadly related
to a specific aim of the parent grant. See the NIH Guide
Notice for details.
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Contact: Jodi B. Black, Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-402-6293
E-mail: blackj@mail.nih.gov
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Revised Guidelines for Minority Supplements to the NCI-supported
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional
Research Training Grants (T32S) (NOT-CA-03-010)
Sponsored by Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Branch (CMBB), Office
of Deputy Director for Extramural Science. NCI-supported Ruth L.
Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research
Training Grants grantees are invited to participate in the Continuing
Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program by submitting administrative
supplements for placing promising, qualified underrepresented minority
predoctoral students and postdoctoral trainees in cancer research
settings.
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Contact: H.
Nelson Aguila, D.V.M.
Telephone: 301-496-7344
Fax: 301-402-4551
E-mail: ha60x@nih.gov |
NCI Articulates Future Plans
 NCI's
planning and budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2004, The Nation's Investment
in Cancer Research, is now available online and in print. This document
communicates NCI's vision and plans for the future and is a guide for
operational planning and priority setting. In releasing the report, NCI
Director Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., said the document is built around
the discovery-development-delivery
continuum, and a framework that emphasizes capacity building,
accelerating discovery and its application, and addressing areas of public
health emphasis.
EGRP recommends reading the document and encourages investigators to
consider it in planning their research. In grant applications, we suggest
referring to relevant sections or passages, when appropriate, and indicating
how the proposed research contributes to NCI's plans.
Of particular interest to investigators in cancer epidemiology may be
the sections on:
- Genes and the
environment, an area identified as an Extraordinary Opportunity
for Investment where focused research can produce dramatic progress
toward reducing the burden of cancer. The goal is to discover genetic,
environmental, and lifestyle factors and their interactions that define
cancer risk and inform strategies for cancer control.
- Reducing cancer-related
health disparities. The goal is to understand the fundamental causes
of health disparities in cancer, develop effective interventions to
reduce these disparities, and facilitate their implementation.
- Research on tobacco
and tobacco-related cancers. The goal is to understand the causes
of tobacco use, addiction, and tobacco-related cancers and apply this
knowledge to their prevention and treatment.
Access the document online [html,
pdf], or order
a print copy from NCI's Online Publications
Locator Service.
Comprehensive Cancer Data on Women of Color Published
A new Web-based monograph provides a comprehensive source of cancer
data for nine populations of women of color: African Americans, Mexican
Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians,
American Samoans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. Each chapter discusses
the cancer experience of the population in terms of the social and historical
context, current demographics and health indicators, and comprehensive
statistics.
The chapters also highlight risk factors for cancer, as well as prevention
and control interventions that have proven successful, and provide recommendations
for filling in data gaps and pursuing effective cancer control efforts.
Cancer in Women of
Color was prepared by NCI and the NIH Office of Research on Women's
Health.
Research Resources Provided by EGRP
- Cancer Family Registries for Breast/Ovarian and
Colon Cancer
 Two
international Cancer Family Registries (CFRs) are available for researchers
who are planning to conduct population- and clinic-based interdisciplinary
research with a main focus on the genetic and molecular epidemiology
of breast/ovarian and colon cancers. Each of the CFRs has information
and laboratory specimens contributed by nearly 19,000 families across
the spectrum of risk for breast and colon cancer.
Of particular interest are collaborations to identify and characterize
cancer susceptibility genes; define gene-gene and gene-environment
interactions in cancer etiology; and conduct cooperative research
on the translational, preventive, and behavioral aspects of such findings.
Researchers who are interested in accessing data and/or biospecimens
should explore collaborative arrangements with the CFRs investigators
and prepare a brief application using the Access Policies and Procedures
Manual and the form provided on the Informatics
Center Web site. Funding for research is not provided. Also access
the NCI CFRs Web site.
Contact: Daniela
Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Telephone: 301-594-734
Fax: 301-435-5477
E-mail: seminard@mail.nih.gov
- Cancer Genetics Network
The Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) supports research on the genetic
basis of human cancer susceptibility, the integration of this information
into medical practice, and the psychosocial, legal, and public health
issues associated with human genetics. Its interests include gene
discovery and characterization, gene-environment interaction, and
translational and behavioral research.
The growing database has information on 18,700 individuals (14,850
families) with cancer and/or a family history of cancer. Data available
include demographic information, relevant medical history, and a four-generation
pedigree on each enrollee. The population enrolled makes research
possible on both common and uncommon tumors.
For approved studies, the CGN can offer a variety of services for
a fee(s), including:
- assembling information for and completing medical extraction forms
- obtaining pathology reports and tumor blocks for molecular testing
or to verify diagnosis
- collecting biospecimens with desired medical and demographic information
- shipping or storing biospecimens
- conducting telephone interviews with enrollees
- recruiting patients from high-risk clinics and tumor registries
- providing genetic counseling
- contacting enrollees' treating physicians prior to enrollment
- developing software, including computerized followup for the study
- using multiple software systems for breast cancer risk assessment.
Specialized expertise is available in certain areas, including biostatistics,
statistical genetics, epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, and behavioral
research. Also, CGN principal investigators welcome opportunities to
collaborate with research groups on important studies.
Researchers who are interested in accessing CGN data or including registry
enrollees in ongoing or proposed studies should prepare a 1-page summary
of their proposed research, specific aims, and explanation of the role
of CGN enrollees in the research. Priority is given to funded investigators
or to those who are planning to submit grant proposals to NIH. Funding
for research is not provided. For further information, access the NCI
CGN Web site.
Contact: Carol Kasten-Sportes,
M.D.
Telephone: 301-402-8212
Fax: 301-435-5466
E-mail: kastenca@mail.nih.gov
- Geographic Information System for Breast Cancer
and Other Research
 Researchers
have a unique, new tool to study relationships between environmental
exposures and breast cancer. The Geographic Information System (GIS-H)
for Breast Cancer Studies on Long Island provides a rich source of
data and analytic tools for environmental research. Although developed
for breast cancer research, the GIS-H potentially may be used to study
other types of cancer, and other diseases and health conditions. The
system has more than 80 datasets, including geographic, demographic,
health, and environmental data, and special built-in tools to facilitate
use of the system. Funding for research is not provided. Access the
Web site.
Need Help Identifying Sources of Human Specimens and Data?
NCI's Specimen Resource Locator
is a searchable Web-based database that helps researchers locate specimens
for their studies. The database includes resources such as tissue banks
and tissue procurement systems with access to normal, benign, pre-cancerous
and/or cancerous human tissue.
Also, NCI's Tissue Expediter helps researchers identify sources of human
tissue specimens and locate the tissue and related data needed. The Tissue
Expediter is a scientist who can rapidly relate researchers' needs to
appropriate resources.
Contact: The Tissue Expediter
Telephone: 301-496-7147
Fax: 301 402 7819
E-mail: tissexp@mail.nih.gov
Final Statement on Sharing Research Data Published
NIH has published its final statement on sharing research data. Starting
with the October 1, 2003, receipt date, investigators who submit NIH applications
seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are to include
a plan for data sharing, or state why data sharing is not possible. All
investigator-initiated applications with direct costs greater than $500,000
in any single year will be expected to address data sharing in their applications.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their data sharing plan with Program
Directors at the time they negotiate an agreement with the Institute/Center
staff to accept assignment of their applications. Instructions related
to the data sharing policy as it is applied to applications and proposals
responding to a specific Request for Application (RFA) or Request for
Proposal (RFP) will be described in the specific solicitation. In some
cases, Program Announcements (PA) may request data sharing plans for applications
that are less than $500,000 direct costs in any single year. Reviewers
will not factor the proposed data-sharing plan into the determination
of scientific merit or priority score. See the NIH Guide, NOT-OD-03-032;
release date: February 26, 2003.
New Practice on Resubmission of Certain Applications
NIH has changed its practice regarding resubmission of unpaid applications
that are received in response to RFAs and applications that have changed
grant activity mechanisms. This change affects three categories of applications:
- applications that were originally submitted in response to an RFA
and then resubmitted as an investigator-initiated application
- applications that were originally submitted as investigator-initiated
applications and subsequently resubmitted in response to an RFA
- applications that were originally submitted using one grant mechanism
and subsequently resubmitted using a different grant mechanism (for
example, an application that was originally an R01 and then was resubmitted
as an R21).
Because an RFA often has special considerations of eligibility, scientific
scope, and review criteria, most unfunded applications should be resubmitted
as new applications. Submission of a new application allows the applicant
to fully benefit from the NIH policy that gives investigators the opportunity
to submit two revisions within 2 years. Also, applicants can benefit from
considering comments made in summary statements in the preparation of
their new applications. See the NIH Guide, NOT-OD-03-019;
release date: January 16, 2003.
"Other Support" Information Must Be Provided Before an Award
Can Be Made
The NIH Guide recently published a reminder that submission of
complete and up-to-date "other support" information is required
before an award can be made. Other support includes all financial resources,
whether Federal, non-Federal, commercial or institutional, available in
direct support of an individual's research endeavors, including but not
limited to research grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and/or
institutional awards. Training awards, prizes, or gifts are not included.
Applicants should not include information on other support in the PHS
398 competitive grant application submission, but should be prepared to
follow "just-in-time" procedures to submit current other support
information upon the request of Institute/Center staff when the application
is under consideration for funding. Grantees also must report any changes
in other support as a part of the annual progress report. See the NIH
Guide, NOT-OD-03-029;
release date: February 13, 2003.
Advance Notice Required To Submit Large Budget Applications
NIH requires grant applicants with a requested budget of $500,000 or
more in direct costs in any year to contact the appropriate program staff
member before submitting applications to the NIH Center for Scientific
Review (CSR) for peer review. The Notice in the NIH Guide stipulates
that if the requested dollar amount is $500,000 or more in direct
costs in any year, then approval must be sought 6 weeks prior to submitting
the grant to the Committee for Scientific Review (CSR). However,
approval for NCI epidemiology applications must be sought at least
8 weeks
prior to submission to CSR to complete the internal processing by the
deadline. Contact Program Directors by May 6 for the July 1 deadline
for revised applications, and August 4 for the October 1 deadline for
new applications. CSR no longer accepts amended budgets for submissions
of $500,000 or more.
Investigators must follow this policy, speak to the appropriate Program
Director, and respond to requests for information. If advance notice about
the proposed study and budget is not received, applications will be returned,
causing a delay in submission and review of one round. This policy applies
to new, competing continuation, competing supplement, and amended/revised
applications. The policy does not apply to applications submitted in response
to RFAs or in response to other announcements that include specific budgetary
limits.
See the NIH Guide, NOT-OD-02-004
and NOT-CA-02-029;
release dates: October 16, 2001 and September 27, 2002, respectively.
Also, see the DCCPS Web site for a special
message explaining the advance notice process.
Increased Support for Competing Continuations Capped
NCI limits the level of increases requested for funding of competing
continuation single project research grants (R01) and cooperative agreements
(U01) to no more than 20% over the direct cost award level in the last
non-competing (type 5) year. The direct cost dollar cap total is exclusive
of any subcontractual facilities and administrative costs that appear
as direct costs in the budget of the applicant. See the NIH Guide,
NOT-CA-01-016;
release date: August 7, 2001.
Impact of HIPAA Privacy Rule on NIH Grantees Explained
An overview of how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Information
(Privacy Rule) may affect NIH processes involving the review, funding,
and progress monitoring of grants, cooperative agreements, and research
contracts, now appears in the NIH Guide. Those who must comply
with the Privacy Rule, including some NIH grantees and contractors, must
do so by April 14, 2003 (with the exception of small health plans, which
have an extra year to comply).
The Privacy Rule applies to researchers classified under the rule as
covered entities, such as a health care clearinghouse, health plan, or
a health care provider that electronically transmits health information
in connection with a transaction for which the Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS) has adopted standards under HIPAA. The Privacy Rule
also may affect researchers who obtain individually identifiable health
information from covered entities through collaborative or contractual
arrangements.
Decisions about whether and how to implement the Privacy Rule reside
with the researcher and his/her institution. A set of decision tools on
"Am
I a Covered Entity?" is available from the DHHS Office
of Civil Rights (OCR) Web site. Researchers should review this and
other information on the Privacy Rule and then discuss with their appropriate
institutional officials, for example, Office of Research or legal counsel,
to learn how the rule applies to them, their organization, and their specific
research project. OCR and the Department of Justice may impose civil or
criminal penalties, respectively, on covered entities that fail to comply
with the rule. See the NIH Guide, NOT-OD-03-025,
release date: February 5, 2003.
Sources of Information on Grant Policies, Funding, Training
Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program (EGRP) Staff
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Telephone: 301-496-9600
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- Edward Trapido, Sc.D., EGRP Associate Director
Ellen Heineman, Ph.D., Epidemiologist/Project Officer
Jay Choudhry, M.S., Program Director
Linda Anderson, Communications Director
Julian Smith, Program Analyst
Barbara Guest, Program Analyst
Rose Cassel, Administrative Program Analyst
Cheryl Jenkins, Secretary
Sylvia Tolson, Grants Technical Assistant
Diane Horn-Cruder, Student Employment Program
- Sandra Melnick, Dr.P.H., Chief, Analytic Epidemiology Research
Branch (AERB)
Burdette (Bud) Erickson, M.Sc., Program Director
Virginia (Ginny) Hartmuller, Ph.D., R.D., Program Director
Kumiko (Kumi) Iwamoto, M.D., Dr.P.H., Program Director
A.R. (Joe) Patel, Ph.D., Program Director
Vaurice Starks, Program Director
Dorothy Sanders, Program Specialist
- Deborah Winn, Ph.D., Acting Chief, Clinical and Genetic Epidemiology
Research Branch (CGERB)
Carol Kasten-Sportes, M.D., Program Director
Susan Nayfield, M.D., M.Sc., Program Director
Daniela Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H., Program Director
Leslie Littlejohn, Program Specialist
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