INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH IN POPULATION AND HEALTH

Release Date:  December 20, 1999

RFA:  TW-00-004 (This RFA has been modified, see RFA-TW-05-002)

Fogarty International Center  (http://www.nih.gov/fic/)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development	  
(http://www.nichd.nih.gov)
National Institute on Aging  (http://www.nih.gov/nia)

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  February 14, 2000
Application Receipt Date:       March 29, 2000

Expiration Date: March 30, 2000

PURPOSE

The Fogarty International Center (FIC), in collaboration with the 
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and 
the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of 
Health, invites applications from non-profit public or private 
institutions in the U.S. to support international training and research 
in population-related sciences.  The intent of this program is to 
enable NIH grant recipients to extend their geographic base of research 
and training efforts to developing countries and emerging democracies, 
in support of population issues of mutual priority.  Broad objectives 
are to:
o  Enhance international and U.S. population research programs through 
training of foreign nationals and international collaborative studies 
related to populations, including the study of: a) reproductive 
processes (including biology, immunology, genetics), contraceptive 
development, contraceptive and reproductive health evaluation, 
reproductive epidemiology, and b) demographic processes, including:  
aging, longevity, biodemography, mortality, morbidity, fertility, 
migration, linkages between health and economic development, and other 
social, behavioral and economic factors that influence population 
dynamics.

o  Strengthen ability of scientists from developing nations to 
contribute to global population research efforts and advance knowledge 
in support of population policies appropriate for their home countries 
and established international guidelines.

o  Develop and strengthen centers of research excellence in population-
related sciences in developing countries through training and training 
related research.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health 
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a 
PHS-led national activity for setting priorities to improve health 
status.  This Request for Application (RFA), International Training and 
Research in Population and Health (ITRPH) is related to one or more of 
the priority areas.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy 
People 2000" at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The grantee institution must be a U.S. non-profit private or public 
institution capable of meeting the objectives in this RFA.

Applicant investigators (or co-investigators) must be either a U.S. 
Principal Investigator (PI) of at least one NIH-sponsored research 
project grant (R series) or a Project Director of an NIH-sponsored 
center grant, program project grant or cooperative agreement (P and U 
series) related to population studies that will be funded during at 
least one year of the proposed grant award period.  On submission of an 
application, at least eighteen months of active research support must 
remain on the listed parent grant(s).  Investigators may request five 
years of support in anticipation that a renewal application for the 
parent grant(s) will be submitted and awarded or that other research 
support will be available to complement this training award.  Under 
certain circumstances, an NIH research contract will be considered as 
meeting the eligibility requirements.  Institutions currently awarded 
an NIA Demography of Aging Center (P30) grant are especially encouraged 
to apply.  Institutions currently holding a FIC ITRPH award are 
encouraged to collaborate with NIA Demography of Aging Centers at their 
own or other institutions.

The application must demonstrate that the award is relevant to and will 
enhance the activities of the NIH-supported parent grant(s) and benefit 
the research needs of the host country or countries of participating 
scientists and health professionals.

With approval from the FIC program officer, research collaborations can 
also include other industrialized nations linked to U.S. institutions 
if these collaborations enhance the research training capacity of 
developing countries.

Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with 
disabilities are encouraged to apply as PI.  Participation in the 
program by investigators at minority institutions is strongly 
encouraged.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the D43 mechanism, which limits facilities and 
administrative (F & A) costs to eight percent of allowable direct 
costs.  The ITRPH will be available to U.S. investigators at a funding 
level not to exceed $200,000 per year in direct costs for the first 
year, for a maximum of five years.  Responsibility for planning, 
direction and execution of the proposed activities will be solely that 
of the applicant.  The application should describe research and 
research training objectives to be pursued both in the U.S. and in the 
cooperating developing nation(s) of Africa, Asia and the Pacific 
region, the Middle East, and Latin America (including the Caribbean) 
and the newly emerging democracies of Eastern Europe, and the former 
Soviet Union.  Applications may incorporate cooperative activities with 
scientists from one or several developing countries or regions, based 
on the research and training objectives of the program.  However, 
applicants are encouraged to focus their efforts on a limited number of 
countries.

The applicant organization’s administration must provide the necessary 
management for the transfer of funds and material to the off-site 
component.  F & A costs will not be paid on any expense incurred by the 
foreign institution(s) although expenses required to support in-country 
training and training-related research such as access to facilities, 
library services and the Internet, can be charged as direct expenses 
when well justified.  Travel, salaries, and fringe benefits will be 
subject to the applicant institution’s rules and regulations.

Grants will be made as D43 training grant awards for a project period 
of up to five years.  Continued support during this period depends on 
satisfactory performance as judged by:  annual progress reports, site 
visits and meetings of program directors, career progress of trainees 
(e.g., positions occupied in home country, first author publications, 
presentations, research undertaken and research awards received), and, 
development of national capacity for population and health-related 
research, including the establishment or strengthening of model 
population and health research centers of excellence in the home 
countries of trainees.  Assessment of performance will be made jointly 
by FIC, NICHD, NIA and other partners, should they join.  Special 
program reviews will be conducted by the FIC, NICHD, and NIA.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

It is anticipated that about $1,600,000 (total costs) will be available 
for the first year of the recompeted program.  Seven to eight awards 
will be made, with no single award exceeding $200,000 (in direct 
costs).  Awards will be contingent upon availability of funds and 
receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.  When 
invited, requests for an administrative supplemental budget will be 
considered for increases of up to 20 percent of funded levels in a 
given budget year.  These funds may be requested to meet special 
research or training needs and take advantage of unusual opportunities 
such as geographic expansion, field research, or emergency situations.  
Such requests, which should be discussed with FIC program staff prior 
to submission, will be reviewed by FIC in consultation with NICHD and 
NIA, and support will depend upon need, merit and availability of 
funds.

The grantee institution may request an F & A cost allowance based on 
eight percent of the total allowable direct costs, exclusive of tuition 
and related fees and expenditures for equipment.  Applicants should 
assume a budget increase of three percent per year for each succeeding 
year, contingent upon availability of funds.

The anticipated date of award is on or before September 29, 2000.

Types of Training

Research-related training programs for foreign scientists and health 
professionals may include the following elements:

o  Predoctoral training in research related to population.  Academic 
courses that may lead to a degree will be undertaken in the U.S. in 
disciplines that may include: demographic, social, behavioral and 
economic sciences, endocrinology, pharmacology and toxicology, 
pharmaceutical development, cell and molecular biology, genetics, 
immunology, embryology, physiology, epidemiology and other population-
related fields.  Research projects may be undertaken either at the U.S. 
institution or, preferentially, in the trainee’s home country,

o  Postdoctoral training in laboratory procedures, clinical trials 
research methodology and research projects and techniques related to 
population research, to be conducted at the U.S. institution or, 
preferentially, in the trainee’s home country,

o  Short-term training (either in the U.S. or in-country) of up to four 
weeks in focused research methodologies,

o  Medium-term training of about three to six months duration conducted 
in the U.S. in laboratory procedures or clinical trails research 
methods and research techniques, such as, development of pilot 
biomedical studies or development of behavioral research instruments 
for individuals with M.S. and M.D. or Ph.D. degrees,

o  One-time awards for advanced in-country research training (one to 
two years duration) upon return to the trainee’s home country at levels 
of funding specified under allowable costs in this RFA,

o  Participation in advanced research training conducted by U.S. 
faculty in the foreign country, short-term in-country training for 
local scientists and health professionals in the foreign country, and 
technology transfer.  This collaboration must have as its goal the 
training of scientists in the developing country, enhancement of local 
programs, and strengthening of centers of research excellence.

o  When a specific scientific course is given by one program it is 
expected that this course may be widely publicized and open to trainees 
of the other grantee institutions under this program.  The expenses for 
this training would be included in the regular budgets for each program 
that intends to send its trainees to such courses.

As part of the application, the applicant institution must describe in 
detail the recruitment and selection procedures for the foreign pre- 
and post-doctoral scientists and other beneficiaries of the training 
program (short and intermediate term trainees, workshop participants, 
etc).  To a limited extent, U.S. trainees will be eligible for foreign 
research experiences under this program, with prior FIC approval, 
particularly if they are involved in training-research collaboration.  
The ITRPH encourages directors to include foreign women as trainees 
and, if U.S. trainees are involved, to include women and minorities.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

According to projections by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, world 
population will increase from 6.0 billion in 1999 to over 7.9 billion 
by 2025, to 9.3 billion by 2050.  The future of human population growth 
is largely being decided by the world’s less developed countries 
(LDCs).  Ninety-six percent of world population increase occurs in the 
LDCs of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and this percentage will rise 
over the course of the next quarter century.  Indeed, 99 percent of 
global natural population increase–the difference between numbers of 
births and deaths–occurs in the developing world.

This trend has important ramifications for global health.  In some 
developing nations, high birth rates and poor health may impede 
sustainable economic development which, in turn, affects a population’s 
health.  Consequences of unchecked population growth may include 
increasing pollution and worsening sanitation, the spread and emergence 
of infectious diseases, over-exploitation of land, destruction of 
natural ecosystems, unemployment, and inadequate access to health care 
and education.  With declines in population growth rates, there has 
been increased economic productivity, improved health and cultural 
changes, including acceptance of and access to a wide choice of birth 
control methods, sustained improvements in child survival, and 
improvements in the education and societal status of women.

In the vast majority of countries that contribute the most to the world 
population growth, fertility remains the driving force behind natural 
population increase.  A key determinant of current and future fertility 
is the extent to which couples use–or fail to use–contraception to 
control the number and spacing of their children.  In spite of the 
rapid growth in the number of women using modern contraception 
worldwide over the past 20 years, an estimated 120 million married 
women in the world’s developing regions have an unmet need for 
contraceptive services and products.

Over the course of the next 25 years, the age structure of world 
population will continue to shift.  Although children will still 
account for three-fourths of all dependents in the less developed 
regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America, older age groups will 
comprise an increasingly larger share of the total.  In the 21st 
century, continued lower fertility and improved health and longevity 
suggest that population aging is destined to emerge as an important 
worldwide phenomenon.  While developing countries still have a 
relatively low proportion of older people, the absolute numbers of 
elderly in developing nations are often large and everywhere 
increasing.  Over half of the world’s elderly (aged 65 and over) now 
live in developing nations (59 percent or 241 million people, as of 
1999).  By 2030, this proportion is projected to increase to 71 percent 
(680 million).

Through international research and training efforts, NIH-supported 
institutions are positioned to advance technological and social 
adaptations needed to meet the challenges of population growth.  This 
program is designed to create and expand research partnerships between 
U.S. scientists and those in developing regions of the world on 
population issues of mutual priority.  It will assist in training a 
cadre of research and health professionals in developing nations who 
will contribute to the development of evidence-based population 
policies or who will implement such policies with regard to societal 
mores and values in their home countries.

Emphasis will be placed on collaborative activities in countries and 
regions where population growth adversely impacts public health, the 
environment and economic progress.

Examples of research and training topics include, but are not limited 
to, the following:

o  Studies on reproductive processes and mechanisms, including 
development of the reproductive system, male and female fertility, male 
and female reproductive diseases and disorders, to include 
preimplantation embryo development and implantation,

o  Studies on contraceptive development, including natural or synthetic 
agents, products to reduce transmission of sexually-transmitted 
diseases, new contraceptive devices and reversible sterilization 
techniques, clinical trials of new contraceptives,

o  Evaluative studies of contraceptive and fertility-related drugs and 
products for safety and efficacy, evaluation of the safety and efficacy 
of male and female sterilization,

o  Studies on social and behavioral factors that influence population 
growth and change, including contraceptive access and utilization, 
migration and spatial distribution of populations, family composition 
and dynamics, aging, health, disability and mortality, and population 
policies.

o  Biodemography, including the demographic aspects of heritability and 
familial aggregation of disease and longevity, incorporation of genetic 
and disease variables into demographic models and age-specific 
mortality rates, the social roles of the elderly in nature, biological 
mediators of the relationship between socioeconomic status and health 
throughout the life course, and fetal origins of adult disease.

o  Estimation of the impact of health (including links with geography 
and demography) on economic development, including productivity and 
wealth accumulation, especially in developing countries.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

o  Each awardee will have a U.S. PI and a Major Foreign Collaborator 
(MFC), if collaboration occurs in two or more countries, there will be 
a MFC in each country.  The PI and MFC will be responsible for the 
overall conduct of the ITRPH.

o  Recruitment and Selection Plan.  The applicant institution must 
include a plan describing the recruitment and selection procedures for 
trainees, a detailed description of peer review for training-related 
and advanced in-country research, and plans for continued collaboration 
with former trainees.  For PIs applying for a continuation of their 
ITRPH grant, detailed evidence of such collaboration must be provided.  
Degree candidates must meet all entrance requirements of the U.S. 
degree granting institution.  The application should clarify and 
completely specify:  (a) criteria and procedures for the selection of 
trainees as, for example, by a committee composed of U.S. and foreign 
investigators at participating institution(s) and (b) a mechanism for 
internal peer review of applications to support U.S. and in-country 
research projects.

o  Tracking System For Long Term Impact.  As part of their obligations 
under this program, awardees are required to initially design as part 
of their application and ultimately to implement and maintain a system 
to fully track and document the long-term impact of this training 
program on:  (1) the career choices of current and former trainees, (2) 
changing research capacity in the home institution of trainees, (3) 
types of positions the proposed trainees may assume upon completion of 
training and documentation of career program, (4) the possible 
contributions to future NIH-supported international population sciences 
research efforts, (5) the establishment or strengthening of 
reproductive and population sciences-related research centers of 
excellence for research training and referral in the home countries of 
trainees, and (6) program graduates’ contributions to improving the 
health status of women, children, and families in their home countries.  
Examples of such impact include how training received under the program 
has allowed participants to assume more responsible positions upon 
returning home, how continuing collaborations with former trainees 
resulted in the funding of reproductive and population sciences 
investigators or co-investigators, publications in which trainees were 
first authors and which were based upon support under this program, and 
health policies that were influenced or implemented by returning 
trainees in their home countries.  After awards have been made, but 
before tracking of impact is implemented, FIC will work with awardees 
to design a standardized web-based tracking system for individual 
trainees and reporting program impact and accomplishments building upon 
the ideas in the original proposals combined with FIC experience in 
other similar programs.  Once this standardized tracking system has 
been agreed to, it is expected to be implemented across all programs.  
Impact will be an important criterion for recompetition of this 
program.

o  Before any funds may be expended on in-country research, the grantee 
institution must show written evidence of formal approval from 
responsible authorities at the collaborating institution and the 
relevant government authority.  These approvals should be included in 
the application.

o  There will be an annual program network meeting to coordinate 
program activities.  Principal Investigators (U.S. and international), 
and selected trainees will attend.  This activity should be included in 
the budgetary requests.

o  As part of proposed training programs, the applicants must describe 
in detail how they propose to train students and investigators in the 
responsible conduct of research, consistent with NIH policy (NIH Guide 
for Grants and Contracts, Volume 21, Number 43, November 27, 1992).  An 
award will not be made unless such a plan is included.

Allowable Costs
All budget items related to trainee participation in the program should 
be itemized on the PHS Form 398 NRSA substitute budget pages OO and PP 
in the categories indicated in parentheses.  All budget items related 
to faculty participation in the program should be itemized on the PHS 
Form 398 budget pages DD and EE in the categories indicated in 
parentheses.

(Stipend/Salary/Honoraria)
o  Trainees (foreign graduate students and post-advance degree 
participants) may be paid a stipend comparable to their professional 
experience not exceeding $45,000 per year in accordance with the U.S. 
institutional policies while involved in long term training in the U.S.  
Applicants may wish to refer to the NRSA stipend levels described on 
the web site http://www.nih.gov/fic/opportunities/index.html  (NRSA 
substitute pages, pre- or postdoctoral stipends) 
o  Foreign trainees may be paid a stipend while conducting long term 
training related research in their home countries at levels comparable 
with the salary scales for similar professionals in that country in 
accordance with the collaborating foreign institution’s policies but 
not exceeding $45,000 per year.  (NRSA substitute pages, pre- or 
postdoctoral stipends).
o  U.S. faculty who participate in administrating the program or 
providing extended training of students at the foreign site may receive 
salary and fringe benefits.  The total amount of salary and fringe 
benefits requested for all U.S. faculty may not exceed 10% of direct 
costs in the budget.  The administrative or training or teaching 
responsibilities and time commitment for personnel receiving salary 
should be thoroughly described.  (Form 398 budget pages, personnel)
o  Foreign institution faculty who administer the training program at 
the foreign site or participate in training and U.S. faculty or foreign 
faculty who teach short courses may receive an honorarium not to exceed 
$2000, in accordance with their Institution’s policies.  No more than 
5% of direct costs in the budget may be used for honoraria.  (NRSA 
substitute pages- training related expenses)
o  The applicant institution may request up to 10% direct costs to 
provide salary and fringe benefits for clerical and administrative 
support staff for the program.  The responsibilities and time 
commitment for personnel receiving salary support should be thoroughly 
described.  (Form 398 pages, personnel)

(Tuition, Fees and Insurance)
o  Funds for tuition, academic fees and self-only medical insurance for 
foreign trainees at the U.S. institution not exceeding 20% of direct 
costs may be requested.  Programs are encouraged to seek cost sharing 
arrangements with the U.S. institutions in order to provide reduced 
tuition for long term trainees and tuition-free short courses.  (NRSA 
substitute pages, tuition, fees, insurance)

(Trainee Travel)
o  Funds may be requested for round trip economy class airfare on U.S. 
carriers (to the maximum extent possible) and local ground 
transportation for long term foreign trainees to travel to the U.S., 
U.S. trainees to travel to the foreign site for extended training and 
foreign trainees to participate in short courses or attend scientific 
conferences to present their results.  (NRSA substitute pages, trainee 
travel)
o  Funds may be requested for per diem and lodging for foreign trainees 
to participate in short courses or attend scientific conferences to 
present their results.  (NRSA substitute pages, trainee travel)

(Faculty Travel)
o  Funds may be requested for round trip economy airfare on U.S. 
carriers (to the maximum extent possible) for U.S. faculty providing 
extended training to go to the foreign site or teach short courses at 
the foreign site.  (PHS 398 pages, travel)
o  Funds may be requested for per diem and lodging for U.S. faculty to 
teach short courses at the foreign site.  (PHS 398 pages, travel)
o  Funds should be requested for airfare, per diem and lodging 
comparable to U.S. government rates 
(httphttp://policyworks.gov/org/main/mt/homepage/mtt/perdiem/perd04d.html) 
for the program director to attend the annual network meeting in the 
Washington D.C. area.  (PHS 398 pages, travel)

(Training related expenses)

o  Funds to support trainee research related costs (such as reagents, 
lab supplies, computer access, small equipment, etc.) of up to $600 per 
month per trainee may be requested.  (NRSA substitute pages, training 
related expenses)
o  Funds to support up to ($5,000-$7,500) per year for research at the 
foreign site associated with fulfilling requirements for an advanced 
degree may be requested.  (NRSA substitute pages, training related 
expenses)
o  Research support for up to ($5,000-$7,500) per trainee per year to 
facilitate conducting advanced research training (re-entry grants) in 
the home country by former long term trainees.  The applicant should 
describe how proposals for re-entry projects will be selected by a peer 
review process examining scientific merit and ethical concerns 
involving faculty from the U.S. and foreign institutions coordinated by 
the program director.  (NRSA substitute pages, training related 
expenses)

Protection of Human Subjects and Laboratory Animals

Applicable provisions for the protection of human research subjects and 
laboratory animals in research and training activities must be met in 
both domestic and foreign settings (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/).  Title 
45 CFR, Part 46, provides guidelines concerning Department of Health 
and Human Services regulations for the protection of human subjects and 
the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory 
Animals.  These are available from the Office for Protection from 
Research Risks, National Institutes of Health, 6100 Executive 
Boulevard, Suite 3B01 Rockville, MD 20852.

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 
biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, 
unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided 
that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the 
subjects or the purpose of the research.  This new policy results from 
the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43).

All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should 
read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as 
Subjects in Clinical Research," which have been published in the 
Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (59 FR 14508-14513) and printed in 
the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 
1994 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-100.html).  
While it is desirable that women and minority groups in foreign 
countries be included as research subjects, it is the responsibility of 
collaborating institutions to make such decisions.  Women and 
minorities should be encouraged as candidates for training.

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.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by February 14, 2000, a 
letter of intent that includes a brief 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 NIH staff to estimate the potential review workload, and avoid 
conflict of interest in the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to:

Joel G. Breman, M.D., D.T.P.H.
Deputy Director
Division of International Training and Research
Fogarty International Center
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room B2C39
31 Center Drive, MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD  20892-2220
Email:  joel_breman@nih.gov

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used 
in applying for these grants.  These forms are available at most 
institutional offices of sponsored research and from the Office of 
Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, Extramural Outreach 
and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 
Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/435-
0714, e-mail:  grants@nih.gov.  Applications are also available on the 
Internet at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) application form 
must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application.  
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 number must be typed on the label as well.

The sample RFA label is available at: 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf has been 
modified to allow for this change.  Please note this is in pdf format.

Submit a signed 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 and 
appendices must be sent to:

Scott Andres, Ph.D.
Division of Scientific Review
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 5E03, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510

It is important to send these copies at the same time as the original 
and three copies are sent to the Center for Scientific Review.  These 
copies are used to identify conflicts and to help ensure the 
appropriate and timely review of the application.

Applications must be received by March 29, 2000.  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.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by CSR and 
responsiveness by the FIC, NICHD and NIA.  Incomplete and/or non-
responsive applications will be returned to the applicant without 
further consideration.  If the application is not responsive to the 
RFA, the application will be returned to the applicant without review.  

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 NICHD in consultation with FIC and NIA in 
accordance with the review criteria stated below.  As part of the 
initial merit review, a process will be used by the initial review 
group in which applications 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 FIC Advisory Board in September 2000.

Review Criteria

Review criteria include those generally applicable to research training 
programs and research.  The scientific evaluation of each application 
will include assessment of the linkage between proposed training and 
reproductive and population-related research supported by FIC, NICHD, 
NIA and other components of the NIH.  Evidence of support for this 
program by collaborating institutions and foreign governments must be 
submitted with the application.

1.  Significance:  
o  Does this training program address an important problem?  If the 
aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be 
advanced?  What will be the effect of the training and studies on the 
concepts or methods that drive this field?
o  The expected public health and scientific contributions of the 
proposed activity, and
o  The demonstrated capacity and/or potential to achieve sustained 
population related research and training efforts, and to build 
associated clinical and operational research and public health capacity 
within a country.

2.  Approach:  
o  Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses 
adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of 
the research training?  Does the applicant recognize potential problem 
areas and consider alternative tactics?
o  Balance in the proposed training program, to provide breadth of 
training opportunities in the field of academic-based, maternal and 
population sciences related training in biomedical and behavioral 
sciences.
o  The mix of long- and short-term training to achieve the goals of 
this RFA, including focused efforts to build long-term biomedical, 
behavioral, clinical and operations research and public health capacity 
at a model center of research excellence within a collaborating 
country,
o  Adequacy of proposed procedures and criteria for 1) recruitment, 
review and selection of trainees, and 2) peer review of research. 

3.  Innovation:  
o  Does the research training program employ novel concepts, approaches 
or methods?  Are the aims original and innovative?  Does the program 
challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or 
technologies?
o  Plans for trainees to become involved in population sciences, 
biomedical and behavioral research, and projects conducted in their 
home countries, and
o  Adequacy and creativity of plans including use of the modern 
information technology to facilitate access to scientific information, 
distance learning, coordination and research collaboration.

4.  Investigator:  
o  Are the Principal Investigator, co-Principal Investigators, and 
mentors in the U.S. and abroad, 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?
o  Qualifications of the PI and MFC program directors to lead and the 
named faculty to participate in the proposed training and research 
program, and
o  Active research support of the PI, MFC, and participating faculty.

5.  Environment:  
o  Does the scientific environment in which the training and research 
work will be done in the U.S. and abroad contribute to the probability 
of success?  Do the proposed activities take advantage of unique 
features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative 
arrangements?  Is there evidence of institutional support?
o  The strength of resources and training environment in-country as 
evidenced by 1) the quality of teaching and the in-country research 
facilities and other resources, 2) the availability and history of 
high-quality candidates chosen on the basis of merit, and 3) past 
history of success of former trainees returning to their home countries 
and their continued involvement in the program, for example, the 
participation of past trainees in advanced in-country research and as 
faculty and mentors for new trainees, and
o  The initial review group will also examine the adequacy of the 
process for providing for the protection of human and animal subjects 
and the safety of the research environment, and plans to include 
training in responsible conduct of research and training in the 
operation of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), data and safety 
monitoring boards and community advisory boards as a part of the 
program.  IRBs in the home countries of trainees will be responsible 
for determining the adequacy of inclusion of women, minorities and 
children in research involving human subjects in their countries.

In addition to the above criteria, in accordance with NIH policy, all 
applications will also be reviewed with respect to the following:

1.  Past research training record for both the PI and MFC in the U.S. 
and abroad, and designated preceptors, in terms of tracking careers of 
trainees and the rate at which former trainees establish independent 
and productive research careers, and for foreign trainees return to 
their home country,

2.  Past research training record in terms of the success of former 
trainees in obtaining individual awards such as fellowships, career 
awards, and research grants for further development,

3.  Recruitment and selection plans for appointees and the availability 
of high quality candidates,

4.  The record of the research training program in retaining health 
professional postdoctoral trainees for at least two years in research 
training or other research activities,

5.  When appropriate, the concomitant training of health- professional 
postdoctorates (e.g., individuals with the M.D., D.O., D.D.S.) with 
basic science postdoctorates (e.g., individuals with a Ph.D., Sc.D.).

6.  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.

7.  The reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration in relation 
to the proposed research.

8.  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.

Where specific research protocols are proposed, additional review 
criteria, applicable to research grants, will be as follows:

1.  Scientific, technical, or medical significance and originality of 
proposed research,

2.  Appropriateness and adequacy of the experimental approach and 
methodology proposed to carry out the research,

3.  Qualifications and research experience of the Principal 
Investigator and staff, particularly, but not exclusively, in the area 
of the proposed research,

4.  Availability of the resources necessary to perform the research,

5.  Appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to 
the proposed research,

Schedule
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:       February 14, 2000
Application Receipt Date:            March 29, 2000
Date of Initial Review:              June 2000
Review by Advisory Council:          September 19, 2000
Anticipated Award Date:              on or before September 29, 2000

AWARD CRITERIA

The most important factor to be considered in making funding decisions 
will be the quality of the proposed project as determined by peer 
review and responsiveness to the review considerations.  The proposed 
instruction in the responsible conduct of research must be rated 
adequate for an award to be made.

In addition, FIC, in consultation with NICHD and NIA, will attempt to 
ensure a reasonable balance of basic, clinical, behavioral and 
demographic research training, as well as a geographic distribution 
among developing nations of Asia and the Pacific region, Africa, the 
Middle East, Latin America (including the Caribbean), and the newly 
emerging democracies of Eastern Europe, and countries of the former 
Soviet Union.  The number and amount of the awards made under this 
program will depend upon the availability of funds and cost-
effectiveness will be one of the factors considered in making funding 
decisions.

Before any funds can be expended from this award for in-country 
research, the grantee institution must show evidence of approval for 
collaborative research and training between the U.S. and foreign 
countries and institutions included in the program through an 
endorsement from the appropriate government official(s) as well as from 
the collaborating institutions.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to 
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome 
and prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their 
proposals with program staff prior to submission.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Joel G. Breman, M.D., D.T.P.H.
Deputy Director
Division of International Training and Research
Fogarty International Center
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room B2C39
31 Center Drive, MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD  20892-2220
Telephone:  (301) 496-1653
FAX:  (301) 402-0779
Email:  joel_breman@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Silvia Mandes
Grants Management Officer
Division of International Training and Research
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C39 
31 Center Drive, MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD  20892-2220
Telephone:  (301) 496-1653
FAX:  (301) 402-0779
Email:  silvia_mandes@nih.gov

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, 
Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 
42 USC 241 and 285) 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 to Health Systems Agency review.

The Public Health Service (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.

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NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices

	Office of Extramural Research (OER)			National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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