Procedures for NINDS Diversity Supplements

Procedures and Supplementary Information for Preparation, Submission, and Review of Applications for Diversity and Reentry Research Supplements for NINDS Grantees

Introduction

This supplementary information applies to applications requesting selected research supplements to active National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) grants. Its purpose is to clarify the application process for NINDS grantees and is not intended to substitute for the specific program announcements (PA). These are:

• Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, PA-08-190
• Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers, PA-08-191

These research supplements may be requested by Principal Investigators of active NINDS grants who plan to serve as mentors for candidates nominated for support. The activities proposed in a supplement application must both advance the objectives of the parent grant and support the research training and advancement of the candidate. Due to limited funds for these supplements award decisions are based on the merit and training potential of the applications.

At the time of a supplement application the parent grant must have a reasonable period of time remaining at the time of possible award to support an optimal career development experience for the candidate. A reasonable period for a career development experience varies by level of training and must be justified in the application. A minimum of two years is appropriate for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and investigators. For high school or undergraduate students this period may be as short as a summer experience or one academic year. Prior to submission of an application, the Principal Investigator (Applicant) should contact the Program Director responsible for the supplements in the Office of Minority Health and Research to discuss the appropriate supplement duration for the proposed candidate.

Michelle D. Jones-London, Ph.D.
Program Director
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH
Office of Minority Health and Research
6001 Executive Blvd, NSC, Suite 2149
Bethesda, MD 20892-9535
Rockville, MD 20852 (for Express/Courier Service)
Telephone: (301) 451-7966
FAX: (301) 594-5929
Email: jonesmiche@ninds.nih.gov

Program Guidance, Submission, Review, and Funding of Applications

Rolling deadline and review will no longer be applicable starting with Fiscal Year 2008, please refer to the Notice in the current program announcement.

Funding decisions for supplement applications will only be made three times a year, namely by the end of March, June, and December.

Application Receipt Date	Final Funding Decision
November 16th to February 15th	March
February 16th to May 15th	June
August 1st to November 15th	December

Applications received after the cycle cut-off date will be processed and considered for funding in the next funding cycle, i.e., receipt after February 15th, would mean review in June.

Program Guidance in Development of the Application and the Career Development/Mentorship Plan
Diversity and Reentry Supplement awards cannot be used to expand the scope of the parent grant. All applications are reviewed by program staff to assess the scope of the planned activities and evaluate their scientific merit and training potential. It is imperative that prospective applicants contact their NINDS Program Director during initial preparation of a supplement application and prior to its submission to discuss their goals and objectives. Critical issues to be discussed with the PD may include, but are not limited to, the research development and mentoring plan activities and objectives and the potential of the candidate to successfully continue their research career. Each application must include the following elements:

Eligibility for the PA:

All categories whether or Diversity or Re-Entry should define their eligibility for the PA in the form of a letter signed by the PI and countersigned by an Institution official.

For diversity, the supplement program at NINDS accepts any applicant that is determined to be underrepresented by the Grantee institution. The determination is usually supported by statistical or quantitative evidence of the underrepresentation of that particular group in biomedical or behavioral research at that institute or in the scientific research community (many use NSF statistical data).

For supplements to support individuals with disabilities, the application should include: 1) a statement providing information on the disability signed by the PI and countersigned by an Institution official and 2) and a letter from a doctor describing the nature of the disability, no medical records are necessary.

Summary of the Funded Grant or Project: A brief description of the Parent Grant specific aims must be provided.

Description of the Research Project or Research Experience for the Supplementee: The description must also describe the relevance of the funded research project to the mission of the NINDS.

Career Development Plan: An appropriate career development/mentorship plan for the candidate must be included in the application. The expectation is that the PI will prepare a detailed career development/mentorship plan that will include objectives and associated timelines for helping the candidate make the transition to the next stage of his/her research career. Required components of the career development plan include:

• The PA requires that the PI describe how the mentored research experiences will expand and foster the research capabilities of the candidate and how they relate to the research goals and objectives of the parent grant.
  • Details of mentor-candidate interactions should be included. The plan should go well beyond simple laboratory assignments and supervision plans or stating that the candidate will attend seminars or lab meetings. The career development plan should be structured, specific and stage-appropriate for the candidate and include parameters such as the frequency of meetings, topics to be discussed, and how progress will be monitored.
  • Plans for transition to the next stage in the career path should be described. Regardless of the candidate's career stage, mentoring in grantsmanship is an expected component of the career development plan.
  • The research plan should present evidence that the proposed experience is appropriate for the stage of the individual's research development, and that it will significantly enhance the individual's research potential, while furthering the individual's ability to pursue a research career.
  • The PI must describe how he/she will assist the candidate in achieving the objectives and goals they have described in their candidate statement (see below).
  • The plan should take into account the typical barriers and impediments encountered by all trainees, as well as the unique challenges that individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, or individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds may encounter in gaining entry and progressing in the biomedical workforce.
  • A time line for the research and career development activities is required for investigators, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, post baccalaureate students and undergraduates.
• Mentoring Experience of the PI: All applicants should describe their experience and track record as a mentor.
  • The PI should provide evidence of mentoring experience and success, e.g. a list of past trainees and their current positions. If the PI is a junior faculty member, it may be appropriate to include an experienced co-mentor in the development plan.
  • In addition, if the PI has previously been awarded a research supplement(s), he/she must describe: a) the outcome of the previous supplement(s) including the current status of the candidate(s) (i.e., title of current position and name of institution); b) the outcomes of the prior development/mentorship plan; c) any unexpected positive or negative occurrences that affected specific aspects of the development/mentorship plan or success of the candidate(s); and d) how these prior experiences influenced the development/mentorship plan proposed for the current candidate(s).
  • The role of other investigators who will contribute to the research mentoring should be described in the application and their biosketches must be included with the application.
• Candidate Statement: As required by the PA, the candidate must provide a signed statement outlining short- and long-term research objectives and career goals. The candidate must describe how the planned activities are related to or will facilitate achievement of their career goals. Candidates are expected to submit career stage-appropriate grant applications during or at the end of the period of support. For example if awarded a total of two years, one of the NINDS Special Terms and Conditions included on the Notice of Grant Award will state that the next budget period support for the supplementee is contingent upon the submission of a competitive National Research Service Award (NRSA) or an equivalent form of fellowship support before the next year funds will be released. Thus a candidate's statement should include plans for the development and submission of such applications.

THE PLAN, including a summary of the funded grant or project, the plan and timeline for the research and career development experiences, a description of how these experiences will expand and foster the candidate's research capabilities, a description of how the proposed experiences relate to the specific research goals of the parent grant, and a description of the mentorship to be provided, MAY NOT EXCEED 8 PAGES. Applications exceeding the page limit will not be accepted for consideration.

Submission and Receipt of Applications
Three copies of the application and all supporting documentation for a Diversity or Reentry Research Supplement to NINDS should be addressed to:

Ms. Melissa Copeland
Diversity Supplement Coordinator
Grants Management Branch, NINDS
Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 3254, MSC 9537
Rockville, Maryland 20892
Phone: 301-496-7480, Fax: 301-402-0219

Review and Award of Applications
Funding decisions are generally dependent on: (1) the merit of the application and the proposed project activities (i.e., the career development/mentorship plan); (2) the potential for continued research progress of the candidate; and (3) the availability of funds.