This Program Announcement expires 3 years from the date of release, 
unless reissued.

MIDCAREER INVESTIGATOR AWARD IN PATIENT-ORIENTED RESEARCH FOR RESEARCHERS IN 
FEMALE PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS (K24)

Release Date:  April 27, 2001

PA NUMBER:  PAR-01-085

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
 (http://www.nichd.nih.gov)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
 (http://www.niddk.nih.gov)

PURPOSE

The purpose of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 
(NICHD) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 
(NIDDK) Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research for 
Researchers in Female Pelvic Floor Disorders (K24) is to provide support for 
clinician researchers in female pelvic floor disorders to allow them 
protected time to devote to patient-oriented research and to act as mentors 
for beginning clinical investigators.  The target candidates are outstanding 
clinical scientists who are actively engaged in patient-oriented research 
related to female pelvic floor disorders; who have demonstrated a high level 
of research productivity; and who can demonstrate the need to sustain an 
intensive research focus that will enhance the progress of their own research 
and provide them greater opportunity to serve as mentors to beginning 
clinical researchers in female pelvic floor disorders. The award is intended 
to further both the research and mentoring endeavors of outstanding patient-
oriented investigators in the field of female pelvic floor disorders, to 
enable them to expand their potential for significant contributions to their 
field, and to act as mentors for beginning clinician researchers.

For the purposes of this award, patient-oriented research is defined as 
research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such 
as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator 
directly interacts with human subjects.  This area of research includes:  (1) 
mechanisms of human disease; (2) therapeutic interventions; (3) clinical 
trials; and (4) the development of new technologies.  Also for the purposes 
of this award, female pelvic floor disorders refer to a group of clinical 
conditions affecting women that includes pelvic organ prolapse, urinary 
incontinence, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, and other sensory and 
emptying abnormalities of the lower urinary tract and gastrointestinal tract.

The NICHD and NIDDK are especially interested in increasing the number of 
scientists trained to conduct high-quality clinical research in female pelvic 
floor disorders.  Accordingly, this award forms an important part of the NIH 
initiative to attract and retain talented individuals to the challenges of 
patient-oriented research. With a view towards stabilizing clinical research 
settings and preventing an interruption in trainee mentoring, the NIH has 
established the MIDCAREER INVESTIGATOR AWARD IN PATIENT-ORIENTED RESEARCH 
(see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-005.html).  This award 
is intended to relieve clinical investigators from patient care duties and 
administrative responsibilities, thereby increasing the opportunities for 
clinicians in midcareer to be well grounded in patient-oriented research.  
This initiative is consistent with the recommendations of the NIH Director's 
Panel on Clinical Research (http://www.nih.gov/news/crp/97report/index.htm) 
and the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine Committee on Addressing 
Career Paths for Clinical Research.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health 
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-
led national activity for setting priority areas. This Program Announcement 
(PA) is related to one or more of the priority areas.  Potential applicants 
may obtain "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted on behalf of candidates by domestic, non-
Federal organizations, public or private, such as medical, dental, or nursing 
schools or other institutions of higher education.  Minorities, women, and 
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

The prospective candidate for the NICHD/NIDDK Midcareer Investigator Award in 
Patient-Oriented Research for Researchers in Female Pelvic Floor Disorders 
should propose a period of patient-oriented research related to female pelvic 
floor disorders consistent with his or her research and clinical experience 
and the need for further development of his or her research skills.  The 
program should be carefully tailored to meet the individual needs of the 
candidate and must include a description of a research project that meets the 
definition of patient-oriented research related to female pelvic floor 
disorders. 

This award is intended to enable the candidate to devote a greater percent 
effort to patient-oriented research related to female pelvic floor disorders.  
Candidates for this award must be established clinical researchers in female 
pelvic floor disorders with a strong track record of publications and 
successful competition for research support.  Candidates must have peer-
reviewed, independent research support at the time of this award.  This 
support could include National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards (e.g., R01) 
or awards from other sources such as private foundations, professional 
organizations, or industry.  However, researchers may apply for this award in 
the absence of research grant support, if the institutional commitment 
includes stability of salary and research support.  Candidates must have a 
record of supervising junior researchers.  Finally, candidates for this award 
must be able to demonstrate the need for protected time to advance their 
research careers and mentoring activities.

Candidates for this award must have a health-professional doctoral degree or 
its equivalent.  Such degrees include, but are not limited to, the M.D., 
D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., O.D., D.C., Pharm.D., N.D. (Doctor of Naturopathy), as 
well as doctorally prepared nurses.  In addition, individuals holding the 
Ph.D. degree may apply for the award if they normally perform clinical 
duties.  Generally, candidates must have completed their specialty training 
within 15 years of submitting the application, but exceptions to this last 
requirement can be made on a case-by-case basis.  For example, an 
interruption in career progression due to family, military, or other personal 
circumstances might justify eligibility for candidates with more than 15 
years of experience since the completion of clinical training.  Candidates 
are advised to discuss their eligibility with the contacts listed under 
INQUIRIES, below.

Candidates must spend at least 25 percent effort (up to 50 percent effort) 
conducting patient-oriented research related to female pelvic floor disorders 
and mentoring.  The project period may be up to five years (a minimum of 
three years is required). 

At the time of award, candidates must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of 
the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted to the United States 
for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien 
Registration Receipt Card I- 551, or other legal verification of such 
status).  Noncitizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying 
possessions of the United States (i.e., American Samoa and Swains Island).  
Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.

A candidate for this award may not concurrently apply for any other PHS award 
that duplicates the provisions of this award.  Recipients of this award are 
required to hold independent research support, either federal or private, 
during the period of this award.  However, they may not receive additional 
compensation on another federal award that exceeds the maximum allowable 
salary compensation ($161,200 per year as of January 1, 2001; refer to the 
notice on salary limitation published in the NIH Guide at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-01-013.html).

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This PA will use the NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented 
Research (K24) award mechanism.  Planning, direction, and execution of the 
program will be the responsibility of the candidate on behalf of the 
applicant institution.  However, the institution must demonstrate a 
commitment to the candidate and the candidate's goals for career development.  
The project period may be for up to five years (at least three years are 
required).  Awards are renewable for one additional five-year period if the 
candidate still meets the stated requirements.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the NICHD/NIDDK Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-
Oriented Research for Researchers in Female Pelvic Floor Disorders (K24) are 
to:

o  encourage established, midcareer clinician scientists to devote more time 
to patient-oriented research related to female pelvic floor disorders and 
enhance their clinical research skills in order to conduct meritorious 
patient-oriented research and mentor beginning clinical investigators.

o  increase the pool of clinical researchers who can conduct patient-oriented 
studies, capitalizing on the discoveries of biomedical research and 
translating them to clinical settings.

Background

In September 1998, the NICHD, in collaboration with NIDDK, the Office of 
Research on Women's Health, the National Institute on Aging, and the Office 
of Rare Diseases, held a workshop to examine the state of basic, 
epidemiological, and clinical research addressing pelvic floor disorders in 
women.  A consensus emerged that underscored the lack of a substantive 
knowledge related to these disorders, and directions for future research 
support to remedy these deficiencies were discussed.  To that end, NICHD has 
developed a series of Requests for Applications (RFAs) related to basic 
science, epidemiologic, and clinical management aspects of pelvic floor 
disorders in women (Basic Science Research in Female Pelvic Floor Disorders, 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-99-003.html; 
Epidemiologic Research on Female Pelvic Floor Disorders, 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-00-012.html; and Clinical 
Trials Network in Female Pelvic Floor Disorders, 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-00-013.html).  In 
addition, NIDDK and NICHD are collaborating on the Urinary Incontinence 
Treatment Network, a multicenter study of surgical treatment in women with 
urinary incontinence 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-99-001.html 
and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-01-018.html). 

In addition, researchers expressed concern that, under current conditions at 
academic centers, investigators had less time to pursue research activities 
and to provide guidance to junior investigators.  The NIH has recognized this 
as a global problem facing clinical investigators.  To help support 
clinicians and allow them protected time to devote to patient-oriented 
research and to act as mentors for beginning clinical investigators, the 
Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research was developed by 
NIH.  It was first announced in 1998 and updated in October 1999 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-005.html).  

Female pelvic floor disorders is a high priority area for research funding at 
NICHD and NIDDK.  A need was identified to provide protected time for 
midcareer investigators for research and mentoring activities.  In response, 
the NICHD and NIDDK developed this modification of the Midcareer Investigator 
Award in Patient-Oriented Research to specifically solicit applications from 
researchers in female pelvic floor disorders.

A need also was identified for support to provide training and career 
development opportunities for young investigators in female pelvic floor 
disorders.  This type of support is provided by the K23 Mentored Investigator 
Award in Patient-Oriented Research (see 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-004.html) or the K12 
Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholar Program (see 
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/new/releases/whrc99.cfm and 
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/new/releases/obgyncenter.cfm).  Individuals who may 
be eligible for a mentored research career development award are encouraged 
to contact the program staff listed in the above sources or program staff 
listed in this Program Announcement for further information.

Scope of Program

Environment:  

The applicant institution must have a well-established research program in 
female pelvic floor disorders and resources for clinical research career 
development.  Collaboration between different disciplines interested in 
female pelvic floor disorders (e.g., gynecology and obstetrics, urology, 
gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, physical therapy) is encouraged, but is 
not an absolute requirement for the application.  If applicable, the 
existence of advanced training or fellowship programs related to female 
pelvic floor disorders should be described and the candidate's involvement in 
such programs should be detailed.  

The institution must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the candidate as 
a productive, independent investigator.  The candidate and institution must 
be able to describe a career development program that will utilize the 
relevant research and educational resources.  The institution must certify 
that the candidate will be released from other duties and be able to devote 
up to 50 percent effort (at least 25 percent effort) to achieve the research 
and mentoring objectives of this award.  The institution must demonstrate the 
availability of beginning clinical investigators to be mentored.

Program:  

The award provides up to five (at least three) consecutive 12-month awards.  
Up to 50 percent of the investigator's effort (at least 25 percent) must be 
devoted to the patient-oriented research program and mentoring.  The 
remainder may be devoted to other clinical, teaching, or research pursuits 
consonant with the objectives of the award.  The research phase of an award 
period must be devoted to patient-oriented research related to female pelvic 
floor disorders.

Allowable Costs:

1. Salary:  The NIH will provide salary for the award recipient for levels of 
effort between 25 and 50 percent.  The actual salary provided by the award is 
based on the candidate's full-time, 12-month institutional salary and the 
level of effort requested up to the maximum legislated salary rate in effect 
at the time of award.  For example, in Fiscal Year 2001, the maximum 
allowable annual salary is $161,200 for a full-time position (see 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-01-013.html for 
further information on current salary limits).  Therefore, in FY 2001, the 
maximum annual base salary that will be provided for an award recipient at 50 
percent effort is $80,600.  In all cases, the salary requested must be 
consistent both with the established salary structure at the institution and 
with salaries actually provided by the institution from its own funds to 
other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities 
in the department concerned.  If full-time, 12-month salaries are not 
currently paid to comparable staff members, the salary proposed must be 
appropriately related to the existing salary structure.  The award will also 
provide fringe benefits on the calculated base salary at the established 
institutional rate.

The institution may supplement the NIH contribution to the salary up to a 
level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale.  Institutional 
supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities 
that would interfere with the purpose of the award.  In addition, recipients 
of this award may derive additional compensation for effort associated with 
other Federal sources or awards provided the total salary derived from all 
Federal sources does not exceed the maximum legislated salary rate and the 
total percent effort does not exceed 100 percent.

2.  Research Development Support:  It is expected that candidates for this 
K24 award will have active, independent research support at the time of the 
award (see ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS).  The K24 award provides additional 
funds of up to $25,000 per year for the following expenses:  (a) tuition, 
fees, and books related to career development; (b) research expenses, such as 
supplies, equipment, and technical personnel for the Principal Investigator 
and his/her mentored clinical investigators; (c) travel to research meetings 
or training; and (d) statistical services including personnel and computer 
time.

3.  Ancillary Personnel Support:  Salary for secretaries, technical or 
administrative assistants, and other ancillary personnel is not allowed.

4.  Facilities and Administrative Costs:  These costs (formerly called 
indirect costs) will be reimbursed at eight percent of modified total direct 
costs.

Other Income:  

Fees resulting from clinical practice, professional consultation, or other 
comparable activities required by the research and research-related 
activities of this award may not be retained by the career award recipient.  
Such funds must be assigned to the grantee institution for disposition by any 
of the following methods:

o  The funds may be expended by the grantee institution in accordance with 
the NIH policy on supplementation of career award salaries and to provide 
fringe benefits in proportion to such supplementation.  Such salary 
supplementation and fringe benefit payments must be within the established 
policies of the grantee institution;

o  The funds may be used for health-related research purposes;

o  The funds may be paid to miscellaneous recipients of the U.S. Treasury.  
Checks should be made payable to the Department of Health and Human Services, 
NIH, and forwarded to the Director, Division of Financial Management, NIH, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20892.  Checks must identify the relevant award account 
and reason for payment;

o  Awardees may retain royalties and fees for activities such as scholarly 
writing, service on advisory groups, or honoraria from other institutions for 
lectures or seminars, provided these activities remain incidental and 
provided that the retention of such pay is consistent with the policies and 
practices of the grantee institution.

Usually, funds budgeted in an NIH-supported research or research training 
grant for the salaries or fringe benefits of individuals, but freed as a 
result of a career award, may not be rebudgeted.  The NICHD or NIDDK will 
give consideration to approval for the use of released funds only under 
unusual circumstances.  Any proposed retention of funds released as a result 
of a career award must receive prior written approval from the NICHD or 
NIDDK.

Evaluation:  

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related programs, the NIH 
may request information essential to an assessment of the effectiveness of 
this program.  Accordingly, recipients are hereby notified that they may be 
contacted after the completion of this award for periodic updates on various 
aspects of their employment history, publications, support from research 
grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and other 
information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.

Special Leave: 

Leave to another institution, including a foreign laboratory, may be 
permitted if directly related to the purpose of the award.  Only local 
institutional approval is required if such leave does not exceed three 
months.  For longer periods, prior written approval from the NICHD or NIDDK 
is required.  To obtain prior approval, the award recipient must submit a 
letter to the NICHD or NIDDK describing the reason for the period of leave 
and including a description of provisions made to ensure that the awardee 
will be able to continue meeting the special requirements of this award for a 
suitable research environment and for the continued mentoring of junior 
investigators.  The plan for the period of leave must be countersigned by his 
or her department head and the appropriate institutional official.  A copy of 
a letter or other evidence from the institution where the leave is to be 
taken must be submitted to assure that satisfactory arrangements have been 
made.  Support from the career development award will continue during such 
leave.

Leave without award support may not exceed 12 months.  Such leave requires 
the prior written approval of the NICHD or NIDDK and will be granted only in 
unusual situations.  Support from other sources is permissible during the 
period of leave.  Such leave does not reduce the total number of months of 
program support for which an individual is eligible.  Parental leave will be 
granted consistent with the policies of the NIH and the grantee institution.

Termination or Change of Institution: 

When a grantee institution plans to terminate an award, the NICHD or NIDDK 
must be notified in writing at the earliest possible time so that appropriate 
instructions can be given for termination.  If the individual is moving to 
another eligible institution, career award support may be continued provided:

o  Provisions for continued mentoring of junior investigators have been made;

o  A new career award application (K24) is submitted by the new institution;

o  All conditions of the award are met at the new institution;

o  The period of support requested is no more than the time remaining within 
the existing award period; and

o  The new application is submitted far enough in advance of the requested 
effective date to allow the necessary time for review.

Review of these materials is usually carried out by NICHD or NIDDK staff.  
However, depending on the circumstances, the NICHD or NIDDK may also require 
review by a scientific review group and/or the National Advisory Child Health 
and Human Development Council, and/or the National Diabetes and Digestive and 
Kidney Diseases Advisory Council.  

The NIH may discontinue an award upon determination that the purpose or terms 
of the award are not being fulfilled.  In the event an award is terminated, 
the Director of the NIH shall notify the grantee institution and career award 
recipient in writing of this determination, the reasons therefor, the 
effective date, and the right to appeal the decision.

A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are 
required upon either termination of an award or relinquishment of an award in 
a change of institution situation.

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 are provided indicating that inclusion 
is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of 
the research.  This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 
(Section 492B of Public Law 103-43). 

All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the 
UPDATED "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in 
Clinical Research," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on 
August 2, 2000 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html); a 
complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at  
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm.  The 
revisions relate to NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials and require:  a) 
all applications or proposals and/or protocols to provide a description of 
plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by 
sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable; 
and b) all investigators to report accrual, and to conduct and report 
analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group 
differences.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) 
must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by 
the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them.  
This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for 
receipt dates after October 1, 1998.

All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the 
“NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Children as Participants in 
Research Involving Human Subjects,” published in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts, March 6, 1998, and available on the Internet at:  
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.

URLS IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS AND APPENDICES

All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within 
specified page limitations.  Unless otherwise specified in an NIH 
solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide 
information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation 
to view the Internet sites.  Reviewers are cautioned that their anonymity may 
be compromised when they directly access an Internet site.   

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 
4/98) using the instructions in Section IV, as appropriate (see Application 
Instructions, below).  These forms are available at most institutional 
offices of sponsored research, on the Internet at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html, and from the 
Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National 
Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-
7910, telephone 301-435-0714, E-mail:  Grantsinfo@nih.gov. Applications will 
be accepted on standard receipt dates as listed in the PHS 398.

Application Instructions

Potential candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the NICHD or NIDDK 
staff person listed under INQUIRIES.  Such contact should occur early in the 
planning phase of application preparation and will help ensure that 
applications are responsive to the goals and policies of the NICHD and NIDDK.  

Applicants who will be using a General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) are 
requested to include a letter from either the GCRC program director or the 
Principal Investigator with the application.

The application must contain the following:

Candidate

o  A description of the candidate's commitment to a career in patient-
oriented research.

o  Evidence of the candidate's ability to conduct high quality patient-
oriented research.

o  A demonstrated record of mentoring or training of clinical investigators 
or a demonstration of the capability to provide mentoring to beginning 
clinical investigators.

o  A description of immediate and long-term career objectives, explaining how 
the award and the requested protected time will contribute to their 
attainment.

o  A description of how the award will contribute to a patient-oriented 
research program and how it will relieve the candidate from other patient 
care or administrative duties.

Research Plan

o  A commitment of up to 50 percent effort (at least 25 percent effort) to 
the patient-oriented research program.

o  A description of the ongoing patient-oriented research.  The research plan 
should briefly describe the specific aims, the background and significance of 
the studies, and the research design and methods.  Additional research may be 
proposed as a basis for this award.

o  Documentation that appropriate and adequate resources, both in terms of 
support and facilities, are available to the candidate to conduct the 
research program.  This must include a listing of all current and pending 
research support.

Mentoring Plan

o  A description of plans for providing mentoring opportunities to beginning 
clinical investigators.  This should include a description of the previous 
training and specialization of clinical investigators who will be mentored, 
the availability of such individuals at the applicant institution, plans for 
recruiting and selecting supervisees, and the type of educational and 
research experiences that will be provided.

Environment and Institutional Commitment

o  The sponsoring institution must document a strong, well-established 
patient-oriented research and training program related to the candidate's 
area of interest including a high-quality research environment with staff 
capable of productive collaboration with the candidate.  The sponsoring 
institution also must provide a statement of commitment to enhancing the 
candidate's ability as
a productive, independent investigator.

o  The sponsoring institution must provide documentation that the candidate 
will be relieved of other duties, patient care, administrative, etc., to 
allow him/her to devote time to the patient-oriented research program.

Budget Instructions

The total direct costs must be requested in accordance with the K24 program 
guidelines, following the budget instructions in the application.

Biographical Sketch

A biographical sketch is required for all key personnel, following the 
instructions in section IV of Form 398 (rev. 4/98).

Submission Instructions

The title and number of this Program Announcement must be typed on line 2 of 
the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked.

Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the 
Checklist, and three signed photocopies, in one package to:

CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040. MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD  20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD  20817-7710 (for express/courier service)

For investigators in obstetrics and gynecology (including urogynecology), at 
the time of submission, two additional copies of the application should be 
sent to:

L. R. Stanford, 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
Bethesda, MD  20852 (for express/courier service)

For investigators in urology or digestive diseases, at the time of 
submission, two additional copies of the application should be sent to:

Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Boulevard
Room 653, MSC 5452
Bethesda, MD  20892-5452
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Center 
for Scientific Review and for eligibility for the K24 award by NICHD or NIDDK 
staff.  Incomplete and/or ineligible applications will be returned to the 
applicant without further consideration.  

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by a peer 
review group convened by the NICHD or NIDDK Division of Scientific Review in 
accordance with the review criteria stated below.  As part of the initial 
merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and may 
undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest 
scientific merit will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a 
second level review by the National Advisory Child Health and Human 
Development Council and/or the National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney 
Diseases Advisory Council.

Review Criteria

Candidate:

o  Quality of the candidate's academic and research record, track record as a 
successful leader of a productive research program, and commitment to a 
continuing career in patient-oriented research related to female pelvic floor 
disorders; 

o  Evidence of ongoing high quality patient-oriented research related to 
female pelvic floor disorders; 

o  Demonstrated record of mentoring or training of junior investigators, or a 
demonstration of the capability to provide mentoring to beginning clinical 
investigators;

o  Appropriateness of the content and duration of the proposed research 
program;

o  A record of monetary support for patient-oriented research related to 
female pelvic floor disorders.

Research Plan:

Although K24 applications do not require the level of detail necessary in 
regular research grant applications, a fundamentally sound research plan must 
be provided.  In general, less detail is expected with regard to research 
planned for the later years of the award, but the application should outline 
the general goals for these years.

o  Appropriateness of the research plan as a vehicle for demonstrating skills 
and capabilities to junior investigators in patient-oriented research related 
to female pelvic floor disorders;

o  Scientific and technical merit of the proposed research;

o  Relevance of the proposed research to the candidate's career objectives;

o  Availability of adequate resources to conduct the research program;

o  Demonstration that the proposed program and protected time will relieve 
the candidate from non-research patient care and administrative duties and 
allow him or her to devote additional time to patient-oriented research 
related to female pelvic floor disorders; and 

o  Adequacy of plans for including women, minorities, and children as 
appropriate for the scientific goals of the research, or justification for 
exclusion.

Mentoring Plan:

o  Experience or potential to serve as a mentor;

o  Adequacy of the plans for mentoring or supervising beginning clinicians in 
patient-oriented research related to female pelvic floor disorders;

o  Appropriateness of the proposed level of effort committed to the mentoring 
component.

Environment and Institutional Commitment:

o  Applicant institution's commitment to the scientific development of the 
candidate and assurances that the institution intends the candidate to be an 
integral part of its research program;

o  Adequacy of research facilities and the availability of appropriate 
educational opportunities;

o  Quality and relevance of the environment for scientific and professional 
development of the candidate and others pursuing patient-oriented research in 
female pelvic floor disorders; and

o  Applicant institution's commitment to provide adequate protected time for 
conduct of the research and mentoring program.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications will compete for available funds with all other scored career 
development award applications.  Funding decisions will be based on the 
recommendations of the scientific review group and the National Advisory 
Child Health and Human Development Council and/or the National Diabetes and 
Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory Council, and the availability of 
funds.

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this PA are strongly encouraged 
especially during the planning phase of the application. 

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Anne M. Weber, M.D., M.S.
Center for Population Research
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 8B-13C, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone:  (301) 435-6972
Fax:  (301) 496-0962
Email:  webera@mail.nih.gov 

Leroy M. Nyberg, M.D., Ph.D.
Urology Program Director
Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Two Democracy Plaza, Room 617
6707 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-5458
Telephone: (301) 594-7718
Fax: (301) 480-3510
Email: nybergl@extra.niddk.nih.gov 

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal and administrative issues to:

Diane M. Watson
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 8A17J, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Rockville, MD 20852 (Express Mail)
Telephone: (301) 496-5001
FAX: (301) 402-9015
Email:  dw40j@nih.gov
Trude Hilliard
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Telephone: (301) 594-8859
FAX: (301) 480-3504
Email: hilliardt@extra.niddk.nih.gov 

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 
93.864, Population Research (NICHD), and No. 93.849 (NIDDK).  Awards are made 
under the authority of Title III, Section 301 of the PHS Act as amended.  The 
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42 Part 52 and Title 45 Part 74, are 
applicable to this program.  This program is not subject to the 
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 to Health 
Systems Agency review.

The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract 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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	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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