JOINTLY SPONSORED NIH PREDOCTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN THE NEUROSCIENCES
 
Release Date:  January 5, 2000

PA NUMBER:  PAR-00-037

National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Eye Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute of Nursing Research
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 1
Application Receipt Date:  May 10

This program announcement replaces PAR-97-007, which was published in the NIH 
Guide, Vol. 25, No. 10, November 8, 1996. 

PURPOSE

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of Child Health and 
Human Development (NICHD), National Institute on Deafness and Other 
Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institute of Dental and 
Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Eye Institute (NEI), National 
Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institute of Mental 
Health (NIMH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 
(NINDS), and National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) are continuing 
joint sponsorship of a predoctoral research training program in the 
neurosciences.  The aim of the program is to encourage and support broad, 
early-stage training in the neurosciences by offering institutions a single 
comprehensive training grant.  It is expected that the new training programs 
will enhance basic and disease-related neuroscience research that is relevant 
to the participating NIH Institutes.

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 priority areas.  Potential applicants may 
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-
0 or Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the superintendent 
of documents, government printing office, Washington DC 20402-9325 (Telephone 
202-512-1800) or at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000.
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
Only domestic, non-profit, private or public institutions engaged in health-
related education or research are eligible to apply.  All of the eligibility 
requirements, rules and regulations of the National Research Service Award 
(NRSA) programs as articulated in “NIH National Research Service Award 
Institutional Research Training Grants” (NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 16, May 16, 
1997, available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-007.html) 
apply to this program.  NRSA program guidelines are 
available in “National Research Service Awards Guidelines,” published in the 
NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 21, June 20, 1997 (available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-009.html).

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
This program will use the NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) 
mechanism.  The number of grants awarded will depend on funds available. 
Awards will be made for a period of up to five years, and are renewable. The 
training grant will support predoctoral level stipends and other training 
costs according to the current NRSA guidelines, "NIH National Research 
Service Award Institutional Research Training Grants" (NIH Guide NOTICE – 
Vol. 26, No. 16, May 16, 1997, available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-007.html) 
and “National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipend Increase” (NIH Guide 
Notice, November 19, 1998, available at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT98-161.html).  Funds to 
support trainee travel to attend scientific meetings should not exceed 
$400/year per trainee.

RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM CONSIDERATIONS

Nine NIH Institutes (listed above) are continuing joint sponsorship of a 
predoctoral research training program in the neurosciences.  The aim of the 
program is to encourage and support broad, early-stage training in the 
neurosciences by offering institutions a single comprehensive training grant.  
Support through the program is focused on the early years of training, 
typically the first and second years, before full-time thesis research is 
started.  Trainees are expected to be participants in a formal predoctoral 
curriculum offering broad and fundamental training in the neurosciences.  
Such training would include taking core courses, laboratory rotations and 
multidisciplinary courses, but not full time thesis research.

Institutions that presently have multiple training grants supporting 
predoctoral trainees in the neurosciences are encouraged to consolidate their 
predoctoral training positions into a single training grant jointly sponsored 
by the participating NIH Institutes of this program announcement.  
Applications are also encouraged from institutions that do not have current 
NIH training grant support and that provide neuroscience training.  Depending 
on the policies of the awarding NIH Institute, other training grants at the 
applicant institution may continue to support predoctoral trainees involved 
in thesis research and postdoctoral fellows (applicants are strongly 
encouraged to contact specific NIH Institute staff listed under INQUIRIES 
prior to preparing and submitting an application).  The number of trainee 
positions requested must be justified in terms of the available pool of 
eligible trainees, the training faculty, the course offerings, etc., and the 
proposed consolidation of existing training positions.

As part of the program all trainees will be encouraged to visit NIH once 
during their appointment for a two-day special orientation and training 
session sponsored by the participating NIH Institutes.  These orientation 
sessions will take place once every two years, and will be restricted to 
trainees supported under this program.  Travel funds (travel and two days per 
diem per trainee) to participate in this event should be requested in the 
budget of the application.  At these sessions each NIH Institute will have an 
opportunity to describe their mission and research interests, a series of 
research lectures will be given by leading investigators in the 
neurosciences, and an introduction to the NIH grant system will be presented.

The Program Directors of the training grants will be asked to attend a one-
day workshop in the Washington DC area every two years.  The workshops will 
take place on the off years of the trainee orientation sessions.  Travel 
funds (travel plus one day per diem) for the Program Director to attend this 
event may be included in the budget of the application.  At these workshops, 
the Program Directors will be asked to report on successes or problems in 
their training programs, and NIH staff will provide briefings on new training 
and career development opportunities in the participating NIH institutes.
 
It is expected that the new training programs will enhance basic and disease-
related neuroscience research that is relevant to the participating NIH 
Institutes.  Applicants should ensure that there are ongoing research 
programs available to trainees in areas relevant to the missions of one or 
more of the sponsoring NIH Institutes.  It is also important that the 
administration of the applicant institution as well as all participating 
academic units and departments indicate within the application their 
willingness to support the training goals of the program.

LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit, by March 1, a 
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed training 
program, the name, address, and telephone number of the Program Director, the 
identities of other key faculty and participating departments, and the number 
and title of this PA.  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 Dr. Bradley C. Wise at the address listed under 
INQUIRIES.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used in 
applying for these grants.  The grant application kit contains special 
instructions (Section V) for Institutional National Research Service Awards 
(T32).  Application kits are available at most institutional offices of 
sponsored research and may be obtained 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, 
Email:  GRANTSINFO@NIH.GOV.  Applications are also available on the internet 
at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.

Supplemental application instructions are available and may be requested from 
the program staff listed under INQUIRIES.  The title and number of the 
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 five 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)

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
 
A special emphasis panel convened by the sponsoring NIH Institutes in 
accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures will evaluate 
applications that are responsive to the requirements of this PA.

Applications will be evaluated according to the general review criteria 
outlined in the "NIH National Research Service Award Institutional Research 
Training Grants," NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 16, May 16, 1997, which can be 
found at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-007.html.  
Additional review criteria specific to this initiative include: 1) whether 
the training program provides broad-based, fundamental, early-stage training 
in neuroscience at the Institution; 2) the potential impact of the proposed 
training grant on neuroscience training at the Institution; 3) whether 
appropriate expertise is available in the neuroscience community at the 
Institution; and 4) the extent of participation of all appropriate faculty 
and departments at the Institution in the neuroscience training program.

Consolidation of predoctoral training in the neurosciences at an Institution 
into a single training grant is encouraged, but is not a requirement.  The 
consolidation plan (if any) for combining training positions from other 
training grants at the Institution should be fully explained in the 
application.  The consolidation plans (if any) will be considered in relation 
to the participation of other departments in the training program.  For 
example, are there plans to consolidate trainee positions from existing 
training grants that participating faculty use to train students in the 
neurosciences?  Reviewer comments on the consolidation plan (if any) will 
appear in an administrative note.  This information will not be considered in 
scoring the application, however, it will be considered in the budget 
recommendation process.

Reviewers will first determine the quality of the training program and then 
consider whether the requested number of trainee positions is appropriate for 
the number of high quality, eligible first/second year trainees likely to be 
accepted into the program.  Comments on the appropriateness of the requested 
number of slots will appear as a budget note or an administrative note.

Schedule
 
Applications for Jointly Sponsored NIH Predoctoral Training Program in the 
Neurosciences will be accepted and reviewed once a year only according to the 
following schedule:
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 1
Application Receipt Date:       May 10
Review Meeting:                 October/November
Council Meeting:                January/February
Earliest Possible Start Date:   July 1

Applications received after the May 10 deadline will be returned to the 
applicant.

AWARD CRITERIA
 
The general award criteria are outlined in the "NIH National Research Service 
Award Institutional Research Training Grants," NIH Guide, Vol. 26, No. 16, 
May 16, 1997.  Applications will compete for available funds with all other 
recommended applications.  The following will be considered in making funding 
decisions:

Quality of the proposed training program as determined by peer review
Availability of funds
Program priority
 
INQUIRIES
 
Inquiries are strongly encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any issues or 
questions from potential applicants is welcome.  Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to contact program staff for technical assistance and information 
concerning current program priorities before applying for an award.
 
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
 
Bradley C. Wise, Ph.D.
Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Room 3C307, MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-9350
FAX:  (301) 496-1494
Email:  bw86y@nih.gov

Deborah B. Henken, Ph.D.
Center for Research for Mothers and Children
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 4B01, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone:  (301) 496-5541
FAX:  (301) 480-0303
Email:  dh50g@nih.gov

Daniel A. Sklare, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Research
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400C, MSC 7180
Bethesda, MD  20892-7180
Telephone:  (301) 496-1804
FAX:  (301) 402-6251
Email:  daniel_sklare@nih.gov

James A. Lipton, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Research
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-18J, MSC 6402
Bethesda, MD  20892-6402
Telephone:  (301) 594-2618
FAX:  (301) 480-8318
Email:  liptonj@de45.nidr.nih.gov

Maria Y. Giovanni, Ph.D.
National Eye Institute
6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 350, MSC 7164
Bethesda, MD 20892-7164
301-496-0484
301-402-0528
myg@nei.nih.gov

Alison Cole, Ph.D.
Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 2AS-49K, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD  20892-6200
Telephone:  (301) 594-1826
FAX:  (301) 480-2802
Email:  colea@nigms.nih.gov

Walter L. Goldschmidts, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7200, MSC 9645
Bethesda, MD  20892-9645
Telephone:  (301) 443-3563
FAX:  (301) 443-1731
Email:  wgoldsch@nih.gov

Robert W. Baughman, Ph.D.
Office of Extramural Research
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2137, MSC 9170 
Bethesda, MD  20892-9170
Telephone:  (301) 496-1779
FAX:  (301) 402-1501
Email:  rb175y@nih.gov

Karin F. Helmers, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN-12, MSC 6300
Bethesda, MD  20892-6300
Telephone:  (301) 594-2177
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  karin_helmers@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Joseph Ellis
Grants Management Officer
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 2N212, MSC9205 
Bethesda, MD 20892-9205
Telephone: (301) 496-1472
Fax: (301) 402-3672
Email: ellisj@exmur.nia.nih.gov

Douglas Shawver
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Building 61E, Room 8A017, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone:  (301) 496-1303
FAX:  (301) 402-0915
Email:  shawverd@hd01.nichd.nih.gov

Sharon Hunt
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 400-B, MSC 7180
Bethesda, MD  20892-7180
Telephone:  (301) 402-0909
FAX:  (301) 402-1758
Email:  sh79f@nih.gov

Martin R. Rubinstein
Division of Extramural Research
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44A, MSC 6402
Bethesda, MD  20892-6402
Telephone:  (301) 594-4800
FAX:  (301) 480-8303
Email:  rubinstein@de45.nidr.nih.gov

Will W. Darby
Grants Management Branch
National Eye Institute
Executive Plaza South, Suite 350, MSC 7164
Bethesda, MD  20892-7164
Telephone:  (301) 496-5884
FAX:  (301) 496-9997
Email:  wwdarby@nei.nih.gov

Ruth Monaghan
Grants Management Office
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 2AN-24D, MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD  20892-6200
Telephone:  (301) 594-5135
FAX:  (301) 480-2554
Email:  rm64j@nih.gov

Diana S. Trunnell
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6115, MSC 9605
Bethesda, MD  20892-9605
Telephone: (301) 443-2805
FAX:  (301) 443-6885
Email:  dtrunnell@mail.nih.gov

Maurice Johnson
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3254, MSC 9190
Bethesda, MD  20892-9190
Telephone (301) 496-9231
FAX:  (301) 402-0219
Email:  johnsonm@ninds.nih.gov

Cindy McDermott
Grants Management Office
National Institute of Nursing Research
45 Center Drive, Room 3AN12, MSC 6301
Bethesda, MD  20892-6301
Telephone:  (301) 594-5979
FAX:  (301) 480-8260
Email:  cindy_mcdermott@nih.gov

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants are made under the authority of 
Section 487 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 288).  Title 
42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 66, is applicable to this 
program.  This program is also described under the following numbers in the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.272, 
93.278, 93.282, 93.306, 93.361, 93.398, 93.821, 93.837-93.839, 93.846-93.849, 
93.853-93.856, 93.859, 93.862-93.868, 93.871, 93.880, 93.894, and 93.929.  
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 PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 
42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the 
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health 
Systems Agency review.  Awards will be administered under PHS policy as 
stated in the NIH Grants Policy Statement (October 1, 1998).
 
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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