NINDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLEMENTS FOR RESEARCH ON HUMAN STEM CELLS

RELEASE DATE:  October 17, 2002

NOTICE:  NOT-NS-03-002

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
 (http://www.ninds.nih.gov)

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) 
announces a program for administrative supplements to foster basic and 
applied research on human stem and progenitor cells.  The goals are to 
allow investigators not currently working on human stem cells to join the 
field, and to encourage investigators to compare multiple sources and types 
of human stem cells in their disease models.  This supplemental funding 
initiative is issued in response to recommendations from DHHS Secretary 
Thompson calling for funding of studies to compare the behavior of human 
embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with that of other human stem cells, and stem 
cells from non-human species.  This program is intended to facilitate 
research within ongoing, peer-reviewed projects that have Specific Aims on 
stem cell biology, or Specific Aims that may translate to the use of stem 
cells in basic or pre-clinical studies of neurological dysfunction. These 
one-time supplements are intended to help NINDS grantees develop 
preliminary data for new applications to NINDS.  Principal Investigators 
(PIs) funded by NINDS with Research Project (R01), 
Exploratory/Developmental (R21), Phase II SBIR (R44), Program Project 
(P01), and Specialized Center (P50 or U54) grants are eligible to apply.  
To be eligible, projects must have a Project Period End Date of January 30, 
2004, or later (a no-cost extension beyond that date does not confer 
eligibility).  

If an investigator proposes to use hESCs, only research using cell lines 
registered in the NIH Registry will be eligible for funding.  Each approved 
cell line is specifically identified in the Registry, and it is the 
responsibility of the applicant to provide the official identifier(s) for 
their hESC lines as found in the NIH Registry (http://escr.nih.gov/).  
Applications that do not provide this information will be returned without 
review.

Evidence should be presented that the results of the supplemental 
assistance will enhance the pursuit of the Specific Aims of the research 
project, without constituting an expansion of scope.  Supplements are one-
time awards and will not extend to subsequent budget periods.  

Specific examples of supplemental requests that may be considered include, 
but are not limited to:

o Studies on the basic cellular and molecular biology of human stem cells 
within the framework of the existing project.

o Analysis of human stem cell behavior in animal models of injury or 
disease in the nervous system. Examples of these conditions include stroke, 
spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, 
Parkinson's Disease, Ataxia Telangiectasia, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and 
Multiple Sclerosis. 

o Requests within existing grants on the development of biomarkers or 
genetic tools for identifying, harvesting, purifying, and expanding human 
stem cells and/or their differentiating progeny.

How to Apply: Submission of requests could be made electronically.  Send an 
email message to: ehscsupplement@ninds.nih.gov with the PI's name (last, 
first) and grant number on the subject line.  Include the following items 
in an attached file in MSWord, WordPerfect, or PDF format.  Please note:  
the e-mail address is case sensitive; use lower case only.  Applications 
must include the following items to be considered for funding:

1) A cover page (face page from application form PHS 398) citing this 
NOTICE and requesting an administrative supplement. Include the PI name, 
grant number and title, amount requested, name and title of the 
institutional official, and phone, email, and address information for the 
PI and institutional official.  For P01s, P50s, and U54s the overall 
project PI must submit the request for a supplement.  

2) A letter (five-page limit) describing the proposed experiments and their 
relationship to the original project Specific Aims, a brief discussion of 
the significance of the proposed research, and a budget with 
justifications.  Direct and Indirect Costs should be clearly identified and 
stated.

3) In addition, an original cover letter signed by the PI and countersigned 
by the institutional official should be submitted by mail.  The requested 
letter is not the cover page of the original grant, but is specific for 
this supplemental application.  This documentation is required for the 
issuance of an award, and should be sent to Dr. Arlene Y. Chiu, listed at 
the end of this notice.  

The application should be formatted as a memo or letter and provide the 
information listed above.  PIs should not submit a request electronically 
until the institutional business office has reviewed and approved the 
request.  Applicants unable to submit electronic applications should submit 
a complete written application addressed to the same NINDS contact.

Budget Information:  For FY 2003, the NINDS will commit $600,000 (total 
costs) to fund applications for supplements submitted in response to this 
Notice.  The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation will commit an 
additional $250,000, and the ALS Association, the A-T Children's Project 
and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy each will commit $50,000 to fund 
applications relevant to their respective mission.  Although the financial 
plans of the NINDS and the Foundations provide support for this program, 
awards pursuant to this Notice are contingent upon the availability of 
funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high 
scientific merit.

Supplements will be awarded as TOTAL COSTS, and are one-time awards. Any 
Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs should be included in the modular 
request, and may not be added to it.  For R01s, R21s, and R44s the maximum 
request is $50,000.  For P01s, P50s, and U54s the maximum is $100,000.  
Although the awarded budgets will be modular, applicants should provide 
budget justification that details the budget items requested, including F&A 
costs.

Review Procedures:  Requests will be reviewed administratively.  Review 
criteria will include the scientific significance and relevance to program 
priorities of the institute. 

Post-Award Requirements: A one-page progress report addressing the results 
of the supplement will be required.  It should be included as an addition 
to the next progress report of the parent grant, submitted after the one-
year supplement.

Receipt Dates:        Dec. 13, 2002   March 28, 2003    July 2, 2003 
Earliest Award Date:  Feb. 13, 2003	  May 28, 2003	    Sept. 2, 2003

Inquiries:  A website with Frequently Asked Question's about hESCs has been 
provided at:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/stem_cell_faqs.htm.

Direct inquiries regarding scientific issues to: 

Dr. Arlene Y. Chiu
Program Director, Repair and Plasticity Program
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Blvd. NSC Rm. 2205
Bethesda, MD  20892
Tel:  (301) 496-1447
Fax:  (301) 480-1080
Email:  chiua@ninds.nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding application issues to:

Dr. Maureen Beanan
Program Analyst, Repair and Plasticity Program
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
6001 Executive Blvd. NSC Rm. 2227
Bethesda, MD  20892
Tel:  (301) 496-1447
Fax:  (301) 480-1080
Email:  beananm@ninds.nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: 

Jeffrey Domanski
Grants Management Specialist
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 
6001 Executive Blvd., NSC 3270 
Bethesda, MD  20892 
Tel:  301-496-7484
Fax:  301-402-0219
Email:  domanskj@ninds.nih.gov

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