NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE:  INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING GRANTS FOR 
INFORMATICS RESEARCH

Release Date:  March 29, 2001

RFA:  RFA-LM-01-001 (see RFA-LM-06-001 for modification) 

National Library of Medicine
 (http://www.nlm.nih.gov)

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  May 25, 2001
Application Receipt Date:       June 22, 2001

PURPOSE  

The National Library of Medicine is inviting training grant 
applications in a single competition for support of pre-doctoral and 
post-doctoral training programs in informatics research. Applications 
may be for the creation of new training centers or for the renewal of 
existing NLM training program grants. Such training will help meet a 
growing need for investigators and leaders trained in biomedical 
computing and prepared to address information management issues in one 
or more health-relevant domains, including health care delivery, basic 
biomedical research, clinical and health services research, public 
health, and professional education. Graduates of the NLM-supported 
programs should be able to conduct basic or applied research at the 
intersection of biology and medicine with computer and cognitive 
sciences, and are expected to be familiar with the use and potential of 
modern information technology.  

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 Request 
for Applications (RFA) is related to one or more of the priority areas.  
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at 
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/.  

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  

Only domestic, non-profit, private or public institutions may apply for 
grants to support research training programs.  The applicant 
institution must have a strong research program in the area(s) proposed 
for research training and must have the requisite staff and facilities 
to carry out the proposed program.  The research training program 
director at the institution will be responsible for the selection and 
appointment of trainees to receive NLM support and for the overall 
direction of the program.   

Groups (or cooperatives) of health-related institutions are also 
eligible to apply.  A single, lead institution must apply on behalf of 
the group, letters of agreement defining mutual responsibilities must 
be provided in the application and signed by authorized officials of 
each participating institution. However, more than one application from 
a single institution is undesirable, if an institution has two or more 
prospective Principal Investigators, NLM urges the principals to 
combine their proposals into one or to consult NLM staff for advice 
about resolving the matter. 

NLM encourages applications that include organizations with substantial 
numbers of students and faculty from racial/ethnic minorities currently 
under-represented in informatics, or that otherwise make provisions for 
promoting informatics research training among health professionals from 
such minorities. 

Trainees appointed to the training program must have the opportunity to 
carry out supervised research in informatics with the primary objective 
of developing or extending their research skills and knowledge.  

TRAINEE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  

Positions on NLM institutional grants may not be used for study leading 
to the M.D., D.D.S., or other clinical, health-professional degrees 
except when those studies are a part of a formal combined research 
degree program, such as the M.D./Ph.D.  Similarly, trainees may not 
accept NLM support for studies, which are part of residency training 
leading to certification in a medical or dental specialty or 
subspecialty, except when the residency program credits a period of 
full-time, postdoctoral research training toward board certification.  

Students enrolled in health-professional doctoral degree programs may 
receive support for short-term research training as described below. 
Additionally, health-professional students may interrupt their studies 
for a year or more to engage in an extended period of full-time 
research training before completing their professional degree.  

Trainees are required to pursue their research training on a full-time 
basis, devoting at least 40 hours per week to the program. Within the 
40 hours per week training period, research trainees in clinical areas 
must devote their time to the proposed research training and must 
confine clinical duties to those that are an integral part of the 
research training experience.  

Citizenship.  
To be appointed to a training position supported by an NLM research 
training grant, an individual must be a citizen or non-citizen national 
of the United States or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration 
Receipt Card I-551, or must be in possession of other legal 
verification of such status).  Non-citizen nationals are generally 
persons born in outlying possessions of the United States (e.g., 
American Samoa and Swains Island).  Individuals on temporary or student 
visas are not eligible.  

Predoctoral Trainees.  
Predoctoral trainees must have received a baccalaureate degree by the 
beginning date of their NLM appointment, and must be training at the 
post-baccalaureate level and enrolled in a program leading to a Ph.D. 
in science or in an equivalent research doctoral degree program.  
Health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a 
year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing 
their professional degrees are also eligible.  

Postdoctoral Trainees. 
Postdoctoral trainees must have received, as of the beginning date of 
the NLM appointment, a Ph.D., M.D. or comparable doctoral degree from 
an accredited domestic or foreign institution.  Eligible doctoral 
degrees include, but are not limited to, the following:  D.D.S., 
D.M.D., D.O., D.V.M., O.D., D.P.M., Sc.D., Eng.D., Dr. P.H., D.N.Sc., 
D. Pharm., D.S.W., and Psy.D. Documentation by an authorized official 
of the degree- granting institution certifying all degree requirements 
have been met prior to the beginning date of training is acceptable.  

Short-Term Health-Professional Trainees.  
To be eligible for short-term predoctoral research training positions, 
health-professional students must have completed at least one quarter 
in a program leading to a clinical doctorate prior to participating in 
the program.  Individuals matriculated in a formal research degree 
program, or those holding a research doctorate or masters degree or a 
combined health-professional/research doctorate are not eligible for 
short-term training positions.  Within schools of pharmacy, only 
individuals who are candidates for the Pharm.D. degree are eligible for 
short-term positions.   

Short-term research training positions should last at least 2 months 
but must not exceed 3 months. Individual health-professional students 
selected for appointment should be encouraged to obtain multiple 
periods of short-term research training during the years leading to 
their degree. Such appointments may be consecutive or may be reserved 
for summers or other "off-quarter” periods.  

Librarians, Nurses, Engineers, and Computer Scientists  
Graduates of training programs in professions that do not customarily 
require a doctoral degree, such as library science, nursing, 
engineering, and computer science, can make important contributions to 
informatics research, and are also eligible for appointment to the NLM 
training programs.  Such trainees will normally receive standard pre-
doctoral stipends. However, those with professional experience of five 
or more years after graduation are eligible for stipends at post-
doctoral levels.  

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT  

This RFA will use the T15 Training Grant mechanism.  These awards are 
authorized by the Medical Library Assistance Act and are not a part of 
the National Research Service Awards Program (NRSA) of the Public 
Health Service.  However, the policies and requirements of the NLM 
program are similar in most respects to NRSA awards.  

This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Awards will be announced in Fall 
of 2001 with starting date of July 1, 2002.  

FUNDS AVAILABLE  

NLM plans to make available approximately $11 million for this program 
in FY 2002 and expects to award 15-18 training grants.  The actual 
number of grants made will depend on availability of funds and on the 
merit and scope of applications received.  

These awards are usually made for periods up to five years and are 
eligible for competitive renewal. Awards are normally made in 12-month 
increments with support for additional years based on satisfactory 
progress and the continued availability of funds. At this time, NLM has 
no plans for reissuance of this RFA.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES 

Background  
Informatics is concerned with the acquisition, representation, storage, 
retrieval, and utilization of information. Information technology has 
become an almost ubiquitous element of informatics and informatics 
research because of the extraordinary power of computers and 
telecommunication to facilitate information management. 

Objectives and Site  
Acceptable applications must clearly indicate that the primary intent 
of the program is preparation for a career in informatics research. To 
prepare trainee for careers in a demanding research environment, the 
sponsorship of a research-oriented health sciences institution is 
critical. In most instances, academic medical centers are the preferred 
training sites, however, consortium training arrangements with graduate 
schools in library/information science, public health, and other 
health-related fields as well as with other institutions are 
encouraged.  

Curriculum  
Although a canonical set of basic courses for informatics training has 
not yet evolved, there is general agreement that the field is 
interdisciplinary, and includes, among others, components of computer 
science, information science, cognitive science, and knowledge of one 
or more domains of biomedicine. The training proposed in the 
application should describe clearly: 

o Required core courses  
o Elective options  
o Research experience 
o Expected competencies at end of training period 

Every program should be prepared to teach basic competencies that might 
reasonably be expected of all informaticians preparing for a career in 
informatics research.  Further, all programs should display awareness 
of impending advances in information technology, including Next 
Generation Internet, and High Performance Computing in general. 
However, programs may vary in the spectrum of research experience 
offered, some may offer a broad variety of options while others may 
wish to limit projects to a more narrow area such as clinically 
relevant informatics, genomics/proteomics, health services research, 
computational biology etc.  

NLM is aware that informatics has historically had a heavy focus on 
clinically relevant topics, and that health care delivery continues to 
offer a rich variety of important research questions for 
informaticians.  However, the remarkable emergence of very large 
datasets in genomics, neuroscience, clinical research, health services 
research and other domains has resulted in a rapidly expanding interest 
among basic and clinical scientists in the potential of informatics for 
facilitating research and for creating knowledge.  NLM believes there 
will be high demand for specialists capable of applying informatics to 
biomedical research. Core training for informaticians should include 
exposure to the informatics of biomedical research. 

Length of Training and Degrees Awarded  
The credentials of informatics trainees and the philosophies of 
training directors differ widely.  NLM acknowledges that the length of 
training proposed, as well as whether or not degrees are offered, are 
matters for each program to decide for itself.  However, the likelihood 
that a trainee will have achieved competence within the time-frame 
proposed will be a matter of judgment for the review group when it 
evaluates the application.  

SPECIAL TRACKS 
(Optional, if included in application, provide sufficient detail to 
permit evaluation of the training to be offered.) 

Librarians  
Because of NLM’s strong interest in increasing the pool of health 
science librarians sophisticated in informatics, additional training 
slots will be offered to those who appoint health science librarians as 
trainees. Applicants interested in offering training for health science 
librarians as an option within their basic program should describe 
plans for such a special track. Librarians eligible for such 
appointments include those planning on returning to administration as 
well as those interested in informatics research careers.  

Dentists  
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) plans to 
support through this RFA up to three trainees interested in dental 
informatics.  The training positions will be distributed among one or 
more sites depending on the relevance and assessment of proposed 
programs.  The objective of this effort is to develop highly qualified 
investigators committed to a research career in oral health 
informatics, which integrates and applies the computer, information, 
and cognitive sciences to oral health and disease. Trainees can be 
individuals with a D.D.S., D.M.D., M.D., or equivalent degree, or pre- 
and post-Ph.D.  It is essential that research training activities 
specifically apply informatics to areas pursued by the NIDR.  These 
include:  (1) the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, 
diagnosis and treatment of dental caries, periodontal and oral soft 
tissue diseases, oral cancer, oral manifestations of AIDS and HIV 
infection, salivary gland conditions, craniofacial anomalies, orofacial 
pain, and temporomandibular disorders, (2) the molecular and cellular 
study of the development, structure and function of teeth, jaws, oral 
mucosa, bone, connective tissue, and salivary glands, (3) behavioral, 
social, cultural, economic, and health care delivery  issues related to 
oral health and disease, (4) biomaterials, dental  implants, 
biomimetics, and tissue engineering, (5) fluoride and  nutrition, and 
(6) oral conditions prevalent among older Americans,  a particular 
gender, minorities, people with particular systemic  diseases, and 
other individuals and groups at high risk for oral  health problems. 

Applicants interested in providing training in dental informatics as an 
option within their general program should describe their plans for 
such a special track.  Support of training slots by NIDCR will be based 
on the Initial Review Group"s recommendation and priority score, 
relevance of the proposed project, program interests and the 
availability of funds.  

Information System Administrators  
The preparation of competent scientists remains the primary goal of the 
training program.  However, NLM recognizes that informatics specialists 
are often called upon for assistance in addressing information needs of 
a health center, and strongly encourages program directors to provide 
trainees with some exposure to the problems of managing and integrating 
health enterprise information systems.  As an exception to research as 
the career goal of these training programs, NLM will accept a training 
track within the Informatics Research Training Program that emphasizes 
information system administration. Such trainees are expected to take 
the core informatics courses, but may complete their training with 
projects that focus on administration, systems, and business areas 
instead of more traditional informatics research projects.  

TRAINEE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT  
Trainee appointments are normally made in 12-month increments.  No 
trainee may be appointed for less than 9 months during the initial 
period of appointment, except with the prior approval of NLM or when 
health- professional students are appointed to approved, short-term 
research training positions.  

No individual trainee may receive more than 4 years of aggregate NLM 
support at the predoctoral level or 3 years of support at the 
postdoctoral level, including any combination of support from 
institutional training grants and individual fellowship awards. 

Any extension of the total duration of trainee support at either the 
predoctoral or postdoctoral level requires approval by NLM Requests for 
extension must be made in writing by the trainee, endorsed by the 
director of the training program and the appropriate institutional 
official, and addressed to the NLM Program Officer. The request must 
include a sound justification for an extension of the limits on the 
period of support.

TRAINEE COSTS  

Stipends  
NLM training awards provide funds in the form of stipends to graduate 
students and postdoctoral trainees.  A stipend is provided as a 
subsistence allowance to help trainees defray living expenses during 
the research training experience.  It is not provided as a condition of 
employment with either the Federal Government or the awardee 
institution.  Stipends must be paid to all trainees at the levels 
stipulated by NLM stipend schedules, which follow NRSA levels.  

The stipend rates shown are for FY2001. Applicants should contact the 
NLM individuals listed at the end of this announcement or consult the 
NIH Guide for recent information on stipend rates.  

Predoctoral Trainees.  
The stipend for predoctoral trainees in FY 2001 is $16,500.  For 
appointments of less than a year, the stipend will be based on a 
monthly proration that is $1,375

Postdoctoral Trainees.  
The current annual stipend for postdoctoral trainees is determined by 
the number of FULL years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the 
time of appointment.  Relevant experience may include research 
experience (including industrial), teaching, internship, residency, 
clinical duties, or other time spent in full-time studies in a health-
related field following the date of the qualifying doctoral degree.  

Postdoctoral stipend rates in FY 2001 are as follows:

Postdoctoral Years of Experience
0            $28,260
1            $29,832
2            $35,196
3            $36,996
4            $38,772
5            $40,460
6            $40,332
7 or more    $44,412

No departure from the established stipend schedule may be negotiated by the 
institution with the trainee.  The stipend for each additional full year of 
stipend support is the next level in the stipend structure and does not 
change in the middle of an appointment.  

Increase of Stipend

The grantee institution may provide supplementation or additional support to 
offset the cost of living on the condition that such supplementation does not 
require any additional effort from the trainee.  Federal funds may not be 
used for supplementation unless specifically authorized under the terms of 
both the program from which such supplemental funds are to be received and 
the program whose funds are to be supplemented.  Under no circumstances may 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funds be used for 
supplementation.  

An institution may also provide additional compensation to a trainee in the 
form of compensation (as salary and/or tuition remission) for services such 
as teaching, clinical care, or serving as a research assistant.  A trainee 
may receive compensation for services as a research assistant or in some 
other position on a Federal research grant, including a DHHS research grant.  
However, compensated services should occur on a limited, part-time basis 
apart from the normal research training activities, which require a minimum 
of 40 hours per week. In addition, compensation may not be paid from a 
research grant supporting research that is part of the research training 
experience.  Under no circumstances may the conditions of stipend 
supplementation or additional compensation interfere with, detract from, or 
prolong the trainee"s approved training program.  

Educational Loans or G.I. Bill.  
An individual may make use of Federal educational loan funds and assistance 
under the Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act (G.I. Bill).  Such funds are not 
considered supplementation or compensation. 

Concurrent Awards.  
An NLM traineeship may not be held concurrently with another federally 
sponsored fellowship or similar Federal award that provides a stipend or 
otherwise duplicates provisions of the NLM program.  

Tax Liability  
Internal Revenue Code Section 117 applies to the tax treatment of all 
scholarships and fellowships.  Under that section, non-degree candidates are 
required to report as gross income all stipends and any monies paid on their 
behalf for course tuition and fees required for attendance.  Degree 
candidates may exclude from gross income (for tax purposes) any amount used 
for tuition and related expenses such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment 
required for courses of instruction at a qualified educational organization.  
The taxability of stipends, however, in no way alters the relationship 
between NLM trainees and institutions.  NLM stipends are not considered 
salaries.  In addition, trainees supported by NLM are not considered to be in 
an employee-employer relationship with NLM or the awardee institution.  It 
must be emphasized that the interpretation and implementation of the tax laws 
are the domain of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the courts.  PHS 
takes no position on what the status may be for a particular taxpayer, and it 
does not have the authority to dispense tax advice.  Individuals should 
consult their local IRS office about the applicability of the law to their 
situation and for information on their tax obligations.  

Details of NIH Policies on administering stipends, on stipend 
supplementation, on other compensation, on educational loans, on concurrent 
awards and on advice on the tax liability of stipends are available from: 
National Research Service Award Guidelines. 
http://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm   

Other trainee costs  

Institutional Costs  
NLM provides institutional costs of $6000 per year per trainee (other than 
short-term trainees) to defray the costs of other research training expenses, 
including faculty salaries, staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, 
research supplies, and faculty travel.   

Under exceptional circumstances, which can include providing accommodations 
for a trainee with disabilities, it is possible to request additional 
institutional costs. Requests for additional costs must be explained in 
detail and carefully justified in the application.  Consultation with NLM 
program staff in advance of such requests is advised.  

Short-term Trainee Costs
The institution may receive up to $167 per month to offset the cost of 
tuition, fees, health insurance, travel, supplies, and other expenses for 
each short-term, health-professional research trainee.  

Health Insurance 
In order to adjust policies to facilitate the recruitment of women and 
individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds as required by Section 487 of the 
Public Health Service Act (as amended), NLM will allow costs associated with 
family health insurance for trainees who have families and are eligible for 
family health insurance coverage at the sponsoring institution.  Self-only 
health insurance will continue to be an allowable cost for trainees without 
families.  Institutions may include the cost of family health insurance for 
trainees who are eligible for this coverage in the calculation of the 
combined cost of tuition, fees, and health insurance.  

Tuition Formula  
NLM will award 100% of the combined costs of tuition, fees, and health 
insurance up to $3,000 and 60 percent of the combined costs above $3,000.  
Grantees are reminded that the tuition formula is used for award calculation 
purposes only.  Actual costs may be higher.  

Trainee Travel 
Trainee travel, including attendance at scientific meetings that the 
institution determines to be of importance to the individual"s research 
training, is an allowable trainee expense. NLM’s base formula for travel 
allows up to $500 per year per predoctoral trainee and up to $1,000 per year 
per postdoctoral trainee.   

In their proposed budgets, applicants should request additional trainee 
travel funds for a two-day meeting each year, to be held at the National 
Library of Medicine in Bethesda or at one of the training sites.  The purpose 
of these meetings will be to exchange information among trainees, program 
directors, NLM program staff, and other selected participants. 

Support for travel to a research training experience away from the primary 
institution is also permitted. Such experiences are acceptable as a 
complement to the course work, expertise, and experiences available at the 
parent institution.  Letters requesting such training may be submitted to NLM 
at any time during the award period, and should explain the type of 
opportunities for training available, how these opportunities differ from 
those offered at the parent institution, and the relationship of the proposed 
experience to the trainee"s career stage and goals.   

Facilities and Administration Expenses  
A facilities and administration allowance (indirect cost allowance) based on 
eight percent of total allowable direct costs (this excludes amounts for 
tuition, fees, health insurance, and equipment) may be requested.  

URLs IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR 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 since 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.

LETTER OF INTENT  

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by May 21, 2001, a letter of 
intent that includes 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 this RFA.  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 NCCAM staff 
to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.  Mail or fax 
the letter of intent to:

Dr. Merlyn Rodrigues  
Office of Scientific Review  
Division of Extramural Programs, National Library of Medicine  
Rockledge One Building, 
Suite 301  
6705 Rockledge Drive  
Bethesda, MD  20892  

APPLICATION PROCEDURES  
Applications are to be submitted on grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 
4/98).  Section V of that form contains special instructions for 
Institutional National Research Service Awards (T32). Application kits are 
available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be 
obtained from:

Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910
Bethesda, MD 20892-7910
Phone (301) 435-0714
Email: GRANTSINFO@NIH.GOV. 

Applications are also available on the Internet at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.  

Applications Requesting Short-term Training for Health Professional Students.  
Applicants who wish to include a request for short-term research training 
positions should identify short-term positions separately within the 
"stipends" and "training related expenses" categories on the budget page.  
Under "stipends," short-term positions should be listed in the "other" 
category.  Tuition, fees, health insurance, and trainee travel, and other 
expenses, are to be included in "training related expenses."  The description 
of the short-term research training program should be included in the 
application for the regular research training program, but should be 
separated from the description of the regular program within each section of 
the application.  

Applicants must observe the 25-page limit on the narrative section.  

The title (INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR INFORMATICS RESEARCH) and 
number (RFA-LM-01-001) of this RFA must be typed on line 2 of the face page 
of the application form and the YES box must be marked.  

Submit a signed, printed, original of the application, 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 should be sent to:  

Dr. Merlyn Rodrigues
Office of Scientific Review  
Division of Extramural Programs, National Library of Medicine  
Rockledge One Building, Suite 301  
6705 Rockledge Drive  
Bethesda, MD  20892    

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 of interest and to help ensure the appropriate and 
timely review of the application. 

Applications must be received by June 22, 2001.  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 the CSR and 
responsiveness by the NLM.  Incomplete and/or non-responsive applications 
will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. 

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 NLM 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, generally the top half of the applications 
under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a 
second level review by the NLM Board of Regents.

REVIEW CRITERIA 
 
o  Objectives, design, and direction of the training with attention to course 
offerings, research experiences, and expected competencies described above 
under TRAINING OBJECTIVES  
o  Caliber of preceptors as researchers, including successful competition for   
research support  
o  Training environment including the institutional commitment  
o  Recruitment and selection plans, and availability of high quality 
candidates   
o  Recruitment record (for recompeting programs)  
o  Research efforts and publication record of trainees (for recompeting 
programs)  
o  Success of program graduates in career development and productivity (for 
recompeting programs)  

ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA (Not included in determining priority score but 
must be satisfactory to NLM before an award will be made)  

o  Recruitment Plan For Women and Minorities.  Applications must include a 
plan for recruitment of women and under-represented minorities into the 
training program.  Recompeting programs are expected to report on recruitment 
and retention of under-represented groups in the preceding grant period.  
o  Training In The Responsible Conduct Of Research.  Applications must 
include a description of a program to provide instruction in scientific 
integrity and the responsible conduct of research. (See the NIH Guide for 
Grants and Contracts, Volume 21, Number 43, November 27, 1992.)  

AWARD CRITERIA  

NLM’s funding decisions will be based on   
o  Quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review 
o  Recommendation by the Board of Regents, 
o  Availability of funds  
o  Program priorities  
o  Geographic and curriculum distribution needs of NLM’s training portfolio

INQUIRIES
  
Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  The opportunity to clarify any 
issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.  

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:  
Dr. Carol Bean  
Division of Extramural Programs, National Library of Medicine  
Rockledge One Building, Suite 301  
6705 Rockledge Drive  
Bethesda, MD  20892  
Telephone:  (301) 594-4882  
FAX:  (301) 402-2952  
Email:  beanc@mail.nlm.nih.gov  

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:  
Mr. Chris Robey  
Grants Management Specialist  
Division of Extramural Programs, National Library of Medicine  
Rockledge One Building, Suite 301  
6705 Rockledge Drive  
Bethesda, MD 20892  
Telephone:  (301) 496-4221  
FAX:  (301) 402-0421  
Email:  robeyj@mail.nlm.nih.gov   

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS  
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance, Medical Library Assistance, 13.879. Grants will be awarded 
under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Section 472 (42 
USC 286b-3) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal 
Regulations, most specifically at 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  
This program is not subject to review by a Health Systems Agency nor to 
the requirements of OMB Circular A-95.  

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 PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the 
American people.

Weekly TOC for this Announcement
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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