PLANNING GRANT FOR DIABETES AND SCIENCE EDUCATION IN TRIBAL SCHOOLS

Release Date:  May 7, 2001

RFA NUMBER:  RFA-DK-01-033

Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Indian Health Service
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  June 14, 2001
Application Receipt Date:       July 26, 2001

THIS RFA USES THE "MODULAR GRANT" AND "JUST-IN-TIME" CONCEPTS. IT INCLUDES 
DETAILED MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT MUST BE USED 
WHEN PREPARING APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFA.

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) 
joins the National Center of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Indian Health 
Service (IHS) to invite the Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to apply 
for a planning grant to develop an educational program to enhance 
understanding and appreciation of diabetes and related science in elementary, 
middle and high schools serving American Indian/Alaska Native communities.

There has been a six-fold increase in people known to be living with diabetes 
in the United States (U.S.) in the past four decades. A 33% increase in the 
past decade (from 1990 to 1998) and a 76% increase in people in their 30s was 
recently reported (Mokdad, et al, 2000).  Almost all of these cases can be 
attributed to type 2 diabetes, which is increasing globally. In 1995 the 
worldwide prevalence was estimated to be 135 million people but by the year 
2025 that number is expected to rise to 300 million people (King, Aubert, & 
Herman, 1998). Diabetes brings with it the potential to cause serious 
complications, including blindness, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, 
periodontal disease, and lower extremity amputations.

Diabetes was rare among American Indian and Alaska Native peoples until about 
50 years ago. Since that time, diabetes has become one of the most common and 
serious illnesses in tribal nations of North America (Narayan, 1997). The 
prevalence of diabetes is at least three times (10.9%) that for non-Hispanic 
whites (3.9%). Prevalence rates vary by Tribal Nations, rising to 15.9% among 
the Plains Tribes (CDC, 1998). In a new and alarming turn of events, type 2 
diabetes, typically considered an adult disorder, is now emerging in all 
populations of youth in the U.S., including American Indian/Alsaska Native 
populations (Narayan, Gregg, Fagot-Campagna, Engelgau, & Vinicor, 2000).

Diabetes has long been used in teaching biomedical sciences (e.g., medical 
students) as a “model” for understanding the physiology and cell biology of 
organ systems, since it affects so many body systems.  Diabetes is an 
especially relevant model for teaching biology to younger students, 
particularly in communities highly impacted by this disease.   Moreover, 
education focused on diabetes could serve several purposes in such 
communities: fostering science education, encouraging students to select 
science and health related career paths, and providing information that may 
influence healthy lifestyle choices in children and families at risk for 
diabetes.  Through this, Tribal youth can be instrumental in preventing the 
development of and promoting better management of diabetes for themselves and 
in their own communities, thereby reducing its great human cost.  This goal 
can be better achieved through greater numbers of Tribal youth entering into 
health science research and health provider professions.

This RFA is the initial step in the process that will ultimately lead to the 
development of diabetes-based science education programs for elementary, 
middle and high schools serving American Indian/Alaska Native communities. 
The planning grant will support the initial assessment needed to begin 
development of a program to enhance understanding and appreciation of the 
problems of diabetes in American Indian communities, and to stimulate general 
student interest in diabetes-based science in the early years (pre-college) 
of education.  This award is intended to initiate the development of 
diabetes-based science education program by the Tribal Colleges and 
Universities (TCUs). 

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background
As part of the Federal effort to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in 
health, a need has been identified to increase the number of American Indian 
and Alaskan Native children entering into the biomedical professions.  These 
children who will become the future leaders in the biomedical sciences will 
be instrumental in helping to improve the general health in these 
communities.   The TCUs conduct high quality programs for educating American 
Indians and Alaskan Natives, and promote achievement among their students.   
They represent a rich resource of talent with the appropriate cultural 
sensitivity and perspectives needed in science education in Tribal 
communities.  The TCUs will be instrumental in interacting with Tribal 
elementary, middle and high schools, and develop culturally sensitive 
programs that can be implemented in these schools.

Research Goals and Scope
The planning grant will provide successful TCUs funds to initiate the 
development of a school-based science education program centered on diabetes 
that will inform and motivate tribal children in order to develop their 
interest in pursuing careers in the biomedical sciences.  The complexity of 
developing such a program involving elementary, middle and high school sites 
collaborating with individual TCUs will require significant discussion and 
planning.  The funds during this planning phase will support the faculty at 
the participating TCUs working collaboratively to identify the important 
elements necessary for the development and piloting of a successful diabetes-
based science education program.

Examples of issues to be addressed in response to this RFA include but are 
not limited to the following:

o Tribal Culture and science education within the context of diabetes
o Involvement of family 
o Building on the daily experience of American Indian and Alaska Native 
children with diabetes in their communities
o Possible link with the National Science Foundation’s funded Tribal 
College Rural Systemic Initiative program
o The role of the Tribal Elders in program development within the 
schools
o Teacher training as part of the science development project
o Implementation of the developed model programs in schools throughout 
Indian Country 
o Barriers to development and implementation.

Technical Assistance Workshop
A special technical assistance workshop will be offered to assist potential 
applicants, especially those with limited experience with the NIH application 
process.  The purpose of this workshop is to give background information and 
respond to any questions about the preparation of an application in response 
to this RFA.  The workshop will be held in a location to be determined 
approximately one month after the publication of this announcement.  The NIH 
cannot support individuals who wish to attend the conference, but the 
conference will be open to any individual or organization wishing to attend.  
Interested persons should contact the NIDDK Program Directors for this 
initiative, Dr. Sanford A. Garfield or Dr. Lawrence Agodoa, for further 
information (see below).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Critical elements of the Program Plan include the Program Director, the 
Institutional Environment, and the proposed plan for developing diabetes 
related science education program.  The applicant must address the REVIEW 
CRITERIA listed in this RFA.

Program Director: The Program Director should possess the expertise, 
leadership and administrative capabilities required to lead the planning 
phase described in this RFA.

Institutional Environment: The Program Director should document the 
institutional environment for developing a science education program.  The 
Program Director may bring in consultants from other institutions within 
AIHEC or at non-AIHEC colleges or universities to provide input and/or 
critical review.  Potential collaborations with other institutions should 
also be documented.

Plan: The Program Director should describe a plan for developing a diabetes 
based science education program as described in this RFA. This should include 
any proposed use of existing resources, building partnerships with other 
institutions, use of consultants, and plans for critical review of the 
program.  The plan should include documentation of potential elementary, 
middle school or high school sites to be utilized during the subsequent pilot 
phase.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research project 
grant, R21, award mechanism.   Responsibility for the planning, direction, 
and execution of the proposed project will be by the applicant.  The program 
award provides one year of support. This RFA is a one-time solicitation, and 
the award is not renewable.  Subsequent to this planning grant, it is 
expected that another RFA will be issued to develop and pilot the diabetes 
based science education program in Tribal elementary, middle and high 
schools.

Specific application instructions have been modified to reflect "MODULAR 
GRANT" and "JUST-IN-TIME" streamlining efforts being examined by the NIH.  
Complete and detailed instructions and information on Modular Grant/Just in 
Time applications can be found at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm

FUNDS AVAILABLE

A total budget for FY 2001 of approximately $400,000 will be committed to 
fund applications submitted in response to this RFA.  This funding level is 
dependent upon the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high 
merit.  Direct costs may be requested in $25,000 modules, up to a total 
direct cost request of $75,000. ONLY ONE YEAR OF SUPPORT MAY BE REQUESTED. It 
is anticipated that approximately 5 awards will be made in FY 2001. The 
anticipated award date is September 30, 2001.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic institutions that are a member of 
the Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), serving students from American 
Indian and Alaskan Native communities.  The institution must demonstrate the 
commitment and capability to develop a diabetes based science education 
program in collaboration with Tribal elementary, middle and high schools.

Tribal colleges were created in response to the unique higher education needs 
of Indian peoples, and in recognition of the tremendous importance of post 
secondary education to tribal economic development, cultural preservation, 
and sovereignty.  Tribal Colleges are located in the heart of their 
communities, which are remote areas not served by other postsecondary 
institutions.  Tribal Colleges foster the development and maintenance of the 
highest standards of quality education for American Indians and Alaskan 
Natives by improving the accessibility of education programs.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.  NIDDK will be the lead 
Institute in answering all inquiries.  The opportunity to clarify any issues 
or answer questions from potential applicants is welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding the planning grant process to:

Lawrence Agodoa, M.D.
Director, Office of Minority Health Research Coordination
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institutes of Health
6707 Democracy Boulevard, Room 653 MSC 5454
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-5454
Telephone:  301-594-9652
Fax:  301-594-9358
E-mail: la21j@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding diabetes related content of the program to:

Sanford A. Garfield, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Biometry and Behavioral Research
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute of Health
6700 Democracy Boulevard, Room 685 MSC 9692
Bethesda, MD 20892-9692
Phone: 301-594-8803
Fax: 301-402-62711
E-mail: sg50o@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding financial matters to:

Trude W. Hilliard
Grants Management Specialist
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Boulevard,  Room 717 MSC 5456
Bethesda MD  20892-5456
Telephone:  301-594-8859
FAX:  301-480-4237
Email:  th105x@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding review issues to:

Francisco O. Calvo, Ph.D.
Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Boulevard, Room 752 MSC 5452
Bethesda MD  20892-5452
Telephone:  (301) 594-8897
FAX:  (301) 480-3505
Email: fc15y@nih.gov

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes a 
descriptive title of the proposed program, the name, address, telephone, FAX, 
and E-mail numbers of the Program Director, the identities of other key 
personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA 
in response to which the application may be submitted.  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 plan the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to the program staff listed under 
INQUIRIES by the letter of intent receipt date listed.

SCHEDULE

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:    June 14, 2001
Application Receipt Date:         July 26, 2001
Peer Review Date:                 August/September 2001
Council Review:                   September 20-21, 2001           
Earliest Anticipated Start Date:  September 30, 2001

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The modular grant concept establishes specific modules in which direct costs 
may be requested as well as a maximum level for requested budgets. Only 
limited budgetary information is required under this approach. The just-in-
time concept allows applicants to submit certain information only when there 
is a possibility for an award. It is anticipated that these changes will 
reduce the administrative burden for the applicants, reviewers and Institute 
staff. The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used 
in applying for these grants, with the modifications noted below. 
Applications 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.  For those applicants with Internet access, the 398 kit 
may be found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to call the program contacts listed in 
INQUIRIES above with any questions regarding the responsiveness of their 
proposed project to the goals of this RFA.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODULAR GRANT APPLICATIONS

BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS

Direct costs may be requested in $25,000 modules, up to a total direct cost 
request of $75,000. ONLY ONE YEAR OF SUPPORT MAY BE REQUESTED.  The total 
direct costs must be requested in accordance with the program guidelines and 
the modifications made to the standard PHS 398 application instructions 
described below:

PHS 398

o  FACE PAGE: Items 7a and 7b should be completed, indicating Direct Costs 
(in $25,000 increments up to a maximum of $75,000) and Total Costs [Modular 
Total Direct plus Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs] for the budget 
period Items 8a and 8b should be completed indicating the Direct and Total 
Costs for the proposed one-year period of support.  

o  DETAILED BUDGET FOR THE INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD - Do not complete Form Page 
4 of the PHS 398. It is not required and will not be accepted with the 
application. 

o  BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT - Do not complete the 
categorical budget table on Form Page 5 of the PHS 398. It is not required 
and will not be accepted with the application.

o  NARRATIVE BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - Prepare a Modular Grant Budget Narrative 
page. (See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm for 
sample pages.) At the top of the page, enter the total direct costs requested 
for one year.  This is not a Form page. 

o  Under Personnel, list all project personnel, including their names, 
percent of effort, and roles on the project. No individual salary information 
should be provided. However, the applicant should use the NIH appropriation 
language salary cap and the NIH policy for graduate student compensation in 
developing the budget request.

For Consortium/Contractual costs, provide an estimate of total costs (direct 
plus facilities and administrative), each rounded to the nearest $1,000. List 
the individuals/organizations with whom consortium or contractual 
arrangements have been made, the percent effort of key personnel, and the 
role on the project. The total cost for a consortium/contractual arrangement 
is included in the overall requested modular direct cost amount.  Include the 
Letter of Intent to establish a consortium.

Provide an additional narrative budget justification for any variation in the 
number of modules requested.

o  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH - The Biographical Sketch provides information used by 
reviewers in the assessment of each individual's qualifications for a 
specific role in the proposed project, as well as to evaluate the overall 
qualifications of the research team. A biographical sketch is required for 
all key personnel, following the instructions below. No more than three pages 
may be used for each person. A sample biographical sketch may be viewed at:  
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm

o  Complete the educational block at the top of the form page;
o  List position(s) and any honors; 
o  Provide information, including overall goals and responsibilities, on 
research projects ongoing or completed during the last three years.
o  List selected peer-reviewed publications, with full citations;

o  CHECKLIST - This page should be completed and submitted with the 
application. If the F&A rate agreement has been established, indicate the 
type of agreement and the date. All appropriate exclusions must be applied in 
the calculation of the F&A costs for the initial budget period and all future 
budget years.

o  The applicant should provide the name and phone number of the individual 
to contact concerning fiscal and administrative issues if additional 
information is necessary following the initial review. 

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) application form must be 
affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application.  Type the RFA 
number on the label.  Failure to use this label could result in delayed 
processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee 
in time for review.  In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on 
line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be 
marked.

The sample RFA label available at: 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf has been modified to 
allow for this change.  Please note this is in pdf format.

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

CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW (CSR)
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 must be 
sent to:

Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities, 
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
   And Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Blvd., Room 752, MSC 5452
Bethesda, MD 20892-5452
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)

Applications must be received by the application receipt date of July 26, 
2001.  If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to 
the applicant without review.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Center 
for Scientific Review and responsiveness by Institute staff.  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 the NIDDK 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 NIDDK Advisory Council.

Review Criteria

The review criteria for the Planning Grant for Diabetes and Science Education 
in Tribal Schools are as follows:

o  administrative, leadership qualifications and experience of the Program 
Director. 
o  Adequacy and availability of any necessary institutional facilities and 
resources.
o  Adequacy of the plan for developing a diabetes science education program, 
including use of existing resources, building partnerships with other 
institutions, use of consultants, and plans for critical review of the 
curriculum.  
o  Documentation of potential participants for the science education program.

AWARD CRITERIA

Award criteria that will be used to make award decisions include:

o  educational merit (as determined by peer review) 
o  availability of funds 
o  programmatic priorities

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 subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and 
behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and 
compelling rationale and justification is provided 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 clear and compelling 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” that was published in the NIH Guide for 
Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL 
address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html. 
Investigators may also 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 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 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.

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), PLANNING GRANT FOR DIABETES AND SCIENCE EDUCATION IN 
TRIBAL SCHOOLS, 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/.

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Nos. 
93.855 and 93.856.  Awards are made under authorization of title III, Section 
301 of the Public Health Service Act as amended. The Code of Federal 
Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92 are applicable to this 
program. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review 
requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.

The PHS strongly encourages all grant 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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