RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN MENTAL DISORDERS OF CHILDREN

Release Date:  November 18, 1998

RFA:  MH-99-002

P.T.

National Institute of Mental Health

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  January 11, 1999
Application Receipt Date:   February 11, 1999

THIS RFA USES THE "JUST-IN-TIME" CONCEPT.  THIS RFA INCLUDES DETAILED
MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS THAT MUST BE USED WHEN
PREPARING AN APPLICATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFA.

PURPOSE

This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits Research Career Award applications
from qualified applicants dedicated to pursuing research careers in areas
relevant to child and adolescent mental disorders. Evidence from the World Health
Organization indicates that the numbers of mental illnesses in children and
adolescents will increase by 50 percent by the year 2020, exceeding other causes
of illness such as childhood cancers and chronic diseases such as asthma and
diabetes.  Despite these expanding mental health needs, very little research has
been done to identify the causes, consequences and effective treatments for these
conditions.  The principal reason for the relatively slow rate of progress has
been the small number of well-trained investigators committed to research in
child and adolescent mental disorders.  The National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH) is committed to enhancing and sustaining a critical mass of well-trained
clinically oriented researchers committed to conducting research on children and
adolescents with mental and behavioral disorders.  Although the NIMH encourages
applications from individuals who are just entering into and have made a
commitment to this area of research, the NIMH also wishes to encourage
established investigators in other disciplines to broaden their research foci and
to integrate their area of investigation with questions on child and adolescent
mental disorders.

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.  This RFA, Research Career Awards in Mental
Disorders in Children, is related to the priority areas of mental health and
mental disorders.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People
2000" at http://www.crisny.org/health/us/health7.html

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and nonprofit organizations,
public and private organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals,
laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the
Federal government.  Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with
disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators.  Candidates for
all the mechanisms described below must be U. S. Citizens, Non-citizens
nationals, or lawfully admitted for permanent residence.  Foreign institutions
are not eligible.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use six different NIMH Research Career Development Programs.  These
include K01 [(Mentored Scientist Development Award (PA-95-049)]; K01 [(Scientist
Development Award for New Minority Faculty (PAR-95-040)]; K02 [(Independent
Scientist Award (PA 95-050)]; K05 [(Senior Scientist Award (PA-95-051)];  K08
[(Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (PA-95-053)];  K23 [(Mentored
Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (PA-98-052)];  and the K24
[(Mid-career Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (PA-98-053)].

Note: Candidates who are proposing to retool or broaden their research fields
will find the K01 or K02 better suited for their purposes.  

Each K-mechanism applicable under this RFA is briefly described below to assist
potential applicants in deciding which is more suitable for their interests. 
However, complete, specific K-announcements and revised NIMH policy on Career
Awards should be consulted when applying. These may all be obtained
electronically through the NIMH Extramural Career Development Page:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/grants/career.htm

Candidates for the Mentored Scientist Award (K01) should be research scientists
who need an additional period of sponsored research experience.  They should hold
a doctoral degree, be able to demonstrate a capacity or potential for highly
productive independent research, identify a mentor with extensive research
experience and must devote 75 percent professional effort of a full time position
during each 12 month period conducting research career development activities as
described in the application. Current principal investigators on PHS research
grants are not eligible.  Past principal investigators are eligible provided the
proposed research experience is a new field of study or there has been a hiatus
in research career due to family or personal obligations or they are faculty
members at institutions with substantial minority enrollment (see below). The
project period is for 3, 4, or 5 years depending upon prior experience and the
need for additional research development experience.  Awards are not renewable.

Candidates for the Scientist Development Award for Minority Faculty (K01) must
be new, non-tenured minority faculty in their first faculty position who have
earned a doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., D.Sc., etc.) by the time the award is
made. (This represents special use of the NIH Mentored Career Development Award).
Candidates must have the necessary time and assistance early in their academic
careers to initiate a program of research and to become outstanding independent
investigators.  It is a five-year, non-renewable award.  Candidates must devote
75 percent effort of a full-time appointment for each 12 month period to career
development activities, research or research-related activities relevant to their
career goals as described in the application.

Candidates for the Independent Scientist Award (K02) should be newly independent
scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus
as a means of enhancing their research careers.  This award is intended to foster
the development of outstanding scientists and to enable them to expand their
potential to make significant contributions to their field of research.  This
mechanism is recommended for those candidates, including senior scientists, who
wish to "retool" or broaden their expertise in order to conduct research on child 
and adolescent mental disorders.  Candidates should hold a doctoral degree and
have peer-reviewed, independent research support or have work that is primarily
theoretical in the absence of external research grant support.  A mentor is
required and candidates must devote a minimum of 75 percent effort of a full time
appointment for each 12-month period to research during the award period.  The
project period is five years and is renewable once.

The Senior Scientist Award (K05) provides support to outstanding scientists who
have demonstrated a sustained, high level of productivity and whose expertise,
research accomplishments and contributions to the field have been and will
continue to be critical to the mission of the NIMH.  The candidate must have
peer-reviewed research support from NIMH at the time of the award.  This
mechanism is well-suited for candidates who wish to broaden their research foci
in order to be able  to conduct research on child and adolescent mental
disorders.  A minimum of 75 percent effort of a full time position during each
12-month period is required during this award.  No mentor is required and the
award is not renewable.

The Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) provides support to
develop outstanding clinician research scientists.  This award supports
specialized study for clinical professionals who wish to develop into independent
investigators.  Candidates should hold a clinical doctoral degree and should have
initiated postgraduate clinical training.  The candidate must identify a mentor
with extensive research experience and must devote 75 percent effort of a full-
time position during each 12-month period to research career development
activities as described in the application during the award period.  Duration of
the award is for 3, 4, or 5 years.  Former principal investigators on PHS
research grants are not eligible and a concurrent PHS award may not be held. The
award is not renewable.

The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) supports
clinically trained professionals who have made a commitment to focus their
research endeavors on patient-oriented research, and who have the potential to
develop into productive investigators focusing on patient-oriented research. 
Duration of support is up to 5 years (minimum of 3) with 75 percent effort of a
full time position during each 12-month period devoted to research as described
in the application under the guidance of a mentor.  The award is non-renewable.

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) mechanism of human disease; 2) therapeutic
interventions; 3) clinical trials; and (4) the development of new technologies.

The Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient Oriented Research (K24) is designed
for outstanding clinical scientists engaged in patient-oriented research, within
15 years of specialty training, who need a period of intensive research focus to
enhance their clinical research careers, and who are committed to mentoring the
next generation of clinical investigators focusing on patient-oriented research. 
Up to 50 percent effort (no less than 25 percent) of a full-time appointment for
each 12-month budget period is expected for up to five years and is renewable for
one time.  No mentor is required.

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  Future, unsolicited competing continuation
applications for those eligible K mechanisms will compete with all investigator-
initiated applications and be reviewed according to the customary peer review
procedures.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

One million dollars will be set aside for this RFA.  The earliest beginning date
is expected to be September 30, 1999.  It is anticipated that between eight and
ten awards will be made as a result of this RFA.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

The Institute of Medicine, in its 1990 "A Report on Behavioral, Emotional, and
Developmental Disorders in children and Adolescents," noted that the child mental
health research field lagged the comparable area in adults by two or more
decades.  The principal reason for the relatively slow rate of progress has been
the small number of well-trained investigators committed to research on child and
adolescent mental disorders.

The field of child and adolescent mental health needs a core group of
investigators around which a more aggressive research effort can coalesce. 
Through this RFA, the NIMH hopes to enhance the cadre of outstanding
investigators who can provide continuing leadership for vigorous research.  Given
the diversity of research needs and opportunities, no single specialty is
sufficient to be the core; rather, that role needs to be shared among several
disciplines that have distinct but overlapping areas of interest.  Academic
clinical settings are especially suitable for leadership roles because they have
both patient populations and research capacity.

Given the small numbers of child psychiatrists and psychologists who have been
able to be recruited into child mental disorders research, the NIMH is interested
in increasing the numbers of investigators able to conduct integrated research
on basic biological questions, such as brain development, with clinical questions
in studies of child and adolescent psychopathology. This RFA is designed both to
encourage  qualified applicants already involved in mental health research on
children and adolescent mental disorders to continue their career development in
this area as well as encourage individuals in other relevant disciplines, such
as adult psychiatrists, developmental neurobiologists, psychologists with
developmental and clinical backgrounds, social workers, special educators,
pediatricians, nurses and other health professionals not currently involved in
this research area, to broaden their foci in order to be able to conduct research
on child and adolescent mental disorders.

Research Areas of Interest

Well-trained investigators are needed who can address problems of classification,
course and outcome of mental disorders that afflict children and adolescents. 
Historically, clinical researchers, often with special training in epidemiology,
have been in the forefront  of contributing knowledge in these areas.  However,
much more work needs to be done in defining and assessing these conditions,
characterizing their natural history, identifying risk factors and delineating
variables of prognostic importance.  More researchers are needed who can focus
on a) epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these disorders; b)
clinical service delivery and the effectiveness, outcome and dissemination of
validated services models; and c) basic neuroscience and other biological and
behavioral factors that can clarify the origins of these disorders and suggest
new avenues for overcoming them.  Examples of research areas of interest are
presented below.  These are only meant to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
Applicants should choose areas which are of greatest interest to them, which
build on their current professional discipline and level of training, and which
are in line with their long-range research career development goals.

Risk Factors, Disorder Onset, Course of Disorder and Outcomes, and Opportunities
for Prevention

Research of interest includes factors underlying cognitive, emotional, social and
brain development in children and adolescents that underlie problematic
behaviors, maladjustment, psychopathology and diagnosed  psychiatric disorder. 
Support will be provided for research on the biological, individual and
environmental risk factors that contribute to the developmental course of
psychopathology; the manifestations, assessment, classification, diagnosis and
prognosis of disorders, family genetics and behavioral genetics; and development
and refinement of scientific methods and tools for studying developmental
psychopathology.  Studies in these areas are especially applicable to the
understanding of prevention of disorder onset as well as the prevention of
secondary comorbidities and adverse outcomes. Given the extensive modifiability
and plasticity of brain development and functioning during childhood and
adolescence, NIMH is particularly interested in studies that address brain
development and the multiple factors, which effect this process such as genetic
and environmental factors. Also of great importance is the need for research to
improve strategies in assessment of childhood psychopathology.  As in all aspects
of training, multidisciplinary  perspectives can lead to clearer understanding
of the complex interactions among developmental processes, intrinsic features of
the child and environmental influences.  Likewise, efforts are greatly needed to
refine, discard or expand current nosologic or typologic theories.  Such work can
provide a foundation for development of preventive interventions, treatment
models and service delivery for children and adolescents with mental disorders. 
Examples of specific research areas of interest include:

o  Affective and Anxiety Disorders (e.g., suicide, phobias, OCD);

o  Disruptive Behavior Disorders (e.g., conduct disorder, serious aggression,
psychopathology);

o  Developmental Disorders (e.g., autism, learning disorders, aphasia, mental
retardation);

o  Family and Interpersonal Risk Processes (e.g., neighborhood risk);

o  Early Influences on Socio-emotional Development (e.g., attachment,
temperament, dysregulation);

o  Assessment and Nosology;

o  Identification of Potent Risk Factors Amenable to Prevention;

o  Identification of Critical Windows of Time for Intervention;

o  Methods Development;

o  Neuropsychology (e.g., neuroimaging, psychobiology);

o  Trauma (effects of violence, PTSD, effects of sexual abuse, resiliency to
exposure);

o  Tourette's Syndrome and

o  Effects of child abuse (physical, emotional or sexual abuse and/or neglect)
on development of psychopathology and behavioral problems: studies which can
contribute to the development and testing of effective interventions and services
for maltreated children.

Services, Treatment and Prevention Studies

Studies on the organization, financing, delivery, effectiveness and
appropriateness of mental health care in everyday settings are important for
improving the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of mental health services
(including preventive services) in community and other settings.  Studies on
pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoepidemiology, and the distribution, determinants and
course of mental illness in the context of various clinical settings are also
encouraged.

Interventions on pharmacologic approaches (individual and combination
medications), behavioral and psychotherapeutic approaches are encouraged.  Also
encouraged is research on individual and combined approaches, including acute,
continuation and maintenance studies and long-term symptomatic management and
improvement of functional status.  Studies to establish the short and longþterm
efficacy of interventions, to assess the effectiveness/cost effectiveness of
interventions in standard or usual practice settings, and to develop treatment
algorithms/strategies for improvement of clinical care are especially needed.

Preventive intervention studies that are designed to reduce the occurrence of
mental disorders, dysfunctions and related problems within asymptomatic and
subclinical populations and those related to treatment (e.g., prevention of
relapse, recurrence, inappropriate resource use) or side effects
(prevention/minimization of tardive dyskinesia, etc.) are encouraged. A specially
designated programmatic focus is in the area of suicide prevention.

Neurobiology

A comprehensive understanding of how the brain develops and matures, and of the
factors that can regulate these fundamental processes, is central to advancing
our understanding of the causes of child and adolescent mental disorders as well
as to the development of effective treatments for these complex
psychopathologies.  For example, the brain is the organ of cognition and controls
behavior.  These functions are a result of the activity of many groups of nerve
cells, the specific interconnections between them, and their specialized roles. 
Studies in developmental neuroscience aim to elucidate how these vital
relationships are formed.  Although there has been significant research activity
in developmental neuroscience, many basic conceptual issues concerning the
development and maturation of multiple brain regions are poorly understood.  This
is especially true for higher brain areas involved in mentation, cognition, and
the control of emotion and behavior.  Some of the key questions include how nerve
cell types are determined, how many cells are generated, how they are organized,
and how precise connections are formed among neurons that will collectively form
the functioning nervous system. There is also a significant lack of understanding
about the relationship between the neurobiological maturation of the brain and
the emergence of human cognitive, emotional, and behavioral states. Other
examples of specific research topics include:

o  Identification of genes which are involved in the development of the nervous
system, and the mechanisms through which these genes are regulated;

o  Elucidation of the cellular and molecular determinants which participate in
cell phenotype determination;

o  Identification of factors which may mediate neuronal differentiation, growth,
and function;

o  Isolation, purification, and elucidation of the mechanisms of action of
neurotrophic agents as they relate to cell survival or alter subsequent neuronal
development and function;

o  Studies on the formation, overproduction, elimination, and stabilization of
synaptic connections and the factors which regulate these events;

o  Examination of the role of cell death in the formation of brain
regionalization and in response to cell injury. Identification of intrinsic and
extrinsic mechanisms governing cell survival and growth;

o  Studies on the role of gonadal steroid hormones and their receptors on brain
development, cell survival, and cellular signaling pathways;

o  Studies of the development of brain regions associated with higher cognitive
functions and regions associated with emotion such as the limbic system and
paralimbic cortex;

o  Studies on the sexual dimorphism in the brain and the developmental events and
mechanisms leading to these differences;

o  Development of normative databases on brain development through childhood and
adolescence in humans and primates, including cytoarchitectonic, morphometric,
and functional changes;

o  Studies of the effects of the postnatal environment (e.g. stress) on neural
structure and function;

o  Studies of neurodevelopmental processes implicated in mental illnesses,
particularly schizophrenia and autism;

o  Identification of structural and functional neuroanatomical changes associated
with or that predict illness onset (e.g. longitudinal studies of high risk
individuals) and

o  Studies of postnatal brain maturation, particularly during adolescence.

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
"NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical
Research," which was published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59
14508-14513) and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11,
March 18, 1994, available on the web at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-105.html

Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed
under INQUIRIES.  Program staff may also provide additional relevant information
concerning the policy.

NIH POLICY AND GUIDELINES ON THE INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN
RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is the policy of the 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 thee 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" 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

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by January 11, 1999, a letter of
intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, 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
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 NIMH to
estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the
review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to:

Carolyn Strete, Ph.D.
Division of Mental Disorders, Behavior and AIDS
National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18C-06
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-5944
FAX:  (301) 443-0954
Email:  cstrete@nih.gov

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form, PHS 398 (rev. 5/95), is to be used in
applying for these grants.  These forms are available at most institutional
offices of sponsored research and from the Division of Extramural Outreach and
Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 67001 Rockledge Drive, MSC
7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910; telephone (301) 435-0714; FAX (301) 480-0525;
Email: GrantsInfo@NIH.GOV.

The application must address the specific factors outlined in the selected K-
Award program announcement and revised NIMH Policy on Career Awards.  These may
be obtained electronically through the NIMH Extramural Career Development Page:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/grants/career.htm

In addition, since the K02, K05 and K24 mechanisms require applicants to have
other active support, candidates for these awards should include in the body of
the application, a description of "other funded research", including the source,
percent effort and any similarities/overlap with the proposed research to be
conducted under the K-mechanism. Applicants should consult the appropriate
program announcement and revised NIMH K-award policy statement regarding
allowable costs under each award mechanism.

Budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in form PHS 398,
modified as described below:

BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS

The total direct costs must be requested in accordance with the K program
guidelines, following the budget instructions described below.

o  DETAILED BUDGET FOR INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD
Do not complete Form Page 4 of the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95).  It is not required nor
will it be accepted at the time of application.  In some cases it may be
requested prior to award.

o  BUDGET FOR ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT
Do not complete the categorical budget table on Form Page 5 in the PHS 398 (rev.
5/95).  Only the requested total direct costs for each year and total direct
costs for the entire proposed period of support should be shown.  Begin the
budget justification in the space provided, using continuation pages as needed.

o  BUDGET JUSTIFICATION
-  Budget Justifications should be provided under "Justifications" on Form Page
5 of the PHS 398.
-  List the name, role on project and percent effort for all project personnel
(salaried or unsalaried) and provide a narrative justification for each person
based on his/her role on the project and proposed level of effort. -  Identify
all consultants by name and organizational affiliation and describe the services
to be performed.
-  Provide a narrative justification for any major budget items, other than
personnel, that are requested for the conduct of the project that would be
considered unusual for the scope of research. No specific costs for items or
categories should be shown.
-  Indirect costs will be calculated at the time of the award using the
institution's actual indirect cost rate.  Applicants will be asked to identify
the indirect cost exclusions prior to award.

o  CONSORTIUM/CONTRACTUAL COSTS
If consortium/contractual costs are requested, provide the percentage of the
subcontract total costs (direct and indirect) relative to the total direct costs
of the overall project.  The subcontract budget justification should be prepared
following the instructions provided above.

o  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
A biographical sketch is required for all key personnel, following the modified
instructions below.  Do not exceed the two-page limit for each person.

- Complete the education block at the top of the form page;  - List current
position(s) and those previous positions directly relevant to the application;
- List selected peer-reviewed publications directly relevant to the proposed
project, with full citation;
- Provide information on research projects completed and/or research grants
participated in during the last five years that are relevant to the proposed
project.  Title, principal investigator, funding source, and role on project must
be provided.

o  CHECKLIST
Do not submit the checklist page.  For amended and competing continuation
applications, applicants must complete the block in the upper right corner of the
face page to indicate the previous grant number.  A completed checklist will be
required prior to award.

o  OTHER SUPPORT - Do not complete the other support page (format page 7 of the
PHS 398 (rev. 5/95)).  Information on active support for key personnel will be
requested prior to award.

These additional instructions for this section apply only to the following
Mentored Career Awards:

o  Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01)
o  Scientist Development Award for New Minority Faculty (K01) o  Mentored
Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08)
o  Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)

It is still necessary to provide information about the research activity of the
sponsor and co-sponsor on mentored career awards. Information about the level and
nature of the research support of the sponsor(s) will continue to be used by
review committees to judge the strength of the research environment available to
the candidate during the award period.

Applicants are to provide information on the sponsor's and cosponsor's current
and pending research support relevant to the candidate's research plan in a table
within the section titled "Statement by the Sponsor(s) Consultant(s), and
Collaborator(s)" in Section II, Part 2 of the application.  Within this table,
the following information on all related research projects must be provided:  the
funding source, the title of the project, the name of the Principal Investigator,
the dates of the approved or proposed project, the annual direct costs, and a
brief description of the major goals.

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) application form must be
affixed to the  bottom of the face page of the application.  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 the review.  In addition, the RFA title
and number must be typed in section 2 of the face page of the application 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 (for express/courier service)

At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent
to:

Henry Haigler, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9C-02
Bethesda, MD  20857

Applications must be received by February 11, 1999.  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 the 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 for
responsiveness by NIMH 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 NIMH 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 Mental Health Council.

Review Criteria

The specific review criteria outlined in the selected K-award program
announcement will be applied.  Factors to be judged, and which are spelled out
in each announcement, include the candidate, the career development plan, the
research plan, the mentor(s) (when applicable), the institutional environment and
commitment and adequacy of the proposed budget.

AWARD CRITERIA

The NIMH will notify the applicant of the National Advisory Mental Health
Council's action shortly after its meeting.  Funding decisions will be made based
on the recommendations of the initial review group and Council, the need for
research personnel in the specified research area and the availability of funds.

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 the staff cited under each
scientific area below.

Carolyn Strete, Ph.D.
Division of Mental Disorders, Behavior and AIDS
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18C-06
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-5945
FAX:  (301) 443-0954
Email:  cstrete@nih.gov

Benedetto Vitiello, M.D.
Division of Services and Intervention Research
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10C-09
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-4283
FAX:  (301) 443-4045
Email:  bv5r@nih.gov

Douglas L. Meinecke, Ph.D.
Division of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Research
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11C-06
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-5288
FAX:  (301) 443-4822
Email:  dm31@nih.gov

Direct Inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Diana S. Trunnell
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7C-08
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-2805
FAX:  (301) 443-6885
Email:  Diana_Trunnell@nih.gov

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.
93.281.  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 grants policy as stated in the NIH Grants
Policy Statement (October 1, 1998) and the NIMH Supplemental Policy Information
for "K" programs (August 14, 1998).

PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace
and promote the nonuse 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 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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