EXTRAMURAL ASSOCIATES RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AWARD (EARDA):  FACULTY RESEARCH 
ENHANCEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM (FRESP)

Release Date:  January 22, 2002

RFA:  RFA-HD-02-006

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
 (http://www.nichd.nih.gov)

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 12, 2002
Application Receipt Date:       April 12, 2002

PURPOSE

The Extramural Associates (EA) Program, National Institute of Child Health and 
Human Development (NICHD), NIH, announces two initiatives directed at 
scientific faculty and academic administrators of women's colleges and of 
institutions with significant underrepresented minority (i.e., Black, 
Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or Native American) student populations.  
The two initiatives target two different types of institutions.  The Sponsored 
Research Infrastructure Program (SRIP), published in a companion RFA (HD-02-
007), is intended for EA-eligible institutions that award the Masters or the 
Ph.D. degree in the biomedical and/or behavioral sciences and/or other health-
related professional degrees.  In addition, it is anticipated that these 
institutions already have a modest research base of health-related research.  
This RFA describes the Faculty Research Enhancement Support Program (FRESP) 
and is intended for non-research intensive EA-eligible institutions granting 
the baccalaureate degree as the highest degree in the biomedical or behavioral 
sciences.  Selected community colleges that have established collaborative 
research activities or bridge programs with institutions that award at least a 
baccalaureate science degree are also eligible.

The goal of these initiatives is to increase the participation of these 
institutions in biomedical and behavioral research and research training 
through an integrated residency and an institutional grant support program.  

The objectives of the FRESP program, with its ten-week NIH residency summer 
experience, are to:   (a) enhance faculty opportunities to conduct biomedical 
and behavioral research and research training; (b) increase the EA's (i.e., 
participants in the residency EA Program) knowledge of the NIH and related 
agencies' research and research training funding opportunities; (c) develop 
skills in the fundamentals of preparing research grant applications, research 
contract proposals, training grant and fellowship applications; (d) aid 
undergraduate institutions and a selected group of community colleges in 
developing collaborative and consortium arrangements with other academic 
institutions; (e) assist EAs in increasing student participation in research; 
and (f) assist EAs in effectively guiding students toward careers in science 
and research.  A major focus addresses strategies and processes for attracting 
women and underrepresented minority undergraduate students into research 
experiences that will lead to biomedical and behavioral research careers.

It is anticipated that the individuals participating in the program will 
become the institutional focal point in promoting biomedical and behavioral 
research and research training activities among students and faculty and, 
where appropriate, establish or become a resource for an Office of Research 
Development at the applicant institution.

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 
"Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic, private and public women's colleges 
and educational institutions with significant underrepresented minority (i.e., 
Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or Native American) student 
populations that offer programs in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.  
Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women and persons with disabilities are 
encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators or Extramural Associates.  [The 
terms 'Principal Investigator' and 'Extramural Associate (EA)' are used 
interchangeably in this document.]

Preference will be given to those institutions that demonstrate the greatest 
need to establish or strengthen and develop research and research 
training infrastructure.

The FRESP and its ten-week residency program is for eligible institutions that 
grant no degree in the biomedical or behavioral sciences higher than the 
baccalaureate, currently receive little or no research funding, and are 
interested in developing a focal point of information exchange about research 
and research training opportunities for faculty and students.  Community 
colleges that have established significant collaborative research activities 
or bridge programs with institutions that award at least a baccalaureate 
science degree are also encouraged to apply.

Institutions that grant baccalaureate degrees as the highest degree in the 
health-related sciences, with a substantial research base and significant 
faculty involvement in sponsored research activities, may be eligible to apply 
for the SRIP five-month program.   At a minimum, however, such institutions 
must have received MBRS or MARC support, preferably both, and have current or 
prior support from two other Federal agencies other than the Department of 
Education.  In addition, the science faculty, of which 50 percent must have 
terminal degrees, must have published in reputable scientific journals during 
the past three years.  Other requirements for SRIP eligibility include science 
faculty membership in organizations such as SRA, NCURA or NSPAA and a 
respectable rate of their graduates gaining acceptance to either graduate or 
professional schools.  Permission for these institutions to apply for the SRIP 
must be obtained in advance from the EA Program Office contact, listed under 
INQUIRIES, below.

An institution may submit only one application for participation in the 
Program in response to this RFA.  Eligible women's colleges and 
underrepresented minority institutions that have never had a faculty member 
participate in the EA Program are strongly encouraged to apply.  Institutions 
that have received a Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) award, 
if successful in applying for this award, may have their budget requests 
reduced if there is significant overlap in funding infrastructure components.

Institutions that received an Extramural Associate Research Development Award 
in years 1994 through 2001, resulting from their response to RFAs OD-94-002, 
OD-94-003, OD-95-001, OD-96-001, OD-97-002, OD-98-004, OD-99-001, OD-00-001 or 
HD-01-004 are not eligible to apply under this announcement.  Institutions 
that had EAs enrolled in the ten-week NIH training program prior to 1994 and 
who have never received an EARDA grant are eligible to apply for this program.  
However, the proposed Principal Investigator from such institutions must agree 
to participate in the ten-week NIH residency training program. 

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extramural Associate 
Research Development Award (G11) mechanism.  The G11 mechanism is used to 
support institutional resources to improve the research infrastructure 
(including part-time professional and administrative staff, equipment, etc.).  
An award made to a successful FRESP applicant or to a successful SRIP 
applicant is termed an EARDA.  Responsibility for the planning, direction, and 
execution of the proposed EARDA will be solely that of the applicant.  

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The NICHD intends to commit approximately $162,000 in total costs [direct plus 
Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs] in FY 2003 to fund three to five 
new FRESP grants in response to this RFA.  Facilities and Administrative (F&A) 
costs for these awards are fixed at eight percent of total direct costs.  
Applicants may request a project period of five years and a budget for direct 
costs of up to $30,000 for the first 12-month budget period.  In Years 02 
through 05, budgets up to $30,000 in direct costs may be requested for 
administration of a Research Development Office.  In addition, up to $20,000 
may be requested in these four years to support faculty pilot research 
projects, seminars, and student participation in faculty research.  Thus, 
applicants may request up to $50,000 in direct costs per year in Years 02-05.  
Applicants not proposing to include faculty and student pilot research will 
have their budgets in each of these four years reduced by $20,000.  Because 
the nature and scope of the effort proposed may vary, it is anticipated that 
the size of awards also will vary.  Although this program is provided for in 
the financial plans of NICHD, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon 
the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of 
meritorious applications.

TRANSITIONAL AWARDS 

Since a major goal of the program is to establish an Office of Research 
Development, applicants successful in receiving a five-year EARDA will be 
expected to compete for a one-time, three-year "Transitional EARDA Award."  
The maximum Transitional Award will not exceed $50,000 per year in direct 
costs.  The NICHD's annual contribution to the award will be gradually 
decreased over the life of the award.  The purpose of the Transitional Award 
is to allow the institutions sufficient time to assume full financial 
responsibility for the Office of Research Development after eight years of 
EARDA grant support.  It is expected that during the first year of the 
Transitional Award (Year 06, overall), NICHD would contribute two-thirds of 
the total costs and the institutions one-third.  During the second year, NICHD 
and the institution would each contribute 50 percent, and in the third and 
final year, the institution would contribute two-thirds and NICHD would 
contribute one third.  Thereafter, the institution would assume full financial 
responsibility for the Office of Research Development.  Applications for the 
Transitional EARDA will be solicited from eligible institutions at the 
appropriate time.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Background

The EA Program was established in 1978 at the NIH to promote the entry and 
participation of women and underrepresented minority institutions into 
biomedical and behavioral research.  Overall, the program accomplishes this 
mission by providing EAs from women's colleges and underrepresented minority 
institutions with the opportunity to come to the NIH to gain the necessary 
understanding of the processes utilized by the NIH, as well as other Federal 
agencies, to provide funding to support biomedical and behavioral research and 
research training.  The ten-week summer residency program is for institutions 
with an individual wishing to become a focal point for information about 
funding of biomedical and behavioral research, and to support training 
opportunities for undergraduate students leading to careers in biomedical or 
behavioral research. 

Scope

Nominees (Principal Investigators) for the EARDA must be full-time scientific 
faculty or academic science administrators at the applicant institution.  If 
approved and invited to participate, they will be required to spend ten weeks 
at the NIH in residency training.  The program has the flexibility necessary 
to allow each EA to participate in activities that are consistent with the 
institution's concerns and interests in health-related research.  Upon 
entering the program, EAs are assigned a preceptor and participate in the 
regular EA Program curriculum.  The EA's preceptor, a senior NIH or PHS 
official, is available for guidance with respect to working assignments and 
related activities to assure consistency with the Institutional Plan presented 
in the EARDA application.  Associates attend an initial series of orientation 
sessions as well as in-depth seminars that prepare them to use their time 
effectively at the NIH.  Working assignments are intended to provide in-depth 
exposure to the administration of NIH and other Federal extramural research 
programs.  EAs have the opportunity to learn about the Federal legislative and 
budgetary processes, to study administrative procedures, and to observe staff 
meetings and scientific review meetings.  In the course of the program, they 
visit other Federal agencies, and a nearby university's office of sponsored 
research.  Opportunities are also provided to observe NIH site visits to 
grantee institutions.  Upon completion of the program, the EAs have:  (1) a 
comprehensive working knowledge of the range of Federal support of biomedical 
and behavioral research; (2) skills in preparation of research grant 
applications; (3) a plan to establish or expand the institution's "Office of 
Research Development;" (4) knowledge of the composition of an Advisory 
Committee with membership capable of reviewing, recommending for funding, and 
monitoring faculty pilot research projects; (5) a network of contacts to the 
NIH and other Federal agencies, so they can serve as a liaison for faculty and 
students to access NIH opportunities as well as those of other Federal and 
private agencies; and (6) the embryonic stage of a meaningful partnership with 
a research intensive institution. 

The Residency Program

It is anticipated that awards will be made during the ten-week NIH residency, 
which begins the first week of June 2003 and ends in mid-August.  However, 
successful applicants will be notified following the September 2002 meeting of 
the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council so that the 
identified EAs will have time to arrange for participation in the residency 
program during 2003.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Institutional Commitment

In nominating the candidate, the sponsoring institution is expected to commit 
adequate resources to formulate and implement an Institutional Plan, that will 
build upon the EA's residency training experience.  For the ten-week summer 
residency program, institutional support may involve a commitment to provide 
authority for the EA to assume a key role as a focal point for information 
about research opportunities for faculty and students.  A sign of 
institutional commitment is a statement in the proposed plan about how the 
institution plans to continue the developmental research activity once EARDA 
support expires.  A contribution to the EA's training costs under the 
Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) is also considered a demonstration of 
the institution's commitment to the goals of the program. 

The EA and the institution must be fully committed to the EA residency 
training.  Specifically, because of the time and effort devoted to scheduling 
and conducting the training, only in extreme cases will the EA be excused from 
any part of the training to engage in institutional responsibilities incurred 
prior to or during the residency training.  

Allowable Costs

Funds may be requested for release time to serve as a focal point for research 
activities at the home institution upon completion of the residency program, 
for student/teacher seminars and workshops to enhance research interest, and 
to establish consortia research arrangements.  Funds may also be used for, but 
not limited to, the following:   purchase of office supplies and equipment, 
administrative assistance, membership dues in a professional organization 
whose objectives are consistent with those of the EA Program, and travel 
expenses for the EA to gain additional experience in carrying out the 
functions of the office.  Support for administrative assistance can be 
requested up to, but must not exceed, 50 percent.  Any request for 
administrative assistance greater than 50 percent will be denied.

Salary support for the EA during the ten-week residency program will be 
provided through an IPA agreement mechanism described below, not through or 
from the EARDA grant itself.  Therefore, salary should be requested only for 
42 weeks in the first 12-month budget period of the EARDA. 

The costs for the residency program are entirely separate from the EARDA 
award.  Selected EAs will come to the NIH for the assignment under the IPA.  
The IPA enables temporary appointments to the Federal government by employees 
from academic institutions.  The IPA provides partial support for the EA while 
he/she is at NIH.  Under the IPA arrangement, up to 67 percent of the cost of 
the EA's salary while at the NIH is reimbursed.  Similarly, per diem (food and 
lodging) costs are reimbursed at the rate of 75 percent by NIH and the 
institution contributes 25 percent.  The cost of relocating the EA from the 
home institution to the NIH and any other cost incurred that is related to the 
residency program are reimbursed at 100 percent. 
 
Although institutions with an existing Office of Research Development or 
similar office, or with funding through programs such as the RCMI, may apply, 
adjustments in the final funding level for budgetary overlap may be made prior 
to the award.

Change of Principal Investigator

If a request to change the Principal Investigator is received at any time 
during the five-year grant, support may be suspended pending approval of a 
substitute Principal Investigator by the EA Program Director.

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 sub-populations must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research 
projects unless a clear and compelling justification is provided indicating 
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 clinical research should read the AMENDMENT "NIH 
Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical 
Research - Amended, October, 2001," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts on October 9, 2001 
(https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); 
a complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at 
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm.  
The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of clinical 
research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with the new OMB 
standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical 
trials consistent with the new PHS Form 398; and updated roles and 
responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community.  The policy 
continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) 
all applications or proposals and/or protocols must 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) investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting 
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 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," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts, March 6, 1998, and available on the Internet at 
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html.

Investigators also may 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 APPLICTIONS 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.

REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS

NIH policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants 
for all investigators submitting NIH proposals for research involving human 
subjects.  This policy announcement is found in the NIH Guide for Grants and 
Contracts Announcement dated June 5, 2000, at:   
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to 
provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) under some circumstances.  Data that are (1) first produced in a 
project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited 
publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has 
the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA.  
It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this 
amendment.  NIH has provided guidance at:  
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.

Applicants may wish to place data collected under this RFA in a public 
archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the 
distribution for an indefinite period of time.  If so, the application should 
include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include 
information about this in the budget justification section of the application.  
In addition, applicants should think about how to structure informed consent 
statements and other human subjects procedures given the potential for wider 
use of data collected under this award.  

LETTER OF INTENT							

Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes 
the name, professional status, address, telephone number, and e-mail address 
of the proposed EA, 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 NICHD 
staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Matthew A. Kinnard at the address 
listed under INQUIRIES, below, by March 12, 2002.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application 
instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001).  The PHS 398 is available at 
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive 
format.  For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, 
Email:  GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

Application Instructions 

The instructions accompanying Form PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) must be followed, 
with the exceptions noted below:  

For section I.C.8., Specific Instructions - Research Plan, use Continuation 
Pages to provide information on the three parts described below under Special 
Instructions for Research Plan.  The total length for these three parts 
combined should not exceed 15 pages.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESEARCH PLAN:

The Research Plan for a FRESP application consists of three parts.  These 
parts are required and it is imperative that applicants fully address each 
point described in the outline below since these points are reflected in the 
review criteria.

Part I:  The Nominee

This part pertains to the nominee's background and potential as an EA.  It 
should be prepared by the nominee and must include:

o  A description of the nominee's commitment to increasing and strengthening 
involvement of women and underrepresented minorities in biomedical and 
behavioral research at the institution.  It should also include his/her 
interest in and commitment to the objectives of the EA Program, the benefits 
that will accrue to the institution from his/her participation in the program, 
and the nominee's availability to participate in the ten-week summer residency 
program at the NIH.

o  The names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail 
addresses of three colleagues who have consented to submit letters of 
reference to the NIH attesting to the personal qualifications and potential 
effectiveness of the nominee.  The reference letters must be included in the 
appendix.  One of these letters should be from the President of the applicant 
institution. Reference letters should accompany the EARDA application upon 
submission to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and to NICHD (see 
Submission Instructions below).  The reference letters must be received in the 
same package with the EARDA application.  Otherwise, the application is 
considered incomplete and will be returned to the applicant without further 
consideration.  In order to comply with this requirement, it is recommended 
that all reference letters be obtained from the referring individuals as far 
in advance of the application deadline as possible.

o  A detailed description of the current status of the sponsored programs 
office at the institution and the nominee's plan to take the institution 
forward with regard to developmental research activities.

Part II:  The Institution

This part pertains to the institution's mission and goals related to the EA 
Program.  It should be prepared by institutional officials and should include 
the following:

o  A brief description of the institution's mission and history with respect 
to preparing women and/or underrepresented minorities for careers in research.

o  A brief statement which imparts the institution's philosophy on the role of 
undergraduate education in fostering faculty and student research, as well as 
in preparing students for graduate studies in the sciences.

o  A description of the current academic environment, with emphasis on the 
institution's science departments and/or programs.  Data on the composition of 
science faculty and student enrollment should be provided in this section.

o  A statement on the existing or potential quality of the institution's 
research and research training environment, providing information on 
campus-wide funded or pending grant support or collaborative research 
activities as indicated by:  (1) number of faculty members in biomedical and 
behavioral science disciplines; (2) number of faculty engaged in biomedical 
and behavioral science research; (3) number of faculty with external support; 
(4) number of faculty with full-length publications (how many) in peer-
reviewed journals; (5) number of faculty with publications in non-peer 
reviewed journals; (6) presentations at local, regional, and national 
meetings; (7) number of faculty collaborations; (8) faculty involved in 
external peer review activities:  ad hoc members or members of standing 
committees; (9) current student population in the sciences and follow-up data 
(e.g., graduate and post-graduate career profiles); (10) current and planned 
facilities for scientific research and training; and (11) current and planned 
Federal and non-Federal research support.  A brief description of the current 
research facilities and research administration functions should also 
be included.

o  A detailed description of the current status of the Sponsored 
Programs/Research Office or similar office, if one exists at the institution.  
A letter from the head of this office, if one exists, signed and dated and 
stating explicitly that he or she is committed to working in mutual harmony 
with the Office of Research Development, once established, for the maximum 
benefit of the entire institution.

o  A copy of the institution's course catalogue should be attached to the 
application in the Appendix.

Part III:  Institutional Plan

Institutional representatives, including the President or equivalent, and the 
nominee must have jointly designed a preliminary plan that will allow the 
nominee to serve as a focal point for developing faculty and research 
capabilities at their institution.  This part of the application pertains to 
the institutional plan for the EA's role and activities following completion 
of the EA ten-week residency summer program.  It must provide: 

o  A statement of the nominee's role, authority, and institution-wide 
accessibility upon return to the institution as well as a description of 
resources that will be made available to the nominee, including a 
detailed budget. 

o  An Advisory Committee:  The purpose, function, and nature of expertise 
should be described but specific members should not be appointed until after 
an award is made.  It is expected that at least one person external to the 
applicant institution will be a member of the Advisory Committee. This 
committee could play a key role in developing the EA application as well as in 
serving as advisors to the EA in the establishment and the ongoing research 
development activities.

o  A preliminary plan, including the source of funds, for continuation of the 
program once NIH support expires.

o  A justification for developing or expanding an Office of 
Research Development.

o  A plan for assessing the effectiveness of the overall institutional plan.

Emphasis should be given to establishing collaborative arrangements and 
partnerships with private industry and businesses.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPENDIX:

The Appendix to the application should include the following material:

o  Reference letters from colleagues identified.

o  A copy of the institution's course catalogue. 

o  Letter from Director of Sponsored Programs Office.

Submission Instructions

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) application form must be 
stapled to the bottom of the face page of the application and must display the 
RFA number HD-02-006.  A sample RFA label is available at 
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf.  Please note this is 
in the pdf format.  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.

Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the 
Checklist, and three signed photocopies, and the original plus three 
photocopies of all reference letters, 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 
reference letters should be sent to:

Robert Stretch, Ph.D.
Acting Director, Division of Scientific Review
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 5E03F, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Rockville, MD  20852 (for express/courier service)

Applications must be received by April 12, 2002.  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 CSR and for 
responsiveness to the RFA by NICHD.  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 Division of Scientific Review, NICHD, 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 National Advisory Child Health 
and Human Development Council.    

Review Criteria

I.  Nominee 

o Strength of personal qualifications as indicated by past training 
and experience;

o Evidence of ability to enhance the institution's effectiveness in involving 
minorities and women in health-related research;

o Demonstrated interest and resourcefulness, and evidence that the nominee has 
the requisite experience and access to the science faculty and to the 
administration to accomplish the goals of the program;

o Ability to commit to function as the Extramural Associate preferably for the 
duration of the EARDA grant, but at a minimum, for three full years.

II.  Institution 

In the context of the institution's history and stage of development:

o  Quality of science education and potential for research and/or research 
training in biomedical and behavioral sciences;

o  Evidence of commitment to preparing women and/or underrepresented 
minorities for careers in science;

o  Evidence of potential for developing research and research 
training infrastructure;

o  Strength and quality of faculty and students in health-related science 
departments; and

o  Potential for conducting collaborative sponsored research and research 
training projects.

III.  Institutional Plan

o  Evidence of a strong institutional commitment to implementing the plan;

o  Evidence, as reflected in institutional statements and the budget, that the 
nominee will be provided sufficient resources to carry out the plan;

o  Evidence that the nominee will have sufficient authority to carry out 
the plan;
 
o  Coherence of the plan and evidence that there is adequate coordination 
among key faculty and administrators (i.e., composition and functioning of 
committees) in its development;

o  Adequacy of the proposed Advisory Committee membership and structure to 
review, fund, and monitor pilot research and research training studies; and

o  The presence, strength and viability of the proposed evaluation strategy.

In addition to the above criteria, in accordance with NIH policy, all 
applications will also be reviewed with respect to the following:

o  The adequacy of plans to include both genders, minorities and their 
subgroups, and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the 
research.  Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also 
be evaluated.

o  The adequacy of the proposed protection for humans, animals or the 
environment, to the extent they may be adversely affected by the project 
proposed in the application.

o  Appropriateness of the proposed budget for the proposed plan and the 
adequacy of its justification. 

SCHEDULE

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:    March 12, 2002
Application Receipt Date:         April 12, 2002
Peer Review Date:                 July 2002
Council Review:                   September 2002
Earliest Anticipated Start Date:  February 1, 2003

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications will be selected for funding based on their merit as determined 
by peer review, availability of funds, and program priorities.	

INQUIRIES

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

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Matthew A. Kinnard, Ph.D.
Director, Extramural Associates Program
National Institute of Child of Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone:  (301) 435-2736
Fax:  (301) 480-0393
E-mail:  kinnardm@mail.nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Myrtle Coleman
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 8A01, MSC 7510
Bethesda, MD  20892-7510
Telephone:  (301) 402-7245
FAX:  (301) 402-7827
E-mail:  colemama@exchange.nih.gov

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

Awards are made under authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public 
Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and administered under NIH 
grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.  
This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of 
Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.

The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide 
a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products.  In 
addition, Public Law 103-277, 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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