Subject: Forwarded Mail from Dot Baker
From: Dot Baker <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 90 10:55 EST

Good Morning Paul,
     This is the latest NIH Guide.  Please post it to the listserver
as NIHGUIDE.011990.  Thanks a lot.   Have a nice day.
        Dottie
 ---------------------------- Text of forwarded message -----------------------
     
Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990

                                   NOTICES

"OTHER SUPPORT" IN PHS GRANT APPLICATIONS ................(84/110)............ 1
National Institutes of Health
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration
Index:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
        ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE, AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

"OTHER SUPPORT" IN NIH AND ADAMHA R&D CONTRACT PROPOSALS ..(113/132)......... 1
National Institutes of Health
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration
Index:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
        ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE, AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

SALARY LIMITATION ON GRANTS AND CONTRACTS .................(135/228)......... 1
National Institutes of Health
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration
Index:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
        ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE, AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

                     DATED ANNOUNCEMENTS (RFPs AND RFAs)

RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR THE BASIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM,
DIVISION OF AIDS (RFP) ....................................(244/296)......... 3
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Index:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES

COOPERATIVE MULTICENTER NETWORK OF NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE
UNITS (RFA 90-HD-01) ......................................(299/346)......... 3
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Index:  CHILD HEALTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

RESEARCH DEMONSTRATION APPLICATIONS ON DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT FOR
WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE AND OFFSPRING (RFA DA-90-03) ...(349/461)......... 4
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Index:  DRUG ABUSE

DEMONSTRATION RESEARCH ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN NON-TRADITIONAL
SETTINGS (RFA DA-90-10) ...................................(464/633)......... 5
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Index:  DRUG ABUSE

KIDNEY DISEASE OF DIABETES MELLITUS:  PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, CLINICAL
FEATURES, AND EPIDEMIOLOGY (RFA 90-DK-06) .........(641/757, 964/1341)....... 8
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Index:  DIABETES, DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES

COOPERATIVE MULTICENTER NETWORK OF MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE
UNITS (RFA 90-HD-04) ......................................(760/813)......... 9
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Index:  CHILD HEALTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

LEARNING DISABILITIES:  MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTER
[SPECIALIZED RESEARCH CENTER GRANT (P50)] (RFA HD-90-02) ..(816/912).........10
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development   (1344/1729)
Index:  CHILD HEALTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

     
     
                                   NOTICES

"OTHER SUPPORT" IN PHS GRANT APPLICATIONS
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 1014002, 1014006
     
National Institutes of Health
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration
     
The PHS 398 (Rev. 10/88) and PHS 2590 (Rev. 10/88) grant application forms
include a section on OTHER SUPPORT, where applicants are expected to list all,
including both Federal and non-Federal, active support and pending and planned
requests for support of research and research-related activities by all key
personnel listed for each application.  This information is important to PHS
review-award processes to help evaluate the compatibility of application
requests with investigators' capabilities and responsibilities, and eliminate
unwarranted duplication of support for investigators' efforts.  Application
instructions emphasize the requirement for complete, accurate, and reliable
information.  In signing the face page of the application the principal
investigator/program director and the applicant institution official certify
that the application information is accurate and complete.
     
Applicants are reminded of the necessity to provide the full and reliable
information requested.  As noted in the instructions, "Incomplete, inaccurate,
or ambiguous information about OTHER SUPPORT could lead to delays in review of
the application."  Further, applicants should be cognizant that serious
consequences could result if failure to provide complete and accurate
information be construed as an attempt to mislead PHS agency advisory groups
and staff in their review and award responsibilities.

"OTHER SUPPORT" IN NIH AND ADAMHA R&D CONTRACT PROPOSALS
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 1014002, 1014006
     
National Institutes of Health
     
Documentation required in National Institutes of Health and Alcohol, Drug
Abuse, and Mental Health Administration uniform Request for Proposals
include Standard Form 1411, Contract Pricing Proposal Cover Sheet,
which instructs offerors to identify any contracts or subcontracts they have
been awarded "for the same or similar items" within the past three years.
Additionally, offerors are required to provide a Summary of Related
Activities, identifying all active federal contracts, cooperative agreements,
grants, and commercial agreements, and submitted proposals, including actual
and proposed levels of effort for all key individuals in the proposal to NIH.
     
As with PHS grant applications, mentioned just above, offerors should be aware
that serious consequences could result if their failure to provide complete
and accurate information be construed as an attempt to mislead agency advisory
groups and staff in their review and award responsibilities.

SALARY LIMITATION ON GRANTS AND CONTRACTS
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 1014006
     
National Institutes of Health
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration
     
The purpose of this notice is to update the information on this subject
published in the November 24, 1989 edition of the NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND
CONTRACTS (Vol. 18, No. 42).
     
Section 217 of the Appropriations Act of the Department of Health and Human
Services for fiscal year (FY) 1990 (Public Law 101-166) restricts the amount
of direct salary of an individual under a grant or contract award issued by
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and
Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) to a RATE of $120,000 per year.  NIH and
ADAMHA will apply the restriction to all grant and contract awards and to all
funding amendments to existing grants and contracts made during FY 1990 and
with FY 1990 funds.  The salary limitation applies to amounts INCLUDED in
grant and contract awards as well as amounts allowed to be CHARGED to those
grants and contracts.  It is important to note, however, that an individual's
institutional salary, per se, is not constrained by this legislative
provision.

                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 1
NIH and ADAMHA grant and contract awards that indicate salaries of individuals
in excess of a rate of $120,000 per year will include the following
notification:
     
     The Appropriations Act prohibits reimbursement of direct
     salary for individuals at a rate greater that $120,000 a
     year as determined in the original award.  Accordingly,
     this award has been reduced by (specific $ amount for direct
     salary above that rate plus fringe benefits and associated
     indirect costs).  The language contained in the
     Appropriations Act follows:
     
          "None of the funds appropriated in this title for the
          National Institutes of Health and the Alcohol, Drug
          Abuse and Mental Health Administration shall be used to
          pay the salary of an individual through a grant or
          other extramural mechanism at a rate in excess of
          $120,000 per year."
     
Grant applications and contract proposals submitted to NIH and ADAMHA should
continue to request funding at the regular rates of pay of all individuals for
whom reimbursement is requested.  NIH and ADAMHA will make downward
adjustments of direct salary amounts in excess of the ceiling rate and fringe
benefits based upon the budget approved as part of the original award.
Corresponding indirect costs will also be adjusted.  Following is an EXAMPLE
of this process:
     
	Individual's institutional salary per year          $150,000
	Research effort requested on grant application/
             contract proposal                                50%
	Direct salary requested                             $ 75,000
	Fringe benefits requested (25% of salary)           $ 18,750
	Applicant organization's indirect costs rate             47%
	Amount requested - salary plus fringe benefits
             plus associated indirect costs              $137,813
     
     If a grant/contract is to be awarded, the amount included in the
     award for the above individual will be calculated as
     follows:	
	
	Direct salary - restricted to RATE of $120,000
             times research effort percentage            $ 60,000
	Fringe benefits (25% of allowable salary)             15,000
	Subtotal                                            $ 75,000
	Associated indirect costs at 47% of subtotal          35,250
	Total amount included due to salary limitation      $110,250
	Amount of reduction due to salary limitation
          ($137,813 requested minus $110,250 awarded     $ 27,563
     
Other important points are:
     
  o  salary limitation provision does NOT apply to payments made to
     consultants under an NIH or ADAMHA grant or contract (however, as
     with all costs, such payments must continue to meet the test of
     reasonableness);
     
  o  salary limitation IS intended to apply to those subawards for
     substantive work under an NIH or ADAMHA grant or contract;
     
  o  unobligated funds from a prior grant/contract period "carried over"
     INTO a FY 1990 award period ARE subject to the salary limitation
     provisions; and
     
  o  in a noncompeting continuation application (type 5) setting, a
     grantee organization is NOT permitted to redistribute an amount of
     "excess" salary among other budget categories in an attempt to
     apply for the full level of funding as previously recommended by
     the peer review process.

     

     

     

                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 2
                     DATED ANNOUNCEMENTS (RFPs AND RFAs)

RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR THE BASIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, DIVISION OF
AIDS
     
RFP AVAILABLE:  RFP-NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-90-25
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 7015008, 1002027, 1002045, 0755010, 0740020
     
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
     
The Division of AIDS (DAIDS), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID), NIH, is soliciting proposals from organizations having
capabilities and facilities to provide research support for the Basic Research
and Development Program (BRDP).  The proposed work is divided into two parts:
Part A is the virology portion; Part B is the microbiology portion.  Part A
includes development of improved assays to measure viral proteins and
infectious particles; development of improved in vitro assays to evaluate
efficacy of agents active against HIV; delineation of the mechanism of action
of potential therapeutic agents against HIV and opportunistic pathogens; and
development of immunological reagents for the detection of specific viral and
non-viral antigens in biological fluids.  Part B includes the development of
improved in vitro assays to evaluate efficacy of agents active against the
non-viral opportunistic pathogens associated with AIDS and generating,
characterizing and standardizing critical reagents.
     
This acquisition will support the Office of the Associate Director, Basic
Research and Development Program, Division of AIDS, and the four Branches
which make up the Program:  Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Pathogenesis
Branch, Resources and Centers Branch, and Vaccine Research and Development
Branch.
     
Offerors may respond to Part A only, Part B only, or both Part A and Part B.
The NIAID-sponsored project shall take approximately five years to complete.
It is possible that more than one award will be made.  A cost reimbursement,
task-order type of contract is anticipated.  This is an announcement of a new
solicitation.  RFP-NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-90-25 shall be issued on or about January
22, 1990, with a closing date tentatively set for March 13, 1990.
     
Requests for the Request for Proposals (RFP) shall be directed in writing to:
     
Ms. Nancy Hershey
Contract Specialist
Contract Management Branch
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Control Data Corp. Building, Room 214P
6003 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
     
To receive a copy of the RFP, please supply this office with two (2)
self-addressed labels.  All responsible sources may submit a proposal which
shall be considered by NIAID.
     
This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.

COOPERATIVE MULTICENTER NETWORK OF NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
     
RFA AVAILABLE:  90-HD-01
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 0403020, 0730050, 0715155
     
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
     
Application Receipt Date:  April 9, 1990
     
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites
applications from investigators willing to participate with the NICHD under a
Cooperative Agreement in an ongoing multicenter clinical study designed to
investigate the safety and efficacy of treatment and management strategies
used to care for infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).  The
objective of this study is to facilitate resolution of these problems by
establishing a network of centers that, by using common protocols, can provide
answers more rapidly than individual centers acting alone.

     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 3
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
     
The funding mechanism to be used to assist the scientific community in
undertaking these clinical trials will be a Cooperative Agreement between the
participating units and NICHD.  The major difference between a Cooperative
Agreement and a research grant is that there will be substantial programmatic
involvement of NICHD staff above and beyond the levels required for
traditional program management of grants.
     
APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE
     
Applications must be submitted on form PHS 398 (Revised 10/88).
     
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
     
Potential applicants are encouraged to request a detailed request for
application by telephoning:
     
Linda L. Wright, M.D
Special Assistant to the Director
Center for Research for Mothers and Children
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Executive Plaza North, Rm 643
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-0430

RESEARCH DEMONSTRATION APPLICATIONS ON DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT FOR WOMEN OF
CHILD-BEARING AGE AND OFFSPRING
     
RFA AVAILABLE:  DA-90-03
     
P.T. 34, II; K.W. 0404009, 0775020, 0403020, 0403004
     
National Institute on Drug Abuse
     
Application Receipt Date:  March 19, 1990
     
PURPOSE
     
The purpose of this research demonstration grant announcement is to develop
new therapeutic approaches to correct deficiencies in existing clinical
programs and to establish new treatment slots designed for drug abusing young
women of child-bearing age, as well as pregnant women, post-partum women, and
their infants.  An additional aim of this announcement is to provide support
for expanded or improved treatment services within the context of a research
program.
     
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
     
The major research objective is to develop and evaluate the efficacy of new or
improved drug abuse treatment in conjunction with supportive services for drug
abusing young women of child-bearing age before they become pregnant, as early
as possible in their pregnancy, and/or after delivery.  Carefully controlled
clinical studies are encouraged to investigate the direct and interactive
effects and the short-term as well as the long-term effectiveness of
comprehensive drug abuse treatment programs based in a variety of settings
(e.g., hospital, outpatient clinic, residential facility) for both the women
and their infants, as are randomized comparison group studies designed to
evaluate critically the effectiveness of programs that provide a broad array
of medical, mental health, social, educational, and vocational services for
them.  Reports describing the expanded treatment or the improved provision of
treatment services will be required.
     
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
     
The mechanism of support for this grant program is the R18.  An estimated
$5,000,000 will be available in Fiscal Year 1990 to support 6 to 8 new
research demonstration grants under this announcement.
     
INCLUSION OF MINORITIES IN STUDY POPULATIONS
     
The Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) urges
applicants to give added attention (where feasible and appropriate) to the
inclusion of minorities in study populations for research into the etiology of
diseases, research in behavioral and social sciences, clinical studies of
treatment and treatment outcomes, research on the dynamics of health care and
     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 4
its impact on disease, and appropriate interventions for disease prevention
and health promotion.  If minorities are not included in a given study, a
clear rationale for their exclusion should be provided.
     
INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN STUDY POPULATIONS
     
ADAMHA urges applicants to consider the inclusion of women in the study
populations for all clinical research efforts.  Exceptions would be studies of
diseases which exclusively affect males or where involvement of pregnant women
may expose the fetus to undue risks.  Gender differences should be noted and
evaluated.  If women are not to be included, a clear rationale should be
provided for their exclusion.
     
In order to provide more precise information to the treatment community, it is
recommended that publications resulting from ADAMHA-supported research in
which the study population was limited to one sex for any reason other than
that the disease or condition studied exclusively affects that sex, should
state, in the abstract summary, the gender of the population studied, e.g.,
"male patients," "male volunteers," "female patients," "female volunteers."
     
REVIEW PROCEDURES
     
Applications received under this announcement will be assigned to an initial
review group for scientific and technical merit review.  Such groups consist
primarily of non-Federal experts.  Applications will then receive a second
review by the National Advisory Council of the National Institute on Drug
Abuse whose review may be based on policy considerations as well as scientific
merit.  Only applicants recommended for approval by the National Advisory
Council will be considered for funding.  Notification of review outcomes will
be sent to the applicant after the National Advisory Council meets.
     
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
     
Applicants must use the standard PHS-398 (Rev.  10/88) research grant
application form.  The announcement's title, RESEARCH DEMONSTRATION
APPLICATIONS ON DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT FOR WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE AND
OFFSPRING, and number, DA-90-03, should be typed on Item #2 on the face page
of the PHS 398 form.  When using the PHS 398 application form to respond to an
RFA, applicants must affix the RFA label available in the PHS 398 to the
bottom of the application face page.  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.  Application kits containing the necessary forms
and instructions may be obtained from the following office:
     
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8A-54
Rockville, Maryland 20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-6710
     
INQUIRIES
     
Further information and consultation on program requirements can be obtained
from:
     
Elizabeth Rahdert, Ph.D.
Division of Clinical Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10A-30
Rockville, Maryland  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-4060

DEMONSTRATION RESEARCH ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN NON-TRADITIONAL SETTINGS
     
RFA AVAILABLE:  DA-90-10
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 0404009, 0730050, 0403004, 0715008
     
National Institute on Drug Abuse
     
Application Receipt Date:  April 9, 1990
     
PURPOSE
     
This grants program has a two-fold purpose:  (a) to understand the nature,
availability and significance of social support systems to drug using
populations; and (b) to evaluate the efficacy of different strategies for
     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 5
developing, configuring and delivering supports to permit drug-free
functioning and for limiting the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Another aim of this announcement is to provide support for expanded or
improved treatment services within the context of a research program.  While a
number of support systems and initiatives are available, this availability and
the role they play post-treatment and in probation and parole is, however,
unclear.  Recividism rates also suggest the importance of devising strategies
for developing and/or accessing community support systems on behalf of
individuals returned to the community.  Many drug users do not access drug
abuse treatment for extended periods of time and some may never use the
treatment system at all.  Of particular concern is the intravenous drug user,
who may be placing him/herself and others at risk for HIV infection.  It
becomes imperative to subject clearly articulated systems of support to
rigorous study regarding their effectiveness in preventing relapse to drug use
and associated anti-social and at-risk behaviors and to change drug using and
HIV-related risk-taking behaviors in persons not entering the treatment
sytsem.
     
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
     
Study may be made of the nature, availability and use of support systems by
former and current drug users located outside treatment and correctional
settings.  Such groups may be compared to samples of drug users in treatment
as relevant.  Study samples may be further analyzed by gender, ethnicity, age,
drug(s) of choice, rural/urban setting, etc.  Research questions may be
related to:  (a) the availability of support systems; (b) extent and frequency
with which support systems are accessed; (c) the means by which support
systems are accessed; (d) the willingness of community agencies and/or others
to be accessed by client populations; (e) reported outcomes of contacts
between client populations and support systems; (f) identification of support
systems needed to support drug-free functioning; (g) other.  In addition,
studies are needed to test the efficacy of strategies designed to maintain the
former clients of drug abuse treatment and criminal justice systems drug free
in community and/or to assist those unwilling or unable to attend treatment.
Annual reports describing the expanded treatment of the improved provision of
treatment services will be required.
     
INCLUSION OF MINORITIES IN STUDY POPULATIONS
     
The Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) urges
applicants to give added attention (where feasible and appropriate) to the
inclusion of minorities in study populations for research into the etiology of
diseases, research in behavioral and social sciences, clinical studies of
treatment and treatment outcomes, research on the dynamics of health care and
its impact on disease, and appropriate interventions for disease prevention
and health promotion.  If minorities are not included in a given study, a
clear rationale for their exclusion should be provided.
     
INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN STUDY POPULATIONS
     
ADAMHA urges applicants to consider the inclusion of women in the study
populations for all clinical research efforts.  Exceptions would be studies of
diseases which exclusively affect males or where involvement of pregnant women
may expose the fetus to undue risks.  Gender differences should be noted and
evaluated.  If women are not to be included, a clear rationale should be
provided for their exclusion.
     
In order to provide more precise information to the treatment community, it is
recommended that publications resulting from ADAMHA-supported research in
which the study population was limited to one sex for any reason other than
that the disease or condition studied exclusively affects that sex, should
state, in the abstract summary, the gender of the population studied, e.g.,
"male patients," "male volunteers," "female patients," "female volunteers."
     
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
     
In Fiscal Year 1990, an estimated $3,000,000 will be available to support
approximately 6 new grants under this announcement.  However, the amount of
funding available will depend on appropriated funds and program priorities at
the time of award.
     
ELIGIBILITY
     
Profit and non-profit public and private entities, located in and/or providing
services to communities are eligible to apply for these grant awards.
Eligible entities include, but are not limited to, public or private agencies
and consortia or health care and community organizations that are capable of
implementing community-based support programs.
     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 6
APPLICATION PROCESS
     
Applicants must use the standard PHS-398 (Rev. 10/88) research grant
application form.  The title of this Request for Applications (RFA),
"Demonstration Research on Service Delivery in Non-Traditional Setting" and
the RFA #DA-90-10 should be typed on item number 2 on the face page of the PHS
398 application form.  Application kits containing the necessary forms and
instructions may be obtained from business offices of sponsored research at
most universities, colleges, medical schools and other major research
facilities.  If such a source is not available, the following office may be
contacted for the necessary application material:
     
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8A-54
Rockville, Maryland  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-6710
     
When using the PHS 398 application form to respond to an RFA, applicants must
affix the RFA label available in the PHS 398 to the bottom of the application
face page.  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.
     
REVIEW PROCESS AND CRITERIA
     
The Division of Research Grants, NIH, serves as a central point for receipt of
applications for most discretionary PHS grant programs.  Applications received
under this announcement will be assigned to an Initial Review Group (IRG) in
accordance with extablished PHS Referral Guidelines.  The IRGs, which consist
primarily of non-Federal scientific and technical experts, will review the
applications for scientific and technical merit.  Notification of the review
recommendations will be sent to the applicant after the initial reviews.
Applications will receive a second-level review by the National Advisory
Council of the National Institute on Drug Abuse whose review may be based on
policy considerations as well as scientific merit.  Only applications
recommended for approval by the Council may be considered for funding.
     
Criteria for peer review of applicants will include the following:  (a)
overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed research including
qualifications of the research team, project design and methodology.
Assessment of merit will also include the extent to which the project has a
clear and sound conceptual basis and is grounded in theory and/or research;
(b) potential impact of the intervention under study or of study findings for
service delivery; (c) organizational and professional ability to implement a
research program; (d) potential contribution of the research program and study
findings to new knowledge; (e) evidence of coordination with appropriate drug
abuse and criminal justice agencies, community organizations, social service
agencies, health agencies, educational institutions, volunteer sector, private
sector.
     
AWARD CRITERIA
     
Applicants recommended for approval by the National Council on Drug Abuse will
be considered for funding on the basis of:  (a) overall technical merit of the
proposed research as determined by peer review; (b) potential contribution of
the proposed intervention and/or of study findings to clinical practices; (c)
capacity to demonstrate linkages with community public and private agencies,
the community volunteer sector, drug abuse treatment and criminal justice
agencies; (d) feasibility of the project as determined by organizational
sophistication, capability of staff, availability of subject pool; (e) program
balance and relevance to program goals; (f) the availability of funds.
     
INQUIRIES
     
For further information and consultation on program requirements can be
obtained from:
     
Chief, Community Research Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9A-30
Rockville, Maryland  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-6720

     

     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 7
KIDNEY DISEASE OF DIABETES MELLITUS:  PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, CLINICAL FEATURES, AND
EPIDEMIOLOGY
     
RFA AVAILABLE:  90-DK-06
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715075, 0785095, 0765035, 0785055, 1002004, 1003002, 0760003
     
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
     
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  February 15, 1990
Application Receipt Date:  April 23, 1990
     
The Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (DKUHD) and the
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases (DDEM) of the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
invites research applications for a single competition for studies related to
Kidney Disease of Diabetes Mellitus (KDDM).  This Request for Applications
(RFA) invites submission of individual research grant (RO1) applications
focusing primarily on basic research into the pathophysiology of KDDM, as well
as clinical and epidemiologic studies.  This RFA is intended to encourage new
studies to further the understanding of KDDM that could include the following:
(1) Studies dealing with cell biology and biochemistry; identification of
appropriate in vitro and in vivo models; studies on the mechanism of the
altered structure and function of the kidney in diabetes mellitus, including
non-enzymatic glycation; morphologic and morphometric studies; relation of the
pathophysiology of KDDM to that of the other complications of diabetes
mellitus.  (2) Identification of early predictors and markers of structural
lesion in KDDM; investigation of the clinical features and course of KDDM in
various races and ethnic groups; development of tools and selection of
end-points to measure progression and outcome in clinical studies; definition,
spectrum, and pertinent methodology for the study of KDDM; possible novel
intervention strategies focusing on primary prevention of KDDM in Insulin
Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
(NIDDM); definition of the impact of pancreas and islet transplantation on
KDDM.  (3) Investigation of specific genetic determinants of KDDM; studies of
markers, indices and possible different types of KDDM; studies of risk factors
and co-morbidity of KDDM.
     
The support mechanism for this program will be the traditional, individual
investigator-initiated research grant (RO1), and it is governed by the
policies applicable to such awards.  It is anticipated that 10-15 awards will
be made, for up to 5 years, under this program.  Applications in response to
this RFA will
be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an Initial Review Group
convened by the Division of Extramural Activities, NIDDK, solely to review
these applications.  Review criteria include:  the extent of relevance and/or
contribution of the proposed research to the overall goals and objectives of
the RFA; significance and originality of the research goals and approaches;
feasibility of the research and adequacy of the experimental design;
experience and research competence of the investigator(s); adequacy of
available facilities; appropriate consent forms for patient participation,
when applicable; provision for the humane care of animals, where applicable;
and appropriateness of the requested budget relative to the work proposed.
     
Funding decisions will be based on scientific merit, program relevance,
availability of funds, and on recommendations by the Initial Review Group and
the National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory Council.
     
Inclusion of women and minorities is encouraged.  If they are excluded,
reasons for this exclusion must be explained in the application.
     
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a one-page letter of intent that
includes a descriptive title of the grant application, the name of the
Principal Investigator, and the identification of other participating
institutions.  Such letters are requested in order to determine the number and
scope of applications likely to be received.  A letter of intent is not
binding and will not enter into the review of any application submitted
subsequently.  This letter of intent should be received by February 15, 1990,
and should be sent to:
     
Robert D. Hammond, Ph.D.
Chief, Review Branch, DEA
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 406
Bethesda, Maryland  20892

     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 8
Applications should be submitted on Form PHS-398, revised 10/88, available in
the Business or Research Grants Office of most academic or research
institutions, or from the Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research
Grants, Room 449, Westwood Building, 5333 Westbard Avenue, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.  Applications will be accepted until
close of business on April 23, 1990.  No extensions will be granted on the
application deadline.  Applicants should request a start date of September 30,
1990.  The phrase "Response to NIDDK RFA 90-DK-06:  "Kidney Disease of
Diabetes Mellitus" should be typed on line 2 of the face page of Form PHS-398.
     
THE RFA LABEL (AVAILABLE IN THE 10/88 REVISION OF APPLICATION FORM 398) MUST
BE AFFIXED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FACE PAGE OF THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE
APPLICATION.  FAILURE TO USE THIS LABEL COULD RESULT IN DELAYED PROCESSING OF
THE APPLICATION.
     
Requests for copies of the full RFA and inquiries regarding this announcement
should be directed to:
     
Gladys H. Hirschman, M.D.
Director, Chronic Renal Diseases Program
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Federal Building, Room 102
Bethesda, Maryland  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-8218
     
and
     
Elaine Collier, M.D.
Director, Diabetes Research Program
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 622
Bethesda, Maryland  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7731

COOPERATIVE MULTICENTER NETWORK OF MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE UNITS
     
RFA AVAILABLE:  90-HD-04
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 0775020, 0730005, 0715155, 0785135
     
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
     
Application Receipt Date:  April 9, 1990
     
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites
applications from investigators willing to participate with the NICHD under a
Cooperative Agreement in an ongoing multicenter clinical study designed to
investigate problems in clinical obstetrics, particularly those related to
prevention of low birth weight.  The objective of this study is to facilitate
resolution of these problems by establishing a network of centers that, by
using common protocols, can provide answers more rapidly than individual
centers acting alone.
     
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
     
The funding mechanism to be used to assist the scientific community in
undertaking this system of clinical investigation will be a Cooperative
Agreement between the participating units and NICHD.  The major difference
between a Cooperative Agreement and a research grant is that there will be
substantial programmatic involvement of NICHD staff above and beyond the
levels required for traditional program management of grants.
     
APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE
     
Applications must be submitted on form PHS 398 (revised 10/88).

     

     

     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 9
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
     
Potential applicants are encouraged to request a detailed request for
application by telephoning:
     
Donald McNellis, M.D.
Special Assistant for Obstetrics
Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch
Center for Research on Mothers and Children
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Executive Plaza North, Room 643
Bethesda, Maryland  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5575

LEARNING DISABILITIES:  MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTER [SPECIALIZED
RESEARCH CENTER GRANT (P50)]
     
RFA AVAILABLE:  HD-90-02
     
P.T. 04; K.W. 0720010, 0404004, 0710030, 0755030, 0745027
     
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
     
Application Receipt Date:  April 23, 1990
     
INTRODUCTION
     
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), through
the Human Learning and Behavior Branch (HLB), Center for Research for Mothers
and Children (CRMC), invites specialized research center grant applications
(P50) to develop new knowledge in etiology, diagnosis, prevention, treatment,
and amelioration of learning disabilities.  Specialized research center grant
applications must include research on basic biological and behavioral factors
relevant to learning disabilities.  One specialized research center may be
supported in response to this Request for Applications (RFA) for a single
competition.
     
BACKGROUND INFORMATION, OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
     
The purpose of this RFA is to implement the recommendation contained in report
language of the U.S. Congress bill to establish one additional
multidisciplinary research center for the study of learning disabilities.  The
NICHD currently funds two research centers on learning disabilities, four
program projects on reading disabilities, and a variety of
investigator-initiated research studies in this field.
     
The major goal of this RFA is to fund a specialized research center for
intensive multidimensional studies of well-defined populations of learning
disabled persons.  The research center may involve the collaboration of a
variety of scientists including:  biologists, neuroscientists, geneticists,
epidemiologists, anatomists, psychologists, physicians, educators, linguists,
speech and hearing researchers, pharmacologists, demographers, and others.
The center should include basic and applied biomedical and behavioral research
projects.  Evaluations of clinical demonstration projects and tests of
differential educational strategies in well defined populations of individuals
"at risk" or diagnosed as learning disabled may be proposed.  The research
topics must include but are not limited to studies of learning disabled
individuals at risk for or exhibiting deficiencies in speech, listening,
reading, writing, reasoning, mathematics, and social skills.  As a part of any
research center on learning disabilities, studies of mammalian animal models
of immunological, physiological, anatomical, genetic, neurodevelopmental,
toxicological, and other basic biological factors which may be related to
learning disabilities are encouraged.
     
The neurobiological basis of specific learning disorders is of particular
interest.  The development and refinement of diagnostic tests and measures are
encouraged.  Clinical trials of scientifically valid and reliable treatment
protocols are of interest.  Comparative studies of specific instructional
characteristics, dimensions, and methods that take into consideration
neurobiological and behavioral individual differences will be considered.
Center applications could also focus on basic and clinical aspects of the
development of higher nervous system function in learning and/or identifying
and understanding higher system dysfunction in disorders of learning.
Establishing a registry of infrequently occurring cases of extremely learning
disabled individuals for the purpose of collaborative research is encouraged.

     
                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 10
PHS urges applicants to give added attention (where feasible and appropriate)
to the inclusion of minorities and women in study populations for research in
the behavioral and social sciences.  If minorities and women are not included,
a clear rationale for their exclusion should be provided.  Investigators are
reminded that merely including arbitrary numbers of women and minority
participants in a given study is insufficient to guarantee generalizability of
results.
     
MECHANISM, NUMBER, AND BUDGET
     
Multidisciplinary activities of the center will be supported through the P50
center grant mechanism.  Depending upon the availability of funds and the
results of peer review, one award may be made for a period of five years.  The
total cost of the center (direct and indirect) may not exceed $750,000.
     
WHERE THE RFA MAY BE OBTAINED
     
A complete copy of the RFA entitled "Learning Disabilities:  Multidisciplinary
Research Center [Specialized Research Center Grant (P50)]" and guidelines for
the application format and review process are described in "NICHD Research
Centers Programs:  P50 Specialized Research Center Grant Guidelines" which may
be obtained from:
     
David B. Gray, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
Human Learning and Behavior Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institutes of Health
Executive Plaza North, Room 631
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-1383

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

                  Vol. 19, No. 3, January 19, 1990 - Page 11
            FULL TEXT OF RFAs FOR ONLINE ACCESS

REQUEST FOR RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS:   DK-90-06
     
KIDNEY DISEASE OF DIABETES MELLITUS:
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, CLINICAL FEATURES, AND EPIDEMIOLOGY
     
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715075, 0785095, 0765035, 0785055, 1002004, 1003002, 0760003
     
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES
     
Application Receipt Date:  April 23, 1990
     
The Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases
(DKUHD) and the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and
Metabolic Diseases (DDEM) of the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites
research applications for a single competition for studies
related to Kidney Disease of Diabetes Mellitus (KDDM).  This
Request for Applications (RFA) invites submission of
individual research grant (RO1) applications focusing
primarily on basic research into the pathophysiology of KDDM
but also clinical and epidemiologic studies.  These could
include the following:  (1) Studies dealing with cell
biology and biochemistry; identification of appropriate in
vitro and in vivo models; studies on the mechanism of the
altered structure and function of the kidney in diabetes
mellitus including non-enzymatic glycation; morphologic and
morphometric studies; relation of the pathophysiology of
KDDM to that of the other complications of diabetes
mellitus.  (2) Identification of early predictors and
markers of structural lesion in KDDM; investigation of the
clinical features and course of KDDM in various races and
ethnic groups; development of tools and selection of
end-points to measure progression and outcome in clinical
studies; definition, spectrum, and pertinent methodology for
the study of KDDM; possible novel intervention strategies
focusing on primary prevention of KDDM in Insulin Dependent
Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes
Mellitus (NIDDM); definition of the impact of pancreas and
islet transplantation on KDDM.  (3) Investigation of
specific genetic determinants of KDDM; studies of markers,
indices and possible different types of KDDM; studies of
risk factors and co-morbidity of KDDM.
     
Inclusion of women and minorities is encouraged.  If they
are excluded, reasons for this exclusion must be explained
in the application.
     
BACKGROUND
     
Renal diseases leading to chronic renal failure that results
in replacement therapy represent an important public health
problem.  Data from the United States Renal Data System
(USRDS), derived mostly from data collected by the Health
Care Financing Administration (HCFA), indicate that in l987,
157,944 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients received
maintenance or replacement therapy from Medicare-certified
providers, 33,578 newly diagnosed patients were enrolled in
the ESRD Medicare Program, and 22,572 patients died.  Thus,
while the initial ESRD Medicare Program predictions were for
a level population of approximately 50,000 patients, the
ESRD Medicare Program is increasing at a steady rate.
     
The largest single cause of renal disease is now diabetes
mellitus.  At present, nearly 30 percent of new patients
entering the ESRD Medicare Program have KDDM and this number
is increasing steadily.  Therefore within the next decade it
is likely that KDDM will account for more than 50 percent of
all patients in the ESRD Medicare Program.
     
The pathogenesis of KDDM remains undefined, thus approaches
to prevention and treatment are not clear.  Only 30-40
percent of diabetics will develop KDDM and at present there
is no known predictor of those who are at risk to develop
this complication.  However, it is recognized that
anatomical and functional abnormalities are detectable in
the diabetic kidney a decade or more before there is any
clinical evidence of renal disease.  Hyperfiltration, an
elevation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) above that
found in age-matched controls, represents a laboratory
finding in a proportion of diabetics, although it is not
known if these are the patients to develop KDDM.  An
increase in the albumin excretion rate (microalbuminuria)
that is not measurable by conventional techniques for
measuring proteinuria is also found in a proportion of
diabetics.  Again, it is not known if microalbuminuria is
predictive of the later development of KDDM.  KDDM is
clinically manifested by the development of persistent,
overt proteinuria, at which time the renal lesions are far
advanced and the progressive deterioration of renal function
is the rule.  Proteinuria does not usually develop until
approximately twenty years after the onset of diabetes, but
within five years of its development, end-stage renal
failure ensues.  As with other types of sclerosing
glomerular diseases, the rate of deterioration of renal
function varies among patients but is quite steady in
individual patients.
     
The underlying mechanism of KDDM is unknown, but there is
experimental evidence that it may be related to the altered
glomerular hemodynamics observed early in the course of
diabetes mellitus.  An increase in both glomerular perfusion
rate and pressure may contribute to the progressive
sclerosing glomerular injury.  However, there is recent
evidence for other mechanisms of injury as well.
Preliminary clinical studies suggest that reduction in
systemic hypertension may reduce the rate of deterioration
of renal function in IDDM.  These important preliminary
insights, which are limited to one aspect of the
pathogenesis of KDDM, still need to be verified and other
mechanisms need to be investigated.
     
Certain minorities, including Blacks and Hispanics, have a
higher incidence of ESRD resulting from KDDM.  The cause of
this excess incidence of diabetic ESRD is in these groups is
unclear.
     
RESEARCH GOALS
     
This RFA is intended to encourage new studies toward the
following:  further understanding of the pathogenetic
mechanisms of KDDM; identification of in vivo and in vitro
models; morphologic and morphometric characterization of
glomerular injury from which functional clues can be
derived; causes of the excess incidence of diabetic
end-stage renal failure in certain minorities; role of
immunogenetic predisposition and environmental factors; the
identification of valid and objective early indicators of
structural lesion in KDDM; possible interventions aimed at
effecting primary prevention in KDDM; impact of pancreas and
islet transplantation in KDDM; definition of the spectrum
and distinction between KDDM in IDDM and NIDDM; pathogenetic
relation to the development of other complications of
diabetes mellitus, risk factors and co-morbidity in KDDM,
etc.
     
Among the basic disciplines and expertise that may be
appropriate for this RFA are cell biology and molecular
biology, immunogenetics, biochemistry, physiology,
pathology, pharmacology and epidemiology.
     
Examples of representative topics and areas requiring
further investigation are:
     
o   Characterization of factor(s) and signal(s) responsible for the
    early development of renal hypertrophy, associated hemodynamic
    changes, and links with subsequent morphologic changes in the
    glomeruli.
     
o   Characterization of the biochemical nature of the glomerular and
    mesangial lesion and the extracellular matrix material that
    accumulates.
     
o   Definition of changes in basement membrane components, i.e.,
    synthesis versus breakdown, altered rate of production, cell types
    responsible, etc.
     
o   Morphologic and morphometric studies of the glomeruli, including
    basement membrane thickening, extent of mesangial expansion,
    quantitation of capillary surface area for filtration, etc.,
    at the various stages in the diabetic process.
     
o   Development and definition of animal models which more closely
    reflect the human disease.
     
o   Studies addressing further the pathophysiology of
    hyperfiltration, including that which occurs during
    pregnancy, and its linkage to subsequent morphologic injury.
     
o   Investigation of the possible causes of the excess incidence of KDDM
    in Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans, including genetic and
    environmental factors.
     
o   Investigations of the clinical process of development of KDDM;
    early markers, end points for intervention trials, structure-
    function correlates (possibly utilizing renal biopsies), effect of
    islet and pancreas transplantation, etc.
     
o   Studies of pathogenic mechanisms, including non-enzymatic glycation,
    aldose reductase activity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, etc.,
    that may serve as a model for understanding other complications of
    diabetes.
     
o   Epidemiologic studies of KDDM utilizing established data bases.
     
o   Development of plans to include data collection and collection of
    specific samples -- cell bank type of repository -- from a panel of
    potentially informative families ideally suited for the
    investigation of specific genetic determinants of KDDM, when
    appropriate.
     
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
     
The support mechanism for this program will be the
traditional, individual investigator-initiated research
grant (RO1), and it is governed by the policies applicable
to such awards.  Approximately $2.0 million for total direct
and indirect costs could be available to fund applications
submitted in response to this RFA.  However, the funding of
such applications is contingent on the actual availability
of funds and the receipt of applications of sufficient
scientific merit.  It is anticipated that 10-15 awards will
be made, for up to 5 years, under this program.  The
specific amounts to be funded will depend on the merit and
scope of the applications received.  Furthermore, since a
variety of approaches would represent valid responses to
this announcement, a range of costs is anticipated among
individual awards.  Awards in response to this announcement
may be made to foreign institutions for research of unusual
merit and promise, and in accordance with PHS policy
governing such awards.
     
Upon initiation of the program, the NIDDK will sponsor
periodic meetings to encourage exchange of information among
investigators who participate in this program and with other
investigators with related interests.  In preparing the
budget for the research grant application, applicants should
request travel funds for a two-day meeting each year, most
likely to be held in Bethesda, Maryland.  Applicants should
also include a statement in the budget section of their
applications indicating their willingness to participate in
such meetings.  It is anticipated that support for the
successful applications will begin on September 30, 1990.
     
The current policies and requirements that govern the
review, funding and performance of research grant programs
of the NIH will prevail.
     
APPLICATIONS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
     
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed (initially) by
the Division of Research Grants (DRG) for completeness.
Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant
without further consideration.  Applications will also be
evaluated for responsiveness to the RFA.
     
Applications that are judged non-responsive will be
administratively inactivated but may be submitted as
investigator-initiated regular research grants at the next
receipt date.  Questions concerning the responsiveness of
proposed research to the RFA should be directed to Program
Staff (see below).  Should the proposal submitted in
response to the RFA be substantially similar to a research
grant application already under consideration at the NIH,
the applicant will be asked to withdraw either application.
Simultaneous submission of identical applications will not
be allowed.
     
Applications in response to this RFA will be reviewed for
scientific and technical merit by an Initial Review Group
that will be convened by the Division of Extramural
Activities, NIDDK, solely to review these applications.
Review criteria include:  the extent of relevance and/or
contribution of the proposed research to the overall goals
and objectives of the RFA; the significance and originality
of the research goals and approaches; feasibility of the
research and adequacy of the experimental design; experience
and research competence of the investigator(s); adequacy of
available facilities; appropriate consent forms for patient
participation, when applicable; provision for the humane
care of animals, where applicable; and appropriateness of
the requested budget relative to the work proposed.
     
Funding decisions will be based on scientific merit, program
relevance, availability of funds, and on recommendations by
the Initial Review Group and the National Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory Council.
     
METHOD OF APPLYING
     
LETTER OF INTENT:  Prospective applicants are asked to
submit a one-page letter of intent that includes a
descriptive title of the grant application, the name of the
Principal Investigator, as well as the identification of
other participating institutions.  Such letters are
requested in order to determine the number and scope of
applications likely to be received; therefore, their receipt
will not be acknowledged.  A letter of intent is not binding
and will not enter into the review of any application
submitted subsequently; nor is it required for application.
This letter of intent, which should be received by February
15, 1990, should be sent to:
     
                   Robert D. Hammond, Ph.D.
                   Chief, Review Branch, DEA
                   National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
                   and Kidney Diseases
                   National Institutes of Health
                   Westwood Building, Room 406
                   Bethesda, Maryland  20892
     
Applications should be submitted on Form PHS-398, revised
10/88, available in the Business or Research Grants Office
of most academic or research institutions, or from the
Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants,
Room 449, Westwood Building, 5333 Westbard Avenue, National
Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892.
Applications will be accepted until close of business on
April 23, 1990.  No extensions will be granted on the
application deadline.  Applicants should request a start
date of September 30, 1990.
     
The phrase "Response to NIDDK RFA 90-DK-06:  "Kidney Disease
of Diabetes Mellitus" should be typed on line 2 of the face
page of Form PHS-398.
     
THE RFA LABEL (AVAILABLE IN THE 10/88 REVISION OF
APPLICATION FORM 398) MUST BE AFFIXED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
FACE PAGE OF THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE APPLICATION.  FAILURE
TO USE THIS LABEL COULD RESULT IN DELAYED PROCESSING OF THE
APPLICATION.
     
The completed original application and four (4) signed exact
photocopies should be sent or delivered to:
     
                   Grants Application Receipt Office
                   Division of Research Grants
                   National Institutes of Health
                   Westwood Building - Room 240
                   Bethesda, Maryland 20892**
     
Two additional copies of the application should be sent to:
     
                   Robert D. Hammond, Ph.D.
                   Chief, Review Branch, DEA
                   National Institute of Diabetes and
                   Digestive and Kidney Diseases
                   Westwood Building - Room 406
                   Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
     
IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEND THESE TWO COPIES AT THE SAME TIME
THAT THE ORIGINAL AND FOUR COPIES ARE SENT TO THE DIVISION
OF RESEARCH GRANTS.  OTHERWISE, IT CANNOT BE GUARANTEED THAT
THE APPLICATION WILL BE REVIEWED IN COMPETITION FOR THIS RFA
PROGRAM.
     
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 23, 1990.  Any
application not received by this date will be ineligible for
this competition.
     
TIME TABLE
     
Letter of Intent                    February 15, 1990
Application Receipt Date            April 23, 1990
Review by Council                   September 17-18, 1990
Anticipated Award Date              September 30, 1990
     
Inquiries regarding this announcement may be directed to :
     
                   Gladys H. Hirschman, M.D.
                   Director, Chronic Renal Diseases Program
                   National Institute of Diabetes and
                   Digestive and Kidney Diseases
                   National Institutes of Health
                   Federal Building - Room 102
                   Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
                   Telephone (301) 496-8218
     
                              and
     
                   Elaine Collier, M.D.
                   Director, Diabetes Research Program
                   National Institute of Diabetes and
                   Digestive and Kidney Diseases
                   National Institutes of Health
                   Westwood Building - Room 622
                   Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
                   Telephone (301) 496-7731
     
These programs are described in the catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance No. 13,849 - Kidney, Urologic and
Hematologic Diseases Research - and Awards will be made
under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Title
III, Section 301 (Public Law 78-4110, as amended; 42 USC
241) and administered under PHS Grant policies and federal
regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program
is not subjected to the intergovernmental review
requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems
Agency review.

LEARNING DISABILITIES*:  MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTER
[SPECIALIZED RESEARCH CENTER GRANT (P50)]
     
RFA:  90-HD-02
     
P.T. 04; K.W. 0720010, 0404004, 0710030, 0755030, 0745027
     
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
     
Application Receipt Date:  April 23, 1990
     
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
(NICHD), through the Human Learning and Behavior Branch
(HLB), Center for Research for Mothers and Children (CRMC),
invites specialized research center grant applications (P50)
to develop new knowledge in the fields of etiology,
diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of
learning disabilities.  Specialized research center grant
applications must include research on basic biological and
behavioral factors relevant to learning disabilities.  One
specialized research center may be supported in response to
this Request for Applications (RFA).
     
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
     
The Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-158)
mandated the establishment of an Interagency Committee on
Learning Disabilities (ICLD) for the purpose of reviewing
and assessing "Federal research priorities, activities, and
findings regarding learning disabilities (including central
nervous system dysfunction in children)."  The NICHD was
designated the lead agency for this congressional
initiative.
     
* For this Request for Applications the following definition
of learning disabilities may be used:  learning disabilities
is a generic term that refers to a heterogeneous group of
disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the
acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading,
writing, reasoning, mathematical abilities, or social
skills.  These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and
presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction.
Even though a learning disability may occur concomitantly
with other handicapping conditions (e.g., sensory
impairment, mental retardation, social and emotional
disturbance), with socioenvironmental influences (e.g.,
cultural differences, insufficient or inappropriate
instruction, psychogenic factors), and especially with
attention deficit disorder, all of which may cause learning
problems, a learning disability is not the direct result of
those conditions or influences.
     
The Committee held a public forum to solicit input on the
nature of the problem and directions for future research.
Learning disabled individuals, their families, teachers,
administrators, advocacy organizations, practitioners, and
scientists made formal presentations to the Committee.  In
addition, this Committee collected and analyzed the
currently supported Federal research in learning
disabilities.  In January 1987, the National Conference on
Learning Disabilities was held to discuss the current state
of knowledge, identify gaps, and make recommendations for
future research.  In August 1987, the Committee's report was
submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate.
One recommendation in this report called for the
establishment of multidisciplinary centers for research on
learning disabilities.  In Fiscal Year 1989, with funds
specifically provided by Congress, the NICHD awarded two
grants for the establishment of two centers in the area of
learning disabilities.
     
The purpose of this RFA is to implement the recommendation
contained in report language of the U.S. Congress bill to
establish one additional multidisciplinary research center
for the study of learning disabilities.
     
II.  OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
     
The major goal of this RFA is to fund a specialized research
center for intensive multidimensional studies of
well-defined populations of learning disabled persons.  The
research center may involve the collaboration of a variety
of scientists including:  biologists, neuroscientists,
geneticists, epidemiologists, anatomists, psychologists,
physicians, educators, linguists, speech and hearing
researchers, pharmacologists, demographers, and others.  The
center should include basic and applied biomedical and
behavioral research projects.  Evaluations of clinical
demonstration projects and tests of differential educational
strategies in well-defined populations of individuals "at
risk" or diagnosed as learning disabled may be proposed.
The research topics must include but are not limited to
studies of learning disabled individuals at risk for or
exhibiting deficiencies in speech, listening, reading,
writing, reasoning, mathematics, and social skills.  As a
part of any research center on learning disabilities,
studies of mammalian animal models of immunological,
physiological, anatomical, genetic, neurodevelopmental,
toxicological, and other basic biological factors are
encouraged that may be related to learning disabilities.
     
The neurobiological basis of specific learning disorders is
of specific interest.  The development and refinement of
diagnostic tests and measures are encouraged.  Clinical
trials of scientifically valid and reliable treatment
protocols are of interest.  Comparative studies of specific
instructional characteristics, dimensions, and methods that
take into consideration neurobiological and behavioral
individual differences will be considered.  Center
applications could also focus on basic and clinical aspects
of the development of higher nervous system function in
learning and/or identifying and understanding higher system
dysfunction in disorders of learning.
     
Establishment of a registry of infrequently occurring cases
of extremely learning disabled individuals for the purpose
of collaborative research is encouraged.
     
All projects at the center must be synergistically related
to each other.  Each individual research component must be
meritorious and capable of yielding more than a comparable
project without multidisciplinary research center support
would produce.
     
Semi-annual meetings with NICHD extramural scientists may
take place and should be considered in preparing a budget.
Plans for developing shared research protocols, for
standardizing assessment measures, and for contributing to
and use of a central data base will be considered at these
meetings.
     
III.  MECHANISM, NUMBER, AND BUDGET
     
Multidisciplinary activities ranging from basic to applied
research designed to investigate the etiology, diagnosis,
and treatment of learning disabilities will be supported
through the P50 center grant mechanism.
     
Depending upon the availability of funds and the results of
peer review, one award may be made for a period of five
years.  To be eligible for an award an application must
contain a minimum of three component research projects.  The
application may include a request for support for core
facilities.
     
The total cost (direct and indirect) of the center shall not
exceed $750,000.  Budget increments generally will be
limited to necessary cost-of-living increases, in line with
current policies of the applicant institution.  Budgets of
applications will be stringently reviewed within these
guidelines.
     
IV.  METHOD OF APPLYING AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
     
Any of the following organizations are eligible to apply:
Profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; state
and local governments and their agencies; and authorized
Federal institutions.
     
Applications should be developed in close cooperation with
David B. Gray, Ph.D. who will provide guidance on both
scientific and administrative issues prior to submission.
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. David B.
Gray at the address and telephone number listed at the end
of this RFA.  Applicants may submit a Letter of Intent which
is neither binding nor required as a precondition of
applying for an NIH award; however, it could be helpful in
the development of an appropriately considered application
and would facilitate organization of the special initial
review group for applications received in response to this
announcement.
     
The complete application should be prepared on research
grant application Form PHS 398 (revised 10/88) following the
instructions described in the document NICHD Research
Centers Programs:  P50 Specialized Research Center Grant
Guidelines.  Careful attention should be paid to the
specific requirements delineated by these guidelines.
Applicants should fill in the second line of the application
with the words:  "In response to 90-HD-02 Learning
Disabilities:  Multidisciplinary Research Centers [P50
Specialized Research Center]."  Appropriate human subject
and animal welfare documentation must be submitted before
the review of applications.
     
Applicants must propose a center where three or more related
and integrated research projects of high quality provide a
multidisciplinary yet unified approach to the problems being
investigated.  Each research project of the center
application must be fully developed within the prescribed
twenty-page limit.  The applicant cannot rely upon a site
visit to explain the proposed research.
     
The center director must be a scientist who can provide
strong and effective administrative leadership.  This center
director will be responsible for the organization and
operation of the center and for communication with the NICHD
on scientific and operational matters.  Scientific personnel
and institutional resources capable of providing a strong
research base in the field of learning disabilities must be
available.  In addition, the applicant institution and
pertinent department(s) should demonstrate strong commitment
and support.  Each center application should contain a plan
to assure continuing interaction among participating
scientists and between other NICHD-funded learning
disabilities research centers.  Grantees must operate within
the scope of the approved center.  One major goal is to
promote active collaboration both among scientists working
within the center and with other NIH-funded researchers in
the use of a shared definition of learning disabilities, in
the administration of the same tests and measures of
learning disabilities, and in the mutual contribution and
use of shared data bases on learning disabilities.
     
V. ASSIGNMENT OF APPLICATIONS TO INSTITUTE
     
Grant applications will be received and assigned by the NIH Division of
Research Grants (DRG).
     
VI.  TIMETABLE FOR RECEIPT AND REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS
     
This is a one-time request with plans to make no more than
one award in fiscal year 1990.  The original and five copies
of the application are due in the Division of Research
Grants on or before April 23, 1990.  Late or incomplete
applications will not be accepted.  Applications must be
sent to:
     
Application Receipt Office
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, Maryland 20892**
     
One copy of the application also must be sent to:
     
Director, Scientific Review Program
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Executive Plaza North 520
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
     
The RFA label contained in the application kit should be
affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application.
Failure to use this label could delay processing of the
application.  Applications should be identified by checking
the "yes" box in Item Number 2 on the face page of the
application and typing in the words "In response to 90-HD-02
Learning Disabilities:  Multidisciplinary Research Center
[P50 Specialized Research Center)]".
     
Timetable summary
     
Application Receipt Date        April 23, 1990
     
Initial Review               June - July, 1990
     
Review by National
  Advisory Council             September, 1990
     
Anticipated Award Date         September, 1990
     
VII.  REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
     
Applications will be reviewed by NIH staff for
responsiveness to the RFA.  Non-responsive applications will
be returned to the applicant.  Responsive applications may
be subjected to a triage by a peer review group to determine
their scientific merit relative to other applications
submitted.  The Institute will withdraw from competition
those applications judged to be noncompetitive and notify
the applicant and institutional business official.  Those
applications judged to be competitive will be further
evaluated for scientific/technical merit by a Special Review
Committee convened solely for this purpose.  Because a site
visit will not be a prerequisite for consideration by this
Committee, each application should be thorough and complete
enough to stand on its own.  The second-level review will be
made by the National Advisory Council in September 1990, for
funding starting in September, 1990.  The Special Review
Committee will use the criteria specified in the NICHD P50
Guidelines in evaluating the applications.
     
The review criteria for the overall program of the center
are:
     
o significance of the research program proposed by the
center to the NICHD initiative on learning disabilities;
     
o scope and breadth of the center's programs, the component
research projects, and core units;
     
o suitability of the center's central theme for a
cooperative research effort;
     
o multidisciplinary scope of the center and provisions for
coordinating the research projects and core units; and
     
o leadership ability and scientific stature of the center
director and his/her ability to meet the center's demands of
time and effort.
     
The review criteria for the component research projects and
core units are:
     
o scientific merit of each component research project and
the relation of the
   project to the center's overall theme;
     
o cost effectiveness and quality control of core units;
     
o the quality and productivity of research projects using
the core facilities (each core should be used by at least
three research projects);
     
o the appropriateness of the research projects' use of core
services;
     
o qualifications, experience, and the commitment of the
investigators responsible for the component research
projects and core units;
     
o participation of a suitable number of responsible,
experienced investigators;
     
o appropriateness of the budgetary requests;
     
o as appropriate, the adequacy of the means proposed for
protecting against risks to human subjects, animals, and/or
the environment;
     
o academic and physical environment as it bears on patients,
space, and equipment, and on the potential for interaction
with scientists from other departments and institutions;
     
o arrangements for internal quality control of ongoing
research, the allocation of funds, day-to-day management,
contractual agreements, and internal communication and
cooperation among the investigators in the center's program;
     
o presence of an administrative and organizational structure
conducive to attaining the center's objective; and
institutional commitment.
     
PHS urges applicants to give added attention (where feasible
and appropriate) to the inclusion of minorities and women in
study populations for research in the behavioral and social
sciences.  If minorities and women are not included, a clear
rationale for their exclusion should be provided.
Investigators are reminded that merely including arbitrary
numbers of women and minority participants in a given study
is insufficient to guarantee generalizability of results.
     
VIII.  FUNDING
     
The funding of the specialized research center is contingent
upon the results of peer review and the allocation of
appropriated funds.  The total (direct and indirect) cost
request for the first year may not exceed the $750,000
earmarked by Congress for this center for FY90.  The initial
period of support must be for five years.  Funding for a
center beyond the initial five years will be subject to
competitive renewal.
     
IX.  STAFF CONTACT
     
For further information, potential applicants may call or
write to:
     
David B. Gray, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
Human Learning and Behavior Branch
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institutes of Health
Executive Plaza North 631
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone Number:  (301) 496-1383
     
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 13.865, Research for Mothers and Children.
Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health
Service Act, Section 301 (42 USC241), and administered under
PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52
and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to review
by a Health Systems Agency.