Subject: (Copy) NIH GUIDE - V21(11) 03/20/92 - P1/2
From: Dot Baker <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 92 14:10 EST

Hi Paul,
   The 3/20/92 NIH Guide has arrived.  The Guide is in two parts
so please post this one as:
     NIHGUIDE.920320
 ---------------------------- Text of forwarded message -----------------------
$$XID NIHGUIDE 19920320 V21N11 P1O2 ************************************
X-comment: RFAs described: CA-92-12
 
NIH GUIDE - Vol. 21, No. 11 - March 20, 1992
 
$$INDEX BEGIN *******************************************************
 
                               NOTICES
 
$$INDEX N1 **********************************************************
 
AVAILABILITY OF SHORT-TERM RESEARCH TRAINING POSITIONS ON INSTITUTIONAL
NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS FOR STUDENTS IN HEALTH-PROFESSIONAL
DEGREE PROGRAMS
National Institutes of Health
INDEX:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
 
$$INDEX N2 **********************************************************
 
MODIFICATION OF EXISTING REVIEW CRITERIA FOR NRSA INSTITUTIONAL
RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS
National Institutes of Health
INDEX:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
 
                NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)
 
$$INDEX R1 07/10/92 *************************************************
 
CLINICAL CORRELATIVE STUDIES IN SOLID TUMORS (RFA CA-92-12)
National Cancer Institute
INDEX:  CANCER
 
$$INDEX R2 **********************************************************
 
BI-COMPARTMENT TRANSDERMAL CONTRACEPTIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM (RFP NICHD-CD-
92-11)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
INDEX:  CHILD HEALTH, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
 
                    ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
$$INDEX P1 **********************************************************
 
CYTOKINES IN AUTOIMMUNITY (PA-92-54)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
INDEX:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES
 
$$INDEX P2 **********************************************************
 
EXERCISE-INDUCED FATIGUE IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (PA-92-55)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
INDEX:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES
 
$$INDEX P3 **********************************************************
 
NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARD INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS
(PA-92-56)
National Institutes of Health
INDEX:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
 
$$INDEX END *********************************************************
 
                               NOTICES
 
$$N1 BEGIN **********************************************************
 
AVAILABILITY OF SHORT-TERM RESEARCH TRAINING POSITIONS ON INSTITUTIONAL
NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS FOR STUDENTS IN HEALTH-PROFESSIONAL
DEGREE PROGRAMS
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 11, March 20, 1992
 
P.T. 44; K.W. 0720005, 0502000
 
National Institutes of Health
 
The NIH hereby announces the availability of short-term training
positions for health-professional students on National Research Service
Award (NRSA) predoctoral or postdoctoral institutional research
training grants (T32).  These short-term training positions are part of
a continuing effort to increase the involvement of physicians and other
clinically trained individuals in biomedical and behavioral research
and particularly clinical research.
 
Short-term research training positions are available to students in
schools that grant degrees in medicine, osteopathy, optometry,
pharmacy, dentistry, and chiropractic and veterinary medicine.  These
schools, for the purpose of this announcement, are termed health-
professional schools.  Short-term research training positions are
intended to provide health-professional students with an opportunity
for a time-limited exposure to research during "off-quarters" and
summer periods and an opportunity to consider a career in research.
Students selected for this program are encouraged to engage in at least
two but no more than four short-term training appointments during the
period of their professional predoctoral training.  The NIH may not
obligate more than 4 percent of the total NRSA budget on short-term
research training, consistent with P.L. 99-158.
 
Institutions may incorporate a request for short-term research training
positions into new or competing continuation institutional research
training grant applications beginning with the May 10, 1992 receipt
date.  Existing training grants with three or more years remaining in
the award period may request short-term training positions as a
competitive supplement for the September 10, 1992 and subsequent
receipt dates.  Prospective applicants are strongly advised to contact
the appropriate NIH program administrator for specific information
about application procedures and other special requirements.
 
Specific guidelines for short-term traineeships are as follows:
 
Eligibility:  Eligible trainees are those students who have completed
at least one quarter at an accredited health-professional school prior
to participating in the program.  Trainees need not be enrolled at the
applicant institution.  National Research Service Awards cannot be used
to support training which leads to the M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or
any other health professional degree.  Individuals holding an M.S. or
Ph.D. degree in the health sciences are not eligible for these awards.
Additionally, students matriculated in a formal program leading to an
M.S., a Ph.D., an M.D./Ph.D. or a similar research degree are not
eligible for short-term research training positions.  Within schools of
pharmacy, only individuals who are candidates for the Pharm.D. degree
are eligible.
 
Citizenship Requirements: Appointees must be citizens or noncitizen
nationals of the United States, or must have in their possession an
Alien Registration Receipt Card (1-151 or 1-551) at the time of
appointment.  Individuals on temporary or student visas are not
eligible.
 
Duration:  A given short-term appointment usually will not be shorter
than two months nor longer than three months.  Participating
institutions are encouraged to appoint trainees that are interested in
reappointments in future years, so that each student receives more than
one period of exposure to research training.  Future applications for
continued short-term training will be judged in part on the success of
the institution in achieving multiple quarter-year appointments for the
same student.  Thus, students in the final year of health-professional
training would not usually be eligible for a first appointment to a
short-term traineeship; exceptions to this policy may be requested from
the NIH awarding component.  Appointments longer than three months are
permissible, but, if a health-professional student plans to interrupt
his or her studies for a year or more of full-time research training,
a regular predoctoral position on the training grant should be used.
 
Effort:  Trainees must engage in full-time research training during the
period of the appointment.
 
Reporting Requirements:  In the same fashion as other trainees
appointed to research training grants, short-term trainees must
complete and return to the NIH a Statement of Appointment Form (Form
PHS 2271, revision 10/91) and a Payback Agreement Form (Form PHS 6031,
revision 10/91).  These forms must be completed and returned at the
beginning of each appointment or reappointment.  At the end of each
appointment, a Termination Notice (Form PHS 416-7, revision 10/91) must
be completed and returned to the NIH.
 
NRSA Service Payback Obligation:  Since the time spent in short-term
research training will usually total less than twelve months, short-
term trainees will usually have no service payback obligation.  The
time spent in NRSA support is, however, accrued along with any future
NRSA support in calculating the total service obligation.  This
obligation requires that any NRSA support in excess of twelve months be
repaid by an equal period of health-related research or health-related
teaching.  Short-term trainees, therefore, must be advised of the
service payback requirement before an appointment to the training grant
is offered.  Specific information about the NRSA service payback
requirement is available in the Guidelines for NRSA Individual Awards -
 Institutional Grants, NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 13, No.
1, January 6, 1984.
 
Number of Short-Term Training Positions on an Institutional Research
Training Grant:  The number of positions requested should be
coordinated with the NIH awarding component and must not interfere in
any way with the regular research training program.
 
Stipends:  Trainees appointed to short-term research training positions
will receive a stipend of $734 per month.
 
Training Related Expenses:  The institution may receive up to $125 per
month to offset the cost of tuition, fees, travel, supplies and other
expenses.  For these positions, tuition and fees cannot be requested
separately.
 
Indirect Costs:  An indirect cost allowance up to 8 percent of the
direct cost of the stipends for short-term research trainees will be
paid to the institution, consistent with NIH policy on Institutional
Research Training Grants.
 
Application Characteristics:  Applicants for research training grants
who wish to include a request for a short-term research training
program must use the instructions for Institutional Research Training
Grants included with Form PHS 398.  Information on the short-term
research training program must be included in the application for the
regular research training program, but should be separated from the
description of the regular program within each section of the
application.  In addition to the information requested in the section
called the Program Plan, the applicant should also address the
relationship of the proposed short-term program to the regular research
training program and provide assurance that the short-term program will
not detract from the regular program.  Applicants are reminded that the
25 page limit on the narrative section must be observed.
 
Review Criteria:  Review criteria for short-term training include:
 
o  the quality of the proposed short-term training program including
the commitment of the participating faculty, the program design, the
availability of research support, and the training environment,
 
o  access to candidates for short-term training and the ability to
recruit high quality short-term trainees from the applicant institution
or other health professional schools,
 
o  the characteristics of the training program that might be expected
to persuade short-term trainees to consider academic/research careers,
particularly in clinical areas,
 
o  the success in attracting students back for multiple short-term
appointments,
 
o  the effects of the short-term training program on the quality of the
regular research training program including the appropriateness of the
number of short-term positions, and the plan to integrate the short-
term training program into the regular research training program,
 
o  the plan to follow former trainees and assess the effect of such
training on their careers.
 
$$N1 END ************************************************************
 
$$N2 BEGIN **********************************************************
 
MODIFICATION OF EXISTING REVIEW CRITERIA FOR NRSA INSTITUTIONAL
RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 11, March 20, 1992
 
P.T. 44; K.W. 0720005, 1014006
 
National Institutes of Health
 
In October, 1989, the NIH issued a report titled the Review of the NIH
Biomedical Research Training Programs, hereafter called the Review,
which summarized the recommendations of three NIH Task Forces on
Research Training established by then NIH Director, Dr. James
Wyngaarden.  These Task Forces recognized the important role of the NIH
research training programs in the development of productive researchers
and the advancement of biomedical sciences.  They also reiterated the
NIH commitment to ensuring the training of an adequate number of
individuals with appropriate skills to meet future personnel needs in
biomedical research.  After a careful analysis of existing programs,
the Task Forces developed a series of recommendations designed to
enhance those aspects of institutional training programs known to be
correlated with the production of successful researchers.  Many of
these recommendations will be implemented by the modification of the
review criteria to emphasize the record of successfully placing former
trainees into research intensive positions.  The changes outlined in
this notice are designed to improve the efficiency of the NIH funded
research training programs.
 
The four policy changes listed here will be administered through the
initial review process.  Revised review criteria for all T32
institutional research training grants will be presented near the end
of this notice.  These criteria will be in place beginning with
applications received for the May 10, 1992 receipt date.  In some
cases, compliance with the revised policy will be phased in and
reviewers will be instructed to take the date of implementation into
account.  In other cases, the proposed modifications will not represent
a significant departure from existing policy.  Applicants are advised
to consult with the appropriate NIH program administrator to determine
the best way to emphasize information in their applications related to
these policy directives.  A clear presentation of related information
will facilitate the peer review process.
 
1.  Emphasize Past Performance of the Training Program at Review.
 
Background:  Based on information discussed in the Review, the single
best predictor of future success for a research training program is the
record of past performance in terms of producing trainees who remain
engaged in research careers.
 
Policy Implementation:  Program directors on all competing and non-
competing research training grants are expected to select postdoctoral
trainees who are genuinely interested in a career in research.
Additionally, postdoctoral trainees already appointed to research
training grants are expected to enter research careers after
termination.  Competing renewal applications submitted for the May 10,
1992 and subsequent receipt dates are to include detailed information
related to the activities of all trainees supported by the training
grant who have terminated during the last ten years as specified in the
instructions to Form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91).  In addition, non-competing
renewal applications are to contain information on research involvement
for all trainees who terminated during the previous budget period.
Evidence of research involvement should include information on
employment, publications, grants, and any other relevant information.
 
Review:  Beginning with competing renewal applications received for the
May 10, 1992 receipt date, reviewers will focus on the research
involvement of former NRSA trainees taking into consideration the date
of implementation of this policy.  Certainly, trainees appointed after
July 1, 1992 should have been informed about the purpose of NRSA
support and the expectation that a career in research is the
anticipated outcome.  Training programs in which there has been a
consistent pattern of transition to an active research career after
termination will be considered favorably at review.  On the other hand,
training programs in which few former trainees are participating in
research activities will be considered less meritorious.
 
2.  Minimum Two Year Training Periods for Health-Professional
Postdoctoral Trainees.
 
Background:  Data presented in the Review showed very clearly that
postdoctoral trainees with longer periods of appointment to an
institutional research training grant were more likely to apply for and
receive PHS research grant support.  This trend was especially
pronounced for postdoctoral trainees with the M.D. degree.  The NIH is,
therefore, emphasizing a policy that encourages all health-professional
postdoctoral trainees appointed to a research training grant to commit
at least two years to research or research training.  For the purpose
of this policy, individuals who have the M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or
similar clinically related doctoral degrees are considered to be
health-professionals.
 
The Review also recognized that it would be inappropriate to limit all
trainees to appointments on research training grants that last two or
more years because there may be other more appropriate training and
research opportunities available.  In some cases, for example, it may
be appropriate for a postdoctoral trainee to obtain a second year of
support from an individual fellowship, from a career award, or from a
research grant(*).  The important concept, however, is that more than
one year of postdoctoral research experience is necessary to develop an
independent research career.
 
* The National Eye Institute encourages postdoctoral trainees to obtain
other support for the second and subsequent years of postdoctoral
research experience.
 
Policy Implementation:  Beginning with competing and non-competing
training grants made from fiscal year 1992 funds, training program
directors will be expected to be more selective in appointments to
research training grants so that appointments to be filled by health-
professional postdoctoral trainees are preferentially given to
individuals who are willing to engage in a research career and are
willing to devote at least two years to research training or some other
research related activity.  Additionally, health-professional
postdoctoral trainees who are currently appointed to positions on
training grants are to be strongly encouraged to remain in research or
research training for at least two years.
 
Applications for competing renewal research training grants beginning
with the May 10, 1992 deadline are to include information on the
duration of appointment for all trainees who have terminated during the
previous 10 years.  For each trainee who terminated before receiving at
least two years of research training, the application must also contain
an explanation for the short appointment and whether the former
trainee's activities subsequent to termination involved research or
additional research training.
 
Non-competing T32 applications submitted on or after September 10, 1991
must also contain information on the duration of support for all NRSA
trainees that terminated during the previous budget period.  Support
periods of less than two years must be followed by an explanation of
post-termination activities in the narrative section.
 
Review:  Beginning with competing renewal applications received for the
May 10, 1992 receipt date, reviewers will consider the duration of
research training and other research activities in the determination of
quality.  If there is a consistent pattern of appointment of health-
professional postdoctoral trainees for periods less than two years with
no indication of subsequent research involvement, it will detract from
the assessed merit of the grant application.  Of course, the Initial
Review Group will take into consideration the date this policy was
implemented.  For example, all appointments made after July 1, 1992
should reflect compliance with this policy.  The duration of the
research or research training experience for health professional
trainees will also be considered in non-competing research training
grants received after May 10, 1992.
 
3.  Encourage Postdoctoral Trainees to Apply for Independent Training
or Career Development Support After Training on an Institutional
Research Training Grant.
 
Background:  Several studies on career patterns of former NRSA
recipients have shown that individuals who compete for and receive
individual postdoctoral fellowship support are more likely to apply for
and receive PHS research grant support than individuals supported
solely on research training grants.  It is, therefore, in the best
interest of postdoctoral trainees to move from a training grant
experience to an individual support mechanism such as an individual
postdoctoral fellowship, a clinical investigator award, a FIRST award,
or a physician/dental scientist award at an appropriate time.  It is
felt that in many cases postdoctoral trainees will be ready for this
transition after completion of one or two years of research training on
a research training grant.  At that point, most postdoctoral trainees
are still in need of further supervised research experience but they
should have gained the ability to contribute substantially to the
development of a competitive application for individual support.
Obviously, health-professional postdoctoral trainees engaged in
training leading to a graduate degree might require longer periods of
support from a research training grant.
 
Policy Implementation:  By one year from implementation of this policy
(May 1993), program directors of research training grants should have
established a record of encouraging postdoctoral trainees, who have had
one or more years of support from the research training grant, to apply
for individual support for further research training or career
development.   Applicants for competing renewal research training
grants are advised to document instances in which trainees have
converted to individual support mechanisms such as fellowships,
research grants, and career awards.  Applications for non-competing
renewals should indicate instances of transfer to individual funding
for all trainees who terminated during the previous budget period.
 
Review of Applications:  Reviewers will be instructed to examine
renewal applications for evidence that postdoctoral trainees have been
encouraged to convert to individual support mechanisms.  A pattern of
application for or receipt of individual fellowships, career awards, or
research grants after termination will be considered favorably at
review.
 
4.  When Health-Professionals are included in a postdoctoral research
training program, the training program will be given special
consideration during review if the program incorporates concomitant
training of health-professionals with individuals trained in the basic
sciences (e.g., individuals with the Ph.D.).  Background:  Data
discussed in the Review indicate that M.D. trainees who are supported
on training grants that include Ph.D. trainees are more likely to apply
for and receive independent NIH research support than M.D. trainees who
train only with other M.D. trainees.  It was therefore recommended that
training programs which in the past have exclusively supported
postdoctoral research training for health-professionals should consider
shifting the focus of the program to include more fundamental
approaches in order to attract Ph.D.s. The overall objective is to
enhance the focus on research and research related activities in order
to improve the likelihood that the health-professionals who finish the
training program will have had sufficient experience to launch an
independent research career.
 
Policy Implementation:  Beginning with all institutional research
training grants received for the May 10, 1992 receipt date, program
directors on training grants that typically train health-professional
postdoctoral trainees should consider modifying the training
environment in order to make the program more attractive to individuals
interested in basic research questions.  For example, an integration of
training for M.D.s and Ph.D.s could be achieved by developing active
linkages with basic science departments through joint appointments for
the training faculty or by creating training experiences that involve
collaboration between the clinical department and basic science
departments.  Other modifications of the program to increase the
exposure of health-professional trainees to basic research should also
be considered.  One measure of success would be the appointment of
postdoctoral trainee(s) with the Ph.D. or equivalent degrees.  It is
recognized that such an integration may not be feasible for all
training programs.
 
Review:  Initial Review Groups will evaluate the program plan to assess
whether or not trainees with health-professional doctorates receive a
proper grounding in basic sciences and are provided with exposure to
basic biomedical or behavioral research during the training period.
Initial Review Groups will also consider the appropriateness of such
plans to the overall goals and focus of the training program.  When
appropriate, the establishment of linkages with basic science
departments and the concomitant postdoctoral training of physicians or
dentists with individuals with doctorates in the basic sciences
(Ph.D.s) will be considered as one indicator of a meritorious research
training program.
 
COMBINED, MODIFIED REVIEW CRITERIA
 
These four policy modifications will result in an increased emphasis on
the past success of the training program in producing biomedical or
behavioral researchers.  Beginning with applications received for the
May 10, 1992 receipt date, initial review groups will consider the
following criteria when assessing the merit of a research training
grant application:
 
o  Past research training record for both the program and the
designated preceptors in terms of the rate at which former trainees
establish independent and productive research careers
 
o  Past research training record in terms of the success of former
trainees in obtaining individual awards such as fellowships, career
awards, and research grants for further development
 
o  Objectives, design, and direction of the research training program
 
o  Caliber of preceptors as researchers including successful
competition for research support
 
o  Training environment including the institutional commitment, the
quality of the facilities, and the availability of research support
 
o  Recruitment and selection plans for appointees and the availability
of high quality candidates
 
o  The record of the research training program in retaining health-
professional postdoctoral trainees for at least two years in research
training or other research activities
 
o  When appropriate, the concomitant training of health-professional
postdoctorates (e.g., individuals with the M.D., D.O., D.D.S.) with
basic science postdoctorates (e.g., individuals with a Ph.D., Sci.D.)
will receive special consideration
 
$$N2 END ************************************************************
 
                NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)
 
$$R1 BEGIN CA-92-12 FULL-TEXT ***************************************
 
CLINICAL CORRELATIVE STUDIES IN SOLID TUMORS
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 11, March 20, 1992
 
RFA AVAILABLE:  CA-92-12
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715035, 0745005, 0795005, 0745020
 
National Cancer Institute
 
Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  May 29, 1992
Application Receipt Date:  July 10, 1992
 
THE REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA) ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION.  POTENTIAL
APPLICANTS MAY OBTAIN THE RFA FROM THE CONTACT NAMED IN INQUIRIES,
BELOW.
 
PURPOSE
 
The Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the Division of Cancer
Treatment (DCT) and the Cancer Diagnosis Branch (CDB) of the Division
of Cancer Biology, Diagnosis and Centers (DCBDC) at the National Cancer
Institute (NCI) invite applications for cooperative agreements from
institutions or consortia, such as DCT Clinical Trials Cooperative
Groups, capable of and interested in performing clinical correlative
studies with new prognostic factors ready for large scale evaluation.
These factors must be relevant to the cancer treatment or clinical
outcome of patients with solid tumors.  It is essential for
institutions to have access to sufficient numbers of patients on phase
III clinical protocols to be able to test correlative hypotheses.
 
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000
 
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This RFA,
Clinical Correlative Studies in Solid Tumors, is related to the
priority area of cancer.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of
"Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or
"Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1)
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202/783-3238).
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
Applications may be submitted by domestic non-profit and for-profit
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and
eligible agencies of the Federal government.  Applications may be
submitted from one institution or may include arrangements with one or
more additional institutions, if appropriate.  Applications from
minority individuals and women are encouraged.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
Support of this program will be through the cooperative agreement
(U01), an assistance mechanism in which substantial NCI programmatic
involvement with the recipient during performance of the planned
activity is anticipated.  Applicants will be responsible for the
planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project.  Except as
otherwise stated in the RFA, awards will be administered under PHS
grants policy as stated in the Public Health Service Grants Policy
Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 90-50,000, revised October 1,
1990.
 
This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  However, should it be determined
that there is a sufficient continuing program need, the NCI will invite
recipients of awards under this RFA to submit competitive continuation
cooperative agreement applications for review.
 
FUNDS AVAILABLE
 
Approximately $2,000,000 in total costs per year for four years will be
committed to fund applications submitted in response to this RFA.  This
funding level is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of
applications of high scientific merit.  It is anticipated that ten to
twelve awards will be made. The total project period for applications
submitted in response to the present RFA may not exceed four years.
The earliest feasible start date for the initial awards will be April
1993. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of
the NCI, the award of cooperative agreements pursuant to this RFA is
also contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
The objectives of this RFA are to foster collaborations and
interactions between basic researchers and clinical investigators in
the advancement of therapeutic clinical research and to conduct
correlative studies in solid tumors on new prognostic factors that are
ready for large-scale evaluation.  The CTEP and the CDB invite
cooperative agreement applications from institutions or consortia, such
as the DCT Clinical Trials Cooperative Groups and the NCI Cancer
Centers, capable of and interested in performing clinical correlative
studies relevant to cancer treatment or clinical outcome in patients
with solid tumors.
 
Solid tumors, e.g., breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, upper
aerodigestive, ovary, bladder, pancreas, melanoma, stomach, kidney, and
rarer tumors such as pediatric and adult brain and sarcoma, which are
relevant to this RFA, account for significant cancer incidence,
morbidity and mortality.  Special consideration will be given to
studies with colorectal, breast, ovarian, lung, and prostate tumors.
Institution applications are expected to be focused on a specific solid
tumor.  Applicants may propose to undertake several correlative studies
relevant to the specific solid tumor during the grant funding period
(up to four years).  An individual scientist or a consortia of
institutions may be included on more than one application.
 
The correlative studies should be based on strong and testable
hypotheses.  A clear rationale must be given for the experimental
design and technical methodologies selected.  The hypotheses tested
must relate to potential clinical applications such as development of
new treatment strategies or identification of patient subsets for
specific treatment approaches.  Preliminary data from appropriate tumor
models or analysis of patient specimens must be provided to support the
feasibility of each study.  Assays must have already been demonstrated
to be applicable to tissue samples and/or body fluids.  The laboratory
assays must utilize tumor specimens from patients receiving defined
treatments in large clinical trials such as phase III clinical
protocols.  Applications will be considered responsive only if
investigators have access to sufficient numbers of patient specimens.
All investigators are encouraged to work with multi-center
organizations or form a consortium of institutions in order to access
sufficient numbers of patients and clinical information to test the
proposed hypotheses.  To coordinate the above activities, each
institution must have access to a Central Operations Office and
Statistical Center as defined in the RFA.
 
The cooperative approach outlined in this RFA allows for interactions
among successful applicants and is designed to optimize use of patient
resources, tissues, reagents, and methods.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
 
The RFA describes the complete terms for this cooperative agreement
including terms of cooperation, nature of participation by NCI staff,
responsibilities of the awardees, and the arbitration process to
resolve disputes.  Special instructions for preparation of cooperative
agreement applications are also included.
 
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL
RESEARCH STUDIES
 
For projects involving clinical research, NIH requires applicants to
give special attention to the inclusion of women and minorities in
study populations.  If women or minorities are not included in the
study populations for clinical studies, a specific justification for
this exclusion must be provided. Applications without such
documentation will not be accepted for review.
 
LETTER OF INTENT
 
Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by May 29, 1992, a letter
of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research,
the name and address of the Principal Investigator, the names of other
key personnel, the participating institutions, and the number and title
of the RFA in response to which the application is being submitted.
Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does
not enter into the review of subsequent applications, it is requested
in order to provide an indication of the number and scope of
applications to be reviewed.
 
The letter of intent is to be sent to:
 
Ms. Diane Bronzert
Program Director, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza North, Room 734
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-8866
FAX:  (301) 480-4663
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
Applications must be received by July 10, 1992.  The research grant
application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used in applying for
cooperative agreements.  These forms are available at most
institutional business offices; from the Office of Grants Inquiries,
Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Room 449,
Westwood Building, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone
(301) 496-7441; and from the NCI Program Director named below.
 
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
 
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by the Division of Research
Grants for completeness.  Incomplete applications will be returned to
the applicant without further consideration.  Evaluation for
responsiveness to the program requirements and criteria stated in the
RFA is an NCI program staff function.  Applications that are judged
non-responsive will be returned to the applicant.  Questions concerning
the responsiveness of proposed research to the RFA are to be directed
to program staff (see INQUIRIES).  Applications may be triaged by an
NCI peer review group on the basis of relative competitiveness.  The
NCI will withdraw from further competition those applications judged to
be noncompetitive for award and notify the applicant and institutional
business official.  Those applications judged to be both competitive
and responsive will be further evaluated for scientific and technical
merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the Division of
Extramural Activities, NCI.  The second level of review will be
provided by the National Cancer Advisory Board.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Written and telephone requests for the RFA and the opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants are welcome.
 
Direct requests for the RFA and inquiries regarding programmatic issues
to:
 
Ms. Diane Bronzert
Program Director, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
Division of Cancer Treatment
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza North, Room 734
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-8866
FAX:  (301) 480-4663
 
or
 
Dr. Sheila E. Taube
Chief, Cancer Diagnosis Branch
Division of Cancer Biology, Diagnosis and Centers
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza South, Room 638
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-1591
FAX:  (301) 402-1037
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Ms. Mable Lam
Grants Management Specialist
Grants Administration Branch
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza South, Room 242
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7800, ext. 48
FAX:  (301) 496-8601
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No 93.395, Cancer Treatment Research.  Awards are made under
authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV Sections 301,
410, and 411, Part A (Public Law 78-410, 42 USC 241 as amended, Public
Law 99-158, 42 USC 285a) and administered under PHS grants policies and
Federal Regulations at 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program
is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of
Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.
 
$$R1 END ************************************************************
 
$$R2 BEGIN NICHD-CD-92-11 *******************************************
 
BI-COMPARTMENT TRANSDERMAL CONTRACEPTIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 11, March 20, 1992
 
RFP AVAILABLE:  NICHD-CD-92-11
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0750020, 0740021, 0760025
 
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
 
The Contraceptive Development Branch, Center for Population Research,
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, has a
requirement for the development of a bi-compartment transdermal
contraceptive system capable of delivering a progestin from one
compartment and an estrogen from the other compartment in such a way
that the delivery of progestin(s) will be independent of the delivery
of the estrogen and vice versa.  The overall size of the bi-compartment
transdermal contraceptive system should be about 10cm2.
 
The objective of the project is to design and develop a transdermal
contraceptive system that will have the potential of (1) using one of
the several progestins currently used in various oral contraceptive
formulations and estradiol-17beta as the estrogen, (2) delivering the
progestin or the estrogen alone, and (3) changing the delivery of the
progestin(s) and/or the estrogen without affecting the delivery of the
other drug.  The blood concentration of the contraceptive drug(s) must
be comparable to that achieved through oral contraceptive regimen(s)
containing that progestin.
 
Organizations (and their collaborators, if any) must have adequate
facilities to perform all necessary in vitro and in vivo animal studies
preliminary to filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application
with the Food and Drug Administration, conduct Phase I Clinical
Studies, and supply a sufficient number of the bi-compartment
transdermal delivery systems for Phase II studies.  The Phase II
studies will not be a part of this project.
 
This announcement is not a Request for Proposals (RFP).  The RFP will
be issued on or about March 20, 1992.  Proposals will be due
approximately 60 days thereafter.  NICHD expects to fund two contracts
from this solicitation.  Copies of RFP may be obtained by sending
written requests to:
 
Paul J. Duska, Contracting Officer
Contracts Management Branch, OGC
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Executive Plaza North, Room 610
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD  20892-9903
FAX:  (301) 402-0915
 
$$R2 END ************************************************************
 
                    ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
$$P1 BEGIN PA-92-54 *************************************************
 
CYTOKINES IN AUTOIMMUNITY
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 11, March 20, 1992
 
PA NUMBER:  PA-92-54
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715015, 0740023, 0760020, 0765033
 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
 
PURPOSE
 
The Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT) of the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a
component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites research
project grant applications (R01 and R29) for support of basic studies
on the involvement of cytokines in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune
diseases and on their use as modulators of disease initiation and
activity.
 
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000
 
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This Program
Announcement, Cytokines in Autoimmunity, is related to the priority
area of diabetes and chronic disabling diseases. Potential applicants
may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy  People 2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-0325 (telephone 202-783-3238).
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
Research grant applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign,
for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as
universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State or
local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal Government.
Applications from minority individuals and women are encouraged.
Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply for the First
Investigator Research Support Transition (FIRST) Award (R29).
 
MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
 
The mechanisms of support will be the individual research project grant
(R01) and the First Investigator Research Support Transition (FIRST)
Award (R29).  Policies that govern research grant programs of the
National Institutes of Health will prevail.
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
During the last ten years, there have been great advances in the
understanding of the biology and biochemistry of cytokines and of the
mechanisms leading to autoimmune diseases.  However, the precise role
that cytokines have in susceptibility to, and promotion, initiation,
and perpetuation of, autoimmune responses and induction of tissue
injury remain largely unknown.  One of the goals of the NIAID in this
area is to promote research to achieve a better understanding of the
pathogenic role of cytokines in self reactivity and autoimmune
diseases.  This knowledge will make a critical contribution to advance
the opportunities for the development of new, specific and effective
therapies for autoimmune diseases.
 
Areas of interest include:
 
o  Identification and characterization of known and newly discovered
cytokines involved in proliferation and function of autoreactive B
cells
 
o  Analysis of cytokine involvement in the regulation of MHC
molecule-self peptide expression in lymphoid cells and target tissues
 
o  Regulation of autoreactive T-cell functions by cytokines
 
o  Studies of cytokine effects on the generation and function of CD5+
B cells
 
o  Characterization of cytokine production and cytokine responses in
monocytes and macrophages from autoimmune individuals
 
o  Research on cytokine signal transduction pathways in autoreactive
cells
 
o  Studies on the role of cytokines in the induction or acceleration of
disease in the autoimmune prone host
 
o  Studies on cytokine receptor modulation as a means of affecting
disease development
 
o  Identification of the cytokine cascades leading to focal
inflammation
 
o  Effects of cytokines and cytokine antagonists in tissue injury and
repair during autoimmune diseases
 
STUDY POPULATIONS
 
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF NIH
POLICIES CONCERNING INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL
RESEARCH STUDY POPULATIONS
 
NIH and ADAMHA policy is that applicants for NIH/ADAMHA clinical
research grants and cooperative agreements are required to include
minorities and women in study populations so that research findings can
be of benefit to all persons at risk of the disease, disorder or
condition under study; special emphasis must be placed on the need for
inclusion of minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders and
conditions that disproportionately affect them.  This policy is
intended to apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or
minorities are excluded or inadequately represented in clinical
research, particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear
compelling rationale must be provided.
 
The composition of the proposed study population must be described in
terms of gender and racial/ethnic group.  In addition, gender and
racial/ethnic issues should be addressed in developing a research
design and sample size appropriate for the scientific objectives of the
study.  This information must be included in the form PHS 398 in
Section 2, 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 2, E.
Human Subjects.  Applicants/offerors are urged to assess carefully the
feasibility of including the broadest possible representation of
minority groups.  However, NIH recognizes that it may not be feasible
or appropriate in all research projects to include representation of
the full array of United States racial/ethnic minority populations
(i.e., Native Americans (including American Indians or Alaskan
Natives), Asian/Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics).  The rationale
for studies on single minority population groups must be provided.
 
For the purpose of this policy, clinical research is defined as human
biomedical and behavioral studies of etiology, epidemiology, prevention
(and preventive strategies), diagnosis, or treatment of diseases,
disorders or conditions, including but not limited to clinical trials.
 
The usual NIH policies concerning research on human subjects also
apply.  Basic research or clinical studies in which human tissues
cannot be identified or linked to individuals are excluded.  However,
every effort should be made to include human tissues from women and
racial/ethnic minorities when it is important to apply the results of
the study broadly, and this should be addressed by applicants.
 
For foreign awards, the policy on inclusion of women applies fully;
since the definition of minority differs in other countries, the
applicant must discuss the relevance of research involving foreign
population groups to the United States' populations, including
minorities.
 
If the required information is not contained within the application,
the review will be deferred until the information is provided.
 
Peer reviewers will address specifically whether the research plan in
the application conforms to these policies.  If the representation of
women or minorities in a study design is inadequate to answer the
scientific question(s) addressed AND the justification for the selected
study population is inadequate, it will be considered a scientific
weakness or deficiency in the study design and will be reflected in
assigning the priority score to the application.
 
All applications for clinical research submitted to NIH are required to
address these policies.  NIH funding components will not award grants
or cooperative agreements that do not comply with these policies.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
Applicants are to use the standard research grant application form PHS
398 (rev. 9/91).  For purposes of identification and processing, check
yes on item 2 of the face page and enter the title:  "PA-92-54:
Cytokines in Autoimmunity".  Applications will be accepted in
accordance with the standard submission dates for new applications:
February 1, June 1, and October 1.
 
Application kits are available at most institutional business offices
and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of
Research Grants, Westwood Building, Room 449, National Institutes of
Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 496-7441.
 
The completed original application and five legible copies must be sent
or delivered to:
 
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**
 
REVIEW PROCEDURES
 
Applications will be assigned on the basis of established Public Health
Service referral guidelines.  Applications will be reviewed for
scientific and technical merit by study sections of the Division of
Research Grants, NIH, in accordance with the standard NIH peer review
procedures.  Following scientific-technical review, the applications
will receive a second-level review by an appropriate national advisory
council or board.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved
applications.  The following will be considered in making funding
decisions: quality of the proposed project as determined by peer
review, availability of funds, and program balance among research areas
of the announcement.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Requests for additional information or questions regarding the
programmatic
aspects of this PA may be directed to:
 
Dr. S. Serrate-Sztein
Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4A20
Bethesda, MD 20892 (20852 if using overnight delivery services)
Telephone:  (301) 496-7985
or
 
Dr. M. Michele Hogan
Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4A20
Bethesda, MD 20892 (20852 if using overnight delivery services)
Telephone:  (301) 496-7551
FAX:  (301) 402-0175
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Mr. Jeffrey Carow
Chief, Immunology Grants Management Section, GMB, DEA
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4B29
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7075
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance, No. 93.855 - Immunology, Allergic and Immunologic Diseases
Research.  Grants are awarded under the authority of the Public Health
Service Act, Section 301 (42 USC 241) and administered under PHS grants
policies and Federal Regulations, most specifically at 42 CFR Part 52
and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems Agency review.
 
$$P1 END ************************************************************
 
$$P2 BEGIN PA-92-55 *************************************************
 
EXERCISE-INDUCED FATIGUE IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 11, March 20, 1992
 
PA NUMBER:  PA-92-55
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715043, 0745030, 0765033, 0745020
 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases invites
investigator-initiated research grant applications to explore
biologically rational hypotheses concerning exercise-induced fatigue
and/or pathogenesis in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients.  The
purpose is to gain an understanding of the biologic basis of CFS in
humans.  Such an understanding could lead to the development of
diagnostic markers and therapeutic interventions.
 
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000
 
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This program
announcement, Exercise-Induced Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is
related to the priority area of immunization and infectious diseases.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full
Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary
Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC  20402-0325
(telephone 202-783-3238).
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
Research grant applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign,
for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private, such as
universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and
local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal Government.
Applications from minority individuals and women are encouraged.
Foreign institutions are not eligible for the First Independent
Research Support and Transition (FIRST) award (R29).
 
MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
 
Applications considered appropriate responses to this announcement are
the traditional research project grant (R01) and the FIRST Award (R29).
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
o  Background
 
CFS is a multisystem syndrome suspected to be triggered by viral
infection and characterized by months of debilitating fatigue
frequently associated with sore throat, low grade fever, myalgia,
headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, and tender lymph nodes.  Cognitive
deficits, symptoms of depression, and sleep disorder have been
reported, and abnormal brain images derived by different techniques
have been described.  CFS patients are reported to have neuroendocrine
response patterns that differ from those of controls.  CFS is diagnosed
more frequently in women than in men.  Patients have a high prevalence
of allergies and profiles of T-cell subsets indicate a state of immune
activation in severely ill patients.  There have been numerous reports
of specific immune dysfunctions, but no single impairment has been
regularly associated with the syndrome.  Similarly, viruses from
several taxonomic groups have been reported to be involved, but none as
yet has been confirmed to be consistently associated with disease onset
or progression.
 
Many clinical investigators consider the profound fatigue induced by
exercise to be an essential feature of the illness.  Studies that
follow-up on this clinical observation have the potential to provide
important insights into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of CFS.
 
o  Research Objectives and Experimental Approaches
 
Well-controlled studies with adequate sample sizes are sought to
uncover the basis for the debilitating fatigue that follows moderate
exercise in CFS patients.  For example, it has been postulated that
exercise triggers an acquired or inherent exaggerated cytokine
responsiveness.  This hypothesis is amenable to testing in
exercise-challenge studies of CFS patients.  Studies to develop
algorithms for standardized characterization and comparison of cytokine
responsiveness are within the scope of this announcement.  Animal
studies also are sought that attempt to identify factors associated
with viral or other infectious diseases, which predispose to the
development of exercise intolerance.  Development of animal models
would provide the opportunity to critically evaluate other hypotheses
related to the pathological consequences of an over-reactive cytokine
response.
 
In clinical studies, clearly specified inclusion and exclusion criteria
for case definition are essential [Holmes, et. al., Annals of Internal
Medicine: 108, 387-389, 1988].  The proportion of women in patient
study groups should be at least 50 percent.  Attention must be given to
control for the variables, including disease activity, that impact on
the parameters under study.
 
Investigators are referred to a supplement to Reviews of Infectious
Diseases that is devoted to considerations in the design of studies of
CFS and the choice of methodologies [Reviews of Infectious Diseases,
Vol. 13, Supplement 1, January 1991].
 
Applicants from institutions that have a General Clinical Research
Center (GCRC) funded by the NIH National Center for Research Resources
may wish to identify the GCRC as a resource for conducting the proposed
research.  In such a case, a letter of agreement from either the GCRC
program director or Principal Investigator must be included with the
application.
 
STUDY POPULATIONS
 
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF NIH
POLICIES CONCERNING INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL
RESEARCH STUDY POPULATIONS
 
NIH and ADAMHA policy is that applicants for NIH/ADAMHA clinical
research grants and cooperative agreements are required to include
minorities and women in study populations so that research findings can
be of benefit to all persons at risk of the disease, disorder or
condition under study; special emphasis must be placed on the need for
inclusion of minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders and
conditions that disproportionately affect them.  This policy is
intended to apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or
minorities are excluded or inadequately represented in clinical
research, particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear
compelling rationale must be provided.
 
The composition of the proposed study population must be described in
terms of gender and racial/ethnic group.  In addition, gender and
racial/ethnic issues should be addressed in developing a research
design and sample size appropriate for the scientific objectives of the
study.  This information must be included in the form PHS 398 in
Section 2, 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 2, E.
Human Subjects.  Applicants/offerors are urged to assess carefully the
feasibility of including the broadest possible representation of
minority groups.  However, NIH recognizes that it may not be feasible
or appropriate in all research projects to include representation of
the full array of United States racial/ethnic minority populations
(i.e., Native Americans (including American Indians or Alaskan
Natives), Asian/Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics).  The rationale
for studies on single minority population groups must be provided.
 
For the purpose of this policy, clinical research is defined as human
biomedical and behavioral studies of etiology, epidemiology, prevention
(and preventive strategies), diagnosis, or treatment of diseases,
disorders or conditions, including but not limited to clinical trials.
 
The usual NIH policies concerning research on human subjects also
apply.  Basic research or clinical studies in which human tissues
cannot be identified or linked to individuals are excluded.  However,
every effort should be made to include human tissues from women and
racial/ethnic minorities when it is important to apply the results of
the study broadly, and this should be addressed by applicants.
 
For foreign awards, the policy on inclusion of women applies fully;
since the definition of minority differs in other countries, the
applicant must discuss the relevance of research involving foreign
population groups to the United States' populations, including
minorities.
 
If the required information is not contained within the application,
the review will be deferred until the information is provided.
 
Peer reviewers will address specifically whether the research plan in
the application conforms to these policies.  If the representation of
women or minorities in a study design is inadequate to answer the
scientific question(s) addressed AND the justification for the selected
study population is inadequate, it will be considered a scientific
weakness or deficiency in the study design and will be reflected in
assigning the priority score to the application.
 
All applications for clinical research submitted to NIH are required to
address these policies.  NIH funding components will not award grants
or cooperative agreements that do not comply with these policies.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
Applications are to be submitted on the research grant application form
PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) and will be accepted at the standard application
deadlines indicated in the application kit.  Application kits are
available at most institutional business offices and may be obtained
from the Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants,
National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda,
MD  20892, telephone (301) 496-7441.  On the first (face) page, item
2a, of the application, the word "Yes" must be checked and the title
and number of the announcement typed in the space provided:  PA-92-55:
EXERCISE-INDUCED FATIGUE IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME.
 
The original and five legible copies of the application should be sent
or delivered to:
 
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**
 
REVIEW PROCEDURES
 
Applications submitted in response to this announcement will be
assigned on the basis of established Public Health Service Referral
Guidelines.  Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical
merit by study sections of the Division of Research Grants, NIH, and in
accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures.  Following
scientific-technical review of the applications a secondary review will
be by the appropriate national advisory council or board.
 
AWARD CRITERIA
 
Applications will compete for available funds with all other R01 and
R29 applications considered to have significant and substantial merit.
The following will be considered when making funding decisions:
relative scientific merit, program relevance, availability of funds.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
 
Ann Schluederberg, Sc.D.
Chief, Virology Branch
Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 3A16
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7453
Fax:  (301) 402-0804
 
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
 
Mr. Todd Ball
Chief, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases GM Section
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4B35
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7075
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.856, Microbiology and Infectious Disease Research.  Grants will
be awarded under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Title
III, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42 USC 241) and
administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations at 42
CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems Agency review.
 
$$P2 END ************************************************************
 
$$P3 BEGIN PA-92-56 *************************************************
 
NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARD INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS
 
NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 11, March 20, 1992
 
PA NUMBER:  PA-92-56
 
P.T. 44; K.W. 0720005
 
National Institutes of Health
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will award National Research
Service Award (NRSA) institutional grants (T32) to eligible
institutions to develop or enhance research training opportunities for
individuals, selected by the institution, who are training for careers
in specified areas of biomedical and behavioral research.  The purpose
of the NRSA program is to help ensure that highly trained scientists
are available in adequate numbers and in the appropriate research areas
and fields to carry out the nation's biomedical and behavioral research
agenda.
 
Preapplication consultation with NIH is highly desirable, especially
where predoctoral or short-term training is planned.  Contacts are
listed in the section on Inquiries, below.  Brief descriptions of
institutional NRSA research training programs at other Public Health
Service Agencies are also listed below.
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
For Institutions
 
Domestic non-profit private or public institutions may apply for grants
to support research training programs.  The applicant institution must
have, or be able to develop, the staff and facilities required for the
proposed program.  The training program director at the institution
will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees to
receive NRSA support and for the overall direction of the program.
 
For Trainees
 
The individual to be trained must be a citizen or a non-citizen
national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for
permanent residence (i.e., in possession of the Alien Registration
Receipt Card I-551 or I-151) at the time of appointment.  Individuals
on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
 
Predoctoral Trainees
 
Predoctoral trainees on regular research training appointments must
have received a baccalaureate degree as of the beginning date of their
NRSA appointment, and must be training at the postbaccalaureate level
in a program leading to the award of a doctor of philosophy of science
or an equivalent degree.  National Research Service Awards cannot be
used to support courses which are required for the M.D., D.O., D.D.S.,
D.V.M., or any other similar health-professional degree.  Individuals
who wish to interrupt their medical, veterinary, dental, optometry or
other professional school studies for a year or more to engage in
full-time research training before completing their professional
degrees are eligible; however, prior approval by the NIH is required
before such individuals may be appointed to the NRSA institutional
research training grant.
 
Postdoctoral Trainees
 
Postdoctoral individuals must have received, as of the beginning date
of the NRSA appointment, a Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., O.D.,
D.P.M., Sc.D., Eng.D., Dr.P.H., D.N.S., or equivalent degree from an
accredited domestic or foreign institution.  Certification by an
authorized official of the degree granting institution that all degree
requirements have been met is acceptable.
 
Individuals with health-professional degrees appointed to postdoctoral
positions are expected to engage in at least two years of research or
research training beginning at the time of appointment.  After one or
two years of research training support, most postdoctoral trainees
should be encouraged to seek support for further supervised research
experience through individual awards.  Such individual awards could
include, but are not limited to, individual postdoctoral fellowships,
Physician Scientist Awards, Dental Scientist Awards, Clinical
Investigator Awards, Clinical Investigator Development Awards, or
research grants.  It is recognized that transfer to an individual award
may not be appropriate for some postdoctoral trainees such as those
engaged in research training leading to a graduate degree.  In any
case, the review of competing renewal applications for research
training programs will include a rigorous review of the ability of the
training program to retain individual trainees for at least two years
of research or research training experience.  Additionally, the ability
of the training program to direct postdoctoral trainees into individual
support mechanisms and eventually into independent research careers
will be carefully examined at review.
 
Short-Term Health Professional Trainees
 
Students enrolled in a school of medicine, osteopathy, optometry,
pharmacy, chiropractic, dentistry, public health, or veterinary
medicine who have completed at least one quarter and are willing to
engage in full-time research training for up to three months are
eligible for appointment to short-term positions on an institutional
research training grant.  Individuals holding an M.S., a Ph.D., or an
M.D./Ph.D. degree or an equivalent graduate level research degree are
not eligible for short-term training positions.  Similarly, individuals
matriculated in a formal program leading to an M.S., a Ph.D., an
M.D./Ph.D. or a comparable graduate level research degree are not
eligible for short-term training positions.  Within schools of
pharmacy, only individuals who are candidates for the Pharm.D. degree
are eligible.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
General Provisions
 
Levels of Training
 
Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Research Training:  Applications will be
accepted for predoctoral or postdoctoral research training.
Predoctoral research training must be at the postbaccalaureate level
and must lead to the Ph.D. or a comparable doctorate degree.
Postdoctoral research training is for individuals who have received an
M.D., a Ph.D. or comparable doctoral degrees.  Predoctoral research
training will emphasize fundamental training in the basic disciplinary
areas while training at the postdoctoral level will emphasize
specialized training to meet national research priorities.  Training
grants are a desirable mechanism for the postdoctoral training of
physicians and other health-professionals whose doctoral training
usually involves only limited research experience.  For such
individuals, the training may be a part of a research degree program,
but in all cases, health-professional postdoctoral trainees should
agree to engage in at least two years of research, research training,
or comparable experiences beginning at the time of appointment.
 
Short-Term Research Training Positions for Health-Professional Students
 
Beginning with the May 10, 1992 receipt date, applications for NRSA
institutional research training grants which request support for
regular predoctoral and/or postdoctoral research training may also
request short-term positions reserved specifically to train medical or
other health-professional students on a full-time basis during the
summer or other "off quarter" periods.  Short-term appointments are
intended to provide health-professional students with opportunities to
participate in biomedical and/or behavioral research in an effort to
attract these individuals into research careers.
 
To be eligible for short-term research training positions, health-
professional students must have completed at least one quarter in a
program leading to a doctorate at an accredited school of medicine,
osteopathy, optometry, pharmacy, chiropractic, dentistry, or veterinary
medicine prior to participating in the program. Short-term positions
should last at least two months but may not last longer than three
months.  However, back-to-back short-term appointments may be
permitted.  Students selected for short-term appointments are
encouraged to obtain two or more periods of short-term training during
the period of studies leading to their health-professional degree.
 
Types of Training Permitted
 
NRSA research training grants may not be used to support studies
leading to the M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M. or other similar health-
professional degrees.  However, students enrolled in health-
professional doctoral degree programs may receive support for short-
term research training for one or more periods lasting up to three
months each.  Also, students enrolled in health-professional doctoral
degree programs may interrupt their health-professional studies for a
year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing
their professional degree.
 
NRSA research training grants may not be used to support residency
training, which means postgraduate training for doctors of medicine,
osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and nursing or the training
of any other individual who is providing health care directly to
patients where the majority of the time is spent in non-research
clinical training.  However, if a specified period of full-time
research training is creditable toward specialty board certification,
NRSA may support such postdoctoral research training provided the
trainee is interested in establishing a research career.  Physicians
and other health-professionals accepted for a postdoctoral NRSA
appointment are expected to engage in at least two years of research or
research training starting at the beginning of the appointment.