Subject: NIH GUIDE - V20(34) 09/13/91 - P2/3
From: Dot Baker <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 91 08:42 EST

Hi Paul,
     This is part 2 of the 9/l3/9l NIH Guide. Please post to the
NIH Listserver as:
     NIHGUIDE2.910913
 ---------------------------- Text of forwarded message -----------------------
 
$$XID NIHGUIDE 19910913 V20N34 P2O3 ************************************
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Genome Program has been
initiated as a 15-year project that has very specific goals.  These
goals are: completion of a high-density genetic linkage map of the human
genome; construction of a high-resolution physical map comprised of
large overlapping contigs; development of a "sequence-tagged site" map;
development of technology to reduce the expense of DNA sequencing
significantly below current cost; development of computer tools to
manage and provide access to mapping and sequencing data; examination of
the ethical, legal, and social implications of the Human Genome Program;
and research training.
 
Although the genome project itself is predicated on the new and powerful
methods that have become available in the past decade, further
technology development will be essential to facilitate the genetic and
physical mapping goals of the Human Genome Program.  The planning of the
course of the Human Genome Program has assumed that new ideas,
instrumentation, and approaches will be developed to further reduce the
cost and increase the efficiency of DNA sequencing and to improve the
management of data emanating from large- scale mapping and sequencing
projects.  The development and successful introduction of new technology
requires both an understanding of biology and the fundamentals of the
technology to be applied, so that the solutions derived are appropriate
and implementable.  The NCHGR believes that advances in genomic research
will depend, in part, upon a cadre of scientists and scholars who have
been trained intensely in more than one discipline and have the
capabilities to develop innovative, appropriate, and cost- effective
solutions for the problems of large-scale mapping and sequencing.  To
stimulate the training of scientists who are facile in more than one
scientific discipline, the NCHGR has emphasized interdisciplinary
training as one of its goals.
 
PURPOSE OF THE AWARD
 
The purpose of this SERCA (K01) is to recruit scientists interested in
and capable of interdisciplinary research in areas critical to the
advancement of the research goals of the Human Genome Program.  The
SERCA offers opportunities for training in the biological sciences to
individuals with doctoral degrees in scientific disciplines that have
the potential to further the technological developments essential to the
success of the Human Genome Program, such as mathematics, engineering,
computer sciences, chemistry, and physics, in order to enable such
individuals to pursue a career in genomic research. Individuals with
doctoral degrees in the biological sciences can receive additional
training through the National Research Service Award Program.  During
the three to five year period of the award, individuals will participate
in training activities and research projects under the supervision of
advisors who have distinguished themselves in the area of genomic
research.  At the conclusion of the training and research experience,
awardees are expected to pursue an independent career in genomic
research.
 
PROVISIONS OF THE AWARD
 
The NCHGR-SERCA award supports a unique working relationship between the
awardee and the advisor and sponsoring institution that involves
full-time research and related activities as specified below.
 
A.  Plan of Work
 
Developmental Phase:  During the first one to two years the awardee is
expected to develop capabilities for conducting interdisciplinary
research in some aspect of genome mapping, sequencing, or informatics.
The awardee's activities may include participation in ongoing research,
formal courses, workshops, symposia, and scientific and professional
meetings.  These activities must be oriented around an area of genomic
research in which, subsequent to the grant period, the awardee
contemplates the future development of a research program.
 
Project Phase:  Beginning as early as possible, the awardee is expected
to become engaged in a collaborative research project with an advisor.
The project, which must be designed as a basis for a future research
project, must be exploratory in nature and serve as the basis for the
awardee's future independent project.  It is expected that the awardee
will devote full-time to research.
 
B.  Relationship to Institution and Advisor
 
Throughout the grant period, the sponsoring institution is expected to
foster the working relationship between the awardee and an advisor.  The
sponsoring institution will facilitate the program in every way
possible, providing space, resources, and other support insofar as
feasible. Although the program must be situated at a single institution,
travel to and stays at other institutions for relevant research and
training experiences are permissible.
 
The advisor must be a scientist with extensive experience in
genomic research and commitment to achieving the goals of the Human
Genome Program.  During the granting period, the advisor will sponsor
and oversee the proposed training and research program and will ensure
that the awardee receives the proper experience for a future career of
interdisciplinary genomic research.  The advisor is expected to be a
collaborator on the awardee's research project. However, the awardee may
conduct collaborative research with other experienced genome
researchers, subject to the approval of the advisor.
 
C.  Duration
 
This award is for continuous, full-time support of genomic research
training and interdisciplinary research for a period of three to five
consecutive years.  The award is non- renewable.  However, development
of a separate and subsequent application for research support (e.g.,
expansion of the exploratory/feasibility studies initiated during the
project phase of the award) is highly encouraged, either near the end of
or following the award.
 
D.  Allowable Award Costs
 
The NCHGR-SERCA grant is made annually to the sponsoring institution for
the purpose of supporting the awardee's research career development and
the interdisciplinary research projects.  Costs allowed may include:
 
o Awardee's Salary.  Up to $50,000 from SERCA funds for full-time salary
support may be requested.  The actual salary must be consistent with the
established salary structure of the institution for persons of
equivalent experience and rank.  In addition, fringe benefits will be
provided on that part of the salary paid from SERCA. Institutional
supplementation of the awardee's salary is permitted.  100 percent
effort on this award is required.
 
o Research Support.  In addition to the awardee's salary, up to a
maximum of $20,000 per year may be requested to partially defray the
research expenses:  e.g., instrument development, computer time, data
collection, analysis costs, technical assistance, consultant costs,
domestic travel, publication costs, and other appropriate expenses that
are essential to the proposed research program.  Requests for research
support must be well- justified in the application.
 
o Tuition.  If essential to the awardee's individual development
program, funds for tuition for training courses may be requested during
the first one or two years of the award on a course-by-course basis.
 
o Indirect Costs.  The indirect cost rate for this K01 award is be eight
percent, excluding tuition and fees.
 
CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY
 
A.  The Candidate
 
The candidate must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional degree in a
scientific discipline other than biology, such as engineering,
mathematics, computer sciences, physics, or chemistry and show evidence
of expertise in his/her discipline (e.g., by scholarly publications).
In exceptional cases, individuals who do not have doctoral degrees, but
have significant research experience, may be eligible.
 
It is desirable that the candidate have some post-doctoral research
experience.  In addition, the candidate must demonstrate a commitment to
pursue a career in genomic research following completion of the award.
This program is open to scientists at all career levels.
 
Because the NCHGR will evaluate the impact of this initiative on the
Human Genome Program, the candidate must agree to inform the NCHGR for a
period of five years subsequent to completion of the award about his/her
research activities, publications, grants or contracts, and academic
status, and must agree to attend any scheduled meetings of grantees
sponsored by the NCHGR.
 
The candidate must be a citizen or noncitizen national of the United
States or its possessions and territories or must have been lawfully
admitted to the United States for permanent residence at the time of
application.  Applications from women and minority candidates are
especially encouraged.
 
B.  The Program of Activity
 
The candidate's program of activity must be fully described in terms of
providing adequate training and interdisciplinary experience relevant to
genomic research.
 
The application must describe the advisor's background, qualifications,
commitment to the applicant's training and research program, and
understanding and commitment to the Human Genome Program.
 
The institution must provide evidence of its commitment to the
candidate's research development.  The sponsoring institution need not
be the applicant's current employer, nor is it essential for the
sponsoring institution to commit itself to eventual placement of the
candidate on its permanent faculty.  However, the current employer of
the candidate must indicate concurrence with the training plan.
 
METHOD OF APPLYING
 
Prospective applicants must obtain specific instructions for preparing
applications for this SERCA from the program officer listed at the end
of this announcement. Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss
their proposed project with NCHGR staff prior to developing an
application.
 
APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
 
Applications must be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 10/88) available at
most institutional business offices and from the Division of Research
Grants, NIH, telephone (301) 496-7441.
 
Complete line 2 of the application face page (PHS 398) by inserting the
title and number of this announcement, "SERCA in Genomic Research,
PA-91-89."
 
A.  Staff Contact and Supplementary Guidelines
 
Prospective applicants need to obtain supplementary guidelines and
instructions, and to discuss their eligibility and proposed program of
activities by contacting:
 
Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D.
Chief, Research Grants Branch
National Center for Human Genome Research
National Institutes of Health
Building 38A, Room 612
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7531
 
For information about PHS grants policy, applicants may contact:
 
Ms. Alice Thomas
Chief, Grants and Contracts Management Section
National Center for Human Genome Research
National Institutes of Health
Building 38A, Room 613
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0733
 
The program and grants management officials welcome the opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions related to this program announcement and
encourage written and telephone inquiries.
 
B.  Submission of Application
 
The completed application and six copies must be mailed to:
 
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**
 
C.  Review of Applications
 
Review of the applications for scientific and technical merit will be
conducted by the Genome Research Review Committee, NCHGR.  In this
review, particular attention will be given to: (1) the candidate's prior
training, experience, and publication record; (2) clear intention to
pursue genomic research; career potential in genomic research; (3)
research career development plans; (4) adequacy of the proposed training
and research plans; (5) advisor's experience in genomic research and
commitment to the applicant and his/her plans; and (6) resources and
environment.  The application must demonstrate that the award will
enhance the candidate's capability to pursue an interdisciplinary
approach to genomic research, that the advisor is committed to the goals
of the Human Genome Program, and that the sponsoring institution will
provide adequate support.
 
Applications will be accepted on the standard receipt dates for new
applications, October 1, February 1, and June 1.  If applicants want the
review of their applications to be expedited, they must contact program
staff listed under "Application and Review Procedures" for additional
information before developing the application.
 
The recommendations of the Genome Research Review Committee will be
considered by the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research.
Applications recommended for approval by the Advisory Council will be
considered for funding on the basis of the overall merit of the proposal
as determined by the Genome Research Review Committee, relevance of the
proposal to the research objectives of the NCHGR, and availability of
funds.
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.172.  Awards will be made under the authority of the Public
Health Service Act, Sections 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended 42
U.S.C. 241) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal
Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not
subject to the intergovernmental review requirement of Executive Order
12372 or to Health Systems Agency review.
 
$$P3 END ***************************************************************
 
$$P4 BEGIN PA-91-90 ****************************************************
 
FORECASTING LIFE AND HEALTH EXPECTANCY IN OLDER POPULATIONS
 
PA:  PA-91-90
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0413001, 0710010
 
National Institute on Aging
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites qualified researchers to
submit applications on measuring and forecasting life expectancy and
health ("active life") expectancy, with emphasis on the older
population.
 
The continuing increases in longevity within the United States have been
accompanied by shifts in the major causes of mortality and morbidity of
the elderly.  As a result, a number of questions about the future size,
composition, and quality of life of the elderly population have arisen.
Little is known about changes in morbidity and disability brought about
by these trends, although several hypotheses regarding the compression,
postponement, or expansion of morbidity have been put forth.  The
projected changes in the incidence of chronic conditions will have an
impact on the future needs for medical care and other services for the
elderly.  The changes in life expectancy at older ages coupled with
worklife expectancy will also have a major impact on the Medicare and
Social Security Trust Funds.  In order to foster effective planning for
the resources for the elderly in the future, accurate measures and
forecasts of life expectancy and the disaggregated components of the
life cycle, including work life expectancy, health expectancy, active
life expectancy (also termed disability- free life expectancy), disabled
life expectancy, and institutionalized life expectancy are needed.
Further, the development of these measures is critical to tracking the
DHHS national health promotion and disease prevention goals for the year
2000, as well as providing a basis against which to evaluate
interventions to reduce frailty and extend the independence of older
people.
 
Despite the need for accurate forecasts, population projections in the
1960s and 1970s consistently underestimated the growth of the elderly
population, particularly the age 85 and older group.  The standard
period life tables, by definition, do not take into account differential
assumptions concerning future mortality, and many methods handle
uncertainty in only a very rudimentary fashion, if at all.  Similarly,
expected changes in morbidity and disability are seldom incorporated
into methods for projecting active life expectancy.  New methods are
needed to handle the complex interactions of competing risks of various
diseases and the disabilities, morbidity, and mortality they cause, as
well as to solve the related measurement issues.
 
This announcement is part of the broad program of the NIA that was
established by law in 1974 for the "conduct and support of biomedical,
social, and behavioral research and training related to the aging
process and the diseases and other special problems and needs of the
aged." This announcement is coordinated with, but does not replace,
other highly relevant announcements from the Behavioral and Social
Research Program, such as Behavioral and Social Research on Aging, the
Oldest Old, the Economics of Aging, Health and Retirement, Formal Health
Care, and others.
 
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
Announcement, Forecasting Life and Health Expectancy in Older
Populations, is related to the priority area of increasing the span of
healthy life for Americans-surveillance and data systems for older
adults.  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, D.C. 20402-9325
(telephone 202-783-3238).
 
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
Applications for research grants may be made by public or private,
for-profit or non-profit organizations, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, or laboratories.  Women and minority investigators, in
particular, are encouraged to apply.  Foreign institutions are welcome
to apply but are advised to consult NIA staff before applying and are
strongly encouraged to apply in association with a U.S. institution.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
The primary mechanisms for support of this initiative are the research
project grant (R01), program project grant (P01), First Independent
Research Support and Transition (FIRST) Award (R29), institutional
training grant (T32), individual fellowships (F32, F33), and research
career development awards (K01, K04).
 
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 
A broad range of studies related to forecasting both the life expectancy
and the active life expectancy of the elderly population is solicited.
Research on the development of methods and models for improving
forecasts of life expectancy and active life expectancy within the
elderly population is of particular importance.  The application of this
research to problems of the oldest old (aged 85 and older) is also
encouraged.  This announcement emphasizes both the use of existing
databases for developing and testing models and forecasting methods, and
the assembly or collection of new data.  Although the language of this
announcement emphasizes expectancy measures, implying the "average" of
some distribution, for the older population the "average" might, in some
cases, be misleading and inadequate, and research is also encouraged on
forecasting both distributions and age-specific patterns, as well as
"averages."  The following is an illustrative and nonexhaustive list of
major topics of concern.
 
A. Development of methods and models.  Research is needed on the
development of methods and models for forecasting both life expectancy
and other measures of morbidity and disability.  Research areas include:

o   The development, comparison, and evaluation of:  analytic and
simulation models of both general and cause-specific mortality at
advanced ages; methods for dealing statistically with the problem of
competing causes of mortality; approaches to obtaining realistic
estimates of confidence intervals around projections; the development
and application of survival methodology; and the comparison of different
types of forecasting models (e.g., simple versus complex) applied to
common data sets; and the development of improved software.
 
o   The development of new methods and procedures for analyzing and
solving such measurement problems as the validity of death certificate
cause-of-death data and the accuracy of age reporting in vital
statistics and the Census.
 
o   Experimentation with the use of various axes of disaggregation such
as birth cohorts, components of population change (mortality, fertility,
migration), and characteristics of individuals (age, sex, race,
ethnicity, education, social class, smoking behavior, health status,
disability) related to observed and unobserved heterogeneity.
Comparisons and contrasts across geographic units at various levels of
aggregation, including detailed analyses of comparisons of projections
of life and active life expectancy among countries, states, and smaller
geographic units in the United States.
 
o   Meta-analytic studies of life and active life expectancy, including
studies of levels and ratios of active and disabled expectancies that
could be used to assess trends (the relative or absolute compression,
equilibrium, and expansion of mortality and disability).
 
o   Improved methods for forecasting, for example, the age, sex, racial,
and ethnic distributions of the older population, as well as
worker/retiree ratios, and Social Security and Medicare expenditures and
reserves.
 
o   The provision of both cross-sectional and longitudinal data sets
from a variety of developed and developing countries at various points
in time on which model comparisons can be carried out.
 
B. Assessment of competing causes of mortality and morbidity.  Possible
research areas on the impact of the complex interaction among various
diseases are the development of methods for:
 
o   Studying the impact of trends in mortality and morbidity from major
diseases on both life expectancy and levels of disability among the
elderly; investigating the interactions of multiple diseases; evaluating
the effect of altering the incidence or mortality of one disease on the
occurrence of others; and assessing the effects of eliminating one or
more diseases as causes-of-death.
 
o   Assessing social, behavioral and biomedical risk factors for
competing causes of mortality, morbidity and functioning; applying
knowledge about trends in the prevalence of risk factors (e.g., smoking,
high blood pressure); estimating the time interval between change in
risk factors and change in the incidence of morbidity, disability and
mortality from diseases.
 
C. Health and Active Life Expectancy.  The future size and composition
of the elderly population in terms of the extent of illness, disability,
and independent functioning will have far-reaching implications for
health care resources, social services, and financial arrangements.  The
evolving concepts of health and active life expectancy offer much
promise for planning.  Examples of needed research include:
 
o   Comparisons and evaluations of alternative methods of calculating
active life expectancy.
 
o   The development and application of new methods, such as multi-stage
demographic techniques or microsimulation modeling, for analyses of
transitions from independence to dependent states and back again; the
application of life table methods to the productive activity of the
elderly; and the projection of resource factors associated with the
maintenance of independent living, such as the availability of kin.
 
o   Investigations into limitations of activity and costs associated
with specific diseases and chronic co- morbidities; predictions of the
impact of different levels of active life expectancy within the
population on, e.g., the need for long term care, home health care and
utilization of health services; and studies leading to improving the
actuarial basis for catastrophic and long- term care insurance.
Conversely, studies are needed of the impact on life and active life
expectancy, of changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement
arrangements, as well as changes in the long term care system.
 
o   Studies to develop and evaluate models for forecasting active life
expectancy over the next ten to twenty years that take into account
factors such as the changing nature of the cohorts reaching advanced
ages (e.g., education levels are increasing rapidly and sex
differentials in old age mortality are also changing), and assessments
of the relative impact of different social and biomedical interventions.

o   Extension of existing forecasting methods to related active life
expectancy issues including: work life expectancy, institutionalized
life expectancy, disease- specific life expectancy, and active life
expectancy for population subgroups.
 
o   International comparisons of levels and time trends in active and
disabled life expectancy (and related measures) in developed and
developing countries, including comparisons that use these measures to
assess the effectiveness and efficiency of health or old age income
security systems.
 
o   The development of internationally accepted standards of assessing
the progression to disability and handicap in order to ensure the
comparability of active life expectancy measures.
 
CONCEPTUALIZATION AND METHODOLOGY
 
A wide variety of approaches are encouraged including studies that
involve analytic and simulation modeling; the appropriate methodology
should be selected in view of the particular research question.
Comparative studies are encouraged whenever relevant.  Some problems
will require collaboration with scientists from several disciplines
including demography, the social and biomedical aspects of aging,
epidemiology, economics and other related fields; such collaboration is
also strongly encouraged.
 
DATA AND RESEARCH RESOURCES
 
Maximum use of existing data is encouraged.  However, primary data
collection may be necessary.  A number of large data sets contain a
wealth of longitudinal information on the health and functioning of the
elderly.  Applicants are advised to consult with staff at the NIA or the
National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging at the University of
Michigan on the availability of appropriate data sets.  Many existing
data sets can be greatly enhanced with linkage to administrative
records; investigators are encouraged to explore the use of such
linkages.  In many cases it will be important to evaluate the quality of
existing data including data from administrative sources, especially in
the area of age reporting at advanced ages.  Methodologies for combining
multiple data sources and linking administrative records to survey data
may need to be enhanced or developed.
 
A bibliography on "Health Expectancy" prepared by REVES, the
International Network on Health Expectancy and the Disability Process,
may be obtained by writing to the NIA program staff listed below.
 
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 will be 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 should be placed on the need for
inclusion of minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders and
conditions which 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 should 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 should be included in the form PHS 398 in Section 2,
A-D 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 should be provided.
 
For the purpose of this policy, clinical research includes 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.
 
REVIEW PROCEDURES
 
R01, R29, F32, F33, and K04 applications will be reviewed for scientific
and technical merit by an appropriate Initial Review Group of the
Division of Research Grants.  All other applications (K01, P01, T32, and
R13) will be reviewed by an appropriate Institute review group.
Secondary review will be by the corresponding National Advisory Council.
Applications compete on the basis of scientific merit.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
Applicants must use the research project application form PHS 398
(revised 10/88, reprinted 9/89) that is available at the applicant's
institutional research office and from the Office of Grants Inquiries,
Division of Research Grants, NIH (301-496-7441).  Individual fellowship
applicants must use PHS 416-1 (revised 7/88).  In order to expedite the
application's routing, please check the box on the application face
sheet indicating that the application is in response to this
announcement and type (next to the box) "Forecasting Life and Health
Expectancy in Older Populations, PA-91-90."
The application (with six copies) must be mailed to:
 
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**
 
If applying for an F32, the application and only two copies need to be
sent to the above address.
 
Receipt dates for Research Project Grant, Career Development Award, and
FIRST Award applications are February 1, June 1, and October 1 of each
year.  Those for the individual fellowships (F32, F33) and institutional
training grants (T32) applications are January 10, May 10, and September
10.
 
INQUIRIES
 
Although it is not required, potential applicants may contact NIA staff
in advance of formal submission.  This may be accomplished by writing or
calling the program office listed below.
 
For substantive issues and to obtain information on research resources,
contact:
 
Behavioral and Social Research Program
National Institute on Aging
Building 31, Room 5C32
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-3136
 
For fiscal and administrative matters, contact:
 
Joe Ellis
Grants and Contracts Management Office
National Institute on Aging
Building 31, Room 5C07
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-1472
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.866.  Awards will be made under the authority of the Public
Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as
amended; 42 USC 241 and 41 USC 289) and be subject to PHS grants
policies and Federal Regulations 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.
 
$$P4 END ***************************************************************
 
$$P5 BEGIN PA-91-91 ****************************************************
 
GENETICS AND FUNDAMENTAL MECHANISMS OF CHEMICAL SENSES
 
PA:  PA-91-91
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0705070, 1002019, 1002058
 
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
 
PURPOSE
 
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
(NIDCD) invites grant applications that apply the methodology of various
areas of genetics, such as molecular, classical, developmental, and
behavioral genetics, to analyze the functional properties of the senses
of smell and taste.   Of particular interest are multi-level studies
that combine various approaches of genetics with those of molecular
biology or that integrate structure-function relations from the
molecular to the behavioral levels.
 
BACKGROUND
 
Genetic approaches offer the potential to provide fundamental insights
into normal and abnormal chemosensory function.  For example,
investigators may study genetic variants using molecular biologic
techniques, such as gene cloning, restriction mapping, in-situ
hybridization, and the development of transgenic mutants.
 
RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE
 
The research must be planned to characterize the molecular basis of the
function of the chemical senses with the ultimate goal of effective
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chemosensory disorders and
medical conditions associated with chemosensory disorders.   The NIDCD
wishes to foster a broad range of basic and clinical research related to
this announcement, to support basic and clinical scientists at all
stages of their careers, and to encourage collaboration among
investigators with diverse biomedical and behavioral research skills,
including investigators from outside the traditional fields of
chemosensory research.  The research opportunities described below are
not intended to limit the range of topics that are encouraged by this
announcement but to illustrate the broad range of topics that are
relevant to this announcement:
 
o    Describe the taste or olfactory performance of genetically defined
inbred and recombinant inbred strains of animals.
 
o    Apply classical Mendelian techniques to identify major allelic
influences on chemosensory phenotypes and isolate the relevant alleles
in congenic or coisogenic lines.
 
o    Use traditional and molecular genetic approaches to map major gene
loci and quantitative trait loci affecting the chemical senses.
 
o    Isolate chemosensory-relevant genes and investigate their
properties in vitro.
 
o    Establish transgenic animals to study the expression and regulation
of chemosensory-relevant genes.
 
o    Apply in-situ hybridization histochemistry to investigate sites of
expression of chemosensory-relevant genes.
 
o    Develop psychophysical procedures for precise characterization of
chemosensory phenotypes in various genetic
models.
 
o    Identify the mechanisms of gene action on chemosensory systems.
 
o    Investigate similarities between animal models and human
phenotypes.
 
ELIGIBILITY
 
Any of the following organizations are eligible to apply: non-profit
institutions of higher education; other non-profit and for-profit
organizations; State and local governments and their agencies; and
authorized Federal agencies.
 
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 will be 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 should be placed on the need for
inclusion of minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders, and
conditions which 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 should 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 should be included in the form PHS 398 in Section 2,
A-D of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 2, E, Human Subjects.
Applicants 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 should be provided.
 
For the purpose of this policy, clinical research includes 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
application will be returned.
 
Peer reviewers will address specifically whether the research plan in
the application conforms to these policies.  If the representation of
women and 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.
 
MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
 
Support mechanisms for the announcement include the individual research
project grant (R01), Small Grants (R03), First Independent Research
Support and Transition Award (R29), Research Career Development Award
(K04),  and Clinical Investigator Development Award (K08).   The NIH
policies that govern the programs will prevail.
 
REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
 
Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an
appropriate initial review group.   A second level of review will be
made by an appropriate national advisory council.  Institutes other than
NIDCD may have interests related to the content of this Program
Announcement; in all cases, existing guidelines for the assignment of
applications will be followed.
 
METHOD OF APPLYING
 
Applications must be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 10/88) using the
instructions included in the application kit.  These kits are available
from most institutional offices of sponsored research, the NIDCD Program
Administrator cited below, and the Division of Research Grants, National
Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892,
telephone (301) 496-7441.
 
On page 1 of form PHS 398, check "yes" in item 2 and type:  PA-91-91,
Genetics and Fundamental Mechanisms of Chemical Senses.
 
Send the original and six copies of the application to:
 
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**
 
INQUIRIES
 
Investigators are encouraged to call or write:
 
Jack Pearl, Ph.D.
Program Administrator
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room  400B
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5061
FAX:  (301) 402-6251
 
For questions concerning budget and fiscal matters, contact:
 
Sharon Hunt
Grants Management Officer
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
6120 Executive Blvd.
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0909
FAX:  (301) 402-6251
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
93.173, Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders.
Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Service
Act, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42 USC 241) and
administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR
Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  The program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or review
by a Health Systems Agency.
 
REFERENCE
 
Chemical Senses  Volume 3, Genetics of Perception and Communication, C.
J. Wysocki and M. R. Kare  (Ed.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1991.
 
$$P5 END ***************************************************************
 
$$P6 BEGIN PA-91-92 ****************************************************
 
LITERACY IN DEAF INDIVIDUALS
 
PA:  PA-91-92
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715050, 0502000
 
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
 
PURPOSE
 
Problems associated with the acquisition of reading and writing skills
are the most pervasive academic and vocational consequences of deafness.
The purpose of this program announcement is to encourage research in the
reading and writing abilities and deficits of children and adults with
severe to profound deafness.  The Division of Communication Sciences and
Disorders (DCSD) of the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders requests submission of investigator-initiated
(R01) and First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST)
Award (R29) research grant applications focused on literacy in deaf
individuals.  Studies of reading and/or writing acquisition and
remediation in children and adults are encouraged.
 
BACKGROUND
 
Severe to profound deafness in early childhood has been found to have a
significant negative impact on later reading and writing achievement.
Lags in reading achievement, difficulties in comprehending and writing
English syntax, and limited English vocabularies characterize these
individuals.  Research has consistently shown that deaf students age 16
or over have significantly lower reading scores than hearing students of
similar ages.  Despite a wealth of new instructional tools and
communication strategies, the average reading comprehension of
hearing-impaired students in their last grade of secondary school
remains at a third-to-fourth grade equivalent, essentially the same as
for their hearing-impaired peers whose test results were reported almost
eighty years ago.
 
The deaf child must learn to read an orthography designed to represent
the phonological structure of English.  In the absence of significant
auditory input, awareness of this phonological structure is limited for
many deaf children.  The role of phonological awareness and processing
needs further examination in this population.  In addition, the role of
cognitive processes such as memory in the acquisition of literacy should
be investigated.  Finally, the early age at which reading comprehension
ability tends to plateau in this population and the severity of the
problem suggest that this issue needs careful investigation.
 
RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE
 
The NIDCD encourages investigations into the reading and writing
abilities and deficits of deaf children and adults.  Examples of
possible investigations include but are not limited to the following:
 
o  the relation between deaf children's reading achievement and the
method of communication used by their hearing    parents;
 
o  the relationship between reading and writing abilities in deaf
children or deaf adults;
 
o  factors that are predictive or differentiate deaf readers/writers who
are proficient in reading or writing English from those with less
fluency;
 
o  the impact of closed captioning, telecommunication devices, personal
computers, and other technological influences on literacy skills of the
deaf;
 
o  cognitive factors associated with good reading/writing skills;
 
o  innovative strategies for teaching of literacy to deaf individuals
learning English as a second language as well as to those learning
English through an auditory-oral approach;
 
o  the relationship between speech processing and literacy in deaf
children who use spoken language primarily;
 
o  the relationship among speech processing, sign processing and
literacy in deaf children and adults who use sign language;
 
o  examination of the interaction of acquisition of signed languages
with spoken and written language and characterization of the resulting
bilingualism;
 
o   examination of the order of acquisition of speech and signed
language as they affect children's eventual acquisition of English
language and literacy; and,
 
o  examination of language acquisition through printed media, with
implications for how to teach English to a deaf population that only has
access to the language through print.
 
ELIGIBILITY
 
Any of the following organizations may apply:  non-profit institutions
of higher education; other non-profit and for-profit organizations;
State and local governments and their agencies; and authorized Federal
agencies.
 
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 will be 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 should be placed on the need for
inclusion of minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders, and
conditions which 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 should 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 should be included in the form PHS 398 in Section 2,
A-D 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 should be provided.
 
For the purpose of this policy, clinical research includes 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
application will be returned.  Peer reviewers will address specifically
whether the research plan in the application conforms to these policies.
If the representation of women and 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.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
The support mechanisms for grants in this area will be the individual
investigator-initiated research grant (R01) and the FIRST award (R29).
Potential applicants also must be aware of the Clinical Investigator
Development Award and the Small Grant Program, if appropriate.  Under
any of these mechanisms, the Principal Investigator and any
participating investigators will plan, direct, and perform the research.

REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
 
Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an
appropriate study section of the Division of Research Grants.  Secondary
review will be by an appropriate national advisory council.
 
METHOD OF APPLYING
 
Applications must be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 10/88) using the
instructions included in the application kit.  These kits are available
from most institutional offices of sponsored research, the NIDCD Program
Administrator cited below, and the Division of Research Grants, National
Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892,
telephone (301) 496-7441.
 
Receipt dates are February 1, June 1, and October 1.
 
On page 1 of form PHS 398, check "yes" in item 2 and type:  PA-91-92,
Literacy in Deaf Individuals.
 
Send the original and six copies of the application to:
 
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**
 
INQUIRIES
 
Investigators are encouraged to call or write:
 
Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D.
Deputy Director,
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5061
FAX:  (301) 402-6251
 
For budget and fiscal matters, contact:
 
Sharon Hunt
Grants Management Officer
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0909
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
93-854.  Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health
Service Act, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42 USC 241) and
administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR
Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  The program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health
Systems Agency review.
 
$$P6 END ***************************************************************
 
$$P7 BEGIN PA-91-93 ****************************************************
 
MECHANISMS OF VOICE DISORDERS
 
PA:  PA-91-93
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715055, 0710120, 0765035
 
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
 
PURPOSE
 
Voice disorders cause significant impairment to individuals in today's
society, where much demand is placed on oral communication.  Careers may
be altered  with  the inability to function in the work situation.   The
ability to communicate verbally may be severely limited; many
individuals with voice disorders must rely on writing in order to
communicate effectively.  However,  the basis for many voice disorders
remains  unclear. Knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the bases
and development of voice disorders is vitally needed.  The purpose of
the program announcement is to encourage research in this area.  The
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders (DCSD)  of the National
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) requests
submission of investigator-initiated (R01) and First Independent
Research Support and Transition (FIRST) Award (R29) research
applications focused on mechanisms of voice disorders.  Studies of
disorders and pathologies of voice in the general population as well as
in professional voice users (e.g., opera singers, actors, orators,
teachers, and other public speakers) are encouraged.
 
BACKGROUND
 
If vocal fold vibration is impaired, sound generation for speech is
affected and voice disorders  often result.    The basis for many common
voice problems in children and adults remains unclear.  There is a need
for research on structural alterations that result in voice disorders.
For example, investigations of  factors underlying development of vocal
fold nodules and polyps are critical.   In addition,  understanding is
limited regarding how lesions and inflammatory disorders alter vocal
fold vibration  and lead to voice disorders.
 
Laryngeal movement disorders include spasmodic dysphonia, vocal tremor
and vocal fold paralysis.   Control of laryngeal function may also be
impaired in many neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Studies of the neural control of the
larynx are needed to determine why laryngeal functions are particularly
vulnerable to neurological disorders causing selective neuronal loss
either in the brain stem or in the basal ganglia.  A better
understanding of the pathophysiology of these laryngeal motor control
disorders would lead to more effective management.
 
Increased daily usage of vocal communication and increased environmental
noise have resulted in increased demands on the vocal system.
Complaints of vocal fatigue by teachers, public speakers, coaches,
salespersons, and many other professional users of voice are common.  It
is important to know the degree to which central and peripheral
mechanisms are involved in vocal fatigue.  Research into peripheral and
central mechanisms involved in fatigue is needed.  In addition, the
gifted or trained vocalist offers a very important model for vocal
evaluation of all voice, establishing the limits of capability in such
areas as pitch control.   Such information can be used in average voice
evaluation as both a criterion and a role model.  Research is needed
into determination of vocal control in this population.
 
RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE
 
The NIDCD encourages investigations into disorders and pathologies of
voice in the general population as well as in professional voice users.
 Examples of possible investigations include, but are not limited to,
the following:
 
o  anatomical bases of specific vocal pathologies;
o  the effects of hormonal and pharmacologic substances on voice;
o  clarification of the relationships between neuropathology and
laryngeal disorders;
o  problems associated with laryngeal injury and surgery;
o  mechanisms underlying idiopathic dysphonia, including environmental
noise, air pollution, and systemic disease;
o  pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases of the upper airway and
larynx, including rhinitis, sinusitis, and laryngitis;
o  pathophysiology of specific vocal pathologies, such as spasmodic
dysphonia;
o  mechanisms of voice abuse and breakdowns of voice in the professional
voice user;
o  mechanisms of pitch, loudness and vocal quality and usage in the
professional voice user, including  attention to vocal limits and
efficiency; and,
o  effective therapies for the voice disorders associated with the
professional voice user.
 
ELIGIBILITY
 
Any of the following organizations may apply:  non-profit institutions
of higher education; other non-profit and for-profit organizations;
State and local governments and their agencies; and authorized Federal
agencies.
 
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 will be 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 should be placed on the need for
inclusion of minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders, and
conditions which 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 should 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 should be included in the form PHS 398 in Section 2,
A-D 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 should be provided.
 
For the purpose of this policy, clinical research includes 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
application will be returned.  Peer reviewers will address specifically
whether the research plan in the application conforms to these policies.
If the representation of women and 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.
 
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
 
The support mechanisms for grants in this area will be the individual
investigator-initiated research grant (R01) and the FIRST award (R29).
Potential applicants also must be aware of the Clinical Investigator
Development Award and the Small Grant Program, if appropriate.  Under
any of these mechanisms, the Principal Investigator and any
participating investigators will plan, direct, and perform the research.

REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
 
Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an
appropriate study section of the Division of Research Grants.  Secondary
review will be by an appropriate national advisory council.
 
METHOD OF APPLYING
 
Applications must be submitted on form PHS 398 (rev. 10/88) using the
instructions included in the application kit.  These kits are available
from most institutional offices of sponsored research, the NIDCD Program
Administrator cited below, and the Division of Research Grants, National
Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892,
telephone (301) 496-7441.
 
Receipt dates are February 1, June 1, and October 1.
 
On page 1 of form PHS 398, check "yes" in item 2 and type:  PA-91-93,
Mechanisms of Voice Disorders.
 
Send the original and six copies of the application to:
 
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**
 
INQUIRIES
 
Investigators are encouraged to call or write:
 
Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D.
Deputy Director,
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5061
FAX:  (301) 402-6251
 
For fiscal and budget matters, contact:
 
Sharon Hunt
Grants Management Officer
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0909
 
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
 
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
93.854.  Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health
Service Act, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42 USC 241) and
administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR
Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  The program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health
Systems Agency review.
 
$$P7 END ***************************************************************
 
$$P8 BEGIN PA-91-94 ****************************************************
 
CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS IN ALLERGY, IMMUNOLOGY, TRANSPLANTATION,
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND AIDS
 
PA:  PA-91-94
 
P.T. 34; K.W. 0715008, 0715110, 0710070, 0715125, 0710125
 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
 
BACKGROUND AND SCOPE
 
The intent of this program announcement is to re-emphasize the
commitment of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(NIAID) to provide support via research career development awards to
increase the number of biomedical investigators who are conducting
high-quality research in the areas of allergy, immunology,
transplantation, infectious diseases and AIDS.  The NIAID encourages all
eligible individuals, and especially underrepresented minorities and
women, to submit applications.
 
Major advances in basic and clinical science coupled with the advanced
state of development of basic technology make it imperative to begin
applying this new information to clinically based research.  Significant
needs exist for individuals, particularly those with advanced clinical
degrees, to be trained in specific areas of programmatic importance to
scientific divisions within the NIAID: the Division of Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (DAIDS), the Division of Allergy, Immunology
and Transplantation (DAIT) and the Division of Microbiology and
Infectious Diseases (DMID).  It is the specific objective of this
Program Announcement to promote clinical and basic research training in
selected emphasis areas in infectious diseases, immunology and AIDS for
physicians with appropriate backgrounds or for Ph.D.'s from relevant
disciplines who wish to do research in these areas.
 
Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
 
o   Retroviral Immunopathology.  Although there are skilled physicians
working with AIDS patients and experienced molecular biologists
performing research with the HIV or related viruses, there is a need for
clinical researchers (M.D.'s or Ph.D.'s) to perform research on the
immunopathogenesis of the HIV. The emphasis of this initiative is to
support investigators who perform laboratory studies at the molecular
level on patient samples and basic researchers (retrovirologists) to
perform clinical research with the ultimate goal of elucidating the
immunopathogenesis of AIDS.  Examples of research areas that are
encouraged include T cell depletion, viral replication and production,
properties of viral latency, immune responses to HIV infection, and
genetic variation of HIV within a patient population.  Division of
Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT)
 
o   Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  Recent advances in our knowledge
of mucosal immunity and IBD have led to the conclusion that immune
mechanisms are major components in the pathogenesis and evolution of
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.  Vigorous research is needed in
the characterization of the cellular and molecular components of the
immune mediated mechanisms involved in the development of these
conditions.  Areas of specific interest include the regulation of the
responses by immunomodulators, identification of the antigens involved
in the initiation and recurrence of IBD, characterization of
intra-epithelial T cells and their specificity repertoire, analysis of
activation of mucosal immunocytes, and development of animal models of
the disease.
 
o   Immunologic Skin Diseases.  Autoimmune mechanisms and
immuno-inflammatory components appear to play central roles in the
development of numerous skin disorders including atopic dermatitis,
allergic contact dermatitis and angioedema.  The mechanisms underlying
the basic immunologic processes and immunopathology of these diseases
are incompletely understood, although some advances have been made such
as the results that have been recently reported on the striking effects
of immuno-suppression in the treatment of psoriasis.  Basic training in
immunology would allow dermatologists and dermatopathologists to better
understand the pathogenesis of many skin diseases, and would facilitate
the development of new, improved immuno-modulatory therapies.
 
o   Immunologic Eye Diseases.  The eye and its surrounding tissues
comprise a complicated organ system in which immunologically mediated
diseases that are intrinsic to the eye or are ocular manifestations of
systemic disease often occur.  Autoimmunity is the main cause of
uveoretinitis in this country. Knowledge of the chemistry and sources of
ocular autoantigens is just now emerging.  Training of ophthalmologists
and other individuals with suitable backgrounds in clinical and basic
science in the immunopathology of eye diseases such as uveitis, various
forms of keratitis, and conjunctivitis would enable them to develop new
approaches to eye disease research, including applications of emerging
immunomodulatory therapies to prevent or halt the progress of these
diseases.
Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID)
 
o   Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).  In order to meet evolving
demands for high quality STD research, there is an urgent need to
increase STD research opportunities.  Areas of emphasis in STD research
include sequelae of STDs in women (e.g., infertility and adverse
outcomes of pregnancy); genital ulcer disease (particularly chancroid
and syphilis); human papillomavirus infection; and the
inter-relationships between HIV infection and other STDs. Because of the
interdisciplinary character of these research issues, there is a need to
encourage research training to include not only specialists in
infectious diseases, but also other clinical investigators (e.g.,
obstetricians, gynecologists, and pediatricians), behavioral scientists,
and basic researchers.
 
o   Tropical medicine and parasitology.  This emphasis is to support the
training of physicians in clinical research on parasitic diseases in
endemic areas where other collaborative research and field programs are
already in place.  It is intended to allow the participant to gain
relevant research expertise in such disciplines as biochemistry, cell
biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology and epidemiology as
well as experience in diagnosis and management of tropical parasitic
diseases.
 
o   Tuberculosis.  The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis has listed the
training of tuberculosis researchers as a high priority item necessary
to achieve tuberculosis control.  Additional individuals trained as
physician-investigators and basic scientists to initiate high quality
research programs on tuberculosis would be highly desirable.  Therefore,
there is a great need to promote clinical and basic research training in
all aspects of tuberculosis control but particularly training in
epidemiology, treatment, immunology and molecular biology.
 
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, Individual National Research Service Awards in Allergy,
Immunology, Transplantation, Infectious Diseases and AIDS, is related to
the priority areas of HIV Infection, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and
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, D.C. 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238).
 
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 will be required to include