From: kristoff@NET.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson)
Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources
Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 21, no. 35, pt. 2, 2 October 1992
Date: 9 Oct 92 01:59:37 GMT
Distribution: bionet


$$XID NIHGUIDE 19921002 V21N35 P2O2 ************************************
terms of gender and racial/ethnic group.  In addition, gender and
racial/ethnic issues must 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 Sections 1-4
of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 5, Human Subjects.
Applicants/offerors are urged to assess carefully the feasibility of
including the broadest possible representation of minority groups.
However, the 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 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 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 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 reflected in assigning
the priority score to the application.

All applications for clinical research submitted to the 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 grant application form PHS 398
(rev. 9/91) and will be accepted at the standard application deadlines
as indicated in the application kit.

Application kits are available at most institutional offices of
sponsored research 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.  The title and number of the announcement must be typed
in line 2a on the face page of the application.

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 PHS 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:

o  Quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review
o  Program balance among research areas of the announcement
o  Availability of funds

INQUIRIES

Direct inquiries regarding the major areas of research interest in this
nutrition program to:

Chemoreception

Rochelle Small, Ph.D.
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) 402-3464
FAX:  (301) 402-6251

Obesity and Nutrition Sciences

Van S. Hubbard, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Obesity, Eating Disorders and Energy Regulation
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 3A18
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7823
FAX:  (301) 402-1278

Oral Diseases and Conditions

Joseph E. Ciardi, Ph.D.
Director, Caries, Nutrition and Fluoride Program
Extramural Programs
National Institute of Dental Research
Westwood Building, Room 509
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7784
FAX:  (301) 496-4180

Aging

Ann Sorenson, Ph.D.
Biology of Aging Program
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 2C231
7201 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-6402
FAX:  (301) 402-0010

Development

Ephraim Y. Levin, M.D.
Medical Officer, Endocrinology, Nutrition and Growth Branch
Center for Research for Mothers and Children
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Executive Plaza North, Room 637
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5593
FAX:  (301) 402-2085

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Sharon Hunt
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0909
FAX:  (301) 402-1758

Paulette Badman
Grants Management Specialist
Division of Extramural Programs
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 637
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7467
FAX:  (301) 496-9721

Theresa Ringler
Chief, Grants Management Section
Program Operations Branch
National Institute of Dental Research
Westwood Building, Room 518
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:   (301) 496-7437
FAX:  (301) 402-1260

Mary Daley
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 2N212
7201 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-1472
FAX:  (301) 402-0066

Edgar Douglas Shawver
Chief, Maternal and Child Research Grants Management Section
Office of Grants and Contracts
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Executive Plaza North, Room 505
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-1303
FAX:  (301) 402-0915

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

The programs of the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Dental Research, National
Institute on Aging, and National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, are identified in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance, Nos. 93.173, 93.848, 93.121, 93.866 and 93.865,
respectively.  Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health
Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public
Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants
policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This
program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of
Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.

$$P1 END ************************************************************

$$P2 BEGIN PA-93-002 ************************************************

PREVENTION OF END STAGE LIVER DISEASES BY MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 35, October 2, 1992

PA NUMBER:  PA-93-002

P.T. 34; K.W. 0745020, 1002008, 1002019

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Program Announcement (PA) is to encourage research
on isolating the gene(s) or the full length cDNAs for the gene(s) of
the many genetic liver diseases in which early diagnosis and treatment
could avert progressive serious liver injury.  Liver transplantation is
often the only treatment for these diseases when they are not detected
and treated early.  Two of the liver diseases in which early diagnosis
could be curative and in which much information exists about the gene
and/or its location are Wilson's disease and hemochromatosis.

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 PA,
Prevention of End Stage Liver Diseases by Molecular diagnosis, is
related to the priority area of diabetes and chronic disabling
conditions.  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 for-profit and non-profit
United States 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 First Independent Research
Support and Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29).

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

The Research Project Grant (R01), the FIRST Award (R29), and the
Interactive Research Project Grant (interactive R01s) are all
appropriate mechanisms.  Program Project Grant (P01) or Center Grant
(P30) applications will not be accepted.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease are two inherited diseases of
trace metal metabolism that can cause end stage liver disease.  If
diagnosed early before the onset of significant liver damage, available
treatments are usually effective.  Unfortunately, both hemochromatosis
and Wilson's disease are rarely diagnosed before the onset of symptoms
in the liver or other organs.  Both diseases result in liver cirrhosis
for which liver transplantation is the only effective treatment.
Currently, there is no easy means of early screening for either disease
since the genetic defect has not been positively identified.

Hemochromatosis, which affects approximately one in 300 persons,
appears to be due to an excessive absorption of dietary iron that leads
over years to excessive bodily iron stores that eventually cause
cellular damage and organ injury in liver, heart, pancreas and gonads.
If hemochromatosis is diagnosed, the organ injuries can be averted by
phlebotomy to decrease the body iron stores to normal.  The enzyme or
transport protein responsible for the excessive absorption of iron has
not been identified.  It is not ferritin, transferrin, or the
transferrin receptor.  The new techniques of molecular biology promise
to provide means of identifying the defect in hemochromatosis.  The
molecular techniques needed are probably not the conventional ones that
proceed from the abnormal protein to the gene, but rather "reverse
genetics" that first identifies the gene and from it the abnormal
protein.  Such techniques were successful in identifying the
abnormality in cystic fibrosis and neurofibromatosis.  Indeed, in
hemochromatosis an advantage has been established already by the known
linkage of this disorder with the HLA region on the short arm of
chromosome 6.  If the gene for hemochromatosis could be identified,
genetic screening of newborns could be used to identify homozygotes and
to initiate lifelong phlebotomy therapy before the onset of disease or
organ damage.

Wilson's disease, which affects approximately one in 10,000 persons,
appears to be due to a genetic defect in the secretion of copper in
bile that leads over time to a gradual accumulation of excessive copper
stores in the liver, red blood cells, synovium, kidneys and brain.
Untreated Wilson's disease leads to irreversible end stage liver
disease and/or brain damage between the ages of 15 and 40 years.  If
Wilson's disease can be identified early, however, the copper
accumulation can be prevented by chelation therapy (d-penicillamine)
and the liver and brain disease completely averted.  Unfortunately,
Wilson's disease is rarely diagnosed early, and this is still an
important cause of liver failure necessitating liver transplantation.
Approaches that might be taken to identify the Wilson's disease gene
also include those of reverse genetics by identifying genetic markers
that co-segregate with this disease.  Such studies require data
collected from large families with Wilson's disease using multiple
genetic markers.  These studies have shown that this gene is located on
chromosome 3.  Further studies are needed to more closely locate the
gene to a fragment of DNA that can be sequenced and characterized.

Both of these examples of diseases that could benefit from appropriate
early diagnosis through molecular biology techniques require the
availability of large family cohorts to serve as subjects and controls.
The availability of multi-generational families in which linkage
analyses can be done will be very important to progress in these
studies.

Other liver diseases such as Alagille syndrome and Crigler-Najjar
syndrome type I, in which early diagnosis may make available
treatment(s) that can prevent serious liver malfunction, may also be
submitted and be responsive to this PA.  The emphasis in this
announcement is on the diagnosis of the genetic defect and not on the
treatment of the disease.

STUDY POPULATIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF NIH
POLICIES CONCERNING INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL
RESEARCH STUDY POPULATIONS

It is NIH policy that women and minorities must be included in clinical
study populations unless there is a good reason to exclude them, and
the study design must seek to identify any pertinent gender or minority
population differences.

NIH policy is that applicants for NIH 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 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 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 must 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 (rev. 9/91) in
Sections 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 5, Human
Subjects.  Applicants are urged to assess carefully the feasibility of
including the broadest possible representation of minority groups.
However, the 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 the 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 grant application form PHS 398
(rev. 9/91) and will be accepted at the regular application deadlines
as indicated in the application kit.

FIRST (R29) Award applications must include at least three sealed
letters of reference attached to the face page of the original
application.  FIRST Award applications submitted without the required
number of reference letters will be considered incomplete and will be
returned to the applicant without review.

Application kits are available at most institutional business and
grant/contract 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-
7447.  The title and number of this announcement must be typed in
Section 2a on the face page of the application.

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 CONSIDERATIONS

Applications will be assigned to initial review groups and to
Institutes or Centers for possible funding on the basis of established
PHS referral guidelines.  Applications will be reviewed for scientific
and technical merit by initial review groups of the Division of
Research Grants 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.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved
applications.  The following will be considered in making funding
decisions:

o  Quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review
o  Availability of funds
o  Program balance among research areas of the announcement

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries are encouraged.  The opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.

Inquiries regarding programmatic issues may be directed to:

Sarah C. Kalser, Ph.D.
Liver and Biliary Diseases Program Director
Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 3A-05
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7858

David G. Badman, Ph.D.
Hematology Program Director
Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 3A-05
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7458

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Miss Aretina Perry
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7467

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.848.   Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health
Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public
Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants
policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This
program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of
Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.

$$P2 END ************************************************************

$$P3 BEGIN PA-93-003 ************************************************

RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT PROGRAM

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 35, October 2, 1992

PA AVAILABLE:  PA-93-003

P.T. 14; K.W. 0715129, 0785035, 0710030

National Institute of Mental Health

THE PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT (PA) ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION.  POTENTIAL
APPLICANTS MAY OBTAIN THE PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CONTACT NAMED
IN INQUIRIES, BELOW.

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is committed to
expanding the number of institutions capable of supporting
state-of-the-art clinical and services research and thus increasing the
number of investigators obtaining extramural funding for their
research.  Expansion of the clinical research infrastructure is a major
priority of the NIMH; the Research Infrastructure Support Program
(RISP) is a direct response of the NIMH to recommendations made by the
National Advisory Mental Health Council and by the NIMH Extramural
Science Advisory Board.  The purpose of this PA is to stimulate the
development of new resources at institutions capable of developing and
maintaining programs of clinical and services research directed at the
major mental disorders.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  The PA,
Research Infrastructure Support Program, is related to the priority
areas of mental health and mental disorders.  Potential applicants may
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0 or 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 public and private, non-profit and
for-profit organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals,
laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible
agencies of the Federal government, except for those institutions with
NIMH research support exceeding $3,000,000 (in total costs) in fiscal
year 1991.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Grants awarded in the RISP program will use the Resource-Related
Research Project mechanism (R24) to contribute to the improvement of
the capability of resources to serve biomedical research.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Many institutions with access to large and varied populations of
individuals with mental disorders are not able to launch research
programs because of limited technical and scientific support available
within their research environment.  This program will assist in the
development of these and other resources that will form part of the
institution's clinical research infrastructure.

Applicant institutions must describe a comprehensive and coherent plan
of improvement to the institution's current research environment that
will expand the capacity of investigators at the institution to carry
out extramurally supported mental health research.  The plan must have
a focus on  particular mental health clinical populations or diagnostic
groups and must demonstrate accessibility of the population to
institution-based investigators.  The plan must also demonstrate the
actual commitment of institutional resources which may include senior
faculty release time, support staff, research bed costs, equipment
costs assumed by the institution, and waiver of overhead costs.

A central philosophical principle underlying this program is that
different institutions will require different types of infrastructure
development activities and initiatives.  Therefore, this announcement
does not prescribe in any detail the nature of the activities to be
applied for or supported.

The following types of support may be requested under this program:

o  Partial salary support for junior faculty, particularly women and
minorities

o  Training expenses for junior faculty

o  Research patient recruitment, diagnosis, assessment, and follow-up

o  Clinical and scientific consultation, including expenses incurred by
an external review and scientific advisory committee

o  Biostatistical and data-base management services

o  Small equipment and research instruments

o  Research technicians and assistants

o  Developmental, feasibility, or pilot studies

STUDY POPULATIONS

NIH POLICY CONCERNING INCLUSION OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN AS SUBJECTS IN
RESEARCH

Applications for grants and cooperative agreements and proposals for
contracts that involve human subjects are required to include
minorities and both genders 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 applies to all research involving human subjects and human
materials, and applies to males and females of all ages.  If one gender
and/or minorities are excluded or are inadequately represented in this
research, particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear
compelling rationale for exclusion or inadequate representation should
be provided.  The composition of the proposed study population must be
described in terms of gender and racial/ethnic group, together with a
rationale for its choice.  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.

Applicants are urged to assess carefully the feasibility of including
the broadest possible representation of minority groups.  However, the
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., American Indians or
Alaskan Natives, Asians or Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics).
Investigators must provide the rationale for studies on single minority
population groups.

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
Sections 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 5, Human
Subjects.

Applications for support of research involving human subjects must
employ a study design with minority and/or gender representation (by
age distribution, risk factors, incidence/prevalence, etc.) appropriate
to the scientific objectives of the research.  It is not an automatic
requirement for the study design to provide statistical power to answer
the questions posed for men and women and racial/ethnic groups
separately;  however, whenever there are scientific reasons to
anticipate differences between men and women, and racial/ethnic groups,
with regard to the hypothesis under investigation, applicants should
include an evaluation of these gender and minority group differences in
the proposed study.  If adequate inclusion of one gender and/or
minorities is impossible or inappropriate with respect to the purpose
of the research, because of the health of the subjects, or other
reasons, or if in the only study population available, there is a
disproportionate representation of one gender or minority/majority
group, the rationale for the study population must be well explained
and justified.

All applications for clinical research submitted to the NIH are
required to address these policies.  NIH funding components will not
award grants that do not comply with these policies.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applicants are to use the research grant application form PHS 398 (rev.
9/91) in applying for these grants.  The number and title of this PA,
Research Infrastructure Support Program, must be typed in item 2a on
the face page of the PHS application form.

Applications kits containing the necessary forms and instructions may
be obtained from business offices and offices of sponsored research at
most universities, colleges, medical schools, and other major research
facilities.  If such a source is not available, the necessary
application materials may be obtained from the Grants Management
Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room
7C-05, Rockville, MD  20857 (telephone  301/443-4414).

The signed original and five legible copies of the completed
application must be sent to:

Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an
initial review group (IRG) composed of primarily non-Federal scientific
experts.  Final review is by the appropriate National Advisory Council,
review by Council may be based on policy considerations as well as
scientific merit.  By law, only applications recommended by the Council
may be considered for funding.  Summary statements of IRG discussions
are sent to applicants as soon as possible following IRG review.

Review Criteria

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
competetion 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 post-doctoral trainees for at least two years in research
training or other research activities

o  When appropriate, the concomitant training of health-professional
post-doctorates (e.g., individuals with the M.D., D.O., D.D.S.) with
basic science post-doctorates (e.g., individuals with a Ph.D., Sc.D.)
will receive special consideration

Following scientific-technical review, the application will receive a
second-level review by the appropriate National Advisory Council.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications recommended for approval by the appropriate National
Advisory Council will be considered for funding on the basis of overall
scientific and technical merit of the research as determined by peer
review, program needs and balance, and availability of funds.

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged.  The
opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential
applicants is welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Grayson S. Norquist, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Deputy Director, Division of Epidemiology and Services Research
National Institute of Mental Health
Parklawn Building, Room 18C-26
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-3683

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Stephen J. Hudak
Chief, Grants Management Section
National Institute of Mental Health
Parklawn Building, Room 7C-23
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-4456

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.3.  Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health
Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78- 410, as amended by Public
Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants
policies and regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is
not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive
Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.

$$P3 END ************************************************************


$$XID RFA DK9301 DK-93-01 P1O1 *****************************************

DIABETES ENDOCRINOLOGY RESEARCH CENTERS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 35, October 2, 1992

RFA:  DK-93-01

P.T. 04; K.W. 0715075, 0785050, 0765020, 0710030

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  December 14, 1992
Application Receipt Date:  January 14, 1993

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK) invites applications for funding of one Diabetes Endocrinology
Research Center (DERC) grant to be competitively awarded in Fiscal Year
1994.

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,
Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers, is related to the priority
area of diabetes mellitus.  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 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.  Minority individuals and
women are encouraged to submit as Principal Investigators.  Foreign
institutions are not eligible to apply.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Support of this program will be through the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) grant-in-aid core center (P30) award.  Responsibility for
the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be
solely that of the applicant.  In addition to the requirements stated
in this announcement, awards will be administered under PHS grants
policy as stated in the PHS Grants Policy Statement.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The NIDDK anticipates awarding one DERC Grant in Fiscal Year 1994 on a
competitive basis.  The receipt of one competing continuation
application is anticipated, which will be in competition together with
the other applications received in response to this announcement.  The
anticipated award will be for five years and will be contingent upon
the availability of appropriated funds.  Requests for support must be
limited to no more than $750,000 in direct costs per year.  Any
application exceeding this amount will be returned to the applicant.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The NIDDK-supported DERCs are part of an integrated program of
diabetes-related research support provided by the NIDDK.  These Centers
have provided a focus for increasing collaboration and cost
effectiveness among groups of successful investigators at institutions
with established comprehensive diabetes research bases.

The objectives of the DERCs are to bring together investigators from
relevant disciplines in a manner that will enhance and extend the
effectiveness of research related to diabetes and its complications.
A Diabetes Center must be an identifiable unit within a single
university medical center or a consortium of cooperating institutions,
including an affiliated university.  The overall goal of the DERC is to
bring together, on a cooperative basis, clinical and basic science
investigators in a manner that will enrich the effectiveness of
diabetes research.  An existing program of excellence in biomedical
research in the area of diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine
disorders is required.  This research should be in the form of
NIH-funded research projects, program projects, or other peer-reviewed
research that is in existence at the time of submission of a Center
application.  Close cooperation, communication, and collaboration among
all involved personnel of all professional disciplines are ultimate
objectives.  Applicants should consult with NIDDK staff concerning
plans for the development of the Center.

The DERCs are based on the core concept.  Cores are defined as shared
resources that enhance productivity or in other ways benefit a group of
investigators working in diabetes or diabetes-related areas to
accomplish the stated goals of the Center.  Two other types of
activities may also be supported with Center funding---a pilot and
feasibility program and an enrichment program.  The pilot and
feasibility program provides modest support for new initiatives or
feasibility research studies.  This program is directed at new
investigators or investigators established in other research
disciplines, whose expertise may be applied to diabetes research.  The
center grant may also include limited funds for program enrichment such
as seminars, visiting scientists, consultants, and workshops.

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 should 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

It is NIH policy that women and minorities must be included in clinical
study populations unless there is a good reason to exclude them.  The
study design must seek to identify any pertinent gender or minority
population differences.

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 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 must be provided.  This policy is applicable for
every individual study or project proposed in the application.

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 must 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 (rev. 9/91) in
Sections 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 5, Human
Subjects.  Applicants are urged to assess carefully the feasibility of
including the broadest possible representation of minority groups.
However, the 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 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.

If the required information is not contained within the application,
the application will be returned without review.

LETTER OF INTENT

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of
intent no later than December 14, 1992.  The letter of intent need only
include the names of the Principal Investigator/program director and
principal collaborators, descriptive title of the potential
application, identification of the organization(s) involved, and
reference to the RFA number DK-93-01.  The letter of intent is to be
sent to the Chief, Review Branch, NIDDK at the address noted below.

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does
not enter into the review of subsequent applications, the information
that it contains is helpful in planning the review of applications.  It
allows NIDDK staff to estimate the potential review workload and to
avoid conflict of interest in the review.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applicants are strongly encouraged to request a copy of "Guidelines for
Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers."  These guidelines contain
important additional information on the format, content, and review of
applications and review criteria.  Prospective applicants may obtain
guidelines from and may address inquiries to:

Dr. Sanford A. Garfield
Diabetes Centers Program Director
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 626
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7418
FAX:  (301) 480-0383

Applications are to be submitted on the form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91)
available at most institutional business offices and from the Office of
Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of
Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone
(301) 496-7441.  On item 2a of the face page of the application,
applicants must enter the RFA title and number.  The RFA label
available in the application form PHS 398 must be affixed to the bottom
of the face page.  Failure to use this label could result in delayed
processing of the application to the extent that it may not reach the
review committee in time for review.

Applications must be received by January 14, 1993.  The original and
three copies of the application must be sent or delivered to:

Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**

Two additional copies of the application must be sent under separate
cover to:

Review Branch
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 603
Bethesda, MD  20892

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be initially reviewed by the Division
of Research Grants (DRG) for completeness.  Incomplete applications
will be returned to the applicant without further consideration.
Evaluation of responsiveness to the program requirements and criteria
stated in this RFA is an NIDDK staff function.

Those applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated
in competition in accordance with the criteria stated below and in the
DERC Guidelines for scientific/technical merit by an appropriate peer
review group convened by the NIDDK.  It is essential that the written
application be in a form to be reviewed on its own merit, since no
site-visit is anticipated.  Following this review, the applications
will be given a second level review by the National Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory Council.

The initial review group will review each application using the
criteria stated below:

o  Scientific excellence of the Center's research base that must have
a broad and central focus in diabetes and may extend to related
metabolism and endocrinology.  The relevance of the separately funded
research to the DERC and the likelihood for meaningful collaboration
among Center investigators must be demonstrated.

o  Appropriateness and relevance of the cores and their modes of
operation, facilities, and potential for contribution to ongoing
research.  Renewal applications must include the use, utility, quality
control, cost effectiveness, and demonstrated progress of any
developmental research in the shared resources.

o  For new applications, the pilot and feasibility program is judged on
the basis of:  (1) scientific merit of the studies as submitted and (2)
the merit of the administrative process for selecting subsequent
studies.  In competitive renewal applications, emphasis is accorded to
the program as a whole, including past track record and management of
the program.

o  Efficiency and effectiveness of use and/or planned use of enrichment
funds.

o  The scientific and administrative leadership abilities of the DERC
Director and Associate Director and their commitment and ability to
devote adequate time to the effective management of the DERC program.

o  The appropriateness of the DERC budgets for the proposed and
approved work to be done in core facilities, for pilot and feasibility
studies, and for enrichment in relation to the total Center program.

o  Institutional commitment to the program, including lines of
accountability regarding management of the DERC grant and a commitment
to establish new positions as necessary.

o  Enriched academic environment with resources to enable the
activities to be conducted.

o  The institutional commitment to establishing new positions should be
presented.

o  Appropriateness, suitability and integration of research training
and other training programs into the overall Center.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications will compete for available funds with all other
applications submitted in response to this RFA and recommended by peer
review.  The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

o  Quality of the proposed Center as determined by peer review

o  Availability of funds

o  Overall balance in the DERC program

Schedule

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:   December 14, 1992
Application Receipt Date:        January 14, 1993
Initial Review Dates:            Jun/Jul 1993
Second Level Review Dates:       Sep/Oct 1993
Anticipated Award Date:          December 1, 1993

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues and requests to:

Dr. Sanford A. Garfield
Diabetes Centers Program Director
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 626
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7418
FAX:  (301) 480-038

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Linda Stecklein
Team Leader and Grants Management Specialist
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 649
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7467

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.847.  Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health
Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public
Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants
policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This
program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of
Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.


$$XID RFA HS9301 HS-93-01 P1O1 *****************************************

GRANTS FOR HEALTH SERVICES DISSERTATION RESEARCH

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 35, October 2, 1992

RFA:  HS-93-01

P.T. 34; K.W. 0730050, 0710030

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Application Receipt Date:  January 22, 1993

PURPOSE

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) was established
in December 1989 by P.L. 101-239 as the successor to the National
Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology
Assessment (NCHSR).  The AHCPR conducts research that will enhance the
quality, appropriateness and effectiveness of health care services, and
access to such services.

The AHCPR announces a Request for Applications (RFA) for grants for
health services dissertation research.  The provision of dissertation
grant support is part of the effort of the AHCPR to stimulate the
development of innovative and timely research on issues related to the
delivery of health care services.  Grant support is designed to aid the
career development of new health services researchers and to encourage
individuals from a variety of academic disciplines and programs to
study complex issues with respect to health care services.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The 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.  The AHCPR urges applicants to
submit grant applications with relevance to specific objectives of this
initiative.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People
2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or 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

A student applying for a dissertation research grant must be enrolled
in an accredited doctoral degree program in the social, management,
medical, or health sciences.  The student also must be conducting or
intending to conduct dissertation research on issues related to the
delivery of health care services as described below.  The proposed
Principal Investigator (PI) must be a registered doctoral candidate in
resident or nonresident status.  All requirements for the doctoral
degree other than the dissertation must be completed by the time of the
award.  This information must be verified in a letter of certification
from the thesis chairperson and submitted with the grant application
(see APPLICATION PROCEDURES).

The applicant may be either the institution that will administer the
grant on behalf of the proposed PI or the proposed PI applying as an
individual.  Whenever feasible, the proposed PI is encouraged to have
the application administered through an institution.  This may be
either the degree-granting institution or another nonprofit institution
with which the proposed PI is professionally affiliated.  In
determining which institution is more appropriate, the student must
consider the extent to which the resources of the designated
institution are capable of supporting the proposed research effort.

A proposed PI for dissertation research grant support need not be a
citizen of the United States.  However, a PI who is not a U.S. citizen
and does not have a permanent resident visa must apply through an
institution.

Also, an application from a student enrolled in a foreign institution
will be accepted provided that the application is in English and the PI
applies through an institution.

A PI who receives support for dissertation research under a grant from
AHCPR may not at the same time receive support under a predoctoral
training grant or fellowship grant awarded by any other agency of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the AHCPR small grant (R03).  Responsibility for the
planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be
solely that of the proposed PI.  In addition to the requirements stated
in this RFA, awards will be administered under PHS grants policy as
described in the PHS Grants Policy Statement.

The budget of an application for a dissertation research grant must not
exceed $20,000 in direct costs for the entire project period.  An
application that exceeds this amount will be returned to the applicant.

Investigators may request support only for the amount of time necessary
to complete the dissertation.  A dissertation research grant usually is
awarded for a period of 12 months or less but may be awarded for up to
17 months.  Investigators who need 18 months or more to complete the
research project will be required to submit a continuation application
for support beyond the first 12 months.  Continuation support may be
awarded if satisfactory progress is being made, but the direct costs of
the entire project may not exceed $20,000.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The AHCPR expects to fund about 15 to 20 dissertation research projects
in 1993.  The number of awards will depend on the availability of
funds.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Only applications that propose studies in the areas identified in
section 902 of the Public Health Service Act are eligible for support.
Section 902 authorizes research in the following areas:

o  Effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of health care services
o  Outcomes of health care services and procedures
o  Clinical practice, including primary care and practice-oriented
research
o  Health care technologies, facilities, and equipment
o  Health care costs, productivity, and market forces
o  Health promotion and disease prevention
o  Health statistics and epidemiology
o  Medical liability
o  AIDS/HIV infection
o  Rural health services
o  Health of low-income, minority, elderly, and other underserved
populations

Applicants are encouraged to discuss the suitability of their research
topics by letter or by phone with AHCPR staff members.  (See INQUIRIES)

Allowable Costs

Expenses usually allowed under PHS research grants will be covered by
AHCPR dissertation research grants.  Allowable costs include the PIs
salary; direct project expenses such as travel, data processing, and
supplies; and for institutional applicants only, indirect costs.  Fees
for maintaining matriculation or other fees imposed on those preparing
dissertations are allowable costs, provided the fees are required of
all students of similar standing regardless of the source of funding.
Applicants are expected to work full time on the project.  Any level of
effort that is less than full-time must be fully justified.

For the purpose of calculating indirect costs, dissertation research
grants are considered to be training grants.  Therefore, in accordance
with PHS policy, indirect costs are limited to eight percent of direct
costs, payable only when the applicant is an institution.

Other Conditions

The following conditions apply to dissertation grants:

A PI who discontinues or suspends a project during the grant period
must inform the AHCPR immediately in writing.  The AHCPR may suspend or
terminate the grant as requested by the PI or on its own initiative.

The dissertation constitutes the final report of the grant.  The
dissertation must be officially accepted by the faculty committee or
university official responsible for the candidate's dissertation and
must be signed by the responsible officials.  Three copies of the
dissertation must be submitted to the AHCPR.

The dissertation and all financial status reports must be submitted in
English.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS CONCERNING INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND
MINORITIES IN RESEARCH STUDY POPULATIONS

The AHCPR requires applicants for research grants 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 to include
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 research, particularly in proposed
population-based studies, a clear and compelling rationale should be
provided.

The composition of the proposed study population must be described in
terms of gender and race/ethnicity.  In addition, gender and
racial/ethnic issues should be addressed in developing the research
design and sample size appropriate for the scientific objectives of the
study.  This information should be included on the form PHS 398 in
Sections 1-4 of the Research Plan and summarized in Section 5, Human
Subjects.  State and local governments using form PHS 5161 should
include this information in the Program Narrative section.

Applicants are urged to assess carefully the feasibility of including
the broadest possible representation of minority groups.  However, the
AHCPR 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,
Asian/Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics).  Where appropriate, the
applicant should provide the rationale for studies on single minority
population groups.

All applications for research submitted to the AHCPR are required to
address this policy.  The AHCPR will not award grants for applications
which do not comply.  If the required information is not contained in
the application, the application will be returned without review.

Problem Significance

o  The project is focused on a significant problem in the delivery of
health care.

o  The methodology or anticipated results of the project have national
interest, provide a basis for generalized conclusions, or have
important practical applicability.

Research Design

o  The problem to be addressed by the research is clearly defined.

o  The application reflects an adequate knowledge of other research
related to the problem.

o  Questions to be answered or hypotheses to be tested are well
formulated and clearly stated.

o  Research methodology is fully described including, where applicable,
explanation of sampling procedures, description of types and sources of
data to be gathered, discussion of methodological problems expected to
be encountered, and description of specific analyses to be undertaken.

o  The application adequately describes the plans for managing the
project, including a tentative schedule for the main steps of the
investigation within the project period requested.

Investigator's Qualifications and Support Structure

o  The applicant shows promise as a health services research
investigator.

o  The experience and training of the applicant are sufficient to carry
out the research.

o  The available facilities and organizational arrangements are
appropriate to the research.

o  Faculty advice, composition of dissertation committee, and support
are suitable to the research being undertaken, as evidenced by the
letter of support.

Budgetary Appropriateness

o  The allocation of time and money reflects an understanding of the
research tasks to be accomplished and of the problems likely to arise.

o  Where appropriate and feasible, the proposed approach uses data
available or being collected through government and other sources.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used
in applying for these grants in accordance with the special
instructions described here and in the application kit.  Research grant
application materials and special instructions for dissertation grant
applications are available from:

AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 8549
Silver Spring, MD  20907
Telephone:  1-800-358-9295

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application must be affixed to
the bottom of the face page.  Failure to use this label may result in
delayed processing of an application such that it may not reach the
review committee in time for review.  In addition, the RFA title and
number, HS-93-01, must be typed in the box marked Item 2a of the
application face page.

The original application and five copies must be sent directly to:

Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD  20892**

Applicants that are State and local governments may use form PHS 5161
and submit an original and two copies.

Applications must be received by Friday, January 22, 1993.

A letter from the faculty committee or university official directly
responsible for supervising the development and progress of the
dissertation research must be submitted with the application.  The
letter must:  (1) fully identify the members of the committee and
certify their approval of the dissertation proposal, (2) certify that
all requirements for the doctoral degree except the dissertation are
completed (or will be completed by the time of the grant award), and
(3) note that the university official or faculty committee expects the
doctoral candidate to proceed with the approved project proposal with
or without AHCPR support.  An attachment must identify all members of
the applicant's faculty advisory committee, including for each the
university departmental affiliation and rank, highest degree with name
of degree granting institution, date conferred and major discipline.
An application that does not conform to these instructions will be
returned.

Revised and resubmitted applications have seldom been funded,
therefore, individuals are strongly encouraged to contact Dr.
Pellegrino, at the address listed below, to discuss their intentions
prior to submitting a revised application.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by the Division of Research
Grants for completeness and by AHCPR staff for responsiveness.
Incomplete or unresponsive applications will be returned to the
applicant.  Dissertation research grant applications will be reviewed
under AHCPR review procedures by non-Federal or Federal experts.
Reviewers will be selected on the basis of their health services
research accomplishments and knowledge and their experience in research
career development.  Because reviews are rigorous, considerable
methodological detail is important in the narrative of the application.
All elements of the application will be considered in the review
process.  Primary emphasis will be given to the significance,
scientific merit, and feasibility of the project.

Applications may be subject to triage to determine their scientific
merit relative to other applications received in response to this RFA.
The AHCPR will withdraw from further competition those applications
judged by triage to be noncompetitive for award and notify the PI and
institutional official.  Those applications judged to be competitive
will undergo further scientific merit review.  Review results and
funding decisions will be announced approximately five months after the
submission date.  Review criteria, award criteria, and continuation of
support are described below.

Review Criteria

Applications are reviewed to determine their suitability to review
criteria in four major areas:  problem significance, research design,
investigator's qualifications and support structure, and budgetary
appropriateness.

AWARD CRITERIA

Reviewers will provide recommendations with regard to the scientific
and technical merit of the application and whether it should receive
further consideration.  Funding decisions are made by the AHCPR based
on the recommendations of the reviewers, the relevance of the project
to program priorities, and the availability of appropriated funds.

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss programmatic issues, such as the
suitability of their research topics, by letter or telephone with:

Julius Pellegrino, M.B.A., M.P.H.
Program Coordinator, Dissertation Grants
Center for General Health Services Extramural Research
Executive Office Center, Suite 502
2101 E. Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD  20852
Telephone:  (301) 227-8357

Direct inquiries regarding instructions for completing the application
to:

Galen B. (Sandy) Warren, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Office of Scientific Review
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Executive Office Center, Suite 602
2101 E. Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD  20852
Telephone:  (301) 227-8449

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal and administrative matters to:

Ralph Sloat
Chief, Grants Management Branch
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Executive Office Center, Suite 601
2101 E. Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD  20852
Telephone:  (301) 227-8447

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
No. 93.226.  Awards are made under authority of title IX of the Public
Health Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 299-299c-6), and administered
under PHS grants policies and in accordance with regulations of Title
42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 67, Subpart A.  A copy of
these regulations and the dissertation research grant application
instructions will be among the materials sent to each applicant.  The
requirements of Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs, are not applicable to AHCPR research grant programs.