From: kristoff@GENBANK.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson)
Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources
Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 21, no. 14, pt. 2, 10 April 1992
Date: 10 Apr 92 23:32:13 GMT
Distribution: bionet


              ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

$$P1 BEGIN PA-92-67 *************************************************

INTERNATIONAL GENOME RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM FOR CENTRAL AND
EASTERN EUROPE

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 14, April 10, 1992

PA NUMBER:  PA-92-67

P.T. 34; K.W. 1215018, 0755045, 1004008

National Center for Human Genome Research
Fogarty International Center

PURPOSE

The main purpose of the International Genome Research Collaborative
Program (IGRCP) is to facilitate collaboration between U.S. and
Central and Eastern European scientists that will enhance the
NIH-supported Human Genome Program, while at the same time benefiting
the genome programs of the collaborating foreign scientists and their
home institutions.  For the purposes of this program, Central and
Eastern Europe is defined as Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Federal
Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, all
republics of the (former) U.S.S.R., and Yugoslavia.  As a result of
new developments in Central and Eastern Europe, some of these
scientists are already working in U.S. laboratories to take advantage
of new scientific and technological advances.  A few of them have
either initiated or participated in genomic research or have the
types of expertise that could accelerate the progress of the Human
Genome Program.  The National Center for Human Genome Research
(NCHGR) would like to capitalize on these efforts and the talents of
these scientists by assisting in the establishment of long-term
scientific collaborations with their U.S. hosts. To accomplish these
goals, the NCHGR will provide financial assistance for extended
visits by foreign scientists in U.S. laboratories and for the
purchase of equipment and supplies to enhance the collaborative
projects at foreign institutions.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for an International Genome Research Collaborative
Award, the following conditions must be met:

o  Only U.S. institutions where there are currently funded grants
from the NCHGR are eligible to apply. The Principal Investigator (PI)
of the research grant (R-series, P-series) from the NCHGR as the PI
of the small grant application.

o  the U.S. applicant MUST be the Principal Investigator of an NCHGR
research project grant (R or P type of awards) that has at least one
remaining year of support at the time the IGRCP award is made.  Since
the small grant (R03) award may be up to three years in duration, it
is possible for the R03 award to extend beyond the budget period of
the parent grant;

o  the foreign collaborator must be a citizen of a Central or Eastern
European country.

o  the foreign collaborator must demonstrate an association with an
organized Human Genome Program in his/her own country; and

o  the foreign collaborator must hold a position at a public or
private non-profit institution in his/her home country that will
allow him/her adequate time and provide appropriate facilities to
conduct the proposed research.  Scientists early in their careers who
have not yet achieved an independent research position are referred
to the International Genome Research Fellowship Program also
published in this issue of the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Projects will be supported through the small grants (R03) mechanism.
Grants will be awarded for a minimum of one and a maximum of three
years.  These awards will provide the following:

o  up to $20,000 per year in direct cost to be used for materials,
supplies, and equipment to support genomic research in the foreign
laboratory or the work of the foreign collaborator while in the U.S.
sponsor's laboratory;

o  a maximum of $24,000 per annum in living expenses to support the
stay of the foreign collaborator in the U.S. laboratory.  The foreign
collaborator must be prepared to spend a minimum of 6 continuous
months in a U.S. laboratory during the period of the grant, however,
12 months is desirable for applications exceeding one year.  Living
expenses will be prorated at the rate of $2,000 per month; and

o  travel expenses for the U.S. and foreign collaborators. It is
desirable that once the foreign collaborator returns to his/her
institution that there will be at least one reciprocal laboratory
visit per year by the U.S. and foreign collaborators for the duration
of the award.

All requests for funds must be adequately justified in the
application by the scientific needs of the project proposed. No
salaries or stipends for any of the collaborators, students, or
technical assistants will be supported under these awards.

A foreign collaborator may request support to conduct research not
already being supported by the U.S. investigator's parent grant;
however, the research project must be an extension of or related to
the currently funded research project.

The U.S. institution will have fiscal responsibility for the award.
Indirect costs will be calculated on the basis of the off-site rate
of the sponsoring U.S. institution.  The small grant award is
non-renewable and the NCHGR is under no obligation to continue
support of this research either as an independent foreign grant or as
a component of a recompeting parent grant.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

It is the intent of this collaborative program to facilitate progress
on technology development, mapping, and sequencing in support of the
international Human Genome Project. Applications are encouraged in
the following areas:

o  construction of high-resolution genetic maps comprised of DNA
markers with an average spacing of 2 centimorgans and gaps no greater
than 5 centimorgans each identified by a "sequence-tagged site;"

o  construction of high-resolution physical maps of chromosomes in
which contigs of at least 2 million base pairs are unambiguously
ordered and identified by "sequence-tagged sites" spaced about
100,000 base pairs apart;

o  development of new and/or improvement of existing methods for DNA
sequencing that are capable of significantly reducing the cost of
sequencing;

o  development of computer tools, information systems, and strategies
for collecting, storing, retrieving, analyzing, interpreting, and
distributing large amounts of mapping and sequencing data; and

o  technology development to support all of the above objectives.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The application must include a letter from the foreign collaborator's
responsible institutional official documenting the institution's
commitment to the collaboration.  The application must demonstrate
that the proposed collaboration will enhance the scientific
contributions of both U.S. and foreign scientists AND further the
goals of the Human Genome Project, which is an international
undertaking.  Applications are to be submitted by the U.S. Principal
Investigators on standard form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91), that is available
from most institutional business offices and from the Office of
Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, NIH, Bethesda, MD
20892, telephone (301) 496-7441.  Special application instructions
are necessary and are available from the International Research and
Awards Branch, Fogarty International Center (See INQUIRIES).  The
application consists of a section to be completed by the U.S.
Principal Investigator and a separate section to be completed by the
foreign collaborator.  Both sections must be submitted to the NIH by
the U.S. applicant organization as a single package.  The number and
title of this announcement must be typed in item number 2a on the
face page of the PHS 398 application form.  The completed original
application and three legible copies must be sent or delivered to:

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

In addition, to expedite the review process, it is important to
submit two copies of the application to:

IRAB - HG
Fogarty International Center
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room B2C39
Bethesda, MD  20892

If applicable, provisions for protection of human research subjects
and laboratory animals must be met in both domestic and foreign
settings.  See Title 45 CFR Part 46 for information concerning the
Department of Health and Human Services regulations for the
protection of human subjects and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and
Use of Laboratory Animals.  These are available from the Office of
Protection from Research Risks, National Institutes of Health,
Building 31, Room 5B59, Bethesda, MD  20892.  Information on these
assurances is included in the special application instructions.

Receipt dates for completed applications are June 1, October 1, and
February 1.  If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it is
automatically extended to the next working day.

REVIEW PROCEDURES

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established Public
Health Service referral guidelines.  The application will be reviewed
for scientific and technical merit by a review group of the relevant
institute, center, or division.  Applications in response to this
program announcement will be reviewed in accordance with the usual
NIH peer review procedures.  The review criteria are:

o  originality of the approach;
o  soundness of the experimental design;
o  evidence that this proposed research will extend or enhance the
work currently supported on the parent grant;
o  resources and environment of the U.S. and foreign collaborators;
and
o  appropriateness of the budget.

Following scientific-technical review, the application will receive a
second-level review by the National Advisory Council for Human Genome
Research or another advisory council or board.  For successful
applications, awards will be made approximately ten months following
receipt of applications.

AWARD CRITERIA

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

o  quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review;
o  balance among research areas; and
o  availability of funds.

The following additional criteria will be used by the NCHGR in making
award decisions:

o  potential for developing technology or strategies for accelerating
progress in mapping and sequencing the genomes of human and select
model organisms;

o  value of the research for achieving the goals of the NCHGR;

o  potential of this collaboration to accelerate progress on the
Human Genome Project;

o  demonstrated background and commitment of the U.S. and foreign
investigators to further the goals of the Human Genome Project; and

o  adequacy of any plans proposed for managing data and sharing data
and resources in a timely manner.

INQUIRIES

To obtain further information on this program and to request the
necessary special application instructions, contact:

Dr. David A. Wolff
International Research and Awards Branch
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C39
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-1653
FAX:  (301) 402-0779

For information on the Human Genome Program, contact:

For scientific programmatic information:

Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D.
Chief, Research Grants Branch
National Center for Human Genome Research
Building 38A, Room 610
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7531
E-MAIL:  B2G@CU.NIH.GOV

For grants management and fiscal matters:

Ms. Alice Thomas
Chief, Grants and Contracts Management Branch
National Center for Human Genome Research
Building 38A, Room 613
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0733
E-Mail:  AT3@CU.NIH.GOV

The program and grants management officials welcome the opportunity
to discuss any issues or questions regarding this program
announcement.

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.172.  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-92-68 *************************************************

INTERNATIONAL GENOME RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR CENTRAL AND
EASTERN EUROPE

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 14, April 10, 1992

PA NUMBER:  PA-92-68

P.T. 34; K.W. 1215018, 0755045, 1004008

National Center for Human Genome Research
Fogarty International Center

PURPOSE

The purpose of the International Genome Research Fellowship Program
is to provide opportunities for Central and Eastern European
scientists who are in the formative stages of their research careers
to obtain further training in U.S. laboratories, to exchange ideas
and information about the latest advances in mapping and sequencing
technology, and to improve the research potential of the fellow's
home institution to pursue genomic research.  For the purposes of
this program, Central and Eastern Europe is defined as Bulgaria, the
Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland, Romania, all republics of the (former) U.S.S.R.,
and Yugoslavia.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for an International Genome Research Fellowship, the
applicant must:

o  be a citizen of a Central or Eastern European country;

o  have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree and no more than 10 years
of postdoctoral experience in genetics, molecular biology, or other
discipline that can be applied to genome research such as computer
sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or engineering;

o  have demonstrated an ability to engage in research;

o  have assurance of a position to which he/she can return on
completion of the fellowship;

o  be proficient in the English language; and

o  obtain an invitation to work with a U.S. scientist who will act as
collaborator and host.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Fellowships will be supported through the International Research
Fellowship (F05) mechanism.  The minimum award period is 12 months
and the maximum award period is 24 months.  Fellowships will be
awarded for a period of 12 to 24 months in the U.S.  The fellowship
provides:

o  Living Allowance:  The fellowship does not provide for a salary or
stipend; instead, awardees will receive a living allowance of $2,000
per month while in the U.S. to cover the cost of housing and meals;

o  Travel:  Round-trip fare, economy class between the fellow's home
and the fellowship site on a U.S. air carrier; and

o  Institutional Allowance:  The award will provide an institutional
allowance of $1,200 per month to the U.S. host institution to cover
the cost of health insurance and research supplies.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

This fellowship program has been developed to facilitate research on
the Human Genome Project, an international program to map and
sequence the genomes of humans and other model organisms.  Fellowship
applications are encouraged in the following areas:

o  construction of high-resolution genetic maps, comprised of DNA
markers with an average spacing of 2 centimorgans, and gaps no
greater than 5 centimorgans, each identified by a "sequence-tagged
site;"

o  construction of high-resolution physical maps of chromosomes in
which contigs of at least 2 million base pairs are unambiguously
ordered and identified by "sequence-tagged sites," spaced about
100,000 base pairs apart;

o  development of new and/or improvement of existing methods for DNA
sequencing that are capable of significantly reducing the cost of
sequencing;

o  development of computer tools, information systems, and strategies
for collecting, storing, retrieving, analyzing, interpreting and
distributing large amounts of mapping and sequencing data; and

o  technology development to support all of the above objectives.

The program is open to scientists early in their careers.  More
established scientists are referred to the International Genome
Research Collaborative Program.

Prospective applicants and U.S. sponsors must have a clear
understanding about the goals of the fellowship and the specific
genome research project to be pursued.  Fellowship recipients will be
expected to bring to the U.S. sponsor's institution the knowledge,
professional background, and intellectual commitment that will make
the fellowship a mutually enriching experience for the fellow and the
U.S. host.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Prospective applicants must make applications through the U.S.
institutions of the sponsors.  Special application kits must be
obtained from the Fogarty International Center (See INQUIRIES).  A
prospective applicant must:

o  describe the benefits of the fellowship to the applicant, the U.S.
host, and the foreign applicant's institution;

o  describe how the fellowship will enhance the applicant's ability
to pursue genomic research upon return to the home institution;

o  include a letter of invitation from the U.S. sponsor and the
sponsor's portion of the application completed by the U.S. host; and

o  the application must be submitted through the U.S. institution of
the sponsor.

Receipt date(s) for completed applications are September 10, January
10, and May 10 of each year.

Completed applications must be addressed to:

IRAB - IGRF
Fogarty International Center
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room B2C39
Bethesda, MD  20892

REVIEW PROCEDURES

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established Public
Health Service referral guidelines.  All fellowship applications will
be reviewed for scientific and technical merit in accordance with the
standard NIH peer review procedures.  The following review criteria
will be used:

o  Scientific merit of the research to be undertaken by the fellow
under the guidance of the sponsor;

o  relevance of the proposed research to biomedical problems;

o  adequacy of the educational background and research experience of
the applicant to undertake the proposed research;

o  whether or not the proposed research can be completed within the
fellowship period;

o  the institutional environment in which the research will be
carried out;

o  the compatibility of the objectives stated by the applicant and
those envisaged by the sponsor; and

o  whether or not the proposed research will provide a significant
expansion in knowledge beyond what the applicant is obtaining if he
or she is already working in a U.S. institution.

The second level of review will be performed by the appropriate NIH
funding component.

AWARD CRITERIA

For applications assigned to the National Center for Human Genome
Research (NCHGR), the following criteria will be considered in making
funding decisions:

o  the relevance of this training program to the goals of the Human
Genome Program;

o  the quality of the training experience as determined by peer
review;

o  potential of this collaboration to accelerate progress on the
Human Genome Project;

o  availability of funds; and

o  if appropriate, the protections accorded human subjects and
vertebrate animals and the appropriate inclusion of minorities and
women if clinical studies are to be awarded.

Applicants will be notified of their status in writing approximately
eight weeks following the initial review of applications and the
awards will be issued by the appropriate NIH funding component.  On
receipt of the Notice of Research Fellowship Award, the fellowship
may be activated within six months of the award date.

INQUIRIES

Inquiries about this fellowship and requests for application kits
must be directed to:

Dr. David A. Wolff
International Genomic Research Fellowship Program
International Research and Awards Branch
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C39
Bethesda, MD  20892
USA
Telephone:  (301) 496-1653
FAX:  (301) 402-0779

For information on the Human Genome Program, contact:

Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D.
Chief, Research Grants Branch
National Center for Human Genome Research
Building 38A, Room 610
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7531
E-MAIL:  B2G@CU.NIH.GOV

For grants management and fiscal matters, contact:

Ms. Alice Thomas
Chief, Grants and Contracts Management Branch
National Center for Human Genome Research
Building 38A, Room 613
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0733
E-Mail:  AT3@CU.NIH.GOV

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.172.  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 ************************************************************

                         ERRATUM

$$E1 BEGIN P6 19920327 APPEND PA-92-62 FULL ****************************

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF ELDERLY POPULATION CONCENTRATIONS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 14, April 10, 1992

PA NUMBER:  PA-92-62

P.T. 34; K.W. 0413001, 0710010, 0408006

National Institute on Aging
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

This program announcement was published in the NIH Guide for Grants
and Contracts on March 26, 1992, Vol. 21, No. 12, Part II of II.
This erratum is to correct the following sections, which are repeated
in their entirety.  In addition, this program announcement will not
support Career Development Awards.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for research grants may be made by public and private,
for-profit and non-profit organizations, such as universities
college, hospitals, and laboratories.  Women and minority
investigators, in particular, are encouraged to apply.  Foreign
institutes are welcome to apply, but are advised to consult NIA staff
before applying and are strongly encouraged to apply in collaboration
with a U.S. institution.  Foreign institutions are only eligible for
the research (R01) and conference grant (R13) mechanisms.  Applicants
for fellowships (F32, F33) must either be U.S. citizens or U.S.
permanent residents.

REVIEW PROCEDURES

Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit in
accordance with established PHS review procedures.  Secondary review
will be by the appropriate national advisory council.

INQUIRIES

For substantive issues and to obtain information on research
resources, contact:

Behavioral and Social Research Program
National Institute on Aging
Gateway Building, Room 2C-234
Bethesda, MD  20892


$$XID NIHGUIDE 19920410 V21N14 P2O2 ************************************
Telephone:  (301) 496-3136

Division of Primary Care
Center for General Health Services Extramural Research
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
2102 e. Jefferson Street, Suite 502
Rockville, MD  20852
Telephone:  (301) 227-8357

$$E1 END ************************************************************

$$E2 BEGIN R3 19920327 APPEND RFA HS-92-03 SHORT ***********************

THE STUDY OF PATIENT OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH PHARMACEUTICAL THERAPY

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 14, April 10, 1992

RFA:  HS-92-03

P.T. 34; K.W. 0745005, 0795005

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Application Receipt Date:  July 15, 1992

This Request for Applications (RFA) was published in the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts on March 26, 1992, Vol. 21, No. 12, Part I
of II.  The following information was omitted from the notice of
availability of RFA:  "To request copies of the RFA, call (800) 358-
9295."

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone requests for and inquiries concerning this RFA
are encouraged.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Lynn Bosco, M.D. or Eleanor M. Perfetto, Ph.D.
Center for Medical Effectiveness Research
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
2101 E. Jefferson Street, Suite 605
Rockville, MD  20852
Telephone:  (301) 227-8485



**THE MAILING ADDRESS GIVEN FOR SENDING APPLICATIONS TO THE DIVISION
OF RESEARCH GRANTS OR CONTACTING PROGRAM STAFF IN THE WESTWOOD
BUILDING IS THE CENTRAL MAILING ADDRESS FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES
OF HEALTH.  APPLICANTS WHO USE EXPRESS MAIL OR A COURIER SERVICE ARE
ADVISED TO FOLLOW THE CARRIER'S REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOWING A STREET
ADDRESS.  THE ADDRESS FOR THE WESTWOOD BUILDING IS:

5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD  20816

$$E2 END ************************************************************


$$XID RFA OD9203 OD-92-03 P1O1 *****************************************

SCIENCE TEACHING ENHANCEMENT AWARD PROGRAM

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 14, April 10, 1992

RFA:  OD-92-03

P.T. 25; K.W. 0720000, 0720005

National Institutes of Health

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  May 10, 1992
Application Receipt Date:  June 10, 1992

PURPOSE

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Center
for Research Resources (NCRR), invites grant applications for a pilot
Science Teaching Enhancement Award Program (STEAP).  The Science
Teaching Enhancement Award will prepare highly qualified
middle/junior and high school science teachers to become lead
teachers and work as liaisons with academic medical centers,
universities and other health professional schools to improve
teaching of the biomedical sciences in grades 6-12.  A primary goal
of this initiative will be to produce lead teachers who will work in
partnership with researchers to help integrate new teaching materials
for biomedical sciences into the classrooms, who can speak credibly
about specific classroom situations, who can take leadership roles in
training other colleagues, and who can work with science educators,
school administrators, and others in the local school systems.  This
Request for Applications (RFA) describes a two-year program to test
the feasibility and the effectiveness of the STEAP for improving the
quality of pre-college biomedical science education.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Because of the pilot nature of this activity, eligibility will be
limited.  First, to ensure that institutions have a minimum amount of
PHS/NIH research activity upon which to draw for this initiative,
eligible institutions must be recipients of a 1991 Biomedical
Research Support Grant (BRSG) award or a 1992 Minority High School
Student Research Apprentice Program (MHSSRAP) award.  Second, to
ensure that the quality of science teaching at the 6-12 grade levels
and the science literacy of the general public will be enhanced
nationwide, eligibility is limited to those states that historically
have been relatively less competitive in obtaining NIH grant support.
For purposes of this RFA, eligibility is thus limited to FY 1991 BRSG
or FY 1992 MHSSRAP institutions in Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware,
Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska,
Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South
Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming.  In addition, if an
institution has both a BRSG and a MHSSRAP program, only one STEAP
application may be submitted.  Focusing on states that have a small
research base will make it more feasible to assess and evaluate the
success of the pilot program in producing experienced, knowledgeable
lead teachers who can act as liaisons between research institutions
and the teachers, science educators, and other administrators in the
local community school system.  In addition, by broadening the
geographic areas served, the impact of NIH current science education
activities will be expanded by stimulating the scientific interests
of a new cadre of pre-college students and teachers, and thus opening
the scientific pipeline to a wider range of future biomedical
scientists.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the grant-in-aid for education projects (R25).
Applicants will be responsible for the planning, direction, and
conduct of the proposed program.  The total project period for
applications submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed two
years.  The anticipated award date will be September 30, 1992.

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  At the conclusion of this pilot
activity, the NIH will assess the feasibility of continuing the
program.  Thus, no unsolicited competing continuation applications
will be accepted at the conclusion of this pilot initiative.
Although NIH hopes to continue the program beyond the pilot phase,
there is neither a guarantee of continuation, nor, if the program is
continued, is there a guarantee of its future design.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

Up to $500,000 will be available from the Office of the Director,
NIH, in Fiscal Year 1992 to support this initiative.  NIH staff
anticipate making 6-10 two-year awards using multi-year funding.
This level of support is dependent upon the receipt of a sufficient
number of applications of high scientific merit.  Although this
program is provided for in the financial plans of the Office of the
Director, NIH, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the
availability of funds for this purpose.  Indirect costs will be paid
at eight percent of the direct costs less appropriate exclusions.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

There is growing concern among researchers and policymakers that the
pool of potential biomedical researchers is shrinking and that this
is due in part to weaknesses in the scientific education provided to
students in middle/junior and senior high school.  These concerns are
particularly acute with respect to minority, rural, and other
underserved and disadvantaged students.  The importance of early
science training has been recognized by the Federal Coordinating
Council on Science, Engineering and Technology (FCCSET) Committee on
Education and Human Resources in its FY 1992 Budget Planning
Priorities, which include recommendations for enhancement and
preparation of precollege science teachers.  Similar efforts are
being promoted as part of the Public Health Service Life Sciences
Education and Science Literacy Board.

Potentially effective ways to improve the quality of science
education in middle/junior and senior high schools include increasing
the knowledge of teachers about a specific research topic in the
biomedical sciences, having teachers become familiar with the
scientific method, having teachers establish mentor relationships
with a major researcher, and having teachers develop age-appropriate
activities for use in the classroom.  With these experiences the
teachers should be able to help students feel the excitement of
science by conducting experiments that formulate questions and
possible approaches to solutions that stimulate thought and learning.
Ultimately, the experience should help teachers to stimulate student
interest in biomedical research and its importance to human health.

Other

The objective of this RFA is to increase the number of middle/junior
and high school science teachers who are motivated to (1) become
involved in active research projects to enhance their instructional
skills and their scientific knowledge so that current concepts in
health-related science can be integrated into the students'
curricula, (2) develop and test curricula for classroom settings, and
(3) provide linkages among professional scientists, teachers, and
school programs to foster mentoring and encourage the pursuit of
science by students.

The two-year program should include year round activities for a core
of three lead teachers to familiarize the educators with basic
vocabulary and concepts in selected areas of biomedical science of
contemporary interest, library use and the use of computers in
teaching; provide a hands-on laboratory experience that is an
appropriate research project; development of teaching modules and
instructional materials geared to the grades taught; and other
enrichment experiences including workshops, seminars, and other
classroom activities.  The process should ultimately yield lead
teachers who can interface with the research and educational
communities to improve the quality of pre-college science education.

The proposed program must have the flexibility to include teachers
with different levels of research experience.  The research
environment will be a critical factor and should exemplify a dynamic
two-way interchange of information and ideas between laboratory
scientists and teachers.  These programs must involve research
scientists and educators.  Programs limited to either the research or
educational profession alone will not be responsive to this
initiative.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Allowable Costs

Applicants are expected to develop an estimate of the costs required
for the activity, which may include salary and fringe benefits,
supplies, and travel support for three lead teachers.  Applicants are
expected to have available all facilities and research equipment that
may be required; thus, no alterations and renovations or equipment
should be requested.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A progress report will be required at the end of the first year.  In
addition, a final progress report and financial status report will be
required 90 days following the termination date of the award.

Because this is a pilot program, there will be a special evaluation
component.  A short-term evaluation will consist primarily of
questionnaires to the teachers before and after they participate in
the program.  Long-term evaluation will include teachers, school
administrators, and students.  Applicant institutions must obtain an
assurance of participation in the evaluation component from each lead
teacher and his/her school system.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit by May 10 a letter of
intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed program, the
name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator,
and the number and title of the RFA in response to which the
application may be submitted.

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

The letter of intent is to be sent to:

Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle
Director, Biomedical Research Support Program
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 10A11
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-6743

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted using form PHS 398, (rev. 9/91).
These forms are available in most institutional business and
sponsored programs offices and may be requested from the Office of
Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, NIH, 5333 Westbard
Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 496-7441.

Applicants must follow the instructions provided in the PHS 398 form
and the following:

Application Face Page -

The RFA label in the PHS 398 kit must be affixed to the bottom of the
face page of the application.  Failure to use this label could result
in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach
the review committee in time for review.  In addition, the RFA number
and title must be typed on line 2A of the face page form, the "YES"
box must be checked, and "R25" typed in item 2B.

Item 6 - Dates of Entire Proposed Project Period.  The total proposed
project period should begin on September 30, 1992 and may not exceed
two years in length.

Items 7 and 8 - These projects will be multi-year funded; thus, the
budget and project period costs will be the same.

Form Page 4 - Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period

The budget presented should reflect the applicant's estimate of
activity costs for the entire two-year period.

Form Page 5 -

Budget for Entire Proposed Project Period - Not applicable; do not
complete.

Justification - Follow the instructions provided.

The signed, typewritten original of the application, including the
Checklist, and three exact photocopies of the signed application must
be submitted to:

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

At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application
must also be sent to Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle at the address noted
below.

Applications must be submitted by June 10, 1992.  Applications
submitted after this date will be returned to the applicant.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Review of STEAP grant applications for scientific and technical merit
will be performed by an ad hoc review committee convened by the
Office of Review, NCRR.  The top two thirds of applications will
undergo a second level review for policy and programmatic issues by
the National Advisory Research Resources Council.

Applications in response to this solicitation will be reviewed using
the usual NIH peer review procedures.  The factors to be considered
in the evaluation of each application will include:  (1) the
educational and scientific merit of the proposed program; (2) the
manner in which it will improve biomedical science education at the
precollege level; (3) the criteria for selecting teachers and
mentors; (4) the mixture of laboratory and didactic exercises; (5)
the quality of the proposed research experiences; (6) the quality of
the proposed enrichment experiences and support activities; (7) the
potential for substantially enhancing pre-college education by having
teachers prepared to incorporate what they have learned into their
own teaching and to conduct continuing education for their
colleagues; (8) the proposal to develop improved materials and
methods for classroom use; (9)evidence of support from school systems
of potential teacher candidates; (10) willingness to participate in
the evaluation component of the program; (11) the quality of the
overall plan for administration of the program; and (12) the
potential for participant teachers to take leadership roles in the
in-service training of their peers in their home schools and
communities.

AWARD CRITERIA

In making funding decisions, the Office of the Director, NIH, and the
NCRR will give consideration to ensure program balance among various
types of programs and/or geographic distribution in the United States
and its territories.

Depending on the availability of funds, NCRR expects to award
approximately 6-10 STEAP grants for the pilot phase of this project.
The start date for the awards will be no later than September 30,
1992.

INQUIRIES

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

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle
Director, Biomedical Research Support Program
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 10A11
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-6743

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Mary V. Niemiec
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist
Office of Grants and Contracts Management
National Center for Research Resources
Westwood Building, Room 849
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-9840

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

Awards will be made under authorization of the Public Health Service
Act, Title III, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended, 42 USC 241)
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.