From: kristoff@NET.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson)
Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources
Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 21, no. 45, pt. 1, 18 December 1992
Date: 17 Dec 92 02:41:33 GMT
Distribution: bionet


NOTE: The NIH Guide may be split into more than one mail message to
avoid truncation during e-mail distribution.  The first message always
begins with the RFP/RFA summary sections followed by the appended
texts of the full RFP/RFAs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

$$XID NIHGUIDE 19921218 V21N45 P1O2 ************************************
X-comment: RFAS described: AI-93-02, AI-93-03, CA-93-07, AI-93-07, DK-93-09,
                           DK-93-21, HL-93-11

NIH GUIDE - Vol. 21, No. 45 - December 18, 1992

$$INDEX BEGIN *******************************************************

                               NOTICE

$$INDEX N1 **********************************************************

NEXT GUIDE PUBLICATION DATE

               NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)

$$INDEX R1 **********************************************************

HEREDITARY HEARING IMPAIRMENT RESOURCE REGISTRY (RFP NIH-DC-93-02)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
INDEX:  DEAFNESS, COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

$$INDEX R2 **********************************************************

DRUG DEVELOPMENT FOR TOXOPLASMOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH AIDS (RFP
NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-25)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
INDEX:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES

$$INDEX R3 03/18/93 *************************************************

TUBERCULOSIS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT (RFA AI-93-02)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
INDEX:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES

$$INDEX R4 02/23/93 *************************************************

BASIC BIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF HUMAN TUBERCULOSIS (RFA AI-93-03)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
INDEX:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES

$$INDEX R5 03/23/93 *************************************************

PHASE I TRIALS OF NEW ANTI-CANCER AGENTS (RFA CA-93-07)
National Cancer Institute
INDEX:  CANCER

$$INDEX R6 03/25/93 *************************************************

MECHANISMS OF PERIPHERAL IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE AND ANERGY (RFA
AI-93-07)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
INDEX:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES

$$INDEX R7 04/09/93 *************************************************

KIDNEY RESEARCH CENTERS (RFA DK-93-09)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
INDEX:  DIABETES, DIGESTIVE, KIDNEY

$$INDEX R8 04/09/93 *************************************************

UROLOGY RESEARCH CENTERS (RFA DK-93-21)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
The National Cancer Institute
INDEX:  DIABETES, DIGESTIVE, KIDNEY; CANCER

$$INDEX R9 05/06/93 *************************************************

ASTHMA CLINICAL RESEARCH NETWORK (RFA HL-93-11-L)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
INDEX:  HEART, LUNG, BLOOD

                     ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

$$INDEX P1 **********************************************************

NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE/MINORITY ACCESS TO RESEARCH CAREERS SUMMER
TRAINING SUPPLEMENT (PAR-93-33)
National Cancer Institute
INDEX:  CANCER

                               ERRATUM

$$INDEX E1 **********************************************************

"FAILURE TO THRIVE" SYNDROME AMONG OLDER PERSONS (PA-93-22)
National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Mental Health
INDEX:  AGING; MENTAL HEALTH

This publication is also available electronically to institutions via
BITNET or INTERNET.  Alternative access is through the NIH Grant Line
using a personal computer.  Contact Dr. John James at 301/496-7554
for details, or send an E-mail message to ZNS@NIHCU.

$$INDEX END *********************************************************

$$N1 BEGIN **********************************************************

This is the final issue of the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts for
1992.  The next edition, Volume 22, Number 1, will be published on
January 8, 1993.  Have a Joyous New Year!

$$N1 END ************************************************************

               NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)

$$R1 BEGIN NIH-DC-93-02 *********************************************

HEREDITARY HEARING IMPAIRMENT RESOURCE REGISTRY

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 45, December 18, 1992

RFP AVAILABLE:  NIH-DC-93-02

P.T. 34; K.W. 0715050, 1002019, 0780030

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
(NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, has a requirement to
establish a Hereditary Hearing Impairment Resource Registry for the
study of genetic hearing impairment and deafness, serving as a
national resource for the biomedical research community.  The
contractor will encourage the direct enlistment of individuals and
families in whom hearing impairment or deafness appears and who are
willing to participate in genetic studies and the referral of
individuals and families by their health care professionals.  The
contractor will collect and maintain clinical information on
participants including specified medical, audiologic, demographic and
epidemiologic variables.  In addition, the contractor will encourage
the pursuit of research on the genetic bases of hearing impairment
and deafness by disseminating pertinent information to primary care
physicians, otolaryngologists, audiologists and medical and molecular
geneticists, and other biomedical scientists and health care
professionals.

A three-year cost-reimbursement type contract is anticipated.  The
solicitation is scheduled for release on or about December 23, 1992,
with proposals due on February 8, 1993.  All responsible sources may
submit a proposal that will be considered by the government.

INQUIRIES

Requests for copies of the solicitation are to be made in writing to:

John P. DeCenzo, Contracting Officer
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Research Contracts Branch, DCG/OD
Building 31, Room 1B44
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-4487

$$R1 END ************************************************************

$$R2 BEGIN NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-25 ************************************

DRUG DEVELOPMENT FOR TOXOPLASMOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH AIDS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 45, December 18, 1992

RFP AVAILABLE:  NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-25

P.T. 34; K.W. 0715008, 0715125, 0755060

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

The Development Therapeutics Branch, Basic Research and Development
Program, Division of AIDS of the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is soliciting proposals from offerors
with the capability to evaluate therapeutic agents for efficacy
against Toxoplasma gondii encephalitis and latent toxoplasma
infection in a rodent model.  The contractor will evaluate
therapeutic agents supplied or approved by the Project Officer for
efficacy against Toxoplasma gondii in both rodent and in vitro
models.  During evaluations, the contractor may need to modify,
improve or otherwise further characterize the rodent model and or in
vitro model or develop other models to improve model utility in the
evaluation of therapies.  The Contractor may also be required to
design alternative protocols and to conduct additional studies for
detailed evaluation of promising therapeutic regimens.

Offerors must have in vivo and in vitro models available at the time
of proposal.  Past experience with animal models for Toxoplasmosis,
the availability of the animals and strains of Toxoplasma gondii, and
drug testing capability must be documented.  This contract will be
used to assist in the development of anti-infective therapies, to
better understand the potential adverse health effects of such
clinical trials.

This is an announcement for an anticipated Request for Proposal
(RFP).  The issuance of the RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-25 will be on or
about December 28, 1992, and proposals will be due by COB on or about
March 24, 1993.  It is anticipated that one cost-reimbursement
contract will be awarded as a result of this solicitation and that
the contract will have a five year period of performance.

INQUIRIES

To receive a copy of the RFP, provide this office with three
self-addressed mailing labels.  Telephone inquiries will not be
honored and all inquiries must be in writing.  Requests for the RFP
are to be directed to:

Mr. Ross Kelley
Contract Management Branch
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 3C-07
6003 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-2509
FAX:  (301) 402-0972

A short-form version of the RFP will be provided first, which
includes the Statement of Work, Reporting Requirements, and the
Evaluation Criteria to be used for selection of the awardee.  After
examining this, a full-text version of the RFP must be requested, in
writing, for those offerors interested in responding.  FAX requests
are acceptable for the full text version only.  All proposals from
responsible sources will be considered by the NIAID.  This
advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.

$$R2 END ************************************************************

$$R3 BEGIN AI-93-02 FULL-TEXT ***************************************

TUBERCULOSIS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 45, December 18, 1992

RFA AVAILABLE:  AI-93-02

P.T. 34; K.W. 0745020, 0715125, 0710070, 0785035, 0710030 0755010

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  January 19, 1993
Application Receipt Date:  March 18, 1993

THE REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA) ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION.
POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MAY REQUEST THE RFA FROM THE CONTACT NAMES IN
INQUIRIES.

PURPOSE

The Respiratory Diseases Branch of the Division of Microbiology and
Infectious Diseases of the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announces the availability of an RFA for
research that will lead to the development of effective new vaccines
for the prevention and control of tuberculosis.  At present, a live
attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, Bacille Calmette Guerin
(BCG), is the only vaccine available for protecting humans from
tuberculosis.  Protection elicited by BCG in controlled clinical
trials has been variable.  Applications that feature improvements to
BCG will not be considered for funding under this RFA.  However,
applications that use BCG components in the development of a novel
vaccine(s) are encouraged.

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,
Tuberculosis Vaccine Development, is related to the priority areas
immunization and infectious diseases.  Potential applicants may
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign, non-profit and
for-profit research institutions; public and private organizations
such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of
State and local governments and eligible agencies of the Federal
government.  Foreign institutions are not eligible for the First
Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) award.
Applications from minority and women investigators are encouraged, as
are applications from minority and women's institutions.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual
research project grant (R01), and the FIRST (R29) award.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the
proposed project will be solely that of the applicant.  The total
project period for applications submitted in response to this RFA may
not exceed five years.

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  Future unsolicited competing
applications will compete with investigator- initiated applications
and be reviewed according to customary review procedures.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The estimated total funds (direct and indirect costs) available for
the first year of the program is $1,000,000.  The NIAID plans to fund
at least four R01s and/or R29s in fiscal year 1993.  This level of
support is dependent on availability of funds and receipt of a
sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The long term goal of this initiative is to promote efforts to
develop new, more effective vaccines not based on BCG to prevent and
control tuberculosis.  This will require innovative research
approaches to develop candidate vaccine preparations that will elicit
appropriate and protective functional responses.  In order to achieve
this objective, a focused effort on the basic biology of the
mycobacterium and an understanding of the host response to natural
infection is needed.  Consistent with this, applicants are encouraged
to develop innovative projects that address any of, though not
limited to, the following areas:

o  Identification and characterization of components of M.
tuberculosis that are immunogenic.

o  Identification and characterization of immunogens which elicit
responses by the host during natural infection.

o  Isolation and characterization of relevant immunogen-coding
sequences and their products.

o  Characterization of the host response to natural infection and
definition of the correlates of protective immunity.

Should an applicant have access to, or have already identified and
prepared a novel candidate vaccine, this RFA would also encourage
research in the area of:

o  Enhancement of the immunogenicity of candidate vaccine immunogens.

o  Development of animal model(s) for testing candidate vaccine
immunogens.

The areas outlined are not intended to be all-inclusive nor are they
all required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

NIAID program staff will organize annual meetings that Principal
Investigators and other key members (as designated by the Principal
Investigators) of the projects are encouraged to attend to discuss
progress. Funds for travel to these meetings may be included in the
budget.

STUDY POPULATIONS

For projects involving clinical research, NIH requires applicants to
include minorities and women in study populations.  This policy is
intended to apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or
minorities are excluded or inadequately represented in clinical
research, particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear
compelling rationale should be provided.  Applications without such
documentation will not be accepted for review.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by January 19, 1993, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name, address and telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and the
participating institution, 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 in the
review of the subsequent application, the information that it
contains allows NIAID staff to estimate the potential review workload
and to avoid conflict of interest in the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Olivia Preble at the
address listed under INQUIRIES.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used
in applying for these grants.  These forms are available at most
institutional offices of sponsored research and 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 deadline for receipt of applications is March
18, 1993. Applications for FIRST (R29) awards must include a least
three sealed reference letters 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 without review.

Further details on application procedures can be found in the RFA.

The typewritten, signed original application and three exact
single-sided photocopies must be sent or delivered in one package to:

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

At the time of submission to the Division of Research Grants (DRG),
two additional exact copies must be sent to Dr. Olivia Preble at the
address listed under INQUIRIES.

Applications received after the deadline will be returned without
review.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications and supporting material will be reviewed
by the DRG for completeness and by the NIAID for responsiveness to
the RFA.  Incomplete applications will be returned without further
consideration.  If the application is not responsive to the RFA,
NIAID staff will contact the applicant to determine whether to return
the application or submit it for review in competition with
unsolicited application at the next review cycle.

Applications may be triaged by an NIAID peer review group on the
basis of relative competitiveness among the applications responding
to the RFA.  The NIAID will withdraw from further competition those
applications judged to be non-competitive for award and notify the
applicant Principal Investigator and institutional official.  Those
applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated in
accordance with standard NIH peer review criteria for
scientific/technical merit by an appropriate review committee
convened by the NIAID.  The second level of review will be by the
National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council.

Review criteria for applications received in response to the RFA are
generally the same as those for unsolicited applications.

AWARD CRITERIA

The anticipated date of award is September 30, 1993.

The primary criterion for award will be the scientific and technical
merit of the application as judged by peer reviewers and reflected in
the priority score.  Additional award criteria are the availability
of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious
applications responding to the RFA.

INQUIRIES

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

Direct requests for the RFA and inquiries regarding programmatic
issues to:

Dr. John Foulds, Tuberculosis Program Officer
Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 3A31
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5305
FAX:  (301) 496-8030

Direct inquiries regarding the review of applications and address the
letter of intent to:

Dr. Olivia Preble
Chief, Microbiology and Immunology Review Section
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4C20
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-8208
FAX:  (301) 402-2638

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Mr. Todd Ball
Chief, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Grants Management Section
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4B35
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7075

Schedule

Letter of intent date:     January 19, 1993
Application receipt date:  March 18, 1993
Scientific review date:    July 1993
Advisory Council date:     September 1993
Earliest award date:       September 30, 1993

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is supported under authorization of the Public Health
Service Act, Sec. 301 (c), Public Law 78-410, as amended.  The
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Citation is Sec. 93.856,
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research.  Awards will be
administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR
Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems review.

$$R3 END ************************************************************

$$R4 BEGIN AI-93-03 FULL-TEXT ***************************************

BASIC BIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF HUMAN TUBERCULOSIS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 45, December 18, 1992

RFA AVAILABLE:  AI-93-03

P.T. 34; K.W. 0745020, 0715125, 0710070, 0785035, 0710030, 0755010

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  January 22, 1993
Application Receipt Date:  March 23, 1993

THE REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA) ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION.
POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MAY REQUEST THE RFA FROM THE CONTACT NAMES IN
INQUIRIES.

PURPOSE

The Respiratory Diseases Branch of the Division of Microbiology and
Infectious Diseases and the Developmental Therapeutics Branch of the
Division of AIDS of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID) announces the availability of an RFA for research on
the basic structural and functional biology and pathogenic mechanisms
of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

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,
Tuberculosis Vaccine Development, is related to the priority areas
immunization and infectious diseases.  Potential applicants may
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign, non-profit and
for-profit research institutions, public and private organizations
such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of
State and local governments; and eligible agencies of the Federal
government.  Foreign institutions are not eligible for First
Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) (R29) awards.
Applications from minority and women investigators are encouraged, as
are applications from minority or women institutions.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual
research project grant (R01), and the FIRST (R29) award.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the
proposed project will be solely that of the applicant.  The total
project period for applications submitted in response to this RFA may
not exceed five years.

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  Future unsolicited competing
applications will compete with investigator-initiated applications
and be reviewed according to customary review procedures.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The estimated total funds (direct and indirect costs) available for
the first year of this program is $1,000,000.  The NIAID plans to
fund at least four R01s and/or R29s in fiscal year 1993.  This level
of support is dependent on availability of funds and receipt of a
sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Applications are encouraged that involve a coordinated
multi-disciplinary approach to investigate M. tuberculosis and/or its
interactions with its host (including animal models).  Applications
that involve an integration of basic and clinical sciences will be
given favorable consideration.  The aim of these efforts should be a
greater understanding of mechanisms of  pathogenesis, immune evasion,
virulence factors or host response and/or lead to improvements in the
diagnosis, treatment or prevention of tuberculosis.  These areas may
include, but are not limited to, the following:

o  Identify and characterize virulence factors important in the
pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

o  Characterize the role(s) of tumor necrosis factor and other
cytokines and soluble factors that affect the course of disease.

o  Develop improved in vitro  or animal models for basic and applied
studies.

o  Characterize cell surface antigens and describe their interactions
with components of the host immune system.

o  Characterize the response of the host to natural infection and
define the correlates of protective immunity.

o  Characterize immune mechanisms underlying successful inhibition of
growth and persistence of tubercle bacilli in the body.  Define the
mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis persists in a quiescent state,
and conditions under which reactivation of infection may occur.

o  Characterize mechanisms underlying drug resistance, particularly
in MDRTB.

o  Develop improved methods for rapid, reliable identification of
drug- sensitive and drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis,
including MDRTB, in clinical specimens and in laboratory cultures.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

NIAID program staff will organize annual meetings that Principal
Investigators and other key members (as designated by the Principal
Investigators) of the projects are encouraged to attend to discuss
progress. Funds for travel to these meetings may be included in the
budget.

STUDY POPULATIONS

For projects involving clinical research, NIH requires applicants to
include minorities and women in study populations.  This policy is
intended to apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or
minorities are excluded or inadequately represented in clinical
research, particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear
compelling rationale should be provided.  Applications without such
documentation will not be accepted for review.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by January 22, 1993, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name, address and telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and the
participating institution, 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
in the review of the subsequent application, the information that it
contains allows NIAID staff to estimate the potential review workload
and to avoid possible conflicts of interest in the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent to Dr. Olivia Preble at the
address listed under INQUIRIES.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used
in applying for these grants.  These forms are available at most
institutional offices for sponsored research or business offices and
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 deadline for receipt of
applications is March 23, 1993.  FIRST (R29) award applications must
include 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 without review.

Further details on application procedures can be found in the RFA.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications and supporting material will be reviewed
by the Division of Research Grants (DRG) for completeness and by
NIAID staff for responsiveness to the RFA.  Incomplete applications
will be returned without further consideration.  If the application
is not responsive to the RFA, NIAID staff will contact the applicant
to determine whether to return the application or submit it for
review in competition with unsolicited application at the next review
cycle.

Applications may be triaged by a peer review group on the basis of
relative competitiveness.  The NIH will withdraw from further
competition those applications judged to be non-competitive for award
and notify the applicant Principal Investigator and institutional
official. Those applications that are complete and responsive will be
evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated below for
scientific/technical merit by an appropriate peer review group
convened by the NIAID.  The second level of review will be provided
by the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council.

Review criteria for applications received in response to an RFA are
generally the same as those for unsolicited applications.

AWARD CRITERIA

The primary criterion for award is scientific and technical merit of
the application as judged by peer review and reflected in the
priority score.  Other criteria are availability of funds and the
number of meritorious applications received in response to the RFA.
The anticipated date of award is September 1993.

INQUIRIES

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

Direct requests for the RFA and inquiries regarding programmatic
issues to:

Dr. John Foulds, Tuberculosis Program Officer
Respiratory Diseases Branch
Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 3A31
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5305
FAX:  (301) 496-8030

Direct inquiries regarding the review of applications and send the
letter of intent to:

Dr. Olivia Preble
Chief, Microbiology and Immunology Review Section
Scientific Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4C20
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-8208
FAX:  (301) 402-2638

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Mr. Todd Ball
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Grants Management Section
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4B35
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7075

The mailing address for sending applications, letters of intent, or
other correspondence to NIAID staff in the Solar Building is the
central mailing address for the NIH.  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 Solar Building is:

6003 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20852

Schedule

Letter of intent date:     January 22, 1993
Application receipt date:  March 23, 1993
Scientific review date:    July 1993
Advisory Council date:     September 1993
Earliest award date:       September 30, 1993

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is supported under authorization of the Public Health
Service Act, Sec. 301 (c), Public Law 78-410, as amended.  The
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Citation is Sec. 93.856,
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research.  Awards will be
administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR
Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems review.

$$R4 END ************************************************************

$$R5 BEGIN CA-93-07 FULL-TEXT ***************************************

PHASE I TRIALS OF NEW ANTI-CANCER AGENTS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 45, December 18, 1992

RFA AVAILABLE:  CA-93-07

P.T. 34; K.W. 0755015, 0715035, 0740020, 0710100

National Cancer Institute

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  January 22, 1993
Application Receipt Date:  March 23, 1993

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

PURPOSE

The Division of Cancer Treatment (DCT), National Cancer Institute
(NCI) invites cooperative agreement (U01) applications from single
institutions wishing to perform Phase I trials of promising
anti-cancer agents in patients with cancer refractory to currently
available therapy and to conduct laboratory studies in support of the
clinical trials such that their conduct leads to a greater
understanding of the relationship between drug administration and
biological changes in patients.  It is expected that the application
from any one institution will focus on studies of one or more classes
of agents, reflecting the interest, expertise, and experience of the
applicant investigators.  Patients should be treated only at the
applicant institution, although support for laboratory studies may be
conducted by collaborators at other institutions.

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,
Phase I Trials of New Anti-Cancer Agents, is related to the priority
area of cancer.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy
People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy
People 2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202/783-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Domestic for-profit and non-profit organizations such as
universities, colleges and hospitals and governments and their
agencies are eligible to apply.  Applications from minority
individuals and women are encouraged.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Support of this program will be through the cooperative agreement
(U01), an assistance mechanism in which substantial NCI programmatic
involvement with the recipient during performance of the planned
activity is anticipated.  The nature of NCI staff involvement is
described in the RFA.  Applicants will be responsible for the
planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project.  Except
as otherwise stated in this RFA, awards will be administered under
PHS grants policy as stated in the Public Health Service Grants
Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 90-50,000, revised
October 1, 1990.

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  However, is it is determined
that there is a sufficient continuing program need, the NCI will
invite recipients of awards under this RFA to submit competitive
continuation cooperative agreement applications.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

Approximately $2,000,000 in total costs per year for four years will
be committed to specifically fund applications submitted in response
to this RFA.  This funding level is dependent on the receipt of a
sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit.  It is
anticipated that six to eight awards will be made.  The total project
period for applications submitted in response to the present RFA may
not exceed four years.  The earliest feasible start date for the
initial awards will be December 1, 1994.  Although this program is
provided for in the financial plans of the NCI, the award of
cooperative agreements pursuant to this RFA is contingent upon the
availability of funds for this purpose.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Background

Phase I clinical trials have as their objectives the characterization
of drug toxicity, maximally tolerated dose, pharmacokinetics, and
biological effects (pharmacodynamics) of drugs.  These anti-cancer
agents have traditionally been obtained either from the NCI drug
development program or through collaborative drug development
agreements with the pharmaceutical industry.  Recent advances in
understanding of the pathobiology of malignancy are leading to the
development of a wide range of novel anti-cancer therapeutic agents
that require Phase I testing.  Furthermore, mechanisms of action of
these new anti-cancer agents available for clinical study include not
only the mediation of anti-cancer effects through cytotoxic
mechanisms, but also through growth inhibition by interruption of
specific oncogene-associated biochemical functions, inhibition of
protein synthesis through targeted toxins, induction of
differentiation and/or programmed cell death (apoptosis), and through
anti-tumor angiogenesis.  In addition, new strategies to overcome
resistance to conventional cancer therapeutic approaches are also of
interest.

In addition to the funding assistance offered to the investigator(s)
by this RFA, NCI may sponsor (in the FDA sense) or co-sponsor the
agents under development.  This will increase the likelihood that
agents will be further developed so that they will ultimately be
broadly available for use in cancer treatment and will accelerate the
time frame in which this process would occur.

Research Goals and Scope

The aims of this initiative are:  (1) to provide support for Phase I
trials of promising new anti-cancer agents in cancer patients; and
(2) to provide support for complete pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic,
and other important laboratory correlative studies in cancer patients
receiving these anti-cancer agents.  The laboratory studies should be
in support of the clinical trial, such that their conduct leads to a
greater understanding of the relationship between drug administration
and biological changes in patients.

Specific objectives and scientific approaches will be
investigator-originated and should reflect the creativity and
capability of the investigators.  This RFA provides an opportunity
for clinical and laboratory investigators within an institution to
develop a program in drug development that utilizes the strengths of
pre-existing basic scientific expertise and available clinical
resources.

Each Phase I awardee institution will be expected to complete an
average of two to three Phase I trials per year, with each trial
encompassing 20-40 patients.  Each applicant institution is
responsible for coordination of protocol development and submission,
study conduct, quality control, data management and analysis,
adherence to NCI requirements for investigational agents, adherence
to FDA/DHHS regulations, and performance reporting of data from the
Phase I trials.  For Phase I trials with NCI-sponsored
investigational agents, the NCI has contracted for a Clinical Trials
Monitoring Service (CTMS) to document regulatory compliance, to
maintain a computerized data base of the biweekly Phase I
investigator data submissions, and to produce periodic routine
reports of the results and special reports as necessary.  The awardee
institution's source documentation will be reviewed on-site three
times per year by the CTMS.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN
CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDIES

For projects involving clinical research, NIH requires applicants to
give special attention to the inclusion of women and minorities in
study populations.  If women or minorities are not included in the
study populations for clinical studies, a specific justification for
this exclusion must be provided.  Applications without such
documentation will not be accepted for review.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by January 22, 1993, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name and address of the Principal Investigator, the
names of other key personnel, 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, it is requested
in order to provide an indication of the number and scope of
applications to be reviewed.

The letter of intent is to be sent to:

David R. Parkinson, M.D.
Chief, Investigational Drug Branch
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza North, Room 734
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5223
FAX:  (301) 480-4663

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used
in applying for cooperative agreements.  These forms are available at
most institutional offices of sponsored research; 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; and from the NCI Program Director named below.

Applications must be received by March 23, 1993.  If an application
is received after that date, it will be returned without review.  The
Division of Research Grants (DRG) will not accept any application in
response to this announcement that is essentially the same as one
currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the
pending application.  This does not preclude the submission of
substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such
applications must include an introduction addressing the previous
critique.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Review Procedure

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the
DRG and responsiveness by the NCI.  Incomplete applications will be
returned to the applicant without further consideration.
Applications that are judged to be non-responsive will be returned by
the NCI.  Applications judged to be non-responsive to this RFA may be
submitted as an investigator initiated regular research grant (R01)
or program project grant (P01) at the next receipt date.  The
application would require modification in accordance with R01 or P01
guidelines.  The revised application would not be considered an
application for a cooperative agreement nor would it be considered a
response to an RFA.  Questions concerning the responsiveness of
proposed research to the RFA are to be directed to the program staff
listed under INQUIRIES.

Applications may be triaged by an NCI peer review group on the basis
of relative competitiveness.  The NIH will withdraw from further
competition those applications judged to be non-competitive for award
and notify the applicant Principal Investigator and institutional
official.  Those applications judged to be competitive will undergo
further scientific merit review.  Those applications that are
complete and responsive will be evaluated in accordance with the
criteria for scientific/technical review by an appropriate peer
review group convened by the Division of Extramural Activities, NCI.
The second level of review will be provided by the National Cancer
Advisory Board.

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning the objectives and scope
of this RFA and inquiries about whether or not specific proposed
research would be responsive are strongly encouraged and should be
directed to the program staff listed below.  The program staff
welcome the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from
potential applicants.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues and requests for the
RFA to:

Dr. David Parkinson, Chief Investigational Drug Branch
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza North, Room 734
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5223
FAX:  (301) 480-4663

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Barbara A. Fisher
Grants Management Specialist
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza South, Room 242
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7800, ext. 29
FAX:  (301) 496-8601

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No 93.395, Cancer Treatment Research.  Awards are made
under the authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV
Sections 301, 410, and 411, Part A (Public Law 78-410, 42 USC 241 as
amended, Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 285a) and administered under PHS
grants policies and Federal Regulations at 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR
Part 74 and 92.  This program is not subject to the intergovernmental
review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency
review.

$$R5 END ************************************************************

$$R6 BEGIN AI-93-07 FULL-TEXT ***************************************

MECHANISMS OF PERIPHERAL IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE AND ANERGY

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 45, December 18, 1992

RFA AVAILABLE:  AI-93-07

P.T. 34; K.W. 0710070, 0715015

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  January 15, 1993
Application Receipt Date:  March 25, 1993

THE REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA) ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION.
POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MAY OBTAIN THE RFA FROM THE CONTACTS NAMED IN
INQUIRIES, BELOW.

PURPOSE

The Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT) of the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) invites
applications for studies dealing with the mechanisms of peripheral
immunological tolerance and anergy.  Improved knowledge of peripheral
tolerance and anergy is likely to open new avenues to treatment or
prevention of a variety of autoimmune and allergic disorders, to
moderating organ and bone marrow graft rejection, and to approaches
for vaccination against infectious organisms.

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,
Mechanisms of Peripheral Immunological Tolerance and Anergy, is
related to the priority areas of diabetes and chronic disabling
diseases, and to immunization and infectious diseases.  Potential
applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:
Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000"  (Summary Report:
Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents,
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone
202-782-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Only domestic organizations are eligible to apply.  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.  The NIAID encourages the
participation of minorities and women, either as the Program Director
or as project leaders of the component research projects of the
application.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Program
Project grant (P01).  The P01 is an assistance mechanism for the
support of broadly based, multidisciplinary, long-term research
programs with a specific major goal or central theme and generally
involving the organized efforts of groups of investigators.
Applicants will be solely responsible for the planning, direction,
and execution of the proposed project.  The total project period may
not exceed five years.  The budget of the P01 application should not
exceed $500,000 total direct costs and no more than four percent
annual inflationary increases for future years.  Budget requests
exceeding this amount will require written approval by senior NIAID
officials through the program officer before the application is
accepted for review.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The estimated total funds (direct and indirect costs) available
(direct and indirect costs) for the first year of support for this
RFA is $1,500,000.  In Fiscal Year 1993, the NIAID plans to award at
least two program project grants submitted in response to this RFA
and, depending on availability of funds and scientific merit,
possibly more than two.  This level of support is dependent on the
receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific
merit.  Although this program is provided for the in the financial
plans of the NIAID, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon
the availability of funds for this purpose.  Funding beyond the first
and subsequent years of the grant will be contingent upon
satisfactory progress during the preceding years and availability of
funds.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The goal of this program is to gain a comprehensive understanding of
the nature of peripheral tolerance and anergy:  what they are, how
they are induced, and the biochemical and molecular genetic events
involved in inducing and maintaining them.  The following are some
examples of the questions about T lymphocytes that need to be
addressed:

o  What are the elements (e.g., types of interacting cells, surface
molecules, cytokines) and mechanisms involved in T cell tolerance and
anergy that operate extrathymically?

o  Do the mechanisms that lead to tolerance and anergy differ
depending on the tolerizing/anergizing stimulus?  For example, would
the mechanisms differ if a conventional antigen or a super-antigen
were involved, or if the stimulus were a free peptide compared to a
Class II-peptide complex?

o  What roles are played by the Ti-CD3 complex or by CD4 and CD8
accessory molecules in the induction of T cell tolerance?

o  Are CD4+ and CD8+ T cells distinguishable in their susceptibility
to the induction of tolerance and anergy?

o  What are the different roles played by TH1 and TH2 cells and the
spectra of cytokines that they secrete in the induction and
maintenance of tolerance and anergy?

The following are some examples of questions about B lymphocytes that
need to be addressed:

o  What is the importance of the density, distribution, affinity and
isotype of membrane-bound antibody molecules?

o  Is B-cell anergy associated with the absence of stimuli/signals
that would otherwise lead to B-cell activation and, if so, what is
the nature of such stimuli?

o  What is the importance of the differentiative status of B cells in
terms of the induction of tolerance and anergy?

STUDY POPULATIONS

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

For projects involving clinical research, NIH requires applicants to
give special attention to the inclusion of women and minorities in
study populations.  If women or minorities are not included in the
study populations for clinical studies, a specific justification for
this exclusion must be provided.  Applications without such
documentation will not be accepted for review.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit by, January 15, 1993, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the overall
proposed research, the name, address and telephone number of the
Program Director; the names of key investigators (project leaders),
their institution(s), and the number and title of this RFA.  (The
NIAID encourages the consideration of one junior scientist to lead
one of the projects but who will work closely with one or more senior
scientists in the program project: see full RFA).  Although the
letter of intent is not required, is not binding, does not commit the
sender to submit an application, and does not enter into the review
of subsequent applications, the information that it contains allows
NIAID staff to estimate the potential review workload and to avoid
conflict of interest in the review.  The letter of intent is to be
sent to Dr. Mark Rohrbaugh at the address listed under INQUIRIES.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted on the research project grant
application form PHS 398 (rev. 09/91).  Item 2a on the face page of
the application must be marked "yes" and the RFA number and the words
"MECHANISMS OF PERIPHERAL IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE AND ANERGY" must be
typed in.

These forms may be obtained from most institutional offices of
sponsored research  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.

Applications must be received by March 25, 1993.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

General review considerations are outlined in the NIAID Information
Brochure on Program Project and Center Grants which contains special
instructions for preparing multi-project applications.  It includes
REVIEW PROCEDURES and REVIEW CRITERIA for multi-component
interdisciplinary projects and other important information.  This
Information Brochure and the RFA will be sent to applicants upon
request.

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the
Division of Research Grants (DRG) and for responsiveness by NIAID
staff; those judged to be incomplete or non-responsive will be
returned to the applicant without review.

Those applications that are complete and responsive may be subjected
to a triage by an NIAID peer review group before or during the
scientific review meeting to determine their scientific merit
relative to other applications received in response to this RFA.  The
NIAID will withdraw from competition those applications judged to be
non-competitive for award and will notify the applicant and
institutional business officials.

Those applications judged by the reviewers to be competitive for
award will be further reviewed for scientific and technical merit by
a review committee convened by the Division of Extramural Activities,
NIAID.  The second level of review will be provided by the National
Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council.

AWARD CRITERIA

Funding decisions will be made on the basis of scientific and
technical merit as determined by peer review, program needs and
balance, and the availability of funds.

INQUIRIES

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

Direct requests for the RFA and Information Brochure, as well as
inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Joseph F. Albright, Ph.D. or M. Michele Hogan, Ph.D.
Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4A22
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7551
FAX:  (301) 402-0175

Send the letter of intent and direct inquiries regarding review
issues to:

Mark L. Rohrbaugh, Ph.D.
Microbiology & Immunology Review Section
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4C22
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-8424
FAX:  (301) 402-2638

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Mr. Jeffrey Carow
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 4B29
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7075

The mailing address for sending applications to NIAID staff in the
Solar Building is the central mailing address for the NIH.
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 Solar Building is:

6003 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852

Schedule

Letter of Intent Date:     January 15, 1993
Application Receipt Date:  March 25, 1993
Scientific Review Date:    June 1993
Advisory Council Date:     September 1993
Earliest Award Date:       September 1993

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance, No. 93.855 - Immunology, Allergy and Transplantation
Research.  Awards will be made under the authority of the Public
Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as
amended; 42 USC 241) and administered under PHS grants policies and
Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to
the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems Agency review.

$$R6 END ************************************************************

$$R7 BEGIN DK-93-09 FULL-TEXT ***************************************

KIDNEY RESEARCH CENTERS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 45, December 18, 1992

RFA AVAILABLE:  DK-93-09

P.T. 04; K.W. 0785095, 1002004, 1002008, 0710070, 1002019, 0710030

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  March 8, 1993
Application Receipt Date:  April 9, 1993

THE REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA) ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN APPLICATION.
POTENTIAL APPLICANTS MAY OBTAIN THE RFA FROM THE CONTACT NAMED IN
INQUIRES, BELOW.

PURPOSE

This RFA invites investigators to submit research applications for
the George M. O'Brien Research Centers Program.  The emphases for
this program are threefold:  (1) to attract new scientific expertise
into the study of the basic mechanisms of kidney diseases and
disorders; (2) to encourage multidisciplinary research focused on the
causes these diseases; and (3) to extend the development of
innovative clinical and epidemiologic studies of the causes, therapy
and possible prevention of kidney diseases and disorders.  In
approaching the study of these disease processes, it is anticipated
that extensive collaboration will be required between individuals in
the clinical and basic sciences, including, for example,
investigators with training and expertise in cell biology, molecular
biology, immunology, genetics, epidemiology, biochemistry,
physiology, and pathology.  It is the express intent of the
announcement to attract new investigators not currently active in
this field and to explore new basic areas that may have clinical
research applications.  Individual institutions with both basic and
clinical research capabilities are eligible to apply.
Interinstitutional collaborative research arrangements are also
appropriate and encouraged.  Coordination for such arrangements must
be evident and clearly meaningful and appropriate for the research
proposed.

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,
Kidney Research Centers, is related to the area of diabetes and other
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 nonprofit
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and
eligible agencies of the Federal government.  Foreign institutions
are not eligible to apply.  Minority individuals and women are
encouraged to submit as principal investigators.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Support of this program will be through the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) specialized center (P50) award.  Responsibility for the
planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be
solely that of the applicant.  Except as otherwise stated in this
announcement, awards will be administered under PHS grants policy as
stated in the PHS Grants Policy Statement.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The NIDDK expects to award up to two center grants (P50) in FY 1993
for research into kidney disorders.  The anticipated awards are for
five years and are contingent upon the availability of appropriated
funds.  The total amount of available funds to support this program
is anticipated to be no more than $1.5 million per year.  No
applicant may request more than $750,000 (including both direct and
indirect costs) in total costs in the initial budget period.  A
standard escalation factor may be used for subsequent budget periods.
The award date for these grants will be September 30, 1993.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Successful applicants are expected to attend a yearly meeting of
Center Directors convened by the NIDDK.  Funds to support travel to
this meeting may be requested in the budget proposed for the center.

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.

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

For projects involving clinical research, NIH requires applicants to
give special attention to the inclusion of women and minorities in
study populations.  If women or minorities are not included in the
study populations, a specific justification for his exclusion must be
provided.  Applications without such documentation will not be
accepted for review.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by March 8, 1993, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating
institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to
which the application may be submitted.

A letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not
enter into the review of subsequent applications.

The letter of intent is to be sent to:

Chief, Review Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 605
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7083
FAX:  (301) 402-1277

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91) is to be used
in applying for these grants.  The form is available from most
institutional offices of sponsored research and from the Office of
Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of
Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, Maryland 20892,
telephone 301/496-7441.

The RFA label available in the application form must be affixed to
the bottom of the face page.  Detailed instructions on submission
procedures are described in the RFA.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be initially reviewed for
completeness and responsiveness.  Incomplete applications or
non-responsive applications will be returned to the applicant without
further consideration.

Those applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated
in accordance with the usual NIH peer review procedures.  Following
this review, the applications will be given a secondary review by the
NIDDK Advisory Council unless not recommended for further
consideration by the initial review group.

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged.

Inquiries regarding programmatic issues and requests for copies of
the RFA may be directed to:

Ralph L. Bain, Ph.D.
Director, Centers Program
Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 3A-05
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7574

Inquiries regarding fiscal matters may be directed to: