From: kristoff@NET.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson)
Newsgroups: bionet.sci-resources
Subject: NIH Guide, vol. 21, no. 37, pt.1, 16 October 1992
Date: 16 Oct 92 19:01:43 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 19921016 V21N37 P1O2 ************************************
X-comment: RFAs described: DC-93-003, NR-93-01

NIH GUIDE - Vol. 21, No. 37 - October 16, 1992

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

                               NOTICES

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

ADAMHA/NIH REORGANIZATION
National Institutes of Health
Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration
INDEX:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH; ALCOHOL DRUG ABUSE AND MENTAL
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

               NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)

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

CORE IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY FOR ASSESSMENT OF AIDS VACCINES IN
PRIMATES (RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-15)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
INDEX:  ALLERGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES

$$INDEX R2 12/22/92 *************************************************

NIDCD-NASA CENTER FOR VESTIBULAR RESEARCH (RFA DC-93-003)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
INDEX:  DEAFNESS, COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

$$INDEX R3 01/26/93 *************************************************

RESEARCH ON CLINICAL CARE IN NURSING HOMES (RFA NR-93-01)
National Center Nursing Research
INDEX:  NURSING RESEARCH

                    ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

GENES DETERMINING STEM CELL SELF-RENEWAL AND COMMITMENT (PA-93-006)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
INDEX:  HEART, LUNG, BLOOD

$$INDEX P2 **********************************************************

INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING AWARDS IN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES (PA-93-007)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
INDEX:  DIABETES, DIGESTIVE, KIDNEY DISEASES

$$INDEX P3 **********************************************************

ACADEMIC AWARD IN VASCULAR DISEASE (PAR-93-008)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
INDEX:  HEART, LUNG, BLOOD

$$INDEX P4 **********************************************************

NEURAL, ENDOCRINE, IMMUNE, AND VIRAL INTERACTIONS, BEHAVIOR, AND
MENTAL HEALTH (PA-93-009)
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
INDEX:  MENTAL HEALTH; NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, STROKE

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 *********************************************************

                               NOTICES

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

ADAMHA/NIH REORGANIZATION

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 37, October 16, 1992

P.T. 34; K.W. 1014006

National Institutes of Health
Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration

On July 10, 1992, President Bush signed into law the ADAMHA
Reorganization Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-321) merging the three research
institutes of the Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration
(ADAMHA) with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and
establishing a new agency, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration.  On October 1, 1992, the National Institute
on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
merged with the NIH.

The NIAAA, NIDA, and NIMH will continue to accept research grant and
research training applications as they have in the past.  No
substantial changes in policy or procedure are anticipated.  If
changes or adjustments of policy or procedure are necessary, it will
be announced in the NIH Guide.  The ongoing policy previously
announced jointly by the NIH/ADAMHA on the inclusion of women and
minorities in clinical research study populations, will continue in
force until revised or reissued.

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

               NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs AND RFAs)

$$R1 BEGIN NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-15 ************************************

CORE IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY FOR ASSESSMENT OF AIDS VACCINES IN
PRIMATES

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 37, October 16, 1992

RFP:  NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-15

P.T. 34; K.W. 0715008, 0740075, 0710070, 0755010

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID),
National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a requirement to provide for
the centralized performance of immunological assays to support
preclinical AIDS vaccine trials in primates.  The purpose of this
contract is to support the NIAID in its mission to stimulate research
towards discovery and testing of prototype vaccines for the acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).  The NIAID requires a Primate Core
Immunology Laboratory to assay specimens from macaques, chimpanzees,
or other primates for humoral and cellular immune responses induced
by immunization with prototype Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)
and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) vaccines.  This effort will
support the research of AIDS investigators, including three SIV
Vaccine Evaluation Units (SIV VEU), a Chimpanzee Unit, the National
Cooperative Vaccine Evaluation Group (NCVDG), the AIDS Vaccine
Evaluation Group (AVEG), and other programs initiated by NIAID.
Specifically, the selected contractor will be responsible for:  (1)
performing specific evaluations of cellular immune responses induced
by vaccination; (2) performing specific evaluations of humoral immune
responses induced by vaccination; (3) adapting, standardizing,
providing quality assurance, and performing any newly developed
immunological assays that may be identified during the period of the
contract as offering potential for assessment of vaccine safety and
immunogenicity; (4) receiving, cataloging, tracking, and maintaining
an inventory of the specimens arriving for evaluation; and (5)
maintaining test result database and transferring data to the AIDS
Vaccine Clinical Trials Network (AVCTN) Data Coordinating and
Analysis Center (DCAC).  This is an announcement for an anticipated
Request for Proposals (RFP).  The issuance of RFP
NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-93-15 will be on or about October 16, 1992, and
proposals will be due by the close-of-business on January 5, 1993.
It is anticipated that one contract will be awarded as a result of
this solicitation and that the contract will have a five-year period
of performance.  A completion type cost-reimbursement contract is
anticipated.  Requests for the RFP must be directed in writing to:

Kristi Hofacker, Contract Specialist
Contract Management Branch
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Solar Building, Room 3C07
6003 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD  20892

Provide this office with three self-addressed mailing labels.
Telephone inquiries will not be honored and all inquiries must be in
writing.  A short-form version of the RFP will be provided first.
That version includes only the Statement of Work and the Evaluation
Criteria to be used for selection of the awardee.  After examining
this document, a full-text version of the RFP must be requested, in
writing, for those offerors interested in responding. FAX requests
are acceptable for full-text versions of the RFP only (FAX:
301-402-0972).  All proposals from responsible sources will be
considered by the NIAID.  This advertisement does not commit the
Government to award a contract.

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

$$R2 BEGIN DC-93-003 FULL-TEXT **************************************

NIDCD-NASA CENTER FOR VESTIBULAR RESEARCH

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 37, October 16, 1992

RFA AVAILABLE:  DC-93-003

P.T. 34; K.W. 0785005, 1002061

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  November 15, 1992
Application Receipt Date:  December 22, 1992

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

PURPOSE

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
(NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration
with the Life Sciences Division of the Office of Space Science and
Applications, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
invite applications for the support of a ground-based research center
to carry out research applicable to vestibular issues associated with
space flight and fundamental knowledge about the vestibular system.
In addition to research, the Center will include a research training
component.  The Center will conduct a number of research projects in
humans and/or animals integrated into a program and centered around
the vestibular control of balance and posture and the regulation of
locomotion and other volitional movements.

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,
NIDCD-NASA Center for Vestibular Research, is related to the priority
areas of physical activity fitness, educational and community-based
programs, unintentional injuries, occupational safety and health,
diabetes and chronic disabling diseases, and clinical prevention
services.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People
2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-11474-0) or "Healthy People
2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-11473-1) through the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and non-profit
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and
eligible agencies of the Federal government.  Applications from
minority individuals and women are encouraged.

MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the NIH Comprehensive Center (P60) grant mechanism.
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
the present RFA must be five years.  The anticipated award date will
be July 1, 1993.

This RFA is a one-time solicitation.  At present, the NIDCD and NASA
have made no commitment to continue support for the Center beyond
five years.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

One Center will be supported jointly by NIDCD and NASA at a level of
up to $1 million total (direct plus indirect) costs per annum for a
project period of five years.  Although this Center is provided for
in the financial plans of the NIDCD and NASA, awards pursuant to this
RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The major research objective of this RFA is to characterize the
relative roles of the  semicircular canal, otolithic organ and
canal-otolithic organ interactive inputs to the vestibulo-spinal
reflexes and the balance motor control systems.  A requisite
component of this research effort includes the development of a
computational model of the sensory-to-motor transformation relating
the vestibular balance control  system to its neural substrates.
This model should be driven and validated by experimental data
generated by this project.  The Center is intended to support a team
of investigators pursuing basic and applied studies  at the systems
and neuronal substrate levels to conduct an integrated,
multidisciplinary inquiry into the vestibular bases of balance
control.

The purpose of the research training component of the Center is to
develop opportunities for training individuals to conduct research in
the vestibular sciences.  The research training program will provide
multidisciplinary training for physicians, predoctoral trainees and
postdoctoral trainees in the areas of vestibular science that are
encompassed by the application.  The research training component of
the Center must provide opportunities for individuals with varying
levels of research experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The program director and one additional investigator of the Center
will meet annually in the Washington, DC area with the scientific
program staffs of the Division of Communication Sciences and
Disorders, NIDCD, and the Life Sciences Division, NASA, to review the
progress of the Center in the areas of research and research
training.

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 November 15, 1992, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Center
director, 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.

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does
not enter into the review of subsequent applications, the information
that it contains is helpful in planning for the review of
applications.  It allows NIDCD 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:

Earleen Elkins, Ph.D.
Chief, Scientific Review Branch
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Room 400-B, Executive Plaza South
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892

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 business offices; 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; and from the NIH program administrator named below.

Applications must be received by December 15, 1992.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Incoming applications determined by NIH staff to be complete and
responsive will undergo scientific merit review and a site visit or
applicant interview in the Washington, DC area.  These applications
will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated in the RFA
for scientific/technical merit by an appropriate peer review group
convened by the Institute and NASA.  The second level of review will
be provided by the National Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders Advisory Council and the NASA Life Sciences Division.  If
the number of applications received is large, the NIDCD may conduct a
preliminary scientific peer review to eliminate those applications
that are clearly not competitive.

AWARD CRITERIA

The anticipated date of award is July 1993.

Selection will be made jointly by the NIDCD and NASA on the basis of
assessment of the applications by peer review, considerations of
programmatic balance, and the appropriation of allocated funds for
this RFA.

INQUIRIES

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

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Daniel A. Sklare, Ph.D.
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-3461
FAX:  (301) 402-6251

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Sharon Hunt
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Executive Plaza South, Room 400-B
6120 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 402-0909
FAX:    (301) 402-1758

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.173 .  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.

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

$$R3 BEGIN NR-93-01 FULL-TEXT ***************************************

RESEARCH ON CLINICAL CARE IN NURSING HOMES

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 37, October 16, 1992

RFA AVAILABLE:  NR-93-01

P.T. 34; K.W. 0785130, 0730050

National Center for Nursing Research

Letter of Intent Receipt Date:  November 24, 1992
Application Receipt Date:  January 26, 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 goal of this RFA is to enhance quality of care and quality of
life of nursing home residents by increasing understanding of the
influences of contextual factors and by determining clinical
strategies that increase independence and self management among
residents, maintain family participation in care, and encourage
discharge to home whenever possible.

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,
Research on Clinical Care in Nursing Homes, is related to the
priority areas of older persons as a targeted group and to
chronically disabling conditions.  Potential applicants may obtain a
copy of the "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0 or Summary report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1)
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign, for- profit
and non-profit, public and private, organizations such as
universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and
local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal Government.
Applications from minority individuals and women are encouraged.
Applicants must demonstrate access to nursing homes appropriate to
the study proposed.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual
research grant (R01).  Responsibility for the planning, direction,
and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the
applicant.  This RFA is a one time solicitation.  The total project
period proposed may not exceed four years.  The anticipated average
direct cost of an award is $150,000.  The anticipated award date will
be July 1, 1993.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

It is estimated that up to $1.0 million will be available to fund the
first-year total costs of applications submitted in response to this
RFA.  It is anticipated that four to five applications will be
funded.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1.  Determine the influence of structural and organizational factors
on the effectiveness of clinical interventions.

2.  Examine the effectiveness of specific clinical interventions for
older persons in nursing homes in terms of clinical quality (e.g.,
related to changes in functional status and quality of life) and
related fiscal (e.g., related to changes in costs) outcomes.

3.  Identify linkages among clinical assessments conducted in nursing
homes, clinical interventions, and anticipated clinical and fiscal
outcomes.

Applications must address objective one and either two or three.

BACKGROUND

With the increasing longevity of our population, the number of the
older persons is increasing, including those over 85 years who are
frequent users of nursing homes.  Many issues have been raised about
the quality and appropriateness of clinical care provided in these
settings.  This RFA is designed to address these issues.  There are
several areas that could be addressed.

How best to assess and plan clinical interventions to meet individual
requirements of nursing home residents needs to be addressed.  The
relationship of assessment strategies to clinical interventions and
outcomes requires further investigation.  Examinations are needed of
potential differences among those with varying lengths of stay.
Also, examinations are needed of clinical intervention strategies for
residents who have the potential for discharge home, improvement in
their health status, as well as those who are not expected to
survive.  It is important that the natural clinical setting be
examined for influences on the effectiveness of intervention
strategies, such as through exploration of clinical management
strategies to achieve staff adherence to plans of care.  In addition,
clinical interventions that take the resident milieu into
consideration continue to require study.

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 inclusion must be provided.  Applications without such
documentation will not be accepted for review.

LETTER OF INTENT

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by November 24, 1992, a
letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed
research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal
Investigator, the names of other key personnel and consultants, the
participating institution(s), and the number and title of the RFA in
response to which an 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
that it contains is extremely helpful in planning for the review of
applications.  It allows NCNR 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:

Ethel Jackson, D.D.S.
Chief, Office of Review
National Center for Nursing Research
Building 31, Room 5B25
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD  20892

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications must be received by January 26, 1993.  If an application
is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant
without review.  The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev.
9/91) is to be used to apply for these grants.  These forms are
available at most institutional business offices and from the Office
of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes
of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892
telephone 301-496-7441.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Applications will be evaluated according to the review criteria
stated in the RFA for scientific and technical merit by an
appropriate peer review group convened by the Office of Review,
National Center for Nursing Research.  Applications may be subjected
to triage by the peer review group to determine their scientific
merit relative to other applications received in response to this
RFA.  Criteria for triage will be the same as those noted above.  The
second level of review will be provided by the National Advisory
Council for Nursing Research.

AWARD CRITERIA

The anticipated date of award is July 1, 1993.   Decisions to make
awards are based on the scientific merit of the application reflected
in the priority score, availability of funds with NCNR for this
purpose, and NCNR research program priorities.

INQUIRIES

Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged
and may be directed to either of the following individuals.  The
program staff welcome the opportunity to clarify any issues or
questions from potential applicants.

Patricia Moritz, Ph.D., R.N.
Nursing Systems Branch
National Center for Nursing Research
Westwood Building, Room 754
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-0523 (for copies of the RFA)
Telephone:  (303) 844-6163 (for scientific matters)

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Sally Nichols
Grants Management Officer
National Center for Nursing Research
Westwood Building, Room 748
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-0237

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.331, Nursing Research.  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.

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

                    ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

$$P1 BEGIN PA-93-006 ************************************************

GENES DETERMINING STEM CELL SELF-RENEWAL AND COMMITMENT

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 37, October 16, 1992

PA NUMBER:  PA-93-006

P.T. 34; K.W. 1002058, 0785070

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

PURPOSE

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) announces the
availability of a Program Announcement (PA) on the above subject.
The purpose of this initiative is to encourage research aimed at
providing an understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms
responsible for controlling hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell
self-renewal, commitment, and differentiation.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This PA,
Genes Determining Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Commitment, is related
to the priority areas of hematologic disorders and bone marrow
transplantation.  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

Applications may be submitted by foreign and domestic, for-profit
organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and
eligible agencies of the Federal Government.  Applications from
minority individuals and women are encouraged.  Awards in connection
with this announcement will be made to foreign institutions only for
research of very unusual merit, need and promise, and in accordance
with PHS policy governing such awards.  Foreign institutions are not
eligible for First Independent Research Support and Transition
(FIRST) Awards (R29).

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

This PA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) individual
research grant (R01) and FIRST (R29) awards.  Applicants, who will
plan and execute their own research programs, are requested to
furnish their own estimates of the time required to achieve the
objectives of the proposed research project.  Up to five years of
support may be requested.  Because the nature and scope of the
research proposed in response to this PA may vary, it is anticipated
that the size of an award will also vary.  Applications for R29
awards may request no more than $350,000 direct costs.
Administrative adjustments in project period and/or amount of support
may be required at the time of the award.  All current policies and
requirements that govern the research grant programs of the NIH will
apply to grants awarded in connection with this PA.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this initiative is to encourage research aimed at
providing an understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms
responsible for controlling hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell
self-renewal, commitment, and differentiation.

The production of blood cells, a process called hematopoiesis, takes
place in the bone marrow.  Hematopoiesis begins with the most
primitive, pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell which is believed to
be present as only one of every 1,000 to 100,000 nucleated bone
marrow cells.  The stem cell can either self-renew or differentiate
into myeloid or lymphoid stem cells, which in turn can further
differentiate and mature, ultimately giving rise to all the
circulating blood cells.  Each of these complex hematopoietic
pathways is under the influence of one or more hematopoietic growth
factors (colony stimulating factors) or cytokines that enhance
cellular proliferation and maturation and other substances that exert
negative or inhibitory effects on the process.

The past decade has witnessed the cloning and characterization of
several hematopoietic growth factors. Many of these have already
assumed a role in medical treatment.  However, since these factors
typically have more than one action, some of these actions may be
undesirable in a given case.  For example, some cytokines used to
ameliorate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia may have the undesirable
effect of stimulating the growth of tumor cells or of activating
mature neutrophils.  Hence, growth factors alone provide
insufficiently precise control of the hematopoietic system.

Growth factors are only a part of a complex system regulating
hematopoiesis.  For each growth factor there is a receptor, signal
transducers, and responsive genetic elements.  Many of these
receptors have been characterized; some can be the target of
therapeutic attack through molecules designed to compete with their
natural ligands.  Much current work focuses on signal transduction.
Intervention via signal transducers may be complicated by the fact
that some signal transducers are common to several pathways serving
different functions. Studies in several animal and cell culture
systems support the idea that tyrosine kinase receptors, Ras and
protein kinase C are part of a common signaling pathway.  Thus,
identification of responsive genetic elements for growth factors may
be the best approach to obtain the specificity required for
therapeutic intervention.

The hematopoietic stem cell and blood cell progenitors face a
succession of "decisions," i.e., choices among alternative pathways.
For example, between the quiescent stem cell and the mature
neutrophil lie perhaps five such decisions:  (a) whether to remain
quiescent or to divide; (b) if to divide, whether to remain
multipotential (self-renew) or to restrict potentiality; (c) if to
restrict potentiality, whether to become a lymphoid or a myeloid stem
cell; (d) if to become a myeloid stem cell, whether to become an
erythroid, megakaryocytic, or granulocytic progenitor; and (e) if to
become granulocytic, whether to become a neutrophilic, eosinophilic,
or basophilic progenitor.  What these decisions represent at the
molecular level, which result in commitment of multipotent
progenitors to differentiate along a given lineage, remains elusive.
The hypothesis behind this initiative is that each such decision
represents activation of a set of genes via a "master" gene.  The
purpose of this initiative is to identify the genes responsible for
the particular alternative pathways selected.

The concept of master genes in hematopoiesis has been advanced by
studies using approaches in normal and transformed cell culture
systems, isolation of multipotent cell lines derived from mouse bone
marrow, and the use of hematopoietic cells transformed in vitro by
oncogene-containing acute leukemia viruses.   Alterations in gene
expression can have profound effects on the growth and
differentiation of hematopoietic cells.  Thus, it is important to
understand the mechanisms by which various genes are regulated during
hematopoietic cell differentiation.  There is some evidence to
suggest that the decision for myeloid differentiation rather than for
lymphoid differentiation may involve expression of the myb gene (1).
Thus, myb may play a key regulatory role in myeloid differentiation
and also play an important role in leukemogenicity (2).  The decision
for erythropoiesis rather than for granulopoiesis or
megakaryocytopoiesis may involve expression of the ets gene.
However, it was recently shown that the immature chick "erythroid"
cells transformed by the E26 avian leukemia virus are in fact
multipotent progenitors and can differentiate along at least three
lineages (3).  It is important to determine if mammalian counterparts
exist and have similar functions, particularly in man.  This approach
was successful in the use of chicken and mouse genes to identify the
human counterpart of a transcription factor gene (GATA) required for
normal differentiation of erythroid cells (4).  The gene for the GATA
protein has been cloned which has led to the identification of a
family of GATA proteins expressed in different tissues.  Similarly,
genes of the HOX 2 cluster of homeobox genes have been identified in
human hematopoietic cell lines with erythroid potential, suggesting
that these genes are involved in human hematopoietic cell
differentiation.  Overexpression of HOX 2.2 is associated with loss
of erythroid features and an increase in certain myelomonocytic
markers (5).  This strategy can generally be applied to
differentiation of other lineages, provided that several proteins
specific for that lineage have been identified.

The second approach, starting with a candidate gene, is also
feasible.  As discussed above, an attractive class of genes are the
proto-oncogenes, many of which were discovered through their mutated
form in tumor viruses.  Their unmutated forms must perform important
functions because they have been preserved over the course of
eukaryotic evolution.  A plausible normal function for them is the
regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation.  Once a
gene is selected for study, its role can be investigated by blocking
its effect using antisense technology.  This approach has been
successfully used in several systems in which it provides a new
strategy for inducing differentiation and also provides further
insight into the molecular factors that govern the process of
hematopoiesis (6,7,8).

These approaches are intended to serve as examples and other novel
approaches to address the molecular mechanisms for lineage commitment
are encouraged.  An attack upon these fundamental problems in
hematopoiesis is now possible due to progress in isolating
hematopoietic stem cells and defining the requirements for their
culture.  The hypothesis behind this initiative is that each decision
made by a cell (to divide or not to divide; to divide and self-renew
or commit, etc.) represents activation of a set of genes via a
"master" gene.  The purpose of this initiative is to identify these
master genes by encouraging research aimed at providing an
understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms responsible for
controlling hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell self-renewal,
commitment, and differentiation.

STUDY POPULATIONS

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

NIH policy is that applicants for NIH clinical research grants and
cooperative agreements will be required to include minorities and
women in study populations so that research findings can be of
benefit to all persons at risk of the disease, disorder or condition
under study; special emphasis should be placed on the need for
inclusion of minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders
and conditions which disproportionately affect them.  This policy is
intended to apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or
minorities are excluded or inadequately represented in clinical
research, particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear
compelling rationale should be provided.

The composition of the proposed study population must be described in
terms of gender and racial/ethnic group.  In addition, gender and
racial/ethnic issues should be addressed in developing a research
design and sample size appropriate for the scientific objectives of
the study.  This information must be included in the form PHS 398
(rev. 9/91) in Sections 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in
Section 5, Human Subjects.  Applicants are urged to assess carefully
the feasibility of including the broadest possible representation of
minority groups.  However, NIH recognizes that it may not be feasible
or appropriate in all research projects to include representation of
the full array of United States racial/ethnic minority populations
(i.e., Native Americans including American Indians or Alaskan
Natives, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics).  The
rationale for studies on single minority population groups should be
provided.

For the purpose of this policy, clinical research includes human
biomedical and behavioral studies of etiology, epidemiology, (and
preventive strategies), diagnosis, or treatment of diseases,
disorders or conditions, including but not limited to clinical
trials.

The usual NIH policies concerning research on human subjects also
apply.  Basic research or clinical studies in which human tissues
cannot be identified or linked to individuals are excluded.  However,
every effort should be made to include human tissues from women and
racial/ethnic minorities when it is important to apply the results of
the study broadly, and this should be addressed by applicants.

For foreign awards, the policy on inclusion of women applies fully;
since the definition of minority differs in other countries, the
applicant must discuss the relevance of research involving foreign
population groups to the United States' populations, including
minorities.

If the required information is not contained within the application,
the application will be deferred until the information is provided.

Peer reviewers will address specifically whether the research plan in
the application conforms to these policies.  If the representation of
women or minorities in a study design is inadequate to answer the
scientific question(s) addressed AND the justification for the
selected study population is inadequate, it will be considered a
scientific weakness or deficiency in the study design and will be
reflected in assigning the priority score to the application.

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

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS
398 (rev. 9/91) and will be accepted at the standard application
deadlines as indicated in the application kit.  The receipt dates for
applications for AIDS-related research are found in the PHS 398 (rev.
9/91) instructions.

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

Application kits are available at most institutional offices of
sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants
Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of
Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone
(301) 496-7441.  Section 2a on the face page of the application must
be completed.  Check "YES" to indicate the application is submitted
in response to a program announcement.  The title and program
announcement number must be typed in Section 2a  of the application
as follows:  "GENES DETERMINING STEM CELL SELF-RENEWAL AND
COMMITMENT" NHLBI PA NUMBER:  PA-93-006.

The completed original application and five legible copies must be
sent or delivered to:

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

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Although this is a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute PA, the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases also
has an interest in the subject matter of this PA.  Applications will
be assigned to the most appropriate Institute on the basis of
established Public Health Service referral guidelines.  Applications
will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by study sections
of the Division of Research Grants, NIH, in accordance with the
standard peer review procedures.

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

AWARD CRITERIA

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

Awards in response to this PA will be made to foreign institutions
only for research of very unusual merit, need, and promise, and in
accordance with PHS policy governing such awards.

INQUIRIES

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

Inquiries regarding this request for applications may be directed to:

Dr. Helena  O. Mishoe
Cellular Hematology Branch
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Federal Building, Room 5A12
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5911
FAX:  (301) 496-9940

For fiscal and administrative matters, contact:

Ms. Jane R. Davis
Chief, Blood Division Grants Management Section
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Westwood Building, Room 4A15
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7257
FAX:  (301) 402-1200

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

The programs of the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, NHLBI,
are described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number
93.839.  Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health
Service Act, Section 301 (42 USC 241) and administered under PHS
grants policies and Federal regulations, most specifically 42 CFR
Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372.

REFERENCES

1.  Selvakumaran, M., Liebermann, D.A., Hoffman-Liebermann B.
Deregulated c-myb disrupts interleukin-6- or leukemia inhibitory
factor-induced myeloid differentiation prior to c-myc:  role in
leukemogenesis.  (1992) Mol Cell Biol 12:2493-500.

2.  Graf, T. Myb: a transcriptional activator linking proliferation
and differentiation in hematopoietic cells.  (1992) Curr Opin Genet
2:249-55.

3.  Graf, T., McNagny, K., Brady, G., Frampton, J. Chicken
"erythroid:  cells transformed by the Gag- Myb-Ets-encoding E26
leukemia virus are multipotent. (1992) Cell 24:201-13.

4.  Pevny, L., Simon, M.C., Robertson, E., Klein, W.H., et al.
Erythroid differentiation in chimeric mice blocked by a targeted
mutation in the gene for transcription factor GATA-1. (1991) Nature
349:257-60.

5.  Shen, W. F., Detmer, K., Mathews, C. H., Hack, F. M., et al.
Modulation of homeobox gene expression alters the phenotype of human
hematopoietic cell lines. (1992) EMBO J 11:983-9.

6.  Catlett, J. P., Leftwich, J. A., Westin, E. H., Grant, S., Huff,
T. F. c-kit expression by CD34+ bone marrow progenitors and
inhibition of response to recombinant human interleukin-3 following
exposure to c-kit antisense oligonucleotides.  (1991) 78:3186-91.

7.  Wu, J., Zhu, J. Q., Zhu, D. X., Scharfman, A., et al. Selective
inhibition of normal murine myelopoiesis in vitro: by a Hox 2.3
antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. (1992) Cell Mol Biol 38:367-76.

8.  Collins, J. F., Herman, P., Schuch, C., Bagby, G. C. c-myc
antisense oligonucleotides inhibit the colony-forming capacity of
Colo 320 colonic carcinoma cells. (1992)  J Clin Invest 89:1523-7.

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

$$P2 BEGIN PA-93-007 ************************************************

INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING AWARDS IN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 37, October 16, 1992

PA NUMBER:  PA-93-007

P.T. 44; K.W. 0720005, 0710095, 0715145, 0765020

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

PURPOSE

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK) invites applications for National Research Service Award
(NRSA) institutional grants (T32) from eligible institutions to
develop or enhance research training for predoctoral students or
postdoctoral fellows, selected by the institution, in the broad areas
of nutritional science and obesity-related research.  The purpose of
this NRSA program, and this announcement, is to ensure a cadre of
well-trained scientists interested in pursuing academic research
careers in the areas of nutrition, nutrient metabolism, eating
disorders, obesity, and energy metabolism/regulation.  Other
Institutes and Centers share an interest in these disorders.
Assignment of applications to components of the National Institutes
of Health will be according to standard Public Health Service (PHS)
referral guidelines.

To ensure a fully adequate review, applications submitted in response
to this announcement and assigned to the NIDDK will be reviewed only
annually in the review cycle, ending with presentation to the
National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory Council
at its September/October meeting.  Therefore, it is requested that
applications be submitted for the January 10 receipt date of each
year.  This applies both to new applications and to competing
continuation applications in the area of nutritional sciences.
NIDDK-assigned applications submitted for the other receipt dates of
May 10 and September 10 will be held for review with those submitted
on the following January 10.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The PHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease
prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national
activity for setting priority areas.  This program announcement,
Institutional Training Awards in Nutritional Sciences, is related to
the priority area of nutrition.  Potential applicants may obtain a
copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, (telephone 202-783-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications may be submitted by domestic non-profit private and
public institutions to support research training programs.  The
applicant institution must have, or be able to develop, the staff and
facilities required for the proposed program.  The training program
director at the institution will be responsible for the selection and
appointment of trainees to receive support and for the overall
direction of the program.

The individuals to be trained on an NRSA training grant must be
citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or have been
lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of the
Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551 or I-151) at the time of
appointment. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not
eligible.  NRSA research training grants may not be used to support
studies leading to the M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or other similar
health-professional degree.

Programs able to provide postdoctoral training to both M.D.s and
Ph.D.s are encouraged.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

The mechanism of support for this program announcement will be the
National Research Service Award institutional training grant (T32).
Institutions may request support for predoctoral students,
postdoctoral trainees, and short-term research training.  Stipends
will be awarded at levels commensurate with NIH policy at the time of
award and may be supplemented from non-Federal sources. Training
related expenses, tuition and fees, and travel expenses may also be
requested for trainees, although the levels vary depending on the
type of training to be supported.  Trainees should be appointed to
postdoctoral positions for at least two years.  Indirect costs will
be awarded based on eight percent of total direct costs with no
exclusions from the base for training-related expenses.  It is
anticipated that the size of awards will vary, possible ranging up to
$250,000 per year.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The NIDDK is committed to increasing the number of well-trained
physicians and basic scientists interested in conducting high quality
research in areas of nutritional science and able both to compete
successfully for NIH grant support and provide leadership in the
areas of clinical nutrition/obesity research.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS
398 (rev. 9/91).  Application kits are available from most
institutional business offices and may be obtained 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.  The title and number of this announcement must be
typed in section 2a on the face page of the application.

Prior to preparing an application, prospective applicants should
consult the following documents:  (a) "National Research Service
Award Guidelines for Individual Awards - Institutional Awards"
available from most grantee offices of sponsored research and from
the Office of Grants Inquiries at the address listed above; and (2)
"Suggestions for national Research Service Award Institutional
Training grant Applications" available from the Review Branch,
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,
Westwood Building, Room 604, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone (301) 496-
7083).

The completed original application and five legible copies must be
sent or delivered to:

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

Preferably, applications should be received on or before the January
10 receipt date.

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed initially by the Division
of Research Grants (DRG) for completeness. Incomplete applications
will be returned to the applicant without further consideration.

All applications responding to this announcement that are assigned to
the NIDDK will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by the
DDK-C initial review group (IRG), followed by a second level review
by the National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory
Council.  Applications not recommended for further consideration by
the IRG will not undergo secondary review.  Applications assigned to
Institutes/Centers other than the NIDDK will undergo a similar
2-level review process within the designated Institute/Center.

Initial review of applications assigned to the NIDDK will be held in
June or July of each year, and review by the National Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory Council will be in September
or October.  Review criteria used by initial review groups in
reviewing NRSA Institutional Training applications are given in the
booklet "National Research Service Award Guidelines for Individual
Awards - Institutional Awards" available from the Office of Grants
Inquiries at the address listed under APPLICATION PROCEDURES.

AWARD CRITERIA

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

o  scientific and technical merit of the application as determined by
peer review
o  availability of funds
o  program balance

INQUIRIES

Inquiries regarding programmatic issues may be directed to:

Judith M. Podskalny, Ph.D.
Director, Research Training and Career Development Program
Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 3A15
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7455

Inquiries regarding fiscal matters may be directed to:

Mrs. Paulette Badman
Grants Management Specialist
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Westwood Building, Room 649
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7467

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 93.848.  Awards are made under authorization of the
Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as
amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered
under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 66
and 45 CFR Part 74.  This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or
Health Systems Agency review.

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

$$P3 BEGIN PAR-93-008 ***********************************************

ACADEMIC AWARD IN VASCULAR DISEASE

NIH GUIDE, Volume 21, Number 37, October 16, 1992

PAR NUMBER:  PAR-93-008

P.T. 34; K.W. 0715040, 0710030

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Application Receipt Date:  January 7, 1993

PURPOSE

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the third national competition
for Academic Awards in Vascular Disease.  These awards have the dual
purpose of encouraging the development and/or improving the quality
of clinical, educational, and research programs in vascular disease
and of encouraging the professional development of the Awardee so
that he or she can serve as the focal point for multidisciplinary
interactions in the field of vascular medicine.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This Program
Announcement, Academic Award in Vascular Disease, is related to the
priority area of heart disease and stroke. Potential applicants may
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1)
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-783-3238).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Each school of medicine or osteopathy in the United States and its
possessions and territories is eligible to compete for a nonrenewable
Academic Award in Vascular Disease for a project period that does not
exceed five years.  Awards will not be made to foreign institutions
nor to domestic applicants with international components.   The
Principal Investigator must hold the M.D. or D.O. degree or the
equivalent. Applications from minority individuals and women are
encouraged.  An individual institution may submit an application for
a systemic vascular program and an application for a pulmonary
vascular program for a given receipt date.  However, an individual
institution applying for a comprehensive systemic and pulmonary
vascular program in a single application may submit only one
application for a given receipt date.  The number of new awards made
each year will depend on the availability of funds.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

The mechanism of support for this program is the Academic/Teacher
Award (K07).

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

This Academic Award is initiated to address problems that prevent
rapid and effective application of new developments in medical
diagnosis and care of the individual patient.  Major reasons for
inefficient transfer of new technology to patients with vascular
disease relate to the rapid advance of basic and clinical research as
well as to the absence of a specific specialty dedicated to such
patients.  Thus, the purpose of this Academic Award is to provide
financial support for individuals applying, in conjunction with their
institutions, to develop and implement approaches to the coordinated
care of patients with vascular disease in need of a variety of
specialty and subspecialty expert consultation.  In conjunction with
this program, it is also expected that complementary educational and
research programs will be developed or are already in place.

For the purposes of this Award, vascular medicine is defined as the
clinical discipline that has as its objectives:  (1) clinical
characterization, (2) pathogenesis, (3) diagnosis, (4) treatment, and
(5) prevention of systemic and/or pulmonary vascular disease.  To be
responsive to this announcement, an application must provide for a
program in systemic or pulmonary vascular disease or a comprehensive
program in both.  A systemic vascular program should include
cerebral, coronary, aortic, renal, peripheral and lymphatic
circulations and address such disorders as atherosclerosis, lipid
metabolic disorders, hypertension, lymphedema, thrombosis, vasculitis
and vasospastic disorders.  A pulmonary vascular disease program
should include primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension,
pulmonary vasculitis and pulmonary thromboembolism.

STUDY POPULATIONS

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

NIH policy is that applicants for NIH clinical research grants and
cooperative agreements are required to include minorities and women
in study populations so that research findings can be of benefit to
all persons at risk of the disease, disorder or condition under
study; special emphasis must be placed on the need for inclusion of
minorities and women in studies of diseases, disorders or conditions
which disproportionately affect them.  This policy is intended to
apply to males and females of all ages.  If women or minorities are
excluded or inadequately represented in clinical research,
particularly in proposed population-based studies, a clear compelling
rationale must be provided.

The composition of the proposed study population must be described in
terms of gender and racial/ethnic group.  In addition, gender and
racial/ethnic issues should be addressed in developing a research
design and sample size appropriate for the scientific objectives of
the study. This information must be included in the form PHS 398 in
Sections 1-4 of the Research Plan AND summarized in Section 5, Human
Subjects.  Applicants are urged to assess carefully the feasibility
of including the broadest possible representation of minority groups.
However, NIH recognizes that it may not be feasible or appropriate in
all research projects to include representation of the full array of
United States racial/ethnic minority populations (i.e., Native
Americans (including American Indians or Alaskan Natives),
Asian/Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics).  The rationale for
studies on single minority population groups must be provided.

For the purpose of this policy, clinical research is defined as human
biomedical and behavioral studies of etiology epidemiology,
prevention (and preventive strategies), diagnosis, or treatment of
diseases, disorders or conditions, including but not limited to
clinical trials.

The usual NIH policies concerning research on human subjects also
apply.  Basic research or clinical studies in which human tissues
cannot be identified or linked to individuals are excluded.  However,
every effort should be made to include human tissues from women and
racial/ethnic minorities when it is important to apply the results of
the study broadly, and this should be addressed by applicants.

For foreign awards, the policy on inclusion of women applies fully.
Since the definition of minority differs in other countries, the
applicant must discuss the relevance of research involving foreign
population groups to the United States populations, including
minorities.

If the required information is not contained within the application,
the review will be deferred until the information is provided.

Peer review will address specifically whether the research plan in
the application conforms to these policies.  If the representation of
women or minorities in a study design is inadequate to answer the
scientific question(s) addressed AND the justification for the
selected study population is inadequate, it will be considered a
scientific weakness or deficiency in the study design and will be
reflected in the priority score assigned to the application.

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

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by November 20, 1992, a
letter of intent, countersigned by the applicant's Department
Chairman, Dean of the School of Medicine or Osteopathy, and Director
of the hospital(s).  This letter of intent should include 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 program announcement in response to which an
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 that it contains allows
NHLBI 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:

C. James Scheirer, Ph.D.
Chief, Contracts, Clinical Trials, and Training Review Section
Review Branch, Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Westwood Building, Room 548
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7363

Applications for the Academic Award in Vascular Disease must be
received no later than January 7, 1993, by the NIH for review by the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council in May 1993.  The
requested start date for funding should be July 1, 1993.

Applications are to be submitted on the traditional research grant
application form PHS 398 (rev. 9/91).  The form is available in an
applicant institution's office of sponsored research or business
office and from the Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research
Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Room
449, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone 301/496-7447.  Use the
conventional format for research grant applications and ensure that
the points identified in the section "INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING
APPLICATIONS" are fulfilled.  Applicants are expected to conform to
the 25-page limit as directed in the application kit (PHS 398).
Appendices containing supporting materials may be submitted with the
application, but may not be used to circumvent this requirement.

Send or deliver an original completed application and three signed,
exact photocopies to:

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

At the same time, applicants must also send two additional copies of
the application to Dr. James Scheirer at the address listed above.

Applications must be received by January 7, 1993, for review at the
May 1993 meeting of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory
Council.  Awards will be made with a beginning date of July 1, 1993.

REVIEW PROCEDURES

The primary technical review of applications will be by a special
review group managed by the Division of Extramural Affairs, NHLBI,
predominantly composed of non-federal scientists with expertise in
various areas of systemic and pulmonary vascular disease.  The review
will include an initial assessment of the written application based
on the Objectives and Criteria for the Award in the Guidelines.
Guidelines may be requested from individuals named below under
INQUIRIES.

Prospective Awardees whose applications are determined to be
competitive will be invited for an interview in Bethesda, Maryland.
Travel expenses for this interview must be paid by the applicant
institution.  When necessary, a site visit may be made to the
institution to determine the institutional environment, the
commitment of the sponsoring division or department head and director
of the hospital, and evidence of cooperation that may be needed to
implement the candidate's proposed program.  Following scientific-
technical review, the applications will receive a second level review
by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council.

AWARD CRITERIA

Criteria for the award include the ability of both the sponsoring
institution and the candidate to implement a program based on the
objectives of the Academic Award. Awards will also be dependent on
the availability of funds.

INQUIRIES

To receive the full set of Guidelines and to clarify questions
related to applicant eligibility and appropriate areas of emphasis,
contact any of the following:

Carol H. Letendre, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Scientific Programs
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Federal Building, Room 516
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-8966

David M. Robinson, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Scientific Programs
Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Federal Building, Room 416B
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-5656

Carol Vreim, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Scientific Program Operation
Division of Lung Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Westwood Building, Room 6A16C
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7208

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Mrs. Marie A. Willett
Deputy Chief, Grants Operations Branch
Division of Extramural Affairs
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Westwood Building, Room 4A12
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-7255

AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic