RFA HD-00-011 POPULATION RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

POPULATION RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

RFA HD-00-011

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

In lieu of the preprinted Table of Contents outline on Form Page 3 of PHS 398, a table of contents should be prepared listing all of the major sections described below and paginated to enable reviewers to find specific information readily. The Table of Contents should contain the types of information suggested below in three sections: Section I - General Information, Section II - Research Plan, and Section III - Appendix. The following guidelines will provide directions and descriptions for preparing each section. Major areas to be listed and paginated in the Table of Contents appear in capital letters.

Complete all items on the application face page. This is page 1; number succeeding pages consecutively.

The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application form must be stapled to the bottom of the face page of the application and must display the RFA number HD-00-011. A sample RFA label is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf. Please note this is in the pdf format. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA title ("Population Research Infrastructure Program") and number (HD-00-011) must be typed on line 2 of the face page and the YES box must be marked.

Abstract of Research Plan. On page 2, describe briefly the objectives of the proposed infrastructure grant and the proposed infrastructure components.

List key scientific and technical personnel participating in the grant. Use continuation pages as necessary, numbering consecutively.

Prepare the Table of Contents as noted above. The major areas to be listed are enumerated in these instructions.

Prepare composite budget tables for the Infrastructure Grant as requested below. Separate detailed budget tables also are required for each component.

Use Form Page 4, "DETAILED BUDGET FOR INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD," of the PHS 398 to present the total budget for all requested support for the first year. For each category, such as "PERSONNEL," "EQUIPMENT," etc., list the amount requested for each component.

If consortium arrangements have been made involving other institutions or organizations, include total costs [direct plus Facilities and Administrative (F & A) costs] associated with such third party participation in the "CONSORTIUM/CONTRACTUAL COSTS" category. Costs for purchased services should be itemized under "OTHER EXPENSES."

Use Form Page 5, "BUDGET FOR ENTIRE PROPOSED PROJECT PERIOD," to prepare a budget, by category, that provides totals for each year of requested support.

Use Form Page 4, "DETAILED BUDGET FOR INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD," to present the total budget for each component for which support is requested for the first year. For each category, such as "PERSONNEL," "EQUIPMENT," etc., list the amount requested for each component.

Use Form Page 5, "BUDGET FOR ENTIRE PROPOSED PROJECT PERIOD," to prepare a budget, by category, that provides totals for each year of requested support for each component.

If funds (up to $50,000 direct cost) are requested for "coordination activities," these funds should be budgeted under an appropriate Infrastructure Component budget, but presented so as to permit separate identification of these funds.

Consortium Budgets (if applicable) should be presented as described in Item 1 (Composite Budget). Total Direct and F & A Costs of sub-awardee are to be shown under "CONSORTIUM/CONTRACTUAL COSTS" on individual component budgets and a detailed consortium budget is to be inserted following the appropriate core budget, using Form Pages 4 and 5.

Describe the specific functions of key scientific and technical personnel, consultants, collaborators, and support staff. For all years, explain and justify any unusual items such as major equipment or alterations and renovations. For additional years of support requested, justify any significant increases in any category over the first 12-month budget period. Identify such significant increases with asterisks against the appropriate amounts. If a recurring annual increase in "PERSONNEL" or "OTHER EXPENSES" is anticipated, give the percentage. However, current NIH practice limits escalation to three percent.

Biographical sketches are required for all key scientific and technical personnel participating in the program.

List all key scientific personnel in the program. Beginning with the Principal Investigator, and following in alphabetical order, submit biographical sketches as described in the instructions for Form PHS 398. Do not exceed two pages for each person.

List all technical personnel involved in infrastructure components of the application. In alphabetical order, submit biographical sketches as described in the instructions for Form PHS 398. Do not exceed two pages for each person.

Information regarding active and pending research support of all key scientific and technical personnel named on Form Page 2 (except consultants) should be presented following the instructions for "Other Support" in Form PHS 398.

Present a summary table of the levels of infrastructure and research support received by the unit, by source. This table should show, for the applicant unit as a whole, the total funds supporting research and infrastructure in the unit for the most recent budget year available. Show sources of funds in major categories (e.g., NICHD P30 or P50 grant, if applicable, other NICHD, other NIH, NSF, Foundations, etc.).

Complete the "RESOURCES" section on Form Page 8 for the overall unit. Briefly describe the features of the institutional environment that are or would be relevant to the effective implementation of the proposed program. As appropriate, describe available resources, such as clinical and laboratory facilities, participating and affiliated units, patient populations, geographical distribution of space and personnel, and consultative resources. Use continuation pages as needed.

Include a detailed Table of Contents with pagination (numeric only) at the beginning of Section II. Identify each section by title, and assign each a capital letter (A,B,C) that reflects the order in which they are presented in the application research plan.

Page limitations: The length of the sections devoted to the overall description of the program, progress report, research activity, and proposed infrastructure components must not exceed those specified below. Investigators should be concise.

Assurances and Collaborative Agreements. Any arrangements for collaborative and cooperative endeavors or subcontracting should be highlighted in the appropriate section below. Letters of Intent to Collaborate and Letters of Agreement from consultants should be referenced here and included at the end of the appropriate component.

Discuss the history, purpose, philosophy, and objectives of the unit and the proposed infrastructure program. Highlight significant, unique, and/or cross-cutting areas of research. Describe the impact of the unit on the field with reference to major contributions by active researchers in the program, large-scale projects that exhibit positive externalities in the field, creation of interdisciplinary collaborations, training and mentoring of new scientists, scientific leadership of program personnel, and translational activities to improve clinical practice, public intervention programs, and public policy formulation.

Describe how the proposed infrastructure program will advance the quality, productivity, and innovation of the unit's research activities. Outline general principles governing the allocation of resources and methods of determining core access. Describe how the NICHD support would leverage and interact with all other forms of support sustaining the research activities of the program. Describe the configuration and governance of the unit and provide an organizational chart. Include information on the support and commitment of the parent institution for the unit, the authority of the Director, and the use of advisory or user committees.

Applicants currently funded under the P30 or P50 Population Research Center Grant program should prepare a progress report as required in PHS 398.

Applicants should describe the recent and current research activity of each active program scientist with respect to the three categories listed below. This material may be organized in one of two ways: (1)alphabetically (describe the Principal Investigator's research activity first and that of all other researchers subsequently in alphabetical order) or (2) thematically (group investigators according to key areas of research). For projects, publications, and other research activities that involve more than one active program researcher, include a complete description the first time the activity is presented and describe only the contributions and role of the additional investigators (as applicable) in subsequent references to the activity.

1. Externally funded projects. Summarize the aims, approach, and accomplishments of externally funded research projects in which the researcher participated during the 36 months prior to the receipt date for this RFA, the amount and period of funding, and the role and time commitment of the individual on the project.

2. Recent publications. Summarize the scientific contributions of most important population research publications during the 36 months prior to the receipt date for this RFA and the contribution of the individual to these publications.

3. Other current and future research activity. Briefly summarize relevant working papers and future research plans (e.g., pending and planned research grant applications). One recent working paper for each active researcher may be attached as appendices to the application.

The research activity described in this section may highlight many (but not necessarily all) of the funded projects and publications identified under SECTION I, E. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH and F. OTHER SUPPORT. This section should not reiterate information provided elsewhere, but rather provide information on the recent and potential future scientific contributions of active researchers in the unit.

The combined length of this section should not exceed three pages for each researcher with evidence of current research activity in at least two of the three categories above. For example, an applicant with 10 such researchers may devote up to 30 pages to describing research activity within the unit.

Describe proposed infrastructure components in the order listed below. If more than one component is proposed under a given category, assign letters to distinguish the components (e.g., 1.a; 2.c). For each component, provide the name of the Director and describe procedures used to lower costs and assure quality of administrative and research activities.

If funding is requested for "coordination activities" as defined under "Categories of Infrastructure Support," the applicant may devote one page in addition to the stated limit to a description of the proposed activities or services within the appropriate component description. Describe the objectives of the proposed activities, the services to be provided, staffing and organizational plans, and the potential of the proposed activities for promoting communication, dissemination, and/or cost-efficiencies among centers of population research.

1. Research Support Cores - Describe the objective, administrative organization (use organizational chart), staffing (including a Core Director and any professional or technical personnel and their duties), space and physical resources, current and projected services, and eligibility for and allocation of services. Describe past or current activities relevant to the proposed services. Describe current or planned research activities that will utilize the core services and the bearing of services on the productivity and quality of the research effort. Justify the core in terms of scientific impact and cost-effectiveness. Do not exceed five pages in describing each core.

2. Developmental Infrastructure - Describe the objectives and administrative organization of each type of developmental infrastructure. Describe the impact of the infrastructure on population research within the unit. In describing seed grant programs, describe the procedures to be used to ensure cost-effectiveness, innovation, and scientific merit. Faculty development may include salary and/or research support for new faculty. Describe the probable use of faculty development funds and the ways in which the plan will advance the unit's research objectives. Do not exceed five pages for each type of developmental infrastructure.

3. Translational Cores - Describe the objective of each core, its administrative organization (use organizational chart), staffing, space and physical resources and current and projected services. Justify the core in terms of the need for translational activities, potential impact, and cost-effectiveness. Do not exceed five pages in describing each core.

4. Cooperative Infrastructure - Describe the objectives and administration of each type of activity (shared infrastructure or cooperative research project). Describe the impact of each activity on advancing research within the unit and the unit's impact on the field. Describe what each partner in the proposed activity will contribute (e.g., in terms of administration, staffing, and other resources) and how each partner will benefit (e.g., in terms of access to services or research productivity). Do not exceed five pages for each type of activity.

5. Research Projects - For each component research project, a full description of the project is to be provided following the format presented in Form PHS 398. Begin the presentation of each component research project on a separate page.

Indicate: Project Title, Principal Investigator, title, location, other investigators, consultants, and collaborators, titles (associate professor, postdoctoral fellow, student), and location.

Present the Research Project Plan (do not exceed 25 pages for Sections A-D). Discuss the purpose and nature of the project and its relevance to the program's signature theme(s). Address the following: Specific Aims, Significance, Preliminary Studies and/or progress to date (for competing continuations), if applicable. Discuss the Research Design and Methods. For research involving human subjects, this section must address the inclusion of women, minorities and their subgroups, and children as research subjects, following relevant policy announcements (see INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS and INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS). Discuss Human Subjects, Vertebrate Animals, Consultants, Collaborative arrangements, including pertinent letters of assurance and intent. Present a section on Literature Cited.