Release date: August 10, 1999

Application receipt date: October 15 (identification number RR-99-008)

Both the current Clinical Associate Physician (CAP) award offered by NCRR and the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) provide funding for up to 5 years for the development of young investigators in patient-oriented research. However, for CAP awardees who applied under guidelines in effect prior to February 1, 1998, only 3 years of support was allowed. NCRR now will consider competitive applications requesting additional time and support from CAP awardees who are training currently within a 3-year project period or who will have completed 3 years of training during fiscal year 1999.

Additional time and support for 1 or 2 years is offered to CAP and Minority Clinical Associate Physican (MCAP) awardees (hereafter referred to by the common designation "CAP") who will have completed 3 years of training during fiscal year 1999 or are training currently within a 3-year project period (i.e., under guidelines that were in effect prior to February 1, 1998, or were given certain features of new guidelines via revised awards in FY'99). Additional support will be provided using the new guidelines for the CAP award. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as detailed in Supplement II: Clinical Associate Physician (CAP) Award of the Guidelines for the General Clinical Research Centers (GCRC) Program (January, 1999 version), at www.ncrr.nih.gov/clinical/crguide/crtoc.asp.

Funding for additional time and support will be provided through a competing CAP supplement to the GCRC grant at the institution with which the applicant is affiliated.

By providing additional time and support, CAP awardees in a 3-year training program will have more resources to complete their mentored training, and be better prepared to apply successfully for independent grant support after expiration of their CAP award.

The research grant application form PHS 398 is to be used for the competitive supplement. Description of research activities (Section II, item 6: Research Plan, of form PHS 398) should be limited to 5 pages in length, in addition to information blocks that are relevant to review and budgetary considerations (i.e., approximately 10 pages for a completed application). The completed form and all accompanying materials should be received at the NIH by the annual receipt date of October 15. Requirements include: 1) documentation of progress toward completion of the objectives of the original research proposal; 2) description of research objectives that expand the scope of the previously defined project, propose a new project, or describe an advanced didactic course with application to patient-oriented research; and 3) a letter of evaluation and recommendation written by the mentor which documents satisfactory achievement by the CAP. Concurrence with the assessment is indicated by counter-signatures from the GCRC Principal Investigator and Program Director (by a separate letter, if desired). For CAP awardees who have completed 3 years of training during fiscal year 1999, no more than one year may elapse between the date of completion of CAP training and the receipt date of October 15.

The original application and two copies should be mailed to: Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, Suite 1040, 6701 Rockledge Drive MSC 7710, Bethesda, MD 20892-7710 (zip code 20817-7710 for express/courier service). An additional three copies (with all other accompanying materials) should be sent to: David Wilde, M.D., Ph.D., National Center for Research Resources, Room 912, 6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874, Bethesda, MD 20892-4874.

Applications that are complete and responsive will be evaluated by a peer review group convened by NCRR in accordance with standard NIH peer review procedures (defined in the GCRC guidelines, Supplement II-10). Following initial review, all applications will require concurrence by the National Advisory Research Resources Council (NARRC). The application, letter(s), and any other correspondence must be submitted together in order for the application to be complete, and should include the identifying number RR-99-008 on the front page of the application form.

Review criteria include: 1) evaluation of the experimental results to date, based on the summary of progress submitted in the application; 2) evaluation and justification of the extension based upon expanded objectives of the applicant's current experience, including any proposed coursework, which will lead to an increase in scientific knowledge or enhancement of clinical practice; and 3) evaluation of the letter(s) of recommendation for additional time and support.

The earliest possible start date for funding these CAP supplements is July 1, 2000. Under the current guidelines for the CAP award, the following provisions apply:

Salary: Base salary up to $75,000 plus commensurate fringe benefits will be provided. Salary and fringe benefits will be calculated based upon a minimum of 75 percent effort, and must be consistent with the institutional salary scale for the CAP.

Research Development Support: NCRR will provide up to $25,000 per year for expenses (see the GCRC guidelines, Supplement II-4 for allowable provisions). Budget itemization is required for funds requested for Research Development Support.

Facilities and Administrative Costs: These costs will be reimbursed as part of the funded GCRC grant. The Facilities and Administrative (F & A) costs for the CAP portion of the GCRC grant are limited to a maximum of 8 percent of total modified direct costs.

Funding decisions will be made based on the recommendations of the initial review group, Council (NARRC), and the availability of funds.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

David Wilde, M.D., Ph.D.
Program Officer, Clinical Research, NCRR
Room 912
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892-7965
Telephone: (301) 435-0799
FAX: (301) 480-3661
e-mail: dw171w@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding budgetary issues to:

Ms. Mary Niemiec
Section Grants Management Officer
Office of Grants Management, NCRR
Room 1046
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892-4874
Telephone: (301) 435-0844
FAX: (301) 480-3777
e-mail: mn20z@nih.gov