HHS NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Announces Cultural Competence And Health Disparities Academic Award

Deadline(s): February 23, 2004; October 19, 2004; October 19, 2005
Letter of Intent Deadlines: January 23, 2004; September 19, 2004; September 19, 2005

Source: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-04-012.html

RFA Number: RFA-HL-04-012
CFDA Number(s): 93.837, 93.838, 93.839

Purpose
The overall objective of this program is to enhance the ability of physicians and other health care professionals, to address disparities in the occurrence, management, and outcomes of cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematological, and sleep disorders among various population groups in the U.S. in a culturally sensitive manner.

This academic award provides support to medical institutions in the U.S. to develop core curricula and other educational materials that will increase the overall knowledge and skills of medical students, house staff, and other professionals, including practicing physicians on the ethnic, cultural, religious, socioeconomic, linguistic and other factors that contribute to health disparities, and on culturally competent approaches to mitigating these disparities.

Research Objectives
This Cultural Competence and Health Disparities Academic Award initiative seeks to fill the gap caused by language barriers by promoting the development and use of relevant curricula in medical schools, as well as the training of physicians already in the health care pipeline. It is hoped that this program will impact public health by identifying factors that increase risk to specific diseases and help physicians deliver the best possible health care.

The Program
This program will be implemented in two phases: Curriculum Development, and Implementation.

1. Curriculum Development Phase:
   1. This phase will include:
      1. the identification of elements or components of core curricula for medical schools on cultural sensitivity and health disparities, and
      2. the development, testing and utilization of relevant materials and resources in appropriate settings.
   2. The curricula may be adaptable into existing courses, or as stand-alone customized course(s). It is expected that this phase will be completed in 24-30 months.
   
   
2. Implementation and Training Phase:
   The curriculum development should be followed by an implementation phase that includes evaluation of products in appropriate settings (e.g., classrooms, professional meetings, focus groups, etc) and dissemination of educational materials, to the medical education community.

The NHLBI will work closely with the Coordinating Center as well as the individual awardees, as necessary, to help meet the goals of the program, namely, the development and dissemination of curricula and other educational resources designed to enhance the cultural competence of health-care providers and reduce health disparities in the nation.

Award Information
The NHLBI intends to commit approximately $24 million over a seven-year period in response to this RFA. Ten to 12 applications will be funded per announcement (a total of 30 to 36 applications in response to three announcements).

An applicant must request a project period of 5 years and a budget for direct costs (DC) up to $120,000 per year. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size of each award will also vary.

Eligibility
The following institutions are eligible:

• For-profit or non-profit organizations
• Public or private institutions, such as a universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories
• Units of State and local governments
• Domestic institutions/organizations
• Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply

Individuals Eligible To Become Principal Investigators

Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed academic program are invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:
   Hector Ortega, M.D., Sc.D.
   Division of Lung Diseases
   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1008, MSC795
   Bethesda, MD 20892
   phone: 301-435-0202
   fax: 301-480-3557
   e-mail: ortegah@mail.nih.gov

   Susan Czajkowski, Ph.D.
   Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications
   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room
   Bethesda, MD 20892
   phone: 301-435-0406
   fax: 301-480-1773
   e-mail: czajkows@mail.nih.gov

   Beth Schucker, M.S.
   Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases
   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room
   Bethesda, MD 20892
   phone: (301) 435-0535
   fax:(301) 480-1335
   e-mail: schuckeb@mail.nih.gov

   Ellen Werner, Ph.D.
   Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room
   Bethesda, MD 20892
   phone: (301) 435-0061
   fax:(301): (301) 480-0867
   e-mail: wernerem@mail.noh.gov

Direct your questions about peer review issues to:
   Anne P. Clark, Ph.D.
   Chief Review Branch
   Division of Extramural Affairs
   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7178, MSC 7924
   Bethesda, MD 20892-7924 (Bethesda, MD 20817 for express/courier
        service)
   phone: 301-435-0270
   fax: 301-480-0730
   e-mail: clarka@nhlbi.nih.gov

Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:
   Mr. Howard Moore
   Division of Extramural Affairs
   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7156
   Bethesda, MD 20892
   phone: 301-435-0171
   e-mail: piker@nhlbi.nih.gov

LETTER OF INTENT

The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning of this document to:
   Anne P. Clark, Ph.D.
   Chief Review Branch
   Division of Extramural Affairs
   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7178, MSC 7924
   Bethesda, MD 20892-7924 (Bethesda, MD 20817 for express/courier
       service)
   phone: 301-435-0270
   fax: 301-480-0730
   e-mail: clarka@nhlbi.nih.gov

SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed, photocopies, in one package to:
   Center for Scientific Review
   National Institutes of Health
   6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7710
   Bethesda, MD 20892-7710
   Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)

Be sure to read the full announcement at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-04-012.html for important details about this opportunity.