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THE NIDA SCHOLARS PROGRAM Release Date: May 8, 2000 PA NUMBER: PAR-00-092 National Institute on Drug Abuse PURPOSE The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is announcing a two phase (one intramural, the other extramural) program, the “NIDA Scholars Program.” The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for outstanding new investigators to begin their independent research careers (the intramural phase) first within the collaborative and mentoring environment of the NIDA intramural research program (IRP) and then to continue their careers (the extramural phase) at an institution of their choice. This program is also intended to continually enhance and invigorate the NIDA intramural community by providing a cadre of new, creative scientists who will interact with and expand the collaborative research opportunities of NIDA intramural scientists. During the intramural phase of the program, the IRP will provide the Scholar the necessary resources to progress to a stage of research independence through a mentored 2-4 year experience within the NIDA IRP. For the extramural phase of the program, which will directly follow the intramural phase, Scholars will receive 2 years of additional support for continuation of the research program at an extramural institution. The extramural phase of the program will be supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Career Transition Award (K22). Selection for the intramural phase does not guarantee selection for the extramural phase. For individuals who are interested in remaining in an extramural environment, NIDA supports a number of other mechanisms to support career development including the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01), the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) and the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23). HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Program Announcement, the NIDA Scholars Program, is related to the priority area of human resource development. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1. Eligibility for Entry into the Intramural Component Individuals with a research or health professional doctoral level degree or equivalent who are recognized by their peers and mentors as exceptional, but with no more than 5 years of postdoctoral research training at the time of receiving the award, are eligible. These individuals should possess outstanding potential for independent research in basic biomedical, clinical, or population-based (e.g., epidemiological, behavioral, prevention, or control) studies. This includes individuals with research experience in any environment (e.g., academic, industry, government). Individuals who have had more than 5 years of postdoctoral research training at the time of application are NOT eligible; however, clinical training does not count toward the 5 years of research experience. Individuals who have been principal investigators on either PHS research grants (e.g., R29, RO1, P-mechanisms, or P-mechanism subprojects) or non-PHS peer reviewed research grants are NOT eligible for this award program. However, an exception is that recipients of R03 or R21 awards remain eligible. Postdoctoral fellows in intramural programs at NIDA who meet the Eligibility Requirements are also eligible. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. All individuals interested in the NIDA Scholars Program must contact NIDA IRP staff to secure an agreement for mentoring. Individuals with questions regarding their eligibility for this program should call NIDA's IRP contact (see INQUIRIES section). 2. Eligibility for the K22 Extramural Award Eligibility to apply for the extramural component (K22) of the NIDA Scholars Program will require (1) admission to the Scholars Program's intramural component and successful completion of 2-4 years of research in the intramural component, and (2) endorsement for continuation by the Director of NIDA's Intramural Program. Postdoctoral fellows currently in the intramural program who apply for the intramural NIDA Scholars experience may, with the consent of the IRP Director, count experience already gained there towards the requirement for 2-4 years of research in the intramural setting. Therefore, the length of time such persons must spend as intramural NIDA scholars will be negotiated for each individual and may be less than two years. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Card (I-151 or I-152) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent U.S. resident, at the time of the extramural award. Non-citizen nationals, although not U.S. citizens, owe permanent allegiance to the U.S. They are usually born in lands that are not states, but are under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction, or administration. Individuals on temporary or student visas are NOT eligible to apply. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The NIDA Scholars Program consists of two Phases: an Intramural Support Phase and an Extramural Support Phase. The maximum total period of combined intramural support at NIDA and at the extramural institution as a NIDA Scholar will be 6 years. Initially, from 2-4 years of the Scholar's research program will be an Intramural Support Phase in which the salary and the research costs of the successful Scholar will be derived entirely from NIDA intramural resources. (As noted, this phase may be less than two years for exceptional candidates who already have intramural experience.) The budget cannot exceed $150,000 total costs per year (excluding equipment) and cannot exceed $600,000 total costs over a 4-year period (excluding equipment) which is the maximum duration of the Intramural Support Phase. The final 2 years of the Scholar's research program will be supported by a competitive K22 award to the extramural institution to which the Scholar is recruited. The budget cannot exceed $140,000 plus fringe benefits in direct costs per year, or $280,000 plus fringe benefits in direct costs over a 2-year period, which is the maximum duration of the Extramural Support Phase. Transition from the intramural phase of support to the extramural phase is not automatic. Candidates eligible for the K22 extramural support will submit a competing application (PHS 398), and transition will depend on (1) the outcome of NIH peer review of the competing application, and (2) a decision of the NIDA extramural program staff to support funding. The application should be submitted approximately 1 year before the applicant intends to leave the IRP. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background The intramural scientists and facilities of NIDA have provided a research environment for the training of new scientists who have subsequently entered the extramural biomedical and behavioral research community and have become leaders in their fields of investigation. This has been accomplished primarily through staff fellow and senior staff fellow programs that, to varying degrees, have afforded independent research opportunities to new scientists. With the continuing effort of NIDA to develop an intramural research environment of the highest scientific quality, there is a new opportunity to use the unique intramural environment of NIDA to effectively foster the research careers of individuals who will pursue their careers as extramural scientists. Goals and Scope The NIDA Scholars Program is designed for promising new investigators in basic, clinical, or population-based biomedical and behavioral research who have demonstrated outstanding scientific potential during their training. The NIDA Intramural Research Program invites applications for the support of scholars who wish to develop independent research programs in a wide range of scientific areas relevant to NIDA's mission. The major objective of the Scholars Program is to sustain and advance the early research careers of the most promising investigators while they consolidate and focus their research programs. NIDA Scholars will, in collaboration with NIDA IRP staff, design and pursue research projects in their area of interest for which they would be provided with facilities, operating budget, salary, and personnel. Although the Intramural component of the program is a mentored experience, NIDA Scholars will essentially function as principal investigators while in the intramural program in terms of their research. Allowable Costs 1. Intramural Support Phase: The budget for the Intramural Support Phase will be approximately $150,000 per year in total costs excluding equipment. The final budget for this phase of the award will be negotiated with the sponsoring NIDA intramural laboratory and will depend upon the nature and scope of the research. Salaries will be provided for the Scholar and up to two additional support positions. Salaries of the Scholar and other personnel must be commensurate with the level of training and experience Applicants should contact NIDA IRP staff listed under INQUIRIES for specific salary information. Up to $25,000 per person will be provided for annual operating expenses (e.g., supplies, disposables, copying, etc.). Up to $50,000 in the first year will be provided for laboratory equipment. Additional budget expenses, such as animals, will be provided as necessary and negotiated with NIDA. 2. Extramural Support Phase: The budget for the 2-year extramural transition phase may not exceed $140,000 plus fringe benefits per year in direct costs. At the extramural institution, Scholars will be provided salary support consistent with the salary structure and benefits for Career Development (K) Awards. At the time of release of this NIDA Scholars Program announcement, the salary structure provides varying proportions of the institutional base salary, with the upper limit being 75% of a base salary of $90,000. Applicants should check for updated information prior to completing an application. The total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment, and there should be no less than 75 percent effort devoted by the Scholar specifically to the proposed research program. The institution may supplement the NIDA contribution. However, supplementation may not be from federal funds unless specifically authorized by the federal program from which such funds are derived. In no case may Public Health Service funds be used for salary supplementation. Institutional supplementation of salary will not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of this award. Under expanded authorities, institutions may carry over unexpended funds into the next budget period and re-budget funds within the total costs awarded but may not re-budget funds involving the salary component of the budget. The total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment. Up to $50,000 per year in direct costs will be provided to partially support ancillary personnel, supplies, equipment, travel, tuition, and other costs which are deemed essential for the individual's research program. Indirect costs are now reimbursed at 8 percent. Special Restrictions Acceptance into the NIDA Scholar's Program does not convey any commitment or intent of NIDA to consider the Scholar for a tenure track position within NIDA. The NIDA Scholars Program is specifically intended to help develop scientists who will pursue their careers in the extramural biomedical research community. However, NIDA Scholars are not explicitly precluded from applying for available tenure track positions at the NIH. The K22 extramural award is not renewable. K22 recipients are not eligible for any NIDA supported Mentored K Awards (K01, K08, K23, K25). It is expected that by the time the candidate leaves the IRP or spends a year or so in an extramural site, the candidate will be able to secure independent funding. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH-supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-43). All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research which were published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994. Investigators may obtain copies from these sources or from the program staff or contact person listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 2 1) must be included in all human subjects research conducted or supported by NIH unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all applications submitted in response to this RFA. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Children as Participants in Research Involving Human Subjects" that was published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html. NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON DRUG ABUSE RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS TO HUMAN SUBJECTS The National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse recognizes the importance of research involving the administration of drugs to human subjects and has developed guidelines relevant to such research. Potential applicants are encouraged to obtain and review these recommendations of the Council before submitting an application that will administer compounds to human subjects. The guidelines are available on NIDA's Home Page at www.nida.nih.gov under "Funding" or may be obtained by calling (301) 443-2755. APPLICATION PROCEDURES 1. Entry into the NIDA Scholars Program and the Intramural Research Program Phase To apply for the initial IRP experience, applicants should first contact the IRP representative listed in the INQUIRIES section. The purpose of this initial contact is to determine the availability of a position given the applicant's research interest. The initial contact may be made at any time; there is no specific receipt date for the intramural phase of the program. If a position is available, the applicant will be instructed to send the following to the IRP contact: o 1-2 page letter of interest providing a detailed accounting of the research to be done in the IRP. o Curriculum Vita. o 2-3 letters of recommendation from predoctoral and postdoctoral mentors. Entry into the Intramural Phase of the program does not require the completion of the grant application form PHS 398 application. 2. Application for the Extramural Phase The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research; from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone: 301/435-0714, Email: grantsinfo@nih.gov, and on the Web at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm. Follow the instructions for the "K" series applications. The candidate must identify an extramural institution that serves as the applicant institution and co-signs the application. The form PHS 398 kit describes the obligations of the applicant organization. The standard receipt dates described in the form PHS 398 for the "K" series applies for the extramural phase of the program. The PA title (NIDA Scholars Program) and PA number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application, and the YES box must be marked. The "K Table of Contents" should be completed. Enter in item 6 (Dates of Proposed Period of Support) the 2 years of support needed to complete the Extramural Support Phase of the NIDA Scholars Program. Letters from the applicant's IRP mentor and the Scientific Director of the IRP must be included. The letters should address the following issues: o Potential for conducting independent research, o Evidence of originality, o Adequacy of scientific background, o Quality of research endeavors and publications to date, and o Commitment to health-oriented research. Career Development Plan: Applicants should describe their career goals and plans to continue an independent research career. Plans to ensure the candidate's continued understanding of responsible conduct of research should be provided in detail, citing experiences obtained during the Intramural phase and experiences planned in the extramural phase. Research Plan: The scientific objectives and specific aims should describe research plans that are sufficient to justify up to 2 years of support. Describe the research plan as outlined in form PHS 398 including sections on the Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Progress Report/Preliminary Studies, Research Design and Methods. Budget: Budget requests must be provided according to the instructions in the form PHS 398. Follow the instructions for submitting an application and appendix materials as provided in the form PHS 398 packet. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application 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) Send an additional copy of the application directly to: National Institute on Drug Abuse Office of Extramural Affairs 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3158, MSC 9547 Bethesda, MD 20892-9547 Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service) REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS 1. Review of the Intramural Application Once a completed application is received, it will be reviewed by a committee chaired by the IRP Associate Director for Education and Training. Promising candidates will be invited for an interview during which they will present their current research in a seminar. Acceptance into the NIDA Scholars Program will be based on the following criteria: o Quality of present research and proposed research o Quality of curriculum vita o Letters of recommendation from mentors o Seminar presentation o Interview 2. Review of the K22 Extramural Application Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) for completeness. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications also will be evaluated for responsiveness to this PA. Applications that are not responsive will be returned to the applicant without review. Applications that are complete and responsive to this PA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit in accordance with the review criteria stated below, by an appropriate extramural scientific review group (SRG) convened in accordance with standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit will be discussed and assigned a priority score. All applications will receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse. The following review criteria will be applied: Candidate - o Capacity to carry out independent research; o Potential to become an outstanding scientist who will make significant contributions to the field; o Past and present research productivity as evidenced by contributions to the scientific literature, and success in obtaining independent funding; o Ability to conceptualize and organize a long-term research approach; and o Level of training, experience, and competence commensurate with the purposes of the award. Career Development Plan - o Likelihood that the award will contribute substantially to the continued scientific development and productivity of the candidate; o The extent to which the award will enable a candidate to devote full time to research and related duties by release from teaching, administration, clinical work, and other responsibilities; o Consistency of the career development plan with the candidate's career goals; and o Collaboration with other active investigators and opportunities for professional growth. Research Plan o Quality of research plan and significance for contributing to the scientific literature; o Scientific and technical merit of the proposed research plan; and o Adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans to include children and plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. Budget o Justification of budget requests in relation to career development goals and research aims and plans. SELECTION AND AWARD CRITERIA 1. Intramural Support Phase Candidates will be evaluated by an IRP committee based on the criteria outlined in the REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS. Acceptance decisions will be made within 30 days of the candidate's interview. The specific terms of the Intramural Support Phase with be finalized in a "Scholars Agreement." The applicant indicates his/her acceptance of the Scholar's Award and the specific intramural appointment terms by signing the Scholar's Agreement. 2. Extramural Support Phase K22 applications will compete for available positions/funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this PA. The following will be considered in making award decisions: 1) qualifications and potential of the applicant, and quality of the proposed research project as determined by peer review; 2) programmatic priorities; and 3) availability of funds. INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged, especially during the planning phase of the application, to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants. NIDA contacts for specific areas of expertise are listed below: Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Lucinda L. Miner, Ph.D. Office of Science Policy and Communications National Institute on Drug Abuse 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5230, MSC 9591 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9591 Telephone: (301) 443-6071 FAX: (301) 443-6277 E-mail: cm171W@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding the Intramural Research Program Phase to: Stephen J. Heishman, Ph.D. Associate Director for Education and Training Intramural Research Program National Institute on Drug Abuse 5500 Nathan Shock Drive Baltimore, MD 21224 Telephone: (410) 550-1547 FAX: (410) 550-1849 Email: sheish@intra.nida.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Gary Fleming, J.D., M.A. Grants Management Branch National Institute on Drug Abuse 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 313 1, MSC 9541 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9541 Telephone: (301) 443-6710 FAX: (301) 594-6847 Email: gf6s@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding eligibility for the K22 extramural award to: Rita Liu, Ph.D. Office of Extramural Affairs National Institute on Drug Abuse 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3158, MSC 9547 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9547 Telephone: (301) 443-2755 FAX: (301) 443-0538 Email: rl62i@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding review of the K22 extramural award to: Teresa Levitin, Ph.D. Office of Extramural Affairs National Institute on Drug Abuse 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3158, MSC 9547 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9547 Telephone: (301) 443-2755 FAX: (301) 443-0538 Email: t125u@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Nos. 93.855 and 93.856. Awards are made under the authority of Title 111, Section 301 of the PHS Act as amended. The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42 Part 52 and Title 45 Part 74, are applicable to this program. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 to Health Systems Agency review. The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, The Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or, in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided for children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.
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