This Program Announcement expires on February 28, 2004.
MINORITY INSTITUTIONS' DRUG ABUSE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (MIDARP)
Release Date: October 22, 2001
PA NUMBER: PAR-02-016
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Application Receipt Dates: February 21 and August 21, 2002;
February 21 and August 21, 2003 and
February 23 and August 23, 2004
PURPOSE
The purpose of this program is to increase the capacity of minority
institutions with limited sponsored research experience in the biomedical,
social, and behavioral sciences to conduct research in drug abuse and
addiction. Grants will be provided to develop the capacity of minority
institutions and their minority faculty, staff and students, in particular,
to conduct rigorous drug abuse research in all areas of research supported by
the NIDA including neuroscience, epidemiology, behavioral, clinical, social
science, public health, biological, HIV/AIDS, health disparities, and health
services areas.
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 PA, "Minority
Institutions' Drug Abuse Research Development Program (MIDARP)," is related
to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy
of “Healthy People 2010” at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Institutions applying for this award must demonstrate eligibility through (a)
minority status and (b) research capacity development need.
Applications may be submitted by an organization, university or college that
meet one of the following criteria regarding minority status:
(1) A public or private nonprofit university, four-year college, or other
institution offering undergraduate or graduate degrees with a traditionally
high (more than 50 percent) minority (Black, Hispanic, Native American or
Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander) student enrollment. This category
includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic
Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges. An Indian tribe, which in
conjunction with one or more institutions of higher learning, offers
undergraduate and graduate degrees in disciplines relevant to drug abuse,
which has a recognized governing body, and which performs substantial
governmental functions, or an Alaska Regional Corporation (ARC) as defined in
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is eligible.
(2) A college or university with a minority student enrollment of at least
25% in each of the previous five years. In addition, applicants must
demonstrate commitment to minority research development goals through (a)
evidence of efforts to recruit faculty and students who are members of
minorities nationally underrepresented in behavioral and biomedical research,
and (b) demonstration of efforts to provide research support and resources to
minority faculty and students.
Applicant institutions meeting the minority status requirement must also
demonstrate that they have a need for research capacity development in drug
abuse and addiction. They cannot have received over $500,000 in direct costs
from NIH per year over the last five (5) years for research in drug abuse and
addiction. Awards specific to minority institutions and research capacity
development awards, including support for current MIDARP grantees, are
excluded in calculating this total. Excluding the Principal
Investigator/Program Director, faculty participating as Project Directors in
the proposed MIDARP cannot have been the Principal Investigator on an NIH
award in the last five years.
Applications must indicate which of the above eligibility conditions apply to
the institution and provide documentation in support of the eligibility
claim. (See APPLICATION PROCEDURES, below.)
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
This PA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R24 award mechanism.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed
project will be solely that of the applicant. An application may request no
less than three or no more than five years of support. MIDARP awards are
renewable.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
Participation of minority institutions and individuals in sponsored
biomedical and behavioral research is low. Reasons for this under-
representation in research include the following: (1) the primary, historic
mission of many minority institutions has been to provide excellent teaching
in order to prepare its students for work and/or advanced studies at other
institutions, (2) community service has been an important, time-consuming
expectation of faculty and staff members, (3) many minority-serving
institutions have not had graduate research programs, and (4) support for
research (e.g., facilities, equipment, release time, library resources,
personnel) has been either unavailable or inadequate.
Many minority institutions, however, are redefining and expanding their
mission to include a strong emphasis on research and have made strides in
recent years to broaden and strengthen their research infrastructure and
endeavors. In addition, minority institutions have increased their interest
and involvement in drug prevention and treatment programs and are
particularly poised to expand these endeavors into the research arena. For
example, many are engaged in various drug and HIV/AIDS education, prevention,
and training activities; some have current but limited drug abuse research;
some have strong ties to community-based organizations, agencies, and schools
that are addressing drug abuse problems; and almost all have indicated
interest in developing competency in drug abuse research. This program is
intended to provide support to minority institutions that demonstrate a
commitment to developing a supportive environment for fostering faculty and
student involvement in drug abuse research and careers and conducting drug
abuse research.
Research Goals
The goals of the MIDARP are to: (1) develop the drug abuse research
infrastructure of minority institutions; (2) provide research development
support and experiences to faculty and staff to facilitate independent drug
abuse research careers; and (3) encourage drug abuse career research interest
in students and provide them research experiences. The development of
minority faculty and students is particularly encouraged.
Research in any areas of drug abuse research supported by NIDA is encouraged.
NIDA is interested in biomedical, social, and behavioral research and
supports research on drug abuse in the following broad areas: epidemiology,
etiology, prevention, treatment and services, basic research, and medications
development. Research areas of particular interest are on HIV/AIDS as it
relates to drug use and abuse and understanding disparities in health related
to drug abuse and addiction experienced by racial/ethnic populations.
Applicants are encouraged to contact staff at NIDA if additional information
regarding specific research interests is needed.
Each MIDARP must have a thematic research focus around which all research and
training activities are directed. Each application must include plans for
four core activities as well as detailed descriptions of the Program Director
and the External Advisory Board and a letter of institutional commitment.
The core activities are: (1) an Institutional Research Development Plan, (2)
a Faculty/Project Directors Development Plan, (3) Primary and/or Pilot
Research Projects, and (4) a Student Development Plan. The descriptions of
the MIDARP Program Director and the External Advisory Board should include
explanations of the roles and responsibilities of the Program Director and
External Advisory Board in the MIDARP. The letter of institutional
commitment must be signed by a Dean or other institutional official with
authority to commit the institution to meeting the needs of the MIDARP.
Institutional Research Development Plan
The strategy for building research capacity should be based upon assessments
of the applicant institution's current level of drug abuse research, its
capacity for research in areas other than drug abuse, environmental factors,
levels of commitment, and availability of support. Assessments should
examine not only needs but also strengths and resources which currently exist
and upon which further capacity could be built. The plans should provide for
a MIDARP Program Director, with or without additional administrative
personnel, who has the necessary research experience and expertise and who is
appropriately positioned within the applicant institution to be able to lead
the MIDARP program effectively.
To achieve the capacity building goals, activities that will strengthen the
institution's research infrastructure and enhance the capability of
individual faculty members and students to engage in competitive drug abuse
research should be considered. These activities may include establishment of
consultant and collaborative arrangements with investigators at other
institutions, and the development of courses, curricula and seminars relevant
to drug abuse research, including training in the responsible conduct of
research. Enhancement of business-related (e.g., grants administration) and
research-relevant (e.g., IACUC and IRB) capacities may be part of the
strategy.
The application must describe the support the institution needs in order to
meet the drug abuse research capacity, and faculty and student development
objectives proposed. The application should plan to address the
institution's needs for resources and facilities that are important to
conducting research in the specific drug abuse research area in which the
institution proposes to focus. The plan should address, for example,
research equipment, laboratory space, administrative support, faculty
development and support needs, collaborative arrangements, consultant
expertise, and data management and analysis support that are necessary for
the research focus area proposed. A strategy for establishing and evaluating
courses, curricula and seminars in areas relevant to research on drug abuse
and addiction should also be included. Any plans for the enhancement of
business and research administration capacity should be given.
A critical assessment of the probable impact of the proposed program should
be provided. The application should discuss the probable success of the
proposed plan by describing the realistic changes in institutional policies,
procedures, resources, and programs germane to the proposed program for drug
abuse research and faculty and student development that are likely to occur.
Applicants are expected to identify areas where development or change is
desirable but may be difficult or not possible to address within the scope of
this announcement, and show how the proposed plan of infrastructure
development is likely to have a significant impact on the impetus and
capacity of the institution to engage in drug abuse research. Discuss, for
example, how the proposed plan will change the institution's ability to
develop a drug abuse research focus and agenda; seek and support drug abuse
research; prepare its students and faculty for drug abuse research careers
and participation in sponsored research, in general; provide sufficient time
and incentives for faculty to engage in drug abuse research; develop
collaborations with established researchers/research institutions or drug
abuse facilities; and expand library and resource materials.
Faculty/Project Directors’ Development Plan
This plan should detail the experiences and support intended for faculty
members and how providing these will increase their capacity to independently
conduct drug abuse related research. Much of the faculty development is
expected to come from active involvement in the primary and/or pilot research
projects supported by the program and through other career development
activities such as workshops and training. Brief individualized plans must
be submitted for faculty members serving as current and future research
project directors supported under this program. Plans should include support
for publishing research study results and scientific writing, in general. In
addition, activities may be proposed for general research development
activities for all faculty, e.g., seminars, grants development workshops.
Faculty members who are currently conducting drug abuse research sponsored by
other sources (e.g., federal, state, private sector) may be designated as
Associate Project Directors. They may request funds to support minority
undergraduate or graduate students to serve as Associate Research Assistants
on their already funded projects. MIDARP funds may not be used to replace
any research assistant positions supported by other federal or non-federal
awards, and strong explanation of the benefits to be gained by the proposed
research assistants and the research itself must be provided.
Research Projects
The program will provide support for primary or pilot research projects by
one or more faculty members. New applications must not propose more than five
research projects. Primary research projects refer to research studies that
are fully developed with well-specified specific aims,
background/significance, methods, hypotheses, and data analysis plans.
Primary research projects should not exceed 10 pages in length each (see
Application Procedures). They are not necessarily expected to meet the
rigorous scientific review requirements of R01 applications expected of
applicants who have drug abuse research experiences and resources. Pilot
projects refer to research studies with convincing arguments of the potential
significance of the research to the field but where methods and hypotheses
are in their early formative stages. Pilot projects should not exceed five
pages in length each (see Application Procedures). Pilot projects are
expected to result in confirmation of the significance of the research,
feasibility of the methods, and refinement/delineation of the hypotheses.
At least two research projects, one of which must be a primary project, must
be proposed. These projects must relate to the core research focus area and
the institutional infrastructure support that is requested and be of
significance to the drug abuse research field. The expectation is that this
support in concert with the institutional infrastructure enhancement plan
will enable the individual project investigators to become competitive in
other sponsored research programs. In addition to costs associated with the
particular study proposed, individual investigators may request support for
minority undergraduate and graduate students underrepresented in the
biomedical and behavioral sciences to serve as research assistants.
The MIDARP Program Director may apply for a research project. Research
Project Directors are responsible for the administration and implementation
of their projects, with the guidance and support of the MIDARP Program
Director and the institution. Project Directors should have sufficient
training to enable them to conduct the research they propose, whether primary
or pilot projects. It is expected that participating faculty will vary in
the level of support they will need to become independent drug abuse
researchers.
To remain viable, the MIDARP must have research projects ongoing throughout
the duration of the award, although individual research projects need not
last throughout the full period of support, and start-up time is expected.
For example, if five years of support are requested for the MIDARP, one or
more primary or pilot research projects must be ongoing during the project
period. Securing other support for research projects under the MIDARP
umbrella such as from the university, foundations or other NIDA mechanisms is
encouraged.
Student Development Plan
The goal of the Student Development Plan is to stimulate student interest in
drug abuse and addiction research and to prepare students to pursue careers
in drug abuse and addiction related areas through research development
experiences. Students are expected to participate in research projects
supported by the program and to be encouraged to pursue programs of study
that will prepare them for careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical
research. It is also expected that students selected for participation in
research activities will be provided with other research development
opportunities such as participation in relevant conferences and mentoring in
scientific writing. In addition, activities may be proposed to increase
knowledge about drug abuse and career opportunities in drug abuse research
for all students, e.g., seminars.
MIDARP Program Director
Each MIDARP must have a designated Program Director who will be responsible
for the scientific and technical direction of the MIDARP. He/she will be
responsible for the implementation of the institutional research development
plan and will provide scientific oversight for the individual research
project(s). He/she should be a scientist with appropriate training and
experience and institutional authority and support to provide effective
leadership to the project and guidance and support to project director(s).
The Program Director will have overall responsibility for the goals,
organization, administration, integrity, and conduct of the MIDARP. He/she
will be responsible for: (1) recruiting faculty to participate in the
individual research development activities; (2) assisting faculty in
obtaining appropriate consultation and research training during the grant
period; (3) developing the institutional infrastructure required to implement
drug abuse research; (4) providing needed fiscal and other project support;
(5) recruiting students and providing them with drug abuse research career
support and experiences, and (6) providing the overall administration of the
grant.
External Advisory Board
Plans should include details on the establishment of an Advisory Board to
help guide the overall MIDARP and the development and implementation of the
research projects. Ideally such a panel would consist of three to five
external individuals with expertise in the drug abuse research focus area of
the MIDARP and in the development of research development programs.
Applications should contain a biographical sketch and a letter of commitment
to serve from each proposed member of the advisory panel.
Letter of Institutional Commitment
The application should include a signed letter from an institutional official
with authority to commit the institution to the establishment of the MIDARP
program. It should detail the resources the institution is willing to
provide including office and laboratory space, computer and internet access,
library resources, and guarantees of protected time for faculty and students
to perform the research and training activities enumerated in the
application. The letter should also describe the institution’s level of
confidence that the MIDARP program, under the guidance of the proposed
Program Director, will be successful in achieving its goals.
Progress Report for MIDARP Renewals (Competing Continuations) and Former
MIDARP Grantees
A progress report must provide the work accomplished as a result of the
MIDARP award. A section on progress and continued needs must be included for
applications to renew MIDARP awards (competing continuations). MIDARP awards
may be renewed through the competing application process after the initial
period of funding. The application’s assessment of needs and plans must
demonstrate a need for continued development. Further, a Progress Report
section must be included that provides evidence that the initial funding
period did result in development of the capacity of the institution and its
faculty, staff and students to conduct and pursue drug abuse research and
research careers. Examples of evidence of progress should be noted (e.g.,
changes over time in drug abuse related publications, success in obtaining
funding, faculty service as peer reviewers, evidence of growth in skills,
creation of courses or seminars, recruitment and retention of high quality
researchers and students, patents).
Allowable Costs
Up to $350,000 in direct costs per year may be requested for a project period
ranging from three to five years. Funds may be used for activities needed to
implement a MIDARP including but not limited to such expenses as salaries and
benefits of MIDARP faculty, students and staff at levels commensurate with
percent effort expended on MIDARP related administration, research and
training activities; time devoted to developing, teaching or participating in
courses and/or seminars in drug abuse and addiction; travel by faculty and
students to scientific meetings; and travel to or by consultants, including
an External Advisory Panel. Costs for resources designed to enhance
recruitment and retention of scientists may be requested. Equipment,
administrative personnel, enhancement of IRB/IACUC expertise and similar
needs may be funded, as congruent with the assessment of needs and
developmental plans.
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 are 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
(Section 492B of Public Law 103-43).
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the
UPDATED "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in
Clinical Research," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on
August 2, 2000
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html);
a complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm. The
revisions relate to NIH defined Phase III clinical trials and require: a)
all applications or proposals and/or protocols to provide a description of
plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by
sex/gender and/or racial ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable:
and b) all investigators to report accrual, and to conduct and report
analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group
differences.
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 21)
must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by
the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them.
This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for
receipt dates after October 1, 1998.
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.
Investigators also may obtain copies of these policies from the program staff
listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant
information concerning the policy.
REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS
NIH policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants
for all investigators submitting NIH proposals for research involving human
subjects. This policy announcement is found in the NIH Guide for Grants and
Contracts Announcement dated June 5, 2000, at the following website:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.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 before submitting an
application that will administer compounds to human subjects. The guidelines
(revised September, 2000) are available on NIDA's Home Page at
http://www.nida.nih.gov under Funding, or they may be obtained by calling
301-443-2755.
URLS IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES
All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within
specified page limitations. Unless otherwise specified in an NIH
solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide
information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation
to view the Internet sites. Reviewers are cautioned that their anonymity may
be compromised when they directly access an Internet site.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to
provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a
project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2)
cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action
that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed
through FOIA. It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope
of this amendment. NIH has provided guidance at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.
Applicants may wish to place data collected under this PA in a public
archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the
distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application should
include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include
information about this in the budget justification section of the
application. In addition, applicants should think about how to structure
informed consent statements and other human subjects procedures given the
potential for wider use of data collected under this award.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001)
at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html must be used in
applying for these grants. Application receipt dates are: February 21 and
August 21, 2002; February 21 and August 21, 2003 and February 23 and August
23, 2004. This version of the PHS 398 is available in an interactive,
searchable format. The NIH will return applications that are not submitted
on the 5/2001 version. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone
301/435-0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
Organize the application according to PHS form 398 instructions, except as
noted. Precede the section that would normally be the Research Plan
(Sections a-d if following standard instructions) with a one-page
introduction that establishes the eligibility of the applicant institution.
This does not count toward the other page limits. Then use no more than 25
pages (this would normally be the Research Plan; Sections a-d) to present an
assessment of needs and the plans for the MIDARP including the faculty and
student development plans. If the application is a request to continue an
established MIDARP (a “competing continuation” application), the 25 pages
must include an assessment of progress in the previous funding periods.
Following the 25 pages, Primary Research Projects and Pilot Research Projects
should be presented. Primary Research Projects should not exceed 10 pages
per project and Pilot Research Projects should not exceed 5 pages per
project. Applications exceeding the page limits will be returned without
review.
The completed original and five legible copies must be sent or delivered to:
CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE MSC-7710
BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for courier/overnight service)
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
PAR applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an
appropriate scientific review group convened in accordance with the 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,
generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed,
assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the
appropriate national advisory council or board.
Review Criteria
It is important to bear in mind that an application to establish or continue
MIDARP programs may come from institutions that vary in their level of
research readiness. Consequently, the needs of programs at different
institutions may be very different. Accordingly, it is expected that reviews
will appropriately consider the current research capabilities of the
applicant institution. In addition, the progress of the MIDARP should be
evaluated for competing continuation applications.
Current Capacity Assessment:
Evaluate the assessment of the present capacity of the institution to support
biomedical and/or behavioral research in general and drug abuse research in
particular, considering such elements as:
a. Current faculty involvement and interest in drug abuse related research
including current/recent research and participation in drug abuse related
professional development activities.
b. Student interest and involvement in drug abuse related research.
c. Current curriculum offerings including courses and seminars in or related
to drug abuse research particularly as they relate to the research focus of
the proposed MIDARP.
d. Proposed Principal Director/Program Director involvement in research and
other activities related to drug abuse.
e. Other factors related to the appropriateness of the environment, such as
physical plant, instrumentation, financial support, collaborative
relationships and opportunities to participate in and discuss scientific
research.
f. Degree to which the assessment has taken into account strengths of the
institution.
Note: Because the MIDARP is designed to strengthen capacity, the focus of
the review is on how well current capacity was assessed, not the level of
capacity, per se.
Capacity Development Plan:
Evaluate the appropriateness and adequacy of the Institutional Research
Development Plan for establishing or continuing a MIDARP at the applicant
institution, consistent with the needs identified in the assessment of
current capacity. The faculty and student development plan are included in
this section.
a. Plans for faculty/staff development in drug abuse research careers to
include the extent to which the proposed program will provide an appropriate
environment for participating faculty and staff to pursue independent drug
abuse research careers. Assessments may include the appropriateness and
feasibility of faculty goals relevant to drug abuse research, availability of
career development assistance provided to faculty in areas such as scientific
writing and publication, research design and analyses, seminars on drug abuse
topics, participation in meetings and conferences, mentoring, and research
opportunities and support.
b. Plan for student development to include the extent to which the proposed
program will stimulate drug abuse relevant research/research career interest
in students and provide them research experiences. This may include the
appropriateness and feasibility of student goals relevant to drug abuse
research and careers, and career development assistance provided to students
in areas such as scientific writing and publication, participation in
meetings and conferences, mentoring, research experiences, and preparation
for graduate study.
c. Plan for establishing and evaluating courses and seminars in or related
to the MIDARP’s focus.
d. Qualities and qualifications of the Program Director to lead the MIDARP
program to successful accomplishment of its goals. Criteria may include how
well he/she can provide direction and leadership in the research proposed,
support of the institution, and confidence of the faculty and students.
e. Plans for the establishment of an external advisory panel to provide
advice and consultation to the Program Director on the direction and progress
of the MIDARP.
f. Likelihood that the proposed MIDARP program will have a significant
impact on the capacity of the institution to engage in drug abuse
research/research career preparation and fill a gap in drug abuse research at
the applicant institution.
g. Institutional commitment to the MIDARP. This might include consideration
of guarantees of protected time for faculty and students to engage in drug
abuse research, research mentoring and research training; opportunities to
recruit and retain quality faculty and students; opportunities for career
development for faculty engaged in drug abuse research.
h. Plan to address research resource needs such as laboratory equipment,
additional space, enhanced business and research administration, etc.
For competing continuation applications, evaluate the extent to which the
program has enhanced the research infrastructure of the applicant institution
and enabled the institution to encourage and foster increased
research/research career development activities in drug abuse and addiction
for faculty and students. Evidence of progress may include: participation of
faculty and students in drug abuse research; increased support and conduct of
drug abuse research; changes over time in submission and publication of
manuscripts on drug abuse or resulting from drug abuse research; success
obtaining other sources of funding; service in drug abuse related activities
such as peer reviewers for research grants, contracts, or manuscripts;
indication of developing skills in students and faculty; ongoing seminars or
courses; improvements in institutional processes and procedures related to
sponsored research such as IRBs and other review requirements; students
entering graduate programs with expressed interest in drug abuse; established
collaborations with others around drug abuse research or activities; securing
patents related to drug abuse research or treatment; etc.
Primary Research Projects
Primary research projects refer to research studies that are fully developed
with well-specified specific aims, background, methods, hypotheses and data
analyses plans. Evaluate the primary research projects to determine the
overall thoroughness of the research plan given the resources and environment
currently available and the likelihood that the research as developed will
make a worthwhile contribution to the field.
(a) Value of the study to the field and to the MIDARP’s research focus;
importance of the specific aims or hypotheses/research questions.
(b) Approach of the study is the conceptual framework, design, methods, and
analyses adequately developed and appropriate to the aims of the project at
this stage? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and
consider alternative tactics?
(c) Innovativeness of the proposed research.
(d) Capability of the investigator to carry out the work proposed.
(e) Adequacy of institutional resources and support to be made available
including sufficient release time, if needed.
Pilot Research Projects
Evaluate the pilot research projects recognizing that these are pilot
projects and are not intended to be fully developed protocols.
(a) Value of the research question to the faculty member’s development, the
MIDARP program and the field.
(b) Appropriateness/adequacy of the literature review to demonstrate
knowledge of the field and support the research question.
(c) Appropriateness of the proposed methods for pilot work.
(d) Adequacy of the resources and support provided to the faculty
investigator.
(e) Likelihood that the faculty investigator can administer the project with
support of the program director and other institutional resources and support
as needed.
For the entire MIDARP, reviewers will also address: adequacy of the budget;
adequacy of plans to include both genders, as well as minorities and their
subpopulations and children in the proposed research; adequacy of protections
for human subjects; adequacy of data and safety monitoring plans and adequacy
of protections for live vertebrate animals as appropriate.
INQUIRIES
Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions
from potential applicants is welcome. Staff members are available for
consultation concerning application development. Potential applicants are
encouraged to contact NIDA staff for information and guidance in developing
research applications.
Lula Beatty, Ph.D.
Special Populations Office
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 4216, MSC 9567
Bethesda, MD 20892-9567
Telephone: (301) 443-0441
FAX: (301) 480-8179
Email: lb75x@nih.gov
A complete list of programmatic areas and staff may be found at
http://www.drugabuse.gov/Funding/resfundslist.html.
Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:
Gary Fleming, J.D., M.A.
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3131
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 443-6710
FAX: (301) 594-6847
Email: gfleming@mail.nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding review issues to:
Teresa Levitin, Ph.D.
Office of Extramural Affairs
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 3158
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 443-2755
FAX: (301) 443-0538
Email: tlevitin@mail.nih.gov
AUTHORITY AND REGULATION
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.
93.279. Awards are made under authorization of sections 301 and 405 of the
Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and administered
under NIH grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts
74 and 92. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review
requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.
The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all 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 to 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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