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Introduction |
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Release Date: April 9, 2001. This program is active until a new program announcement is issued. Please see extended expiration date for more information.
PA NUMBER: PA-01-079
National Institutes of Health |
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Scope and Priorities |
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Purpose
This program, originally announced in 1989, was established to address the need to increase the number of underrepresented minority scientists participating in biomedical research and the health related sciences. Although the NIH currently provides opportunities for minorities through the traditional research grant programs and through special initiatives supported by various components of the NIH there is no evidence that this need has changed. Therefore, NIH has continued its efforts to establish a diversified workforce by increasing the number of individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups actively participating in biomedical research. In addition, in more recent years, it has become increasingly clear that there is a serious health care disparity among minority groups in this country. The NIH recognizes the need to expand research opportunities for minority scientists to help eliminate health disparities.
Objective
In response to these concerns, the NIH continues to emphasize the use of administrative supplements to attract underrepresented minorities to the sciences and to careers in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social science research. This program announcement has been endorsed by all the awarding components of the NIH and is designed to provide support for research experiences for minorities throughout the continuum from high school to the faculty level. The NIH hereby notifies all Principal Investigators holding NIH research grants that funds are available for administrative supplements to existing grants for the support and recruitment of underrepresented minority investigators and students. The aim of these supplements is to attract and encourage minority individuals to enter and pursue health-related research careers in areas within the mission areas of all the awarding components of the NIH. |
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Eligibility |
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Eligible Awards
Principal Investigators at domestic institutions who hold an active R01, R10, R18, R22, R24, R35, R37, P01, P20, P30, P40, P41, P50, P51, P60, U01, U10, U19, U41, U42 or U54 grant are generally eligible to submit a request for an administrative supplement to the awarding component of the parent grant for any of the supplemental programs offered here. Principal Investigators holding an Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15), an Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) or a Small Grant Award (R03) also may apply for a supplement under this program. Grantees with support from these mechanisms MUST check with the appropriate awarding component before an application for a supplement is submitted. Awardees of the R03, R15, and R21 grants may apply only when the minority candidate is a high school or an undergraduate student. However, exceptions to these rules may be made. Applicants should check with their awarding component. Minority supplements to the grant mechanisms such as the R15, or the R03 may provide support above the established dollar limits. The P20, P30, and P60 award mechanisms are eligible for supplements only when they contain research components.
In all cases, at the time of a supplemental award, the parent grant must have support remaining for a reasonable period (usually two years or more). The purpose of the application is to request support for an underrepresented minority high school student, undergraduate student, post-baccalaureate student, post-master’s degree student, graduate student, individual in postdoctoral training, or a staff or faculty member to participate in an ongoing research project. Specific eligibility requirements relative to each level of award are set forth in the description of the individual supplement programs (below).
Eligible Individuals
For the purpose of this announcement, underrepresented minority students and investigators are defined as individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences. Awards will be limited to citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or to individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of an Alien Registration Receipt Card) at the time of application. Before submitting an application for a research supplement, applicants are encouraged to call their program administrator at the NIH to discuss any aspects of this program that need clarification. For general information about the program, minority candidates are encouraged to contact an appropriate awarding institute listed under Contact Information at the end of this document.
The NIH anticipates that by providing research opportunities for underrepresented minorities at various career levels, the number of minorities entering and remaining in health-related research careers will increase. Accordingly, Principal Investigators are encouraged to consider administrative supplements under this program for minority individuals at the following career levels:
- High School Students who have expressed an interest in the health-related sciences.
- Undergraduate Students who have demonstrated an interest in the health- related sciences and wish to pursue graduate level training in these areas.
- Post-Baccalaureate Students and Post-Master’s Degree Students who have recently graduated and have demonstrated an interest in health-related sciences and wish to pursue graduate level training in these areas.
- Predoctoral Students who wish to develop their research capabilities in the health-related sciences.
- Individuals in Postdoctoral Training who wish to participate as postdoctoral researchers in ongoing research projects and career development experiences in preparation for an independent career in a health-related science.
- Minority Staff and Faculty who wish to participate in ongoing research projects while further developing their own independent research potential.
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Mechanism |
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In all cases, the proposed research experience must be an integral part of the approved ongoing research of the parent grant and have the potential to contribute significantly to the research career development of the candidate. As part of this research experience, the principal investigator must describe a plan by which the minority individual will have the opportunity to interact with individuals on the parent grant, to contribute intellectually to the research, and to enhance her/his research skills and knowledge regarding the particular area of biomedical science. Furthermore, the Principal Investigator must demonstrate a willingness and understanding that the purpose of the award is to enhance the research capability of the minority student or faculty member and that the research experience is intended to provide opportunities for development as a productive research investigator. Supplemental awards will be consistent with the goal of strengthening the existing research program and with the overall programmatic balance and priorities of the funding component of the NIH. Awards will be made according to the policies and provisions stated in this announcement or as further specified by the NIH component funding the parent grant. The award limits listed in this document for each career level represents the support NIH will provide and does not preclude the institution's use of funds from other sources to supplement the award.
Usually, each parent grant may support only one minority supplement. Appointment of more than one individual to a single grant depends on the nature of the parent grant, the circumstances of the request, and the program balance of the NIH awarding component. Minority individuals may receive support from only one of these supplement programs at a time, but may be supported by more than one minority supplement during the development of their research careers. Support under the supplement programs is not transferable to another individual or transportable to another institution.
The minority supplement programs have been designed to attract underrepresented minority individuals into research careers and are not intended to provide an alternative or additional means of supporting minority individuals who already receive support from a research grant or a research training grant or any other DHHS funding mechanism. Minority graduate students or individuals in postdoctoral training who are supported by a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional research training grant may not be transferred to supplemental support prior to the completion of their appointed period of training. Individuals may not be transferred to a minority supplement to increase the availability of funds to the parent grant for other uses.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the NIH institute staff listed under INQUIRIES prior to submission to obtain specific information about preparing and submitting an application. It is also recognized that individual circumstances vary, and for unusual situations, NIH program administrators should be consulted for a determination of eligibility. |
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Description Of The Individual Research Supplement Programs |
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1. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The purpose of this program is to provide minority high school students with an opportunity to obtain a meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related research to stimulate their interest in careers in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences.
ELIGIBILITY
Any minority high school student who is currently enrolled and in good standing at her or his high school and is interested in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social research is encouraged to participate in this program.
PROVISIONS
This supplement is not to exceed $3,000 per student in direct costs, including supplies, for a summer experience. A part-time experience during the regular school year would be reimbursed at the same hourly rate ($6.25). Equipment may not be purchased using these funds. Students are expected to devote sufficient effort to the research project and related activities during the period of support to gain insight into the process of scientific discovery. Support for at least three months is encouraged during any one year. This may include a mixture of full-time summer experience and part- time experience during the school year. Principal Investigators are encouraged to seek minority high school students who will devote at least two years to this program (i.e., equivalent to two three-month, full-time periods). Exceptions to the latter will be considered, depending on the circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific request.
See below for information about application procedures, review criteria, and funding.
2. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
This supplemental program provides an opportunity for minority undergraduate students interested in health-related research to participate in a research project during the summer months and/or during the school year. This experience will be separate from any requirement of the regular academic program.
ELIGIBILITY
The student may be affiliated with either the applicant institution or another academic institution. Any undergraduate minority student interested in health-related research is encouraged to participate in this program.
PROVISIONS
The salary for an undergraduate student should be consistent with the institutional salary policies. Institutional rates for undergraduate salary that exceeds $8 per hour must be justified. An additional amount of $200 per month for supplies and travel may also be requested. Equipment may not be purchased from these funds. Students are expected to devote the equivalent of at least three months full-time effort to the research project and related activities in any one year and, in most cases, the period of support for any individual should last at least two years. Exceptions to these requirements will be considered, depending on the circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific request.
See below for information about application procedures, review criteria, and award criteria.
3. POST-BACCALAUREATE AND POST-MASTER’S DEGREE STUDENTS
The objective of this program is intended to provide opportunities for recent baccalaureate or master’s degree graduates who wish to spend up to two years engaged in health-related research while applying for graduate or medical school. The duration of the program is normally one year, but the research experience can be extended for an additional year if evidence is provided to show that the candidate is actively pursuing entry into graduate or health profession school. This program can not be used to provide technical support to NIH-supported investigators.
ELIGIBILITY
Any recently graduated minority student who has earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a health-related science is eligible for consideration. Students who plan to attend medical, dental or other professional schools are encouraged to use this program to gain research experience.
PROVISIONS
The salary for students at the post-baccalaureate and post-master’s degree levels should be reasonable and consistent with the institutional salary policies and can not exceed the amount allowed for graduate students. Additional funds up to $3,000 per year may be requested for supplies and travel. Funds may not be used to purchase equipment.
4. GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
The objective of this program is to reach out to minority graduate students already in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences and provide an opportunity to further develop their research capabilities. However, students who are supported on research or training grants may not be supported on research supplements.
ELIGIBILITY
Any minority graduate student who is enrolled in a master’s or a doctoral degree program in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences is eligible for consideration. Minority students in medical school or other professional schools are encouraged to use this program to gain research experience.
PROVISIONS
The NIH will provide salary support in addition to other necessary expenses, such as supplies and travel, to enable the individual to participate as a graduate research assistant in funded research projects. As in the past, the NIH will continue to consider the compensation for the services of graduate students and other employees rendered to an NIH research project to be allowable as long as the compensation is reasonable and (1) conforms to the established, consistently applied salary and wage policies of the institution and (2) reflects the percentage of time actually devoted to the PHS-funded project. For graduate students this compensation may include tuition remission paid as, or in lieu of, wages provided that the student is in a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the institution for the work performed, and payment is conditioned explicitly on the performance of necessary work. The total amount requested for salary, tuition and fringe benefits can not exceed the amount allowable for a first year postdoctoral level staff member at the same institution performing comparable work (see NIH Guide announcement, Vol. 25, No.8, March 15, 1996).
Additional funds up to $4,000 per year may be requested for supplies and travel. Funds may not be used to purchase equipment.
See below for information about application procedures, review criteria, and award criteria.
5. INDIVIDUALS IN POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING
These supplements provide research support to permit minority individuals in the postdoctoral phase of their training to participate in ongoing research projects. This experience must serve as a means of assisting the postdoctoral fellow’s development into productive researcher in a health- related science. Postdoctoral fellows who are supported on research or training grants may not be supported on research supplements. Toward the end of the supplement award, candidates should be encouraged to apply for fellowships, research grants, and other sources of independent support.
ELIGIBILITY
The minority individual in postdoctoral training may be affiliated with either the applicant institution or some other institution. Only under extraordinary circumstances, which must be well justified in the application, would it be acceptable for the postdoctoral candidate to work with his or her former predoctoral mentor.
PROVISIONS
The NIH will provide support for salary in addition to other necessary expenses, such as travel and supplies, to enable the minority individual to participate as a postdoctoral research assistant or associate on the funded research project. The requested salary and fringe benefits must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution, consistent with the level of effort, and may not exceed $40,000 per year. Additional funds up to $6,000 may be requested for supplies and travel. Support may not be used to purchase equipment.
See below for application procedures, review criteria, and award criteria.
6. INVESTIGATORS DEVELOPING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH CAREERS
These supplements provide either short or long-term research support for minority staff or faculty members to enhance their research skills leading to an independent research career.
o Short-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement. This supplement provides short-term support for minority staff or faculty members to conduct full-time research for three to five months each year during the summer or another portion of the academic year, over a maximum period of four years.
o Long-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement. This supplement provides long-term research support for minority staff or faculty members to conduct research in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. Support is provided for up to four years at a minimum of 30 percent effort during each 12-month period.
ELIGIBILITY
The minority investigator may be affiliated with the applicant institution or some other institution. The investigator must have a doctoral degree, be beyond the level of a research trainee, and be a member of the staff or faculty with at least one year of postdoctoral experience. The minority candidate is still eligible if they have previously received support from these programs: the Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program, Minority-Research Infrastructure Support Program (M-RISP), the Minority Access to Research Career (MARC) Program, Career Opportunities in Research Education and Training (COR), Small Grants (R03), National Research Service Award (NRSA) predoctoral (F31) and postdoctoral (F32) fellowships, or the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program (R15) is also eligible for these supplements. On the other hand, an individual who has received previous funding from NIH as an independent Principal Investigator on a regular research grant (e.g., R01, R29), or as the project leader on a component of a program project or center grant (e.g., P01, P50, G12), or as Principal Investigator on an individual research career award (e.g., KO1, K02, K07, K08, and K12) is not eligible.
PROVISIONS
The requested salary and fringe benefits for an investigator must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution, consistent with the level of effort. Additional funds of up to $10,000 may be requested for supplies and travel. Equipment may not be purchased except in unusual circumstances and not without prior approval of the NIH awarding component. The maximum period of support for any investigator is four years. |
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Review Criteria |
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The staff of the particular awarding component will review requests for supplements using the following general criteria:
1. The qualifications of the candidate including career goals, prior research training, research potential, and any relevant experience.
2. Evidence of educational achievement and interest in science, if the minority candidate is a student.
3. The plan for the proposed research and career development experiences in the supplemental request and their relationship to the parent grant.
4. Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the experience will enhance the research potential, knowledge, and/or skills of the candidate, and that adequate mentorship will be provided.
5. Evidence from the Principal Investigator that the activities of the candidate are an integral part of the project. |
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Award Criteria |
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The decision to fund a supplement will take approximately eight weeks from receipt of a complete application. Applicants for summer-only research appointments must submit early enough to ensure that funding is in place by the time the summer experience is scheduled to begin. In most cases, during the first budget period, funds will be provided as an administrative supplement to the parent grant. In subsequent years, continued funding for the supplement is contingent on continued funding of the parent grant and cannot extend beyond the current competitive segment of the parent grant and the availability of funds.
Continuation of support for the candidate in the remaining years of the competitive segment of the grant will depend upon satisfactory review by the NIH awarding component of progress for both the parent grant and the supplemental project, the research proposed for the next budget period, and the appropriateness of the proposed budget for the proposed effort.
In non-competing continuation applications, the progress report and budget for the minority supplement must be clearly delineated from the progress report and budget for the parent grant. The progress report must include information about the research and career development activities supported by the supplement even if support for future years is not requested.
In future competing applications, funds for continuation of support of the supplemental award will depend on the successful renewal of the parent grant and will be handled as follows:
- For minority students who have not yet completed their research experience, funds for the continuation of support must be requested as a research supplement to ensure continued tracking of the individual supported. The request for continued support should not be included in the competing renewal, but instead, should be prepared as a letter with information on research progress and accomplishments of the minority individual. The request must be addressed to the program administrator of the parent grant and must be submitted promptly in anticipation of a renewal award to avoid an interruption of support. Support to individual students by this mechanism will be limited to five years. Additional time may be considered, but must be well justified.
- Funds for the continuation of support for a minority postdoctoral fellow or a minority investigator must be requested by name in the parent grant application at the time of renewal and may not be requested as a research supplement. Minority postdoctoral fellows and investigators are expected to be fully integrated in the research laboratory when considered for continuation of support.
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Application Procedures |
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A request for a supplement may be submitted at any time. In making requests, the grantee institution, on behalf of the Principal Investigator of the parent grant and in cooperation with the minority individual MUST SUBMIT THE REQUEST FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS DIRECTLY TO THE AWARDING COMPONENT THAT SUPPORTS THE PARENT GRANT. The request should not be submitted to the NIH Center for Scientific Review. Principal Investigators are encouraged to obtain the address for submission from the NIH program administrator on the parent grant.
The request for a supplemental award must include the following:
1. A completed face page (with appropriate signatures) from Grant Application Form PHS 398. Include the title and grant number of the parent grant on line 1 and the type of supplement being requested on line 2.
2. A brief three to four page description, prepared by the Principal Investigator of the parent grant, that includes:
a. A summary or abstract of the funded grant or project.
b. A description of the research and career development experiences proposed for the candidate.
c. A description of how the research and career development experiences will expand and foster the research capabilities of the candidate, and how the proposed experiences relates to the specific research goals and objectives of the parent grant.
3. A signed statement from the candidate outlining her/his research objectives and career goals.
4. A biographical sketch of the candidate that includes evidence of scientific achievement or interest. The source of current funding must also be listed.
5. Social Security Number of the minority individual. (The PHS uses the Social Security Number for the purpose of accurate identification, referral, and review of applications and for efficient management of PHS grant programs. Although provision of the Social Security Number is voluntary, it will facilitate the processing of applications for supplements.)
6. A signed statement from the Principal Investigator establishing the eligibility of the candidate for support under this program including information on ethnicity, citizenship, and a description of any previous PHS research grant support the minority individual has received.
7. A proposed budget entered on budget pages from Grant Application Form PHS 398, related to the percent effort (where appropriate) for the research experience of the candidate during the first and future years. If the initial budget period requested is less than 12 months, the budget must be prorated accordingly.
8. Documentation, if applicable, that the proposed research experience was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or human subjects Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the grantee institution must be provided. Adherence to the NIH policy for including women and minorities in clinical studies must also be insured if additional human subjects' involvement is planned for the supplement component.
9. A copy of the most recent official transcript if the minority candidate is a high school, undergraduate, post-baccalaureate degree, post-master’s degree, or graduate student.
10. If the candidate is a student at another institution, the application must include an appropriately signed letter from a responsible official at the institution of matriculation indicating that participation at the stated level of effort is approved and will not detract from or interfere with the students course of studies.
11. If any of the research is to be conducted at a site other than the grantee institution, an appropriately signed letter from the institution where the research is to be conducted must be submitted. The request must be signed by the candidate, the Principal Investigator, and the appropriate institutional business official. |
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Contact Information |
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Principal Investigators interested in participating in these programs are encouraged to contact NIH staff administering the parent grant. For general information about the Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities, contact the following staff person in the appropriate awarding component:
Valerie Florance, PhD
Extramural Programs
National Library of Medicine
Rockledge 1, Suite 301
6705 Rockledge Drive MSC 7968
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 594-4882
FAX: (301) 402-2952
Email: floranv@mail.nih.gov
Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ |
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