The Internet Access to Digital Libraries (IADL) grant enables organizations to use the Internet for access health-related information and services provided by NLM and others, to transfer files and images, and to interact by e-mail and videoconferencing with colleagues throughout the world. A request for connectivity to the Internet, or evidence that Internet connectivity is already available, is fundamental to successful grant applications in this program.

IADL grants are not merely grants for hardware or software or telecommunications systems. They should bring high-quality health-related information to end-users. Applicants will be asked to describe how they will train new users, how they will increase the usage of the proposed system or service, and how they plan to support the system or service after grant funding ends.

IADL grants can be used to support a variety of activities and services including but not limited to the following:

• The purchase and installation of equipment and software for initial or expanded connectivity to the Internet, including computers, servers, firewalls and routers
• The cost of installation and leasing of new communication circuits to connect to an Internet Service Provider and the cost of Internet Service Provider fees during the grant period
• The cost of open-access personal computers and software that enables access to Internet-accessible digital libraries.
• Applications that request support for wireless connectivity and end-user devices will be considered if that is the best way to complete the organization's mission goals.

In conjunction with a request for new or expanded Internet connectivity, applicants may request support for information resources and services during the period of the grant with the constraint that the total requested budget may not exceed the maximum amounts listed below for applications to this grant program. Such allowable auxiliary expenses may include, but are not limited to the following:

• The cost of initial licenses for new published digital information
• The cost of an initial contract for Internet-based library services such as expert search services or document delivery
• Costs for website development and/or electronic mail capabilities to support remote access to digital libraries and information services
• The cost of training for staff and system users to use the new service or resource

Applicants may not use the IADL grant to support the costs of existing information infrastructure, to fund a library's existing collections, or to pay for existing digital subscriptions. The purpose of the IADL grant is to initiate new digital information services, or extend existing services to a larger audience, using the Internet. Proposals to install local CD-ROM systems or to build private networks will not be considered. The purchase of print materials will be considered only in unusual circumstances.

NLM strongly encourages applications to include as an essential feature online access to NLM databases and programs such as MEDLINE®/PubMed®, MEDLINEPlus®, Entrez, TOXNET®, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PubMedCentral. Applications which address one or more of NLM's objectives as articulated in the 2000-2005 Long Range Plan are particularly welcome. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/plan/lrp00/lrp00.html .

IADL grants use the NIH G07 award mechanism. As an applicant you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.

A single-site applicant may request up to $45,000. Multi-site organizations, consortia and health partnerships may request the base amount plus $8,000 for each additional participating site. For example, a hospital with 5 off-site clinics could request up to $85,000. A health education center with 7 remote training locations could request up to $101,000. A consortium of 10 community organizations could request up to $117,000. Applications for projects that connect more than 15 sites require written prior approval by the program officer listed below. NLM expects that most projects will be for a one-year period. The applicant may propose two years as the project period but should understand that a longer project period does not increase the total size of the award.

IADL grants provide budget support for direct costs, including personnel, hardware and software, training, travel and other costs related to the implementation of the proposed projects. Facilities and administrative costs, sometimes called overhead or indirect costs, are not provided. For those institutions lacking appropriate staff to design and implement a competitive application or that need technical advice, appropriate consultation may be budgeted.

Although the financial plans of the National Library of Medicine provide support for this program, awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

All grant applications submitted to NIH are reviewed to judge the likelihood that the proposed work will have a strong impact. The standard NIH review framework centers on five areas:

Significance
Approach
Innovation
Investigator
Environment

The scientific review group addresses and consider each of these criteria in assigning your application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. Your application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major impact and thus deserve a high priority score. Because NLM IADL grants are not research grants, innovation and scientific importance are not key review criteria.

Within the context of NIH review criteria listed above, the merit of an IADL application will be judged as described below.

The project plan for an Internet Access to Digital Libraries grant should address each of the following elements. These elements will be used in the merit review of all accepted applications.

• Need for the project (as evidenced in expressed information needs of users or participating organizations)
• Specific aims and timeline for achieving them
• Plans for training new users to use the newly developed digital library resources or services effectively
• Plans for protecting the confidentiality of personal health information, if clinical information is a part of the project
• Plans for evaluating the use and effects of improved access to digital library resources
• Qualifications and experience of key personnel and consultants
• Resources and environment at the host organization(s) that contribute to the success of the project
• Appropriateness of grant budget and the requested period of support in relation to the overall project goals
• Plans for financial support of system and services after grant funding ends
• Relationship to NLM's stated objectives for the program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to involve librarians in their plans for providing training and services. Assistance in completing an application or training plan for an IADL grant is available from the regional headquarters staff of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM). Contact information for NN/LM libraries is available at 1-800-338-7657 or at http://www.nnlm.nlm.nih.gov.

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev.5/2001). The grant application forms and detailed instructions for completing them are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Applicants should save a copy of the fillable form and the detailed instructions to a local computer, opening it with a preferred word processing program. Also note the special instructions for completing an IADL application.

For further assistance with obtaining the electronic form PHS 398 contact:
GrantsInfo
Telephone (301) 435-0714
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov

Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:

Valerie Florance, Ph.D.
Extramural Programs
National Library of Medicine
Rockledge 1, Suite 301
6705 Rockledge Drive MSC 7968
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-4223
FAX: (301) 402-2952
Email: floranv@mail.nih.gov

Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:

Laurence Dash
Extramural Programs
National Library of Medicine
Rockledge 1, Suite 301
6705 Rockledge Drive MSC 7968
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-4221
FAX: (301) 402-0421
Email: dashl@mail.nih.gov