PAR-00-033: CANCER EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)

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CANCER EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM Release Date: December 22, 1999 (see replacement PAR-03-093) PA NUMBER: PAR-00-033 National Cancer Institute This Program Announcement (PA) replaces PAR-94-004, which was published in NIH Guide, Vol. 22, No. 37, October 15, 1993. PURPOSE The Cancer Education Grant Program (CEGP) of the National Cancer Institute is a flexible, curriculum-driven program aimed at developing and sustaining innovative educational approaches that ultimately will have an impact on reducing cancer incidence, mortality and morbidity, as well as on improving the quality of life of cancer patients. The CEGP invites investigator- initiated R25 Grant applications that pursue a wide range of objectives from short courses, national forums, seminars, and/or hands-on workshops designed to educate scientists, health care professionals and the lay community; to the design, development and evaluation of new curricula of special significance to cancer in educational institutions; to structured short-term didactic and research experiences designed to motivate high school; college; and medical, dental and other health professional students to pursue careers in cancer research; to the development and evaluation of new educational methods and tools directed at different audiences with the intent of having an impact on reducing cancer incidence and mortality. The R25 can also be used to fund symposia and support rapidly evolving areas (e.g., courses in innovative screening). Education Grants (i.e., R25s) can focus on education activities before, during and after the completion of a doctoral level degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.P.H., D.D.S., and D.N.S.) as long as they address a need that is not fulfilled adequately by any other grant mechanism available at the National Institutes of Health and are dedicated to areas of particular concern to the National Cancer Institute. The CEGP encourages innovative uses of the R25 grant to explore educational approaches that will help promote progress in preventing and curing cancer. This PA will be active for two years. HEALTH PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Program Announcement (PA), Cancer Education Grant Program, is related to the priority area of cancer education and community based programs. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Any not-for-profit or for-profit organization engaged in health-related education, research, or training and located in the United States, its possessions, or territories may apply for a CEGP. If a foreign institution wishes to apply, it must first receive a formal waiver of the above requirement in writing from the NCI. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. The R25 grant may not be used to conduct traditional biomedical research or as a training grant. Applicants who submit a research proposal that should be reviewed and funded like all other research grants (e.g., R01s, P01s) rather than as education grants (e.g., R25) will have their applications returned. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanism of support for the Cancer Education Grant is the R25 grant mechanism. R25 Education grants are not typical research instruments but do involve experiments in education that require an evaluation plan in order to determine the degree of success or failure. Applicants may request up to five years of support in single grant period in order to develop or maintain a specific education program. Short-term studies limited to five years or less with no plans for renewal are encouraged. Long-term programs, however, may receive continued support in additional increments of five years or less. In every case, however, the maximum duration will be recommended by peer reviewers. Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs are payable at the rate of 8 percent of total modified direct costs. The 8 percent F&A cost rate will also apply to all subcontracts on R25 awards. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The Cancer Education Grant Program was reorganized in 1993 to provide institutions a wide range of opportunities to develop and sustain unique, innovative curriculum-driven programs that focus on various cancer education activities as opposed to the conduct of biomedical research. The development of more refined, more effective education methods and tools for biomedical scientists, health care professionals, for students and the lay community are essential components of the overall objective of the National Cancer Institute to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. The R25 grant often involves new educational or curriculum approaches that are subject to evaluation to determine their success or failure. The NCI supports the R25 so that better education methods and tools can be developed that focus on advancing our understanding of cancer, early detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment strategies in order to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN STUDIES INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-populations 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 appropriate 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 494B of 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 have been published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14408-14513), and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994. It is also available electronically at the URL address: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-100.html Investigators may also obtain a copy of the policy 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 the NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research conducted or supported by NIH, unless there are clear and compelling 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 proposed studies involving human subjects should read the NIH Policy and Guidelines on 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 LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed education program; the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator; and the number and title of the PA in response to which this application may be submitted. Although a letter of intent in not required, is not binding, and does not enter in the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NCI staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent should be sent approximately five weeks prior to the date of submission to the program individual listed under INQUIRIES. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted using the PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) application kit and will be accepted by the on the regular receipt dates for new and revised applications as listed in the 398 form. The R25 allows for a wide range of approaches and topics but applicants are expected to generally follow the instructions and Table of Contents provided in the 398 application kit with respect to the organization of the application. These application kits are available on the NIH website (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm ), at most institutional offices of sponsored research or from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Phone (301) 435-0714, Fax: (301) 480- 525, e-mail: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. 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 (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-004.html). Because of the wide spectrum of possible ways to use the R25, all applicants are urged to contact NCI program staff before preparing an application (see INQUIRIES). All applications when completing the Face Page (or Page AA) of the Form PHS 398 must check YES on line 2 and write in the number and title of this PA. The original and three copies of the application must be submitted to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR), NIH to the following address: Center for Scientific Review National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040-MSC 7710 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7710 Bethesda, Maryland 20817 (for express/courier service) To expedite the review process, which will be conducted by the NCI, two additional copies should be sent to: MS. Toby Friedberg Referral Officer Division of Extramural Activities National Cancer Institute 6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 8062, MSC 8239 Bethesda, MD 20892-8239 Rockville, MD 20852 (express/courier service) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS The NCI requires a special section titled Evaluation Plan that clearly denotes how the proposed education program will be evaluated for success or failure based on its purpose and objectives. One of the evaluation criteria should focus on the degree of portability that the proposed program may have to other cancer programs. The NCI encourages the development of web versions of courses supported through the R25 grant mechanism. In general, allowable costs must be consistent with PHS policy and recommended by peer reviewers. These costs include but are not limited to the following: supplies, personnel costs, student compensation (when appropriate), consultant costs, equipment, travel, subcontractual costs, other expenses and other student costs (when appropriate). Faculty members participating in the design and implementation of the education program can request, with proper justification, the percent of their time devoted to curriculum design and specialized organization, coordinating, and implementation activities which are essential to achieving the goals of their proposed education plan. R25 grants many not be used to conduct traditional biomedical research or as training grants. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and adherence to all special requirements by the NCI. Incomplete and/or non- responsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the PA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NCI in accordance with the review criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, a process may be used by the initial review group in which applications 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 the applications under review, will be discussed assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the National Cancer Advisory Board. The review criteria that will be applied to the application are described below: 1. Novelty and significance of the education program to cancer research and/or to the reduction of cancer incidence, mortality and morbidity and to the improvement of quality of life. Development of web versions of courses supported through the R25 grants, as well as symposia to support rapidly evolving areas (e.g. courses in innovative screening) are of major interest to the NCI. 2. Quality of the program leader (principal investigator) in terms of past track record of achievement and experience to provide direction, coordination and administration of the Education Program. 3. Quality of the key personnel and/or faculty that will participate in the Program 4. The overall quality and adequacy of the design of the Program to achieve its short-term and long-term objectives. 5. Adequacy of the required Evaluation Plan to assess the effectiveness of the Program in achieving its objectives, and the degree of portability of the proposed program may have to other cancer programs. 6. Evidence of institutional commitment and plans to continue the Program after the period of grant support ends when the program involves curricula development aimed at strengthening the educational capability of the institution (e.g., a new curriculum for researchers or health care professionals in training) or when the Program consists of educational activities directed toward the lay community and/or health care professionals in the community (e.g., outreach efforts of cancer centers). 7. When appropriate, adequacy of plans to diffuse or disseminate knowledge learned from the program to the biomedical research and/or health care community through appropriate publication in professional periodicals and journals, presentations at national meetings, etc. 8. When appropriate, adequacy of proposed means for protecting human subjects against hazardous or unethical procedures and for protecting the privacy of human subjects. 9. When appropriate, adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the goals of the education project and plans for recruitment and retention of subjects; adequacy of plans for including children as appropriate for the goals of the education project. The applicant can also provide justification for exclusion of genders, minorities and children. 10. Appropriateness of the budget and duration of the support needed to achieve stated goals and objectives. A recommendation of less than 5 years should reflect the peer reviewers judgement that the institution should accept responsibility for the program at an earlier time. Within the overall budget review, evaluate faculty salary requests for specialized tasks, e.g., administrative and coordinating activities necessary for complex multi- disciplinary or multi-institutional programs, or curriculum design and implementation activities. These types of faculty activities should be distinguished from traditional preceptor-student type activities which are not allowable costs; preceptor-student relations are to be considered part of regular academic/professional duties. The initial review group will also examine: the appropriateness of proposed project budget and duration; the adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups, and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research and plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects; the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects; and the safety of the research environment In addition to the above mentioned review criteria, additional criteria apply to proposed education programs that involves short-term experiences. 11. The following review criteria apply specifically to any proposed education program that involves short-term experiences in a research environment: - quality of the proposed short-term education program including the commitment of the participating faculty, the program design, the availability of research support, and the educational environment. - access to candidates for short-term experiences and the ability to recruit high quality individuals from the applicant institution or other schools. - characteristics of the education program that might be expected to persuade short-term participants to consider cancer research careers. - success in attracting students back for repeated short-term appointments - success in recruiting under-represented minorities. - plan to follow former participants and to assess the effect of such a program on their research careers. AWARD CRITERIA Applications recommended by the National Cancer Advisory Board will compete for available funds with all other scored applications submitted in response to this program announcement. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review, availability of funds and program priority. INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. You may consult the NCI website about its Cancer Education Activities. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Dr. Brian W. Kimes Office of Centers, Training and Resources National Cancer Institute 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 7011, MSC 8346 Bethesda, MD 20892-7390 FAX: (301) 402-4472 Email: bk34t@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Catherine Blount Grants Administration Branch National Cancer Institute Executive Plaza South, Room 243 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-3179 FAX: (301) 496-8601 Email: cb136g@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding review issues to: Ms. Toby Friedberg Division of Extramural Activities National Cancer Institute 6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 8062, MSC 8239 Bethesda, MD 20892-8239 Rockville, MD 20852 (express/courier service) Telephone: (301) 496-3428 Fax: (301) 402-0275 Email: tf12w@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, Number 93.398, Cancer Research Manpower. Awards are made under authorization of the 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 PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract 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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