MENTORED CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Release Date:  September 18, 1998

PA NUMBER:  PAR-98-103

P.T.

National Cancer Institute

PURPOSE

The Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Program (CMBP), National Cancer Institute
(NCI), invites applications from underrepresented minority research scientists
who have received an NIH Research Supplement for Underrepresented Minority
Individuals in Postdoctoral Training (MIPT) or a Minority Investigator Supplement
(MIS) award, funded by the NCI and need an extended period of sponsored research
as a way to gain scientific expertise while bridging the transition from a
mentored research environment to an independent research/academic career.  In
addition, this award offers opportunities for a mentored peer review experience
in cancer research, which will enhance the candidate's knowledge and
understanding of the peer review process with the intended purpose of developing
skills with the expectation that the candidate will submit a grant application
for non-targeted mechanisms (R01, R03, R21).  This award is aimed at fostering
the cancer research careers of outstanding, junior minority scientists who:

o  have received an NIH Research Supplement(s) for Underrepresented Minorities
award, funded by the NCI; and

o  are committed to developing and sustaining academic research programs.

This award is a novel mechanism that is intended to support underrepresented
minority scientists and enhance the likelihood of success for junior
underrepresented minority investigators who have committed to basic, biomedical,
clinical, prevention and population-based research careers in cancer.

HEALTHY 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), Mentored
Career Development Award, is related to the priority area of human resource
development in cancer research.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of
"Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: 
Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) from the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

This award is designed to provide underrepresented minority investigators with
an intensive, supervised research experience, as well as opportunities for a
mentored peer review experience in cancer research.  For the purpose of this
award, underrepresented minorities are defined as individuals belonging to a
particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the applicant
institution to be underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research.  All
applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from established
investigators.  Applicants are encouraged to contact NCI program staff listed
under INQUIRIES regarding their eligibility for this award.

The candidate must have:

o  a research or a health professional doctorate or its equivalent and must have
demonstrated the potential for productive research activity;

o  received an underrepresented minority supplement award at the postdoctoral
(MIPT) or junior faculty (MIS) level, funded by the NCI; and

o  the potential for establishing an independent research program highly relevant
to the understanding of human biology and human disease as it relates to the
etiology, pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

Applications may be submitted on behalf of candidates by domestic, non-profit and
for-profit organizations, public and private, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, laboratories, units of State or local government, and eligible
agencies of the Federal government or comparable institutions.  Awards will be
limited to individuals who are citizens or non-citizen alien nationals, and
permanent residents of the United States.  Individuals on temporary or student
visas are not eligible.  Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to
apply as principal investigators.

MECHANISM OF SUPPORT

Support for this program will be through the NIH Mentored Research Scientist
Development Award (K01).  Planning, direction, and execution of the program will
be the responsibility of the candidate and her/his mentor on behalf of the
applicant institution.  Applicants may request up to five years of support
depending upon the number of years of prior research experience and the need for
additional experiences to achieve independence.  Grants are not transferable from
one principal investigator to another.  Funding beyond the first year is
contingent upon satisfactory progress during the preceding year, as documented
in the required progress report.

Awards will be administered under PHS grants policy as stated in the Public
Health Service Grants Policy Statement, DHHS publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000
(Rev.), revised April 1, 1994.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Environment:  The institution must have well-established basic biomedical or
behavioral and/or clinical cancer research programs and must have received an NIH
Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities award funded by the NCI. 
Either the principal investigator of the NIH Research Supplements for
Underrepresented Minorities award or other established investigator will serve
as the mentor to the underrepresented minority candidate. The candidate, mentor
and institution must be able to propose an appropriate cancer research/career
development program that will maximize the use of relevant cancer research and
educational resources.

Program:  The award provides up to five consecutive 12 month appointments and
will occur in two phases.  In Phase I, the candidate will participate in research
activities at the mentored institution. Along with focusing on writing and
submitting manuscripts for publication and presenting at scientific meetings, the
candidate will begin peer review activities coordinated by CMBP, NCI staff and
NIH. The candidate will attend review meetings as either an observer or temporary
member (depending on prior research experience) and participate in NCI-sponsored
workshops on grantsmanship organized by the CMBP.  In Phase II, the candidate
will secure a junior faculty position (e.g., tenure-track or equivalent).  Other
activities will include preparing, writing and submitting grant applications for
traditional research support (R01, R03, R21).  In addition, candidates will
participate in peer review activities, serving as either full members of National
Research Service Award (F series) or Career (K-series) reviews, temporary members
on other review committees and/or attending site visit reviews as observers.  No
additional compensation will be provided for peer review activities.

The underrepresented minority candidate must devote at least 75 % of the
professional effort to cancer-related research and peer review pursuits
consistent with the objectives of this award.  The candidate must develop
knowledge in the basic biomedical, clinical, prevention or population-based
sciences and research skills relevant to her/his cancer research fields.  Where
appropriate, research areas in cancer that disproportionately affect minority
populations should be incorporated.  Beginning the second year of funding, the
candidate must plan to participate in NCI-approved peer review activities, such
as NCI-sponsored peer review workshops, and/or NIH review committees as
coordinated by CMBP, NCI staff, and NIH.  The candidate must agree to report
annually on the status of the program and to meet annually to exchange
information with NCI staff and other awardees. These activities must be reflected
in the career development plan and yearly budget.

Mentor:  The recipient must receive appropriate mentoring during both phases of
the award.  These activities are crucial during the mentoring peer review phase
as well as during the development and preparation of the traditional investigator
initiated grant application (R01, R03, R21).  The mentor must be a senior or mid-
level faculty member with research competence and a major interest in the
training of underrepresented minority investigators in cancer research.  Where
feasible, women and underrepresented minority mentors should be involved as role
models.

ALLOWABLE COSTS

Salary:  This award will provide salary up to $75, 000 plus related fringe
benefits.  The institution may supplement the NCI contribution up to a level that
is consistent with the institution's salary scale; however, supplementation may
not be from Federal funds unless specifically authorized by the Federal program
from which such funds are derived.  Institutional supplementation of salary may
not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the
purpose of this award.  Under expanded authorities, however, institutions may
rebudget funds within the total costs awarded to cover salaries consistent with
the institution's salary scale.  The total salary requested must be based on a
full-time, 12 month staff appointment.

Research Development Support:  During Phase I of the award, $25,000 per year will
be provided for the following types of expenses:  a) research expenses; b)
statistical services including personnel and computer time; c) tuition, fees, and
books related to career development; d) travel to research meetings, and e)
travel to an annual two-day NCI awardee meeting and/or peer review related and
training expenses.  The amount of this support will increase to $50,000 in Phase
II when the Principal Investigator moves to a new research environment, as
opposed to the environment provided by a mentor, which includes an independent
research position either at the same institution or at a different institution. 
During Phase II of the award funds may be requested for the purchase of equipment
and technical personnel.

Ancillary Personnel Support:  Salary support for technicians is allowed in Phase
II.  Support for mentors, secretarial and administrative assistance, etc., is not
allowed.

Indirect Costs: Indirect costs will be reimbursed at eight percent of modified
total direct costs.

TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF INSTITUTION

When a grantee institution plans to terminate an award, the NCI must be notified
in writing at the earliest possible time so that appropriate instructions can be
given for termination (see INQUIRIES section for contacts).  If the individual
is moving to another eligible institution, career award support may be continued
provided:

a formal request for transfer of award is submitted by the new organization.

the period of support requested is no more than the time remaining within the
existing award period.

a final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status report are
submitted upon either termination of an award or relinquishment of an award in
a change of institutional situation.

INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their
subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral
research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling
rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with
respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research.  This
policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B 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 14508-14513), and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contract, Vol. 23, No.
11, March 18, 1994.

Investigators may obtain copies of the policy from these sources or from the
program staff or the contact person listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may
also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 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://www.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.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev.
5/95) and will be accepted on October 1, February 1, and June 1.  Applications
should be organized using the Research Career Award portion of the PHS 398.

Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored
research; from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources,
National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD
20892-7910, telephone 301/710-0267, email: grantsinfo@nih.gov; from the program
administrator listed under INQUIRIES; and are available on the web at
www.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.

Three sealed letters of recommendation addressing the candidate's potential for
the research career must be included as part of the application.  Submit a
signed, typewritten original of the application, reference letters, current
curriculum vitae with complete bibliography, including the checklist, and three
signed photocopies, in one package to:

CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD  20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD  20817 (for express/courier service)

At time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to:

Ms. Toby Friedberg
Division of Extramural Activities
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 636
Bethesda, MD  20892-7405
Rockville, MD  20852 (for express/courier service)

REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Center for
Scientific Review (CSR) and responsiveness by the NCI.  Incomplete and/or
unresponsive applications will be returned 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 review criteria stated below.

Review Criteria

Candidate (Principal Investigator)

o  Commitment to an independent cancer research career in terms of effort
(minimum of 75%) and future plans.

o  Quality and breadth of prior scientific training and experience.

o  Recommendations of three well-established scientists attesting to the special
potential of the individual to pursue an independent career in cancer research.

Career Development Plan

o  Likelihood that the plan will contribute substantially to the scientific
development of the candidate and the achievement of scientific independence.

o  Appropriateness of the career development plan in terms of the candidate's
prior research and academic experience, and the stated career goals.

o  Clarity of the goals and scope of the plan and the need for the proposed
research experience.

o  Likelihood of successful planning, writing and submitting of traditional grant
applications.

Research Plan

o  A sound research project that is consistent with the development plan for an
independent career in cancer research and the candidate's level of research
development must be provided.

o  Usefulness of the research plan as a vehicle for enhancing existing research
skills as described in the career development plan.

o  The originality and quality of the research hypothesis/question, design and
methodology, judged in the context of the candidate's previous training and
experience.

Mentor

o  Appropriateness of the research qualifications in the area of the proposed
research.

o  Quality and time commitment to supervising and guiding the candidate during
the entire period of the award.

o  Previous experience in fostering and developing underrepresented minority
cancer researchers.

o  History of research productivity and support.

Institutional Environment and Commitment

o  Commitment to the scientific development of the investigator according to the
terms of this award.

o  Assurance that the investigator will be allowed to spend a minimum of 75
percent effort on the project.

o  Adequacy of research facilities and training opportunities.

Budget

The appropriateness of the budget in relation to career development goals and
research aims and plans.

The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of
human and animal subjects and the safety of the research environment and
conformance with the NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as
Subjects in Clinical Research and Inclusion of Children Participating in Research
Involving Human Subjects.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applications will compete for available funds with all other scored applications
submitted in response to this PA.  The following will be considered in making
decisions: quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review,
availability of funds and program balance and priority.

INQUIRIES

Written, telephone, fax, and E-mail inquiries concerning this PA are encouraged,
especially during the planning phase of the application.  The opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.

Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:

Sanya A. Springfield, Ph.D.
Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Program
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, Suite 620
Bethesda, MD  20892-7405
Rockville, MD  20852 (express/courier service)
Telephone: (301) 496-7344
FAX:  (301) 402-4551
Email:  ss165i@nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Ms. Catherine Blount
Grants Administration Branch
National Cancer Institute
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 243
Bethesda, MD  20892-7150
Rockville, MD  20852 (express/courier service)
Telephone:  (301) 496-7800 ext 262
FAX:  (301) 496-8601
Email:  cb136g@nih.gov

AUTHORITY AND REGULATION

This program is described in the catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.
93.398.  Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act,
Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410), as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241
and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42
CFR 52,45 CFR 92, and 45 CFR Part 74.  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 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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