SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS Release Date: July 29, 1999 PA NUMBER: PAR-99-130 National Institute of Mental Health Application Receipt Date: September 13, 1999; June 1 each year thereafter PURPOSE This program announcement is a revision of and therefore supersedes, PAR-92-78, (Revised November 1995) and will govern future competing renewals by new or currently funded SWRDC grants. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) announces the availability of support for Social Work Research Development Centers (SWRDC) focused on the development of social work research in all areas of mental health research. Each SWRDC will consist of two components, both of which are required: I. NIMH SWRDC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PLAN; and II. NIMH SWRDC RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT PROPOSAL(S). The award mechanism to be used is designed to provide the flexibility to meet unique institutional needs for developing a strong mental health research program. The overall goal is to strengthen the institutional infrastructure and to develop the capability of faculty members within academic social work settings to carry out mental health research. This is accomplished by support of research infrastructure development and research that addresses major scientific knowledge gaps and needs. The SWRDC program is in response to recommendations of the National Advisory Mental Health Council (NAMHC) in "Building Social Work Knowledge for Effective Services and Policies: A Plan for Research Development" (November 1991), the Report of a special Task Force on Social Work Research which held meetings over a period of nearly 3 years in order to analyze the current state of research education, research resources, and research development in social work. This announcement is also responsive to recommendations of the NAMHC report "Bridging Science and Service" (1998) concerning the efficacy, effectiveness, practice, and service systems research to foster integration across these fields and to expedite the implementation of research based-based practices and policies. Please see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/bridge.htm 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 PA, Social Work Research Development Centers, is related to the priority area of Mental Health and Mental Disorders. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000/ ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Only domestic public and private universities and/or colleges which award graduate degrees in social work/social welfare may apply, but the application may include undergraduate programs in social work. Women, racial/ethnic minority individuals, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. Foreign institutions are not eligible for the R24 funding mechanism. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This PA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Resource-Related Research Projects (R24) mechanism. Initial support for a SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Award (R24) may be requested for a 5-year period. If substantial progress has been achieved in the initial period and additional support is essential for developing the capacity to become a national research resource center, a second 5-year award may be requested. A SWRDC may not receive more than a total of 10 years of support through this mechanism. Allowable Costs Because the nature and scope of the research proposed in response to this program announcement may vary, it is anticipated that the size of an award will also vary. The maximum request for an Infrastructure Improvement award (R24) is $400,000 direct costs per year. Individual Research Enhancement Projects (R24) are limited to $250,000 direct costs per year. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES BACKGROUND Social work is a dynamic profession with a large and growing body of practitioners working in a diverse range of programs. The development of research and research resources within social work, however, was seen as lagging far behind the growth of the profession as a whole. This disparity was particularly evident in the mental health services field where social workers probably provide more care for the severely mentally ill than any other professional group. The amount of research in schools of social work, however, was so small that the Task Force concluded that there was a crisis in social work research. While progress has been made in achieving these goals, additional support is needed. The discipline of social work emphasizes a person-in-environment framework which focuses on complex interactions among social systems that affect clients, service organizations, and service providers. This perspective, linked to insights derived from the practice experiences of social workers in various settings, can greatly enrich the field of mental health research. To date, this potential has gone largely unrealized because of a pervasive absence in the social work field of the organizational and financial supports needed for greater participation of social workers in rigorous mental health research. Most research in social work during the past three decades has been based in the Nation's schools of social work. Research centers located in these schools offer a highly promising means of providing stimulating and productive environments in which social work researchers can interact with investigators drawn from other disciplines in the conceptualization and development of research. The September 1998 "Report on Progress in the Development of Research Resources in Social Work" documents what has been accomplished and the need for further development of research resources. The SWRDC should be planned and organized to address major scientific knowledge gaps and needs in mental health research. The substantive research focus of the improvement plan must be clearly conceptualized and developed in both the SWRDC Infrastructure Plan and in the closely inter-related SWRDC Research Enhancement Projects. Research areas of NIMH concern are described on the NIMH Home Page, www.nimh.nih.gov and specifically at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/grants/grantgen2.htm#n4 http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/index.cfm. It is the task of the applicant to identify the specific scientifically important mental health research gaps and needs that the proposed SWRDC will addressed. SWRDC PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS I. NIMH SWRDC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PLAN The NIMH Infrastructure Improvement Plan must address major scientific knowledge gaps and needs in mental health research in one or more core research areas and must have a plan for developing the research infrastructure needed to build the capacity to do research in one or more core areas. A. CORE RESEARCH AREA: Core activities, including core research, should contribute to the goal of filling major gaps in or further developing significant scientific areas in mental health research. The SWRDC must conceptualize and describe an organizing mental health research theme, or set of themes, and a research agenda that define the mission of the Center. For each theme or core area, the SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plan must review the relevant empirical and theoretical literature, identify major unresolved issues, and present a plan for developing a rigorous, theory driven, multi-disciplinary program to address research questions and clarify theory and/or practice. (If there is more than one core research area or theme, separate descriptions of each such core research area must be provided.) Each SWRDC should clearly define one or more substantive research questions or core themes that will be addressed by the SWRDC study teams. The proposed research agenda for the SWRDC must be based upon a highly integrated, multidisciplinary approach which bridges basic and applied science, and involves the most advanced technologies relevant to the research area. A SWRDC need not be limited by departmental or geographical boundaries. A research team may consist of investigators drawn from research components within a single institution or institutions which are geographically distant, to the extent that this is feasible and cost effective. The selection of a substantive mental health research area and the conceptualization and development of a core theme(s) should be justified on the basis of the public health significance of the issues to be addressed, the current state of scientific knowledge, the feasibility of doing research in the designated areas (e.g., availability of measurement instruments, populations to study), and the capacity of the applicant to conduct research in this area. The plan for each research core area must be clearly defined for the entire period of support requested. It must include descriptions of the pilot and developmental research projects to be supported by the infrastructure component and must integrate any related Research Enhancement Projects. Innovative pilot projects: SWRDC are expected to request seed money and start-up funds to support new, innovative pilot projects. Preliminary studies have the potential to provide the preliminary data needed to develop larger projects that can within a year or two compete for funds as regular research projects or as Research Enhancement Projects. Like a small grant, they should be conceptualized as leading to and being the basis for the development of the larger research grant applications. SWRDCs must provide a process of scientific review for the pilot study program. The leadership and composition of each of the multidisciplinary research teams that will be working together to develop research in each core area must be described. SWRDCs are expected to involve experienced researchers from other relevant academic departments and professional schools, in addition to social work researchers. SWRDCs are encouraged to include investigators from disciplines such as psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, nursing, education, epidemiology, statistics, sociology, economics, and public health. The Principal Investigator must serve as the Director of the SWRDC and provide scientific and administrative leadership by devoting at least 50 percent of her/his time to the SWRDC, including time spent on mental health research projects. The Center Director must be responsible for the planning, coordination, and efficient operation of the Center program, preparation of the budget, control of expenditures, staff appointments to the Center, and space allocation. He/she should be a scientist with appropriate training and experience and should have the authority and support of the institution to implement the plan effectively. Another individual may be designated as responsible for the day-to-day administration of the SWRDC. B. RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY/DEVELOPMENT: The application should describe a comprehensive and coherent plan of improvement to the institution's current research environment that will enhance the capability of investigators at the institution to carry out extramurally supported mental health research. The applicant must specify particular needs and explain how the award will enable them to advance the substantive research in the core area or areas. The Infrastructure Improvement Plan must (1) assess the current institutional and faculty capacity to conduct mental health research; (2) identify unmet needs; and (3) describe the activities to develop the institutional infrastructure and faculty capacity to conduct mental health research. The application must describe the institution's strategic plan to improve the quality of its mental health research and educational programs. It must provide details of the role that the SWRDC will play in achieving its objectives, the rationale for the selection of specific improvement strategies and their relation to the long-term institutional goals, and the improvements anticipated as a result of an SWRDC award. The applicant must describe the current institutional capacity to support mental health research and provide a summary of relevant existing research projects at the institution. The summary of current projects must include the title and substantive focus of research supported; the name and discipline of the principal investigator; names and disciplines of other participating faculty; the amount, source, and level of funding by year; the time-line for completion of each project; any cross-institutional collaboration; and the significance of each project relative to this proposal. The application must describe the collaborative research relationships and linkages under way or being established between the school of social work and researchers in other relevant disciplines. If applicable, the application should document close linkages with one or more State mental health authorities and/or one or more major public mental health agencies. Mentoring: SWRDCs are expected to provide mentoring of junior investigators by experienced mental health researchers as well as research opportunities to new and established investigators through a program of training, career development, and research apprenticeships. Special attention should be given to the recruitment of minority investigators. The full range of research training and other career mechanisms can be used. Methodology: SWRDCs are expected to provide state-of-the-art, sophisticated methodological expertise to Center-related research projects, including research design, sample development, methods and instrument development, assessment and diagnosis, statistical analysis, and primary and secondary data analysis. Data Management: SWRDCs are expected to facilitate up-to-date data processing and analysis, including secondary data analysis, development of data for public use, and timely production of research publications; Individual Faculty Development Plans: While it is expected that faculty will participate in the core research teams, the infrastructure improvement plan may include individual faculty research and research development plans which would meet each faculty member's particular needs. Such individual plans might involve: 1) a description of the specific area of mental health research the faculty member intends to pursue, including the present state of her/his knowledge and research experience in this area, the significance and importance of work in this area, and the feasibility of methods and resources for the research; 2) a description of additional training and experience (types of skills, knowledge, methods, theory, statistics, etc.) needed by the faculty member in order to further develop his/her research capability; 3) specific plans for meeting these needs (e.g., consultation and/or collaborative research with senior scientists, workshops, specialized seminars). The budget should clearly indicate the amount of support provided to junior faculty. While only domestic public and private university and/or colleges which award graduate degrees in social work/social welfare may apply for this program, it is recognized that there may be wide variation in each institution's infrastructure for assisting faculty to develop competitive mental health research programs. Therefore, in all instances, it is necessary for the institution to assess its infrastructure and propose modifications or expansion to provide an appropriate environment for developing quality mental health research programs. For an SWRDC to be effective, strong support and leadership from the Dean of the School of Social Work and from the university are also required. Documentation of this support is required with the application. Applicants from institutions which have another research center may wish to identify this center as a resource for conducting the proposed research. In such a case, a letter of agreement from the program director or principal investigator should be included with the application. Establishment of an SWRDC Advisory Committee is encouraged. The proposed organizational, administrative, and managerial relationships between the SWRDC, the School of Social Work, and the university must be addressed. Each SWRDC is expected to have an administrative structure that will contribute to efficient operation, sound financial practices, and effective use of available resources. The nature, amount, and duration of non-Federal commitment to the program, including fiscal, personnel, and facilities, should be documented. SWRDCs are developing centers which have research themes and existing collaborations, but, in contrast to regular NIMH centers, need funds to recruit additional scientists, expand core functions, or fully develop a multidisciplinary mental health research agenda. A developing center contains research planning activities and a developmental program of pilot research which will determine the specific form and direction that a fully operational research Center could take in future years. Although the level of funding of developing centers will be relatively modest and a function of the specific needs of the Center, the intent of the grant is to provide maximum flexibility to allow the achievement of its desired goals. As a developing center progresses, in terms of both the articulation of major research programs and the development of resources and facilities, applications for R01s will be expected. Developing centers should demonstrate the potential for becoming a national scientific research in particular area of mental health research. ALLOWABLE COSTS: SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plan (limited to $400,000 direct costs per year) 1. Personnel: Partial salary for core personnel, such as: Center Director for the percent of effort devoted specifically to the administrative leadership and scientific responsibilities associated with the SWRDC (effort should be distinguished from that which would normally be supported by research grants). A minimum of 50 percent of full time professional effort is required. Other resource staff, such as: biostatistician; data analysts; research and computer technicians; research assistants at various levels; research administrator for day-to-day administration of the SWRDC. Scientific and statistical collaborators and consultants, e.g.: Research expertise across departmental lines of applicant's department at applicant institution, including joint appointments. Senior scientists in other institutions for collaborative linkages. 2. Equipment: Project-specific equipment essential for the SWRDC and not otherwise available. 3. Travel: Essential travel for core scientific and clinical personnel for attendance at advanced meetings in areas of mental health research, scientific techniques, statistical analysis, or computer sciences. 4. Supplies directly related to the SWRDC and not otherwise available or included in the Facilities and Administrative Costs. 5. Other costs essential for the SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plan, such as data acquisition and storage costs, publication costs, research subjects or participant costs. All budget items must be specified in detail, including a complete justification in the application. It is expected that Center developmental efforts will lead to research proposals submitted to NIMH and other agencies by Center investigators for major mental health research projects (e.g., R01s or additional individual SWRDC research enhancement projects) as well as career development applications (e.g., training grants, fellowships, research career applications). II. SWRDC RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT PROPOSALS: In addition to the Infrastructure Improvement Plan support, the program provides support for one or more research projects by SWRDC participants. The individual projects should be designed to take advantage of the infrastructure improvement plan being supported by the program and should be an integral part of the SWRDC application. (For faculty who are not submitting or participating in a research enhancement project, the SWRDC program will support research proposal development through the Infrastructure Improvement Plan.) At least one or more individual research enhancement projects, or in exceptional cases other ongoing research projects, must be directly linked to the infrastructure improvement plan. The research enhancement projects should be well thought out and include a detailed research proposal, although it is recognized that some initial research projects may be developmental in nature. They should be thought of and conceptualized as the launching pad for a future R01 application. They should involve a learning experience for junior staff and their mentors to develop the capacity to launch serious, fundable R01 applications and as well as articles that are publishable in top journals. They need to develop both talented scientists and fundable projects. Each research enhancement project is prepared as a separate grant application and must follow the application format used for regular research projects (R01), although they will be coded R24. a. Specific Aims: Besides listing the specific objectives of the individual research enhancement project, briefly summarize how the overall objective or long-term goal of the research relates to the goals of the SWRDC as stated in the Infrastructure Improvement Plan. b. Background and Significance: In addition to discussing the overall scientific significance of the proposed research, this section must briefly summarize the relevance of the project to the scientific goals of the SWRDC. Linkages and collaboration with active researchers in other departments and/or institutions should be described. As a part of individual research enhancement projects, principal investigators are encouraged to request support for Research Assistantships for students (undergraduate and graduate) in order to involve them in research. One of the goals of the SWRDC is to involve students in research in order to encourage them to pursue careers in mental health research. Funds for assistantships, travel to professional/scientific meetings, and other related expenses may be requested. The Directors of Individual Research Enhancement Projects are responsible for the scientific conduct, administration, and implementation of the specific research enhancement projects. Allowable Costs: SWRDC Research Enhancement Project(s)(limited to $250,000 direct costs per year; since these are developmental projects which should result in the development of larger projects, applications for smaller amounts for two or three years are strongly encouraged.) 1. Personnel: Partial support for: Individual faculty percent of effort devoted to a specific research project; research assistants; Consultants or Collaborators; Senior scientists at other than the applicant organization, or, if at the applicant organization, across departmental lines. 2. Equipment: Small project-specific equipment not otherwise available. 3. Travel for the individual's specific research project, training experiences and workshop, specialized seminars, professional meetings, etc., essential for further development of research capability 4. Supplies directly related to the Research Enhancement Project for the individual faculty member--not otherwise available and not included as Facilities and Administrative costs 5. Other costs essential for the Enhancement Project--not otherwise available and not included as Facilities and Administrative costs. All budget items must be specified in detail, including a included complete justification in the application. 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 Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994 available on the web at the following URL address: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/1994/94.03.18/notice-nih-guideline008.html. 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: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html Investigators also may obtain copies of the policy from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff early in application development with any questions regarding the responsiveness of their application to the goals of this PA. A SWRDC consists of the coordinated submission of two or more separate grant applications in a single bundled package which includes (1) a single application for an NIMH SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plan, and (2) one or more applications for an NIMH SWRDC Research Enhancement Project. Each application will be reviewed independently for scientific merit as well as for its integration as a component of the SWRDC. SWRDC applications, whether new, amended or competing continuations will be accepted only on September 13, 1999, and thereafter annually on June 1. New or amended Research Enhancement Projects linked to a competing or funded Infrastructure Improvement Plan may only be submitted on September 13, 1999, or June 1 annually thereafter. Research Enhancement Projects may not be submitted as competing continuation R24 applications, but may be submitted as regular research grant applications. Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) and will be accepted as noted above. The earliest possible funding in 2000 would be March 1. Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained 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; fax: (301)480-0525, Email: GRANTSINFO@NIH.GOV. The application is also available at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plans are limited to $400,000 direct costs, and Research Enhancement Projects are limited to $250,000 direct costs. Both of these limits are below the general NIH policy requiring approval prior to the submission of grants requesting support of $500,000 or more in any year. Applications for new R24 SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Centers and competing renewal Center grants under the R24 mechanism have the following page limitations: (1) the Overview of the Center including sections on the Background, Significance, and Aims of the Center, the SWRDC Infrastructure Plan, and a brief description of each Research Core, are considered one component with a 25-page limit; and (2) a maximum of 5 additional pages per Research Core may be used to describe each Research Core and how it is expected to relate to and enhance the capabilities of the other Cores and the overall aims of the Center. For R24 applications for previously funded SWRDCs (as R24s), an additional 5 pages may be used to report on overall progress of the Center, and another 5 pages per Core to report on the progress of each Research Core during the preceding years. Each individual Research Enhancement Project (R24) application is subject to the page limitations and other restrictions stipulated in the PHS Form 398 grant application kit for R01 type grants. The title, "NIMH SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plan" or "NIMH SWRDC Research Enhancement Project" and number of the program announcement, PAR-99???, must be typed in Section 2 on the face page of the application. Cover Letter: Include a cover letter with the packaged group of applications that identifies the total number of applications in the SWRDC group and indicates the principal investigator and title of each component. The completed original set of applications and three legible copies must be sent or delivered 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 the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must also be sent to: Henry Haigler, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Activities National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6154, MSC 9609 Bethesda, MD 20892-9609 REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NIMH in accordance with the standard NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and may 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 National Advisory Mental Health Council. Review Criteria The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of bio-behavioral systems, improve the control of disease and disorder, and enhance health. In their written comments reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects of the application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. SWRDC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PLANS: (1) Public Health Significance: Does this center address an important public health problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will the knowledge base of mental health research be expanded or improved? What will be the effect of the center and its affiliated studies on fundamental advances in the development, testing, and dissemination of knowledge concerning mental health, and on social work practice and on informing public health policy? (2) Approach: Is the concept of a center fulfilled, including (a) an integrated research theme and a multidisciplinary thrust to achieve a common mission, (b) attraction of experienced investigators and development of genuine collaborations among a team of investigators with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise working together on an important scientific problem, (c) a research development component for new or mid-career investigators through research participation and career development mechanisms, (d) a process for stimulation, development, and evaluation of new pilot study proposals? Will a center approach add significantly to what could be accomplished through other modes of research support? Is the approach adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to its public health aims? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? (3) Innovation: Does the center propose to develop novel concepts, approaches, measures or methods in its research? Are the aims original and innovative? Does it effectively address important mental health issues of concern to social work? Does the center extend existing approaches or develop new methodologies or technologies in mental health research? (4) Leadership: Are the center director and other senior investigators at the forefront of their respective fields? Do they have the experience and authority necessary to organize, administer and direct the center? (5) Environment: Does the scientific, technical, and administrative environment of the center contribute to excellence and the probability of success? Does the center take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is the center able to gain access to representative samples of target populations in a variety of community and institutional settings? Is there evidence of a high level of institutional commitment and support? The initial review group will also examine: the appropriateness of proposed project budget and duration; the adequacy of plans to include both genders, 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 criteria, in accordance with NIH policy, all SWRDC applications will also be reviewed with respect to the following: o SWRDC Organization. The quality and appropriateness of the organizational structure, the quality and experience of the administrative staff, the plans for quality control through in-house consultation and outside review (e.g., Scientific Advisory Board), and the quality of the plans for the allocating and monitoring of resources; o Center Functions. The quality of the proposed research functions, including: research agenda/theory development, methodology, data management, mentoring, collaboration, community sanction/liaison, etc. The extent to which these Center functions can be expected to contribute to the quality of individual research projects developed under the Center umbrella, and to the quality of research in the field more broadly; o Community Collaboration. The quality of proposed procedures for community, institution, or agency outreach and input in developing and testing culturally competent and acceptable prevention strategies. o Appropriateness and relevance of the proposed improvement strategies to the school's and institution's needs; their compatibility with SWRDC objectives; and their potential for effecting significant and lasting improvements in academic mental health research competitiveness o The quality and extent of institutional support available to facilitate the development of the SWRDC. The nature and level of resource commitments from the home institution/department and from other participating institutions/departments are of necessity not of the level of the mature center. Nonetheless, evidence of significant commitment of long-term institutional support is needed; o The quality and significance of the planned core substantive area(s)of mental health research; adequacy of the theoretical and conceptual framework for the research as well as appropriateness of research approaches and methodology in each area; o The quality of plans to recruit excellent new research faculty, or to further integrate the work of existing investigators within the research program of the Center. The quality of its plans to recruit or re-deploy high caliber investigators, the likelihood these plans will succeed, and the probability that the developing center will lead to significant new research collaborations or multi-disciplinary integrations; o The extent to which the plan will build on the current institutional support for mental health research; will significantly augment and improve the support of mental health research; and will serve as a mechanism to expand the proposed research theme into a fully developed research agenda that will serve as a basis for becoming a major national research resource Additional Criteria for SWRDCs seeking a Competing Renewal: o The likelihood that the SWRDC will develop during the next five years of support to become a national research resource in scientifically important areas of research. o The extent to which the developing center has matured and can demonstrate that it will continue to do so. The extent to which the center has developed a significant research identity, and is evolving into a major national scientific resource; o The extent to which the SWRDC leadership has been successful in developing a strong research agenda, articulating the program of each research core, encouraging collaborations, and in developing administrative procedures and practices that foster research of the highest quality and significance; o The extent to which the SWRDC has been successful in attracting productive investigators and promising trainees to the center, and will continue to contribute to the development and enhancement of mental health research activities and research careers. RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS: Specific criteria for each project include: (1) Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? (2) Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? What is the scientific quality of the project design and methodology, including appropriateness of control or comparison groups, reliability and validity of instruments to assess key variables, methods to identify and minimize biases and threats to validity, and specification of statistical power and sample sizes (i.e., numbers of cases needed for statistical significance)? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? (3) Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? (4) Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)? Are needed and appropriate co-investigators/mentors/consultants available? (5) Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? Is the relationship to the SWRDC clear; how will it benefit from the SWRDC and how will it benefit the SWRDC? In addition to the above criteria, in accordance with NIH policy, all applications will also be reviewed with respect to the following: o The contribution of the research project to the overall development of the goals of the SWRDC o The adequacy of plans to include both genders, minorities and their subgroups, and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. o The reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research o description and justification of the extent of generalizability of findings to locations, programs, and populations other than those studied o appropriateness of the budget The initial review group will also examine the provisions for the protection of human and animal subjects, the safety of the research environment, and conformance with the NIH Guidelines for the Inclusion of Women and Minorities and Children as Subjects in Clinical Research. AWARD CRITERIA Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: program relevance, quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review, availability of funds, program balance, and Institute priority. Each Research Enhancement Project judged to have substantial merit will be eligible for funding either as an independent R24 resource-related research project grant or as a component of the proposed SWRDC; this will be determined by Institute staff. A meritorious Research Enhancement Project may be funded, in exceptional circumstances, even if the associated Infrastructure Improvement Plan is not. An SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plan application will be funded only when (1) at least one Research Enhancement Project is to be funded or is already active, or (2) in exceptional circumstances, a separately submitted but closely related regular research project (R01) is also to be funded or is already active. The maximum award for the SWRDC Infrastructure Improvement Plan is limited to $400,000 direct costs per year, plus indirect costs. Under no circumstances will a SWRDC Infrastructure Plan be funded beyond a total of 10 years from its first award. Each Research Enhancement Project will be treated as an independent research project and will be funded at a level appropriate to its scope, limited to a maximum of $250,000 direct costs per year. However, since these are developmental projects with expectation of resulting in subsequent development of larger projects, application for amounts below the maximum allowed for two or three years are very strongly encouraged. INQUIRIES Potential applicants are encouraged to contact appropriate program staff well in advance of submitting an application for peer review. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to NIMH Division most relevant for the core area of research. This may be determined at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/grants/rtcd.htm: Della M. Hann, Ph.D. Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research, and AIDS National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6219, MSC 9621 Bethesda, MD 20892-9621 Telephone: 301 443-9700 FAX: 301 443-4611 Email: dhann@nih.gov Denise Juliano-Bult, M.S.W. Division of Services and Intervention Research National Institute of Mental Health, NIH Neuroscience Center Room 7137, MSC 9631 6001 Executive Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20892-9631 Telephone: 301 443 1638 FAX: 301 443 4045 Email: djuliano@nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Diana S. Trunnell Grants Management Branch National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6115, MSC 9605 Bethesda, MD 20892-9605 Telephone: (301) 443-2805 FAX: (301) 443-6885 Email: Diana_Trunnell@nih.gov AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.242. 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 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards will be administered under PHS grants policy as stated in the NIH Grants Policy Statement (October 1, 1998). PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the nonuse 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.
Return to NIH Guide Main Index
Office of Extramural Research (OER) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
||||||||
Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files. |