Comparative Medicine
Published on AidPage by IDILOGIC on Jun 24, 2005
Purpose of this program:
The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) supports research and resource projects, as well as centers that enable biomedical scientists to use high quality, disease-free animals effectively in research on human health problems. Support is also available for the development of a wide range of other research models, particularly marine invertebrates and lower vertebrates, and access to an array of important biological materials. Special attention is given to resources which broadly support the missions of various NIH components. These objectives are accomplished through activities of National Primate Research Centers (NPRC), Laboratory Animal Science (LAS), and Biological Models and Materials Research (BMMR).
Possible uses and use restrictions...
DCM funded activities may include projects in the following areas of emphasis: (1) biotechnology (improvement of transgenic technology, cryopreservation methods, and reproductive performance); (2) normative biology (animal genetics, animal behavior, identification and characterization of non-traditional species for research, animal nutrition, and reproductive biology); (3) animal disease (detection and characterization of diseases that interfere with research and threaten animal welfare; drug and vaccine development; and development of animals genetically resistant to disease); (4) animal welfare (improved methods of evaluating and alleviating pain, distress, and discomfort; environmental enrichment; and improved housing and husbandry technology); and (5) mammalian and non-mammalian models (continued discovery and development of natural and induced models of human biology and disease). Projects include support for the eight National Primate Research Centers; resource projects to develop and maintain special colonies of laboratory animals; Special Emphasis Research Career Awards (SERCA) in comparative medicine; and National Research Service Awards (NRSA) to individuals for post-doctoral training in the field of comparative medicine. Funded activities may also include projects and centers to develop and support non-mammalian models for biomedical research, which include cell systems, lower organisms (poikilotherms) and nonbiological systems; and resources that provide materials for the research community. The goals of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program are to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. The goals of the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program are to stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.
Who is eligible to apply...
Institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other institutions and organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit, seeking to establish, continue, or enlarge programs consistent with the objectives of the program. Applicants for NRSA must be citizens of the United States or be admitted to the United States for permanent residency. Applicants must be nominated and sponsored by a public or private nonprofit institution with staff and facilities suitable for the proposed research training. Nonprofit domestic organizations may apply for the institutional NRSA. To be eligible, post-doctoral awardees must have a professional or scientific degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., or equivalent degree). SERCA awardees must have a degree in veterinary medicine (D.V.M. or equivalent) and 3 years of post-doctoral experience in comparative medicine or comparative pathology areas. To be eligible for funding, the grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and the national advisory council.
Credentials/Documentation
None is required for research grants. Individual NRSA grants require that the applicant's academic record, research experience, citizenship, institutional sponsorship, etc., be documented in the application form supplied by the Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health. Institutional NRSA grants require the institution to show the objectives, methodology and resources for the research training program, the qualifications and experience of directing staff, the criteria to be used in selecting individuals for award, and a detailed budget and justification for the grant funds requested. Costs will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart Q, OMB Circular No. A-122, "Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations," OMB Circular No. A-21 for Educational Institutions, and OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. For-profit organizations' costs are determined in accordance with 48 CFR, Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and 45 CFR, Part 92 for nonprofit organizations.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy.
For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree,
3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible.
Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they
must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications
are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs,
the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
Application forms may be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910. Telephone (301) 435-0714, e-mail: ASKNIH@odrockml.od.nih.gov. Completed applications should be submitted to the Center for Scientific Review, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7710, Bethesda, MD 20892-7710. The standard application forms PHS 398, (Rev. November 1998), as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR, Part 92, must be used for this program. For filing NRSA individual fellowship award applications, Form 416-1 (Rev. October 1991) is needed. Prior to formal application, the applicant for a NRSA must arrange for acceptance at a sponsoring institution by a mentor who will supervise the training. Individual National Research Service Awards may be sponsored by a domestic or foreign nonprofit organization. This NRSA program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR, Part 92 for State and local governments and OMB Circular No. A-110 for nonprofit organizations.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
Applications from eligible investigators and institutions are initially reviewed by review committees comprised of authorities in various fields of biomedical research. Each application is given a peer evaluation for merit, and recommendations are forwarded to the National Advisory Research Resources Council for final review and recommendation.
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check.
Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office,
or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by
intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
New Grant Applications: February 1, June 1, and October 1. Competing Renewal Grant Applications: March 1, July 1, and November 1. NRSA Applications: Individual Fellowships - April 5, August 5, and December 5.
Note:
When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will
be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received.
When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 6 to 9 months.
Preapplication Coordination
Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Note:
This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units
prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
A principal investigator (P.I.) may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of their application by communicating with NCRR staff. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeals procedures is available on the NIH home page www.nih.gov/grants/guide/1997/97.11.21/n2.html.
Note:
In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission
of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or
applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
Renewal applications are required every 1 to 5 years, depending on the grant. Council approval is required. Fellowship awards may be made for 1, 2, or 3 years. NIH fellowship support at the post- doctoral level is limited to 3 years. SERCAs are limited to 5 years.
Note:
In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
Investigators at for-profit and nonprofit hospitals, institutions of higher education, and other research institutions and organizations.
Beneficiaries
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
National Primate Research Centers: $3,428,186 to $10,421,578. Average: $7,512,000. Animal resource and resource related grants: $8,850 to $1,732,382. Average: $564,908. Research project grants: $19,231 to $746,386. Average: $328,968. SERCA: $69,457 to $123,660. Average: $99,731. Training and fellowship awards: $29,970 to $366,537. Average: $176,000.
Note:
This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
(Grants) CM: FY 01 $136,433,000; FY 02 est $153,593,000; and FY 03 est $173,115,000.
Note:
The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
75-0848-0-1-552.
Note:
Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program.
This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
Eight National Primate Research Centers are supported to provide special environments in which multi-disciplinary health-related research is conducted with nonhuman primate models. They maintain colonies of over 18,000 animals, representing 32 species of nonhuman primates, for research and breeding purposes. Projects for the characterization and development of animal models were supported, but were limited to those that displayed potential for multi-categorical utilization. Projects that attempt to establish an animal model for a specific disease should be directed to the Institute/Center of NIH that supports categorical research in that area. The etiology and control of important naturally-occurring laboratory animal diseases have been studied. Biological Models and Materials Research Resource centers were supported to provide a large variety of materials to the research community. These centers acquire, authenticate, maintain, and distribute biomaterials to both basic researchers and clinical investigators. For example, resources distribute invertebrates (such as squid, mollusks, and nematodes), cultures of microorganisms, cell lines, fungi, yeast, hybridomas, cloned genes, DNA probes and libraries, and recombinant DNA and oncogenes. Also supported is a project to collect data on the genes and metabolism of the bacterium Escherichia coli and to encodethis information in a computer database that allows investigators to access genetic metabolic data in a graphic, user-friendly manner.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
In fiscal year 2001, support was provided for eight National Primate Research Centers, 87 animal resource and resource related grants; 63 research project grants, 26 Special Emphasis Research Career Awards (SERCA) and 22 training and fellowship awards. In fiscal year 2002, it is estimated that support will be provided for eight National Primate Research Centers, 93 animal resource and resource related grants, 55 research project grants, 32 SERCA, and 22 training and fellowship awards. In fiscal year 2003, support is planned for eight National Primate Research Centers, 108 animal resource and resource related grants, 62 research project grants, 36 SERCA, and 22 training and fellowship awards.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
From 1 to 5 years before renewal. SERCAs are limited to 5 years of support.
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Progress reports and financial status reports are required to be submitted within 90 days of the end of the budget period. Final performance and financial status reports are required 90 days following the end of the project period. Reports are required after termination of NRSA to ascertain compliance with the service and payback provisions.
Note:
This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.
Note:
This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency.
The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133.
These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year,
as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period,
rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
Expenditures and other financial records must be retained for 3 years from the day on which the grantee submits the last expenditure report for the report period.
Note:
This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require.
Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office.
For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C.
For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Public Health Service Act; Titles III and IV, Sections 301, 479, 480, and 487, as amended; Public Laws 78-410 and 99- 158; 42 U.S.C. 241, 287, 287a, and 288, as amended; Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992; Public Law 102-564.
Note:
This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
OMB Circular No. A-21, "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions." Reference: 44 FR 12368, March 6, 1979; Rev. No. 1, 47 FR 33658, August 3, 1982; Rev. No. 2, 51 FR 20908, June 9, 1986. OMB Circular No. A-110, "Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations." Reference: 41 FR 32016, July 30, 1976. OMB Circular No. A-122, "Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations." Reference: 45 FR 46022, July 8, 1980. 45 CFR 74; 45 CFR 92; 42 CFR 66; 42 CFR 52h. Department Staff Manual "Grants Administration"; Indirect Cost Register, PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publications No. (OASH) 94-50,000 (Rev.) April 1, 1994. "NIH Grants Policy Guide," Office for Protection from Research Risks, NIH; "A Guide to Grant and Award Programs of the NIH"; "Comparative Medicine Program Information for Applicants"; and miscellaneous program guidelines and literature are available from the Headquarters Office.
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