Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Grants, 22342-22351 [05-8465]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 82 (Friday, April 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22342-22351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8465]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Grants

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Announcement: HHS-2005-IHS-NARCH-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (s): 93.933.
    Key Dates: Release Date: May 2005. Letter of Intent Deadline: 
August 1, 2005. Application Deadline Date: September 14, 2005. Review 
Date: November 2005. Earliest Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2006.
    Due Dates for E.O. 12372: Not Applicable.

Summary

    The Indian Health Service (IHS), with the National Institute of 
General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health 
announces an initiative to support the Native American Research Centers 
for Health (NARCH) grant. This funding mechanism will develop 
opportunities for conducting research and research training to meet the 
needs of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The 
estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of support 
for the entire initiative is expected to be over $2.2 million in FY 
2006. The actual amount may vary, depending on the response to the 
Request for Applications (RFA) and the availability of funds. Eligibles 
include federally-recognized Indian Tribes, Tribally sanctioned non-
profit Tribal organizations, Non-profit national or area Indian health 
boards, and consortiums of two or more of those Tribes, Tribal 
organizations, or health boards.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of the RFA

    The NARCH initiative will support partnerships between AI/AN Tribes 
or Tribally-based organizations such as the National Indian Health 
Board and Area Health Boards, and institutions that conduct intensive 
academic-level biomedical, behavioral and health services research. 
These partnerships are called Native American Research Centers for 
Health (NARCH). The purposes of the NARCH initiative are:
    1. To develop a cadre of AI/AN scientists and health professionals 
engaged in biomedical, clinical, behavioral and health services 
research who will be competitive in securing

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National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding;
    2. To increase the capacity of both research-intensive institutions 
and AI/AN organizations to work in partnership to reduce distrust by 
AI/AN communities and people toward research; and
    3. To encourage competitive research linked to the health 
priorities of the AI/AN organizations and to reducing health 
disparities. These purposes will be achieved by supporting student 
development projects, faculty/researcher development projects, and 
research projects (including pilot projects) developed by each NARCH 
partnership.

Background

    The AI/AN Tribal nations and communities have long experienced 
poorer health status than other Americans. Although major gains of 
reducing health disparities were made in the last half of the twentieth 
century, most gains stopped by the mid 1980s (Trends in Indian Health 
1998-99) and a few diseases, e.g., diabetes, worsened. ``All Indian'' 
rates contain marked variation among the ``IHS Areas'' or regions 
(Regional Differences in Indian Health 1998-99); variation by Tribe 
exists within Areas as well. The Trends and Regional Differences 
reference can be found at the IHS Web site at https://www.ihs.gov/
publicInfo/publications/index.asp. Although the ``All Indian'' 
mortality rates for all cancers are about 20 percent lower than the 
U.S. rates for all races, there is variation among IHS Areas for 
specific cancers; moreover, the favorable AI/AN mortality rates for 
some cancers may be due to markedly lower incidence rates partly offset 
by higher case-fatality rates. Unfamiliarity with modern health care 
may adversely influence health status among the elderly, the low-income 
elderly, and Tribes, and also may reduce the acceptability of health 
research among them. The daunting tasks confronting Tribes, 
researchers, and health care and public health programs in the 
beginning of the twenty-first century are to resume the reduction of 
health disparities that had occurred up to the 1980s, to reverse the 
worsening in a few diseases, to maintain and strengthen the favorable 
status, and to reduce the disparities among and within Areas and 
Tribes. Factors known to contribute to health status and disparities 
are complex, and include underlying biology, physiology, and genetics, 
as well as ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, gender/sex, age, 
geographical access to care, and levels of insurance.
    Additional factors known to contribute to health status and 
disparities include:
    1. Family, home, and work environments;
    2. General or culturally specific health practices;
    3. Social support systems;
    4. Lack of access to culturally-appropriate health care; and
    5. Attitudes toward health.
    Yet none of these alone or in combination accounts for all 
documented differences. Health disparities of AI/ANs may also reflect a 
lack of research relevant to improve their health status. Many AI/ANs 
distrust research for historical reasons. One approach that combats 
this distrust is to ensure that Tribes are senior partners in training 
and research that involves them, as for example in community-based 
participatory research. This approach is especially helpful to design 
both training relevant to researchers from Tribal communities, and 
research relevant to the health needs of the communities.
    Research Objectives: Due to the complexity of factors contributing 
to the health and disease of AI/ANs, and to their health disparities 
compared with other Americans, the collaborative efforts of the 
agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the 
collaboration of researchers and AI/AN communities, are needed to 
achieve significant improvements in the health status of AI/AN people. 
To accomplish this goal, in addition to objectives set by the Tribe, 
Tribal Organization or Indian Health Board, the IHS NARCH program will 
pursue the following program objectives:
    A. To Develop a Cadre of AI/AN Scientists and Health 
Professionals--Offering opportunities to develop more AI/AN scientists 
and health professionals engaged in research, and to conduct 
biomedical, clinical, behavioral and health services research that is 
responsive to the needs of the AI/AN community and the goals of this 
initiative; Faculty/researchers and students at each proposed NARCH 
will develop investigator-initiated, scientifically meritorious 
research projects, including pilot research projects, and will be 
supported through science education projects designed to increase the 
numbers of, and to improve the research skills of, AI/AN investigators 
and investigators involved with AI/ANs.
    B. To Enhance Partnerships--Recent community-based participatory 
research suggests that AI/AN communities can work collaboratively in 
partnership with health researchers to further the research needs of 
AI/ANs. Fully utilizing all cultural and scientific knowledge, 
strengths, and competencies, such partnerships can lead to better 
understanding of the biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, 
cultural, social, and economic factors either promoting or hindering 
improved health status of AI/ANs, and generate the development and 
evaluation of interventions to improve their health status.
    C. To Reduce Health Disparities--In the amended Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act, Public Law (Pub. L.) 94-437, IHS was legislatively 
mandated to improve the delivery of effective health care to AI/ANs. In 
the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, NIH was encouraged to increase the 
number of under-represented minorities participating in biomedical, 
clinical, and behavioral research, including studies on drug abuse and 
alcoholism, and the examination of the role of resiliency in the 
prevention and treatment of those conditions. Also, the ``Initiative To 
Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health'' by HHS (https://
www.omhrc.gov/rah) encouraged NIH to help reduce health disparities. In 
response to these priorities, the IHS and NIH have established a 
collaboration to support Native American Research Centers for Health.
    Reducing health disparities among AI/AN communities and individuals 
may be fostered by greater understanding of how to enhance their 
strengths and resilience. While AI/AN communities have relied on health 
research and medical science to reduce health disparities, they also 
have relied on their own psychological, organizational, and cultural 
assets and strengths to survive major harms and disruptions over the 
centuries, and to rebound from insults to health.
    The mission of NIH is to acquire new knowledge that will lead to 
better health by understanding the processes underlying health and 
disease that in turn will help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat 
disease and disability. The NARCH initiative works toward the NIH 
mission by supporting research that discovers the interrelationships 
among the many factors that contribute to health and disease, and by 
helping train and promote researchers concerned with AI/AN health.

II. Award Information

1. Mechanism(s) of Support

    Awards under this initiative will be administered using the 
competing institutional grant mechanism of the IHS. This funding 
opportunity will be

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reviewed using the NIH SO6 mechanisms. The responsibility for planning, 
directing, and executing the program, as well as data acquisition and 
analysis and evaluation of the proposed program, lies with the 
applicant organization.

2. Funds Available

    The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of 
support for the entire initiative is expected to be over $ 2.2 million 
in Fiscal Year 2006. The actual amount may vary, depending on the 
response to the RFA and availability of funds. An application may 
request a project period not to exceed four years of support, and 
direct costs not to exceed $800,000 in the first year. Direct costs to 
the applicant include the entire cost of each subcontract--that is, 
each subcontract's direct cost plus the subcontract's appropriate 
Facilities and Administration (F&A) cost. Because it is anticipated 
that all budget requests will exceed $250,000, the modular grant 
requirements would not apply to this RFA.
    The maximum grant period may not exceed four years, with the 
opportunity for a competing renewal at the end of that period.

III. Eligibility Information

    The proposed NARCH must be a working partnership of the AI/AN 
organization and of the research-intensive institution. Applicants 
eligible to receive a NARCH award are the AI/AN organizations of the 
partnerships. As the grantee, the AI/AN organization will define 
criteria and eligibility for participation in all aspects of the 
partnership, consistent with this announcement. A minimum of 30 percent 
of the grant funds must remain with that AI/AN organization, that is, 
no more than 70 percent may be subcontracted to other institutions or 
organizations.

1. Eligible Applicants

    The AI/AN applicant must be one of the following:
    A. A federally recognized Indian Tribe; or
    B. A Tribally sanctioned non-profit Tribal organization; or
    C. A non-profit national or area Indian health board; or
    D. A consortium of two or more of those Tribes, Tribal 
organizations, or health boards.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Cost sharing or matching is not required.

3. Other Requirements

A. The Research-Intensive Partner
    The Research-Intensive Partner must be an accredited public or 
private nonprofit university or other institution that has an 
established record of conducting research into the health problems of 
AI/AN; has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the capability of AI/
AN faculty/researchers, students, investigators, and communities to 
engage in biomedical, behavioral, clinical and health services 
research; and has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring AI/AN faculty/
researchers, students, and investigators.
B. Principal Investigator
    The Principal Investigator, the individual responsible for the 
administration (including fiscal management) of the overall project, 
must have his/her primary appointment with the AI/AN applicant 
organization. Special arrangements of employment, such as inter-
organizational personnel agreements, are permissible. The Principal 
Investigator may be, but is not required to be, the NARCH Program 
Director or a Research Project Investigator.
C. NARCH Program Director
    The NARCH Program Director is the individual responsible for the 
day-to-day leadership and management of the research and training 
programs within the proposed NARCH. The Program Director may be, but is 
not required to be, the Student and Faculty/Researcher Development 
Director or a Research Project Investigator.
D. Student and Faculty/Researcher Development Director and Participants
    The NARCH initiative is an institutional developmental grant 
mechanism that places an emphasis on the continual development of 
students and faculty/researchers. In order to be included as the 
Student and Faculty Development Director, the prospective director must 
have a faculty/researcher appointment at the research-intensive 
institution or equivalent appointment at the AI/AN organization or 
other consortium partner, and must demonstrate that he/she has the 
knowledge, skills, and capabilities to mentor students and faculty/ 
researchers and to generate and direct development and mentoring 
programs.
    The Student and Faculty Development Director may be the NARCH 
Program Director. Faculty/researchers and students should be supported 
in research education activities that improve their skills and 
abilities to be successful at the next stage of their professional 
development. To be included as a participant for faculty/researcher 
development in the proposed NARCH, the individual must have a faculty/
researcher appointment at the research-intensive institution or 
equivalent appointment at the AI/AN organization or other consortium 
partner.
E. Research Project Investigators
    The NARCH initiative is an institutional developmental grant 
mechanism that places an emphasis on continual improvement of the 
research competitiveness of the research investigators. In order to be 
included as a research project investigator in the proposed NARCH, a 
prospective investigator must have a faculty appointment at the 
research-intensive institution or equivalent appointment at the AI/AN 
organization or other consortium partner, and must show that he/she has 
the need, based on institutional, departmental, and professional 
development plans, to enhance his/her research knowledge, skills, and 
capabilities by engaging in the proposed research program and 
associated activities.
F. Tribal Approval of the Application
    It is the policy of the IHS that all research involving AI/AN 
Tribes be approved by the Tribal governments with jurisdiction. 
Therefore, the following documentation is required as part of the 
application:
     For a federally recognized Indian Tribe--a resolution of 
support from the Tribal government must be part of the application. 
Applications that involve more than one Indian Tribe must include 
resolutions of support from all participating Tribes. For an eligible 
consortium of Tribes--a resolution of support from each Tribe of the 
consortium must be included.
     For a Tribally sanctioned non-profit Tribal organization--
specific Tribal resolution(s) of support will not be required if the 
current Tribal resolution(s) under which the organization operates 
encompasses the proposed application. (A copy of the current 
operational resolution(s) must be submitted with the application.)
    An official signed resolution must be received by the Division of 
Grants Operations, IHS, at the Reyes Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 
100, Rockville, MD 20852. A grant will not be awarded unless the signed 
resolution is received.
    For a Non-profit national or area Indian health board, or a 
consortium of those eligible Indian health boards--a

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resolution is not required. However, the applicant organization must 
submit a letter of support signed by the executive director of each 
health board involved, specifically citing the research project 
proposed. Each AI/AN organization that derives benefit from the grant 
must also submit such a letter.
G. Mechanism of Support
    Awards under this initiative will be administered using the 
competing institutional grant mechanism of the IHS, and will be 
reviewed using the NIH S06 mechanism.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    NARCH Program Official, Reyes Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, 
Rockville, MD 20852. Applicants are strongly encouraged to establish 
eligibility of their proposed applications prior to submission. 
Inquiries about eligibility should be addressed to Timothy L. Taylor, 
Ph.D., at (301) 443-1549. The application package will be posted on the 
IHS Research Program Web site, at: https://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/
Research/narch.cfm.
    The NIH PHS 398 application instructions are available at: https://
grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive 
format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of the PHS 
398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435-
0714, E-mail: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. Telecommunications for the hearing 
impaired: TTY 301-451-0088.
    There will be no acknowledgment of receipt of the application.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    A. A proposed NARCH may include any or all of the following 
components: student development projects; faculty/researcher 
development projects; research projects (including pilot projects); and 
``core'' administrative facility.
    B. The content of the application should explain the components of 
the application, and how they help meet the purposes of the NARCH 
initiative. A description should be provided of the current state of 
the research and research training enterprise at the proposed NARCH and 
its institutional and community partners, including faculty/researcher 
and student profiles.
    A clear statement should be presented of the overall goals, 
specific measurable objectives, and anticipated milestones. These 
elements should be presented in the context of needed improvements in 
the partners' organizational infrastructure and environment for 
research.
    Documentation should be provided to establish that the research-
intensive partner is an institution with a record of conducting 
research into the health of AI/ANs, and that it has a demonstrated 
commitment to the special encouragement of, and assistance to, AI/AN 
faculty/researchers, students, investigators, and communities for 
enhancing their capacity to engage in biomedical, behavioral and health 
services research. Documentation about the nature of the partnership 
itself should be included, such as: The process to develop the 
application and proposed NARCH itself, the past and future efforts to 
increase the capacity of the partners to improve their partnership, and 
to contribute to the success of the NARCH.
    A plan for assessment of the benefits of the activities by the 
proposed NARCH on specific, measurable outcomes identified in the 
application should be provided. IHS and NIGMS recognize that Tribes, 
Tribally-based organizations, and research-intensive institutions are 
diverse in their missions, their health and economic status, and their 
cultures. Such an assessment could include a self-study by the proposed 
NARCH and its partners, which focuses on fact-finding, program 
evaluation, and recommendations for improvement in key areas.
    Strategies for determining the initial and ongoing success of their 
efforts for organizational development should also be presented. It is 
expected that each proposed NARCH will develop its own set of 
strategies that best match its circumstances. Guidance and suggestions 
for program evaluation of a proposed NARCH can be obtained from https://
www.the-aps.org/education/promote/promote.html.
    Applicants are strongly urged to contact NARCH initiative staff at 
an early stage to request the specific supplementary instructions for 
the PHS 398 for the NARCH grants. Supplementary instructions may be 
obtained from the initiative contacts listed under VII. Agency 
Contacts, and will be posted at: https://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/
Research/narch.cfm.
``DUNS'' Number
    Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant 
application instructions and forms (revised 9/2004). As of October 1, 
2003, applications must have a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number as the Universal Identifier when 
applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The DUNS number 
can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the Web site at 
https://www.dunandbradstreet.com/. The DUNS number should be entered on 
line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form. The PHS 398 document is 
available at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in 
an interactive format. For further assistance contact Grants Info, 
Telephone (301) 435-0714, e-mail: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. Internet 
applications for a DUNS number can take up to 30 days and this could 
cause organizations to lose opportunities to apply, or delay them until 
the next round. It is significantly faster to obtain one by phone. You 
will need the following information to request a DUNS number:
     Organization name.
     Organization address.
     Organization telephone number.
     Name of CEO, Executive Director, President, etc. (The 
person in charge.)
     Legal structure of the organization.
     Year organization started.
     Primary business (activity) line.
     Total number of employees.
    C. The RFA label available at https://grants1.nih.gov/grants/
funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf in the PDF format, must be affixed to the 
bottom-face page of the application. Type this RFA number: ``NOT GM-04-
107'' on the label. Failure to use this label could delay processing 
the application and it may not reach the review committee in time for 
review. In addition, the ``Native American Research Centers for 
Health'' and the RFA number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of 
the application form and the YES box must be marked.
    D. If Student Development Projects are proposed, the NARCH 
application should describe new programs, modifications or additions to 
existing programs of the partners that encourage and facilitate AI/AN 
students to enter, advance, and remain in research careers. Such 
projects might include, but are not limited to, providing employment as 
research assistants in research projects of research-active mentors 
with an explicit mentoring plan, providing other mentoring with an 
explicit mentoring plan, providing workshops to improve technical or 
communication skills, providing motivating seminars or journal clubs 
highlighting problems of interest to students, providing contact with 
role models, and providing opportunities to travel to present results 
at national scientific meetings. If research mentorships or 
apprenticeships are proposed, the application should

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clearly document the experience, proposed commitment, and quality of 
the mentors in providing guidance and advice to students (including 
responsible conduct of research and research integrity, teaching, and 
protection of human subjects), and in fostering the development of 
academic and/or community-based AI/AN researchers.
    The application should describe how the development plans for the 
student will meet both the individual's professional development goals, 
and one purpose of the NARCH initiative: To develop a cadre of AI/AN 
scientists and health professionals. The application must have an 
evaluation plan for the project(s) that indicates the anticipated 
outcomes relative to the current baseline data. For example, one 
outcome might be the improved retention of students in science majors. 
The application should indicate the anticipated (quantitative) 
improvement relative to the current retention rate.
    A student in a NARCH Student Development Project must be a full-
time or part-time student officially enrolled in an educational program 
leading to an undergraduate or graduate degree, or in a post-doctoral 
educational program, or (if well justified) in late high school. A 
helpful book about mentoring science students is found at https://
books.nap.edu/catalog/5789.html.
    E. If Faculty/Researcher Development Projects are proposed, the 
NARCH application should describe the need, proposed activity, and 
anticipated outcomes. Faculty/researcher development projects might 
include, but are not limited to, short-term mentored research 
experiences in the lab of an active NIH-extramurally-funded researcher 
with an explicit mentoring plan, long-term general mentoring under an 
explicit mentoring plan, or attendance at workshops or courses or 
national meetings needed for acquiring specific skills or methodologies 
needed for prospective research. As with student development projects, 
the application should document the experience, proposed commitment, 
and quality of the mentors, teachers, or experience in providing 
guidance and advice to faculty/researchers, and in fostering the 
development of academic and community-based AI/AN research. The 
application must also describe the evaluation plan for the faculty/
researcher development project. The application must clearly describe 
how the development plans for faculty/researchers will meet both the 
individual's professional development goals, and two purposes of the 
NARCH initiative:
     To develop a cadre of AI/AN scientists and health 
professionals, and
     To enhance the partnership of the proposed NARCH.
    F. NARCH applications may include a maximum of five (5) regular 
Research Projects and a maximum of five (5) Pilot Research Projects. 
Unlike regular research projects, a pilot research project is limited 
in scope and is not expected to have preliminary data. It is also 
limited to a budget of no more than $50,000 direct costs per year for 
four years. The pilot research project is intended for faculty/
researchers without current Federal research support. Support for 
faculty/researchers participating in pilot research projects is 
preparatory to seeking more substantial funding from NIH research grant 
programs (e.g., Academic Research Enhancement Award [AREA], K, and R01 
awards), as well as funding from other agencies and private sources. 
Funds received from the proposed NARCH to support pilot research 
projects may not be used to supplement ongoing research projects. A 
NARCH application need not include both research projects and pilot 
research projects. Applications for only pilot research projects or for 
only research projects may be submitted. Individual project 
investigators may propose either a research project or a pilot research 
project, but not both.
    Research projects (including pilot research projects) proposed 
under this initiative must be in research areas normally funded by any 
of the National Institutes of Health. Research projects addressing 
health disparities and the health priorities of the AI/AN partner are 
especially encouraged.
    A listing of grants recently funded by NIH may be found at CRISP 
(Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects), a 
searchable database of federally funded biomedical research projects 
conducted at universities, hospitals, and other research institutions. 
It may be accessed at ( https://ott.od.nih.gov/crisp.html).
    Each research project or pilot research project should follow the 
instructions provided in PHS 398 (revised 9/2004) for preparing 
research grant applications. The professional development goals must 
clearly describe specific objectives and milestones which should 
include, but are not limited to, improving competitiveness in acquiring 
grant support. The applicant should describe how successful completion 
of the proposed research project will improve the research skills, and 
will help develop the students and faculty/researchers, thus 
contributing to the overall goals and specific measurable objectives of 
the proposed NARCH.
    Each research project or pilot research project must follow the IHS 
policy concerning Tribal approval, that all research involving AI/AN 
Tribes be approved by the Tribal governments with jurisdiction. That 
is, each grantee must include a resolution of approval from the Tribal 
government[s], or (if applicable) a letter of support signed by the 
director of the eligible AI/AN organization, or both (if applicable) 
for projects that involve people or community[ies] of an AI/AN Tribe, 
or an eligible non-profit organization.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    A. Letter of Intent Deadline: August 1, 2005.
    Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that 
includes the title of the proposed NARCH, the name, address, and 
telephone number of the Principal Investigator and its Program 
Director, the identities of the partners and of key personnel, and the 
number and title of this RFA.
    The letter of intent should be received before 6 p.m. EST on May 1, 
2005, by Mushtaq A. Khan, D.V.M., Ph.D., Chief, Digestive and 
Respiratory Sciences IRGs, Center for Scientific Review, MSC 7818, Room 
2176; 6701 Rockledge Drive; Bethesda, MD 20892 (20817 for Fed Ex)Phone: 
(301) 435-1778; Fax (301) 451-2043; E-Mail: KHANM@CSR.NIH.GOV.
    Letters may be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail. Although a letter 
of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the 
review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains 
allows the IHS and NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) staffs to 
estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest 
in the review.
    B. Application Deadline: September 14, 2005.
    The applications must be received before 6 p.m. EST on September 
14, 2005. If an application is received after that date, it will be 
returned to the applicant without review. To be considered timely, an 
application must be sent on or before the deadline date. If sent timely 
(with documented proof of mailing) but received after the deadline, an 
application will be accepted for review only if it is received in time 
for orderly processing. Competing applications not meeting the deadline 
date specified in the announcement are considered late applications and 
will not be considered for funding under that announcement. The Center 
for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any application in response 
to this RFA that

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is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless 
the applicant withdraws the pending application. The CSR will not 
accept any application that is essentially the same as one already 
reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial 
revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must 
include an introduction addressing the previous critique.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' A State approval is 
not required.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Grantees are allowed a reasonable period of time in which to submit 
required financial and performance reports. Failure to submit required 
reports within the time allowed may result in suspension or termination 
of an active grant, withholding of additional awards for the project, 
or other enforcement actions such as withholding of payments or 
converting to the reimbursement method of payment. Continued failure to 
submit required reports may result in the imposition of special award 
provisions, or cause other eligible projects or activities involving 
that grantee organization, or the individual responsible for the 
delinquency to not be funded. Failure to obtain prior approval for 
change in Scope, Principal Investigator, Grantee Institutions, 
Successor in Interest, or Recipient Institute Name, undertaking any 
activities disapproved or restricted as a condition of the award, may 
result in fund restrictions.

6. Other Submission Requirement

    The administrative personnel, facilities, and programs of the 
overall NARCH should be described. It is permissible, but not necessary 
to have a set of core support programs that provide common scientific 
services to two or more NARCH projects. Submit a typed and signed 
original application, including the Checklist, and one (1) single-sided 
photocopy of the entire application (including Appendices and 
supporting documents) in one package to: Grants Management Branch, 
Indian Health Service, Reyes Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 100, 
Rockville, MD 20852-1627 (zip code is unchanged for express/courier 
services), Telephone: (301) 443-5204.
    Also, at the time of submission, send four (4) additional single-
sided photocopied and signed applications, including the Checklist, 
Appendices, and supporting documentation to: Center for Scientific 
Review, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 
6160--MSC 7892, Bethesda, MD 20892-7720, Bethesda, MD 20817 (for 
express or courier service). Telephone: (301) 435-0715.

V. Application Review Information

    Upon receipt, IHS and NIH staff will administratively review 
applications for completeness and responsiveness. Applications that are 
incomplete, non-responsive to this RFA, or do not follow the guidelines 
of the PHS form 398 (revised 9/2004) or of the supplementary 
instructions for NARCH grants, will be returned to the applicant 
without further consideration. Applications will be evaluated in 
accordance with the criteria stated below for scientific and technical 
merit by appropriate peer review groups convened by the CSR. The 
National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council will conduct the 
second level of review.

1. Criteria

    Priorities for funding will be based on the scientific and 
technical merit of the application, the assessed potential of 
investigators in the developmental stages of their careers, and the 
likelihood that the proposed NARCH can further the purposes of the 
NARCH initiative. Awards will be made only to organizations with 
financial management systems and management capabilities that are 
acceptable under PHS policy. Awards will be administered under the PHS 
Grants Policy Statement.

2. Review and Selection Process

A. Review of Student and Faculty/Researcher Development Plans
    The anticipated effectiveness of the proposed NARCH in making a 
difference relative to the current base-line data (based in part on 
previous experience of the partners) will be assessed. Factors to be 
considered include:
    The appropriateness of the content, phasing, quality, and duration 
of the student or faculty/researcher development plans in the NARCH 
application to achieve the scientific development of the faculty/
researcher, post-doctoral, pre-doctoral, undergraduate, and (if well 
justified) high school students; andThe experience, proposed 
commitment, and quality of the mentoring plan and of individual mentors 
of the partners in providing mentoring, guidance, and advice to 
candidates (including training in responsible conduct of research and 
research integrity, teaching, and protection of human subjects), and in 
fostering the development of academic and community-based AI/AN 
researchers.
B. Review of Research Projects
    The NIH has announced procedures to be used for the review of 
research grant applications (NIH Guide, Volume 26, Number 22, June 27, 
1997 or see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-
010.html and https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-05-
002.html (for additional updated information). For NARCH applications, 
the five criteria listed in this announcement will be used for the 
scientific review of research projects and pilot research projects. The 
review of research projects and pilot research projects will be the 
same except that applications for pilot studies may be smaller in scope 
and would not be expected to have preliminary data.
    In the 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 purposes. Each of these criteria will be addressed and 
considered in assigning the overall score, weighting them as 
appropriate for each application.
     Significance: Does this study address an important 
problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will 
scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the 
effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, 
treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this 
field?
     Approach: Are the conceptual or clinical framework, 
design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, 
well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the 
applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative 
tactics?
     Innovation: Is the project original and innovative? For 
example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms or clinical 
practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to 
progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel 
concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this 
area?
     Investigators: Are the investigators 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? Does the investigative

[[Page 22348]]

team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project (if 
applicable)?
     Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the 
work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the 
proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific 
environment, or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative 
arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support?
    In addition to the above criteria, in accordance with NIH policy, 
all applications will also be reviewed with respect to the following:
     The adequacy of plans, if research on human subjects is 
involved, to include both genders and children as appropriate for the 
scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and 
retention of subjects will also be evaluated.
     The reasonableness of the proposed budget and duration in 
relation to the proposed research.
     The adequacy of the proposed protection for humans, 
animals or the environment, to the extent they may be adversely 
affected by the project proposed in the application.
     The adequacy of the proposed plan to share data, if 
appropriate.
    In reviewing the overall Center, the initial scientific review 
group will examine evidence of the partners' commitment to the purposes 
of the NARCH initiative to develop a cadre of AI/AN scientists and 
health professionals engaged in biomedical, clinical, behavioral and 
health services research that is competitive for Federal funding; to 
increase the capacity of both research-intensive institutions and AI/AN 
organizations to work in partnership to reduce distrust by AI/AN 
communities and people toward research; and to encourage competitive 
research linked to the health priorities of the AI/AN partner and to 
reducing health disparities.
    The evidence will include:
     The quality of the partnership of the institutional and 
community partners, and the quality of the involvement of the Community 
and Scientific Advisory Council, as demonstrated by documentation of 
(for instance): The intellectual and tangible contributions and 
activities of the partners, and of the Council, in developing the 
application and the proposed NARCH; the interactions of the partners, 
and of the members of the Council, in meetings (such as those to 
develop the application and proposed NARCH); the past activities and 
future plans to increase the capacity of the partners and of the 
Council; the plans for future contributions and activities by the 
partners, and by the Council, in furthering the goals of the proposed 
NARCH; and the plans for future development of the partnership itself;
     The experience and commitment of the institutional and 
community partners to recruit, retain, and advance AI/AN faculty/ 
researcher and students, to support faculty/researcher and student 
research efforts, and to increase the role of the involved AI/AN 
communities in the plans of the proposed NARCH;
     The appropriateness of the plan for evaluating the impact 
of the proposed NARCH, including the quality of baseline data and 
milestones for accomplishments, and a system to track the future course 
of program participants; and
     The potential of the proposed NARCH to be a regional and 
national resource, including: Capacity to provide quality research 
training and mentoring for integrated promotion and development of AI/
AN research careers from undergraduate (or if well justified, high 
school) through post-doctoral levels; attainment of quality research 
linked to health priorities of the AI/AN partner and to reducing health 
disparities; plans for research information dissemination and education 
activities; and plans for the development of research networks to 
support the scientific aims of the proposed NARCH.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Anticipated Announcement Date: May 2005.
    Earliest Anticipated Award Date: June 1, 2006.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Grants Management will not award a grant without an approved 
application in conformance with regulatory and policy requirements and 
which describes the purpose and scope of the project to be funded. When 
the application is approved for funding, the Grants Management Office 
will prepare a Notice of Grant Award with special terms and conditions 
binding upon the award and refer to all general terms applicable to the 
award.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Authority and Regulations
    This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance at: https://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the 
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or 
Health Systems Agency review. Awards are made under the authorization 
of 301(A) and 405 of the Public Health Service Act. Awards will be 
subject to OMB Circulars, HHS Grant Regulations at 45 CFR Parts 74 and 
92. The grant will be administered under the PHS Grants Policy 
Statement and other applicable agency policies, IHS and NIH policies 
and procedures. Also, see Senate Appropriations Committee Report, No. 
92-316, July 29, 1971, Executive Order 12900, Educational Excellence 
for Hispanic Americans February 22, 1994, Executive Order 12876, 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, November 1, 1993, and 
Executive Order 13021, October 21, 1996, and Outline of Work Plan, 
August 18, 1998, White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and 
Universities. Applications are not subject to the intergovernmental 
review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency 
review.
A. 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, clinical, behavioral and health services 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 
Pub. L. 103-43). Because the NARCH initiative targets AI/AN people and 
communities, a minority population, only the policy of inclusion of 
women applies to this RFA. The IHS has fully accepted the OHRP policy 
regarding human subjects. The OHRP Web site is https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/
. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should 
read the UPDATED ``NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities 
as Subjects in Clinical Research,'' published in the NIH Guide for 
Grants and Contracts on August 2, 2000(https://grants.nih.gov/grants/
guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html). The complete Guidelines are 
available at: https://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/
guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm. The revisions relate to NIH defined 
Phase III clinical trials and require:
     All applications or proposals and/or protocols to provide 
a description of plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address 
differences by

[[Page 22349]]

sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if 
applicable; and
     All investigators to report accrual, and to conduct and 
report analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic 
group differences.
B. 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 or ethical reasons 
not to include them. This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) 
applications submitted. 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 may obtain copies of these policies from the 
initiative staff listed under VII. Agency Contact. Initiative staff may 
also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy.
C. URLS in NIH Grant Applications or Appendices
    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.
D. Public Access To Research Data Through the Freedom of Information 
Act
    The OMB Circular A-110 has been revised to provide public access to 
research data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under some 
circumstances. Data that are:
     First produced in a project that is supported in whole or 
in part with Federal funds; and
     Cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in 
support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a 
regulation) may be accessed through FOIA.
    It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope of 
this amendment. NIH has provided guidance at: https://grants.nih.gov/
grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm. Applicants may wish to 
place data collected under this RFA in a public archive, which can 
provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an 
indefinite period of time. If so, the application should include a 
description of the archiving plan in the study design and include 
information about this in the budget justification section of the 
application. In addition, applicants should think about how to 
structure informed consent statements and other human subjects 
procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under 
this award.
E. Allowable Administrative Costs
    Certain administrative costs for managing a comprehensive program 
are allowable and may vary, depending upon the size and complexity of 
the program's activities. The costs budgeted for NARCH grants and 
subcontracts may not duplicate items already budgeted in other cost 
centers of the AI/AN, research-intensive, and subcontracted 
organizations and institutions, such as accounts which make up the 
Facilities and Administration (F&A) cost pool. The grantee organization 
receiving the award must be prepared to provide documentation showing 
the direct relationship of proposed costs to the program, and that 
costs of this type are charged in a uniform manner to all other grants 
at all institutions and organizations participating in the award.
    Salary (up to 25 percent effort, although it should generally be 
less) for the NARCH Program Director is allowable for that portion of 
time or effort specifically employed in directing the proposed NARCH. 
(The 25 percent limit does not include salary for being a research 
investigator.) Limited salary support for secretarial or clerical help 
is allowable only when in direct support of the proposed NARCH. For 
guidance, applicants should refer to the OMB Circular appropriate for 
them, A-87 (Cost Principles for State, local, and Indian Tribal 
Governments), at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars or A-122 (Cost 
Principles for Non-Profit Organizations), https://www.whitehouse.gov/
omb/circulars, or should contact the grants management officer listed 
under VII. Agency Contacts.
    Costs for evaluation activities are allowable, as are costs for the 
Community and Scientific Advisory Council. All applications must 
include costs associated with one annual meeting per year in Rockville, 
MD, of NARCH directors and their key scientific personnel. Applications 
should also include costs associated with attendance at the annual IHS 
Research conference for key personnel and trainees.
    Student Development Costs: Student (graduate, undergraduate, and 
high school if well justified) remuneration through salary/wages for 
participation in research experiences may be requested, provided all 
the following conditions are met:
     The student is performing necessary work involved in the 
research.
     There is an employer-employee relationship between the 
student and the proposed NARCH or its partners.
     The total compensation is reasonable for the work 
performed.
     It is the practice of the proposed NARCH or its partners 
to provide compensation for all students in similar circumstances, 
regardless of the source of support for the activity.
    Graduate students, but not undergraduate students, are allowed 
tuition costs as part of a compensation package. When requesting 
support for a graduate student, the NARCH application should provide, 
in the budget justification section of the application, the basis for 
the compensation level. The IHS staff will review the requested 
compensation level and, if it is reasonable and justified, will provide 
compensation up to a maximum of $45,000 (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/
guide/notice-files/not98-168.html). Post-doctoral students should be 
compensated at a rate commensurate with that of other post-doctoral 
employees with similar degrees and experience at the research-intensive 
institution. It is the expectation of the IHS and NIGMS that students 
who are enrolled in a accredited graduate program, as part of a 
proposed NARCH, will not be excluded from support from other non-
Federal or Federal graduate training sources (such as loans and 
assistance under the Veterans' Adjustment Benefit Act or Pell Grants) 
for which they are eligible.
    Graduate and post-doctoral students cannot concurrently hold 
another federally-sponsored stipend or fellowship or any other Federal 
award that duplicates the NARCH support.
    Faculty/Researcher Development Costs:
    Costs to support faculty/researcher development activities, such as 
workshops or courses, national meetings, or short-term research 
experiences in the laboratory of an active NIH-extramurally-funded 
researcher needed for acquiring specific skills or methodologies needed 
for prospective research, are allowable. Such costs might include 
tuition, travel and per diem costs, as well as salary

[[Page 22350]]

support appropriate to the percent effort needed for the activity.
    Research Project Costs:
    Direct costs associated with research and pilot research projects 
are allowable when adequate justification is provided. These include 
faculty/researcher salaries, reimbursed according to percent effort. 
Summer salary support can be paid provided the institution's academic 
schedule permits such release and when the institution approves. The 
maximum summer-salary support provided by the program cannot exceed the 
equivalent of three months at 100 percent effort, or time specified by 
the institution as its policy. Grant funds may not be used to increase 
or supplement faculty/ researcher academic year salaries. Salary 
support for technical assistance and costs for consultants, if 
justified, are allowable. Costs for equipment to be used to carry out 
the proposed research are allowable.
    Costs for Core Scientific Services:
    Costs for core scientific services to support two or more projects 
are allowable. Costs for multi-user research equipment are also 
allowable. A plan for access to the multi-user equipment, its 
maintenance, management and use must be included. To aid in the review, 
it is suggested that a tabular summary show the estimated or actual 
proportional use of this equipment by each project, and other 
investigators and students. Justify this core component by discussing 
ways in which these centralized services improve quality, bring about 
an economy of effort, and/or save overall costs as compared to their 
inclusion as part of each research project. Personnel costs to maintain 
and service the equipment are an allowable cost. Support for very large 
pieces of equipment, however, may be restricted by the NARCH budget. 
Plans to maintain the shared core scientific services and facility 
beyond the grant period should be discussed.
    Cost for Supplies:
    Costs for supplies, including costs for animals necessary to carry 
out the proposed research, may be included. Travel costs for the 
investigator(s) are permitted when direct benefits to the program are 
expected, and when adequate justification is provided. Alterations and 
Renovations costs (up to $40,000) are allowable only when essential for 
conduct of the proposed research. Other permitted costs include animal 
maintenance (unit care costs and number of care days), donor fees, 
publication costs, computer charges, rentals and leases, equipment 
maintenance, and service contracts.
    Consortium and Contract Arrangements:
    Consortium arrangements that may involve personnel costs, supplies, 
and other allowable costs, including F&A costs; contractual costs for 
support services, such as the laboratory testing of biological 
materials, clinical services, data processing, or core administrative 
services, are allowable expenses. Consortia and contractual costs with 
Native health organizations, Tribes and/or research institutions in 
Canada or Mexico are allowable expenses.
    Pilot Research Projects:
    The intent of pilot research projects is to lead to regular 
research projects funded as part of the center grant or as freestanding 
grants. For pilot research projects, applications may request support 
for up to $50,000 (direct costs) per year. This support is non-
renewable.
    Subcontracts:
    The grant recipient may issue subcontracts to other organizations 
(such as the research-intensive institution of the partnership), as 
long as at least 30 percent of the grant remains with the AI/AN 
organization; that is, no more than 70 percent may be subcontracted.
F. Unallowable Costs
    Unallowable costs for research projects (including for pilots 
projects) include costs for student development, textbooks, journals, 
memberships, and Internet subscription costs, as well as other costs 
prohibited by OMB Circulars A-87 or A-122 as applicable. Employees of 
the applicant organization may not serve as paid consultants but may be 
paid. The pilot research project is intended for faculty/researcher 
without current Federal research support. Therefore, investigators with 
significant current support from other mechanisms such as the R01 and 
research funding from other extramural sources are not eligible, and 
the costs therefore are not allowable. Release time for preparing 
proposals or mini-research projects, not submitted as pilot projects, 
is not allowed.
G. Qualifications of the NARCH Program Director and Key Personnel
    As leader of the research and research training for the proposed 
NARCH, the NARCH Program Director is expected to possess certain 
essential qualifications such as:
     Strong leadership skills, including scientific leadership 
experience and a strong academic and scientific background, as 
exemplified, ideally, by scientific publications and a record of peer-
reviewed scientific support;
     Knowledge of and personal working relationship with the 
AI/AN Tribes or communities involved in the NARCH research, and with 
the partners of the proposed NARCH;
     Strong mentoring and supervision skills, to exercise 
responsibility for mentoring activities, organization of communicating 
skills programs, special methods workshops, tracking of student career 
plans, etc.; and
     Knowledge of IHS and NIH policies, including those 
concerning human participants in research, human biological material, 
animals, hazardous materials, and Tribal review and approval of 
research.
    The names and qualifications of the NARCH Program Director, the 
Student and Faculty/Researcher Development Director and directors of 
individual projects within the program (where appropriate), and any 
other key personnel, should be listed in the application under the Key 
Personnel section. Biographical Sketches of these individuals, 
including other grant support, should be included.
H. Human Subjects Protection
    Federal Regulations (45 CFR Part 46) require that applications and 
proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to 
the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these 
risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and 
others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained 
(https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm)
I. Healthy People 2010
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 
2010,'' a PHS led national activity for setting priority areas. This 
Request for Application (RFA) announcement is related to one or more of 
the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy 
People 2010 at: https://www.healthypeople.gov.

3. Reporting

    The NARCH Program Office and Grants Management have requirements 
for the progress reports and financial reports based on the terms and 
conditions of the grant. Grantees are responsible and accountable for 
accurate reporting of the Progress Reports and Financial Status Reports 
which are generally due annually. Financial Status Reports (SF 269) are 
due 90 days after each budget period and the final SF 269 must be 
verified from the grantee records on how the value was derived. 
Grantees are allowed a reasonable period of time in which to

[[Page 22351]]

submit required financial and performance reports.
    Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may 
result in suspension or termination of an active grant, withholding of 
additional awards for the project, or other enforcement actions such as 
withholding of payments or converting to the reimbursement method of 
payment. Continued failure to submit required reports may result in the 
imposition of special award provisions, or cause other eligible 
projects or activities involving that grantee organization, or the 
individual responsible for the delinquency to not be funded.
    Failure to obtain prior approval for change in Scope, Principal 
Investigator, Grantee Institutions, Successor in Interest, or Recipient 
Institute Name, undertaking any activities disapproved or restricted as 
a condition of the award, may result in fund restrictions.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    1. Questions on the initiative, regarding IHS NARCH issues and 
policies, may be directed to: Timothy L. Taylor, Ph.D., Director of 
Planning, Evaluation and Research, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson 
Avenue, TMP, Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20852-1750, Telephone: (301) 443-
0222, Fax: (301) 443-1522, e-mail: ttaylor@hqe.ihs.gov.
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Sylvia Ryan, Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health 
Service, Reyes Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852-1627, 
Telephone: (301) 443-5204, Fax: (301) 443-9602, e-mail: 
sryan@hqe.ihs.gov.
    3. Questions on NIGMS issues and policies, may be directed to: 
Clifton A. Poodry, Ph.D., Minority Opportunities in Research Division, 
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, 45 Center Drive, Suite 
2AS.37, MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200, Telephone: (301) 594-3900, 
Fax: (301) 480-2753, e-mail: poodryc@nigms.nih.gov.
    4. Questions on the review of Applications may be directed to: 
Mushtaq A. Khan, D.V.M., Ph.D., Chief, Digestive and Respiratory 
Sciences IRGs, Center for Scientific Review, MSC 7818, Room 2176; 6701 
Rockledge Drive; Bethesda, MD 20892 (20817 for Fed Ex) Telephone: (301) 
435-1778; Fax: (301) 451-2043; e-mail: khanm@csr.nih.gov.

VIII. Other Information

Technical Assistance Workshops

    The IHS and NIH intend to conduct technical assistance and 
information sharing workshops about this grant initiative in July 2005 
at one regional center. Potential grantees wanting to attend one of 
these workshops will have to provide names and the eligible 
organization to Ms. Sylvia Ryan, at telephone number (301) 443-5204 or 
Fax (301) 443-9602, or by e-mail to sryan@hqe.ihs.gov as soon as 
possible and no later than March 15, 2005. This notification will help 
the IHS and the NIH to determine the best times and locations for 
potential grantees' training and to have adequate workshop supplies. 
The details of the workshops and locations will be posted (as they are 
finalized) on the IHS Research Program Web sit