Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Grants, 4235-4248 [08-243]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4235-4248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-243]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Grants

    Announcement Type: New and Competing Continuations.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2009-IHS-NARCHV-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s): 93.933.
    Key Dates: Letter of Intent Deadline: March 15, 2008.
    Application Deadline Date: May 16, 2008.
    Review Date: October, 2008.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2009.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Indian Health Service (IHS), in conjunction with the National 
Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and other institutes of 
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces competitive grant 
applications for Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH), 
an initiative to support new and/or continuing centers or projects 
funded under the NARCH grant program. This funding mechanism will 
develop further opportunities for conducting research and research 
training to meet the needs of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) 
communities. This program is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 
13, the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241 as amended, and the 
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 1602(a)(b)(16). This 
program is described at 93.933 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance.
    Background Information: TheAI/AN Tribal nations and communities 
have long experienced health status worse than that of other Americans. 
Although major gains in reducing health disparities were made during 
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); and 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/NonMedicalPrograms/IHS_Stats. Although the AI/AN 
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 through 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 dispariteis 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 along or in combination accounts for all 
documented differences. Health disparities of AI/ANs may also reflect a 
lack of in-depth research relevant to improving their health status. 
Many AI/ANs distrust research for historical reasons. One approach that 
combats this distrust is to ensure that Tribes are the managing 
partners in training and research that involves them, as for example, 
in community-based participatory research (CBPR) (i.e., a collaborative 
research process between researchers and community representatives). 
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: The NARCH initiative will support partnerships 
between Federally Recognized AI/AN Tribes Organizations (including 
national and area Indian Health Boards, and Tribal colleges meeting the 
definition of a Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(e)) 
and institutions that conduct intensive academic-level biomedical, 
behavioral and health services research. These partnerships are called 
Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH). 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 
Boards, the IHS NARCH program will pursue the following program 
objectives:
     To develop a cadre of AI/AN scientists and Health 
Professionals--Opportunities are needed 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.
     To enhance Partnerships and reduce distrust of research by 
AI/AN communities--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. Community distrust of research and 
researchers will be reduced by offering the Tribe greater control over 
the research process.
     To Reduce Health Disparities--In the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act, Pub. L. 94-437 (as amended), IHS was legislatively 
mandated to improve

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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 the NARCH.
    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 have 
also 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 to train and promote AI/AN researchers and researchers 
concerned with AI/AN health.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Grant.
    Estimated Funds Available: The estimated funds (total costs) 
available for the first year of support for the entire initiative is 
expected to be at least $3.0 million in Fiscal Year 2009. The actual 
amount may vary, depending on the response to the request for 
applications (RFA) and availability of funds. An applicant may request 
a project period not to exceed four years of support, and direct costs 
not to exceed $1,000,000 per center or $500,000 per project (research 
or training) in the first year of each award. Direct costs to the 
applicant include the total cost of each subcontract (subcontractor 
direct plus subcontractor indirect costs).
    Anticipated Number of Awards: An estimated five to fifteen awards 
will be made under the program.
    Award Amount: $100,000-$1,000,000 per year.

III. Eligibility Information

    The new or existing NARCH must be a working partnership of the 
eligible AI/AN organization and of the research-intensive institution. 
Applicants eligible to receive the NARCH award are Federally recognized 
Tribes and Tribal organizations as defined under the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 1603(d) and (3), including eligible Indian 
Health Boards or Tribal Colleges applying on behalf of eligible 
Federally recognized Tribes or Tribal organizations. As the grantee, 
the eligible 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 be 
budgeted in the application to remain with the eligible AI/AN 
organization(s); that is, no more than 70 percent of the application's 
total budget may be contained in subcontract budgets of the non-
eligible subcontracting partner institutions or organization.
    1. Eligible Applicants--The AI/AN applicant must be one of the 
following:
     A federally-recognized AI/AN Tribe, as defined under 25 
U.S.C. 1603(d); or
     A Tribal organization, as defined under 25 USC 1603(e), 
including Tribal Colleges or health boards meeting this definition; or
     A consortium of two or more of those Tribes or Tribal 
organizations.
    Applicants other than Tribes must provide proof of non-profit 
status.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching--The NARCH program does not require 
matching funds or cost sharing.
    3. 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.
    4. 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. The 
NARCH Principal Investigator may or may not have formal academic/
research credentials, but if not, then the NARCH Program Director must 
be so qualified.
    The traditional NIH research project grant consists of a single 
Principal Investigator (PI) working with a small group of subordinates 
on an independent research project. Although this model clearly 
continues to work well and encourages creativity and productivity, it 
does not always work well for multidisciplinary efforts and 
collaboration. Increasingly, health-related research involves teams 
that vary in terms of size, hierarchy, location of participants, goals, 
disciplines, and structure. There is growing consensus that team 
science would be encouraged if more than one PI could be recognized on 
individual awards. The NIH has adopted a multiple-PI model, as recently 
directed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. All agencies 
that have research and research-related programs must offer the 
multiple-PI model as an option. Note, it is only an option, not a 
requirement. The traditional NARCH division of roles between Principal 
Investigator and Project Director will usually address these issues to 
a satisfactory degree. For additional information regarding the new 
multiple-PI model, please click on the following Web site: https://
grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi/index.htm.
    5. NARCH Program Director: The NARCH Program Director is the 
individual responsible for the day-to-day leadersip 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. The NARCH Program Director may or may not have formal 
academic/research credentials, but if not, then the Principal 
Investigator must be so qualified.
    6. 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. If a new Student and/or Faculty/
Researcher Development Program is proposed in the current application, 
then the Principal Investigator of that project is expected to be the 
NARCH Student and Faculty Development Director. In order to be included 
as the Student and Faculty

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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 consortium partner.
    7. 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 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.
    8. 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 new or continuing centers or 
additional NARCH projects:
     Tribal Resolution: If the applicant is an Indian Tribe or 
Tribal organization, a resolution from the Tribal government of all 
Tribes to be served supporting the project must accompany the 
application submission. Applications by Tribal organizations will not 
require resolutions if the current Tribal resolutions under which they 
operate would encompass the proposed activities. In this instance a 
copy of the current resolution must accompany the application. The 
listed Tribes to be served by the project in the proposal must match 
the set of appended resolutions. If a resolution from an appropriate 
representative of each Tribe to be served is not submitted prior to 
November 1, 2008, the application will be considered incomplete and 
will not be considered for funding.
    An official signed resolution must be received by November 1, 2008 
to the Division of Grants Operation by (DGO), IHS, at the Reyes 
Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852. A grant 
will not be awarded unless the signed resolution is received. Please 
include the funding opportunity number, as a reference to this 
announcement, if the resolutions are submitted as a separate mailing.
    9. 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 or by e-mail 
to narch@ihs.gov. Applicants are strongly encouraged to establish 
eligibility of their proposed applications prior to submission. 
Inquiries about eligibility should be addressed to Alan Trachtenberg, 
MD, MPH, at (301) 443-0578 or by E-mail to narch@ihs.gov. The 
application package, including supplemental instructions 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 in an 
interactive format at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/
phs398.html. 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.
    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: 
Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, Reyes Building, 
801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852-1627 (zip code is 
unchanged for express/courier services), Telephone: (301) 443-5204.
    At the time of submission, applicants must also send four (4) 
additional single-sided photocopied and signed applications, including 
the Checklist, Appendices, and supporting documentation to: Center for 
Scientific Review (CSR), 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. The CSR no 
longer accepts hand delivered applications.
    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-08-115'' 
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. E-mail or other 
electronic applications will not be accepted under this announcement.
    Specific supplementary instructions for the PHS 398 application and 
budget preparation for the NARCH program 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. There 
will be no acknowledgment of receipt of the application.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: 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 facilities.
    The content of the application should explain the components of the 
application, and how they help meet the purpose 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

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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 efforts 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.
    Applications 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.
    If Student Development Projects are proposed, the NARCH application 
should describe new programs of 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 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 for 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 AI/AN 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 a late high school. A 
helpful book about mentoring science students is found at https://
book.nap.edu/catalog/5789.html.
    If Faculty/Researcher Development Projected 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.
    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 then $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, 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.
    Each research project or pilot research project should follow the 
instructions provided in PHS 398 (Revised 9/2004, Interim Revision 4/
2006) 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 
described 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

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organization, or both (if applicable) for projects that involve people 
or community(ies) of an AI/AN Tribe, or an eligible Tribal 
organization.
    Research projects (including pilot research projects) proposed 
under this initiative must be in research areas normally funded by any 
of the NIH or other research agencies in the HHS. 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 Computer 
Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP), 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.
    The following agencies, institutes, offices and centers have stated 
particular interests in supporting research under the NARCH Program as 
follows:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Oral Health Research

    NIDCR is committed to reducing the disproportionate burden of oral 
diseases experienced by AI/ANs. The focus of NIDCR's health disparities 
research is on improving oral health status and quality of life by 
understanding and addressing oral diseases that are prevalent in AI/AN 
communities, specifically caries (including early childhood caries), 
oral and pharyngeal cancer, and periodontal disease. Interdisciplinary 
research teams and the full participation of communities are viewed by 
NIDCR as essential components of any health disparities research.
    Data that document oral disease prevalence are readily available 
for some populations, but not for others. Homogeneity in subgroups of 
populations cannot be assumed. For instance, there are national data 
for Mexican Americans, but not for the numerous other Hispanic 
subgroups. Similarly, data regarding the oral health status of various 
AI/AN Tribes are unavailable. Moreover, available data provide little 
insight into the etiology or determinants of oral disease and oral 
health. The paucity of quality data and conceptual models concerning 
the broad array of potential determinants and risk-factors inhibits 
progress toward preventing disease, and improving oral health status 
and quality of life. The NIDCR invites applications that, in 
preparation for intervention research, explore the complex array of 
social, behavioral, psychological, contextual, environmental and 
biological factors and their interactions that may contribute to oral 
health disparities within AI/AN communities. Including oral health 
status measures within broader epidemiologic studies is encouraged. 
However, applications that are limited to the assessment of disease 
prevalence and that explore a very limited range of potential 
determinants will be considered non-responsive.
    The NIDCR has particular interest in intervention research that 
will provide clinically meaningful outcomes and essential information 
needed to inform clinical practice, public health policy, health care 
provision, community and/or individual action. Intervention studies 
that are grounded in theory are needed. Both basic and applied 
intervention research applications are invited. Studies may need to 
intervene at multiple levels within communities. The NIDCR encourages 
the use of the strongest research design possible and recognizes that 
not all intervention research is amenable to randomized clinical 
trials. Examples of health disparities intervention research of 
interest to the NIDCR includes but are not limited to:
     Effectiveness studies that tailor/target preventive 
approaches to communities/individuals;
     Research that intervenes in novel ways on macro- or 
intermediate level determinants of oral health status;
     Health services research that explores alternative 
approaches to delivering preventive oral health care;
     Studies that intervene on common risk factors or that take 
a systems approach;
     Studies that explore multifaceted strategies to intervene 
at several levels within society;
     Dissemination and implementation research at multiple 
organizational levels; and
     Research that uses appropriate technology for translation, 
implementation, adoption, adherence and acceptance of oral disease 
prevention programs in defined populations, clinics, and communities.
    Intervention research should be reasonably applicable to a specific 
AI/AN population. To facilitate adequate enrollment and 
generalizability, intervention studies may need to be conducted at 
multiple sites. While small clinical trials are not permitted, studies 
may be conducted at a single site if enrollment is adequate and if 
sufficient numbers of participants are available to allow extrapolation 
of clinically meaningful results to the specific AI/AN population of 
interest.
    Pilot research projects that are designed to lead to larger 
research projects funded as part of a center or as free-standing NIH 
grants may be proposed.
    For additional information about oral health research contact:
    Ruth Nowjack-Raymer, M.P.H., Ph.D., Director, Health Disparities 
Research Program, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial 
Research, 45 Center Drive, Room 4AS-43F, Bethesda, MD 20892-6401, 
Phone: (301) 594-5394, Fax: (301) 480-8322, E-mail: 
nowjackr@mail.nih.gov.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Neuroscience and Drug Abuse Research

    AI/ANs demonstrate higher rates of drug abuse, particularly 
methamphetamine, tobacco and alcohol abuse, relative to other racial 
subgroups. According to 2002-2006 National Survey on Drug Use and 
Health (NSDUH) data, AI/AN past year methamphetamine use was 1.4% 
compared to 0.1% for African Americans, 0.6% for Hispanics or Latinos 
and 0.7% for Whites. Prevalence of use is high in both men and women.
    Drug abuse patterns among AI/AN are complex and can vary by factors 
such as Tribe and geographic location. While some datasets are 
available that can provide general epidemiological data regarding use 
and abuse rates in this group, data are needed that better clarify 
where use rates are highest, among which Tribes, age and gender groups 
and the factors that predict drug abuse in these locales and groups. 
These data will assist in developing more targeted interventions and in 
identifying mechanisms related to drug abuse which can then serve as 
focal points for intervention.
    In addition to scarce data on patterns of use, limited data are 
available assessing drug abuse prevention and treatment interventions 
for AI/AN. The matrix model has been proposed in particular to address 
methamphetamine abuse, but few data are available to assess the 
efficacy of this approach with this population. Several preventive 
interventions have been designed particularly for this population and 
results from them indicate their value, but more research is needed to 
clarify why these sometimes don't work in expected ways and whether the 
interventions that are being used but have not been evaluated are 
working to reduce drug use.

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    The NIDA is committed to reducing health disparities in drug abuse 
and related health and social consequences among AI/AN. Further, the 
Institute supports methodologies required by the NARCH, expecting that 
studies be developed and implemented using community participatory 
approaches.
    Research topics of interest include but are not limited to:
     Studies that explore a range of behavioral, cultural, 
environmental and individual factors that contribute to drug abuse;
     Studies that explore the consequences of drug abuse among 
AI/AN;
     Studies that consider the full context of drug abuse, 
including poverty, family factors, school factors, intergenerational 
trauma, etc.;
     Studies that explore the role of traditional practices and 
spirituality in protecting against drug abuse;
     Studies that explore other factors that protect against 
use in those groups for whom use rates are lower;
     Studies that explore the efficacy and/or effectiveness of 
culturally relevant preventive interventions;
     Studies that explore the efficacy and/or effectiveness of 
culturally relevant treatment interventions;
     Studies that assess factors related to service 
utilization, including use rates and access to services, either in 
reservation or urban settings; and
     Studies that explore the organization, management and 
delivery of interventions.
    For additional information about neuroscience or drug abuse 
research contact: Kathy Etz, PhD, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 5153 MSC 9589, Bethesda, MD 20852, Phone: 
(301) 402-1749, Fax: (301) 480-2543.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Tobacco Control Research

    AI/ANs have been documented to have the highest smoking rate of any 
major racial/ethnic group in the U.S. According to the 2005 National 
Health Interview Survey of adults 18 and over, 32% of AI/AN are current 
smokers, compared with 21.9% of non-Hispanic whites, 21.5% of non-
Hispanic Blacks, 13.3% of Asians and 16.2% of Hispanics. Prevalence of 
smoking is high among both men (37.5%) and women (26.8%).\1\ A similar 
pattern can be seen among youth, where AI/AN youth have substantially 
higher smoking prevalence (23.1%) than non-Hispanic whites (14.9%), 
Hispanics (9.3%), non-Hispanics blacks (6.5%), and Asians (4.3%), 
according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 
These data also show that non-smoking AI/AN youth demonstrated higher 
susceptibility to experimenting with smoking than most other racial/
ethnic groups.\2\
    At the same time, however, tobacco use patterns among the AI/AN 
population are complex and can vary substantially among subgroups of 
this population. Smoking rates among AI/ANs vary widely by region, 
being highest in the northwestern United States, in Canada, and in 
Alaska. Additionally, use of smokeless tobacco is higher among AI/AN 
adults compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Some studies have 
found particularly high rates of smokeless tobacco use (greater than 
50%) among AN populations, including pregnant women, due to the use of 
Iqmik, a traditional form of smokeless tobacco.\3\
    Understanding tobacco use among Native American populations is also 
complicated by the fact that tobacco has had a substantial role in 
Native American culture and tradition. Historically, tobacco has been 
used in medicinal and healing rituals and in ceremonial and religious 
practices. It is important to distinguish the traditional, ceremonial 
uses of tobacco, which are limited to specific occasions, from 
addictive use of tobacco products. However, the relationship between 
these different contexts of tobacco use and their impact on behavior 
has not received sufficient scientific study.
    Moreover, limited data are available on the effectiveness of 
tobacco use cessation interventions targeted to AI/ANs. Preliminary 
focus group studies suggest that Native American smokers are more 
likely to have negative attitudes towards pharmacotherapies, such as 
concerns about side effects and lack of trust in conventional 
medicine.\4\ Thus, there is a need to develop culturally-appropriate 
interventions targeted to this population.
    The NCI Tobacco Control Research Branch is committed to supporting 
transdisciplinary research aimed at reducing disparities in tobacco use 
and related health outcomes. The NARCH provides a unique mechanism to 
support collaborative research involving researchers from multiple 
disciplines to address a complex scientific and public health 
challenge.
    Sample research areas of interest include but are not limited to 
the following:
     Studies to understand the role of a range of behavioral, 
cultural and environmental factors that lead to initiation of tobacco 
use among AI/AN populations.
     Development and evaluation of culturally appropriate 
interventions for tobacco use prevention and cessation targeted to AI/
AN populations;
     Studies of how tobacco related attitudes and behaviors in 
youth and adults are influenced by ceremonial tobacco use and other 
cultural factors;
     Studies of tobacco use behavior in relation to different 
products, including dual use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco;
     Research on the characteristics, use and health effects of 
traditional tobacco products, such as Iqmik;
     Research to understand disparities in tobacco use within 
AI/AN populations given substantial variations by region and other 
factors; and
     Studies to identify and address barriers to treatment 
among AI/ANs.

References

    1. Tobacco Use Among Adults--United States, 2005. MMWR. October 27, 
2006; 55: 1145-1148.
    2. Racial/Ethnic Differences Among Youths in Cigarette Smoking and 
Susceptibility to Start Smoking--United States, 2002-2004. MMWR. 
December 1, 2006; 55; 1275 1277.
    3. Renner CC, Pattern CA, Day GE, Enoch CC, Schroeder DR, Offord 
KP, Hurt RD, Gasheen A, Gill L. Tobacco use during pregnancy among 
Alaska Natives in western Alaska. Alaska Med. 2005;47:12-6.
    4. Burgess D, Fu SS, Joseph AM, Hatsukami DK, Solomon J, van Ryn M. 
Beliefs and experiences regarding smoking cessation among American 
Indians. Nicotine Tob Res. 2007; 9 Suppl 1: S19-28.
    For additional information about NCI tobacco research contact: Mark 
Parascandola, PhD, Epidemiologist, Tobacco Control Research Branch, 
National Cancer Institute, 6130 Executive Blvd. MSC 7337, Executive 
Plaza North, Room 4039, Bethesda, MD 20892, Phone: 301-451-4587, Fax: 
301-496-8675, paramark@mail.nih.gov.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Research

    The NHLBI has a strong history of supporting research to document 
and intervene on health disparities among AI/ANs, including the Strong 
Heart Study, Pathways, Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease in Alaska 
Natives (GOCADAN), the Stop Atherosclerosis in Native Diabetics Study 
(SANDS), and Community-Responsive Interventions to Reduce 
Cardiovascular Risks in AI/ANs.
    The Strong Heart Study showed that many AI/AN communities bear a 
heavy

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burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors 
(e.g., obesity, diabetes) that could be reduced through effective 
interventions on modifiable risk factors. The high burden of disease 
will worsen unless behaviors and lifestyles affecting CVD risk can be 
changed. Prevalence of obesity in AI/AN communities is about 50% higher 
than in the U.S. general population in which obesity is often described 
as being of epidemic proportions. In some AI/AN communities, cigarette 
smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and stress augment the adverse effects of 
obesity. AI/AN are particularly vulnerable to Type II diabetes, a 
problem exacerbated by high rates of obesity. Diabetes prevalence is 3-
20 fold higher among AI/AN than in the general U.S. population. It is 
an important cause of coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, end-stage 
renal disease, non-traumatic amputation, and vision impairment. Lipid 
abnormalities also are common in Type II diabetics,, particularly high 
triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol levels. Dyslipidemia and blood 
pressure can be improved by appropriate changes in diet and by 
increased exercise. CVD risk is also substantially improved by smoking 
cessation. In addition, attention to high stress levels, untreated 
sleep disordered breathing, short sleep duration, and depression may be 
warranted because of evidence that they may influence the health 
behaviors of interest. For example, poorer diet, higher smoking rates, 
and physical inactivity are more prominent in those with high stress, 
sleep disorders, or depression. These psychosocial factors also are 
associated with CVD progression in observational epidemiologic studies, 
and there is evidence from smaller clinical studies they may affect 
mechanisms leading to CVD. NHLBI is interested in supporting research 
in AI/AN communities that promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles 
and/or improve behaviors related to cardiovascular (CV) risk, such as 
weight reduction, regular physical activity, and smoking cessation. 
These behaviors and lifestyles are known to affect biological 
cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, 
obesity, glucose intolerance, and diabetes. In addition, control of 
these risk factors by guideline-based use of antihypertensive, lipid 
lowering, and hypoglycemic drugs can reduce their adverse consequences. 
However, these pharmacological interventions are often suboptimally 
utilized in AI/AN communities. The NHLBI is interested in reducing 
cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity in AI/AN, whether by 
lifestyle changes, drug interventions, or combinations thereof.
    Lifestyles characterized by sleeping less than 5-6 hours per night 
are associated with increased risk of CVD, obesity, and diabetes. 
Insufficient sleep as a behavioral stressor is associated with risk of 
new onset substance abuse and relapse, and depression risk and relapse. 
Intervention studies to assess the efficacy of improving sleep as part 
of a healthy lifestyle or assessing how improving sleep disorders could 
improve CVD outcomes would be of interest to NHLBI.
    AI/AN also have been documented to exhibit high rates of chronic 
respiratory disease. AI/AN adults have the highest asthma rate among 
single-race groups. Recent evidence suggests that 11.6 percent of AI/AN 
suffer from asthma. This is significantly higher than the national 
average of 7.5 percent, and much higher than every other single racial 
or ethnic group. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which 
includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the eighth leading cause 
of death from chronic disease for AI/AN men and the sixth leading cause 
of death for women. AI/AN have the second highest rates of cystic 
fibrosis following whites. One in 10,500 AI/AN has cystic fibrosis 
compared with one in 3,500 whites. Pueblo Indians and Zuni Indians have 
higher incidence than among other AI/AN Tribes. Sleep disordered 
breathing appears to be 30-60% more common among American Indians than 
other racial and ethnic groups. NHLBI is interested in supporting 
research in AI/AN communities that includes studies of approaches to 
improve clinical delivery of efficacious treatments of chronic lung 
disease and their risk factors, improved methods of chronic lung 
disease self-management, studies to promote or maintain respiratory 
health or improved methods of rehabilitation for diseases of the lungs 
and airways, such as asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis; sleep 
disordered breathing, occupational lung diseases, pulmonary vascular 
disease or pulmonary complications of Acquired Immune Deficiency 
Syndrome (AIDS).
    In addition to these areas of research, the NHLBI recognizes a 
unique and compelling need to promote diversity in the biomedical, 
behavioral, clinical, and social sciences research workforce. The NHLBI 
expects efforts to diversify the workforce to lead to:
     The recruitment of the most talented researchers from all 
groups;
     An improvement in the quality of the educational and 
training environment;
     A more balanced perspective in the determination of 
research priorities;
     A improved capacity to recruit subjects from diverse 
backgrounds into clinical research protocols; and
     An improved capacity to address and eliminate health 
disparities.
    For more information, please contact: Jared B. Jobe, Ph.D. 
(Cherokee), Program Director, Clinical Applications and Prevention 
Branch, Division of Prevention and Population Sciences, National Heart, 
Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 10018, MSC 7936, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7936 (20817 express), Phone: (301) 435-0407, 
Fax: (301) 480-5158, JobeJ@mail.nih.gov (e-mail).

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases 
(NIAMS)

Research in Osteoporosis and Other Bone Diseases, Osteoarthritis, 
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Skin Disease Within the NIAMS Mission

    The NIAMS supports efforts to conduct research into the causes, 
treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin 
diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out 
this research; and the dissemination of research progress to improve 
the public health. Goals specific to the AI/AN communities involve 
research addressing the training of underrepresented minority AI/AN 
researchers and ensuring inclusion of Native communities in clinical 
research studies. NIAMS actively monitors the inclusion of minority 
populations in clinical research and will highlight any grants that 
specifically target AI/AN populations. The mission of the NIAMS is to 
support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of 
arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic 
and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the 
dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. 
Studies in these mission areas as they relate to the AI/AN population 
may be proposed.
    For additional information about research in these areas contact: 
Madeline Turkeltaub, CRNP, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Extramural Program, 
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 
6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 800, Bethesda, MD 20912, Phone: (301) 594-
2463, Fax: (301) 480-4543, E-mail: mturkeltaub@mail.nih.gov.

[[Page 4242]]

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

Research on Traditional Healing Practices

    Many AI/AN communities use traditional healing practices to prevent 
and/or treat diseases and to maintain health. NCCAM is interested in 
supporting research on traditional healing practices with these goals 
in mind. NCCAM is also interested in research on the safe and effective 
integration of conventional care with traditional healing practices for 
AI/AN communities. The methodological feasibility for integration has 
yet to be addressed for many traditional healing practices. 
Consequently, NCCAM is interested in supporting developmental studies 
to identify and address difficult methodological and design issues 
particular to traditional healing practices, as well as to allow for 
the development of contextually and culturally sensitive research 
mirroring the values of AI/AN communities.
    Examples of study areas of interest include, but are not limited 
to:
     Qualitative research to characterize and document healing 
practices and diagnostic approaches of indigenous peoples, and study 
the feasibility of research on those practices and approaches in future 
clinical studies;
     Observational studies to explore patient and care provider 
preferences, beliefs, attitudes, and patient-provider interactions;
     Case-control, observational, and other studies to 
understand traditional healing strategies from multiples perspectives, 
including: (a) Optimal dosing, duration, and frequency of treatment; 
(b) type of treatment; (c) examinations of different healing practices 
to treat a particular disease/condition; (d) comparisons of complex 
versus simple interventions; (e) evaluation of adherence among patient 
populations to interventions with varying levels of complexity; and (f) 
examination of potentially important individual differences that 
mediate or moderate treatment outcome;
     Studies to determine if traditional healing practices can 
be translated into a broader clinical setting, in terms of: 
Reliability, responsiveness, and utility; assessment procedures, 
instruments, and tools in psychosocial, functional, and physiological 
domains;
     Studies to construct and validate culturally sensitive 
data collection instruments; to design and pilot outcome measures 
consistent with the tenets of traditional, indigenous systems of 
medicine and comparisons of these outcome measures to those commonly 
used by conventional biomedicine; and
     Health services research of established AI/AN traditional 
healing practices to explore the factors that influence access to and 
use of such therapies; the nature, cost effectiveness, and quality of 
such care; and ultimately the effects on health and well-being.
    For additional information on NCCAM-supported research topics, 
contact: Peter J. Kozel, Ph.D., National Center of Complementary and 
Alternative Medicine, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 401, MSC 5475, 
Bethesda, MD 20892-5475, Phone: (301) 496-8004, Fax: (301) 480-3621, 
kozelp@mail.nih.gov.

Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH)

Women's Health Research

    The ORWH at the NIH supports research related to women's health and 
the study of sex and gender differences. Detailed information about the 
NIH Research Priorities for Women's Health, can be found at https://
orwh.od.nih.gov/research.html.
    For additional information on women's health research, contact: 
Lisa Begg, DrPH., RN, Director of Research Programs, NIH Office of 
Research on Women's Health, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 400, Bethesda, 
MD 20892-5484, Phone: (301) 496-7853, Fax: (301) 402-1798, 
beggl@od.nih.gov.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

    Research projects aimed at understanding the burden, treatment or 
prevention of mental disorders and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/
AIDS in AI/AN populations.
    Indigenous people in the United States are disproportionately 
affected by mental illness and HIV infection, as are the larger racial 
and ethnic populations such as African Americans and Latinos. AI/ANs 
are highly underrepresented in the physician workforce and as 
researchers in health research in general, numbering fewer than one 
hundred.
    Other factors that contribute to disparities that affect these 
communities include geographic isolation, poor access to health 
services, underutilization of health services, insufficient screening 
and partner management services, unique social norms, stigma and gender 
dynamics. Research is needed to identify and address the impact as well 
as the specific and unique aspects of mental disorders and HIV 
infection upon Native American communities. A critical component of 
response to mental health and HIV infection in Native American 
communities will be to identify, train, mentor, and develop Native 
American investigators. Towards these ends, a promising model is 
community-based participatory research together with community capacity 
building.
    Some NIMH research areas that can contribute to scientific 
knowledge about mental health and HIV interventions in Native Americans 
includes:
     Research methods/community assessment;
     Studies of the impact of traumatic stressors, studies of 
patient, provider and contextual factors;
     Intervention research to evaluate the effectiveness of 
pharmacologic, psychosocial (psychotherapeutic and behavioral), 
somatic, rehabilitative and combination interventions on mental and 
behavior disorders-including acute and longer-term therapeutic effects 
on functioning for children, adolescents, and adults;
     Studies of services organization, delivery (process and 
receipt of care), and related health economics at the individual, 
clinical, program, community and systems levels in specialty mental 
health, general health, and other delivery settings (such as the 
workplace);
     Interventions to improve the quality and outcomes of care 
(including diagnostic, treatment, preventive, and rehabilitation 
services);
     Studies to enhance the research infrastructure for 
conducting services research; studies of clinical epidemiology of 
mental disorders across all clinical and service settings;
     Scientifically rigorous investigation of culturally 
appropriate prevention and control strategies;
     Adaptation, evaluation, safety and costs of proven 
interventions;
     Dissemination and implementation strategies; and,
     The role of community stakeholders in the research 
process, especially readiness for change.
    For additional information on NIMH NonAIDS Applications contact: 
Carmen P. Moten, Ph.D., Chief, Primary Care, Socio Cultural and 
Disparities Research Programs, Division of Services and Intervention 
Research, National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive 
Boulevard, Room 7131, MSC 9631, Bethesda, MD 20892-9631, Telephone: 
(301) 443-3725, FAX: (301) 443-4045, E-mail: cmoten@mail.nih.gov.
    For additional information on NIMH HIV/AIDS-related applications 
contact: David M. Stoff, Ph.D., Chief: HIV/AIDS Neuropsychiatry 
Program, AIDS

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Research Training and HIV/AIDS, Disparities Program, Division of AIDS 
and Health and Behavior Research, National Institute of Mental Health, 
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6210, MSC 9619, Bethesda, MD 20892-9619, 
Telephone: (301) 443-4625, FAX: (301) 443-9719, E-mail: 
dstoff@mai1.nih.gov.

National Library of Medicine (NLM)

Biomedical Informatics and Knowledge Management

    NLM supports research into how computers and networks can best be 
used to capture, represent, store, retrieve, manipulate, manage, and 
disseminate information for use in health care and public health, 
health education, and biomedical research. These informatics research 
projects must be user-centered, aimed at meeting needs of health care 
providers, consumers, students, researchers, and policy makers. To be 
user centered, information systems must be usable and useful, and 
information must be understandable to the audience for whom it is 
intended, accurate, and timely. The knowledge people need to 
participate in their own health care and the care of others is complex 
and comes from many sources. Important research questions remain to be 
answered about the most effective ways to bring these different sources 
together when and where they are needed. Informatics is by nature an 
interdisciplinary field, and the training of researchers for 
informatics careers involves coursework in the concepts and practices 
of information and computer science as well as in domains of health and 
biomedicine. NLM offers training programs at 18 academic organizations, 
for pre and post-doctoral trainees who wish to pursue a career in 
informatics. Many of these organizations offer special short-term 
traineeships of three months that provide a trainee with an 
introduction to informatics research.
    For additional information about NLM programs contact: Valerie 
Florance, Ph.D., Deputy Director, NLM Extramural Programs, Rockledge 1, 
Suite 301, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, Phone: (301) 594-
4882, Fax: (301) 402-2952, Web site: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/ep NLM/NIH/
DHHS.

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB )

Research in Technology for Health

    The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering 
(NIBIB) is committed to reducing health disparities through the 
development of new and affordable biomedical technologies. To this end, 
the NIBIB is interested in supporting the translation of biomedical 
technologies that target the health needs of AI/AN communities. 
Specifically, the NIBIB is interested in supporting the development of 
technologies that have broad therapeutic and interventional 
applications as well as technologies that complement technology 
development in all program areas of the NIBIB, https://
www.nibib.nih.gov/Research/ProgramAreas.
    For additional information about NIBIB programs contact: John W. 
Haller, PhD., National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and 
Bioengineering, NIH/DHHS, 6707 Democracy Blvd. Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 
20892-5649, E-mail: hallerj@mail.nih.gov, Phone: (301) 451-4780, Fax: 
(301) 480-1614.

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Vision Research

    The NEI supports research and health information dissemination with 
the goal of protecting and prolonging the vision of the American 
people. Examples of such activity that may be of interest include, but 
are not limited to:
     Epidemiological studies to determine the prevalence and 
possible risk factors of eye diseases and disorders among AI/AN 
populations;
     Basic research studies into the causes and mechanisms of 
eye diseases and visual impairments in AI/AN, research into disparities 
in access to ophthalmic/optometric health services; and,
     Development and evaluation of culturally appropriate 
health education and intervention.
    For additional information on vision research topics contact: 
Jerome R. Wujek, Ph.D., National Eye Institute, 2020 Vision Place, 
Bethesda, MD 20892-3655, Phone: (301) 451-2020, Fax: (301) 402-0528, E-
mail: wujekjer@nei.nih.gov.
    The omission above of any NIH institute, center, office, or 
research area should not be taken as a lack of availability of support 
for proiects in those areas. NARCH is an NIH-wide partnership, led at 
NIH by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). 
General research priorities for all of the individual NIH Institutes, 
Centers, Divisions and Offices can be found on their respective Web 
sites at: https://www.nih.gov/icd/. However, applicants and 
potential academic partners are reminded that that the NARCH program is 
focused on the research needs of the Tribes and not those of the 
Federal or academic partners.
    Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply 
to IHS grants with exception of Lobbying and Discrimination public 
policy.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    A. Letter of Intent Deadline: March 15, 2008.
    Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that 
includes the