To
provide long-term stable support for broadly based multi-disciplinary
research and training on environmental health problems in Environmental
Health Sciences Centers (EHS Centers) and Marine and Freshwater
Biomedical Centers Sciences (MFBS Centers). Overall, these centers
serve as national focal points and resources for research and manpower
development in health problems related to: (1) Pollutants and chemicals
of environmental concern present in the air, water, and food; (2)
occupational and industrial neighborhood health and safety; (3)
heavy metal toxicity; (4) agricultural chemical hazards; (5) the
relationships of the environment to cancer, birth defects, behavioral
anomalies, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and diseases
of other specific organs; (6) basic aspects of toxicity mechanisms,
body defense mechanisms, and the influence of age, nutrition, and
other factors in chemically-induced injury and disease; and (7)
Developmental Center Grants, which have been established to provide
initial support for institutions wishing to develop multi- disciplinary
core centers focused on environmentally related health problems
of economically disadvantaged and/or underserved populations. The
research training program serves as a national focus point designed
to increase the pool of trained research manpower in the Environmental
Health Sciences through support of Individual and Institutional
National Research Service Awards (NRSAs).
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
NIEHS
Center grants are primarily intended to provide core support. In
addition, an appropriate indirect cost is provided as determined
by negotiated agreement with the Department of Health and Human
Services. National Research Service Awards (NRSAs): Individual predoctoral
and postdoctoral training awards are made for the support of fellows
who engage in research training in environmental toxicology, environmental
pathology, environmental mutagenesis, or environmental epidemiology/biostatistics.
In addition, grants may be made to institutions to enable them to
make awards to individuals selected by them, for both predoctoral
and postdoctoral research training in the aforementioned areas.
Each individual who receives a postdoctoral NRSA is obligated upon
termination of the award to comply with certain service and payback
provisions.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Centers: A university-based, nonprofit
research institution, or for-profit organization proposing an integrated
research program established to accomplish a stated mission, covering
activities ranging from very basic research to the actual application
of research results in the prevention and control of environmental
health problems, may submit an application under the direction of
a named Program Director. National Research Service Awards: (1)
Nonprofit domestic organizations may apply for the institutional
NRSA; (2) individual NRSA awardees must be nominated and sponsored
by a public for-profit or nonprofit private institution having staff
and facilities appropriate to the proposed research training program;
(3) all awardees must be citizens or have been admitted to the United
States for permanent residence; (4) to be eligible, predoctoral
awardees must have completed the baccalaureate degree and postdoctoral
awardees must have a professional or scientific degree (M.D., Ph.D.,
D.D.S., D.O., D.V.M., Sc.D., D.Eng., or equivalent domestic or foreign
degree).
Beneficiary
Eligibility: University-based nonprofit institutions;
for-profit organizations conducting research; and individuals
nominated by a private institution conducting research.
Credentials/Documentation:
Centers: Application must be signed by appropriate officials of
the submitting institution. National Research Service Awards:
(1) Individual NRSA Awards - The applicant's academic record,
research experience, citizenship, institutional sponsorship, proposed
area and plan of training must be included in the application;
(2) Institutional NRSA - The applicant institution must show the
objectives, methodology and resources for the research training
program, the qualifications and experience of directing staff,
the criteria to be used in selecting individuals for awards, and
a detailed budget and justification for the amount of grant funds
requested. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular
No. A-87 for State and local governments. For-profit organizations'
costs are determined in accordance with 45 CFR, Subpart 31.2 of
the Federal Acquisition Regulations. For other grantees, costs
will be determined by HHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart
Q.
Pre-application
Coordination: Not applicable. This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: The standard application forms,
as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR 92, must be used for
this program by those applicants that are State or local units
of government. Centers: Consultation with National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences staff is essential prior to submission
of an application. National Research Service Awards (Individual):
Prior to formal application, an applicant must arrange for acceptance
at sponsoring institution by a sponsor who will supervise the
training. Application Kits and instructions for submission are
available from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information
Resources, Office of Extramural Research, National Institutes
of Health, Room 6207, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC-7910, Bethesda,
MD 20892-7910. Specific information concerning Centers may be
obtained by contacting the office indicated under Information
Contacts. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR,
92 for State and local governments and OMB Circular No. A-110
for nonprofit organizations.
Award
Procedure: Center Grants and institutional
NRSA awards are made on the basis of a dual review of an investigator-prepared
application. The reviews and recommendations are made by peer
groups: the first by a study section for scientific merit; the
second, by an Advisory Council for program relevance. Review of
NRSA applications (Individual) by an advisory council is not required.
Final approval of these recommendations and decisions concerning
funding are made by the Director, NIEHS.
Deadlines:
Centers: New, renewal and supplemental applications: February
1. Institutional NRSAs: May 10. Individual NRSAs: April 5, August
5, and December 5.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Centers and
Institutional National Research Service Awards: From 6 to 9 months.
Individual National Research Service Awards: From 6 to 8 months.
Appeals:
A principal investigator (P.I.) may question the substantive or
procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating
with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer
Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH home page www.nih.gov/grants/guide/1997/97.11.21/n2.html.
Renewals:
Renewal applications are subject to same criteria as new applications.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: This program has
no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Center Grants
may be awarded for up to 5 years, generally in 12-month budget
periods, and may be extended through a competitive renewal. Developmental
Center Grant project periods may not exceed 3 years with 12-month
budget periods and are not renewable. Funds are released primarily
on the basis of an Electronic Transfer System. National Research
Service Awards: Individual awards may be for 1, 2, or 3 years,
but no individual may receive NRSA support at the predoctoral
level for more than 5 years and at the postdoctoral level for
more than 3 years. Institutional awards may be for up to 5 years
in 12-month budget periods, and may be extended through a competitive
renewal.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Annual and final progress reports and reports of expenditures are
required. Additional reports are required after termination of National
Research Service Awards to ascertain compliance with the service
and payback provisions.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised,
June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit
Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance
of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities
that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt
from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted
in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements
are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal
officials.
Records:
Expenditures and other financial records must be retained for
3 years from the day on which the grantee submits the last financial
status report for the report period.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 75-0862-0-1-552.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $48,525,000; FY 02 est $52,843,000; and FY 03 est
$55,128,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
Center Grants: $350,958 to $1,652,795. Average: $1,230,923. NRSA:
$8,962 to $577,465. Average: $138,832.
In fiscal year 2001, 23 EHS Center grant awards and four MFB Center
Grant awards were made, including four renewed EHS Center grants.
Four competing EHS Center grant applications were considered and
four were funded in fiscal year 2001. In addition, in fiscal year
2001: 52 Individual and 67 Institutional NRSA's were made; 35 competing
Individual NRSA applications were considered and 26 funded; and
17 competing Institutional NRSA applications were considered and
12 were funded. In fiscal year 2002, it is anticipated that 27 EHS
Center grants, four MFB Center grants, two Developmental Center,
52 individual and 71 Institutional NRSAs will be funded. In fiscal
year 2003, it is anticipated that 27 EHS Center grants, four MFB
Center grants, two Developmental Center, 52 individual and 74 Institutional
NRSAs will be made. The NIEHS continues to be an active participant
in training young scientists in the diverse fields of the environmental
health sciences. During fiscal year 2001, 356 pre-doctoral and 172
post-doctoral trainees (494 total) were supported by NIEHS.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
42 CFR 52; 42 CFR 66; 45 CFR 74; 45 CFR 92. NIH Guide to Grants
and Contracts: PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No.
(OASH) 94-50,000, (Rev.) April 1, 1994; various other publications
and application kits available from the Division of Extramural Outreach
and Information Resources, Office of Extramural Research, NIH, Room
6207, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC-7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910. Specified
information concerning NIEHS centers and NRSA available from address
listed below.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters
Office: Centers Program Contact: Dr. Allen
Deary, Chemical Exposure and Molecular Biology Branch, Division
of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Public Health
Service, Department of Health and Human Services, P.O. Box 12233,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. E-mail: dearry@niehs.nih.gov.
Telephone: (919) 541-4943. Research Training Program Contact:
Dr. Carol Shreffler, Organ and Systems Toxicology Branch, Division
of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS, National Institutes
of Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, P.O.
Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Telephone: (919)
541-1445. E-mail: shreffl1@niehs.nih.gov. Grants Management Contact:
Ms. Dorothy Duke, Chief, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management
Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes
of Health, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human
Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Telephone: (919) 541-2749.
E-mail: duke3@niehs.nih.gov.
Web
Site Address: http://www.nih.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
NRSAs: (1) Postdoctoral training in experimental environmental pathology
and human comparative pathology of diseases and lesions produced
by chemical and physical contaminants; (2) postdoctoral training
in pathology and environmental toxicology emphasizing the observation
of biochemical, functional, and morphological abnormalities resulting
from exposure to environmental agents; (3) predoctoral and postdoctoral
training in the field of environmental toxicology on the molecular
interactions of toxic materials; (4) predoctoral and postdoctoral
training in the evaluation and prediction of the effects of environmental
pollutants on biological systems; and (5) predoctoral and postdoctoral
training in the principles and perspectives of epidemiology and
biostatistics to develop a capability to initiate epidemiological
inquiries to test hypotheses on the biological effects of environmental
agents. Center Grants provide core support for: (1) Studies on the
effects of metal pollutants on mammalian systems; (2) studies involving
the use of aquatic species as models for understanding the mechanisms
of toxicity of environmental chemicals; (3) studies of trace contaminants
as environmental health hazards to humans; (4) studies on the response
of the respiratory system to environmental chemicals; and (5) the
identification of environmental causes of disease and the understanding
of their modes of action.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
The major elements in evaluating applications include assessments
of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed
study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental
design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator
or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of
the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity
of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project;
and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives.
