You are here
In this Section
- Funding Opportunities
- Application Process
- Applications Requesting $500,000 or More in Direct Costs
- NIAAA Award Contacts
- NIAAA T32 Supplemental Information
- Special Emphasis Panels
- Supplemental Instructions for Preparing an Alcohol Research Center Grant Application
- NIAAA Board of Scientific Counselors
- NIAAA Scientific Review Group Rosters
- Appeals of Scientific Peer Review
- Schedule of Scientific Review Group Meetings
- Information on Post-Submission Materials for P50 & P60 ARC Grant Applications
- NIAAA Requirements for Electronic Submission of Administrative Supplement Applications
- Resources for Applicants
- Management & Reporting
Supplemental Instructions for Preparing an Alcohol Research Center Grant Application
Applicants for Alcohol Research Center (ARC) grants are to make application on form PHS 398 (Revised 6/2009) [http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html]. The following are supplemental instructions to be used in addition to the instructions that accompany the application form.
IMPORTANT: PAGE LIMITATIONS IN THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA) SUPERCEDE WHAT IS ON THE NIAAA WEB SITE AND MUST BE STRICTLY OBSERVED. THERE ARE FOA-SPECIFIC PAGE LIMITATIONS FOR CERTAIN COMPONENTS. PLEASE EXERT CAUTION WHEN READING THE FOA REQUIREMENTS.
(FACE PAGE)
|
ITEM 1. |
Title of Project: The title should identify the central theme of alcohol research around which the Center program will be organized. |
|
ITEM 2. |
Response to Specific RFA or Program Announcement: Check the box marked "yes" and indicate that the application is being submitted in response to the Request for Applications (AA-) with its Title. |
|
ITEM 3a. |
Name of Program Director/Principal Investigator: Center Director (Principal Investigator) will be responsible for overall planning and coordination of the Center program. |
| ITEM 6. | Dates of Entire Proposed Project Period: The total project period proposed must not exceed 5 years. |
| ITEM 7a. | Direct Costs Requested for First 12-month Period: In determining direct costs, the applicant must keep in mind that the total request for each year, including direct and Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, must not exceed $1.8 million per annum for P50 applications and $2.0 million per annum for P60 applications. |
| ITEM 7b. | Total Costs Requested for First 12-month Budget Period. This amount must not exceed $1.8 million (P50) or $2.0 million (P60). |
Form Page 1-continued: Additional form for use only if Multiple PD/PIs are proposed.
(FORM PAGE 2)
Description: Give an overall description of the proposed Center's research program and the central theme around which its research is organized. (Do not exceed the space provided.)
Key Personnel Engaged on Project: Provide information as described in the general instructions contained in the application kit in the following order:
1. Principal Investigator (Center Director);
2. Scientific Director (if different from Center Director);
3. Directors of core research and education components; and
4. All other key professionals including consultants and collaborators. Clearly identify their roles in terms of component(s) in which they are involved.
(FORM PAGE 3)
Number all pages consecutively at the bottom right throughout the application, and type the name of the Principal Investigator (Center Director) at the top right of each printed page and each continuation page. Do not type the name of the Component Director at the top of component page. Rather, type Center Director, Component X.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Form Page Numbers
Face page, Description, Key Personnel, Table of Contents 1-3
Detailed Budgets for Year 01 for the Center as a whole 4
Cumulative Budget for the Center as a whole
Chart Showing Percent Effort for all Key Personnel by Component and Year
Biographical Sketches
Center Director
Scientific Director
Resources and Environment for the Center as a Whole
Research Plans
A. Introductory Overview: (13 pages) The Center as an Integrated Whole:
1. Specific Aims (1 page)
2. Research Strategy (12 pages)
- Progress Report/Preliminary Studies
- Training Opportunities
- FINAL Progress Reports for Completed Research Project Components or other non renewing components
3. Bibliography and References cited
4. Progress Report Publication List of Completed Components only.
5. Summarize in a Table format the number of publications (peer reviewed journals, books, reviews and abstracts) for all competing continuation of cores and research projects.
| Components | Journals | Books | Reviews | Abstract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admin Core | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Research Project 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Pilot Projects | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
B. Administrative Core (Please refer to the specific FOA for page limitations)
1. Abstract and Key Personnel
2. Table of contents
3. Biosketches
4. Detailed Budget First Year
5. Budget Justification
6. Cumulative Budget
7. Resources
8. Specific Aims (1 Page)
9. Research Strategy (12 pages)
- Center organization and operation
- Education, Enrichment, and Dissemination Activities
10. Bibliography and References cited/progress Report Publication List
C. Each Research Project, Support Core, and Education Component
(Please refer to the specific FOA for page limitations)
1. Abstract and Key Personnel
2. Table of Contents
3. Biosketches
4. Detail Budget First year
5. Budget justification
6. Cumulative Budget
7. Resources
8. Specific Aims (1 page)
9. Research Strategy (12 pages)
- Significance
- Innovation
- Approach (preliminary studies, research design, methods)
- Progress Report (for components that will be reviewed)
10. Bibliography and References Cited/Progress Report Publication List
11. Protection of Human Subjects
12. Inclusion of Women and Minorities
13. Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table
14. Inclusion of Children
15. Vertebrate Animals
16. Select Agent Research
17. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
18. Letters of Support (e.g., Consultants/Collaborators)
19. Resource Sharing Plan (s)
20. For support cores only, a brief description of independently funded projects using core component.
D. Pilot Project Component
1. Abstract and Key Personnel
2. Table of Contents
3. Biosketches
4. Detail Budget First year
5. Budget justification
6. Cumulative Budget
7. Resources
8. Specific Aims (1 page)
9. Research Strategy (12 pages)
• Management of Pilot Program
• Individual Project Description (2 page limitation per pilot project)
• Progress Report (for renewal applications only)
10. Bibliography and References Cited/Progress Report Publication List
11. Protection of Human Subjects
12. Inclusion of Women and Minorities
13. Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table
14. Inclusion of Children
15. Vertebrate Animals
16. Select Agent Research
17. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
18. Letters of Support (e.g., Consultants/Collaborators
E. Appendices (on CD Format)
1. Summary list of the Appendices
2. Separate folder for each component
(FORM PAGE 4)
Detailed Budget for First 12-month Budget Period - Direct Costs Only
Individual budget pages should be submitted for (a) the overall Center budget, (b) each research components, (c) each core components; (d) education component, and (e) the pilot component. The budget for the entire Center for the first project year will retain the imprinted number 4. All subsequent pages will be renumbered consecutively at the bottom right. At the top left of each budget page, indicate clearly the nature of the content, e.g., Administrative Core, Research Component 1 etc.
Overall Summary of Center Budget: This is a budget summary total for the Center.
For each budget category (Personnel, Consultant Costs, Equipment, etc.), enter a single amount which is the total for that category of all core components and all research components for year 01. Specific budget details should not be itemized here but should be shown in the separate budget pages for each core and each research component.
Administrative Core Activities:
Funds may be requested for personnel responsible for overall direction and support for the Center (such as the Scientific Director and any administrative staff); and for equipment, supplies, and other items to be used by several investigators or available to all Center personnel. Support also may be requested for program enrichment activities (such as colloquia or visiting scientists) and for consultant costs relating to planning and evaluation of the Center program. Administrative support requirements vary widely, and will depend upon the nature of the Center's research and the collective needs of the investigators for resources.
Research, Core, and Education Components:
Each individual research and education component and each core component, including pilot projects, if any, should have its own separate budget request. The individual component director and staff should be identified under "Personnel," and all costs related to the activity to be conducted within the component should be included. Budgets for Contractual/Consortium arrangements should be included. Sufficient detail and justification should be given to allow an assessment of the budget request in light of the research, education or service/support being proposed within the component.
(FORM PAGE 5)
Budget for Entire Proposed Project Period - Direct Costs Only
Form page 5 (renumbered with the appropriate consecutive number), is to be used for presentations of budgets for the entire project period and for detailed budget justifications, beginning with a summary of the request for the Center as a whole, then separately for each Center component. At the top left of each budget page, indicate the nature of the content e.g., Administrative Core, Research Component 1, etc.
Overall Summary of the Center Budget
Administrative Core Activities
Research, Core, and Education Components:
Identify and arrange in same order as previous budget section. Some components may not require the full 5-year period of support; therefore, funds should be requested only for the period of time necessary to complete the proposed research. In addition, for example, if a component is to start in the second year of the project period-and funds are requested for a 3-year period, the columns for the 1st Budget Period and the 5th additional year should be left blank. Be sure that the year 01 budget for that component is clearly labeled to indicate the start year. Budget increases in excess of inflationary or cost-of-living increases must be clearly identified and justified.
Chart Showing Percent of Effort for all Key Personnel by Component and Year
Follow the budget presentations with a chart that summarizes for each component the percent of effort to be devoted by each individual listed as key personnel. Present one such chart for each project year, and include a total effort column on each chart. Use continuation pages. If possible, this tabular presentation should not exceed five pages, one for each project year.
(BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES)
Self-explanatory
(OTHER SUPPORT for all KEY PERSONNEL)
Self-explanatory
(RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT for the CENTER as a WHOLE)
Resources and environment pages may be included for each component if such a presentation will facilitate understanding of the availability of needed resources.
RESEARCH PLANS
A. INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW - The Center as an Integrated Whole (13 pages)
1. Specific Aims (1 page):
Provide an overview of the entire proposed center describing the central theme, purpose, and objectives. Discuss the philosophy and general plans for the proposed grant period and how the Center will achieve its major objectives. The narrative should clearly articulate the reasons a Center approach is needed for this work.
2. Research Strategy (12 pages)
Describe history of proposed Center; discuss unique contributions that will accrue and the potential contribution of each component (including pilot project component if applicable). The significance of the overall research goals and research theme should be described and the importance and relevance of these should be related to the goals and mission of the Center's Program.
- Progress Report/Preliminary Studies:
The introductory overview of renewal applications should provide a summary of major research accomplishments and progress toward achievement of goals since the last competitive application. Note that detailed progress reports for components continued into the present application should be included in the relevant component research plans.
- Training Opportunities:
Provide a brief description of opportunities for research training for persons from various disciplines and professions.
- FINAL Progress Reports for Completed Components (nonrenewing components)
Progress report for each completed component should be place here. Begin with an abstract (including the specific years the component functioned), and a listing of key personnel for that component. Each core component and research and education component should be presented individually.
3. Bibliography and References cited
4. Final Progress Report Publication List of Completed Components only.
5. Summarize in a Table format the number of publications (peer reviewed journals, books and abstracts for all competing continuation of cores and research projects.
Sample below:
| Components | Journals | Books | Reviews | Abstract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admin Core | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Research Project 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Pilot Projects | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
B. ADMINISTRATIVE CORE
1. Abstract and Key Personnel
2. Table of Contents
3. Biosketches
4. Detailed budget first year
5. Budget justification
6. Cumulative Budget
7. Resources
8. Specific Aims (1 page)
9. Research Strategy (12 pages)
- Center Organization and Operation
The administrative core component should include discussion of such issues as the framework and organization (including and organizational chart); authority and role of Center Director; authority and role of Scientific Director, committee structure and function; quality control mechanisms; institutional support; decision-making processes and day-to-day management; services provided by the core and how they are administered.
- Educational, Enrichment and Dissemination Activities
Describe any scientific enrichment activities such as special lectures, visiting scientist symposia, seminars, workshops, etc., and any scientific education and research dissemination activities for the public.
10. Bibliography and References cited/Progress Report Publication List
C. EACH RESEARCH PROJECT, SUPPORT CORE, AND EDUCATION COMPONENT
(Please refer to the specific FOA for page limitations)
Research Component Narratives: The narrative for each proposed research component should have a clear description of major objectives and goals, its integration with the other components, and its relationship to the overall Center. Each component narrative should include a subsection on Integration with and Contribution to Center Goals. This information should not be integrated throughout the narrative. In addition, detailed information should be provided in the following areas:
1. Abstract and key Personnel
2. Table of Contents
3. Biosketches
4. Detailed Budget First year
5. Budget justification
6. Cumulative Budget
7. Resources
8. Specific Aims (1 page)
9. Research Strategy (12 pages)
- Significance
- Innovation
- Approach (preliminary studies, research design, methods)
- Progress Report (for renewal applications only)
10. Bibliography and References cited/Progress Report Publication List
11. Protection of Human Subjects
12. Inclusion of Women and Minorities
13. Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table
14. Inclusion of Children
15. Vertebrate Animals
16. Select Agent Research
17. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
18. Letters of Support (e.g., Consultants/Collaborators)
19. Resource Sharing Plan (s)
20. For support cores only, a brief description of independently funded projects using core component .
Support Core Component Narratives:
Each core component narrative should include a discussion of contributions that would be made to the Center as a whole. For core components, the research and education components and other research projects to be served should be made clear. The narrative should include how the core will contribute to the overall goals of the Center and how existing research projects or proposed components will benefit from utilizing the core.
The description should clearly indicate the facilities, resources, services, and professional skills that the core will provide. Include information on:
administration and overall management of the support core including:
- General guidelines for use of services by investigators supported by the Center and/or by independent investigators supported by NIAAA.
- Plans for use of core by investigators who are not part of the Center.
- Resources and environment.
In the support core progress report include:
- information on past and/or current utilization for renewal applications including benefits accrued in terms of research productivity of core users, cost savings to Center and/or individual investigators.
- Justify need for continuing core or expanding current capacity, if applicable.
In the support Core Component Design and Methods
- Outline design and procedures of service, techniques, training, etc., to be provided.
- Identify professional staff and support staff, qualifications, and roles.
- Describe services/support to be provided and their bearing on research productivity and quality.
- Identify independent research projects and/or Center-supported research components proposed for core usage.
- Describe plans for quality control.
- Resources and Environment
Education Component Narratives:
The narrative for each proposed education component should have a clear description of major objectives and goals, its relationship to the other components and to the overall Center. Each component narrative should include a subsection on Integration with and contribution to Center Goals, In addition detailed information should be provided in the following areas:
Integration with and Contribution to Center Goals
Rationale for organization of component
Scientific knowledge base and research area for proposed projects
- Staffing plans for developing and implementing activities
- Provide time table or sequence of proposed activities
Education Approach and Methods
- Outline project design, procedures and strategies
- Identify audience or participants and define special populations
- Identify potential problems on sensitive issues and describe precautions to exercise
D. PILOT PROJECT COMPONENT
For each of the first 2 years that pilot project funds are requested, the application must describe the projects to be supported. For projects in years 03-05 the number planned for each year and a brief description of the anticipated studies must be included. Plans for support and management of pilot projects should be described in sufficient detail to permit scientific and technical merit review. Include a description of how progress of funded pilot studies will be evaluated. In addition, there should be a discussion of the process to evaluate and select new/replacement pilot projects. Pilot Project Component - for pilot project component include an overall budget for the component and a separate budget for each individual pilot project, clearly indicate the year(s) it will be or is planned to be active.
1. Abstract and Key Personnel
2. Table of Contents
3. Biosketches
4. Detailed Budget first year
5. Budget justification
6. Cumulative Budget
7. Resources
8. Specific Aims (1 page)
9. Research Strategy (12 pages)
- Management of Pilot Program
- Individual Project Description (2 page limitation per pilot project)
- Progress Report 9for renewal applications only)
10. Bibliography and References cited/progress Report Publication List
APPENDIX.
All paper PHS 398 applications must provide Appendix materials on Compact Disk (CD) format (See: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-031.html ). Consistent with NOT-OD-08-031, the maximum number of reprints that will be accepted for each research component is three and the types of documents acceptable are strictly limited. Publications that are publicly accessible must not be included in the appendix. Each CD should contain a summary listing of the Appendix items included as its first file. There should be a separate folder for each component and if an item is needed for more than one component, a copy of that item should appear in each of the component folders. Also, provide a list of appendix materials as part of the table of contents for each applicable component. The CD should be labeled with the PD/PI name and application title.
