Resource and Manpower Development in the Environmental Health Sciences

 

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).

Deleted 10/11/2006 (Program is being consolidated under CFDA # 93.113) 93.894 NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Project Grants. 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. Public Health Service Act, Sections 301 and 472, Public Laws 78-410 and 99-158, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 241, 42 U.S.C. 288; Public Law 99-500. 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). University-based nonprofit institutions; for-profit organizations conducting research; and individuals nominated by a private institution conducting research. 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. Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. 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. 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. Centers: New, renewal and supplemental applications: February 1. Institutional NRSAs: May 10. Individual NRSAs: April 5, August 5, and December 5. Centers and Institutional National Research Service Awards: From 6 to 9 months. Individual National Research Service Awards: From 6 to 8 months. 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. Renewal applications are subject to same criteria as new applications. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements. 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. Not applicable. 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. http://www.nih.gov 75-0862-0-1-552. (Grants) FY 02 $48,525,000; FY 03 est $52,843,000; and FY 04 est $55,128,000. Center Grants: $350,958 to $1,652,795; $1,230,923. NRSA: $8,962 to $577,465; $138,832. 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. 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.