High School Program in Biomedical and Health Sciences (NIH/NIDDK-funded Short-Term Research Experience Program for Underrepresented Persons - STEP-UP)

High School Program in Biomedical and Health Sciences (NIH/NIDDK-funded Short-Term Research Experience Program for Underrepresented Persons - STEP-UP) is sponsored by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) / National Institutes of Health (NIH). This program aims to increase the number of youth committed to and well-positioned for careers in the sciences, particularly among underrepresented persons, by providing 10-12 weeks of summer research education and training for high school and undergraduate students.

Expired RFA-DK-11-011: NIDDK Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP) (R25) This notice has expired. Check the NIH Guide for active opportunities and notices. Part 1.

Overview Information Participating Organization(s) National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Components of Participating National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Funding Opportunity Title NIDDK Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented November 21, 2012 - See Notice NOT-DK-13-002. Notice of Change to Instructions to Other Reporting Requirements. March 7, 2012 - This RFA has been reissued as RFA-DK-12-005.

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number Additional Information on Eligibility . Catalog of Federal DomesticAssistance (CFDA) Number(s) This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications from institutions to implement and evaluate the NIDDK Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP).

STEP-UP is a national program designed to provide ten to twelve weeks of summer research education and training for high school and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in the NIDDK mission areas including diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, nutrition, obesity, and digestive, liver, urologic, kidney, and hematologic diseases.

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) Letter of Intent Due Date July 29, 2011, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant AIDS Application Due Date(s) Required Application Instructions It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in 424 (R&R) Application Guide except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV . When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions.

Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. Part 1. Overview Information Part 2.

Full Text of the Announcement Section I. Funding Op portunity Section II. Award Information Section III.

Eligibility Information Section IV. Application and Submission Section V. Application Review Information Section VI.

Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information I.

Funding Opportunity Description The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes a unique and compelling need to promote diversity in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research workforce.

The NIH expects efforts to diversify the workforce to lead to the recruitment of the most talented researchers from all groups; to improve the quality of the educational and training environment; to balance and broaden the perspective in setting research priorities; to improve the ability to recruit subjects from diverse backgrounds into clinical research protocols; and to improve the Nation's capacity to address and eliminate health disparities.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) seeks to increase the diversity of the pool of research scientists involved in NIDDK research mission areas including diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases.

Although the Institute currently provides multiple opportunities to develop research careers and improve participation among individuals from diverse backgrounds, very few are designed to increase the research pipeline. Published data indicate that pipeline programs are an important strategy for increasing the diversity of the research workforce and reducing health disparities.

The overall goal of NIDDK's Short Term Education Program (STEP-UP) is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK mission areas.

The STEP-UP program is particularly interested in increasing the participation of students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research on a national basis, including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities. The intent of this FOA is to support institutions in the implementation and evaluation of the STEP-UP program.

STEP-UP consist of two types of programs: (1) A high school program for underrepresented high school students in the 11th and 12th grades and (2) An undergraduate program for underrepresented college students. Applicants must specify the type of program that they propose to coordinate. Since this is a national program, applicants are required to recruit students across all states and US territories.

For the high school program, two institutions will be awarded to coordinate recruitment of students from 48 contiguous United States (excluding American Indian students); one institution will be responsible for recruiting American Indian and Alaska Native students and students from Puerto Rico; and one institution will be funded to coordinate recruitment of students from the Pacific Islands.

For the undergraduate program, three institutions will be funded to coordinate recruitment of students from all US states and territories. The programs provide support for ten to twelve consecutive weeks during the summer of research education and training in NIDDK mission areas for high school and undergraduate students.

Applicants should describe the process for identifying and matching research mentors with students, along with strategies to continuously build the cadre of research mentors throughout the duration of the program. At the end of the summer, all students in the program are required to attend a scientific symposium to present results from their research experience.

For the high school program, the scientific symposium will be on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The scientific symposium for the undergraduate program will be at varied locations. This FOA invites applications from applicant organizations that propose creative and innovative ways to implement and evaluate the NIDDK STEP-UP program.

An evaluation plan containing formative and summative measures must be provided.

Evaluation plans must answer the following questions: 1) How many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities participated in the program; 2) What percentage of STEP-UP participants entered into undergraduate or graduate degree programs related to science; and 3) To what extent did the STEP-UP program increase interest in NIDDK mission areas.

Application Types Allowed Glossary and the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards The NIDDK intends to commit $1,250,000 in total costs for seven awards in fiscal year 2012. Future year amounts will depend on annual appropriations. The seven new awards will support four high school programs and three undergraduate programs.

For the high school program two institutions will be awarded to coordinate recruitment of students from the forty-eight contiguous United States (excluding American Indian students); one institution will be responsible for recruiting American Indian and Alaska Native students and students from Puerto Rico; and one institution will be funded to coordinate recruitment of students from the Pacific Islands.

For the undergraduate program, three institutions will be funded to coordinate recruitment of college students from all US states and The proposed budgets must reflect actual needs of the proposed project. It is expected that the application will adhere to the following budgetary guidelines: Direct costs for the high school program cannot exceed $158,000 per year.

For the undergraduate program, the direct cost cannot exceed The total project period for an application submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement may not exceed 5 years. Other Award Budget Information Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the research education program may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person months devoted to the program.

Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap.

(If mentoring interactions and other activities with students/participants are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then any costs associated with the mentoring and other interactions with students/participants are not allowable costs from grant funds).

It is expected that total personnel costs (including salary and fringe benefits) are not to exceed $40,000 per project Participants may be paid if specifically required for the proposed research education program and sufficiently justified. Participant costs must be itemized in the proposed budget.

Allowable participant costs depend on the educational level/career status of the individuals recruited to participate in the Institutions may request support for at least 20 but no more than 25 student participants, per budget period, based on a full-time, ten to twelve week appointment. The allowance for high school students participating in the program should not exceed $2,500 for ten to twelve weeks in each summer.

The allowance for each undergraduate student participating in the program should not exceed $3,500 per year. Other Program-Related Expenses Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses may be included in the proposed budget.

These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the The institution may request up to $500 per student per mentor per year to cover the costs of laboratory supplies and expenses. Travel cost are not to exceed $1,200 for each student per year, $1,300 for each PD/PI, program coordinator and chaperone per year.

Travel expenses for chaperones are only allowed in the high school program. One chaperone is required per 6 high school students All chaperones must be directly affiliated with the program (e.g. PDs/PIs, program coordinators, research mentors, and former participants). An additional $2,000 per year is available to cover other expenses directly related to the program.

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees and expenditures for equipment), rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement. described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA. Section III.

Eligibility Information Higher Education Institutions: Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education Private Institutions of Higher Education The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education: Hispanic-serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses) City or Township Governments Special District Governments Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government U.S. Territory or Possession Independent School Districts Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Faith-based or Community-based Organizations provide unique opportunities for access to students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.

Accordingly, NIDDK strongly encourages applications from the following institutions: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Foreign (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are Not allowed. Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) must also work with their institutional officials to register with the eRA Commons or ensure their existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA Commons account of the All registrations must be completed by the application due date. The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program.

Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program. Institutions with existing Ruth L.

Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training grants (e.g., T32) or other Federally funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs receiving NIH support.

In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring at the applicant institution. Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award.

Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following Contractor Registration (CCR) must maintain an active registration, to be renewed at least annually All Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) must also work with their institutional officials to register with the eRA Commons or ensure their existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA Commons account of the All registrations must be completed by the application due date.

Applicant organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration process at least four (4) weeks prior to the application due date.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator) Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support.

Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.

The PD/PI should be an established investigator in the scientific area in which the application is targeted and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. The PD/PI will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required.

This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Additional Information on Eligibility Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct. NIH will not accept any application in response to this FOA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial peer review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application.

NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. The PD/PI and coordination team will be responsible for identifying and matching research mentors with students. Research mentors from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and women are encouraged to participate as mentors.

Mentors should have research expertise and experience relevant to NIDDK mission areas. Mentors must be committed to continue their involvement throught the total period of the mentee's participation in this award. Applications must clearly describe the target population to be recruited into the program.

High school participants should have completed the 11th grade. Eligibility criteria for undergraduate students include those students who have completed the freshman year. Institutions may request support for at least 20 participants but no more than 25 participants per budget period, based on a full-time, three-month appointment.

A participant may be appointed for a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks during a budget period. Where appropriate, institutions are encouraged to appoint a participant for more than one budget period, i.e., two or more successive summer research experiences. The requested number of participants must be justified in the applications.

Unless strongly justified on the basis of exceptional relevance to NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens. Section IV. Application and Submission 1.

Requesting an Application Package Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application package associated with this funding opportunity using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants. gov .

Form of Application Submission It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in (R&R) Application Guide , except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and By the date listed in Part 1.

Overview Information , prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information: Descriptive title of proposed research Name, address, and telephone number of the PD(s)/PI(s) Names of other key personnel Participating institutions Number and title of this funding opportunity The letter of intent should be sent to: National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Room 752 Required and Optional Components The forms package associated with this FOA includes all applicable components, mandatory and optional.

Please note that some components marked optional in the application package are required for application submission. Follow the instructions in the SF 424 (R&R) to determine which components are required. All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information Component Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following modifications: Describe the educational environment, including the facilities, laboratories, participating departments, computer services, and any other resources to be used in the development and implementation of the proposed program.

List all thematically related sources of support for research training and education following the format for Current and Pending Support. . Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following modifications: Include all personnel other than the PD/PI(s) in the Other Personnel section, including clerical and administrative staff.

Use the section on Participant/Trainee Support Costs to include all allowable categories of funds requested to support participants in the PHS 398 Research Plan Component All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the additional instructions described below: The Research Strategy section must be used to upload Program Plan , which must include the following components described below: Proposed Research Education Program, Institutional Environment and Commitment, Program Director/Principal Investigator, Program Faculty/Staff, Program Participants, Diversity Recruitment and Retention Plan, Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research, and Evaluation Plan.

Proposed Research Education Program (Component of Research Education Program Plan) While the proposed research education program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution, the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support.

When research training programs are on-going in the same department, the applicant organization should clearly describe the distinction between the intended participants in the proposed research education program and the research training supported by the training program. The information should include a description of the education and/or career levels of the planned participants.

The application should provide a summary of the research education program including its objectives, the types of research activities available, and a mentoring plan.

Institutional Environment and Commitment (Component of Research Education Program Plan) Describe the institutional environment, reiterating the availability of facilities and educational resources (described separately under Facilities & Other Resources ), that can contribute to the planned Research Education Program. Evidence of institutional commitment to the research educational program is required.

A letter of institutional commitment must be attached as part of Letters of Support. Appropriate institutional commitment should include the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned research education program.

Program Director/Principal Investigator (Component of Research Education Program Plan) Describe arrangements for administration of the program, provide evidence that the Program Director/Principal Investigator is actively engaged in research and/or teaching in an area related to the mission of NIH, and can organize, administer, monitor, and evaluate the research education program, as well as evidence of institutional and community commitment and support for the proposed program.

Program Faculty/Staff (Component of Research Education Describe the characteristics and responsibilities of the participating faculty; provide evidence that the participating faculty and preceptors are actively engaged in research or other scholarly activities related to the mission of NIH.

Additional evidence must be provided that demonstrates participating faculty are actively engaged in research in NIDDK (Component of Research Education Program Plan) Where the proposed program involves participants, provide details about the pool of expected participants, their qualifications, recruitment strategies and sources of applicant pool, etc. Diversity Recruitment and Retention Plan (Component of Research Education Program Plan) The NIH recognizes a unique and compelling need to promote diversity in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research workforce.

The NIH expects efforts to diversify the workforce to lead to the recruitment of the most talented researchers from all groups; to improve the quality of the educational and training environment; to balance and broaden the perspective in setting research priorities; to improve the ability to recruit subjects from diverse backgrounds into clinical research protocols; and to improve the Nation's capacity to address and eliminate health disparities.

Accordingly, the NIH continues to encourage institutions to diversify their student and faculty populations and thus to increase the participation of individuals currently underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences such as: individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds that have inhibited their ability to pursue a career in health-related research.

Institutions are encouraged to identify candidates who will increase diversity on a national or institutional basis. The NIH is particularly interested in encouraging the recruitment and retention of the following classes of racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national at http://www. nsf.

gov/statistics/showpub. cfm? TopID=2&SubID=27 and the most Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering ).

The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.

In addition, it is recognized that underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting; individuals from racial or ethnic groups that can be convincingly demonstrated to be underrepresented by the grantee institution should be encouraged to participate disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

disadvantaged backgrounds who are defined as: come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These thresholds are based on family size; published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census; adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index; and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs.

The Secretary periodically publishes these income levels at HHS - Poverty Guidelines, Research, and Measurement .

For individuals from low income backgrounds, the institution must be able to demonstrate that such participants have qualified for Federal disadvantaged assistance or they have received any of the following student loans: Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), Loans for Disadvantaged Student Program, or they have received scholarships from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional come from a social, cultural, or educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that have demonstrably and recently directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.

Recruitment and retention plans related to a disadvantaged background (C1 and C2) are most applicable to high school and perhaps undergraduate candidates, but would be more difficult to justify for individuals beyond that level of achievement. Under extraordinary circumstances the PHS may, at its discretion, consider an individual beyond the undergraduate level to be from a disadvantaged background.

Such decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, based on appropriate documentation. New applications must include a description of plans to enhance recruitment of a diverse participant pool and may wish to include data in support of past accomplishments. Renewal applications must include a detailed account of experiences in recruiting individuals from underrepresented groups during the previous funding period.

Information must be included on successful and unsuccessful recruitment strategies including aggregate information on the Participants who applied for admission or positions within the department(s)/programs(s) relative to the research education program, Participants who were offered admission to or a position within the department(s)/program(s), Participants who actually enrolled in the academic program relevant to the research education program, Participants who were appointed to the research education program.

For those individuals who were enrolled in the program, the report should include information about the duration of education and whether those individuals finished the program in good standing. This FOA requires all applicants to submit a recruitment and retention plan to enhance diversity (see SF424, Section 8. 7.

Research Training Program Plan Components, Item 4, Recruitment and Retention to Enhance Diversity). Additional information on the required Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity is available at Frequently Asked Questions Recruitment and Retention Plan to Enhance Diversity ( Diversity FAQs ). Applications without a diversity recruitment and retention plan will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (Component of Research Education Program Plan) Every participant supported by this Research Education grant must receive instruction in the responsible conduct of research. All applications must include a plan to provide such instruction.

The plan must address five components (format; subject matter; faculty participation; duration of instruction; and frequency of instruction) as detailed in NOT-OD-10-019 . Renewal (Type 2) applications must, in addition, describe changes in formal instruction over the past project period and plans for the future that address any weaknesses in the current instruction plan.

All participating faculty who served as course directors, speakers, lecturers, and/or discussion leaders during the past project period must be named in the application. Applications lacking a plan for instruction in responsible conduct of research may be delayed or not accepted for review. An award cannot be made if an application lacks this component.

The background, rationale and more detail about instruction in the responsible conduct of research can be found in NOT-OD-10-019 . An award cannot be made if an application lacks this component. If such instruction is not appropriate for the proposed research education program, then the PD/PI must provide a strong justification for its exclusion.

Evaluation Plan (Component of Research Education A plan must be provided for program evaluation. Benchmarks should be specified, and specific plans and procedures must be described to capture, analyze and report short or long-term outcome measures that would determine the success of the research education program in achieving its objectives.

Where appropriate, applicants are encouraged to include plans to obtain feedback from participants to help identify weaknesses and to provide suggestions for program improvements.

Evaluation plans must answer the following questions: 1) How many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities participated in the program; 2) What percentage of STEP-UP participants entered into undergraduate or graduate degree programs related to science; and 3) To what extent did the STEP-UP program increase interest in NIDDK mission areas.

are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. : Do not use the appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) 3.

Submission Dates and Times Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit in advance of the deadline to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.

Organizations must submit applications via Grants. gov , the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies. Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons , NIH’s electronic system for grants responsible for viewing their application in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. 4. Intergovernmental Review (E.

O. 12372) This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants 6. Other Submission Requirements and Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III.

Eligibility Information contains information about registration. For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission All PD/PIs must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF 424(R&R) Application Package .

Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH. The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the Central Contractor Registration (CCR).

Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. tips for avoiding common errors. Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by the Review Branch of the NIDDK.

Applications that are incomplete and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed. In order to expedite review, applicants are requested to notify the NIDDK Referral Office by email at [email protected] when the application has been submitted. Please include the FOA number and title, PD/PI name, and title of the application.

Post Submission Materials Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115 . V. Application Review Information Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.

As part of the NIH mission , all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer For this particular announcement, note the following: The goals of the NIDDK short term education program are to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available