MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Program

MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Program is sponsored by NIH. Supports undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in biomedical research through training and research experiences.

Expired PAR-13-205: MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T34) This notice has expired. Check the NIH Guide for active opportunities and notices. of Health and Human Services Part 1.

Overview Information Participating Organization(s) National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) of Participating Organizations National Institute of General Medical Sciences ( NIGMS ) Funding Opportunity Title MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T34) T34 MARC Undergraduate NRSA Institutional Grants February 24, 2016 - This PAR has been reissued as PAR-16-113 .

Feburary 13, 2015 - Change in Receipt Dates for Non-Competing NIGMS NRSA Institutional Training Grant Progress Reports. See Notice NOT-GM-15-109. html .

supersedes instructions in Section III. 3 regarding applications that are essentially the same. May 6, 2014 - See Notice NOT-GM-14-116.

Notice Regarding Updates to the MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Institutional Research Training (T34) Program. March 14, 2014 - See Notice NOT-OD-14-070. Adjustments to May 25-28, 2014 Grant Application Due Dates.

March 7, 2014 - See Notice NOT-GM-14-107. Notice of Technical Assistance Webinar. November 27, 2013 ( NOT-OD-14-027 ) - NIH to Require Use of Updated Electronic Application Forms for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2014.

Forms-C applications are required for due dates on or after January 25, 2014. August 21, 2013: Removed reference to ASSIST in section IV. 3, since ASSIST is currently only available for multi-project applications.

May 8,2013 - See Notice NOT-GM-13-114. Notice of Change in Application Due Dates. May 3, 2013 - See Notice NOT-GM-13-112.

Notice of Technical Assistance Workshop. Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number Companion Funding Opportunity Only one application per institution is allowed, as defined in Section III. 3.

Additional Information on Eligibility . Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) Funding Opportunity Purpose The purpose of the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Institutional Ruth L.

Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Training program is to assist undergraduate institutions to increase the number of well-prepared underrepresented (UR) students who, within three years of graduation, matriculate into competitive/research active Ph. D. or combined M.

D. -Ph. D.

programs in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, go on to research careers and will be available to participate in NIH-funded research.

The program provides grants to institutions with significant enrollment of students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences that propose well-integrated developmental activities designed to strengthen students academic preparation, research training and professional skills that are critical to the completion of the Ph. D. degree in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (New Dates June 24, 2013, (Extended to May 29, 2014 per NOT-OD-14-070 ), Originally May 25, 2014, and May 25, 2015 per NOT-GM-13-114 ), Originally June 24, 2013, 2014, 2015, by 5:00 PM local time of AIDS Application Due Date(s) October - November, 2013, 2014, 2015 January, 2014, 2015, 2016 (New Date May 26, 2015 per NOT-GM-13-114 ), Originally June 25, 2015 Required Application Instructions It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in (R&R) Application Guide including the Supplemental Instructions to the SF424 (R&R) for Preparing Institutional Ruth L.

Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Application , 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 Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Section III. Eligibility Information Section IV.

Application and Submission Information Section V. Application Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Section VII.

Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information Full Text of Announcement Section I. Funding Opportunity Description The overall goal of the NIH Ruth L.

Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. More information about NRSA programs may be found at the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) website.

To compete successfully the United States needs a diverse STEM workforce that is well educated and trained. Diversity in science matters: social scientists have long observed the ability of heterogeneous groups to derive a greater number of alternatives and perspectives that led to more complete and inventive solutions, which are critical for scientific innovation and problem solving ( http://www. ncbi.

nlm. nih. gov/pubmed/ 15534225 ).

A diverse workforce will be better equipped to address scientific challenges that are increasingly interdisciplinary in nature. However, today’s scientific workforce lacks the diversity it needs for the U.S. to remain optimally productive in the 21st century.

A recent report from an Advisory Committee to the NIH Director on Diversity of the Biomedical Research Workforce also indicates that achieving diversity in the biomedical research workforce remains an important problem that must be actively addressed ( http://acd. od. nih.

gov/dbr. htm ). National trends indicate that 25-30% of entering college students express an interest in pursuing their education in a STEM field, representing a diverse talent pool of over 800,000 students annually.

However, less than half (only forty percent) of majority students remain in STEM, most switching to other non-STEM fields in their first two years of undergraduate For individuals from groups underrepresented (UR) in biomedical and behavioral sciences [which include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives and U.S. Pacific Islanders (National Academy of Underrepresented Minority Participation: America's Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads , 2011)] the outcomes are even lower.

Only 20% of UR students who enter college intending to major in a STEM field complete a STEM degree. Even controlling for variables such as socio-economic status, URs do not persist as well as their non-UR peers. This is a substantial loss of talent during the undergraduate training years.

Greater efforts are needed to improve undergraduate STEM education for UR groups to alleviate existing disparities in the scientific workforce. Achieving parity in representation of the STEM workforce will require at least a 2-fold increase in the rate of production of UR doctorates in the next decade.

Retaining more students in STEM majors who go on to graduate training is the lowest-cost, fastest policy option to providing the STEM professionals the nation needs ( Engage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in STEM: PCAST Report, February, 2012 ).

Efforts to diversify the scientific enterprise over the last four decades have led to better understandings of what factors confer UR student persistence in STEM. Exemplar programs offer students the following: (a) academic and social integration, (b) knowledge and skill development, (c) support and motivation, and (d) monitoring and advising (see Summers, M. and Hrabowski , F.

; SCIENCE Vol. 311, March 2006 ; Matsui, J. , Liu, R.

and Kane, C. ; Cell Biology Education Vol. 2, Summer 2003 and Jolly, E.

, Campbell, P. , and Perlman, L. ; GE Foundation, September 2004 for details).

These factors are interdependent and each is necessary to ensure student persistence. Proposed Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Programs must employ well-integrated strategies, rooted in education research, that provide students with what they need to progress to the next stage of the science education continuum.

The goal of the NRSA MARC U-STAR honors program, supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), is to assist undergraduate institutions to increase the number of well-prepared UR students for highly selective Ph. D. or combined M.

D. -Ph. D.

-level training in the biomedical and behavioral sciences who go on to impact the health-related research needs of the Nation. Applications must reflect the mission, plans and priorities of the applicant institution.

Thus, each applicant must conduct an institutional self-assessment that includes information pertaining to: Academic and research environment Student academic outcomes (i.e., GPAs of UR and non-UR students; number of UR and non-UR students who enter, drop out, and complete STEM bachelor's degrees; matriculate into STEM Ph. D.

programs; and engage in productive Historical challenges/impediments that students from the applicant institution encountered in completing the BS/BA degree and pursuing As a result of the self-assessment, each MARC U-STAR applicant must establish its proposed program’s measurable (quantifiable) objectives, which should be consonant with the MARC U-STAR Program purpose.

The measurable objectives should inform the design of an institutional pre-baccalaureate research training program with potential for significant impact on the institution's ability to increase the number of well-prepared UR students for highly selective Ph. D. or M.

D. /Ph. D.

-level training in the biomedical and Two core elements characterize MARC U-STAR student development training programs: research training and academic enhancement. Because of the heterogeneity in institutional settings and institutional missions, various strategies for research training and academic enhancement may be utilized to reach the MARC U-STAR Program's purpose.

Specifically for research training activities, NIGMS expects research-intensive institutions (those specifically considered to be RU/VH or RU/H in the Carnegie Basic Classification system) to offer hands-on "traditional" research training experiences to MARC U-STAR scholars with research active (e.g., R01 or equivalent) intramural faculty mentors during the academic year.

Non research-intensive institutions (including the DRU category in the Carnegie Basic Classification system that educate undergraduates) with primarily teaching missions and limited intramural research active faculty may offer hands-on "traditional" research training for MARC U-STAR scholars on the campus during the academic year with research active faculty (e.g., SCORE , IDEA , or equivalent)If the research environment is of limited capacity with few research active faculty to sufficiently offer all MARC U-STAR scholars hands-on "traditional" research training, then expectations are to provide other means of intramural research training during each academic term, such as: i) research classroom training (research-based curricula developed to engage college students in true scientific discovery) or ii) hands-on "traditional" research training at a nearby research-intensive host institution(s).

Both research-intensive and non research-intensive MARC U-STAR institutions are expected to provide at least one extramural summer research training experience at a research-intensive host site for each MARC U-STAR trainee; preferable sites are graduate institutions that offer NIH T32 predoctoral training programs (see also http://grants. nih. gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_T32.

html ). An anticipated outcome of trainee participation in research training efforts is presenting research findings at local, student and/or domestic scientific meetings in the trainee’s field of study.

The other core element of the MARC U-STAR Program is providing academic enhancement, such as: incorporation of quantitative sciences (math, chemistry, physics, engineering, and/or computer science) into the study of biology for an interdisciplinary mode of learning; quantitative skills are critical for student participation in modern, cutting-edge biomedical research implementation of innovative teaching strategies for improved learning such as active learning, inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, peer collaborative/group assignments, etc. utilization of service-learning, a strategy that integrates meaningful, scientifically-relevant community service with instruction development of communication skills, both in writing and orally development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills The list is not meant to be descriptive or exhaustive.

Any activity(s) that leads to enhanced academic development may be proposed. Students are expected to participate in the MARC U-STAR honors program during their final two years of the undergraduate tenure, typically referred to as the junior and senior years and for a consecutive 24 month period for each participant. Program activities should engage and develop MARC U-STAR students to prepare them for high caliber STEM Ph.

D. or combined M. D.

-Ph. D. programs.

To enhance the pool, program activities to interest and motivate pre-college, freshman and sophomore students are strongly encouraged to improve their skills and preparedness for the MARC U-STAR Program. MARC U-STAR is an honors program; as such NIGMS has high expectations.

At the institutional level, it is expected that the following objectives will be All MARC U-STAR trainees will graduate with a bachelor's degree in a The majority of MARC U-STAR trainees, within three years of graduation, will matriculate in a Ph. D. or combined M.

D. -Ph. D.

program at a research-intensive institution, go on to obtain a research doctorate and ultimately enter a biomedical or behavioral research career. Several key features are required of MARC U-STAR Programs. Therefore MARC U-STAR applicants must: Improve their institutional record, from the current baseline, of sending students on to science Ph.

D. programs Provide a clear statement of the program goal(s) and measurable (quantifiable) objectives specific to the institutional baseline and in keeping with the MARC U-STAR Program purpose Provide a detailed description of student development activities that would move the institution from its current baseline to the proposed program’s expectations.

NIGMS expects activities supported under MARC U-STAR to benefit all students, not just those in the MARC U-STAR Program, to improve the institution's ability to diversify the scientific enterprise Demonstrate a clear commitment by the grantee institution for the Describe synergy with and distinction from all other student science training programs at the institution ( e.g., NIGMS RISE, IMSD, PREP or Bridges programs, NSF LSAMP or HHMI EXROP) Provide MARC U-STAR scholars with intramural research training during the academic year either as hands-on "traditional" research training with internal research faculty mentors for Carnegie classified research-intensive institutions or for non research-intensive institutions (as Carnegie classified) to provide such training either through on-campus traditional research training (where feasible) or by research classroom training or established partnership(s) with nearby research-intensive host institution(s).

Further, regardless of the Carnegie classification, all MARC U-STAR Programs must provide at least one extramural summer research training experience at a research-intensive host site for each Describe MARC U-STAR Program interactions with high caliber Ph. D. programs (such as those with NIH T32 grants).

Section II. Award Information Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity Application Types Allowed Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Application budgets are not limited, but need to reflect actual needs of the proposed academic and research training program. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research training will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary.

Grantees are expected to be familiar with and comply with applicable cost policies and the NRSA Guidelines ( NIH Grants Policy Statement - Institutional Research Training Grants ).

Funds may be used only for those expenses that are directly related to and necessary for the research training and must be expended in conformance with OMB Cost Principles, the NIH Grants Policy Statement , and the NRSA regulations, policies, guidelines, and conditions set forth in this document. The maximum project period for Kirschstein NRSA T34 Institutional training grants is 5 years.

Stipends, Tuition, and Fees Kirschstein-NRSA awards provide stipends as a subsistence allowance to help defray living expenses during the academic and research training experience. Each MARC U-STAR scholar is expected to be appointed to two consecutive 12-month appointments during the final two years of undergraduate training, typically called the junior and senior years.

The stipend is not provided as a condition of employment with either the Federal government or the grantee institution, nor is it to be considered as a payment for services rendered. No departure from the established stipend schedule may be negotiated by the institution with the trainee. Applicants should request full tuition and fees.

NIGMS will contribute to the combined cost of tuition and fees at the rate in place at the time of award The most recent stipend, tuition, and fee levels are described on the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) site. Visit NIH Grants Policy Statement : Ruth L.

Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for more information. Trainee travel to attend domestic scientific meetings and workshops that the institution determines to be necessary for the MARC U-STAR trainee's development and training experience is an allowable and expected expense. Additionally, MARC U-STAR trainees are required to spend at least one summer at an extramural site for a research training experience.

Preferred sites are research intensive graduate institutions such as those with NIH T32 training programs. Foreign sites are not allowed.

Funds for the summer research experience will be provided as follows: $3,000 per MARC U-STAR trainee, to be used in accordance with institutional policies as a per diem for a period of ten weeks; an additional $500 for travel to and from the host research training site (for MARC U-STAR -supported institutions in Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands $750 for travel per trainee will be provided).

NIGMS provides funds for the extramural summer research training experience for up to 50% of the appointed number of MARC U-STAR trainees at the time a competing award is made. For additional guidance on MARC U-STAR extramural summer research requirement, see MARC USTAR Summer Research Experience Policy . .

Training Related Expenses and Other Program Related Expenses Training-Related Expenses: NIGMS will provide funds to help defray research training expenses. The total amount of Training Related Expenses (TRE) that may be requested is limited by 1) whether a new application (T1) submission or a competing renewal application (T2) submission and by 2) type of Carnegie classified institution.

New (T1) MARC U-STAR applicants may request up to $16,800/trainee/year for research-intensive institutions (as considered to be RU/VH or RU/H in the Carnegie Basic Classification system) and up to $25,200/trainee/year for non research-intensive institutions (including the DRU category in the Carnegie Classification).

Competing renewal applicants (T2) may request up to a maximum of $8,400/trainee/year for TRE if the institution is research-intensive and request up to $12,600/trainee/year if the institution is non research-intensive. After the initial project period (typically 5 years), NIGMS expects MARC U-STAR Program activities to be established and maintained, in part, by institutional efforts, hence the lower TRE values.

Regardless of the type of applicant (new or returning) or type of institution (research-intensive or non research-intensive) there is a maximum cap of $350,000/year for the TRE portion of a proposed MARC U-STAR budget.

Personnel costs/staff salaries (see details in next section); consultant costs; program evaluation costs; equipment and research classroom course(s), if proposed; program website design and maintenance; faculty/staff travel that is directly related to the program; faculty training in pedagogical skills development; student academic skills development workshops (e.g., problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication and time management).

Note: funds for students to take workshops or courses designed to improve performance on specific tests, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or MCAT are not an allowable expense; however, funds for courses to improve student’s critical thinking/problem-solving skills are allowed; health insurance for MARC U-STAR trainees (self-only or family, as appropriate) to the extent that the same health insurance fees are charged to non-Federally-supported students at the applicant institution; costs for reasonable accommodations for disabled trainees may be requested under exceptional circumstances (advance consultation with NIGMS program staff is strongly advised); and other program-related expenses may be included in the TRE expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the Other Program Related Expenses: Individual(s) designing, directing, and implementing the MARC U-STAR 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 applicant institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap. If mentoring interactions and other activities with scholars are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then mentoring and other interactions with scholars are non-reimbursable from grant funds.

Limited program-related administrative and clerical salary costs associated distinctly with the program that are not normally provided by the applicant organization may be direct charges to the MARC U-STAR grant only when they are in accordance with applicable cost principles.

For institutions covered by OMB Circular A-21, this type of student development training program may qualify as a major project where administrative salaries are allowable as a direct cost. When specifically identified and justified, these expenses must be itemized in Sections A and B, as appropriate, of the R&R Budget.

Salary support for the PD/PI/co-Investigators (or in combination of multiple PDs/PIs/co-Investigators) is limited to up to 3. 0 person months (i.e., 25% on a 12-month basis) in total, depending on person months devoted to the program. The total salary support for other administrative personnel (e.g., program administrator/program coordinator and/or program assistant) is limited to up to 6.

0 person months (i.e., 50% on a 12-month basis), per person depending on person months devoted to the administration Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees, consortium costs in excess of $25,000, and expenditures for equipment), rather than on the basis of a negotiated described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

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: Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) Only domestic, non-profit, private or public institutions that confer the baccalaureate degree in subjects related to biomedical or behavioral science and that have a substantial undergraduate enrollment of students drawn from groups that are underrepresented in the Nation’s biomedical and behavioral science research fields are eligible to apply.

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. See section IV under Institutional Environment and Commitment to the Program for more Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement , are not allowed. Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations as described in the SF424 (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 Award Management (SAM) must maintain an active entity registration (formerly CCR registration), to be renewed at least annually. Use the Sam. gov Manage Entity function to manage your entity registrations.

See the Grants Registration User Guide at SAM. gov for additional information. All Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) 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 applicant organization.

All registrations must be completed by the application due date. Applicant organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration process at least 6 weeks prior to the application due date.

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

Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PD(s)/PI(s), visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

The PD/PI should be a full-time faculty member with strong records in research, teaching, and training 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 Policy Statement .

3. Additional Information on Eligibility Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique DUNS number or NIH IPF number) is allowed for the MARC U-STAR Program.

NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed within the past thirty-seven months (as described Grants Policy Statement ), except for submission: To an RFA of an application that was submitted previously as an investigator-initiated application but not paid; Of an investigator-initiated application that was originally submitted to an RFA but not paid; or Of an application with a changed grant activity code.

Mentors should have research expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate as mentors. Mentors must be committed to continue their involvement throughout the total period of the award.

It is the responsibility of the applicant institution to establish the qualifications of students prior to their selection for the MARC U-STAR Program.

Students appointed to the MARC U-STAR training program must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment (details on citizenship requirements are available in the NIH Grants Students must matriculate full-time at the applicant institution in sciences relevant to biomedicine.

Full-time effort is normally defined as 40 hours per week or as specified by the sponsoring institution in accordance with its own policies. MARC U-STAR trainees are expected to be appointed to two consecutive 12-month appointments during the final two years of undergraduate training, typically called the junior and senior years. On an annual basis, trainee appointments for less than 12 months require prior written approval by NIGMS.

A Kirschstein-NRSA MARC U-STAR institutional research training grant must be used to support a program of full-time academic and research training for honors undergraduate students. and Submission Information 1.

Requesting an Application 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 . 2.

Content and 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 For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications . All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

Required and Optional Components The forms package associated with this FOA includes all applicable components, required and optional. Please note that some components marked optional in the application package are required for submission of applications for this FOA. Follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to ensure you complete all appropriate optional components.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L.

Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information Component Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA), with the following additional modifications: MARC U-STAR applicants do NOT use Training Data Tables (Tables 1 12).

Instead, applicants may use suggested data Tables A-E which are downloadable from the TWD/MARC website . Summary /Abstract. Provide an abstract of the entire application, including the long-term goals and objectives of the program.

Include the rationale and design of the program, the planned duration of the program and the projected number of trainees. Committee. A plan must be provided for the appointment of an Advisory Committee to monitor program and trainee progress.

Composition, responsibilities, frequency of meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe the composition of the Advisory Committee, identifying the role and the desired expertise of members.

For instance, a MARC U-STAR Advisory Committee might include a dean, chairpersons of participating MARC U-STAR departments, the MARC U-STAR PD(s)/PI(s), intramural research faculty mentors, extramural research faculty mentors from host institutions, NIH predoctoral T32 program director(s) within the local region, etc. Describe how the Advisory Committee will function in providing oversight of the development, implementation, and evaluation of recruitment strategies, the recruitment and retention of participants, and the evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the program.

A plan for Advisory Committee selection and approval of MARC U-STAR participants should be included. Note that proposed Advisory Committee members should not be named in the application, particularly if they include individuals from outside the institution. However, renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include names of existing external advisors.

Please name your file Advisory_Committee. pdf . filename provided for each Other Attachment will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile Expanded Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA). PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L.

Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA). Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA).

PHS 398 Training Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for Preparing Institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA). Follow all instructions provided in