Rehabilitation Research Career Development Programs (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)

Rehabilitation Research Career Development Programs (K12 Clinical Trial Optional) is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH). This funding opportunity supports national programs of mentored career development and training in research for junior faculty in clinical rehabilitation fields.

The goal is to attract and nurture a new cadre of clinically trained rehabilitation researchers from a variety of geographic backgrounds and support their transition to independent funding. The program should support scholars with a clinical background in medical rehabilitation (e.g., physiatry, physical/occupational therapy and allied health).

Expired RFA-HD-26-005: Rehabilitation Research Career Development Programs (K12 Clinical Trial Optional) This notice has expired. For NIH, in limited situations, applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis for a short period after expiration to accommodate NIH late or continuous submission policies . Contact the eRA Service Desk for any submission issues.

Check the NIH Guide for active opportunities and notices. Department of Health and Human Services Part 1.

Overview Information Participating Organization(s) National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Components of Participating Organizations Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development ( NICHD ) Funding Opportunity Title Rehabilitation Research Career Development Programs (K12 Clinical Trial Optional) K12 Clinical Scientist Institutional Career Development Program Award April 4, 2024 - Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025.

See Notice NOT-OD-24-084 . Funding Opportunity Number (FON) Companion Funding Opportunity See Section III. 3.

Additional Information on Eligibility. Assistance Listing Number(s) Funding Opportunity Purpose This funding opportunity seeks applications to support national programs of mentored career development and training in research for early-stage faculty in clinical rehabilitation fields.

The goal is to attract and nurture a new and geographically-diverse cadre of clinically trained rehabilitation researchers and support their transition to independent funding. The program should support scholars with a clinical background in medical rehabilitation (e.g., physiatry, physical/occupational therapy and allied health).

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) allows appointment of Scholars (K12) proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial; or proposing a separate ancillary clinical trial; or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, as part of their research and career development.

Funding Opportunity Announcement Goal(s) To conduct and support laboratory research, clinical trials, and studies with people that explore health processes. NICHD researchers examine growth and development, biologic and reproductive functions, behavior patterns, and population dynamics to protect and maintain the health of all people. To examine the impact of disabilities, diseases, and defects on the lives of individuals.

With this information, the NICHD hopes to restore, increase, and maximize the capabilities of people affected by disease and injury. To sponsor training programs for scientists, doctors, and researchers to ensure that NICHD research can continue.

By training these professionals in the latest research methods and technologies, the NICHD will be able to conduct its research and make health research progress until all children, adults, families, and populations enjoy good health.

The mission of the NICHD is to ensure that every person is born healthy and wanted, that women suffer no harmful effects from reproductive processes, and that all children have the chance to achieve their full potential for healthy and productive lives, free from disease or disability, and to ensure the health, productivity, independence, and well-being of all people through optimal rehabilitation.

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) Letter of Intent Due Date(s) Renewal / Resubmission / Revision (as allowed) AIDS - New/Renewal/Resubmission/Revision, as allowed All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

Required Application Instructions It is critical that applicants follow the Training (T) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide , except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ). Conformance to all requirements (both in the How to Apply - Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced.

Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the How to Apply - 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 Announcement Section I.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Other Award Budget 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 Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Description The overall purpose of the NIH Research Career Development programs is to help ensure that a 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 Career programs may be found at the NIH Extramural Training Mechanisms website.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages applications from organizations that propose creative and innovative institutional research career development programs in the mission area(s) of the NIH.

The proposed institutional research career development program may complement other, ongoing research training and career development programs at the applicant institution, but the proposed career development experiences must be distinct from those career development programs currently receiving Federal support.

This NOFO invites applications to coordinate the mentoring and career development of rehabilitation researchers in clinical domains that may include one of the following: physiatrists, physical/occupational therapists, allied health professionals, or other clinicians involved in rehabilitation.

Unlike some other NIH K12 programs, the goal of this program is to support a national mentoring network and an emerging cohort of research scholars rather than a program exclusively located at the applicant institution. The K12 applicant will be responsible for identifying qualified candidates (scholars) and supporting them in their home institution.

We encourage applications that promote networking among clinical and academic departments as well as professional organizations to attract and nurture a pool of clinically-trained rehabilitation researchers across the Nation.

Scholars supported under these programs would be expected to seek independent and stable research support through grants from the NIH and other federal agencies and research foundations at the conclusion of their K12 training.

With the increasing population of individuals living with chronic disabilities, the field of medical rehabilitation has a continuing need to promote research to validate approaches, optimize treatments, and incorporate new technologies. Unprecedented opportunities exist to explore the biomedical, behavioral, and social bases for rehabilitative strategies and their application to appropriate patient populations.

Through the K12 career development programs described here, the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) within NICHD is seeking to attract and support a geographically- diverse cohort of clinical investigators for research careers to improve the health of people with chronic physical disabilities.

The use of a national network encourages multidisciplinary ideas and resources in supporting clinical researchers is multiple geographic environments with broader mentorship. This model also helps to forge a cadre of emerging researchers, professional collaborators, and future academic leaders. Rehabilitation research goals have multiple dimensions and include basic, translational, and clinical studies.

They include the development of strategies to minimize tissue pathophysiology and secondary complications, to facilitate tissue plasticity and regeneration, to support behavioral and psychosocial adaptation, to improve function, and to promote and integrate assistive technologies.

Research is also needed to develop, implement, and scale better treatments for clinical conditions such as chronic pain, weakness and paralysis, spasticity and tremors, problems with balance, coordination, and gait, and sensory and autonomic dysfunction.

Behavioral and psychosocial studies are needed to promote cognitive rehabilitation and psychosocial support, understand the role of environmental factors, increase participation, and improve health-related quality of life.

The NCMRR/NICHD encourages the development of improved prognostic measures; better ways to assess impairment, function, and disability; improved focus on clinically-significant goals for patients, caregivers/partners, and families; measures of participation and quality of life; and better understanding of health-care constraints and the benefits of chronic health management.

Precision medicine has a key role in understanding rehabilitative processes, improving prognostic measures, and targeting therapeutic strategies to optimize impact and resources. The NCMRR/NICHD also supports the development of clinical trials (especially with adaptive designs), comparative effectiveness research, and studies of health-service utilization and the use of artificial intelligence and advanced data science.

The Institutional Career Development Programs shall be responsible for: Recruiting, selecting, and supporting qualified individuals with a clinical background who would most benefit from mentored support, develop independent careers in medical rehabilitation research, and become futureacademic leaders; Establishing an external Advisory Committee to oversee program evaluation, scholar selection, and provide a second level of mentoring to individual scholars through quarterly phone calls with each scholar; Promoting guidelines and expectations for mentoring, core competencies, research progress, career development, and the responsible conduct of research; Negotiating and coordinating with participating institutions and departments to ensure that K12 scholars obtain appropriate research support and opportunities for advancement; Periodically reviewing the research and career goals of each scholar in conjunction with his/her mentor(s) and also providing assistance in career counseling and job placement; Organizing annual K12 workshops that provide special opportunities for research presentations, discussions of professional activities, and enhance the emergence of a cadre of rehabilitation researchers; Supporting the transition of mentored individual scholars to independent faculty positions in appropriate departments and to independent research support; Outreach activities intended to develop a pool of candidates, mentors, and/or other resource positions; and Providing periodic evaluation of the Rehabilitation Research Career Development Program as a whole and demonstrating the value-added of a national K12 network.

Scholars are strongly encouraged to make a 4-5 year commitment to the career development program, spanning both Phase I and Phase II. Upon entering the program, candidates should develop, in conjunction with their primary mentor, a long-range research and career development plan.

During Phase I scholars may receive salary support from the K12 program for up to three years, provided they are making appropriate progress as judged by the Advisory Committee in conjunction with the PD/PI. Toward the end of the second year, candidates are expected to apply for independent and stable research support outside the K12 grant as they transition to independent-researcher status.

Support may include research grants from the NIH and other federal agencies, research foundations, or possibly advanced mentored development through individual K awards (e.g., K01, K08, K23, or K99/R00). During Phase II (generally another 2-3 years), scholars should be supported by independent grants or departmental funds; they can no longer be supported directly from the K12 grant.

Nonetheless, they will be encouraged to remain associated with the program for career-development opportunities and participation in the annual K12 workshops. During the Phase II period, the scholars' departments are strongly encouraged to provide at least 50% - and preferably 75% - protected time for research activities.

Investigators proposing NIH-defined clinical trials may refer to the Research Methods Resources website for information about developing statistical methods and study designs.

Note : This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) allows appointment of Scholars (K12) proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial; or proposing a separate ancillary clinical trial; or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, as part of their research and career development. See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information Grant: A financial assistance mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity. Application Types Allowed The OER Glossary and the How to Apply - Application Guide provide details on these application types.

Only those application types listed here are allowed for this NOFO. Optional: Accepting applications that either propose or do not propose clinical trial(s). Need help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial?

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. The NICHD intends to commit up to $1,800,000 in direct costs in FY2026 to fund up to 2 awards. Future year amounts will depend on annual appropriations.

An applicant may request up to $850,000 direct costs annually. The maximum project period is 5 years. Other Award Budget Information Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the career development 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 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.

Salary support for individuals involved in program administration and management must be substantially justified. Salary support for ancillary personnel (e.g. administrative assistance or secretarial support) on CDAs is not allowable. Scholars are those individuals who benefit from the proposed activities and experiences involved in the career development program.

Scholar costs must be justified as specifically required for the proposed career development program and based on institutional policies for salaries paid to individuals in similar positions, regardless of the source of funds. These projected expenses must be itemized in the proposed budget, but actual costs may be adjusted depending on where the scholars are mentored and their home institution policies.

Candidates receive up to two to three years of intense career development training in a basic or clinical science discipline with multi-tiered mentoring, and K12 financial support as described below. Salary and Fringe Benefits: Individual scholars are eligible for up to $100,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits, consistent with their home institution's scale.

The institution may supplement the NIH contribution with an amount that brings the scholar's salary up to the institution's salary scale; however, that supplementation may not be from Federal funds unless specifically authorized by the Federal program from which such funds are derived. Institutional supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of the K12 program.

The total salary requested must be based on a full-time, 12-month staff appointment and requires scholars to devote a minimum of 9 person-months (75% full-time professional effort) to conducting career development and health-related research.

Research and Career Development Support: For each scholar, up to $25,000 in additional funds may be budgeted each year to help defray the costs of materials, supplies, technical assistance, and miscellaneous expenses generated by the scholar's research in the departments and laboratories of the established investigators who serve as local mentors.

Grant funds may also be used for tuition, fees, and other educational materials related to career development. Travel funds may be budgeted to attend annual K12 workshops and other professional meetings. Total awards to individual scholars may differ across each of these different budget categories.

However, K12 research funds may NOT be used to support the mentor's laboratories, travel, or larger research activities of the mentors beyond those expenses directly attributable to the scholar's K12 project, nor any patient care costs.

Other Program Related Expenses Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses (including expenses for mentor training activities) 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 applicant institution.

Other Program-Related Expenses are limited to $30,000 per year, and may include: Travel expenses for the PD/PI and members of the K12 Advisory Committee to attend an annual K12 workshop. Limited travel funds for featured speakers or former scholars to attend annual K12 workshops for the purpose of providing career-development guidance to those currently in the program.

K12 funds may NOT be used to support the travel of the PD/PI, mentors, or Advisory Committee members to other scientific meetings beyond the annual K12 workshop.

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 rate agreement. NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO. Section III.

Eligibility Information Higher Education Institutions Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education Private Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) U.S. Territory or Possession Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Faith-based or Community-based Organizations Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government U.S. Territory or Possession 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. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) 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 and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted.

Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. The failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2. 3.

9. 2 Electronically Submitted Applications for additional information. System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually .

The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code. NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code – Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) – A UEI is issued as part of the SAM. gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.

eRA Commons – Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants. gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.

Grants. gov – Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants. gov registration.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role.

Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks. Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator) Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research training program as the Training Program Director/Principal Investigator (Training PD/PI) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for 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 How to Apply - 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 responsible for the selection and appointment of scholars to the approved career development program, and for the overall direction, management, administration, and evaluation of the program. The PD/PI will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required.

The PD/PI has responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the program and is responsible for appointing members of the Advisory Committee (when applicable), using their recommendations to determine the appropriate allotment of funds.

The PD/PI must be a senior faculty member who is knowledgeable about medical rehabilitation research, has a record of success in laboratory and/or clinical investigation, has demonstrated skill in mentoring and career development, and a vision for recruiting and supporting a broad cadre of clinical researchers.

The PD/PI, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, shall define the application process, review candidates, make appointments consistent with applicable law to qualified individuals, monitor scholar progress, and help document the impact of the K12 program. This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1. 2 Definition of Terms.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is programmatically distinct. NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.

3. 7. 4 Submission of Resubmission Application .

This means that the NIH will not accept: A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application. A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.

An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2. 3. 9.

4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications ). Program faculty should be active researchers in the biomedical sciences as demonstrated by recent publications and research support in the area of the proposed research training program. When building a training team, programs should include faculty who are committed to training, mentoring, and providing safe and supportive research training environments.

All program faculty should have a mentoring philosophy appropriately tailored to the needs of potential trainees that ensures trainees will receive the tailored mentorship needed to develop skills and advance their career. Program faculty should also have sufficient time to commit to training scholars in the career development program given their other professional obligations .

The applicant organization will select the scholars to be supported by the research training program and is responsible for establishing eligibility and selection criteria that are consistent with applicable law. Scholars to be supported by the institutional career development program must be at the career level for which the planned program is intended.

Scholars are expected to devote a minimum of 9 person-months (75% of full-time professional effort) during the appointment on the K12 award. Scholars must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Additional details on citizenship requirements are available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement .

Candidates must have received, as of the beginning date of the K12 appointment, a clinical doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution; eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to, the following: D. M. D.

, D. C. , D.

O. , D. V.

M. , O. D.

, D. P. M.

, Sc. D. , Eng.

D. , Dr. P. H.

, D. N. Sc.

, D. P. T.

, D. O. T, Pharm.

D. , N. D.

(Doctor of Naturopathy), D. S. W.

, Psy. D, as well as a doctoral degree in nursing research or clinical psychology. Candidates who have an undergraduate P.

T. or O. T.

degree, followed by a Ph. D, would also be eligible. In general, candidates should be no more than three years beyond their postdoctoral (therapists) or fellowship (clinicians) training when they enter this program.

An individual who has previously served as PD/PI on an NIH research grant (e.g., R01, R21, R03), subproject of program project (P01), contract (N01), or individual mentored career development award (e.g., K01, K08, K22, K23, K25, or K99) may not be considered for further mentoring through this program.

During the period of their appointment, Scholars may not accept or hold any other PHS award that duplicates the provisions of this career award. However, Scholars may remain eligible for other individual mentored career development awards (e.g., K08, K23, K99) at the conclusion of the K12 appointment if additional training is needed to establish research independence.

Combined support through the K12 and other mentored career development award programs must not exceed six years. Prospective Scholars should be encouraged to contact potential mentors prior to formally applying to the K12 program.

Although remaining at the institution of their fellowship is a possibility for Scholars under this award, broadening academic experience through research career development and clinical practice at a different institution may also be considered.

Scholars selected for the program receive two to three years of intense career development training in a basic or clinical science discipline with an established mentor at their home institution. Wherever possible, the K12 program should support career development in those areas of research that would have the greatest potential for a positive effect on the broad field of medical rehabilitation.

In conjunction with the mentor, the candidate develops a research and career development plan, which will be reviewed annually by the PD/PI and the K12 Advisory Committee. At least 9 person-months (75 percent of the Scholar's professional effort) must be devoted to research activities supported by the K12.

Within the first two years of the program, Scholars should seek outside grant support as they transition to independent researcher positions in their departments and institutions. It is expected that the departments associated with the K12 will make a strong commitment to supporting individuals as they develop their independent research careers.

Scholars may engage in brief research activities at another institution if the experience is directly related to the purpose of the award. Periods of leave from the program for greater than two months, whether for professional or personal reasons, require prior written approval from NIH. Section IV.

Application and Submission Information 1. Requesting an Application Package The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants. gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution.

Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants. gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission It is critical that applicants follow the Training (T) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide except where instructed in this notice of funding opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the How to Apply - Application Guide is required and strictly enforced.

Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. 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 plan the review. 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 activity Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s) Names of other key personnel Participating institution(s) and connections to professional organizations (if appropriate) Number and title of this funding opportunity The letter of intent should be sent to: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development All page limitations described in the How to Apply - Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

Instructions for Application Submission The following section supplements the instructions found in the How to Apply - Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO. Substitute the term “scholars” for all references to “trainees” in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, and substitute the term “career development” for all references to “training” in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. Scholars will be supported at their home institutions through ad hoc subcontracts.

These secondary sites will depend on the specific scholars recruited and supported and need not be indicated in the initial K12 application. SF424 (R&R) Other Project Information All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. Project Summary/Abstract.

Provide an abstract of the entire application. Include the objectives, rationale and design of the research career development program, as well as key activities in the training plan. Indicate the planned duration of appointments, the projected number of scholars, and intended scholar outcomes.

Other Attachments. An Advisory Committee is not a required, but a highly recommended component of a training program. However, if an Advisory Committee is intended, provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee to monitor progress of the training program.

The composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe how the Advisory Committee will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program. Proposed Advisory Committee members should be named in the application if they have been invited to participate at the time the application is submitted.

Renewal applications with Advisory Committees should include the names of all committee members during the past project period. Please name your file “Advisory_Committee. pdf”.

Please discuss the range of expertise on the proposed Advisory Committee but not provide specific names at this point. Describe how the Advisory Committee will function in providing oversight of the development, implementation, and evaluation of recruitment strategies, monitor progress of participants, and the evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the program.

The committee will also be expected to provide a second level of mentoring to individual scholars through quarterly phone calls with each scholar; this may also include career counseling, help with job placement, and with advancement to independent funding. Advisory Committee members will also be expected to participate in the annual K12 workshops. Please name your