Fellowships, Grants, & Awards.

Exploratory Grants for Genomic Imprinting and Environmental Disease Susceptibility

The NIEHS invites research grant applications from interested investigators to conduct timely, innovative, and mechanistic research on the importance of genomic imprinting in determining susceptibility to environmentally induced diseases through a program of exploratory investigator-initiated R21 grants.

The exploratory/developmental (R21) grant mechanism is used for pilot projects or feasibility studies to support creative, novel, high risk/high payoff research that may produce innovative advances in science. This announcement is to encourage applications from individuals who are interested in testing novel or conceptually creative ideas to understand the potential role that environmental agents play in causing epigenetic changes in the DNA that can alter imprint gene expression, thereby resulting in a multitude of genetic diseases including cancer and neurobehavioral disorders. The final receipt date will be 1 October 2002.

Applications may be submitted by domestic for-profit and nonprofit organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local government, and eligible agencies of the federal government. Applications may be from a single institution or may include arrangements with one or more institutions (e.g., consortia, if appropriate). Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators.

Applicants will be responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project. Applicants may request up to $100,000 per year in direct costs. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this announcement may not exceed two years. These grants are nonrenewable, and continuation of projects developed under this program will be through the traditional unsolicited investigator-initiated grant program. Amended applications will be accepted. Application kits may be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, NIH, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910 USA, 301-435-0714, e-mail: [e-mail], inquiries concerning this announcement are strongly encouraged.

Contact: Jose M. Velazquez, Scientific Program Administrator, Chemical Exposures and Molecular Biology Branch, Office of Program Development, Division of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS, PO Box 12233, Mail Drop EC-21, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA, 919-541-4998, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PA-00-034

Environmental Health Training

Applications for grants to support training programs in disciplines and research areas related to the environmental health sciences should be submitted to the NIEHS by 10 May 2000.

The NIEHS is concerned with the effects of chemical, physical, and biological environmental agents on human health and well-being. Training programs may provide broad multidisciplinary training that is built around a theme or problem area, or in-depth training in a particular discipline.

This program seeks to 1) encourage institutions with outstanding departments and programs in relevant disciplines to develop a training program in environmental health, and 2) expand the number of institutions capable of training scientists in this field.

Contact: Carol K. Shreffler, Scientific Program Administrator, Organs and Systems Toxicology Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS, Mail Drop EC-23, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA, 919-541-1445, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PAR-00-038

Indigenous Systems of Medicine

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is seeking developmental studies to establish the methodological feasibility and strengthen the scientific rationale for proceeding to full-scale clinical trials on the use of traditional, indigenous systems of medicine as practiced in the United States.

Potential studies might include 1) quantitative research (case studies, interviews) to describe diagnostic and treatment approaches and explore patient and health care provider preferences and beliefs; 2) diagnoses, including comparisons with those of other traditional, indigenous systems of medicine as well as with conventional biomedicine; 3) studies to refine the intervention strategy; 4) studies to refine the control strategy, including comparisons of different types of controls and validation of blinding procedures; 5) studies to refine the target population and develop adequate recruitment procedures; 6) studies to develop realistic protocols; 7) studies to establish the clinical usefulness of commonly used assessment procedures, especially quality-of-life measures, as well as psychosocial, functional, and physiological measures; and 8) collection of preliminary data for establishing measures of efficacy and safety for subsequent sample size calculations.

Contact: Marguerite Evans, NCCAM, Building 31, Room 5B58, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-402-5860, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]

Fellowships in Environmental Health Sciences

The NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California at Davis has three graduate fellowships in the area of health effects of agrochemicals and related xenobiotics. In this fellowship program, a strong emphasis is placed on the mechanistic aspects of toxicology and on addressing the real-world health concerns of agricultural workers as well as the general population.

Each award includes payment of tuition and fees, and provides a stipend equivalent to the salary of a half-time research assistant. Students must be admitted to a UC Davis graduate program, must have a high undergraduate grade point average, and must be nominated by an advisor, preferably a center faculty member who is working in one or more of the center's research cores: 1) genetic variability/sensitive populations, 2) primate/animal models, 3) epidemiology, 4) molecular neurotoxicology, 5) reproductive and developmental toxicology, or 6) respiratory toxicology.

These are highly competitive fellowships; students are chosen on the basis of their academic record and interest in the area of environmental health science. Non-California residents must obtain supplemental funding to cover their out-of-state tuition. These fellowships are sponsored by the UC Davis Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

Contact: R. L. Morrison, Department of Environmental Toxicology, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA, 530-752-2732, e-mail: [e-mail], Internet: http://www.envtox.ucdavis.edu/cehs/fellowship.htm

Organ-Specific Cancers

Funds to support research programs in organ-specific cancers are available from the National Cancer Institute. Applicant institutions must be available to conduct the highest quality translational research on the prevention, etiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of a specific organ-site cancer.

Application deadlines vary with the target cancer: 1 June 2000 for lung and prostate cancers, and 1 October 2000 for prostate and genitourinary cancers. Letters of intent are requested approximately 60 days prior to the application deadline.

Applicants will be judged on their current and potential ability to translate basic research findings into innovative research settings involving patients and populations. Research on rehabilitation and quality-of-life is also encouraged. This program is not intended to support basic research to the exclusion of clinical research or vice versa.

Contact: Jorge Gomez, Organ Systems Branch, NCI, Executive Plaza North, Suite 512, 6130 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7386, Rockville, MD 20852-7386 USA, 301-496-8528, e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PAR-99-167

Senior Scientist Awards

Applications for Senior Scientist Awards are invited by the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, the National Cancer Institute, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute of Mental Health. These awards provide salary support for up to five years as a means of enhancing the recipients' skills and dedication to their area of research.

Candidates must be senior scientists and recognized leaders in their fields with a record of original contributions. They should also have grant support at the time of the award. Scientists whose work is primarily theoretical may also apply.

Applicants must use Application Form PHS 398, which has annual due dates of February 1, June 1, and October 1. Application kits are available by calling 301-435-0714, e-mailing [e-mail], or on the Internet at http://www.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm.

Contact: 1) at NIAAA: Ernestine Vanderveen, Division of Basic Research, 301-443-2531, e-mail: [e-mail]; Harold Perl, Division of Clinical and Prevention Research, 301-443-0788, e-mail: [e-mail]; or Darryl Bertolucci, Division of Biometry and Epidemiology, 301-443-4898, e-mail: [e-mail]; 2) at NCI: Lester Gorelic, 301-496-8580, e-mail: [e-mail]; or Andrew Vargosko, e-mail: [e-mail]; 3) at NCCAM: Neal West, 301-402-5867, e-mail: [e-mail]; 4) at NIDA: Andrea Baruchin, Office of Science Policy and Communications, 301-773-6071, e-mail: [e-mail]; Charles Sharp, Division of Basic Research, 301-443-1887, e-mail: [e-mail]; Arthur Horton, Division of Clinical Research, 301-443-4060, e-mail: [e-mail]; Ann Blanken, Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, 301-443-6543, e-mail: [e-mail]; or Jamie Biswas, Medications Development Division, 301-443-5280, e-mail: [e-mail]; or 5) at NIMH: Henry Khachaturian, Office of Science Policy and Program Planning, 301-443-4335, e-mail: hk11b@ mail.nih.gov; Walter Goldschmidts, Division of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Research, 301-443-3563, e-mail: [e-mail]; Delia Hann, Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research, and AIDS, 301-443-9700, e-mail: [e-mail]; or Enid Light, Division of Services and Intervention Research, 301-443-1185, e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PA-00-021

Request for Applications: Comparative Mouse Genomics Centers Consortium

The purpose of this request for applications is to develop mouse models for studying the biological function of genetic variants of DNA repair and cell cycle control genes found in the human population. Mutant mice, protocols, assays, assessment criteria, and other materials and information generated in projects funded under this program will be made available to the wider biomedical community for further investigation or application. This initiative is intended to provide the scientific community with new transgenic and knockout mouse models to encourage researchers to study the functional expression of human genetic polymorphisms in the two categories of environmentally responsive genes: DNA repair and cell cycle control. The NIEHS anticipates making up to five awards for project periods of five years. Application budgets may not exceed $700,000 in direct costs in the first budget period. Letters of intent are due 12 May 2000 and applications are due 20 July 2000.

Contact: Jose Velazquez, Chemical Exposures and Molecular Biology Branch, Office of Program Development, NIEHS, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA, 919-541-4998, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail], Internet: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/ rfa-files/RFA-ES-00-005.html

Racial Differences in Diabetes

Research on underlying metabolic, genetic, epidemiologic, sociocultural, and behavioral mechanisms that contribute to racial and ethnic differences in the etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus is sought by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Approximately $2 million is available in FY 2000 to support six to eight awards. Similar funding is anticipated for FY 2001.

Examples of potential topics include 1) state-of-the-art, hypothesis-driven metabolic studies in representative samples of U.S. race--ethnic groups; 2) behavioral, socioeconomic, psychosocial, cultural, family, and community factors that influence an individual's risk for developing diabetes, and how these factors can lead to racial and ethnic disparities in incidence; and 3) development of less expensive methods to assess beta cell function and insulin resistance, and techniques for measuring underlying metabolic and physiologic differences among population groups.

Applicants must use Application Form PHS 398, which has annual due dates of February 1, June 1, and October 1. Application kits are available by calling 301-435-0714, e-mailing [e-mail], or on the Internet at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm.

Contact: Maureen I. Harris, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases, NIDDK, Building 45, Room 5AN24, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-594-8801, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PAS-99-166

Bioengineering Research Partnerships

Awards to support bioengineering research partnerships for conducting basic bioengineering research that addresses important biological or medical research problems are available under a program cosponsored by 19 federal agencies. Letters of intent are requested by 30 June 2000 for proposals that are due 10 August 2000.

Each partnership will be a multidisciplinary research team that applies an integrative systems approach to develop knowledge or methods to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat disease and to understand health and behavior. Partnerships must include bioengineering expertise in combination with basic and/or clinical investigators. Partnerships may propose design-directed or hypothesis-driven research in universities, national labs, medical schools, industry, or other public and private entities. Approximately $12 million will be available for first-year support of awards under this program in FY 2001. The initial period of support can extend five years with possible renewal for an additional five years.

Potential research topics include but are not limited to 1) biomechanics; 2) bioelectrics, ion channels, and organ function; 3) combinatorial approaches to chemistry, materials, genes, and therapeutics; 4) functional genomics, including microarray technology, integrated systems, and analysis tools; 5) nanotechnology; 6) complex biological systems; 7) organ culture systems and organogenesis; 8) cell and tissue engineering; 9) tissue regeneration; and 10) drug bioavailability.

Contact: Carol Dahl, National Cancer Institute, 301-496-1550, e-mail: [e-mail]; Richard Dubois, National Center for Research Resources, 301-435-0755, e-mail: [e-mail]; Loreanne McNicol, National Eye Institute, 301-496-5301, e-mail: [e-mail]; Jeffery Schloss, National Human Genome Research Institute, 301-496-7531, e-mail: [e-mail]; John Watson, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 301-435-0513, e-mail: [e-mail]; Vicki Seyfert, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 301-496-7551, e-mail: [e-mail]; James Panagis, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 301-594-5055, e-mail: [e-mail]; Louis Quatrano, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 301-402-2242, e-mail: [e-mail]; Thomas Aigner, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 301-443-6975, e-mail: [e-mail]; Lynn Luethke, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 301-402-3458, e-mail: [e-mail]; Joan Harmon, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 301-594-8808, e-mail: [e-mail]; Eleni Kousvelari, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 301-594-2427, e-mail: [e-mail]; Jose Velazquez, NIEHS, 919-541-4998, e-mail: [e-mail]; Warren Jones, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, 301-594-5938, e-mail: [e-mail]; Michael Huerta, National Institute of Mental Health, 301-443-3563, e-mail: [e-mail]; William Heetderks, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 301-496-1447, e-mail: [e-mail]; Hilary Sigmon, National Institute of Nursing Research, 301-594-5970, e-mail: hilary_ [e-mail]; Evan Hadley, National institute on Aging, 301-435-3044, e-mail: hadleye@ exmur.nia.nih.gov; or Peter Clepper, National Library of Medicine, 301-594-4882, e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PAS-00-006

Growth Factors and Diabetes

Grants to study the role of growth factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes complications are available under a program jointly sponsored by five agencies of the National Institutes of Health.

An understanding of the tissue- and cell-specific expression of growth factors in the eye, kidney, mouth, nerves, and vessels and of the molecular action of these growth factors in the pathophysiology of complications will lead to improved, more specific therapies. This program will remain active for three years, through the receipt date of 1 October 2002 (other annual program deadlines besides October 1 are February 1 and June 1). The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, one of the sponsors, will set aside $2 million a year for grants. The other agencies have not set aside specific funds.

Contact: Barbara Linder, NIDDK, 301-594-0021, e-mail: [e-mail]; Peter Dudley, National Eye Institute, 301-496-0484, e-mail: [e-mail]; Dennis Mangan, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 301-594-2421, e-mail: [e-mail]; Paul Nichols, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 301-496-9964, e-mail: [e-mail]; or Thomas Blaszhowski, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 301-435-0417, e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PA-99-159

Geriatrics Research

Grants are available for planning and protocol development of biomedical epidemiologic and intervention studies in research areas related to geriatrics under a program jointly sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and the NIEHS.

These grants support the development of a refined study design, organizational plan, detailed protocol, collection and analysis of biological or environmental samples to generate preliminary data, manual of procedures, and budget for implementation of studies whose rationale and basic design are sufficiently meritorious. After these are completed, awardees may submit applications to conduct the full-scale study. Planning grants provide up to $150,000 for one year and cannot be renewed.

Applicants must use Application Form PHS 398, which has annual due dates of February 1, June 1, and October 1. Application kits are available by calling 301-435-0714, e-mailing [e-mail], or on the Internet at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm.

Contact: Evan Hadley, NIA, 301-402-1784, e-mail: [e-mail]; or Gwen Collman, NIEHS, 919-541-4980, e-mail: collman@ niehs.nih.gov. Reference: PA No. PA-99-145