NLM research grants in biomedical informatics and bioinformatics (R01).

The purpose of this PA is to reissue and update the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) research grant program for biomedical informatics and bioinformatics. NLM's research funding centers on understanding data, information and knowledge, in particular their nature, forms and uses in the domains of health care and basic biological sciences.

NLM defines biomedical informatics as the intersection of basic informational and computing sciences with an application domain in biomedicine, as discussed in the work of the American College of Medical Informatics referenced below. The term biomedical informatics encompasses the closely-aligned field of bioinformatics, which can be defined as the intersection of basic informational and computer sciences with an application domain in biological/biochemical sciences. NLM's research focuses on management and efficient utilization of data, information, and knowledge in health care and basic biomedical sciences.

In clinical medicine, health services administration, education, and basic biomedical sciences, computers and networks are fundamental tools of discover, learning, decision making and management. NLM's biomedical informatics research grants support the study of how information is best captured, represented, stored, retrieved, manipulated, managed and disseminated for use in these kinds of activities.

The following general themes demonstrate the range and scope of NLM's research interests in biomedical informatics and bioinformatics: 1) information and knowledge processing, including natural language processing, information extraction, integration of data from heterogeneous sources or domains, event detection, feature recognition; 2) tools for analyzing and/or storing very large datasets, including genomic and proteomic data, data supporting clinical trials, and other data used in clinical or health services research; 3) knowledge representation, including vocabularies, ontologies, simulations and virtual reality 4) linkage of clinical and genomic information to benefit health care; 5) innovative uses of information technology in health care delivery including decision support, error reduction, outcomes analysis, and information at the point of care; 6) efficient management and utilization of information and data, including knowledge acquisition and management, process modeling, data mining, acquisition and dissemination, novel visual presentations, and stewardship of large-scale data repositories and archives; 7) human-machine interaction, including interface design, use and understanding of health related-information, intelligent agents, information needs and uses. 8) high-performance computing and communications relating to biomedical applications, including efficient machine-machine interfaces, transmission and storage, and real-time decision support; 9) innovative uses of information technology to enhance learning, retention and understanding of health-related information.

Informatics research is interdisciplinary and employs a range of research methodologies. NLM expects that investigators will employ sound techniques that lead to the collection and analysis of empirical evidence. These techniques may include quantitative and/or qualitative approaches, including laboratory and field studies, surveys and needs analyses, 'in silico' experiments, modeling and simulation studies.

NLM is a participant in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap initiatives, many of which include biomedical computing and interdisciplinary research as essential elements, in the programs of the NIH BISTI initiative, and other NIH informatics initiatives.

While biomedical informatics research projects funded by this program often require software development and tool-building, a well-defined research problem and rigorous research design are essential elements of NLM's R01 grants. Investigators interested in demonstration projects, proofs of concept or other feasibility testing should consider NLM's Exploratory/ Developmental grant program (http://grants. nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-107.html) rather than this biomedical informatics research grant program. NLM's Small Project grants (http://grants. nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-108.html) are most appropriate for investigators who are just beginning their research in an area and/or need preliminary data to inform a more substantial research project.

Research in biomedical informatics or bioinformatics often employs a specific scientific discipline or medical subspecialty as the subject field or domain in which the research is undertaken, or in which tools and ideas are applied. However, grant applications whose primary focus is on a disease or biological question, rather than the informatics or computational issues that pertain to them, are more appropriate for other Institutes at NIH.

This PA will use the NIH R01 award mechanism. As an applicant, you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.

This PA uses just-in-time concepts. It also uses the modular budgeting as well as the non-modular budgeting formats (see http://grants.nih.gov/ grants/funding/modular/modular.htm). Specifically, if you are submitting an application with direct costs in each year of $250,000 or less, use the modular budget format. Otherwise follow the instructions for non-modular budget research grant applications. This program does not require cost sharing as defined in the current NIH Grants Policy Statement at http:// grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/ NIHGPS_Part2.htm.

An applicant can request funding for up to five years of support. The average duration of recent NLM informatics research awards is about three years.

Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). Applications must have a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the Universal Identifier when applying for federal grants or cooperative agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling 866-705-5711 or through the web site at http:// www.dunandbradstreet.com/. The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form. The PHS 398 is available at http:// grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, 301-435-0714, e-mail: GrantsInfo@ nih.gov. The title and number of this PA must be typed on line two of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.

Applications submitted in response to this PA will be accepted at the standard application deadlines, which are available at http://grants.nih.gov/ grants/dates.htm. Application deadlines are also indicated in the PHS 398 application kit.

Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and five signed photocopies in one package to: Center for Scientific Review, NIH, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7710, Bethesda, MD 20892-7710 USA; Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service).

Applications must be mailed on or before the receipt dates described at http://grants.nih.gov/ grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm. The CSR will not accept any application in response to this PA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of a substantial revision of an unfunded version of an application already reviewed, but such application must include an introduction addressing the previous critique.

Contact: Valerie Florance, Deputy Director, Extramural Programs Division, National Library of Medicine, Rockledge 1, Suite 301, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0001 USA, 301-594-4882, fax: [phone], e-mail: floranv@ mail.nih.gov; Hua-Chuan Sim, Scientific Review Administrator, Extramural Programs Division, National Library of Medicine, Rockledge 1, Suite 301, 6705 Rockledge Drive , Bethesda, MD 20892-0001 USA, 301-496-4253, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]

Reference: PA No. 04-141