To support basic, clinical, social, and behavioral research, promote research infrastructure and training; foster emerging programs; disseminate information; and reach out to minority and other health disparity communities.

The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD)

credit: Washington Times

has established programs to pursue these goals: (1) The Centers of Excellence Program promotes research to improve minority health, and/or reduce and eliminate health disparities, build research capacity for minority health and health disparities research in minority-serving and other institutions; encourages the participation of health disparity groups and communities in biomedical and behavioral research and prevention and intervention activities; and brings together investigators from relevant disciplines in a manner that will enhance and extend the effectiveness of their research; (2) NCMHD Research Endowment Program: builds research capacity and infrastructure at eligible Section 736 health professions schools (42 U.S.C.

293) to facilitate minority health and other health disparities research to close the disparity gap in the burden of illness and death experienced by racial and ethnic minority Americans and other health disparity populations; sup promotes a diverse and strong scientific, technological and engineering workforce; and emphasizes the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities and other socio-economically disadvantaged populations in the fields of biomedical, and behavioral research and other areas of the scientific workforce; (3) Health Disparities Research Loan Repayment Program (HDR-LRP): recruits and retains highly qualified health professionals to research careers that focus on minority health or other health disparities issues; (4) Extramural Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (ECR-LRP), also referred to as the Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment Program within this document: recruits and retains highly qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds to conduct clinical research.

This nucleus of clinical investigators has the potential to improve medical care within their respective communities by promoting clinical programs that address the health problems associated with these communities; (5) Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI) Program: assists non-doctoral degree institutions in developing their research infrastructure primarily through collaborations with research-intensive universities thereby enabling the institutions to develop and enhance their capacity and competitiveness to conduct biomedical or behavioral research; (6) Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training Program (MHIRT), awards enable U.S.

institutions to tailor short-term basic science, biomedical and behavioral mentored student international research training opportunities to address global issues related to understanding, reducing, and eliminating health disparities; (7) Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) program: this program supports the development, implementation and evaluation of intervention research using the community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles and methods in targeting diseases of major public health importance in health disparity communities.

CBPR awards promote participatory research collaboration between scientific researchers and their community partners.

This initiative starts with a three-year research planning grant followed by a competitive fiveyear intervention research grant and conclude with a three-year research dissemination grant.

The CBPR initiative engages the community in all phases of the research process and is directed to specific diseases/health conditions in a particular health disparity population.

(8) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: increases private sector commercialization of innovationsderivedfromFederalresearch and development; encourages small business participation in Federal research and development; and fosters and encourages participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation; and (9) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program: to stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; fosters technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; increases private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and fosters and encourages participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

(1) Centers of Excellence grants: NCMHD funded 26 or more new or competing-renewal awards in FY 2007. (2) Research Endowments grants: NCMHD funded thirteen awards in FY 2007. (3) Health Disparities Loan Repayment (HDR) contracts: NCMHD funded an anticipated two hundred and seventy-eight for FY 2007. (4)Extramural Clinical Loan Repayment Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (ECR) contracts: NCMHD funded forty new and renewal awards in FY 2007. (5) RIMI grants: NCMHD funded twenty-two awards in FY 2007. (6) MHIRT grants: NCMHD funded twenty-four awards in FY 2007 and FY 2008. (7) CBPR grants: NCMHD funded twenty-five awards in FY 2007. (8) SBIR and (9) STTR grants: NCMHD funded and co-funded an anticipated nineteen awards in FY 2007.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants are intended to support the direct costs of a project in accordance with an approved budget, plus appropriate amount for indirect costs.

Grantees must agree to administer the grant in accordance with the regulations and policies governing the research grants program of the Public Health Service.

Endowment grants: Some qualifying institutions may use income earned from a research endowment corpus to support institutions in their effort to expand and add teaching programs in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and related areas, to improve facilities, to enhance student and faculty recruitment and retention, to develop instructional delivery systems and information technology in areas that will enhance minority health and other health disparities research activities, and to establish endowed chairs and programs.

Other qualifying institutions must use income earned from a research endowment corpus to increase the institutions' investments in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students and students from other health disparity populations that matriculate at such institutions.

This includes activities such as increasing student recruitment and retention, creating merit-based and need-based scholarships, establishing or enhancing tutoring, providing counseling, and designing student service programs to improve academic success, and faculty recruitment and retention.

Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: Contracts provide repayment of existing educational loan debt incurred by health professionals that have agreed to conduct minority health or other health disparities research; or highly qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds whom plan to conduct clinical research.

Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts recipients must execute a written contract agreeing to engage in qualified research for a minimum of two years.

Contracts may be renewed for a one- or two-year period after the completion of the initial two-year contract, provided that the participant applies for a competitive renewal contract, continues to engage in qualified research, and has eligible repayable debt remaining.

Program payments are made directly to the participants' lenders following each quarter and a verification of satisfactory research service, unless otherwise agreed upon by the participant and the Director, NCMHD.

SBIR grants: SBIR Phase I grants are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process.

SBIR Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I and are likely to result in commercial products or processes.

Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II support.

STTR grants: STTR Phase I grants are to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort that has potential for commercial application.

STTR Phase II grants are based on results of research initiated in Phase I and scientific and technical merit and commercial potential on Phase II application.

See Program Announcements: PA-07-280 and PA-07-281.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Individuals and public and private institutions, both nonprofit and for-profit, who propose to establish, expand, and conduct research, promote or engage in research training, and outreach activities that contribute to improving minority health and/or eliminating health disparities, Endowment grants: Only Section 736 health professional schools (see 42 U.S.C.

293) with net endowment assets less than or equal to 50 percent of the national average of endowment funds at institutions that conduct similar biomedical research or training of health professionals are eligible for the research endowment awards.

All applicants must have a HRSA Centers of Excellence Award at the time of award of an NCMHD Research Endowment Grant.

Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: Qualified health professionals that are U.S.

citizens, nationals or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.; have student loan debt equal to or less than 20 percent of their institutional based salary; have no Federal judgment liens against their property arising from a Federal debt; and owe no obligation of health professional service to the Federal government, a State, or other entity unless deferrals are granted during the length of their Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts service obligation.

SBIR grants: Domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which the research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees).

Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project.

Small business concerns must be at least 51 percent US owned by individuals and independently operated and/or at least 51 percent owned and controlled by another (one) for-profit business concern that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals.

The research must be performed in the U.S.

or its possessions.

STTR grants: Domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which the research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees) that "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development.

At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Any non-profit or for-profit organization, company, or institution engaged in biomedical and behavioral research. Endowment grants: Section 736 institutions. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: Qualified health professionals who conduct minority health or other health disparities research or highly qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds who will conduct clinical research and who possess substantial unpaid educational debt relative to income.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants must present a research plan and furnish evidence required for research grant applications, PHS 398, (Rev. 05/01) as specified in the application form. Costs will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart Q and OMB Circular No. A-21 for Educational Institutions and OMB Circular No. A-87 for state and local governments. For-profit organizations' costs are determined in accordance with Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Endowment grants: Requirements for the endowment application, PHS 398 (Rev. 05/01) are specified in the application form and supplemented by the Invitation to Apply (for limited competition). Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: Applicants must provide general information, research statement, training/mentoring plan, environment description, certification of loan status, loan data verification, recommendations, and an institutional supporting statement. Requirements for the loan repayment application, OMB Approval No. 0925-0361, are specified in the electronic application form located at www.lrp.nih.gov. SBIR and STTR grants: Applicant organizations (small business concerns) must present a research plan that includes an idea that has the potential for commercialization, and furnish evidence that the scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan. To apply for SBIR Phase I and Phase II Grants, applicants must complete SF424 (R&R) Application for Electronic Submission. For general information on SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission, see these Web sites: SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission Information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm. General information on Electronic Submission of Grant Applications: http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is excluded from coverage under Executive Order 12372.

Application Procedures

Applications for the various programs should be submitted to the NIH office that is responsible for the receipt of applications, and in such form and manner as the application prescribes. (All information pertaining to grants hereinafter, also apply to Endowment Grants unless otherwise noted). Research Grants: Applications must be prepared either electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF 424 (Research and Research-Related) or on paper using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (Revised 9/2004, Interim Revision 4/2006). The PHS 398 is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. The format is interactive. For NIH planned transition dates of mechanisms for electronic submission, see: http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/files/Electronic_receipt_timeline_E xt.pdf. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435- 0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. NRSAs (Individual): Individuals must submit the application form, PHS Individual National Research Service Award (PHS 416-1, rev. 10/05), and include at least three letters of reference. If the applicant has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, the appropriate item should be checked on the Face Page of the application. Applicants who have applied for and have not yet been granted admission as a permanent resident should check the Permanent resident block on the Face Page of the PHS 416-1 application, and also write in the word "pending." A notarized statement documenting legal admission for permanent residence must be submitted prior to the issuance of an award. SBIR and STTR: The SF 424 (Research and Research-Related) application forms and the SF 424 SBIR/STTR Application Guide are used to apply for both SBIR and STTR grants, Phase I and Phase II. Application must be made electronically through grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone: (301) 435-0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

Award Procedures

Each application will be forwarded to an initial scientific review committee or Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) of non-NIH scientists and the National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NACMHD) will conduct the secondary review. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: All eligible and completed applications will be forwarded to a SEP for review. Awards will be made to those applications recommended by the SEP and approved by the Director, NCMHD. SBIR and STTR grants: All eligible and completed applications will be forwarded to an initial scientific review committee and to the NACMHD for the secondary review. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds.

Deadlines

Contact the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: December 31. SBIR and STTR grants: April 5, August 5, or December 5.

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Title III and IV, Part A and Part E, Sections 485E, 485F, 485G; Public Law 99-158 and Public Law 106-525; 42 U.S.C. 287c-31, 42 U.S.C. 287c-32, 42 U.S.C. 287c-33, 42 U.S.C. 241 and 285; Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, Public Law 102-564.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 6 to 9 months. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: Approximately 6 to 8 months. SBIR and STTR grants: Approximately 7 to 8 months.

Appeals

A principal investigator or applicant may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with NCMHD staff. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH home page http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-232.html .

Renewals

Renewal of grant awards beyond the initial project period of support is contingent upon successful competition by the applicant and upon the appropriation of funds for this purpose. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: Prior to the expiration of a participant's current award, the participant may apply for a one- or two-year extension provided the participant continues to engage in qualified minority health or other health disparities research and has outstanding repayable debt remaining. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts renewal applications are reviewed and selected for funding on a competitive basis.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

All awards have a project period of one to five years. Non-competitive grant awards in successive years (year 2 up to year 5) are awarded based on the applicant's annual performance and the availability of funds. Endowment Grants: Awards have a project period of one to three years. Non-competitive years (year 2 up to year 3) are awarded based on the applicant's annual performance and the availability of funds. The project period for these awards are directly linked to the amount of time remaining on the applicant's HRSA Centers of Excellence project period. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: An initial contract provides assistance for a two-year period, and a renewal contract provides assistance for an additional one- or two-year period. SBIR grants: Generally, Phase I awards are for six months, and Phase II awards are for two years. STTR grants: Generally, Phase I awards are for one year, and Phase II awards are for two years. All funds for any award must be obligated within five years from the date of the award.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual progress and selected financial status reports for continuing projects and final reports on all projects upon conclusion are required.

Endowment Grants: The NCMHD will exercise extended monitoring of a participant's annual progress towards meeting the objectives as outlined in the participant's five-year strategic plan for prioritizing the use of endowment income.

These reports will extend five years beyond the last year of a participant's project period.

Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: Participants must be periodically certified to have satisfactorily performed the duties of their positions.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials. Health Disparities Loan Repayment and Disadvantaged Individuals Loan Repayment contracts: There are no statutory audit requirements for this program.

Records

Expenditures and other financial records must be retained three years from the day on which the grantee submits the last financial status report for the report period. HDR-LRP / ECR-LRP contracts: Applicant records will be retained for three years after rejection and participant records for six years after completion of final service obligation.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0897-0-1-552.

Obigations

(1) Centers of Excellence grants: FY 07 $58,038,000; FY 08 est $48,289,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (2) NCMHD Research Endowment grants: FY 07 $40,000,000; FY 08 est $50,938,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (3) Health Disparities Loan Repayment (HDR) contracts: FY 07 $9,092,000; FY 08 est $9,092,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (4) Extramural Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (ECR) contracts: FY 07 $1,562,000; FY 08 est $1,562,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (5) Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI) grants: FY 07 $18,417,000; FY 08 est $17,949,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (6) Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) grants, formerly the Minority International Research Training Program (MIRT) previously managed by the NIH Fogarty International Center: FY 07 $5,085,000; FY 08 est $5,115,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (7) Community-Based Participatory Research grants (CBPR): FY 07 $11,925,000; FY 08 est $11,976,000; and FY 09 est not reported. (8) and (9) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (STTR): FY 07 $5,404,000; FY 08 est $5,052,000; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

NCMHD expects the award ranges and average amounts for its programs to remain consistent in 2007. (1) Centers of Excellence grants: total awards made by the NCMHD ranged from $227,521 to $1,621,536; $870,333. (2) Endowment grants: total awards made by the NCMHD ranged from $937,500 to $5,000,000; $3,267,090. (3) HDR Loan Repayment program contracts: total awards made by the NCMHD ranged from $3,906 to $106,057; $43,502. (4) ECR Loan Repayment program contracts: total awards made by the NCMHD ranged from $4,199 to $106,057; $44,629. (5) Research Infrastructure in Minority Institution grants (RIMI): total awards made by the NCMHD ranged from $417,287 to $970,833; $826,381. (6) Minority Health and Health Disparities Research International Research Training (MHIRT) grants: total awards made by the NCMHD ranged from $145,794 to $241,372; $211,000. (7) Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) grants: total awards made by the NCMHD ranged from $150,215 to $710,014; $479,280. (8) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants and (9) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Application: Typically, Phase I awards normally may not exceed $100,000 total (direct costs, indirect costs and profit/fee) and Phase II awards normally may not exceed $750,000. However, these award levels for time and amounts are statutory guidelines, not ceilings.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Pertinent information is contained in 42 USC 271c-31 et. Seq.; 42 CFR 52; 42 CFR 66; 45 CFR 74; 45 CFR 92; NIH Extramural Programs brochure; and miscellaneous program literature from the Headquarters Office. Grants will be available under the authority of and administered in accordance with the NIH Grants Policy Statement and Federal regulations at 42 CFR 52 and 42 USC 241. Additional loan repayment information can be obtained at www.lrp.nih.gov . SBIR and STTR information can also be obtained from the Omnibus Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant and Cooperative Agreement Applications; and the Omnibus Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Applications.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Grants: Director, Division of Extramural Activities and Scientific Programs, National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 800, MSC 5465, Bethesda, MD 20892; Telephone: (301) 402-1366. Centers of Excellence Program Director, Office of Scientific Programs(same address and telephone number). Community-Based Participatory Research Program: Chief, Office of Community-based programs (same address and telephone number). Endowment program: Program Director (same address and telephone number). HDR-LRP: Program Director (same address and telephone number). SBIR and STTR programs: Program Coordinator (same address and telephone number). Grants Management Contact: Grants Management Officer (same address and telephone number).

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The major elements in evaluating all new grant and renewal grant applications include assessments of: the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; and the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project, and the relevance and importance to the announced program objectives. HDR-LRP contracts: Applicants must be recommended for funding by the Special Emphasis Panel after a review of the applications based on: the appropriateness of the applicant's previous training and experience to prepare him/her for a career in health disparities research; the suitability of the applicant's proposed research activities in the two-year loan repayment period to foster a research career in health disparities; the assessment of the applicant's commitment to a research career in health disparities as reflected by the personal statement and the plan outlined to achieve those goals; the strength of recommendations attesting to the applicant's potential for a research career; the availability of appropriate scientific colleagues to achieve and/or enhance the applicant's research independence; and the quality and appropriateness of institutional resources and facilities. SBIR and STTR grants: For Phase I grant applications, the criteria used are: the soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; the technological innovation of the proposed research; the potential of the proposed suitability of the facilities and research environment; and where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for safeguarding human or animal subjects and/or protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. For Phase II grant applications, the criteria used are: the degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the phase II objectives; the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff and consultants; the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; the adequacy and suitability o the facilities and research environment; and where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for safeguarding human or animal subjects and/or protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. All persons interested in any of the DHHS/NIH/NCMHD grant and/or contract program initiatives are strongly encouraged to carefully read the Request for Applications as they are announced annually in order to understand what is required for each unique program as well as meet each deadline in a timely manner.