Academic Research Enhancement Award (93.390)
Program
93.390 Academic Research Enhancement Award
Federal Agency
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorization
Public Law 104-91.
Program Number
93.390
Last Known Status
Deleted 04/26/2006 (Appropriations for this program are now imbedded in the individual NIH institutes and centers. The program is now covered by the CFDA description for research grants maintained by each of the ICs.)
Objectives
The AREA program has three objectives: (a) To develop the research environment at "smaller, less prominent, four-year, public and private colleges and universities which provide baccalaureate or advanced training for a significant number of our nation's research scientists but which have not shared adequately in the growth of the NIH extramural program," (b) to expose students at such institutions to the research experience, and (c) to support meritorious research.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
To support small-scale research projects, including feasibility or pilot studies, in health-related topics. The majority of the research must be conducted at the grantee institution.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
(1) Individual health-professional schools and the combined other components of domestic educational institutions granting baccalaureate and higher degrees in the health sciences are eligible, except those schools/components that have received NIH research grants totaling more than $2 million per year in each of four or more of the last seven fiscal years; and (2) faculty members of such institutions who will not have an active NIH research grant at the time of award of an AREA grant.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Institutions as described above and the faculty and students of such institutions will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Prepare and submit Form PHS 398 (Rev. 5/01) according to modified (simplified) instructions in the AREA Program Guidelines. Form PHS 398 may be obtained from NIH's Extramural Research Home Page http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm and the Program Guidelines from the AREA home page http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR 74.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit by a scientific review group and for program relevance by a national advisory council/board. When scientific merit and program relevance are essentially equivalent, funding preference is given to institutions with a strong record of educating undergraduates who have subsequently obtained doctoral degrees in the health sciences.
Deadlines
Except for AIDS-related projects, applications must be postmarked by January 25, May 25 or September 25. Applications for AIDS-related projects must be postmarked by May 1, September 1, and January 2.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
A principal investigator may question the procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the NIH Institute or Center to which the application was assigned for potential funding. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH home page http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-232.html.
Renewals
Renewal (competing continuation, type 2) applications are accepted.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made in a single, lump sum and are expendable for up to 3 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual progress reports are required. In addition, Progress, invention, and expenditure reports are required at the end of the project period.
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.
Records
Expenditures and other financial records must be retained for 3 years from the day on which the grantee submits the last expenditure report for the grant period.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, approximately 179 awards were made. This reflects the number of meritorious biomedical or behavioral science research projects that were supported and, at a minimum, the number of students who were exposed to research and became aware of scientific research as a career possibility. It is estimated that 180 awards will be made in both fiscal years 2002 and 2003.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0846-0-1-552.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $17,724,000 (Office of Director) and $5,895,316 (Institutes and Centers); FY 03 est $23,750,000; and FY 04 est $24,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Up to $100,000 in direct costs may be requested. In addition to direct costs, facilities and administrative costs (formerly, indirect costs) at the negotiated rate(s) for the institution are included in the total award. The average award for FY 2001 was $136,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
45 CFR 74; 42 CFR 52. NIH Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. 94-50,000, (Rev.) March 1, 2001. The PHS 398 application form and the AREA Program Guidelines may both be obtained from the NIH Home Page (See Application Procedure above for URL addresses.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Ms. Marie Willett, NIH AREA Coordinator, Office of Extramural Programs, Office of Extramural Research, Rockledge I, Room 3536, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910; Telephone: (301) 435-2689; FAX: (301) 480-0146; E-mail: willettm@od.nih.gov. Also each NIH Institute has an AREA contact person, whose information is listed on the AREA home page (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm).
Headquarters Office
Office of Extramural Programs, Office of Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892. Telephone: (301) 435-2689.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Awards were made for health-related research projects that pertain to the missions of the various funding components of NIH. Lists of the awards made in fiscal year 2001 are available on the AREA home page (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm).
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Funding decisions are based on scientific merit (42 CFR 52h), program relevance, and an institution's record of having educated individuals at the baccalaureate level who subsequently obtained doctoral degrees in the health sciences. Scientific merit review encompasses: the significance, approach, and innovation of the proposed research; the competency of the principal investigator; the adequacy of the resources and environment; the proposed budget and requested period of support; and, where applicable, the adequacy of the measures for protecting against adverse effects upon humans, animals, or the environment.
