Fogarty International Research Collaboration Award (93.934)
Program
93.934 Fogarty International Research Collaboration Award
Federal Agency
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, Sections 301 and 405, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 241 and 284.
Program Number
93.934
Last Known Status
Deleted 06/30/2004 (Program elements consolidated into 93.989)
Objectives
To facilitate collaborative research efforts between U.S. and foreign scientists that will expand and enhance the NIH-supported research program of the U.S. Principal Investigator, while at the same time benefiting the scientific interests of the collaborating foreign scientist. These small grants will provide funds to purchase supplies, materials, and small equipment items necessary to conduct the collaborative research in the foreign scientists laboratory. Travel support for both the U.S. Principal Investigator and the foreign collaborator is also provided. The small grants will provide up to $32,000 in direct costs per year for up to 3 years.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used for supplies, materials, stipend for the foreign collaborator(s) and small equipment items. Part of the funds may also be used for travel for both the U.S. Principal Investigator, the foreign collaborator, and/or their research associates.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The grant applicant is the U.S. institution where the U.S. principal investigator is employed.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Scientists and researchers are the beneficiaries. The foreign collaborator must hold a position at a public or nonprofit private institution in a developing country. For HIV-related research, foreign collaborators may be located in almost any country of the world.
Credentials/Documentation
Credentials for the foreign collaborators must be included with the application.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
The PHS-398 form (revised 04/98) is used to apply for the program. Special application instructions are necessary and are available from the Fogarty International Center, Division of International Training and Research website: http://www.nih.gov/fic/programs.html. Telephone: (301) 496-1653.
Award Procedure
All accepted applications are evaluated by an appropriate initial review group (Study Section). Projects which rank in approximately the upper half of all scored applications receive a final, secondary review by the Fogarty International Center Advisory Board. Staff informs the applicants of the results of the review. If support is contemplated, staff initiates preparation of the awards.
Deadlines
FIRCA: March 25, July 25, and November 25. AIDS FIRCA: January 2, May 1, and September 1.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
A Principal Investigator (P.I.) may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Center. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH home page http://grants.nih.gov/grants/notice-files/not97-232.html.
Renewals
Non-competing years may be awarded based on satisfactory progress. The application is due approximately 2 months before the end of each budget period. Applicants may compete again for one additional 3-year grant.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Up to 3 years of support are provided.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual progress reports are due prior to funding for the non-competing years. A final performance report and a final financial status report are due no later than 90 days after 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 of the report period.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, 56 competing and 103 non-competing awards were made.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0819-0-1-552.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $0; (FIRCA) FY 03 $5,418,000; and (AIDS-FIRCA) FY 04 est $1,086,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$30,000 to $45,000; $40,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR parts 74 and 92; FIRCA - NIH Guide PAR-99-008 (October 30, 1998); AIDS-FIRCA - NIH Guide PA-99-029 (December 18, 1998); NIH Grants Policy Statement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Program Contact: Dr. Kathleen Michels, Division of International Training and Research, Fogarty International Center, Bldg. 31, Room B2C39, 31 Center Drive MSC2220, Bethesda, MD 20892-2220. Telephone: (301) 496-1653. FAX: (301) 402-0779. Grants Management Contact: Mr. Bruce Butrum, Grants Management Officer, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Building 31, Room B2C39, 31 Center Drive MSC2220, Bethesda, MD 20892-2220. Telephone: (301) 496-1670. Use the same numbers for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Neurocysticercosis is an infection of the brain caused by a tapeworm present in undercooked pork and is easily transmitted where sanitation is poor. It is a major cause of epilepsy in most developing countries and is an emerging disease within the U.S. The mechanism that causes inflammation in the brain is still not clearly understood. International teams of researchers from the U.S. and Peru are searching for mechanisms and innovative therapies, and have developed methods to monitor and determine the effectiveness of current treatments. Prostaglandins are hormones which function as key hormones in cancer and in human inflammatory diseases including asthma. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and various steroids work in part by interfering with prostaglandin synthesis; however, they have various undesirable side-effects which have led to a search for alternatives. Important in this search is knowledge of how the body makes prostaglandins, a problem that has perplexed scientists for generations. To establish how they are made in humans, an international team of scientists is studying how they are made in sea corals, the richest known source of prostaglandins. The information they have obtained suggests avenues for development of new anti-inflammatory compounds which are more effective and have fewer side-effects. Each cell of the body contains a protein, P53, called the "tumor-suppressor-protein" which is responsible for orchestrating protective responses to stresses, such as exposure to radiation, lack of oxygen and other nutrients. If this protein cannot function correctly for any reason, different kinds of cancer can develop, due to uncontrolled cell division and other less well-known cellular reactions. An international team of scientists has determined additional effects of several of these defects on the cell's normal responses to stress, including an increase in chromosome defects such as breaks and duplications. This information is important for development of new cancer therapies and better selection of therapies for individual patients.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applications will be reviewed on the basis of scientific and technical merit of the research proposal. Collaborative potential, significance of the proposed research, and the competence of the foreign collaborator are also prime factors. Grant awards will be based on the above information and availability of funds.
