APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and may be obtained from the Office of Grants Information, Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 3034, MSC 7762, Bethesda, MD 20892 7762, telephone 301/435 0714, Email: [log in to unmask] The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. FIRST award applications must include at least three sealed letters of reference attached to the face page of the original application. FIRST applications submitted without the required number of reference letters will be considered incomplete and will be returned without review. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and three signed, clear, and single sided photocopies in one package to: DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must also be sent to: Ethel Jackson, D.D.S. Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Building 17, Room 1716 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Applications must be received by January 18, 1996. If an application is received after that date, the DRG may contact the applicant to determine whether it will be returned to the applicant or be reviewed with unsolicited applications for the next regular receipt date. The Division of Research Grants (DRG) will not accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The DRG will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not include the submission of substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NIEHS in accordance with NIH peer review procedures. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory council or board. Review Criteria o scientific, technical, or medical significance and originality of proposed research as it relates to contributions to knowledge of health outcomes in women as a result of exposure to environmentally derived endocrine disruptors. o appropriateness and adequacy of the experimental approach and methodology proposed to carry out the research; o qualifications and research experience of the Principal Investigator and staff, particularly but not exclusively in the area of the proposed research; o availability of resources necessary to perform the research; and o adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated.\ o appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research. AWARD CRITERIA The anticipated date of award is June 1996. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review; o availability of funds; and o program balance among research areas of the announcement. INQUIRIES Written and telephone inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcomed. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: For Human Studies: Gwen W. Collman, Ph.D. Chemical Exposures and Molecular Biology Branch National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-4500 FAX: (919) 541-2843 Email: [log in to unmask] For Animal Studies: Jerrold Heindel, Ph.D. Organ and Systems Toxicology Branch National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-0781 FAX: (919) 541-2843 Email: [log in to unmask] Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Mr. David L. Mineo Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-1373 AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.113 and 93.115. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78 410, as amended by Public Law 99 158, 43 USC 241 and 285) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke free workplace and promote the non use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103 227, the Pro Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.