I. Introduction to NIEHS Developmental Center Grants
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is committed to fostering research programs that address critical environmental health challenges, particularly those affecting economically disadvantaged and underserved communities. This commitment is realized through the Core Centers (P30) program, which supports multi-disciplinary research initiatives utilizing cutting-edge science. Recognizing the need to cultivate new centers of excellence, the NIEHS offers Developmental Center Grants (P20). This program is designed to assist institutions in building the foundational elements necessary to compete for and establish a successful Core Center (P30) in the future.
This Request for Applications (RFA) specifically targets institutions or consortia aiming to develop multi-disciplinary Core Center (P30) grants focused on environmentally-related health problems in populations that are economically disadvantaged and/or underserved. A key objective of this developmental grant is to support the initial stages of forming interdisciplinary teams. These teams will investigate environmental health concerns within these vulnerable populations and demonstrate the viability of operating as a cohesive and impactful Core Center. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to broaden the scientific, institutional, geographic, and demographic diversity of the NIEHS Center program by encouraging research-oriented institutions to cultivate the research, leadership, and organizational capabilities expected of a leading NIEHS Core Center.
II. Healthy People 2000 and Environmental Health Priorities
This Developmental Grant program aligns with the Public Health Service’s “Healthy People 2000” objectives, a national initiative setting priorities for health promotion and disease prevention. Specifically, this RFA directly addresses the critical priority area of environmental health. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review “Healthy People 2000” for detailed information on national health objectives and targets related to environmental health. These reports (“Healthy People 2000: Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00471-1”) are available through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.
III. Eligibility and Funding Details for Developmental Center Grants
To be eligible for a Developmental Center Grant (P20), applicant institutions must demonstrate a foundation of funded research in environmental health sciences, with a minimum of $500,000 in related research funding. These grants are intended for research groups that have a proven track record in environmental health research, supported by individual research project grants. Furthermore, they should exhibit strong institutional commitment and a clearly defined research focus, indicating their potential to evolve into fully developed Core Centers. Institutions lacking substantial peer-reviewed, extramurally funded research activity in environmental health science are not eligible for this Developmental Center program.
Applications are welcomed from domestic for-profit and non-profit organizations, both public and private, including minority-serving institutions. Applications can be submitted by individual institutions or as collaborative efforts between minority and majority institutions. While typically only one developmental grant will be funded per institution, multi-institutional arrangements (consortia) are permissible under compelling circumstances, with clear evidence of close collaboration among participating entities. The NIEHS strongly encourages applications from minority individuals and women to enhance diversity in biomedical and behavioral research.
The Developmental Center Grants (P20) are highly competitive and awarded to institutions demonstrating a strong likelihood of progressing to a competitive Core Center grant application (P30) following the P20 funding period. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the NIEHS Core Center (P30) guidelines, available upon request, to ensure their developmental plans align with the requirements for future Core Center status. This RFA is a one-time solicitation, emphasizing its unique opportunity for institutions to build capacity in environmental health research.
Funding for NIEHS Developmental Center grants is capped at $250,000 in direct costs per year, for a maximum of four years. The number of awards, estimated to be between one and three, depends on available funds and the quality of applications received. Awards are not renewable, and supplements are not permitted. The earliest possible award date is April 1, 1999. Continued funding beyond the initial year is contingent upon satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
IV. Research Objectives: Addressing Environmental Health Disparities in Underserved Populations
A fundamental goal of the NIEHS is to achieve environmental justice for all populations and to increase the participation of minority groups in mainstream biomedical research. This initiative directly contributes to these goals by focusing on environmentally related health problems in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
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While most Americans aspire to long and healthy lives, and many achieve this, significant health disparities persist. Economically disadvantaged and/or underserved populations experience disproportionately higher rates of illness and death. These communities often face lower life expectancies and bear the brunt of inadequate access to quality healthcare. Compounding these issues, they are frequently exposed to higher levels of environmental hazards and have limited access to information regarding the health consequences of such exposures.
Research efforts to understand the sources and health effects of environmental exposures in minority and underserved communities remain insufficient. There is a critical knowledge gap regarding the specific environmental agents impacting socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in their homes and workplaces. Furthermore, the correlation between socioeconomic status and exposure to these agents is understudied. It is hypothesized that factors like malnutrition, pre-existing health conditions, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and substance use can significantly influence the dose-response relationship, metabolism, and health outcomes associated with exposure to hazardous agents in these populations.
Occupational hazards are often more prevalent among the socioeconomically disadvantaged due to the nature of available employment opportunities and working conditions. Lower-paying jobs in industrial settings frequently carry the highest risks, and certain racial groups may be overrepresented in these hazardous occupations. Geographic factors also play a crucial role in environmental exposure. Inner-city communities with poverty often contend with lead contamination in older housing and elevated levels of air pollution. Conversely, rural, low-income areas are more likely to be sites for toxic waste facilities and industrial plants, potentially impacting well water quality with chemical pollutants.
Access to adequate medical care is often limited for a significant portion of socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority populations. This lack of access exacerbates the burden of chronic diseases and other health problems linked to environmental exposures, which are already disproportionately prevalent in these communities. Conditions like lead poisoning and its associated cognitive and developmental impairments are more common among minority populations. Similarly, hypertension and prostate cancer are highly prevalent among Black individuals. Low birth weight and pregnancy complications are more frequent among women lacking access to quality prenatal care. Many of these health issues may have an environmental component in their origins. The lack of resources for early detection and intervention for the effects of toxic agents in these vulnerable subgroups can lead to a greater disease burden in populations least equipped to manage it.
V. Examples of NIEHS Developmental Centers and Program Components
Existing NIEHS Developmental Centers demonstrate successful models for addressing environmental health disparities.
Columbia University School of Public Health: Recognizing the disproportionate exposure of underprivileged Americans, particularly people of color, to environmental hazards in communities like Harlem, Columbia University established the Center for Environmental Health in Harlem. This center focuses research on diseases caused or worsened by environmental factors and translates research findings into public policy and community education programs. A key project, driven by community concerns, investigates the impact of vehicular traffic and air pollution sources on air quality and asthma in Harlem, involving community members, scientists, and student interns.
Tulane University: The NIEHS Developmental Center at the Tulane/Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research supports studies on environmental health effects in minority and underserved populations. Pilot projects and outreach activities, especially for junior faculty, are funded. Ongoing research includes a population-based study in rural Louisiana assessing respiratory health impacts from industrial air pollutants, utilizing air quality monitoring and dispersion modeling to determine exposure and correlate it with respiratory symptoms.
University of Louisville: Addressing the exposure of women and minorities in Louisville’s industrial areas to toxins like acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, and metal catalysts, the University of Louisville Center for Environmental Health Sciences promotes interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach. Researchers develop molecular biomarkers for chemical exposure, and outreach programs assess chemical exposure risks in underserved communities through specimen banking and residential surveillance projects. The Center also engages with industry, unions, and community groups to translate research into public policy.
These examples highlight the diverse approaches and community-engaged research that NIEHS Developmental Centers foster. The primary purpose of the NIEHS Developmental Center grant (P20) is to support investigators in developing similar interdisciplinary collaborations, obtaining preliminary data to demonstrate feasibility, and building research programs aligned with the goals of this RFA. The ultimate aim is to prepare for a competitive NIEHS Core Center grant (P30) application.
Possible components of a Developmental Center Grant include:
- Pilot projects/Feasibility studies: Small-scale research to gather preliminary data, validate approaches, or assess technical feasibility for larger projects addressing RFA goals and NIEHS Center program objectives.
- Organizational development: Activities to build the organizational structure and recruit new investigators who will strengthen the subsequent Core Center grant application.
- Administrative/Planning core: Establishing leadership, planning research strategies, developing timelines for the Core Center grant application, and forming internal and external advisory committees.
It is crucial to understand that a Developmental Center grant does not guarantee future funding for planned programs. Separate applications are required for subsequent programs and will be evaluated independently on their merits.
VI. Special Requirements and Allowable Components
To ensure Developmental Center grants remain focused and progress towards Core Center development, regular programmatic assessments are required. In addition to annual progress reports, Developmental Center directors are expected to attend periodic meetings of Environmental Health Science Center Directors.
Essential elements for planning and developing an NIEHS Center include:
- Center Director: A senior leader with administrative experience is essential to direct the developmental effort, dedicating significant time to planning and development. This individual serves as the Principal Investigator for the P20 application and should be adept at allocating time, planning research, and leveraging institutional resources.
- Advisory Committees: An internal planning committee should facilitate collaboration and resource utilization within the institution. An external advisory group of senior experts familiar with NIEHS Core Centers should provide guidance and independent assessment of the Center’s progress and plans.
- Research Program Definition and Implementation: Research programs should directly address environmental health problems in underserved populations, focusing on innovative, high-impact research questions. Pilot projects should be multidisciplinary and may include basic, clinical, or prevention research. Mechanisms to translate research findings into public health knowledge are also encouraged.
Allowable components for NIEHS Developmental Center Grant (P20) applications include pilot projects/feasibility studies, organizational development activities, and an administrative/planning core. These components should be designed to generate preliminary data, build interdisciplinary teams, and develop a strong foundation for a future Core Center application.
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Non-allowable costs include using the Center mechanism as a substitute for individual grant support, salary support for central institutional administrative personnel, and generally, renovations or substantial equipment purchases unless critically justified for the Developmental Center’s objectives, not solely for the future Core Center.
VII. Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research
NIH policy mandates the inclusion of women and minority groups and their subpopulations in all NIH-supported biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling justification for exclusion is provided. This policy is derived from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993. Investigators planning research involving human subjects should consult the “NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research” (Federal Register of March 28, 1994, and NIH GUIDE FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, Volume 23, Number 11, March 18, 1994).
VIII. Letter of Intent and Application Procedures
Prospective applicants are requested to submit a letter of intent by May 15, 1998, including a descriptive title, PI information, key personnel, participating institutions, and the RFA number and title. While not mandatory, the letter of intent assists NIEHS in planning application review. The letter should be sent to: Ethel B. Jackson, D.D.S., Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Applications must be submitted using the PHS 398 (rev. 5/95) research grant application form, available from institutional offices or the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health. The RFA label must be affixed to the application face page, and the RFA title and number typed on line 2. Applicants are encouraged to consult with NIEHS staff early in the application process for technical and substantive guidance.
Applications should describe the planned mission and structure of projects (approximately ten pages) and feasibility studies (three to five pages each) in an abbreviated NIH R01 format. IRB/IACUC certifications, if delayed, must be submitted by September 17, 1998. Submit an original signed application and three copies to the Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, and two additional copies to Ethel B. Jackson, D.D.S. Applications must be received by July 17, 1998. Late applications will be returned. Applications substantially similar to pending or reviewed applications will not be accepted.
IX. Review Considerations and Criteria
Applications will be reviewed for completeness and responsiveness by CSR and NIEHS staff. Complete and responsive applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an NIEHS peer review group. A competitive/noncompetitive process may be used based on scientific merit. Competitive applications will be discussed and scored; noncompetitive applications will be withdrawn.
Review criteria emphasize the likelihood of success in obtaining a Core Center grant (P30) after the P20 period. Key factors include:
- Overall Program: Likelihood of P30 success, scientific merit, well-defined research focus relevant to NIEHS mission, adequacy of research agenda and planning, appropriateness of Center approach, synergy among projects.
- Administration and Planning Core: Leadership of Center Director, multidisciplinary teams, administrative organization for communication, fiscal management, personnel, and advisory committees.
- Pilot/Feasibility Studies: Scientific quality of pilot studies (overall quality, not individual study merit), adequacy of review process for future pilot projects.
- Institutional Commitment: Institutional support, resource contribution to the Center, academic environment, facilities, and commitment to newly recruited personnel.
X. Award Criteria and Schedule
Funding decisions are based on application quality (peer review), responsiveness to RFA goals and NIEHS mission, and availability of funds. Funding beyond the first year depends on satisfactory progress and fund availability.
Key dates for this initiative:
- Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 15, 1998
- Application Receipt Date: July 17, 1998
- Initial Scientific Review: October/November 1998
- Advisory Council Review: January 1999
- Anticipated Date of Award: April 1, 1999
XI. Inquiries
For programmatic inquiries, contact: Allen Dearry, Ph.D., Division of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS. For fiscal matters, contact: Mr. David L. Mineo, Division of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS.
XII. Authority and Regulations
This program (CFDA Number 93.894) is authorized under the Public Health Service Act and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations. The PHS encourages smoke-free workplaces and compliance with the Pro-Children Act of 1994 regarding smoking in facilities serving children.
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