Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 SPECIAL ISSUE INITIATIVES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH (81/987) National Institutes of Health Index: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH INITIATIVES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH P.T. 34, 44, FF; K.W. 0720005, 0710030 National Institutes of Health BACKGROUND In 1987-88, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) held regional meetings throughout the United States. At these meetings, testimony was presented by concerned individuals and organizations regarding the underrepresentation of minorities in biomedical research. Although the NIH currently provides opportunities for minorities through regular research grant programs and through special initiatives supported by various components of the NIH (See Appendix A), the testimony indicated that NIH's efforts must be increased. In addition, the NIH recognizes the need to increase the number of underrepresented minority scientists* participating in biomedical research as a means of addressing the national problem of a declining scientific pool that we face in the twenty-first century. In response to these concerns, the NIH has developed several programs, described in this announcement, that have been endorsed by all the awarding components of the NIH. These programs are designed to provide a continuum of support for research experiences for high school students to faculty members in institutions of higher education. The funding of these programs will be in addition to those listed in Appendix A. The NIH hereby notifies all Principal Investigators holding NIH research grants of the availability of funds for administrative supplements for the support of underrepresented minority scientists and students. The aim of these programs is to attract and encourage minority individuals to pursue biomedical research careers in areas within the missions of all the awarding components of the NIH by providing supplemental funds to ongoing research grants. The NIH anticipates that by providing scientific opportunities, such as those listed below, it will substantially increase the numbers of minorities in biomedical research holding NIH grants. o The Minority High School Summer Student Research Apprenticeship Program (MHSSRAP) will be expanded to encourage more high school students to consider careers in science and, in particular, the biomedical and behavioral sciences. o Research Supplements for Minority Undergraduate Students will support undergraduate minority students to continue on to graduate level training in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. o Research Supplements for Graduate Research Assistants will provide support for predoctoral minority individuals to develop their research capabilities. o Research Supplements for Minority Investigators will provide short- and long-term opportunities for minority investigators to participate in ongoing research projects while further developing their own independent research potential. GENERAL PROVISIONS In all cases, the proposed research experience must be an integral part of the approved ongoing research of the parent grant. As part of this research experience, the minority individual must be given the opportunity to interact with individuals on the parent grant, to contribute intellectually to the research and to enhance his/her research skills and knowledge regarding the particular area of biomedical science. Furthermore, the Principal Investigator must demonstrate a willingness and understanding that the purpose of the award is to enhance the research capability of the minority student or faculty member, and that the research experience is intended to provide opportunities for minority individuals to develop as independent, competitive research investigators. Awards will be made consistent with the goals of strengthening the existing research program and the overall programmatic balance of the funding agency. Awards will be made according to the policies and provisions stated herein. However, it is recognized that individual circumstances vary, and for unusual situations, NIH program administrators should be consulted for a determination of eligibility. Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 1 ELIGIBILITY Any Principal Investigator at a domestic institution holding an active R01, R10, R18, R24, R35, R37, P01, P40, P41, P50, P60, or U01, which has a minimum of two years of research support remaining at the time of a supplemental award, is eligible to submit a request for an administrative supplement to the awarding component of the parent grant. The purpose of the request will be to support a minority undergraduate student, graduate research assistant or faculty member to participate in ongoing research projects. Specific eligibility requirements relative to each type of award are set forth in the individual Program Announcements. Usually, each parent grant would have only one supplement. Appointment of more than one individual to a single grant will be considered depending on the nature of the parent grant and the circumstances of the request. Minority individuals may receive support under these programs on only one grant at any time, but may be supported by more than one grant during the development of their research careers. APPLICATION PROCEDURES A request for a supplement may be submitted at any time. In making requests, the grantee institution, on behalf of the Principal Investigator of the parent grant and in cooperation with the minority individual, should submit the request for supplemental funds directly to the awarding component that supports the parent grant. The request should include the following: (1) a completed face page from PHS Grant Application Form 398 with the title and grant number of the parent grant and a statement that specifies which type of supplement is being requested; (2) a brief 3-4 page description, prepared by the Principal Investigator of the parent grant, of the proposed research experience and how it will expand and foster the independent research capabilities of the minority individual and how it relates to the research objectives of the parent grant; (3) a statement from the minority individual outlining his/her research objectives and career goals; (4) the social security number and biographical sketch of the minority individual that includes evidence of scientific achievement; (5) a proposed budget entered on budget pages from PHS Grant Application Form 398, related to the percent effort (where appropriate) for the research experience on the first year and future years; and (6) documentation, if applicable, that the proposed research experience was approved by the animal welfare committee or human subjects institutional review board of the grantee institution. The request must be signed by the minority individual, the Principal Investigator and the appropriate institutional business official. If the minority individual is not an employee of the grantee institution, the request also must be accompanied by an appropriately signed letter from the institution of the minority individual indicating that participation at the stated level of effort is approved. If any of the research is to be conducted at a site other than the grantee institution, an appropriately signed letter from the institution where the research is to be conducted must also be submitted. Specific MHSSRAP application procedures are given in Appendix B. REVIEW CRITERIA The staff of the particular awarding component will review requests for supplements using the following general criteria: (1) the qualifications of the minority individual including career goals, prior research training and experience; (2) plans for the proposed research experience in the supplemental request and its relationship to the parent grant; (3) assurance from the Principal Investigator that the experience will enhance the research potential, knowledge and/or skills of the minority individual; and (4) assurance from the Principal Investigator that the activities of the minority individual are an integral part of the project. Additional criteria related to the specific programs may also apply. FUNDING The decision to fund a supplement will take approximately four weeks from the time the request is submitted. Within the first budget period, funds will be provided as an administrative supplement to the parent grant. In subsequent years, continued funding for the supplement always is contingent on funding of the parent grant and cannot extend beyond the current competitive segment of the parent grant. The continuation of support for the minority individual in the remaining years of the competitive segment of the grant will depend upon a satisfactory review Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 2 of progress on the parent grant and the supplement by the awarding component at the NIH, the research proposed for the next budget period, and the appropriateness of the proposed budget to the proposed effort. In future budget periods, funds for continuation of the supplement must be requested in the parent grant application. Funds are not transferable to another minority individual and simultaneous or overlapping supplements will not be considered. 1. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: THE MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER STUDENT RESEARCH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM The purpose of the program is to provide minority high school students with a meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related research in order to stimulate their interest in careers in science. The Division of Research Resources (DRR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), will expand the Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program in 1990. Eligible institutions are encouraged to apply according to the procedures presented in Appendix B. Provisions for MHSSRAP are provided in Appendix B. 2. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR MINORITY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS DESCRIPTION This research grant supplement provides an opportunity for any minority undergraduate student interested in biomedical or behavioral research to conduct research at a research institution for three months during the summer or other period, apart from an academic program. The success of this program is dependent on the ability of the Principal Investigator to identify appropriate students. A number of procedures may be used to match investigators holding research grants to appropriate minority college students: (1) the Principal Investigator may identify a student and initiate the request for the supplement; (2) the institution may make the pairing and request the supplement; (3) the student may contact a grantee institution or an investigator and request a summer research experience; and (4) the NIH can provide to interested Principal Investigators lists of participants in NIH programs which provide support for minority undergraduate students, such as MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) and MBRS (Minority Biomedical Research Support). ELIGIBILITY The student may be affiliated with either the applicant institution or any other academic institution. Any undergraduate minority student interested in biomedical or behavioral research is encouraged to participate in this program. PROVISIONS This supplement is not to exceed $6.00 per hour for salary plus $125 per month for supplies and travel. Equipment may not be purchased from these funds. Students are expected to devote full-time effort to the research project and related activities during the period of support. Support should be for a minimum of three months duration in any one year, but is expected to last over a period of at least two years (i.e., two three-month periods). Exceptions to the latter will be considered, depending on the circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant and the specific request. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Once a student has been identified, a request may be submitted. In addition to the items required in GENERAL PROVISIONS (above), the request should include an academic record and other evidence of educational achievement of the student. If the minority student is not a student at the grantee institution, the request also must be accompanied by an appropriately signed letter from the responsible official of the institution at which the minority student is matriculated, indicating that participation is approved. Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 3 Special provisions may be made for exceptional high school minority students to participate in this program. Students who are located near institutions that do not participate in the MHSSRAP are eligible. The provisions, review criteria, and application procedures are the same as for college students. REVIEW CRITERIA In addition to the criteria described in GENERAL PROVISIONS (above), requests for supplements for support of undergraduate students will be reviewed using the following additional criteria: the academic record of the minority student and assurance from the Principal Investigator that the experience will enhance the research potential and skills of the student. 3. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR MINORITY GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS DESCRIPTION The objective of this program is to reach out to potential minority researchers in biomedical sciences and give them an opportunity for further development of research capability leading to independence as a researcher. ELIGIBILITY Any minority graduate student who is actively pursuing a doctoral degree in one of the biomedical or behavioral sciences is eligible for consideration. The student must be affiliated with the applicant institution. PROVISIONS The NIH will provide support for a salary in addition to other necessary expenses to enable the minority individual to participate as a graduate research assistant in funded research projects. The requested salary must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Please refer to the items listed under GENERAL PROVISIONS. REVIEW CRITERIA The awarding component of the parent grant will review requests for supplements to support minority graduate research assistants using the following criteria in addition to those stated in GENERAL PROVISIONS (above): the academic record of the minority graduate research assistant and the potential for developing an independent research career. 4. PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR MINORITY INVESTIGATORS DESCRIPTION These supplements provide either short- or long-term research support for minority faculty members to enhance their research skills leading to an independent research career. The recipient must make at least a two-year commitment to the research project. a. Short-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement This supplement provides short-term support for minority faculty members to conduct research in the biomedical or behavioral sciences for 3-5 months full time each year during the summer or another portion of the academic year, over a maximum period of four years. b. Long-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement This supplement provides long-term research support for minority faculty members to conduct research in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. Support is provided for up to 4 years at a minimum of 30 percent effort during each 12-month period. ELIGIBILITY The minority investigator may be affiliated with either the applicant institution or any other institution. The investigator must have a doctoral degree, be beyond the level of a research trainee and be a member of the Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 4 faculty with at least one year of postdoctoral experience. MBRS, MARC, small grants, or AREA investigators are eligible for these supplements; individuals who have received previous funding from NIH as an independent Principal Investigator on regular research grants (R01, R29, etc.), program project grants (P01, P50, etc.), or research career program awards (K04, K08, etc.) are not eligible. PROVISIONS The minority faculty supplemental award is for a maximum of $50,000 in direct costs per year. A maximum of $40,000 may be requested for salary and fringe benefits; additional funds totalling $10,000 may be requested for supplies and travel. Equipment may not be purchased except in unusual circumstances, and not without prior approval of the NIH awarding component. The maximum period of support for any investigator is four years. The amount of salary requested must be consistent with the policies of the parent grantee institution (and, if applicable, the minority investigator's employing institution) and must be related to the percent effort of the minority investigator. Institutions are discouraged from adding individuals whose salary support is from other sources in an effort to increase funds for supplies and travel. However, individuals with outside sources of funds for partial support of a research experience are not excluded from participating in these programs. See GENERAL PROVISIONS (above) for application procedures, review criteria, and funding. INQUIRIES Principal Investigators interested in participating in these programs are encouraged to contact NIH staff administering the parent grant. For general information about the Initiative for Underrepresented Minorities in Biomedical Research, please contact the following staff person in the appropriate awarding component: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING Associate Director for Office of Extramural Affairs NIA, NIH Building 31, Room 5C02 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-9322 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES Chief, Research Manpower Development Office NIAID, NIH Westwood Building, Room 7A03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-5030 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES Deputy Director, Extramural Activities Program NIAMS, NIH Westwood Building, Room 403C Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7495 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Special Assistant to the Deputy Director, NICHD, NIH Building 31, Room 2A03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-0104 NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS Acting Director, Extramural Activities NIDCD, NIH Federal Building, Room 1C11 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-1804 Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 5 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL RESEARCH Director, Extramural Program NIDR, NIH Westwood Building, Room 503 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7723 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES Director, Division of Extramural Activities NIDDK, NIH Westwood Building, Room 657 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7277 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES Director, Division of Extramural Research and Training NIEHS, NIH Building 3, Room 301A P.O. Box 12233 Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 Telephone: (919) 629-7723 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES Deputy Associate Director, Office of Program Activities NIGMS, NIH Westwood Building, Room 955 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7063 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE Director, Division of Extramural Activities NINDS, NIH Federal Building, Room 1016A Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-9248 NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Director, Division of Extramural Activities NCI, NIH Building 31, Room 10A03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-5147 NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE Research Training and Resources Officer NEI, NIH Building 31, Room 6A48 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-5884 NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE Director, Division of Extramural Affairs NHLBI, NIH Westwood Building, Room 7A17B Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7416 NATIONAL CENTER FOR NURSING RESEARCH Director, Extramural Programs NCNR, NIH Building 31, Room 5B09 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-0523 Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 6 NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Acting Associate Director, Division of Extramural Programs NLM, NIH Building 38A, 5N505 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-4621 DIVISION OF RESEARCH RESOURCES Deputy Director, DRR, NIH Westwood Building, Room 8A16 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-6023 *For the purpose of these announcements, underrepresented minority investigators, hereinafter referred to simply as minorities, are defined as individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group which has been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Awards will be limited to citizens or noncitzen nationals of the United States. In awarding supplements, NIH will give priority to projects involving Black, Hisplanic, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders or other ethnic or racial group members who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research nationally. Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 7 APPENDIX A ADDITIONAL NIH SUPPORT FOR MINORITY INVESTIGATORS In addition to the Initiatives for Underrepresented Minorities in Biomedical Research, the NIH supports minority investigators through a variety of other mechanisms. Below is a list of these programs. For additional information about individual programs, please contact the appropriate NIH staff person listed above. Research Grant Programs The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program fosters faculty and student participation in biomedical research. The program is administered by the Division of Research Resources. The traditional MBRS Grant supports faculty members, who frequently have prohibitively heavy teaching loads, to conduct research and students to participate in actual research, thereby stimulating their scientific interests. The MBRS Undergraduate Grant seeks to enhance research capabilities of faculty members, at 2-year and 4-year colleges, who have not been successful in securing the necessary support for scientific research. The awards support pilot projects, the development of research skills, and enrichment activities that expand faculty and student research capabilities, such as travel to scientific meetings, seminars, workshops, and participation in research at off-campus laboratories during the summer by faculty and students. The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program provides grant support to predominantly minority institutions that offer the doctoral degree in the health sciences. RCMI funds are used to hire additional research faculty in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, support training in specialized analytical methods, upgrade facilities, and purchase advanced scientific instrumentation. The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) supports faculty at institutions that award baccalaureate and/or higher degrees in the sciences related to health, provided that the institution has not received an NIH Biomedical Research Support Grant of $20,000 or more per year for four out of the past seven years. The award supports scientists within these eligible institutions to conduct feasibility studies, pilot projects, and other small-scale research endeavors preparatory to seeking more substantial funding through the regular NIH research grant programs. Several Institutes offer support for underrepresented minority researchers through supplemental grants to institutions having active previously peer-reviewed grants awarded by the respective Institutes. These Institutes are the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Dental Research, the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Exploratory Studies in Minority Aging supports investigators to conduct preliminary work and pilot studies that may eventually lead to full-scale research applications. This program is supported by the National Institute on Aging. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases provides support for preliminary studies leading to an independent research grant. This two year, small grant program is open to all faculty members in HBCU institutions. The Minority Satellite Supplement supports minority clinical faculty to contribute to the research effort of National Cancer Institute clinical trials research groups. The National Cancer Institute Cancer Education Programs supports networks consisting of Black churches and historically Black colleges as part of its overall program. This initiative is targeted toward traditionally underserved populations that are at high risk for certain malignancies. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development supports research related to minority families with specific reference to behavioral and societal variables affecting the development of children. The Small-Grant Program for Pilot Projects of the National Eye Institute supports researchers at minority institutions. The Minority School Faculty Development Award supports faculty investigators at minority schools in areas relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary and blood Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 8 disease research. This program is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Junior Research Investigator Enhancement Award supports minority scientists from member institutions of the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools who are pursuing or plan to pursue careers in research related to heart, lung and blood diseases. This program also is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Resource Grant Program supports the development of health science libraries at minority institutions. In addition, minority institutions benefit from the Regional Medical Library Program which provides services and conducts activities relative to the retrieval and utilization of health information. These programs are supported by the National Library of Medicine. Research Training Programs The Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program provides special training opportunities and incentives in biomedical science to attract and retain minority students with research career potential. This program is administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The MARC Honors Undergraduate Research Training Grant supports minority faculty members to teach and provide research training for honors undergraduates who are in their third or fourth year of college and who plan to obtain the Ph.D. in an area of biomedical science. The MARC Predoctoral Fellowship Award supports outstanding graduates of the MARC Honors Undergraduate Program to pursue doctoral degrees in the biomedical sciences. The MARC Faculty Fellowship Award supports faculty members of four-year colleges, universities, and health professional schools in which student enrollments are drawn substantially from ethnic minority groups, to pursue a period of advanced study and research training in the biomedical sciences. The MARC Visiting Scientist Award supports outstanding scientist-teachers to serve as visiting scientists at four-year colleges, universities and health professional schools, where student enrollments are drawn substantially from minority groups. The MARC Supportive Award supports research conferences, such as the National Institute of Science meeting held in conjunction with the Beta Kappa Chi meeting. Recipients of these awards must be supported under the MARC Program. The Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program offers summer apprenticeships in biomedical research to minority high school students. The program is administered by the Division of Research Resources. A Short-term (summer) Training Program supports minority dental students to conduct research in the dental sciences. This program is supported by the National Institute of Dental Research. The Minority Institutional Research Training Program supports full-time research training for investigative careers at minority schools in areas related to cardiovascular, pulmonary or hematologic diseases. This program is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Summer Research Training Program for Undergraduate Minority Students is a 10-week research experience for undergraduate students who have completed the junior year and who have career goals in the health sciences. The program is supported by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The Intramural Summer Student Employment Program supports high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as college faculty members to conduct research in the biomedical sciences at the National Institutes of Health. This program is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The NIH Visiting Professors Program encourages NIH intramural scientists to visit HBCUs for a period from a week to several months to collaborate with HBCU faculty and stimulate their students to seek research careers. This program is supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA) programs train pre- and post-doctoral students in all areas of biomedical research. A special Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 9 initiative requires that each new application or competing renewal application include a plan to recruit individuals from underrepresented minority groups. Other Fellowships The NIH Extramural Associates Program sponsors individuals from minority institutions to come to the NIH to learn first-hand about the NIH programs, peer review, and grant administration. Scientist administrators from eligible institutions, including HBCUs, participate in this program. Support is arranged through the intergovernmental personnel act agreement. Since the program's inception in 1978, more than 50 HBCUs have participated in the Extramural Associates Program. Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 10 APPENDIX B MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RESEARCH APPRENTICE PROGRAM P.T. 34, 44, FF; K.W. 0720005 Division of Research Resources Application Receipt Date: December 1 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Division of Research Resources (DRR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), currently plans to expand the Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program. The purpose of the program is to provide minority high school students with a meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related research in order to stimulate their interest in careers in science. ELIGIBILITY Eligible institutions are those that were awarded grants during the latest complete Federal fiscal year from either the Biomedical Research Support Grant (BRSG) Program or the Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program, both of which are administered by DRR, NIH. Only one application for the Apprentice Program can be submitted by a component of an institution that is the recipient of both the BRSG and MBRS awards. Students eligible for support under this program are those who: (1) identify themselves as minority (i.e., Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, or Asian); (2) are U.S. citizens or have a permanent visa; and (3) are enrolled in high school during the current academic year. (Students who will graduate from high school this year are eligible, as is a student who participated in a previous year - provided he/she is still enrolled at the high school level.) MECHANISM OF SUPPORT The mechanism of support for this program will be the NIH grant-in-aid. Support will be provided at a level of $1,500 for each apprentice position allocated. No indirect costs will be paid. Direct support to the apprentice must be as salary; stipends are not allowed. Within the $1,500 per student allocation, funds may also be utilized for supplies, extending the research experience, or if adequate funds exist, for the addition of an apprentice. However, funds from these grants may only be used for the costs of the apprentice program. The Program Director is responsible for recruitment and selection of the apprentices and assignment of each to an investigator. Recruitment and selection of students should emphasize factors of the students' motivation, ability and scholastic aptitude and accomplishments. In addition, consideration should be given to science teachers' recommendations and where possible the degree of parental commitment. Assignments should be made to investigators involved in health-related research who are committed to developing in the high school students both understanding of the research in which they participate and the technical skills needed. APPLICATION Eligible institutions should submit an application consisting of no more than: 1. A one-page letter stating the number of student positions requested, plus 2. An original and two signed and completed copies of the Grant Application Form, PHS 398 (Rev. 09/86) face page only. Mark the "YES" box in item 2 and indicate the announcement title as "Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program." Mark items numbered 4, 5, 7, 8b, 10 and 14 Not applicable (N.A.). Complete item 8a with the total dollar amount of your request, which is the sum of the number of student positions requested times $1,500 per student. The original and one copy of the signed Program Director's report and each student report should be submitted with the renewal application due December 1 annually in order that the data contained in these reports can be used by DRR to decide about policies and future funding for the Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program. These reports should also be submitted at the same time even if renewal support is not requested. Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 11 In any event, all reports including the Financial Status Report must be submitted to the NIH by the grantee institution no later than May 31 unless an extension of the budget period end date has been authorized. Please Note: Limited funds and increased requests for such student positions may restrict the final allocations by DRR to three or four students per eligible applicant institution. Upon recommendation of the National Advisory Research Resources Council, the Division will give preference in making awards to those institutions that can support a summer program having a "critical mass" of at least five or six students using institutional as well as DRR funds. The applications should be submitted to: Biomedical Research Support Program Division of Research Resources National Institutes of Health Westwood Building, Room 10A11 5333 Westbard Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20892 Inquiries can be made of Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle at the above indicated address or by calling (301) 496-6743. The firm deadline for receipt of applications is December 1. Awards will be effective March 1 the following year, contingent upon availability of appropriated funds. Vol. 18, No. 14, April 21, 1989 - Page 12