Cwb Level 1 Modules

[Jeannine Lander]

Thepurpose of this PAR is to develop, implement, and evaluate modules of genomics-related curriculum for the entry-level biomedical research workforce by supporting lead sites teamed with partner sites, such as community, technical, or tribal colleges. The training modules will be made freely available, at no cost to the broader community.

Specifically, this FOA will support the development of modules of genomics-related curriculum to be incorporated into programs that train the entry-level research workforce through collaborations between lead and partner sites, as described below in Programmatic Approach.

In 2020, NHGRI engaged the scientific community to identify future research priorities and opportunities in human genomics, resulting in the 2020 Strategic Vision for Improving Health at the Forefront of Genomics. This vision outlined the guiding principles and values for human genomics, including championing a diverse workforce which includes individuals from groups that are not well represented in biomedical research (see Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity: NOT-OD-20-031), embracing interdisciplinary teams in genomic research, and increasing access to genomic medicine.

The entry-level workforce is an integral part of laboratories and clinics and assist researchers in every facet of the genomic research enterprise. Currently, the educational programs for most entry-level positions do not include genomics. Members of this workforce could benefit from additional genomic specific training. By having this background knowledge, they will have a better understanding of the genomic aspects of the research in which they are involved. They will also be able to incorporate the knowledge and skills into their work.

Comparison of the demographics of the entry-level research workforce shows that it is composed of a much higher percentage of individuals from underrepresented populations than in traditional disciplines of the genomics workforce, such as genetic counseling and medical genetics. Individuals in the research workforce from different backgrounds bring different perspectives, exchange innovative ideas, and increase the objectivity in generating new data and in its interpretation, which leads to knowledge that is more reliable. A lack of diversity can negatively impact the scope, integrity, and applicability of research.

This FOA is intended to support collaborations between a lead site and its partner sites. Lead and partner sites will develop new curricula to be implemented in programs that train the entry-level research workforce. If implementing the modules would create additional needs, such as the need to develop or refine competencies, that activity would be considered within the scope of this program. However, funds requested should be focused primarily on the development and implementation of the modules.

Additionally, awardees will have the opportunity to engage with each other and collaborate. NHGRI Program Office will facilitate yearly virtual meetings among the awardees where plans and progress can be shared. Awardees are encouraged to collaborate beyond these annual meetings; for example, awardees may want to collaborate to create evaluation surveys or develop a plan to share the modules with the wider community at the end of the award.

Awardees will be expected to share their modules with each other during the award period, so that each lead/partner site pair has a larger range of modules from which they can choose to implement. All sites implementing a particular module will be expected to participate in the evaluation of that module.

NHGRI will hold a pre-application webinar for potential applicants on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET. Participation in the webinar is optional and not required to submit an application. Information about the webinar can be found at: -calendar/2023-ELM-Webinar. The webinar connections will open 15 minutes in advance of the start time. During the webinar, NIH staff will give an overview of the FOA and application submission process and field questions from potential applicants. Attendees can ask questions during the webinar and are encouraged to email questions in advance to Renee Rider at Renee...@nih.gov.

Application budgets are limited to $550,000 in direct costs over the three-year period. It is anticipated that budgets will be higher in the first two years of the award and lower in the third year. No single year should exceed $210,000 in direct costs. Application budgets need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the research education program may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person months devoted to the program. Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the institution's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap. (If mentoring interactions and other activities with participants are considered a regular part of an individual's academic duties, then any costs associated with the mentoring and other interactions with participants are not allowable costs from grant funds).

Participants may be compensated for participation in activities specifically required by the proposed research education program, if sufficiently justified. Participant costs must be itemized in the proposed budget.

While generally not an allowable cost, with strong justification, participants in the research education program may receive per diem unless such costs are furnished as part of the registration fee. Participants may also receive funds to defray partial tuition and other education-related expenses.

Individuals supported by NIH training and career development mechanisms (K, T, or F awards) may receive, and indeed are encouraged to receive, educational experiences supported by an R25 program, as participants, but may not receive salary or stipend supplementation from a research education program.

Because the R25 program is not intended as a substitute for an NRSA institutional training program (e.g.,T32), costs to support full-time participants (supported for 40 hours/week for a continuous, 12-month period) are not allowable.

Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses may be included in the proposed budget. These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the applicant institution.

Applicants may include funds for costs for dissemination of modules to the broader community, program evaluation costs, and other program-related expenses. Budgets should also include expenses incurred at the partner sites, such as travel, training, and salary for their faculty as appropriate. These expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the lead or partner sites.

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

Institutions with existing Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training grants (e.g., T32) or other Federally funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs receiving federal support. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring at the applicant institution.

Researchers from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate. Faculty should have experience relevant to the proposed program and demonstrate a history of, or the potential for, their intended roles.

The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this FOA. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

An Institutional Advisory Committee is not required for this R25 Research Education program. However, if an applicant would like to develop one, please provide a plan for the Institutional Advisory Committee. The composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information should be included. Describe how the Institutional Advisory Committee will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program. Proposed Institutional Advisory Committee members should be named in the application if they have been invited to participate at the time the application is submitted. Please name your file “Advisory_Committee.pdf”.

The applicant must provide a Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity. Include outreach strategies and activities designed to recruit prospective participants from diverse backgrounds, e.g. those from groups described in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity. Describe the specific efforts to be undertaken by the program and how the proposed plan reflects past experiences in recruiting individuals from underrepresented groups.

When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following additional instructions:

3a8082e126