This Program Announcement was published in the NIH Guide for Grants
and Contracts on October 20, 1989, Vol. 18, No. 37, however, it was
inadvertently omitted in the Table of Contents. The Announcement is
being repeated in its entirety.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this announcement is to encourage and stimulate investigator
interest in broad areas of neuroscience research relevant to the problem of
drug abuse. Many research tools are now available to allow for major advances
in understanding the neurobiology of drug abuse to determine the effects of
drugs on the structure and function of the nervous system. These include new
histochemical and autoradiographic procedures, light and electron microscopic
analysis, imaging and analytic techniques applicable to living tissue (e.g.,
PET, MRI), and various neurophysiological and neuropharmacological techniques,
especially those monitoring neural processes during ongoing behavior (e.g.,
single-cell electrophysiology, in vivo microdialysis and voltammetry, evoked
potentials, EEG). As a final part of this initiative, The National Institute
on Drug Abuse (NIDA) expects that an increased understanding of the
relationship between brain anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology and drug
abuse behaviors will increase the capacity to design appropriate therapeutic
pharmaceuticals void of abuse liability and its consequences, and develop drug
therapies for correcting neurochemical imbalances created by the abuse of
drugs. Additionally, investigations into the neural basis of drug seeking
should identify those neurobiological factors that make an individual
vulnerable to the abuse of drugs.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The neuroscience program of the NIDA's Division of Preclinical Research
encourages investigations into the basic mechanisms underlying the action of
abused drugs and substances on the central nervous system as well as research
leading to the development of drugs that potentially may be used on the
relationship between drug-receptor interactions or neurochemical alterations
and consequences of drug usage in terms of behavioral processes is
specifically encouraged. Areas of particular interest include the following:
(1) Brain Reward Mechanisms in Drug Abuse
(2) Neuropsychopharmacology of Abused Drugs
(3) Anabolic Steroid Abuse
(4) Drug-Induced Neurotoxicity
(6) Developmental Neurobiology
(7) Drug Effects on Cognitive Processes
(8) Drug Effects on Sensory Processes
(9) Blood-Brain Barrier Studies
(l0) Clinical Neuroscience
Support can be obtained in the form of R01 (Research Project Grants), R03
(Small Grants), R13 (Research Conference Grants), and R29 (First Independent
Research Support and Transition Awards).
NIMH and various NIH Institutes have specific programs in the neurosciences.
Grant applications will be assigned to the appropriate Institute based upon
existing programmatic guidelines.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications may be submitted by public or private nonprofit or for-profit
organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units
of State or local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal
government. Women and minority investigators are encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND RECEIPT SCHEDULE
State and local government agencies may use form PHS 5161-1 (rev. 11/88).
All other applicants should use the research grant application from PHS 398
(rev. 10/88). The title of this announcement "NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH ON DRUG
ABUSE" should be typed in item number 2 on the face page of the PHS 398
application form or in item 9 on the PHS 5161-1.
Application kits containing the necessary forms and instructions may be
obtained from business offices or offices of sponsored research at most
universities, colleges, medical schools, and other major research facilities.
If such a source is not available, the following office may be contacted for
the necessary application material: Grants Management Branch, NIDA, Parklawn
Building, Room 10-25, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857.
Applications received under this announcement will be assigned to an initial
review group (IRG) in accordance with established PHS Referral Guidelines.
The IRGs, consisting primarily of non-Federal scientific and technical
experts, will review the applications for scientific and technical merit.
Notification of the review recommendations will be sent to the applicant after
the initial review.
Applications will receive a second-level review by an appropriate National
Advisory Council whose review may be based on policy as well as scientific
merit considerations. Only applications recommended for approval by the
advisory council may be considered for funding.
The signed original and six (6) permanent, legible copies of the completed
application (original and two copies, if using PHS 5161-1) should be sent to:
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, Maryland 20892**
Receipt of Initial Advisory Council Earliest
Applications Review Review Start Date
February 1 June/July Sept/Oct December 1
June 1 Oct/Nov Jan/Feb April 1
October 1 Feb/March May/June July 1
Applications submitted in response to this Announcement are not subject to the
intergovernment review requirements of Executive Order 12372, as implemented
through Department of Health and Human Services regulations at 45 CFR Part 100
and are not subject to Health Systems Agency review.
REVIEW CRITERIA
Criteria for scientific/technical merit review of regular research grant
applications will include the following: significance and originality from a
scientific and technical standpoint of the goals of the proposed research;
adequacy of the methodology proposed to carry out the research; qualifications
of the Principal Investigator and other key research personnel; availability
of adequate facilities, other resources, and collaborative arrangements
necessary for the research, appropriateness of budget estimates for the
proposed research activities, and adequacy of provisions for the protection of
human subjects and welfare of animals subjects as applicable.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information and consultation on program requirements relevant to
neuroscience research inquiries can be obtained from:
Dr. Roger Brown
Neuroscience Research Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Parklawn Building, Room 10A-31
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
Telephone: (301) 443-6975
FOOTNOTE: This program is described in the catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance No. 13.279. Grants will be awarded under the authority of Section
301 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended (42 USC 241) and administered
in accordance with the PHS Grants Policy Statement and Federal regulations at
42 CFR Part 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 MAILING ADDRESS GIVEN FOR SENDING APPLICATIONS TO THE DIVISION OF
RESEARCH GRANTS OR CONTACTING PROGRAM STAFF IN THE WESTWOOD BUILDING IS THE
CENTRAL MAILING ADDRESS FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. APPLICANTS WHO
USE EXPRESS MAIL OR A COURIER SERVICE ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THE CARRIER'S
REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOWING A STREET ADDRESS. THE ADDRESS FOR THE WESTWOOD
BUILDING IS: 5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
