ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Other index term: Training & Career Development
Title: The Bernard Osher Foundation/NCCAM CAM Practitioner Research Career Development Award (K01)
Agency: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
PAR Identification: PAR-09-072
CFDA Number: 93.213
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-072.html

Purpose: The specific purpose of this research career development Award (K01) is to provide research training support for CAM Practitioners with clinical doctorates, who have had limited opportunities for research training, but a strong desire to pursue a career in CAM research. The long term goal is to encourage more CAM practitioners to enter research careers, thus enriching CAM research through their experience and knowledge of CAM practice. This award will provide support and “protected” time (three, four, or five years) for intensive, supervised career development research experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences related to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Mechanism of Support: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will utilize the NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) mechanism.

CAM is broadly defined in the NCCAM Strategic Plan (2005-2009) as medical practices that are “unproven by science and not presently considered an integral part of conventional medicine (also referred to as biomedicine, or mainstream or allopathic medicine). These medical practices can be divided into four domains: mind-body medicine; biological based-practices; manipulative and body-based practices; and energy medicine. NCCAM is also interested in research on whole medical systems outside of mainstream medicine in the United States such as Indian Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and homeopathy. These whole medical practices may encompass one or more of the above domains. For more detailed information on NCCAM’s research mission see the NCCAM Strategic Plan 2005-2009 entitled “Expanding Horizons in Health Care”. For current research areas of special interest to NCCAM see: http://nccam.nih.gov/research/priorities/index.htm#5. The research proposed as part of this K01 award may be in any of the CAM domains. The candidate must devote a minimum of 75% of full-time professional effort to the goals of this award. The remainder may be devoted to clinical, teaching, or other research pursuits consistent with the objectives of the award. Both the didactic and research phases of an award period must be designed to develop the necessary knowledge and research skills in scientific areas relevant to the career goals of the candidate.

 

Other index term: Clinical & Translational Research
Title: Partnerships for Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) Clinical Translational Research (PCCTR) (U19)
Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

LOI Deadlines: May 26, 2009; May 28, 2010; May 28, 2011
Application Deadlines: June 26, 2009; June 28, 2010; June 28, 2011
PAR Identification: PAR-09-066
CFDA Number: 93.213
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-066.html

Executive Summary
Purpose. This FOA issued by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), National Institutes of Health, encourages U19 cooperative agreement applications. The goal of the Partnerships in CAM Clinical Translational Research (PCCTR) initiative is to foster development of translational tools that will contribute to rigorous clinical CAM research and further development of clinical research expertise and leadership at CAM institutions and in the field in general. It is expected that such tools will further the rigorous study of CAM practices that are already in wide use by the American public. CAM practitioners play a vital role in rigorous research on CAM. The PCCTR will support partnerships between faculty at CAM institutions and at highly research-intensive institutions in research projects directed towards the development of CAM clinical research translational tools, including approaches, tools and methodology that will make substantial contributions to the progress of CAM research. Each PCCTR must include at least two, but not more than three research projects throughout the funding period. Each PCCTR should unite CAM and conventional research institutions and individuals with complementary strengths in a synergistic fashion, such that the research and intellectual productivity of the proposed projects is likely to be substantially enhanced by the proposed collaborative partnership, the abilities of the proposed collaborators and the proposed PCCTR administrative structure.

• Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the U19 cooperative agreement mechanism.
  
• Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. NCCAM anticipates making up to three PCCTR awards and awarding up to $2.25 million (total) in direct costs to PCCTRs in FY 2010. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.
  
• Budget and Project Period. Direct costs for each PCCTR are limited to $750,000 per year; however, the budget should be proportionate with the proposed research projects. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed five years (one planning year and up to four years beyond the planning year). Direct costs for the planning year will be limited to $100,000 direct costs.
  

 

Other index terms: Health Economics & Policy, Nutrition & Dietary
Title: Outcomes, Cost-Effectiveness and the Decision Making Process to Use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (R01)
Agency: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); National Cancer Institute (NCI);
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
LOI Deadline: Not applicable
Application Deadlines: May 19, 2009, May 19, 2010
PAR Identification: PAR-08-045
CFDA Numbers: 93.213, 93.399
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-045.html

The primary purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to encourage the submission of high quality observational studies evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches as used in the community, and the decision processes employed by patients and providers in deciding to use CAM. Projects in which the investigators assign participants to specific therapies (CAM or conventional) or groups of therapies (CAM or conventional) are not allowed under this FOA.

Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism

Examples of Research Topics

Listed below are examples of research that would be considered appropriate for to this FOA. This list is illustrative and not exhaustive. In addition, information on NCCAM’s current research priorities periodically is updated at http://nccam.nih.gov/research/priorities/index.htm#5. Although secondary data analyses of CAM use have been identified by NCCAM as areas subject to a short “pause” in new funding, the “pause” does not apply to this FOA.

Outcomes Research on CAM Therapies

Outcomes Research specifically examines the results of treatments on conditions. It measures patient-oriented variables as well as clinical variables in assessing results and includes measures of the patient's health-related quality of life: e.g., the patient/provider relationship, patient satisfaction, personal preferences, and functional abilities.

Outcomes Research also includes improving our understanding of how outcomes data can be incorporated into informed decision-making at the patient, provider, and organizational levels of the health care system. The types of outcomes of particular interest to NCCAM include wellness, functional status, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and costs, in addition to morbidity and mortality. A particular emphasis is on the outcomes of care provided to the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, including studies that assess when in the course of illness a CAM intervention is most effective. Topics under Outcomes Research might include:

• How does CAM use (either a simple intervention or a group of interventions) affect patient outcomes?
  
• For what conditions does CAM use appear to influence outcomes either positively or unfavorably? Are there conditions for which CAM use appears more effective? If so, what are those conditions?
  
• Does the use of CAM affect patient satisfaction or wellness, or make a difference in the functional result of care?
  
• Regarding health status measures, does the use of CAM affect favorably or adversely biological or physiological factors, symptoms, functioning, general health perceptions, or quality of life?
  
• Does incorporating CAM diagnostic paradigms along with conventional diagnostic procedures improve patient outcomes?
  
• Does the timing of CAM services relative to conventional care impact on patient outcomes?
  
• Does incorporation of optimal healing environments (which may or may not incorporate one or more aspects of CAM) into the healthcare process) impact on patient outcomes?

Cost-Effectiveness Studies

Cost-effectiveness studies compare the relative expenditure (costs) and outcomes (effects) associated with various healthcare courses of action. These studies can include but are not limited to:

• Investigations of CAM used in addition to standard conventional care;
  
• Studies of multidisciplinary, integrated healthcare approaches and optimal healing environments; and
  
• Comparisons of CAM to conventional care; or comparisons of one CAM therapy to another.

The Decision Process in Choosing to Use CAM

As reviewed by the IOM (2005), a number of studies have found associations between a variety of sociodemographic, cultural, psychological and philosophical factors and the use of CAM. Unfortunately, most of these data are cross-sectional in nature, preventing rigorous assessment of cause and effect. Furthermore, data on the actual decision processes that patients and providers use when making judgments about CAM are sparse. Many questions about the judgment and decision processes involved in CAM care remain to be answered. For example:

• Who initiates CAM care (the patient, the conventional provider, the CAM provider, etc.) and under what circumstances? Does this have any impact on compliance with conventional therapy? Compliance with the CAM care?
  
• What are the cognitive and affective processes underlying an individual’s decision to incorporate CAM care into conventional treatment? To discontinue CAM care?
  
• What are laypersons’ and clinicians’ perceptions and understandings about the potential benefits and harms of CAM?
  
• To what extent do patients understand the benefits, harms, and uncertainties associated with CAM therapies?
  
• How are attitudes towards CAM related to other health-related perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors?
  
• How do patients decide which CAM treatment(s) to use?
  
• Where do patients and providers obtain information about CAM care (e.g., media, Internet, self-help books, healthcare providers, etc.)? In the absence of evidence-based information about CAM, how do patients and providers assess the credibility of information about CAM therapies?
  
• What factors influence whether patients disclose CAM use to their providers? Does disclosure effect conventional treatment compliance?
  
• Why do some patients choose not to disclose CAM use to their provider? Does non-disclosure effect conventional treatment compliance?
  
• What factors influence upward or downward rates of CAM use including the nature, costs, and quality of such care?
  
• Are the decision processes similar for using CAM for “wellness” or disease prevention versus using CAM to treat a specific disease? Are they similar across the many domains of CAM?
  
• How does CAM care vary across the cancer continuum (prevention, detection, treatment, survivorship, end-of-life)?

 

AUTOIMMUNE & RHEUMATIC DISEASES

 

Other index terms: Bone & Musculoskeletal Disorders, Clinical & Translational Research, Skin Diseases, Training & Career Development
Title: NIAMS Small Grant Program For New Investigators (R03)
Agency: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
LOI Deadline:  Not Applicable
Application Deadlines: une 23, 2009; October 23, 2009; June 23, 2010; October 22, 2010; June 23, 2011 and October 24, 2011
PAR Identification: PAR-09-031
CFDA Number: 93.846
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-031.html

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is seeking small grant (R03) applications to stimulate and facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into research on arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases and injuries. This FOA will provide support for pilot research that is likely to lead to a subsequent individual research project grant (R01).

Division of Musculoskeletal Diseases

The Division of Musculoskeletal Diseases of the NIAMS supports fundamental research in bone, muscle and connective tissue biology as well as research aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system and its component tissues. Key public health problems addressed by this research include osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, orthopaedic disorders and injuries, including sports medicine and regenerative medicine and the muscular dystrophies.

For more information, please visit the Division webpage:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Funding/Funding_Opportunities/Supported_Scientific_Areas/Musculoskeletal_Diseases/default.asp

Division of Skin and Rheumatic Diseases

The Division of Skin and Rheumatic Diseases promotes and supports basic and clinical studies of the skin in normal and disease states, and research leading to prevention, diagnosis and cure of rheumatic and related diseases.  Disease areas of focus of these studies include keratinizing disorders such as psoriasis; chronic inflammatory skin disorders; autoimmune diseases of skin; and rheumatic and related diseases including lupus, systemic scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune myositis.

For more information, please visit the Division webpage:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Funding/Funding_Opportunities/Supported_Scientific_Areas/Skin_Rheumatic_Diseases/default.asp

In addition to the Division webpages, the NIAMS has a long range plan that describes additional areas of strategic importance to the institute.  For more information, please visit the NIAMS Long Range Plan webpage:

http://www.niams.nih.gov/About_Us/Mission_and_Purpose/long_range.asp.

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & MENTAL HEALTH

Other index terms: Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Clinical & Translational Research
Title: Collaborative Study of Suicidality and Mental Health in the U.S. Army (U01)
Agency:National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
LOI Deadline: March 3, 2009
Application Deadline: April 3, 2009
RFA Identification: RFA-MH-09-140
CFDA Number: 93.242
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-09-140.html  

Purpose
The high rates of mental health and behavioral adjustment problems among recent U.S. military combat veterans, and the increasing rates of suicide among Army soldiers, are of growing concern. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in collaboration with the U.S. Army, solicits cooperative agreement (U01) grant applications aimed at conducting an epidemiologic study of mental health, psychological resilience, suicide risk, suicide-related behaviors, and suicide deaths in the U.S. Army. This study will evaluate selected samples of soldiers across all phases of Army service, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, including entry-level training and service, pre-deployment training, deployment and non-combat assignments, post-deployment, and post-separation reintegration to civilian life. The intent is to identify, as rapidly as scientifically possible, modifiable risk and protective factors and moderators of suicide-related behaviors, as well as the potency of these factors and modifiers alone and in combination. Once modifiable factors are identified, investigators will identify specific intervention options for reducing suicide risk by addressing empirically-identified risk and protective factors, and develop initial research designs for subsequent research that may test practical suicide risk reduction efforts. Finalizing the design and implementation of intervention and screening trials lies outside the scope of this project.

The overall objective of this research is to generate a comprehensive research platform from which multiple determinants of suicide-related events – both positive and negative – can be evaluated, with the intent of informing the development of effective strategies for mitigating suicide risk and enhancing the resilience of Army personnel across all phases of Army service. At the same time, NIMH and the Army expect that the results of this study will shed light on a continuum of health issues, including but not limited to determinants of mental health and mental disorder across all phases of Army service, resilience to extreme stress, and processes related to emotional and behavioral readjustment following deployment to combat environments. In all aspects of this project, NIMH and the Army specifically seek to foster innovative methods to maximize the scientific and practical value of this research.

Aims
The objective of this research study, using epidemiologic research methods, is to identify (a) previously undetected risk factors for suicide-related events and behaviors, (b) factors that may protect individuals from becoming suicidal, c) pathways or trajectories into and out of risk for self injurious behavior, and (d) new opportunities for reducing suicide risk, with the intent of informing the development of practical strategies for optimal prevention and intervention across all phases of Army service. This study will principally utilize primary data collected from soldiers, across all phases of Army service, including entry-level training and service, pre-deployment training, deployment and non-combat assignments, post-deployment, and post-separation reintegration to civilian life, as described in further detail below. Soldiers’ spouses, partners, and/or parents may be included in the study when appropriate, for example to help assess the influence of family relationships on the mental and behavioral health of soldiers.

This study principally involves the application of epidemiologic methods. However, while efficient description is desirable, we emphasize that the project’s primary goal is not exhaustive description of suicide behaviors or risk and protective factors as an end in itself. Rather, this project is intended, as rapidly as scientifically possible, to (1) identify modifiable risk and protective factors and moderators of suicidality; (2) advance hypotheses about mediators of suicidality that can be acted upon to either reduce risk or increase protection; (3) identify specific intervention options for reducing suicide risk by addressing empirically-identified risk and protective factors; and (4) develop initial research designs for subsequent projects that may test practical suicide risk reduction efforts (e.g., screening; identification and targeting of high-risk individuals and population groups; implementation of multiple risk reduction strategies). As appropriate, intervention development options may include suggested modifications/extensions to existing Army/DoD programs in this area.

Finalizing the design and implementation of screening and intervention trials lies outside the scope of this project.  However, to ensure rapid transfer of knowledge and to avoid duplication of effort, all information obtained regarding modifiable risk and protective factors, and associated risk reduction approaches, will be shared with Army institutions that are pursuing complementary research activities, particularly the screening and surveillance efforts being led by CHPPM, the intervention research being led by MRMC, and the suicide prevention programs being led by Army G-1.  Methods for achieving cooperative oversight of these related scientific efforts are described in Section VI.2.A.3, Collaborative Responsibilities.  

This funding opportunity responds to three objectives of the NIMH Strategic Plan (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports/index.shtml):  Objective 2.3, “Develop tools to better define and identify risk and protective factors for mental illness across the lifespan;” Objective 3.1, “Further develop innovative interventions and designs for intervention studies;” and Objective 4.4, “Strengthen NIMH’s relationships with other Federal agencies that address mental health issues.”

 

CANCER

Other index terms: Bioinformatics, Interdisciplinary & Cross-cutting Topics, Neurosciences
Title: 21st Century Science Initiative Research Awards
Agency: James S. McDonnell Foundation
Application Deadline: March 17, 2009
Link: http://www.jsmf.org/apply/research/     

The James S. McDonnell Foundation has announced updated program descriptions and application guidelines for its 21st Century Science Initiative Research Awards.

The 21st Century Research Awards support investigator-initiated research in two areas: Studying Complex Systems and Brain Cancer Research. The program is designed to support research projects with a high probability of generating new knowledge and insights. Projects should be at an early or preliminary stage of development, be intended to break new ground or challenge commonly held assumptions, and be sufficiently novel, cross-disciplinary, or heterodox to have a strong likelihood of influencing the development of new ways of thinking about important problems.

A maximum of $450,000 can be requested and expended over a minimum of three years or a maximum of six years. Smaller amounts of money expended over shorter amounts of time may be requested to help investigators pursue pilot projects or test the feasibility of an experimental approach.

Applicants must have completed academic training and hold a position compatible with the pursuit of independent research. At most institutions this requirement corresponds to individuals at the assistant professor level and above. Senior scientists must explain, in detail, how they themselves (and not only their research assistants and post-doctoral fellows) will use the requested funds to pursue "break-out" research different from which is ongoing in their laboratories.

The program has no geographic restrictions; international applications are encouraged. Applications must be sponsored by a non-profit institution. Program information, application guidelines, and proposal preparation instructions are available at the McDonnell Foundation Web-site: http://www.jsmf.org/apply/research/.

 

 

Other index terms: Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Clinical & Translational Research, Community Care & outreach, Genetics, Health Differences & Disparities, Health Economics & Policy, Health Services Research, Nutrition & Dietary, Training & Career Development
Title: Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral, and Population Sciences Career Development Award (K07)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Application Deadlines: March 23, 2009; December 23, 2009
PAR Identification: PAR-09-078
CFDA Numbers:  93.398, 93.866, 93.272, 93.213
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-078.html

• Purpose: The purpose of the NCI Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral and Population Sciences Career Development Award is to provide support for salary and research costs for up to 5 years for individuals with health professional or science doctoral degrees who are not fully established investigators and who want to pursue research careers in the cancer prevention, control, population, and/or behavioral sciences. The primary objective of this program is to increase the number of investigators who have made commitments to focus their research endeavors on cancer prevention, control, behavioral, and the population sciences.
• Mechanism of Support: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will utilize the NIH Academic Career Award (K07) mechanism.  Candidates must commit a minimum of 9 person-months (75%) effort to activities covered under the award.

Examples of relevant disciplines and research areas for this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) include:

• any aspect of research on the prevention of human cancers (e.g., modifiable risk factors; basic prevention sciences);
• research including new animal models pertinent to cancer prevention and extrapolation of this research to human cancer;
• human cancer genetics, genetic predisposition to cancer, and detection of precursor lesions;
• patient-oriented research focused on cancer prevention;
• behavioral research and behavioral intervention trials in cancer prevention;
• cancer epidemiology (biochemical, genetic, molecular epidemiologic studies), cancer epidemiology-related biostatistics;
• clinical oncology; and
• human nutrition, behavioral and social sciences, health promotion, health services and health policy research; and medical decision analysis, survivorship and quality of life as they relate to cancer.

For the purpose of this FOA, cancer control research is defined as "basic and applied research in the behavioral sciences that independently or in combination with biomedical approaches, reduces cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality across the lifespan and over the entire process of carcinogenesis from primary behavioral prevention in youth, to screening, treatment, and survivorship" (Report of the NCI Cancer Control Progress Review Group, 1998).  Additionally, patient-oriented research is defined as research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects.  This area of research includes 1) mechanisms of human disease; 2) therapeutic interventions; 3) clinical trials; and 4) the development of new technologies.

 

 

Other index term: Training & Career Development
Title: NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K22)
Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
CFDA Number: 93.398
PA Identification: PAR-09-069
Link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-069.html     

Executive Summary
The overall goal of NIH-supported career development programs are to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists are available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs.

Purpose: The purpose of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Career Transition Award (K22) is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists are available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to address the nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. The Diversity Training Branch (DTB), the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) and the Office of the Director (OD) , invite applications from recipients of the NCI Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity, or from advanced postdoctoral and/or newly independent research scientists representative of groups that are underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and/or social sciences. This award will provide "protected time" for recipients to develop and receive support for their initial cancer research program. In addition, this award can provide a two-year mentored experience in NCI intramural programs for interested individuals. The unique feature of this award is that the individuals may apply without a sponsoring institution while they are still in a mentored position.

Mechanism of Support: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will utilize the NIH Career Transition Award (K22) mechanism.

 

COMMUNITY CARE & OUTREACH

Other index terms: Addictive Disorders, Cardiovascular Sciences, Child & Adolescent Health, Health Differences & Disparities, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition & Dietary, Obesity
Title: Community Participation in Research (R01)
Agency: Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
LOI Deadline:  Not applicable
Application Deadline: Standard dates apply, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm
CFDA Numbers: 93.393, 93.865, 93.121, 93.113, 93.361, 93.273, 93.242, 93.173, 93.279, 93.262, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839
PAR Identification:  PA-08-074
Link:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-074.html

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) solicits R01 grant applications that propose intervention research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that communities and researchers jointly conduct.

For the purposes of this FOA, intervention research is quasi-experimental research projects that seek to influence preventive behaviors, treatment adherences, complementary behaviors, and related attitudes and beliefs.  Natural experiments also may fall under the interventions rubric.  Examples include, and are not limited to promotion of physical activity-friendly neighborhoods; tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse prevention among youth; a community-led action plan for cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular disease prevention and control in minority populations; establishing safer work practices among agricultural workers in rural areas; nutrition and reducing childhood obesity; HIV/AIDS and STD prevalence among young adults; promoting infant mental health; and reducing health disparities.

Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism.

For the purpose of this FOA, “community” refers to target populations that may be defined by: geography; race; ethnicity; gender; sexual orientation; disability, illness, or other health condition; or to groups that have a common interest or cause, such as health or service agencies and organizations, health care or public health practitioners or providers, policy makers, or lay public groups with public health concerns.  “Community-based organizations” refer to organizations that may be involved in the research process as members or representatives of the community.  Possible community partners include, but are not limited to, Tribal governments and colleges, state or local governments, independent living centers, other educational institutions such as junior colleges, advocacy organizations, health delivery organizations (e.g., clinics, hospitals, and networks), health professional associations, non-governmental organizations, and Federally-qualified health centers