- Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Internal Deadline: March 26, 2021
- Sponsor Deadline: May 26, 2021
- Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-147.html
Summary
The goal of the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program is to develop a diverse pool of undergraduates who complete their baccalaureate degree, and transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.). This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprise. NIGMS expects that the proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements to prepare trainees for the completion of research-focused higher degree programs in biomedical fields. This program is limited to applications from training programs at baccalaureate degree-granting research-intensive institutions (i.e., those with an average of NIH Research Project Grant funding greater than or equal to $7.5 million total costs over the last 3 fiscal years).
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) does not allow appointed trainees to lead an independent clinical trial but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
Please read the full program announcement before preparing your internal application.
Award Amount
- Application budgets should reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.
- Awards may be for project periods up to five years in duration and are renewable.
Eligibility
- For diversity enhancing programs, NIGMS recognizes separate institutional eligibility tracks: research-intensive, i.e., those with an average of NIH research project grant (RPG) funding greater than or equal to $7.5 million total costs per year over the past 3 fiscal years, and research-active, i.e., those with an average of RPG funding less than $7.5 million total costs per year over the past 3 fiscal years (RPG data are available through NIH RePORTER). For example, FY 2018, FY 2019 and FY 2020 for applications submitted in May 2021.
- Institutional eligibility for this FOA is limited to baccalaureate degree-granting research-intensive institutions as defined above. Research-active institutions are not eligible to apply for or receive MARC grants. To prevent the duplication of NIGMS diversity enhancing programs, each institution is eligible for one undergraduate program (either MARC or U-RISE) regardless of the activity code (R25 or T34), and one graduate program (either IMSD or G-RISE) regardless of the activity code (R25 or T32). Institutions with NIGMS MARC, U-RISE, IMSD, or G-RISE funding are eligible for the Bridges to the Baccalaureate and/or Bridges to the Doctorate programs provided the other eligibility criteria are met. Applicants are encouraged to consult NIGMS staff to discuss eligibility prior to submission.
- An institution funded through the U-RISE or MARC program that changes category due to changes in research project grant funding during the grant cycle should apply to the appropriate program based on their eligibility at the time of renewal. Programs that change category will report on the programs outcomes of the prior funding period(s), up to 15 years, using the appropriate tables.
- The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program should be detailed in the Institutional Support Letter in the Letters of Support attachment. Additionally, a signed letter is required from the Provost or similar official with institution-wide responsibility verifying the eligibility of the applicant institution at the time of application submission according to the eligibility criteria indicated above. See the application instructions for the required “Letters of Support” instructions in Section IV.
- Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research training program as the Training Program Director/Principal Investigator (Training PD/PI) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.
- For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.
- As described in the instructions for the Training Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) in Section IV.2 below, NIGMS encourages multiple PDs/PIs, particularly when each brings a unique perspective and skill set that will enhance training. At least one of the training PD(s)/PI(s) should be an established investigator in the biomedical sciences and capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program. Additional PDs/PIs, including individuals with experience in the science of education, relevant social science disciplines, program evaluation, mentoring, and university administration may be included to achieve the training goals. Any of the PDs/PIs may serve as the contact PD/PI. The contact PD/PI is expected to have a full-time appointment at the applicant institution unless extremely well-justified. If the full-time status of the contact PD/PI changes after the award, the institution must obtain prior program approval to appoint a new PD/PI or request a deviation from the full-time rule. The PD(s)/PI(s) will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees to the approved research training program, and for the overall direction, management, administration, and evaluation of the program. The PD(s)/PI(s) will be expected to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required. The PD(s)/PI(s) have responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the program and are responsible for appointing members of the Advisory Committee (when applicable) and using their recommendations to determine the appropriate allotment of funds.
Preceptors/Mentors (Participating Faculty)
- The selected faculty should be active researchers in the biomedical sciences as demonstrated by recent publications and research support. When building a training team, programs should include faculty who are committed to training, mentoring, and providing supportive and inclusive research environments. Programs are encouraged to build a diverse team of preceptors/mentors that includes, for example, faculty from underrepresented groups (see Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity) and faculty at different career stages (i.e., early-career as well as established faculty).
Trainees
- The individual to be trained must be a citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Additional details on citizenship, training period, and aggregate duration of support are available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
- Trainees should be research-oriented individuals enrolled in a major leading to a baccalaureate degree in a STEM discipline that will prepare the trainee for a biomedical, research-focused higher degree program (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.). All trainees are required to pursue their research training full time as specified by the sponsoring institution in accordance with its own policies. Appointments are normally made in 12-month increments for 2-3 years, and no trainee may be appointed for less than 9 months during the initial period of appointment, except with prior approval of the NIH awarding unit.
Selection Criteria
- Please review the application review information and criteria before preparing an internal application.
Limitation Details
An Institution may submit one proposal.
If you are interested in submitting for this program, you must first submit an internal application to limsub@uga.edu according to the required instructions below.
Internal Applications must include the following:
- A cover page listing
- The name of this funding opportunity and title of your proposal
- Your name, UGA position, home department, email, and UGA contact information
- Collaborator names, positions, and institutions (if any)
- Indicate whether or not you have submitted to this program in the past. If so, please provide a copy of the review at the end of the internal application.
- A (maximum two-page) proposal summary that addresses the program’s specific selection criteria.
- One paragraph describing why this proposal should be UGA’s submission (i.e., why it will be the most competitive for this program)
- Curriculum vitae
Internal Selection
Limited Submission announcements often generate multiple competing proposals. UGA reviewers judge proposals as they would in any peer review process, so PIs are urged to put their best foot forward. Along with typical criteria, reviewers will evaluate internal proposals based on their fit with the sponsor’s articulated goals and criteria.
Internal Submission Instructions
The above internal application materials should be submitted via email as a single .PDF file to limsub@uga.edu by the internal deadline listed above.
Questions?
Please submit questions regarding the internal competition to limsub@uga.edu.
For questions directly related to this program, please contact the following program officers:
Sydella Blatch, Ph.D.
National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: sydella.blatch@nih.gov
Patrick H. Brown, Ph.D.
National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: patrick.brown@nih.gov
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