Technical Assistance Webinar: NLM Institutional Training Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics RFA-LM Q & A Only NLM Extramural Programs National Institutes of Health March 22,

Q&A Q1: I don’t see any information about consortium applications – are you accepting them? A1: No consortium applications will be accepted. A lead applicant may work with other organizations through subcontracts & multiple Project Director/Principal Investigator arrangements 2

Q&A Q2: In reading the RFA, it seems that bioinformatics focused on biological functions (but not on patients or disease processes) is not a priority area. Is this correct? A2: Yes, the emphasis in bioinformatics training for this announcement is on health-related or translational bioinformatics, relating to processes involved in health and disease. 3

Q&A Q3: Can an institution submit more than one application? A3: Any institution with a unique DUNS number or NIH IPF number is allowed to submit one application. For a university system with five campuses, if each campus has a unique DUNS or NIH IPF number, then each campus can apply. However, those applications compete against one another in review. 4

Q&A Q4: Do the required tables count against the 25-page limit? A4: No, they do not. 5

Q&A Q5: Would a program that offers an MS in clinical research rather than biomedical informatics be in scope? A5: NLM’s predoctoral training is meant to support PhD research. For postdoctoral trainees, such as MDs who want to enter the field of biomedical informatics, the MS degree would need to be in biomedical informatics, computer science or a related field with emphasis in informatics. 6

Q&A Q6: Could a program apply that does not have any association with a medical school? A6: Biomedical informatics training needs to have a link to human health. It is difficult to imagine that appropriate foundational training could be offered without ties to a medical school or healthcare organization. 7

Q&A Q7: What are NLM’s expectations for multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator applications regarding qualifications? A7: Each program director/principal investigator in a multi-PD/PI application should have comparable qualifications – that is, she/he should be a senior-level (at the rank of associate professor or higher) full-time faculty member at the applicant or participating institution, capable of providing both administrative and scientific leadership for the program. 8

Q&A Are any form of subawards/consortium agreements allowed with this funding mechanism? If yes, what are the specific guidelines? A8: Consortium applications are not being accepted. Collaborations with other training programs are possible using sub-contract arrangements if funds will be transferred from the awardee to a partner organization. 9

Q&A Q9: The four basic informatics training areas do not include bioinformatics or computational biology. Does "translational bioinformatics" include traditional bioinformatics methods (e.g., analyzing regulatory networks)? A9: The emphasis in bioinformatics training for this announcement is on health-related or translational bioinformatics, relating to processes involved in health and disease. Traditional bioinformatics topics such as systems biology or computational biology or network analysis are not supported unless there is a clear linkage to health. 10

Q&A Q10: Is there a limit to the number of core faculty? Previously (2006) the number of biosketches was limited to 12. A10: There is no limit on the number of core faculty, but the biosketches must be attached as a single document. These biosketches do not require a personal statement. See Instructions from p. I-186 of the SF424 RR Application Guide (Q&A document has the text) 11

Q&A Q11: For tables 8AB, do we include all applicants or just a selection? –A11: For applicants you accepted, list all that would have been eligible for your proposed program had it been in place. For applicants not accepted, list 20% of them and provide a footnote explaining what you did. 12

Q&A Q12: What is the difference between core faculty, additional faculty and participating faculty? –A12: Core faculty are responsible for administering the program, developing curriculum and primary mentoring of your trainees. Additional (aka participating) faculty teach or provide research advice. 13

Q&A Q13: Can we include faculty from other universities in our list of participating faculty? –A13: Yes, if they will be teaching or providing research advice to your trainees. You would want to include letters from those organizations agreeing to participate. 14

Q&A Q14: Our PhD program will begin after the application is submitted. Should we leave table 9A blank? –A14: Yes, unless your department offers other PhD programs that are very similar in scope or nature to the one you are proposing. 15

Q&A Q15: Please define participating department, (Table 1). –A15: Participating departments are (1) the department planning to offer the NLM supported training plus (2) any other departments who are collaborating in the training program by providing instructors, research advice or other opportunities for proposed NLM trainees. Respectively, they are home to core faculty and to additional/participating faculty. 16

Q&A Q16: Will there be information posted on your web site for people who could not attend today? –A16: Yes, we will post a transcript of the session and also update the Q&A slides if necessary 17

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Further Questions Program contact: Dr. Valerie Florance, Director, NLM Extramural Programs, or Send questions to mailbox with Subject line: T-15 question 19