Background

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the single largest supporter of research on the causes, consequences, prevention, and treatment of drug addiction in the world. NIDA's International Program fosters international cooperative research and the exchange of scientific information by drug abuse researchers around the globe. While NIDA has supported research and research training targeting drug abuse in other countries, given the increasing prevalence of drug abuse and addiction and its public health consequences, particularly the spread of HIV/AIDS, around the world, NIDA is significantly expanding its support of international research on these issues. New research will 1) build knowledge for evidence-based strategies to reduce demand for illicit drugs around the world, and 2) enhance collaborative research to take advantage of unique populations and resources to improve our basic understanding of addiction. This program will provide funding to expand projects and/or support pilot projects addressing research questions in any area of science related to addiction that takes advantage of unusual talent, resources, populations or environmental conditions in other countries that are not already available in the United States or that augment existing United States resources. This program is part of NIDA's effort to encourage rigorous collaborative international research. Other important objectives of NIDA's program include: Promoting an international cohort of scientists who are knowledgeable of NIDA's research and methods; Providing professional development opportunities and technical consultation to the international drug abuse research community; and disseminating NIDA's research findings to international scientists and organizations. Additional information on NIDA's international research program and opportunities for research and research training funding can be found at http://www.nida.nih.gov/International/INVESTHome.html.

Research Objectives

The intent of this initiative is to stimulate collaborative research between current NIDA grantees and researchers in other countries. Funds are being made available for administrative supplements to existing NIDA-supported (R01 and R21) research projects to take advantage of opportunities to establish collaborative relationships with scientists conducting research or with a potential to conduct research in other countries. The collaboration must be within the original scope of the NIDA-supported project but can take advantage of opportunities to expand an ongoing study into a new population or conduct other research related to the specific aims of the parent project. Administrative supplements are provided to cover cost increases that are associated with achieving the objectives within the original scope of a project and include cost increases that result from making modifications to a project in order to take advantage of opportunities that would increase the value of the project consistent with its originally approved objectives and purposes. Preference will be given to projects that are collaboratively funded by an agency of the host country.

Budget/Adminstrative Issues

For FY 2004, $1,500,000 will be available for administrative supplements to existing research projects. These administrative supplements are generally limited to 25 percent of the Council-approved direct costs for the current budget year of the project or $100,000, whichever is less. The existing grant must have at least one year remaining at the time that the supplement is awarded. Supplements may be requested for up to two years but may extend no longer than the parent grant. If two years of support are requested, the second year of requested support will also be limited to 25 percent of the Council-approved direct costs for the second year.

Administrative supplements will undergo a program, grants management and budget review within NIDA. The supplements will be evaluated on the 1) quality Ð what is the scientific merit of the project; will it add significantly to the scientific knowledge, 2) feasibility Ð can the project be conducted with the resources and within the timeframe proposed, and 3) relevance Ð is the project a reasonable extension of the research supported by the parent grant. Administrative supplements may be submitted at any time, but no later than March 1, 2004. It is anticipated that supplemental funding will begin no later than September 30, 2004.

Application Procedure

Grantees wishing to apply for a supplement should submit an application that includes the following:

1. A cover letter citing this NOTICE, NOT-DA-04-004, and requesting an administrative supplement;
2. Page 1 of the PHS-398 grant application form, citing "International Supplement Program" in Line 2. Applicants must complete Page 1, and also include the signatures of the PI and an authorized institutional budget office official;
3. A brief proposal describing the project, including:
   1. An abstract
   2. Budget with justifications
   3. Biographical sketches of all key personnel
   4. Specific Aims of the parent grant
   5. Specific Aims of the supplemental project with an explanation of how they relate to the Specific Aims of the parent grant
   6. A detailed description of the project including subject population, methods, and data analysis (less than 7 pages)
   7. A discussion of future plans for expanding, extending, or otherwise continuing the research.
   8. A description of the special opportunities offered by the project, that is, what unusual talent, resources, populations or environmental conditions are proposed that are not readily available in the United States or that augment existing United States resources. A statement should also be included on the potential of the project to advance the health sciences in the United States.

Send the original application and three copies to:

By U.S. Mail:
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6101 Executive Boulevard, Suite 242, MSC 8403
Bethesda MD 20892-8403

By Express Mail:
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6101 Executive Boulevard, Suite 242
Rockville MD 20852

Send one additional copy to:

By U.S. Mail:
National Institute on Drug Abuse
International Program
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5252, MSC 9591
Bethesda MD 20892-9591

By Express Mail:
National Institute on Drug Abuse
International Program
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5252
Rockville MD 20852

For additional information or questions, please contact:

Steven W. Gust, Ph.D.
Director, International Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Telephone: (301) 443-6480
Fax: (301) 443-9127
E-mail: sgust@nida.nih.gov