Epidemiology and Genetics Research  

NCI logo Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
February 13, 2004

EGRP BULLETIN
From the Office of
Edward Trapido, Sc.D., Associate Director
Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
National Cancer Institute

This issue of NCI's Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program (EGRP) Bulletin brings you news about:

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EPIDEMIOLOGISTS SPITZ AND COLDITZ JOIN EGRP PART TIME

Margaret SpitzGraham ColditzEpidemiology and Genetics Research Program (EGRP) is delighted to be joined by two highly respected epidemiologists who are working part time in its offices under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). Margaret Spitz, M.D., M.P.H., The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, and Graham Colditz, M.D., Dr.P.H., of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, are spending about one day a month in EGRP. They will help to integrate epidemiology within the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), facilitate translation of EGRP-funded research, review the current portfolio to identify gaps and duplications, help organize a conference of grantees, and assist in recruiting new epidemiologists.

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NEW WEB SECTION HIGHLIGHTS EGRP GRANTEES' RESEARCH

We've begun a new section on our Web site with highlights of research conducted and published by grantees supported through EGRP. Our investigators are very productive, and we can't begin to do justice to all the research. We welcome suggestions on additions. Access the Web section directly, or through our Home page. Contact Linda Anderson, e-mail: andersoL2@mail.nih.gov.

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NIH FUNDING AND GRANTS ADMINISTRATION SEMINARS SET

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering two regional seminars on research funding and grants administration this year. These seminars are targeted toward researchers new to NIH, research administrators, post docs, and trainees. Hands-on computer training in NIH electronic research administration also is offered. The seminars will be held:

  • May 6-7, Miami, Fla., hosted by the University of Miami and Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (hands-on computer labs on May 5); and
  • June 24-25, Seattle, Wash., hosted by the University of Washington School of Medicine (hands-on computer labs on June 23).

    NIH Guide, NOT-OD-04-018

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EGRP WEB SITE IDENTIFIES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY

EGRP has a new Web site with information about extramural and intramural training opportunities for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in cancer epidemiology. Use this site as a gateway to become acquainted with opportunities available at various stages of career development - from the young investigator pursuing a doctoral degree to the established investigator. Also use the site to access related resources, such as the NCI publication "Everything you wanted to know about the NCI Grants Process…but were afraid to ask." Tell others about the Web site, which is accessible directly, or through our Home page.

Of particular interest may be the:

  • Cancer Education and Career Development Award (R25T), which was developed for our Division, supports institutional or multi-institutional programs that will train multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows in highly interdisciplinary, team-oriented research settings. This program requires sustained leadership, dedicated faculty time, specialized curriculum development and implementation, interdisciplinary research environments, and more than one mentor per trainee to achieve career development research and education objectives.

    Fact Sheet
    NIH Guide, PAR-03-148

  • Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral, and Population Sciences Career Development Award (K07), also developed by our Division and reissued this month, supports the career development of investigators who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors on cancer prevention, control, behavioral, and the population sciences. Protected time is provided through salary and research support for up to five years to individuals with a health professional or science doctoral degree who are 1) already proficient in general epidemiology, behavioral sciences, or other relevant disciplines, and now want to make use of these proficiencies in cancer-focused research careers in prevention, control, population and/or the behavioral sciences, or 2) are already trained in cancer epidemiology, etiology, prevention, control, and the behavioral and population sciences but are not yet fully independent investigators.

    Fact Sheet
    NIH Guide, PAR-04-055

  • NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) facilitates the transition of investigators from the mentored stage of career development in academic cancer research to the independent stage. The award provides protected time through salary and research support for up to three years to postdoctoral individuals (who are not required to have a sponsoring institution at the time of application) transitioning into their first independent position, and investigators within the first two years of their first independent cancer research position, to develop and initiate their first independently supported cancer research programs. The award targets clinicians pursuing basic science cancer research careers, careers in patient-oriented cancer research, or careers in cancer prevention, control, behavioral or population sciences; and doctoral degreed (e.g., Ph.D., D.Sc.) individuals pursuing research careers in cancer prevention, control, behavioral or population sciences.

    Fact Sheet
    NIH Guide, PAR-04-040

  • Training for a New Interdisciplinary Research Workforce (T90) is sponsored through a Request for Applications (RFA) and is to encourage and enable development of an interdisciplinary workforce by ensuring that undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral students receive the didactic and research experiences necessary to lead and/or engage in integrative and team approaches to solve complex biomedical and health problems. The RFA is part of the new NIH Roadmap for Medical Research in the 21st century.

    Applications are due March 10.
    NIH Guide, RFA-RM-04-015
    NIH Roadmap Initiative

  • A Policy Change for NIH Mentored Career Development Awards (K awards) now allows recipients to hold concurrent support from their career award and a competing research grant when recognized as a Principal Investigator or subproject Director. Mentored career award recipients in the last two years of their support period will be permitted to reduce the level of effort required for the career award and replace that effort with an NIH research grant or subproject provided they remain in a mentored situation. This policy permits candidates who are ready to apply for and receive NIH research support to continue to benefit from the period of protected time offered by the career development award.

    NIH Guide, NOT-OD-04-007

  • Stipends have been increased for Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) recipients in Fiscal Year (FY) 2004. The budget changes are only for Kirschstein-NRSA awards made with FY 2004 funds, and affect the stipend levels for undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral trainees and fellows.

    NIH Guide, NOT-OD-04-023

Additional training opportunities are described on the new EGRP Web site.

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NCI ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATOR AWARD OFFERS PROTECTED RESEARCH TIME

The Established Investigator Award in Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral and Population Research (K05) provides established investigators protected time to devote to research and to act as mentors for new investigators and junior faculty members. The target candidates are outstanding established scientists who have demonstrated a sustained, high level of research productivity and significant contributions to cancer prevention, control, behavioral and/or population cancer research. They must demonstrate the need to develop and enhance their own research and a commitment to serve as mentors to new scientists. The award provides salary support for up to five years, and it is renewable for one additional five-year period. NCI is especially interested in training and retaining scientists who conduct high-quality research in cancer prevention, control, behavioral, and population sciences. This award is an important part of the NCI Strategic Training Plan to relieve researchers from administrative and/or clinical responsibilities in order to help them focus on mentoring and research.

Fact Sheet
NIH Guide, PAR-03-149

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NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR NIH DIRECTOR'S PIONEER AWARD

NIH will invite nominations for the new NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program to stimulate high-risk, high-impact medical research. The program is part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. To inaugurate this program, NIH will provide up to $500,000 per year for five years to a highly select group of individuals who have the potential to make extraordinary contributions to medical research. Nominations will be accepted from March 1, 2004, through midnight EST April 1, 2004, through the program's Web site. Visit the site now to learn more about the initiative.

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NCI ANNOUNCES NEW POLICY ON LARGE R01s

NCI is seeing a marked increase in the number of unsolicited R01 applications submitted with direct cost requests in excess of $700,000. Unfortunately, this increase is occurring at a time when the budget is no longer doubling. To allow NCI to optimally manage its resources and to ensure that all areas of the cancer research continuum are appropriately supported, a new funding policy is being implemented in FY 2004.

A separate payline will be established at each round for unsolicited R01 grants with direct costs in excess of $700,000 for any one year ("large R01s"). Every effort will be made to maintain the large R01 payline as close as possible to the general R01 payline. However, the large R01 payline will be determined at each round, taking into consideration scientific scope, scientific merit, and budgetary constraints.

Large R01s submitted in response to RFAs or PARs, which are not reviewed by NIH's Center for Scientific Review (CSR), are currently not percentiled and are not affected by this policy. Non-percentiled R01s have been selected for funding on a case-by-case basis for several years.

This policy does not supercede or in any way change the NIH policy on the Acceptance for Review of Unsolicited Applications that Request $500,000 or More in Direct Costs (NOT-OD-02-004), which requires advanced approval of applications requesting in excess of $500,000 direct cost in any year. Formal advanced approval to submit an application in excess of $500,000 is still required. This policy relates to the method NCI will use to select large R01s for funding after peer review has been completed.

Inquires about the notice may be directed to the NCI Referral Office, Division of Extramural Activities, 6116 Executive Blvd., Room 8041, MSC 8329, Bethesda, MD 20892-8329, Rockville, MD 20852 (for express/courier service); tel.: 301-496-3428; fax: 301-402-0275 ; e-mail: ncirefof@dea.nci.nih.gov.

NIH Guide, NOT-CA-04-004
NIH Guide, NOT-OD-02-004

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NEW GUIDELINES SET ON SUPPORT FOR SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS

NIH has updated guidelines on support for conferences and scientific meetings (R13 and U13). Of particular note are:

  • A major revision from the previous PA is a requirement that applications for conference grant support now present a letter from the appropriate NIH Institute/Center staff documenting advance permission to submit an application.

  • There are three annual receipt dates for all applications for support of scientific meetings (April 15, August 15, and December 15, annually); decisions about awards normally will be made within six months of submission.

  • New guidelines have been issued on inclusion of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in NIH-supported conference grants: It is NIH policy that organizers of scientific meetings should make a concerted effort to achieve appropriate representation of women, racial/ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, and other individuals who have been traditionally underrepresented in science, in all NIH sponsored and/or supported scientific meetings. Plans to seek appropriate representation should be specified during selection of organizing committees, speakers, and other invited participants, such as session chairs and panel discussants.

    In addition, efforts should be made to encourage attendance by women, minorities, and persons with disabilities at all NIH sponsored and/or supported scientific meetings as a means of increasing their participation in the particular scientific field. The quality of the proposed plans to seek appropriate representation will be an evaluation criterion used during the scientific and technical merit review of requests for funding to support scientific meetings. This policy applies to all domestic or international scientific meetings sponsored by and/or receiving support from the NIH. Reasonable efforts must be made as well, to fulfill the goals of this policy for single seminars sponsored by NIH laboratories or extramural programs. Outreach Notebook for the NIH Guidelines on Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research is available to help investigators understand and comply with the NIH's inclusion policies. Access it through the guideline's Web page.

    NIH Guide, NOT-OD-03-066

  • A Web site has been established to centralize information about conference and meeting support. The site has contact information for NCI and other participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices, and links to detailed information on specific interests and funding parameters. Check periodically for the most current information.

    NIH Guide, PAR-03-176

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REGISTRATION WITH CENTRAL CONTRACTOR WEB SITE A MUST FOR GOVERNMENT-PAID TRAVEL, CONTRACTS

In order to receive federal government funding to attend meetings and conferences (aside from grant support) or a contract, you must register on the Central Contractor's Web site. We cannot file the registration on your behalf and cannot process travel until the registration is completed. This is a federal-wide rule. There are two steps: 1) Use the Web site to apply for a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, and 2) use the DUNS number to complete the on-line registration form. (This form is in addition the payment enrollment (Automated Clearing House (ACH)) form that you may have previously completed for NIH.
Access CCR Web site (see "CCR News").

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EGRP-SPONSORED PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Cohort Studies in Cancer Epidemiology (R01) - This Program Announcement (PAR) announces special receipt dates for R01 grant applications from investigators who intend to initiate, competitively supplement, or competitively renew population-based epidemiologic or survivorship cohort studies of human cancers. Investigators using a linked R01 approach for funding of multi-center cohort studies must submit applications under PAR-04-011 if the sum total of the funding requests from all research sites is $500,000 or more in direct cost in any study year. Due dates are:
    Letters of intent: May 1, 2004; new applications: June 1;
    Letters of intent: Jan. 2, 2005; new applications: Feb. 1, 2005;
    Letters of intent: Sept.1, 2005; new applications: Oct. 1, 2005.

    Application receipt dates for competing continuations, competitive supplements, and revised applications due: July 1, 2004, March 1, 2005, and Nov. 1, 2005.

    Direct inquiries about scientific issues to Sandra Melnick, Dr.P.H., Chief, Analytic Epidemiology Research Branch (AERB), EGRP; e-mail: melnicks@mail.nih.gov.

    NIH Guide, PAR-04-011
    Addendum, NOT-CA-04-001

  • Occupational Health and Safety Research (R01) - This PA encourages development of knowledge that can be used in preventing occupational diseases and injuries and to understand better their underlying pathophysiology.

    Direct inquiries about scientific issues related to cancer epidemiology proposals to Kumiko (Kumi) Iwamoto, M.D., Dr. P.H., AERB Program Director; e-mail: iwamotok@mail.nih.gov.

    NIH Guide, PA-04-038

  • Small Grants Program for Cancer Epidemiology (R03) - This PAR invites applications relating to cancer epidemiology with a primary focus on etiologic cancer research. These are short-term awards intended to provide support for pilot projects, testing of new techniques, or development of innovative projects that could provide a basis for more extended research.

    Direct inquiries about scientific issues related to cancer epidemiology proposals to Ginny Hartmuller, Ph.D., R.D., AERB Program Director; e-mail: hartmulv@mail.nih.gov.

    NIH Guide, PAR-03-010

  • Molecular Epidemiology of Cancers Associated with Acquired Immunodeficiency (R01) - This PA invites grant applications for interdisciplinary studies to better understand the molecular epidemiology and role of cofactors in the etiology and pathogenesis of preneoplastic conditions and cancers occurring among persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), specifically those cancers associated with viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus-8/Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (HHV8/KSHV), and hepatitis viruses B and C. The initiative also includes malignancies arising within the context of acquired immunosuppression from non-HIV sources, such as organ transplants, and include the oncogenic virus HTLV.

    Direct inquiries about scientific issues related to cancer epidemiology proposals to Vaurice Starks, AERB Program Director; e-mail: starksv@mail.nih.gov.

    NIH Guide, PA-03-024

  • Small Businesses Grants - Small businesses may obtain support through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Programs. These programs are designed to support innovative research that has the potential for commercialization. The STTR Program calls for partnership between small businesses and research institutions. Learn more about the Programs, and view research topics of interest to EGRP.

    Direct inquiries to Jay Choudhry, M.S., EGRP Program Director; e-mail: choudhrj@mail.nih.gov.

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EGRP INVITES DISCUSSION OF COHORT AND CASE-CONTROL CONSORTIA

NCI is interested in facilitating development of new consortia of cohort and case-control studies in order to accelerate research on gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in the etiology of cancer. The creation of such consortia is part of the revolutionary shift to "big science" - where studies of the future will be conducted on a much larger scale by multidisciplinary teams of scientists who pool their resources or conduct parallel analyses. To discuss potential consortia arrangements for study of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, investigators may contact Edward Trapido, Sc.D., EGRP Associate Director; e-mail: trapidoe@mail.nih.gov. Visit EGRP's Web site for information about some consortia activities, and read about the Institute's plans for research on genes and the environment in NCI's Plan and Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2005: The Nation's Investment in Cancer Research.

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EGRP-SUPPORTED RESEARCH RESOURCES

EGRP invites researchers to take advantage of its research resources:

  • GIS graphicThe Geographic Information System for Breast Cancer Studies on Long Island (LI GIS) provides a unique tool to study relationships between the environment and breast cancer. The system is a rich resource of data and analytic tools for environmental research. The system has more than 80 datasets, including geographic, demographic, health, and environmental data, and special built-in tools to facilitate its use. Although developed for breast cancer research, the LI GIS also potentially can be used for study of other types of cancer and other diseases and conditions. Funding for research is not provided.

    Direct inquiries to Burdette Erickson, M.Sc., AERB Program Director; e-mail: berickso@mail.nih.gov.
    Visit the LI GIS Web site.

  • Cancer Family Registries tree of diseasesThe Breast/Ovarian and Colon Cancer Family Registries (CFRs) are international registries available to researchers who are planning to conduct population- and clinic-based interdisciplinary research with a main focus on the genetic and molecular epidemiology of breast/ovarian and colon cancers. The CFRs have information and biospecimens contributed by more than 19,000 families among whom there is a history of breast and/or ovarian cancer or colon cancer. The spectrum of cancer risk is represented. Of special interest are collaborations to identify and characterize cancer susceptibility genes; define gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in cancer etiology; and conduct cooperative research on the translational, preventive, and behavioral aspects of such findings. Researchers who are interested in accessing data and/or biospecimens should explore collaborative arrangements with CFRs investigators and prepare a brief application using the Access Policies and Procedures Manual and the form located on the Informatics Center Web site. Information about the CFRs also is available on EGRP's Web site. Funding for research is not provided.

    Direct inquiries to Daniela Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H., Program Director, Clinical and Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch (CGERB), EGRP, e-mail: seminard@mail.nih.gov.

  • The Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) supports research on the genetic basis of human cancer susceptibility, the integration of this information into medical practice, and the psychosocial, legal, and public health issues associated with human genetics. Its interests include gene discovery and characterization, gene-environment interaction, and translational and behavioral research.

    The database has information on more than 18,700 individuals (14,850 families) with cancer and/or a family history of cancer. Data available include demographic information, relevant medical history, and a four-generation pedigree on each enrollee. The population enrolled makes research possible on both common and uncommon tumors.

    For approved studies, the CGN can offer a variety of services for a fee(s), including:

    • assembling information for and completing medical extraction forms
    • obtaining pathology reports and tumor blocks for molecular testing or to verify diagnosis
    • collecting biospecimens with desired medical and demographic information
    • shipping or storing biospecimens
    • conducting telephone interviews with enrollees
    • recruiting patients from high-risk clinics and tumor registries
    • providing genetic counseling
    • contacting enrollees' treating physicians prior to enrollment
    • developing software, including computerized followup for the study
    • using multiple software systems for breast cancer risk assessment.

Specialized expertise is available in certain areas, including biostatistics, statistical genetics, epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, and behavioral research. Also, CGN principal investigators welcome opportunities to collaborate with research groups on important studies.

Researchers who are interested in accessing CGN data or including registry enrollees in ongoing or proposed studies should prepare a 1-page summary of their proposed research, specific aims, and explanation of the role of CGN enrollees in the research. Priority is given to funded investigators or to those who are planning to submit grant proposals to NIH. Funding for research is not provided. For further information, access the NCI CGN Web site.

Direct inquiries to Carol Kasten-Sportes, M.D., CGERB Program Director, e-mail: kastenca@mail.nih.gov.

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International Haplotype Mapping Project Underway

HapMap logoThe International HapMap Consortium is creating a map of common patterns of human genetic variations, or haplotypes, that will help researchers find genes associated with cancer, other human diseases, and with response to medicines. Some of the data are being released quickly and publicly with no conditions, while some data can be accessed quickly by researchers who agree not to restrict the use of the data by other researchers, and to share the data only with those who have agreed to the same conditions. The project is a public-private partnership of scientists and funding agencies from Canada, China, Japan, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States. The U.S. component is led by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Learn more about HapMap at these two Web sites: http://www.hapmap.org/index.html and http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/10001688.

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NEW NCI PUBLICATIONS

  • cover from publicationU.S. Predicted Cancer Incidence, 1999: Complete Maps by County and State from Spatial Projection Models. The results presented in this report are computed by a spatial projection model that predicts the number of cases in each county based on the sociodemographic and lifestyle profile for that county. The purpose is to present, for the first time, complete county and state maps and tables of rates and case counts for 1999 estimated by these new statistical models. From a national perspective, the maps included in the report allow examination of the geographic distribution of cancer incidence across the country and of the magnitude of differences among states. Estimates of the numbers of new cancer cases and rates expected in an area are useful for cancer surveillance, cancer control, health resource planning, and quality control activities.
    Single print copies may be ordered from through NCI's on-line Publications Locator, or the Cancer Information Service (CIS): 1-800-422-6236. The report also is available on-line.

  • cover from publicationArea Socioeconomic Variations in U.S. Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Stage, Treatment, and Survival, 1975-1999. This monograph analyzes area socioeconomic differentials and trends in incidence, mortality, stage of disease, treatment, and survival for all cancers combined and for six major cancers (lung, colon/rectum, prostate, breast, uterine cervix, and melanoma of the skin) by sex and race/ethnicity in the United States. Order print copies of this and other Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program monographs and reports. The monograph also is available on-line.

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MISSED OUR LATEST NEWS FLASHES? SUBSCRIBE?

We had a problem with our ListServ recently, and you may have missed our most recent News Flashes:

  • Jan. 28: NCI Pilots Weekly Newsletter, Plans and Priorities for FY 2005 Published
  • Feb. 2: Guidance on Weather-related Delays in Grant Application Submissions
    They are posted in the Bulletins section.

You are welcome to invite others to subscribe to EGRP's Bulletins and News Flashes.
Contact: Linda Anderson, e-mail: andersoL2@mail.nih.gov.