This document provides an Es Guide to understanding and applying for the Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS) program, a K12 Physician Scientist Award Program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This program aims to cultivate a robust network of healthcare professionals equipped to tackle the intricate challenges within pediatric and reproductive environmental health.
I. Program Overview: Shaping Future Leaders in Environmental Health
The PREHS program is designed to provide pediatric healthcare providers, obstetricians/gynecologists, and other interested healthcare professionals with specialized research experiences. These experiences bridge clinical practice, community engagement, and teaching within the environmental health context. This es guide clarifies the program’s focus on developing junior faculty through supervised research career development opportunities.
1. Key Objectives
The program emphasizes several core objectives:
- Environmental Health Training: Providing state-of-the-art environmental health training that blends academic research with real-world practice.
- Research Career Development: Offering supervised research opportunities for junior faculty to advance their careers.
- Network Creation: Building a strong network of healthcare professionals knowledgeable in pediatric and reproductive environmental health.
- Advanced Content Acquisition: Scholars will gain advanced content in pediatric and reproductive environmental health.
2. Background and Collaboration
The NIEHS collaborates with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ATSDR/CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on children’s environmental health initiatives. The PREHS program aligns with the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) program, fostering a collaborative environment. This es guide highlights the importance of understanding these collaborations for potential applicants.
3. Research and Career Development
Successful applications must propose a comprehensive plan addressing:
- Environmental Health Research: Research relevant to pediatrics and reproductive health, aligning with NIEHS’s mission.
- Competency Development: Gaining research competencies in environmental medicine to advance medical knowledge, patient care skills, and professionalism.
- Expertise Enhancement: Providing public health and clinical expertise to advance careers as academic researchers and physician scientists.
II. Funding and Eligibility: Ensuring a Fair and Transparent Process
This es guide dives into the specifics of funding and eligibility, crucial for determining if this program aligns with your institution’s and career aspirations.
1. Award Information
- Funding Instrument: Grant
- Clinical Trial: Not Allowed (scholars can participate in mentor-led trials).
- Funds Available: NIEHS intends to commit $1.5 million in FY 2022 to fund 3 awards.
- Award Budget: Application budgets are limited to $450,000 direct costs per year.
- Project Period: The maximum project period is 5 years.
2. Personnel and Scholar Costs
Understanding the nuances of personnel and scholar costs is essential for crafting a compelling budget.
- Personnel Costs: Salaries and fringe benefits for program directors and staff are allowable, adhering to institutional policies and congressional caps.
- Scholar Costs: The PREHS program supports 3 scholar positions per year, providing up to $135,000 in direct costs per scholar, including salary, fringe benefits, and research expenses. Scholars may receive up to $110,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits.
3. Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Organizations: Higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private) and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.
- Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI): Must possess the skills, knowledge, and resources to lead the program.
- Scholars: Must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Alt Text: List of eligible organizations for the Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars Program, including higher education institutions, nonprofits, and governmental entities.
4. Scholar Requirements
At the time of appointment to the K12 Program, candidates for PREHS Scholars must:
(1) Hold a clinical doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DDS, DMD, DO, DC, OD, ND, DVM, PharmD, or PhD in clinical disciplines) with a primary specialty focused on children and reproductive health (e.g., pediatrics, family medicine, women’s health/obstetrics;
(2) Have completed postgraduate residency training in pediatrics, family medicine, women’s health/obstetrics, or equivalent if from a different healthcare profession;
(3) Be no more than 4 years after attaining board eligibility in their subspecialty;
(4) Identify an approved mentor or mentors with extensive research experience;
(5) Not be or have been a PD/PI on an R01, R29, U01/U10, subproject of a Program Project (P01), Center (P50, P60, U54) grant, or individual mentored or non-mentored career development award (e.g., K01, K02, K08, K22, K23, K24, K25, K99). Individuals who are or were PD/PIs on NIH Small Grants (i.e., R03s) or Exploratory/Developmental Grants (i.e., R21s) may be eligible providing they meet the other eligibility requirements.
III. Application and Submission: Navigating the Complexities
This es guide breaks down the application and submission process, providing clear instructions and highlighting crucial elements.
1. Application Package
The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution.
2. Letter of Intent
While not required, submitting a letter of intent helps NIH estimate the review workload.
3. Key Components
- Project Summary/Abstract: Provide a concise overview of the program’s objectives, rationale, design, and key activities.
- Advisory Committee Plan: Detail the composition, roles, responsibilities, and expertise of the Advisory Committee.
Alt Text: Visual representation of an advisory committee structure with different roles and responsibilities.
4. Data Tables
Complete required Training Data Tables (Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, and Table 4).
5. Program Plan
- Program Administration: Describe the leadership team’s skills, experience, and administrative structure.
- Institutional Environment and Commitment: Detail the institution’s commitment to the program, including resources and protected time for scholars.
- Responsible Conduct of Research: Outline the plan for instruction in the responsible conduct of research.
IV. Review and Selection: Understanding the Evaluation Process
This es guide sheds light on the review process, empowering you to craft an application that addresses key criteria and maximizes your chances of success.
1. Review Criteria
Reviewers assess applications based on:
- Career Development Program and Environment: The quality of the program’s plan to recruit and develop junior clinical investigators.
- Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)): The experience and qualifications of the leadership team.
- Mentors: The expertise and experience of mentors, as well as their commitment to guiding scholars.
- Scholars: The quality of the recruitment plan and the likelihood of attracting high-quality scholars.
- Training Record: Evidence of a successful past training record and a rigorous evaluation plan.
2. Additional Review Criteria
- Protections for Human Subjects: Generally not applicable.
- Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan: Generally not applicable.
- Vertebrate Animals: Generally not applicable.
- Biohazards: Generally not applicable.
- Training in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility: Does the plan for Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility describe how scholars will receive training in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, relevant experimental methods, consideration of relevant biological variables such as sex, authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources, quantitative approaches, and data analysis and interpretation, appropriate to field of study and the level and prior preparation of the scholars?
3. Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity
Peer reviewers will separately evaluate the recruitment plan to enhance diversity after the overall score has been determined. The plan will be rated as ACCEPTABLE or UNACCEPTABLE.
V. Award Administration and Reporting: Ensuring Accountability and Transparency
This es guide outlines the post-award responsibilities, ensuring compliance and effective program management.
1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA).
2. Reporting Requirements
- Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR): Required annually.
- Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS): Report all subawards over $25,000.
- Final RPPR: Required for closeout of an award.
VI. Agency Contacts: Seeking Guidance and Support
This es guide provides essential contact information for seeking clarification and support throughout the application process.
1. Key Contacts
- Scientific/Research Contact(s): Liam O’Fallon, MA
- Peer Review Contact(s): Varsha Shukla, Ph.D.
- Financial/Grants Management Contact(s): Jenny L. Greer
VII. Conclusion: Empowering Future Leaders
The PREHS program represents a significant opportunity to advance the field of pediatric and reproductive environmental health. This es guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the program, empowering institutions and individuals to submit competitive applications and contribute to a healthier future for children and families. By carefully considering the program’s objectives, eligibility requirements, application process, and review criteria, you can position yourself for success and become a leader in this critical field.
