Funding-Limited Submission - Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAICs) and Coordinating Center (P30) – RFA-AG-13-002; April 11, 2012

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) supports new and renewal applications for Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAICs), centers of excellence in geriatrics research and training. The FOA solicits applications for OAIC sites and/or an OAIC Coordinating Center (CC).

NIA's expectation is that an OAIC, in a given area of focus, will:

* Provide intellectual leadership and innovation;

* Stimulate translation between basic and clinical research;

* Facilitate and develop novel multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research strategies;

* Stimulate incorporation of emerging technologies, methods and scientific advances into research designs as appropriate;

* Serve as a source of advice and collaboration to other institutions regarding technology, methodology, analysis, or other expertise; and

* Provide career development for future research leaders.

The OAIC Coordinating Center (CC) serves a facilitating role for OAIC site interactions as well as a conduit for translating OAIC objectives and findings to both general and scientific audiences. The CC can be a part (Core) of an OAIC or an independent program unaffiliated with an OAIC site (free-standing CC).

Each OAIC will support the following components and activities:

1) Leadership/Administrative Core (required)

2) A Research Career Development Core (required)

3) A minimum of one Resource Core (required)

4) A Pilot/Exploratory Studies Cores (optional)

5) An Information Dissemination Core (optional)

The Coordinating Center facilitates and coordinates OAIC activities. Each applicant OAIC is invited to submit a section proposing a Coordinating Center Core as part of its response to the OAIC FOA. Institutions not submitting an OAIC application may apply for a free-standing CC. In either case, the CC should be proposed only by institutions with (1) the ability to coordinate multi-site projects as demonstrated by previous HHS funding for a coordinating center of a multi-site research grant, and (2) demonstrated scientific expertise in clinical aging research. A CC proposed as a free-standing Center will receive equal consideration as one proposed as a Core of an OAIC site.

Guidelines and additional information are available at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-13-002.html.

The NIH issued NOT-AG-12-006 which states that an institution may submit only one application in response to RFA-AG-13-002. For this reason, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu<mailto:vpr@email.uky.edu> and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, April 11, 2012:

1. Names and departments of Project Director and other key personnel

2. Specify if the application is for an OAIC with a CC or only a free-standing CC

3. Project overview (1-2 pages) –

a. For an OAIC with a CC - identify the central theme or focus of the center and the proposed aims; the Research Career Development Core area(s) of focus and brief description of proposed activities; and a Resource Core and projects supported OR

b. For free-standing CC – Briefly describe the purpose and functions of the CC, applicant’s previous HHS funding as a coordinating center for a multi-site research grants, and expertise in clinical aging research

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NIH deadlines are April 17, 2012 (optional letter of intent) and May 17, 2012 (complete application).

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu<mailto:alevan4@email.uky.edu> or 257-1663.)