Access EGRP's online staff directory for contact information for Program Directors according to research topic, as well as for other staff.

2. Genes and the Environment — An Extraordinary Opportunity

NCI has designated research on genes and the environment as an Extraordinary Opportunity for Investment — an area where focused research efforts hold great promise for making significant progress toward reducing the cancer burden. The goal is to discover genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors and their interactions that define cancer risk and inform strategies for cancer control. Learn more about this Extraordinary Opportunity in The Nation's Investment in Cancer Research for Fiscal Year 2003: Plans and Priorities for Cancer Research.

The EGRP contacts for genes and the environment research are Kumiko Iwamoto, M.D., Dr. P.H., e-mail: iwamotok@mail.nih.gov; and Daniela Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H., e-mail: seminard@mail.nih.gov. The publication also may be ordered through NCI's Publications Locator, or the Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

3. EGRP Research Resources

• Cancer Family Registries for Breast/Ovarian and Colon Cancer

Two international Cancer Family Registries (CFRs) are available for investigators 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. Of particular interest to the CFRs 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 collaborative research can apply to use the data and biospecimens.
Contact: Daniela Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H.; tel.: 301-594-734; fax: 301-435-5477;
e-mail: seminard@mail.nih.gov.

• Cancer Genetics Network

The Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) is a resource to support 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 translational research, gene discovery, gene-environment interaction, gene characterization, and behavioral research. Data available include demographic information, relevant medical history, and a 4-generation pedigree on each enrollee. The population enrolled makes possible research on both common and uncommon tumors.
Contact: Carol Kasten-Sportes, M.D., tel.: 301-402-8212; fax: 301-435-5466;
e-mail: kastenca@mail.nih.gov.

• Geographic Information System for Breast Cancer Studies on Long Island
  

Researchers now have a unique, new tool to study relationships between environmental exposures and breast cancer. The Geographic Information System (GIS-H). for Breast Cancer Studies on Long Island provides a rich source of data and analytic tools for environmental research. Although developed for breast cancer research, the GIS-H also potentially may be used to study other types of cancer, and other diseases and health conditions. The system has more more than 80 datasets, including geographic, demographic, health, and environmental data, and special built-in tools to facilitate use of the system.
Contact: Ellen Heineman, Ph.D., tel.: 301-435-6614; fax: 301-435-6609;
e-mail: heinemae@mail.nih.gov.

4. NCI Research Resources Web Site

NCI's Research Resources Web site is a directory of over 100 products and services developed by the Institute and available to researchers without extensive negotiations or intellectual property issues. The resources include specimens, datasets, computer software, chemicals, animals, and more.

5. Certificates of Confidentiality Protect Sensitive Information

Certificates of Confidentiality are issued by NIH to protect identifiable research information from forced disclosure. They allow the investigator and others who have access to research records to refuse to disclose identifying information on research participants in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding, whether at the federal, state, or local level. The Certificates may be granted for studies collecting information that if disclosed could have adverse consequences for subjects or damage their financial standing, employability, insurability, or reputation. By protecting researchers and institutions from being compelled to disclose information that would identify research subjects, the Certificates help achieve the research objectives and promote participation in studies by assuring confidentiality and privacy to participants.

6. Electronic Notification of Non-competing Grant Progress Report Due Dates

Starting in August, NIH transitions notification of due date information for Non-competing Grant Progress Reports from hard copy mailing of preprinted PHS 2590 and PHS 416 face pages to electronic notification. The last preprinted Type 5 face pages to be mailed will be for awards with start dates in November 2002.

For December 2002 starts and beyond, NIH will provide due date information for Non-competing Grant Progress Reports in two ways:

• The NIH Office of Extramural Research will post due date information on a public Web site that will have limited search and sort capabilities. Grantees may choose to use this Web site until they register for the NIH Commons. Institutions that have not registered will not receive e-mail reminders or have access to preprinted face pages.
• Upon registering for the NIH Commons, the institutional official will provide a central e-mail address for notification of NIH pending actions. By this means, the institution will receive a list of pending progress reports. These grantees also will have access to a PDF version of the preprinted face page through the Commons Status module.

Once principal investigators create an account and provide their preferred e-mail address, they will have the option to receive e-mail reminders of Non-competing Progress Report due dates with links to pre-printed face pages. The new notification system was announced in the NIH Guide, NOT-OD-02-047, release date: May 2, 2002.

7. Advance Notice Required of Intent to Submit Large Budget Grant Applications

Please remember that NIH requires that grant applicants with a requested budget over $500,000 direct costs in any year contact the appropriate program staff member 6 to 8 weeks in advance of submitting the grant to the NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) for peer review. If the requested dollar amount is more than $1.5 million direct costs in any year, then approval must be sought at least 8 weeks prior to submitting the grant to CSR for review. CSR no longer accepts amended budgets for submissions over $500,000.

Upon notification by an applicant of intent to submit a large budget grant application, the Program Director then submits a form, Awaiting Receipt of Application (ARA), for approval by the respective Division Director. If approved by the Division Director, the ARA form is filed with CSR, which then accepts the large budget application for peer review. Large grants (over $1.75 million) require an extra step: the Division Director must get the approval of the Deputy Director for Extramural Science before the applicant is given approval to submit. The Extramural Division Directors committee must approve very large grants (over $2.5 million).

Investigators must follow this policy, speak to the appropriate NCI Program Director, and respond to requests for information. If advance notice about the proposed study and budget is not received, applications will be returned, causing a delay in submission and review of one round. This policy applies to new, competing continuation, competing supplement, and amended/revised applications.

The large budget grant application policy does not apply to applications submitted in response to RFAs or in response to other announcements that include specific budgetary limits. Refer to the NIH Guide, NOT-OD-02-004, release date: Oct. 16, 2001.

8. OHRP Guidance on Written IRB Procedures

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), HHS, has prepared guidance on developing written Institutional Review Board (IRB) procedures. It has compiled a summary of the relevant regulatory requirements and guidance issued routinely by OHRP over the past several years to assist institutions in developing adequate written IRB procedures. The guidance, dated April 2, 2002, is available on OHRP's Web site.

9. Annual Report Shows Overall Decline in U.S. Cancer Death Rates; Cancer Burden is Expected to Rise with an Aging Population

New data for 1999 show that death rates for all cancers combined continued to decline in the United States. However, the number of cancer cases can be expected to increase because of the growth and aging of the population in coming decades, according to the report based on incidence data from NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR). The mortality data are from the CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

"Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1973-1999, Featuring Implications of Age and Aging on the U.S. Cancer Burden" appeared in the May 15 issue of Cancer, and is by researchers from NCI, American Cancer Society (ACS), NAACCR, National Institute on Aging (NIA), and CDC, including the NCHS and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (Cancer 2002 May 15;94(10):2766-2792) The report, all data points for graphs in the report, and supplementary data and charts are available through the SEER Program Web site.

10. SEER Changes to Year 2000 Standard Population Age Adjustment

Since 1973, the SEER Program has age-adjusted most cancer rates to a year 1970 standard population. This year, for the first time, these rates and trends were adjusted to a year 2000 standard population. The change in adjusting from a year 1970 standard population to a year 2000 standard population was undertaken to provide a more contemporary profile when viewing cancer statistics and to report data using the same standard adopted by all other federal health agencies. There were more older people alive in the United States in the year 2000 than there were in the year 1970, thus many cancer rates adjusted to 2000 may appear higher because they give greater emphasis to rates for older persons. Cancer rates may appear lower when adjusted to a 1970 population standard.

Most of the statistics that the SEER Program reported in its Cancer Statistics Review, 1973-1999 and in "Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1973-1999" have been adjusted to a year 2000 standard population. Earlier statistical reports are no longer needed because these latest reports are comprehensive and have not only updated the information with another year of data, but also have adjusted reported statistics for all of the years included in earlier reports. Comparisons of the most recently reported age-adjusted rates to earlier reports, which were standardized to the year 1970 population, are not valid. Access press release.

11. Progress Made in Decreasing Youth Tobacco Use, But Much Work Remains

Adolescent smoking rates increased through much of the 1990s, but a recently released report shows there has been a promising decline over the past few years. Despite this recent progress, there remains a need for more research and for anti-smoking programs designed both to prevent young people from starting to smoke and to help them quit. The report reveals a particular need for research among certain racial/ethnic groups where smoking trends have not decreased or, in some cases, continued to increase.

Changing Adolescent Smoking Prevalence: Where It Is and Why was compiled by over 30 public health experts from throughout the United States. The report is the 14th in NCI's Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph Series and offers the first major update of adolescent smoking behavior since 1994.

The monograph also may be ordered through NCI's Publications Locator Web site, or by calling the Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

12. Sources of Information on Grant Policies, Funding, Training

• Our Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) home page: cancercontrol.cancer.gov for grant policy alerts and information on funding opportunities.
• NCI's Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) home page: deainfo.nci.nih.gov.
• NCI's cancer research training, career development and education opportunitiesWeb site: cancertraining.nci.nih.gov. Also, for information on opportunities for research training and career development of minorities, and for involving minority institutions in cancer research, research training, education, and outreach access: minorityopportunities.nci.nih.gov.
• Subscribe to the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ListServ to receive the table of contents every week: grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/listserv.htm.
• Subscribe to the Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP) ListServ to receive updates: ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/list.htm.
• Join EGRP's ListServe and receive occasional communications on grantsmanship and NCI activities relevant to our Program. Contact: andersoL2@mail.nih.gov.