The Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Program W. Fred Taylor, PH.D. National Institute of General Medical Science National Institutes of Health May 25, 2012
Program Overview Centers of Biomedical Excellence (COBRE) Phase I, Phase II, Phase III IDeA Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA CTR) IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) IDeA Community-Based Research Selected Examples IDeA Co-funding IDeA Net Selected Examples National Association of IDeA Principal Investigators (NAIPI) Selected Science Advances
Program Overview
Authorized by Congress, 1993 NIH Revitalization Act Intent to enhance geographical distribution of NIH research funds and increase research capacity Currently 23 states and Puerto Rico are IDeA eligible Similar to NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitiveness in Research (EPSCoR, est. 1980) Contact: W. Fred Taylor, Ph.D. Institutional Development Award Program
Perceived needs to increase research capacity : Core Laboratories Senior and Junior Faculty development Infrastructure (equipment) Facilities alteration and renovation/development Post-doctoral, student and staff development Faculty recruitment Bioinformatics training for students and faculty “State of the Art” Instrumentation Release time for teaching and clinical faculty Undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral recruitment Training opportunities in grant management
Faculty development Faculty recruitment and start-up Funding and release time for research projects Mentoring to become successful independent investigators Enhancement of research facilities Core laboratories State-of-the-art equipment Research education and training Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff Undergraduate students and faculty Institutional Development Award Program Overall Approach
MT WY ID NV ND SD NE NM OK KS AR LA KY MS SC WV ME VT AK HI PR DE RI NH INBRE: 24 statewide networks COBRE: 84 thematic research centers
Centers of Biomedical Excellence (COBRE) Phase I, Phase II, Phase III
COBRE center grant program launched in fiscal year 2000 To expand and develop biomedical faculty research capability To enhance research infrastructure including core facilities To build multidisciplinary research centers with a thematic scientific focus at doctoral institutions or research institutes Center Characteristics Led by an established investigator, funded by NIH, NSF or other comparable Federal or private sector source At least 3 research sub-projects, all supervised by junior investigators A clear plan for mentoring, career development and graduation and replacement of junior investigators Long-term plans for developing and sustaining the center, investigators, collaborations, and physical infrastructure Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Background
Model of COBRE Administrative and Research Cores workshops training courses research cores administrative bioinformatics Mentored Junior Investigator Subprojects Pilot Projects Mentors External Advisory Board
Currently three sequential 5 year phases Phase I: To develop research infrastructure and provide junior (new) investigators mentoring and project funding so they can successfully compete for independent research support Phase II: To further develop research infrastructure and develop a strong critical mass of investigators (new, early stage and established) with shared scientific interests Phase III: To maintain COBRE research cores and to provide support for research pilot projects and mentoring and training COBRE
Research Infrastructure Research Projects (Junior Investigators) Research Infrastructure Research Projects (Junior and Senior Investigators) Research Cores that are essential for basic and clinical research Pilot Project Program Develop advanced research infrastructure and a critical mass of investigators in thematic areas
Purpose To conduct basic, clinical and translational research To support essential cores To sustain a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment by supporting mentoring and training components. Center Characteristics Administrative Core (mentoring and training components and pilot projects) Core resources including core supplies, service contracts and core management Equipment upgrades and replacement Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase III: Transitional Centers
Immunology Proteomics and Genomic Infectious Disease Oral Health WMHHD ES MB BB DD LD PB SCB Scientific Themes Number of Grants Neuroscience 18 Cancer 9 Cardiovascular Disease11 Immunology 9 Proteomics and Genomics 8 Infectious Disease 5 Oral Health 5 Women or Minority Health and Health Disparity (WMHHD) 4 Environmental Science (ES) 2 Muscle Biology (MB))3 Biochemistry and Biophysics (BB) 2 Drug Discovery and Design (DD) 3 Lung Biology and Disease (LD) 2 Prenatal Biology (PB)2 Stem Cell Biology (SCB)3 Bioengineering and Biomaterial 1 Summary of COBRE Scientific Themes
In fiscal year 2011: 84 COBRE awards supported 786 research projects involving 1482 investigators COBRE centers published 1449 articles with an additional 603 papers in press COBRE investigators made a total of 1882 scientific presentations COBRE Progress
IDeA Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA CTR)
IDeA Program Clinical and Translational Research Initiative (IDeA CTR) Rationale: A relatively small proportion (~10%) of IDeA-funded centers and networks focus on developing clinical and community-based translational research capacity It is critically important to translate the many biomedical research advances from IDeA states into better health outcomes by forging partnerships between basic and clinical scientists in IDeA institutions, supported by programs across NIH
IDeA-CTR Objectives: To support the development of infrastructure and human resources required to conduct clinical and translational research in IDeA states. To enhance the ability of IDeA institutions and investigators to develop competitive clinical and translational research programs. To foster and sustain collaboration and coordination of clinical and translational activities within and across IDeA institutions /organizations.
IDeA-CTR Award mechanism and Total Cost U54 cooperative agreement Up to $4 million per year for 5 years Can request additional $300K for A&R costs (year 1 only) Lead Institution Academic Health Center Only one application per state Partnerships It is required to identify one or more collaborating domestic partner(s) within the state and in one other (or more) IDeA state(s). Funding Opportunity Announcement: IDeA-CTR (PAR )
Recruitment of Clinical/ Translational Faculty Community Engagement and Outreach Clinical Research Resources and Facilities Biomedical Informatics Resources Ethics, Regulatory Knowledge and Other Technologies and Resources for Core Laboratories Component Activities of IDeA-CTR Program Partnerships and Collaborations within and across IDeA-eligible states Clinical and Translational Pilot Grants Program Clinical Research Education, Mentoring, and Career Development Core Clinical Research Design, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics Core Potential Key Component Activities
IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)
To develop a statewide multi-disciplinary research network of doctoral degree-granting and undergraduate institutions To build and increase research capacity by supporting faculty, fellows and students at participating institutions To provide bioinformatics tools, training, and expertise for researchers and students across the network To provide undergraduate faculty and students research support, serve as “pipeline” to health research careers To provide outreach to students at undergraduate institutions, community colleges and tribal colleges To enhance statewide science and technology knowledge base IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)
Model of INBRE Admin. Core Bioinfor. Core Outreach Core Other Cores PI PC PUI Lead Institution- Research Intensive Institutions or Institutes PUI = Primarily Undergraduate Institution Outreach Institutions Tribal/Community Colleges
KANSAS-INBRE Organization K-INBRE Lead IC Kansas Univ. Lawrence Kansas State Univ. Wichita State Univ. SSC Data analysis of genomics, proteomics and lipidomics Data storage and web access Trans-disciplinary training in bioinformatics Building new strengths in Cell and Developmental Biology in the state of KS thereby paving new strategies to improve human health Bioinformatics Cores Washburn Langston Haskell Outreach ICs Pittsburg Emporia Hays
Scientific ThemesTotal Microbiology and Infectious Disease63 Cell & Developmental Biology46 Cancer 42 Neuroscience 33 Biotechnology 23 Environmental Health & Toxicology (EHT)23 Genetics & Genomics (GG)15 Cardiovascular Disease (CVS)11 Women & Reproductive Health (WRH)10 Bioinformatics (BI) 9 Others (O) 9 Diabetes/Obesity/Met abolism (DOM))8 Respiratory (Re) 5 Mental Health & Biobehavioral research (MH)5 Bones/Joints (BJ) 4 Immunology (Im) 3 Hematology (H) 2 Summary of INBRE Scientific Themes
In fiscal year 2011: 24 INBRE Networks supported 658 research subprojects and 1808 investigators INBRE Networks published 610 research articles with 259 in press INBRE investigators made 2561 scientific presentations 69 INBRE flagship institutions supported 800+ students in summer research experiences INBREs supported research and training at 270 undergraduate institutions including: 21 HBCUs 17 Tribal Colleges and Universities 21 Hispanic-serving institutions INBRE Progress
IDeA Community-Based Research
Goals: To support development of sustainable, culturally appropriate prevention/intervention research programs to decrease the disproportionate burden of disease To develop effective and stimulating environments to facilitate training and development of clinical investigators in areas of health disparities and special populations IDeA Community Based Research (IDeA CBR)
To augment and strengthen translational / clinical community based research programs to address health disparities in rural and urban special populations To promote interdisciplinary, multi-site collaborations between academic researchers across programs, community health care providers, and community partners To leverage investments in CBPR made by NIH and other agency partners IDeA CBR
Yup’ik Perceptions of Body Weight and Diabetes: Cultural Pathways to Prevention Yup’ik Experiences of Stress and Coping: Intervention Via Cultural Understanding Contaminants and Nutrients in Alaskan Subsistence Foods: Striking a Balance Developing a Novel Set of Diet Pattern Biomarkers Based on Stable Isotope Ratios
Environmental Health Science in Montana Analyzing river water and fish on the Crow Reservation to identify environmental contaminants - mercury - pesticides - enteric pathogens
IDeA Co-funding
IDeA co-funds awards to support R01 grant applications to NIH Institutes and Centers from investigators within IDeA eligible states. IDeA provides support to applicants whose proposals received excellent ratings through the peer review process but fell short of the Institute’s or Center’s (ICs) pay line. IDeA provides 70% or up to $260,000 for each of the first two years of a selected co-funded R01 award. This activity was highlighted in the NIH fiscal year 2012 appropriation language.
IDeA Co-funding Meritorious applications were solicited from the 27 NIH Institutes and Centers in fiscal year IDeA received 44 R01 applications nominated from 18 NIH Institutes and Centers. The total request for IDeA co-funding amounted to $11.1 million.
IDeA Net
Provides: Advanced cyberinfrastructure for biomedical and behavioral research Regional approaches to relieve strategic bottlenecks in connectivity through participating states Access to national high-speed computer networks for data- intensive science applications Computer hardware and software Staff in bioinformatics cores and data centers IDeANet
Northeast Cyberinfrastructure Consortium (NECC) Multiple partnerships are formed between state university systems and private telecommunications companies to build regional high-speed networks in VT, NH, ME, RI and DE.
Cyberinfrastructure-Enabled Research and Training A collaborative project for sequencing the skate genome was developed between U. of Delaware and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL). Three training workshops of Skate Genome Annotation were performed through the network. The data are stored on server at the NECC shared data center at the U. of Delaware and U. of Maine, and available for investigators within the five NECC states. Research training courses were provided to the first year medical students at MDIBL, Dartmouth Medical School and U. of Vermont College of Medicine. Skate genome sequence assembly and annotation project
Cyberinfrastructure-Enabled Science Education (Media Release) The Bar Harbor Times MDIBL participated Howard Hughes medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance Maine INBRE Newsletter
National Association of IDeA Principal Investigators (NAIPI)
Provides leadership and communication for the development, promotion and improvement of the IDeA Program Fosters interactions between the IDeA Program and its constituencies Promotes resource sharing among IDeA programs Enhances the visibility of the IDeA Program Develops a consensus on priorities and new directions for IDeA Identifies and disseminates best practices within the IDeA Program Identifies opportunities and develops strategies to achieve the common goals of the IDeA Program
National Association of IDeA Principal Investigators (NAIPI) Membership composed of Principal Investigators of INBRE and COBRE grants National Committee consists of 20 members, five for each of four Regional Divisions of IDeA (2 INBRE and 3 COBRE Principal Investigators) National Committee members elected by voting members in each division Executive Committee consists of 4 members elected by the National Committee (President, Vice President, Past President and Secretary/Treasurer) Working groups on an ad hoc basis Web-site at
Selected Science Advances
Understanding the Role of Estrogen in Protecting Against HIV Dementia COBRE PI: Tom Curry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine Background: HIV-associated dementia (HAD) occurs in about 30% of all HIV-infected individuals despite aggressive anti-retroviral therapy. In vitro studies indicate that the hormone estrogen (17β-estradiol or E2) acts as a neuroprotective agent by suppressing the production of HIV-encoded proteins by astrocytes. The role of estrogen receptors in this process is unclear. Advance: In vitro studies revealed that astrocytes have low levels of ERα expression. Surprisingly, the presence of ERα appeared to negate the reduction in HIV protein production that results from treatment with estrogen. Analysis of postmortem brain samples showed increased density of ERα-positive astrocytes in HIV-infected individuals with dementia compared to those without cognitive deficits. The data suggest that E2 may have the most dramatic effect in reducing HIV transcription and acting as a neuroprotective agent early in the disease process when the subpopulation of astrocytes expressing ERα is low. How NCRR Grant Enabled Advance: NCRR COBRE grant (P20 RR18727), provided support to the research project and core facilities. Public Health Impact: Neurological complications are observed in about 60% of all HIV infected patients, dementia in about 30% despite anti-retroviral therapy. It is imperative that effective neuroprotective agents be developed if neurological complications of HIV are to be prevented. Publication Citation and Link:
Mechanisms of Plasticity and Repair after Spinal Cord Injury PI: Scott Whittemore Univ of Louisville School of Medicine Background: Multiple molecular, biochemical, and cellular events ensue following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The prevention and/or attenuation of significant morbidity following SCI will require various neuroprotective strategies. Advance: Following experimental SCI, studies in rats indicate that transplantation of adult oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that express ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) resulted in histological, physiological, and functional evidence of recovery. Another study demonstrate that administration of rolipram, an investigational anti- inflammatory agent, spared the death of oligodendrocytes, improved neurotransmission, and reduced hind limb errors during grid walking. In yet another study, the administration of agents that promote angiogenesis and endothelial cell survival had similar neuroprotective outcomes. How NCRR Grant Enabled Advance: NCRR COBRE grant (P20 RR15576), provided support to the research project and core facilities. Public Health Impact: Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly impacts quality of life and poses a considerable economic burden on those afflicted. Restorative therapies need to be developed to reduce these burdens. Publication Citation and Link:
Community-Based Participatory Research in Indian Country PI: Margaret Eggers, M.S., Little Big Horn College, Crow Agency, Montana; Montana State University, Bozeman Background: The poor well water quality and deteriorating river water quality are impacting community health. The occurrence of disease seems greater on the tribal reservation than in other communities. A collaborative research between Crow Reservation community and academic partners was initiated to assess the risk of exposure to contaminants via domestic and cultural water sources. Advance: Little is known about how communities and academic partners can effectively work together to conduct “community-based risk assessment,” and rarely have Native American community members written about their perception of the value of the CBPR process to their community, why they would participate in such research, and how research should be conducted in their home community. The Crow Tribal and academic research partners describe their experiences and what they have learned in working together on a creative, collaborative CBPR project and process. How NCRR Grant Enabled Advance: The Montana INBRE provided initial research funding for the first five years of the project, and continues to support the well water testing costs. Public Health Impact: This project provides an example of how community members can initiate a risk assessment research in collaboration with academic partners. The partnership improves the quality of the risk assessment and the effectiveness of dissemination to community members. Publication Citation:. Community-based participatory research in Indian country: improving health through water quality research and awareness. Fam Community Health Jul-Sep;33(3):
Institutional Development Award Program Opportunities for Inclusion