Tribal Self-Governance Study
Description of Program,
Service, Function or Activity (PSFA)
INVENTORY
1. Agency Name: Fogarty International Center, NIH, HHS
2. Program Name: Minority International Research Training (MIRT) Program
3. CFDA #: No. 93.106.
4. Program Objectives: To encourage underrepresented minority students including Native American/Alaskan Native students to pursue training for careers in biomedical science through mentored international research training.
To assist underrepresented minority including Native American/Alaskan Native students and scientists to work effectively in a global environment by facilitating the formation of productive international linkages with foreign scientists and international research institutions.
To support research related to health disparities in under-served populations including native peoples in the United States and in developing countries.
5. Titles and Descriptions of at least Three Funded Grantees: In FY 2000, 1.8% of the reported trainees supported by the MIRT program (4/222) were Native Americans. Native American students received research training in the following MIRT programs:
Institution: University of California Santa Cruz
Activity: Minority International Research Training
Award Amount: $206,876
One Native American student conducted an ecological
study in the Gulf of California relevant to marine mammal feeding.
Institution: Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing
Activity: Global Health Promotion Minority Research Training
Program
Award: $207,815
One Native American student was supported for
research training on muscle/skeletal rehabilitation at Gothenburg University in
Sweden. Another Native American student received training doing research on the
biology of stress at Tel Aviv University in Israel.
Institution: California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo
Activity: Global Research Training for Rural California
Minorities
Award: $189,932
One Native American conducted mentored research on
the effect of hyperglycemia on lactate production by peripheral nerves in
France, a biochemical process involved in peripheral nerve damage in diabetics,
a significant cause of morbidity in Native Americans.
The following MIRT programs operate in consortia with Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and other institutions with large enrollments of minority students
AUTHORITY
6. Authorizing Statute(s): Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV. Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285.
7. Regulatory/Administrative Requirements: The MIRT program is administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review.
8. Mandatory Statutory Changes Needed to Operate PSFA as a Demonstration: Authority would need to modify the grant making process, enable the Department to make self-governance funding awards, and alter federal monitoringing mandates.
APPLICANTS, BENEFICIARIES and FORMULAS
9. Type of Funding: Institutional training grant (T37 mechanism)
10. Eligible Applicants: The applicant institution and its associated consortia institutions must be U.S. colleges or universities that offer baccalaureate degrees in fields relevant to biomedical and behavioral sciences. Only one application per institution is accepted for review.
11. Allotment Formulas, Etc.: None
12. Applicant Provisions/Allotments in Law for Indians: A consortium can be formed by the applicant institution that has an active international scientific research effort with institutions with limited research and training activities for the purpose of recruiting eligible student and faculty participants. Priority will be given to consortia that include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions or Tribal Colleges and Universities.
13. Eligible Beneficiaries: Participating undergraduate and graduate students and faculty must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. MIRT programs recruit participants who are members of socially or economically disadvantaged groups who are underrepresented in careers in biomedical and behavioral research. Studies show groups that are underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research careers in the U.S. include but are not limited to African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, persons with disabilities and women. Programs recruit participants who could most benefit from a financially supported opportunity for international scientific research experience. Programs focus on supporting students and faculty to pursue biomedical and behavioral research careers that will most likely contribute to the elimination of health disparities that exist among disadvantaged populations in the U.S and between populations living in developing countries and the U.S.
14. Beneficiary Provisions/Allotments in Law for Indians: See answer 13.
15. Amount and Percent of Total that is Mandatory for Indians: None
FINANCIAL
16. Total FY 2000 Funding: $5.492 million
17. Amount and Percent of Total Funding Awarded to Indians: None
18. For Awards to Tribes: Number, Range and Average Amounts: None
19. Total FY 2001 Funding and Amount for Indians, If Known: Unknown
OTHER
20. How long assistance is funded: four year awards
Fund use restrictions: Allowable costs are described in the MIRT RFA (TW-00-001B see the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-tw-00-001.html))
Reporting requirements: A progress report will be required at the end of each budget year. Data on each current and previous participant will be submitted via the Internet to a web based tracking system that will be used to monitor the impact of the program on the careers of these participants.
Audit requirements: none
CONTACTS
21. DHHS Workgroup Contact: John Ruffin, Ph.D., Director
National
Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities
(301) 402-1366
22. HHS Agency/Program Contact: Barbara Sina, Ph.D.
Division of International Training and Research
Fogarty International Center
Building 31 Room B2C39
Center Drive MSC2220
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-1653
FAX: (301) 402-0779
barbara_sina@nih.gov