The Health Effects Institute
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Request for Applications:
Summer 2005 Research AgendaIntroduction
This page contains information on the Summer 2005 Research Agenda of the Health Effects Institute. We thank you for your interest in HEI and its research program. The areas of research for which the Institute is requesting applications at this time are described below. Hyperlinks to download the RFA booklet can be found at the bottom of this page.
Request for Applications 05-1: Studies to Compare Components and Characteristics of Particulate Matter Associated with Health Effects
This RFA solicits applications from multidisciplinary teams for studies to compare the toxicity and health effects related to different chemical or physical properties of particulate matter (PM). The intent of the RFA is to fund proposals that address multiple characteristics of PM. The effects of concomitant exposure to gaseous pollutants should also be considered. HEI plans to fund two types of studies, full studies (RFA 05-1A) and planning or demonstration studies (RFA 05-1B). Overall, $8 to 10 million will be available for studies funded under RFA 05-1A and B.
Request for Applications 05-1A: Conducting Full Studies to Compare Characteristics of PM Associated with Health Effects
Request for Application (RFA) 05-1A solicits applications from multidisciplinary teams for hypothesis-based studies that address the RFA objectives. Preliminary air quality, epidemiologic, and/or toxicologic data must be included to indicate that the data and study designs to be used are sufficient to address the hypothesis or hypotheses proposed. HEI recommends that applicants to this part of the RFA include a pilot phase. HEI plans to fund 1 or 2 studies at $500,000 to $1,000,000 per year for up to 4 years.Letters of Intent for RFA 05-1A are due on September 15, 2005; applications are due on January 4, 2006, or must be sent by overnight air delivery service postmarked by that date. HEI requires 25 copies of each application for its review process. For more information please contact Dr. Geoffrey Sunshine or Dr. Jane Warren.
Request for Applications 05-1B: Conducting Planning or Demonstration Studies to Design a Major Study to Compare Characteristics of PM Associated with Health Effects
Request for Application (RFA) 05-1B is intended for investigators interested in conducting a study with a preliminary hypothesis or question regarding the relative toxicity of different components of the ambient PM mixture but who need time and limited funds to establish a multidiciplinary team and to gather background data needed for an application. HEI plans to fund 2 to 5 planning/demonstration studies for up to 9 months at $50,000–$100,000 per study.Letters of Intent for RFA 05-1B are due on August 31, 2005. Applications must be received by September 29, 2005, or be sent by overnight air delivery service postmarked by that date. HEI requires 20 copies of each application for its review process. For more information please contact Dr. Geoffrey Sunshine or Dr. Jane Warren.
Integrated toxicologic and epidemiologic approaches were discussed at an HEI-sponsored workshop in August 2004. Presentations and background papers written to facilitate the discussion at that workshop can be found here.
HEI Air Quality Database
Applicants to the RFA are encouraged to use information contained in the HEI Air Quality Database, which is described in more detail in the RFA. This database, prepared by a group led by Christian Seigneur and Betty Pun at Atmospheric and Environmental Research, focuses on levels of pollutants and other pertinent information at and near sites in the recently initiated EPA PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Trends Network (STN) and State, Local and Tribal air monitoring stations (SLAMS).The Air Quality Database is now available at http://hei.aer.com. Questions about accessing the information in the database should be addressed to Dr. Betty Pun, AER (bpun@aer.com; +1-925-244-7125). The database is made available to investigators applying to RFA 05-1 and to other investigators interested in using the information for studies on air quality and health. Currently, the database contains information covering the years 2000-2004 and it is anticipated that the information will be updated regularly over the next 2-3 years.
A report detailing how the data were collected (Creation of an Air Pollutant Database for Health Effects Studies: Phase I Report – Collection of PM Speciation and Related Data) can be downloaded here (PDF, 1.5 MB). (A draft of the report was read by members of HEI’s Research Committee and external reviewers; the final version of the report incorporates the authors’ responses to their comments.)
Request for Applications 05-2: Walter A. Rosenblith New Investigator Award
The purpose of this award is to bring new, creative investigators into active research on the health effects of air pollution. It provides three years of funding for a small project relevant to HEI’s research interests to a new investigator with outstanding promise at the Assistant Professor or equivalent level. For information on HEI’s current research priorities, applicants should consult HEI’s current Strategic Plan
.
HEI expects to provide one or more awards from this RFA on an annual basis. The evaluation process for these applications will consider the qualifications and background of the applicant, the quality and relevance of the research proposal, and the research environment of the applicant.
Letters of Intent for RFA 05-2 are due on November 1, 2005; applications are due on January 5, 2006, or must be sent by overnight air delivery service postmarked by that date. For eligibility criteria please click here. For more information please contact Dr. Annemoon van Erp. If you have missed the deadline for letters of intent, please contact Dr. van Erp as soon as possible.
Request for Preliminary Applications 05-3: Health Effects of Air Pollution
The Request for Preliminary Applications 05-3 provides an application mechanism for investigators whose area of interest falls outside the topics targeted in other current research requests, but is relevant to HEI’s current priorities. For information on HEI’s current research priorities, applicants should consult HEI’s current Strategic Plan
Preliminary applications to RFPA 05-3 may be submitted at any time, and will be discussed at the next scheduled Research Committee meeting. Deadlines for receiving preliminary applications for consideration at specific meetings are October 3, 2005; February 15, 2006; May 23, 2006, and October 18, 2006. The Research Committee will request full applications for those considered most relevant to the Institute’s research program. For more information please contact Dr. Debra Kaden.
To download the 2005 RFA booklet please click here (
Forms for full applications can be found here.
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