Policy Statement
Purpose
The mission of the Bridges to the Future Program is to make available the intellectual talents of an increasing number of underrepresented minority group members to the biomedical science research enterprise and to the nation. The program helps students to make the transition (a) from associate-degree to baccalaureate-degree institutions and (b) from master's-degree to doctoral-degree institutions. It promotes effective partnerships between institutions to enhance the quality and quantity of underrepresented minority students who are being trained as the next generation of scientists.
Responsibilities of Participants
The Grantee Institution
The grantee institution is legally responsible and accountable to the NIH for the performance and finances of its Bridges program.
The Principal Investigator
The principal investigator at the grantee institution:
- Is a strong leader
- Has solid scientific and educational credentials
- Has the confidence of the partner institutions and their faculties
- Is responsible for promoting dialogue among partners
- Has knowledge of NIH policies, including the use of human subjects, use of animals, and hazardous materials
- Is the spokesperson to NIGMS for any grant-related issues
The Program Coordinator
The program coordinator at each partner institution:
- Is a strong leader
- Has solid scientific and educational credentials
- Implements Bridges activities at his/her institution
- Represents his/her institution in the Bridges partnership
The Program Advisory Group
The program advisory group is strongly recommended. The group can assist and advise the principal investigator and the grantee institution in managing the program. Typical functions of the advisory group include:
- Developing program policies
- Establishing criteria for acceptance of students into the program
- Recruiting faculty mentors and advisors
- Monitoring progress of the program and recommending changes when necessary
- Implementing strategies for continued improvement, including identifying new sources of support
- Monitoring compliance with PHS policies
- Evaluating the performance of the principal investigator and the overall program administration
- Addressing grievances from students and faculty
- Addressing inter-institutional issues
Allowable and Unallowable Costs
Bridges to the Baccalaureate
For the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program, allowable costs and expenses include the following:
- Administrative costs
- Salary support
- Extramural consultants
- Equipment (including computers)
- Travel to Bridges meetings
- Student travel to scientific meetings
- Limited remission of tuition (see below)
- Limited remuneration of students (see below)
Your administrative costs should be determined by the number of students involved, the number of institutions involved, the complexity of the program, and the amount of support the institution(s) provides.
Faculty may receive salary support for program planning and implementation, teaching Bridges courses, professional development, or other Bridges activities specifically described in the application. Faculty should NOT receive support for normal teaching and mentoring activities.
Allowable expenses for extramural consultants (e.g., evaluator, trainer, advisory group) may include plane fare, ground transportation, per diem, and consulting fees.
You also must justify the cost of each item of equipment in terms of the proposed program. With regard to computers, the institution(s) must retain ownership of them, and they may not be used as rewards or incentives for students' participation.
You may pay for travel for the program director, a grants manager from the grantee institution, and the program coordinators from the participating institutions to travel to the Bridges Program Meeting each year. You may also support the costs of student travel, with per diem, to scientific meetings.
You may pay tuition for courses that are necessary for students' work.
Remuneration of students is limited to underrepresented minorities matriculated at the partner institution(s) granting associate's degrees and may include salary/wages and/or other forms of compensation paid in lieu of wages provided the following conditions are met:
- The student is performing necessary work,
- There is an employer-employee relationship between the student and the institution,
- The total compensation is reasonable for the work performed, and
- The institution provides compensation for all students under similar circumstances, regardless of the source of support for the activity.
Bridges to the Doctorate
Allowable costs and expenses include the following, as described:
- Administrative costs
- Salary support
- Extramural consultants
- Equipment (including computers)
- Travel to Bridges meetings
- Student travel to scientific meetings
- Remission of tuition (see below)
- Remuneration of students (see below)
You are allowed administrative costs, to be determined, for example, by the number of students involved, the number of institutions involved, the complexity of the program, and the amount of support the institution(s) provides. You must carefully justify all costs in terms of the proposed program.
Faculty may receive salary support for program planning and implementation, teaching Bridges courses, professional development, or other Bridges activities specifically described in the application.
Allowable expenses for extramural consultants (e.g., evaluator, trainer, advisory group) may include plane fare, ground transportation, per diem, and consulting fees.
You also must justify the cost of each item of equipment in terms of the proposed program. With regard to computers, the institution(s) must retain ownership of them, and they may not be used as rewards or incentives for students' participation.
You may pay for travel for the program director, a grants manager from the grantee institution, and the program coordinators from the participating institutions to the Bridges Program Meeting each year. You may also support the costs of student travel, with per diem, to scientific meetings.
Renumeration of students is limited to underrepresented minorities matriculated at the partner institution(s) granting master's degrees and may include salary/wages and/or other forms of compensation paid in lieu of wages for participation in research experiences.
For graduate students, student tuition (or other forms of compensation paid in lieu of wages) is allowable provided the following conditions are met:
- The student is performing necessary work,
- There is an employer-employee relationship between the student and the institution,
- The total compensation is reasonable for the work performed, and
- The institution provides compensation for all students under similar circumstances, regardless of the source of support for the activity.
You should request salaries for students at an hourly rate based on the prevailing scale at the institution.
Unallowable Costs
- Salaries and expenses for students who are not underrepresented minorities
- Housing or food expenses for students, except when they are attending scientific professional meetings
- Programs for non-matriculated students or their teachers
- Recruitment expenses
- Salary support solely for faculty mentoring
- Support for faculty research
- Support for student textbooks, incentives, memberships, and Internet subscriptions
The Bridges to the Future Program does not support students once they have transferred to the second tier institution (baccalaureate or doctorate). The second tier institution is expected to provide support for students after they transfer.
Policies About Students
Eligibility
Bridges to the Future programs must specifically target underrepresented minority students majoring in the sciences, including the natural, physical, and behavioral sciences, information sciences, and mathematics. For Bridges to the Future, underrepresented minority students are individuals belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group that the grantee institution determines are underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Historically, individuals who are underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research include, but are not limited to, U.S. citizens who are African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands.
Salaries
Underrepresented minority students only at first-level (associate- and master's-degree) institutions may be compensated by salaries or wages. Students who participate in research experiences or who are requesting remission of tuition or other forms of compensation paid in lieu of wages must meet all the following conditions:
- They must be performing necessary work
- They must be employed by their institution
- Their total compensation must be reasonable for the work performed
- Their institution provides compensation for all students in similar circumstances, regardless of the source of support for the activity
Salaries for students should be requested at an hourly rate, based on the prevailing scale at the institution.
Bridges funds may not be used to pay for student salaries, research supplies, or other expenses after students transfer to the second-level institution. The second-level institution is responsible for providing support for students after they transfer.
Tuition
The NIH allows remission of tuition for undergraduates only for specific coursework and workshops necessary for their employment. The NIH pays full tuition only for graduate students and only if the tuition is part of a salary package for the student and he/she is employed by the institution.
Prior Approval
The Bridges policy is consistent with the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Bridges to the Future grantees have great latitude in rebudgeting within and between the direct-cost budget categories, to meet unanticipated needs and make other post-award changes. You may make some changes within limits established by the NIH. For other changes, you must receive written approval from the NIH before modifying your budget or undertaking a new activity. Making a Request
The principal investigator and an authorized official of the grantee institution must sign all requests that require NIGMS’ written approval. You may send your requests to NIGMS by regular mail, fax, or e-mail.
For e-mail requests, include the complete grant number in the subject line. Also include the name of the grantee institution, the name of the principal investigator, and his/her contact information (telephone, fax, and e-mail). The authorized official of your institution should include his/her contact information and transmit the request to the NIH. For e-mail addresses of NIGMS staff, see the NIH Enterprise Directory.
Response to a Request
The NIGMS grants management specialist will respond officially to requests after consulting with NIGMS staff for the Bridges Program and after both have reviewed your request. NIGMS may respond by letter, e-mail, or a revised Notice of Grant Award.
When to Get Prior Approval
Examples of changes that require written approval from NIGMS are:
- Change of principal investigator
- Addition of a new institution or deletion of a partner institution
- Carryover of an unexpended balance
- Change in the principal investigator’s status
- Significant change in program scope or significant rebudgeting (generally more than 25% annually)
- Purchase of equipment costing more than $25,000
See the guidance given below for the most common requests. For questions about other requests, refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement or talk with NIGMS staff.
Change of Principal Investigator
In a request to change the principal investigator, include a clear justification for the change. Both your institutional official and the proposed new investigator must sign the letter, and you must attach the curriculum vitae of the proposed principal investigator. NIGMS staff will evaluate your request to confirm that the proposed principal investigator is well qualified to guide the program.
Addition of a New Institution
In a request to add a new institution, include the name of the institution, the name of the program coordinator, an explanation of why the change is requested, and a statement of the impact of the change on the budget. The principal investigator and an official from your institution must sign the letter. The request must include a Consortium Agreement and a Unified Plan.
Deletion of a Partner Institution
In a request to delete a partner institution, include the reason for terminating the agreement, the effective date of termination, and a statement of the impact on the budget. The principal investigator and an official from your institution must sign the letter. The letter should include, as an attachment, a letter from the partner institution agreeing to termination of the partnership.
Carryover of an Unexpended Balance
You also must obtain approval from NIGMS to carry over an unexpended balance from one project period to another. NIGMS encourages all grantees to spend their budgets because NIGMS only approves carryover requests for one-time program needs (e.g., replacement of essential equipment or conducting a workshop that could not be held earlier).
Change in the Principal Investigator’s Status
You must obtain approval from NIGMS if your principal investigator will be absent from the project entirely for 3 months or longer OR if the principal investigator wishes to reduce his/her effort more than 25% from the awarded level. You must obtain NIGMS approval for any change in the principal investigator's status.
Extension of a Project Period Without Additional Funds
The grantee institution has the authority to extend the final budget period of the project for up to 12 months. To extend the project period, you must notify NIGMS in writing 10 days before the end of the project period. NIGMS will revise the end date for the project and send an acknowledgment to your institution. When extending the final budget period, you must update all required certifications, including those pertaining to human subjects and animal welfare.
Additional extensions require NIH approval and will be considered if no additional funds are required, the project's originally approved scope or objectives do not change, and more time is needed for any of the following:
- To complete the project described in the application,
- To ensure continuity of NIH grant support while the NIH is reviewing your competing continuation application, or
- To accomplish the orderly phase out of a project that will not receive continued support.
Having funds left at the end of a grant is not sufficient justification to extend the project period.
Reporting Requirements
Progress Reports
You must submit a noncompeting "Application for Continuation of a Grant" (PHS 2590) to NIGMS annually, and you should use the Streamlined Non-Competing Award Process (SNAP). Your application must include answers to the three SNAP questions, a progress report summary, and a personnel report (see Supplemental Instructions for PHS 2590).
You must submit your noncompeting continuation application to the NIGMS grants management officer 2 months before the start date of the next budget period, unless instructed otherwise. If your application is late or incomplete, NIGMS may have to delay the award or reduce the amount of your award.
Send progress reports to the following address:
Bridges to the Future Grants Management Officer
Minority Opportunities in Research Division
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
45 Center Drive, Room 2AS.25
MSC6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
In the year you submit a competitive renewal, you do not need to submit a progress report.
Protection from Research Risks
Inclusion of Children, Women, and Minorities in Research Involving Human Subjects
If students will work on research projects that involve human subjects, the projects must meet NIH standards for inclusion of children, women, and minorities. For information on these standards, refer to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html.
Human Subjects
The Office for Human Research Protections is a resource for policies on the use of human subjects in research. For most applications, the answer to the question will be “no.” For example, using questionnaires to evaluate Bridges program activities does not constitute use of human subjects. A student’s research project that involves human subjects should be covered by a faculty mentor’s pre-existing approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). IRB approval may be submitted “Just In Time,” that is, just prior to funding.
Laboratory Animal Welfare
The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare is a resource for policies on the care and use of laboratory animals. For most applications, the answer to the question will be “no.” A student’s research project that involves vertebrate animals should be covered by a faculty mentor’s pre-existing approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). IACUC approvals must be submitted with the application prior to review.
Biohazards
You must safeguard against research materials or research-related conditions that constitute a hazard to the health and safety of laboratory workers and others in the immediate environment where the research is conducted. Examples of hazards are physical agents such as noise and temperature; chemical agents such as toxic chemicals and ionizing radiation; and biological agents such as carcinogens, pathogens, and human blood.
The program director and program coordinators for Bridges to the Future must be diligent in ensuring that participants' exposure to research hazards is minimal. In some cases, a new institutional committee must be formed. At some institutions, the effort may be as simple as assuring that safety and radiation officers (or committees) are active. Attention should be given to:
- Training of personnel
- Storage and containment
- Use of a log
- Monitoring of exposure to hazards
- Decontamination procedures
- Methods for disposal of hazardous substances
If you do not present detailed procedures for eliminating or containing hazards, you may jeopardize the funding of your award.
Consortium Agreements
You should delineate appropriate agreements and consortium arrangements with your partner institutions consistent with your own unified institutional plan. The following statement, accompanied by signatures of the appropriate administrative officials from EACH collaborating institution must be included with your application:
"THE APPROPRIATE PROGRAMMATIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL OF EACH INSTITUTION INVOLVED IN THIS GRANT APPLICATION ARE AWARE OF THE NIH CONSORTIUM GRANT POLICY AND ARE PREPARED TO ESTABLISH THE NECESSARY INTER-INSTITUTIONAL AGREEMENT(S) CONSISTENT WITH THAT POLICY."
In addition, each partner institution must provide letters that acknowledge participation in the program and are signed by the appropriate institutional official and program coordinator.
Unified Plan
If an institution in your program is involved in more than one Bridges program, you or the institution's program coordinator must describe how the various Bridges programs interact and are consistent with the overall goals of your program. Institutions that have active or pending NIH grants for the Support for Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE), Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE), or Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) programs or that have other sources of funds, such as the National Science Foundation or the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, may apply to the Bridges to the Future Program. In your application, you must describe how the programs complement each other and how the students and faculty supported by each program or funding source will interact.
Inquiries
Adolphus P. Toliver, Ph.D. Acting Bridges Program Director National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive MSC 6200 Room 2AS.37 Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Tel: (301) 594-3900 Fax: (301) 480-2753 E-mail: tolivera@nigms.nih.gov |
Antoinette Holland Grants Management Officer National Institute of General Medical Sciences 45 Center Drive MSC 6200 Room 2AN.50B Bethesda, MD 20892-6200 Tel: (301) 594-5132 Fax: (301) 480-2554 E-mail: hollanda@nigms.nih.gov |
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