Section III
Description
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to provide a rapid funding mechanism for research on the post-impact of disasters, in order to permit access to a disaster area in the immediate aftermath of the event. -This funding opportunity will utilize the R03 mechanism, and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope that solicits applications under the Exploratory/Developmental Grant Mechanism (R21) (PAR-06-253). -Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIMH Program Staff before submitting a RAPID application to determine whether the proposed work meets the guidelines of this program, whether requested RAPID funding is likely to be available, and whether the idea should be considered for initial submission as a fully developed application. -The RAPID grants described in this funding opportunity announcement are designed to provide a limited sum of money for early assessment to investigators who intend to follow up with a full research application, using the preliminary data from this initial effort as a basis for their larger application. The R03 is not renewable. -The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, costs, as well as the number of applications received. Funding decisions will reflect the needs, priorities and mission of the funding IC. -Budget and Project Period: Budgets for direct costs of up to $50,000 per year and a project duration of up to two years may be requested for a maximum of $100,000 direct costs over a two-year project period. -Eligible organizations: For-profit organizations; non-profit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; units of State government; units of local government; eligible institutions of the Federal government; domestic institutions; foreign institutions; faith-based or community-based organizations; units of State Tribal government; and units of Local Tribal government. -Eligible Project Director/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs): Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs. -Applicants may submit more than one application, provided they are scientifically distinct.