Entry-Level Modules (ELM) Webinar Frequently Asked Questions
On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, the National Human Genome Research Institute hosted a webinar to provide an overview of the the Entry-Level Modules (ELM) for Training the Genomics Research Workforce (R25-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-23-123) funding opportunity. We collected the questions and answers from the webinar to help applicants.
Program Questions
Is a community health worker or genetic counseling assistant considered entry-level?
It depends. We do not judge whether the program is entry-level based on the job title. Instead, we judge it based on the educational requirements of the program.
Some programs for community health workers and genetic counseling assistants require a bachelor’s degree while others do not. The key question is whether your partner-site’s program requires a bachelor’s degree.
We currently require genetic counselor assistants to have a B.A. To apply for this program, would we need to find programs in community colleges that could train GC assistants without leading to a B.A.?
If you choose to focus on training genetic counseling assistants, then yes, it would need to be in a program that doesn’t lead to a bachelor’s degree. This could be at a community college or another avenue such as, but not limited to, vocational classes at high schools, post-hire training and through a professional organization.
Are associate degree programs considered entry-level?
Yes. In degree hierarchy, an associate degree comes before a bachelor’s degree. Thus, a program that grants an associate degree would be acceptable for this funding opportunity. Programs that require a bachelor’s degree or above would be out of scope.
Can universities have entry-level programs?
Yes. Although universities grant bachelor’s degrees, we look at the individual program’s requirements.
Does the training program need to solely focus on the research workforce?
Training students for research workforce does not need to be the program’s sole focus but it should be a significant focus. For most of these positions, people who have careers in research, non-research or hybrid positions are all trained together. For example, we expect that some medical assistants will support clinical trials, while others will not be involved in research at all. A medical assistant program would be an appropriate partner site.
The genomic curriculum developed through this funding opportunity needs to apply to and be appropriate for the genomics research workforce. In this context, research includes experimental, observational, computational, implementation, or ethical, legal or social implications (ELSI) approaches.
Can there be one lead site with multiple partner sites?
Each application should plan a program that includes one lead site with multiple partner sites. NIH will fund up to three applications, which means that there may be up to three lead sites. These lead sites, managed by different grantees, will be required to share modules with each other.
Can a community college be a lead site?
Yes. As with any applicant, they would need to think about the types of expertise that they need and make sure that they account for those needs. For example, if a community college has expertise in curriculum design but don’t have genomic expertise, their application would need to describe how they are getting the genomic expertise.
Can a single institution have both a lead and a partner site?
Yes. For example, a university might have a hospital with genetic counselors who will design curriculum as a lead site and a lab tech program that would be a partner site.
Can two partner sites be in the same institution?
Yes. For example, a community or tribal college might have a medical assistant and a certified nursing assistant program. This could be two partner sites.
Can we have two partner sites or is three a must?
Each application must have at least three partner sites.
Please note – we look at partner sites at the program level, not the institution level. For example, a single institution might have a medical assistant program, a certified nursing assistant program and a laboratory technician program. This would count as three partner sites.
Is it an expectation that there is already a relationship between the lead and partner sites?
The funding opportunity does not specify how long a relationship between the lead and partner sites needs to have existed. However, a relationship must be established by the time of application so that each partner site can provide a letter of support. In that letter, the partner site should describe their institutional commitment and provide assurance that the partnership can occur on the timeline allowed for the award. Evidence of an existing relationship and prior collaborations may be used to illustrate their commitment and ability to partner with the lead site.
Can we adjust the example timeline for different academic calendars?
Yes. As long as you still plan sufficient time for planning, implementing, and evaluating the modules, you can adjust the timeline. For example, if your school year starts in the summer, you may need to reduce the amount of time in planning.
The funding opportunity announcement only requires one evaluation. Wouldn’t it be better if we did it another way?
We acknowledge that programs can be set up in multiple different ways with different processes for creating, evaluating and refining the curriculum. Thus, the funding announcement lists minimum requirements. Programs may set up additional processes to best fit the needs of their program.
To what extent is it necessary that all materials developed could be shared between the different awardee sites and/or outside groups once the project has ended?
Sharing the materials that are developed in this funding opportunity is a requirement. When applicants develop their timeline, an appropriate amount of time should be reserved for sharing the materials before the end of the project period. After the project period ends, there is no funding to continue to share refinements or additional materials.
Module Questions
Is there a minimum number of unique modules that need to be created?
No. We acknowledge that modules will vary in the amount of material that they contain. Some programs may need small modules to lightly supplement their curriculum while other programs may need very in-depth modules. We recommend that you look at the needs of the programs you are addressing and the budgetary limits to decide how many modules are appropriate for your program.
We have not made any requirements on the breadth of the modules. You should pick topics that best supplement your programs and meet their educational needs. A pharmacogenomics module may be a great addition for one program, but may not be useful to another.
Please note the review criteria when picking topics. Specifically, when reviewing the modules, the reviewers will be instructed to look at these questions:
- Will the proposed modules address the genomic needs or gaps in the entry-level curriculum identified by the applicant?
- Are the proposed modules likely to be useful to the broader community (e.g., other entry-level programs)?
- Are the scope and content of the modules adequate?
Do we need to include modules that all three institutes (NHGRI, NCI and NICHD) are interested in?
No, you do not need to develop modules that address all three institutes’ areas of interest.
Once the applications are reviewed, each institute will decide which applications to fund based on their interests. We would suggest that if you have modules that are aligned with NCI’s or NICHD’s research interests (i.e., focused on cancer or child health), you speak with the program director from that institute. NHGRI’s interests tend to be disease-agnostic. Thus, we are looking for modules that would be applicable to multiple populations.
Budget Questions
Do we have to follow the yearly caps (i.e., 210K in the first two years, then $130K in the third)?
Yes, you must follow the caps listed in the funding announcement.
Can the funds be used to pay for "tuition" for participants?
Yes. Per the funding announcement, “participants may also receive funds to defray partial tuition and other education-related expenses.”
Application Questions
Can non-academic institutions apply for this program?
Yes, independent organizations can be lead sites if they have the expertise relevant to the funding opportunity.
Do we need a Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research.
Yes. Applications that do not have a plan will not be reviewed. The plan should be appropriate for the entry-level workforce, specifically for the position that the program is training people to become. Consider what aspects of research your program’s trainees may be involved in, such as recruitment or consent, and focus the instruction on those aspects. Please read the PAR for more information.
In the “Facilities & Other Resources” attachment, should I describe the facilities and resources at the partner sites in addition to the lead site?
Yes. The reviewers will want to know that the partner sites are capable of implementing the curriculum. For example, if you have a laboratory technician program, and your curriculum includes a hand-on lesson on PCR, the reviewers will want to make sure that each of the partner sites have the resources to conduct this lesson.
Could you please clarify the Specific Aims page requirements? Does it need to be part of the 25-page Research Education Plan, or is it separate?
You can find the answer to this question (and more!) on the application instructions in the NIH Grants and Funding Application Guide.
On this page, there are specific instructions for all of the types of NIH applications. Specific to this funding opportunity, please see the R25 instructions by scrolling down or in the Research Instructions For NIH And Other PHS Agencies guidance document.
The instructions regarding the Specific Aims start on page R – 79, in the PHS Research Plan Form.
Do I need to include faculty at the partner site as co-investigators or collaborators?
We are not making any requirements on how applicants include and label the faculty at the partner sites. As you develop your application, think about the expertise that each person will bring and the deliverables that they will be responsible for. Consider whether they are contributing to the educational program as a whole or just a single portion, and how they are being included such as getting a subaward. Make sure that each person’s role is accurately described in your application.
You can review the definition of “senior/key personnel” in the NIH Grants and Funding Glossary. The glossary also has definitions for Program Director/Principal Investigator, co-investigator, consultant and other significant contributor.
Must lead and partner sites have an existing relationship prior to the submission of the May 1 Letter of Intent deadline? Do they need a relationship prior to the June 1 application deadline? Can we file an application with a partner site listed as a “willing partner” with the lead to be decided?
The partnership does not need to be fully established by the Letter of Intent deadline. However, it needs to be established by the application deadline. For every partner site, we require a letter of support. Please see the funding opportunity for exactly what needs to be detailed in the letter of support. Relevant to this question is that the letter should outline “the experience of their program faculty who will engage with the planned research education program.” This cannot be done if the faculty have not been identified.
Must lead and partner sites have an existing relationship prior to the submission of the May 1 Letter of Intent deadline? Do they need a relationship prior to the June 1 application deadline? Can we file an application with a partner site listed as a “willing partner” with the lead to be decided?
The partnership does not need to be fully established by the Letter of Intent deadline. However, it needs to be established by the application deadline. For every partner site, we require a letter of support. Please see the funding opportunity for exactly what needs to be detailed in the letter of support. Relevant to this question is that the letter should outline “the experience of their program faculty who will engage with the planned research education program.” This cannot be done if the faculty have not been identified.
Can anyone submit an application? Do I need to have submitted a Letter of Intent and been approved to submit an application?
Any eligible institution can submit an application. While we request that applicants submit letters of intent as this helps us plan for the scientific review, submitting one is not required. Also, a letter of intent is not a binding commitment to submit an application.
Where can I get more information on submitting an application?
Go to the NIH Grants and Funding How to Apply - Application Guide.
Review Questions
Where will the scientific merit review be done?
The scientific merit review will be done by a Special Emphasis Panel convened by NHGRI.
Would reviewers prefer projects that focus on one professional group or more than one?
We do not give the reviewers any instructions about one professional group versus more than one. However, there are other review criteria on the approach. Specifically:
- Are the proposed modules likely to be useful to the broader community (e.g., other entry-level programs)?
- Are the scope and content of the modules adequate?
As you consider whether to choose one or more professional groups, think about how that choice would affect these review criteria and others written in the funding opportunity.
Miscellaneous Questions
Will this PAR be renewed or offered again?
At this time, we do not have plans to renew this PAR.
Is there anything else I should know?
This PAR provides an opportunity to create meaningful partnerships. It is important that the partner sites have real input, their needs are heard and understood and the curriculum is designed to fit their needs.