economies of scale and sharing resources not otherwise available. Many of the resources which the NCRR has developed and now supports are too expensive to be provided within a single research project or even by a cluster of individual projects. In addition to supporting the major resource centers for NIH and PHS funded investigators, the NCRR develops new resources, hastening the progress of emerging research needs. For example, scientists at the recently established NCRR-supported Human Genetic Analysis Resource have developed sophisticated computer programs that can analyze family trees and enable scientists to study the genetics of common diseases that are caused by many genes interacting with environmental factors. Computer analysis of a large family with about 200 members, many of whom had heart attacks before age 50, revealed evidence of a deficiency gene that may lead to premature heart attacks. The gene occurs most often in family members with abnormally high blood cholesterol levels. The researchers now plan to look for evidence of the gene in other families and are also using the computer program to search for genetic factors in diseases such as cancer, alcoholism, and affective disorders. New models of human disease processes are under continuous development and are the principal focus of the NCRR's new research project grant activity. Much of the 1991 increase in the Biological Models and Materials Research Program was in support of research project grants to give additional emphasis to non-mammalian model development. Scientists at the Regional Primate Research Centers and the Laboratory Animal Sciences Centers continue to develop appropriate mammalian models for research. Specialized colonies of mammals for specific requirements of various research protocols also continue to be supported in these centers. The research project grant activity of the Biomedical Research Technology program supports development of new technology and new applications of technology to biomedical research. The 1992 request would continue this program. The research capabilities of minority institutions will be developed further as we continue to support the highly successful Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program. It is designed to build research Infrastructure at predominantly minority institutions with that grant doctoral degrees in health-related sciences. These institutions are becoming more actively involved in the research supported by the NIH categorical Institutes, and we are especially pleased with the continuing collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). In 1990, the NIAID made awards to three RCMI institutions which will assist them to become important participants in AIDS clinical trials, focusing on the inclusion of minority populations in these trials. This budget request includes a new proposal to construct research facilities at minority institutions. The $15 million requested for Research Facilities Improvement will be awarded competitively to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and similar institutions. This effort will expand the base of institutions that conduct biomedical research, targeting institutions that have had difficulty in the past obtaining construction funds from non-federal sources. We Of special note, the NCRR will continue its development in the nation's most important investment in the future--potential biomedical researchers. will continue and increase our support to provide hands-on research exposure to minority high school students and their science teachers. This program has been and continues to be an inexpensive mechanism to foster interest at the high school level in science and possible future careers in biomedical research. In 1991 we initiated a program that brings minority high school science teachers and those who teach minority students into the research environment for up to eight weeks in the summer to enhance their research skills, expose them to new developments in science, and rekindle their excitement with their chosen field. We have great hopes that this program will result in greater interest in science at the high school level and greater interaction between research institutions and the high schools. An area of particular interest to the Committees last year was the NCRR's animal facilities improvement program, which provides funds to institutions to renovate their animal facilities to ensure compliance with PHS policy on the care and use of laboratory animals. In 1990 we initiated a special set-aside within this program for smaller, less research intensive institutions. I am pleased to report that 10 of these institutions received awards in 1990, along with 41 awards in the regular program. With the increase provided in 1991 we will be able to make two additional awards. The training and career development of current and future research investigators is an important activity of the NCRR. One of our most successful programs is the Clinical Associate Physician program, a clinical research development program for physicians and dentists carried out at the General Clinical Research Centers. In 1991 we initiated a minority component of this program, designed to bring minority physicians and dentists into clinical research. We plan to double the program in 1992 to include 10 minority physicians and dentists, in addition to the regular program. The NCRR also supports a program to train veterinarians in laboratory animal medicine, a highly specialized area which requires an increasing level of trained personnel. These training programs provide approximately 30 laboratory animal veterinarians per year. We also provide support to 11 research career awardees in the Special Emphasis Research Career Award program, again in the laboratory animal sciences. This year, in order to allow for the expansion of other high priority NIH research mechanisms, no funds are requested for the Biomedical Research Support Grant program. The 1992 request includes $8.8 million for the Shared Instrumentation Grant program of the Center, a reduction of $24 million from the amount available in 1991. This program funds high-cost instruments to be shared by three or more PHS investigators in carrying out their research. In order to allow for additional resources for research project grants, some responsibility for the cost of their purchase will have to be assumed by the research institutions.or requested as part of the research project application. The NCRR will continue to develop and provide many types of infrastructure support to NIH intramural researchers. Some of these resources are similar to those supported through the NCRR appropriation, in particular, in animal and non-animal models and sophisticated instrumentation. The NCRR also provides medical arts and photography services and the services of the NIH library. As in the past, these activities will be supported through the NIH Management Fund and the Service and Supply Fund. Woven together, all of NCRR's programs, both intramural and extramural, strengthen and enhance the environment in which research advancements take place, and help to carry out the mission of the NIH and its components, by helping to accelerate the progress of biomedical research and helping to contain research costs for NIH as a whole. The total FY 1992 budget request for the National Center for Research Resources is $320,975,000. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF DR. ROBERT A. WHITNEY Birthdate: July 27, 1935 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Education: D.V.M., Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Professional History: 1990 to present, Director, National Center Uniformed Service: 1971 to present, U.S. Public Health Service, Societies and Associations: American Association for Laboratory Horors and Awards: USPHS Distinguished Service Medal; USPHS Surgeon Publications: Author of one book and over 40 scientific papers. BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT GRANTS Senator HARKIN. Thank you very much, Dr. Whitney. Dr. Whitney, in fiscal year 1989, over $55 million was made available for biomedical research support grants. This year in 1991, only $22.2 million was made available, and I see your fiscal year 1992 request for this program is zero. I understand it has been a popular program which, on a formula basis, provides funding to institutions which have three or more NIH grants. Your budget also proposes to cut the shared instrumentation grant program from $32.5 million in 1991 to $8.758 million, or a cut of almost $24 million. These are two programs that have been somewhat popular, and I am wondering what the rationale is for cutting these programs. Dr. WHITNEY. I believe that, within the constraints of the 1992 budget, these simply had a lower priority than the research project grants. Senator HARKIN. Tell me about the biomedical research support grants. What are those? FLEXIBLE FUNDS Dr. WHITNEY. Those are flexible funds that are, as you mentioned earlier, given to institutions that have some minimal amount of NIH funding. This is a program in which the institution has the flexibility of using the funds for a number of different purposes. Most of those funds are used to support pilot grants for young investigators who are developing the possibility of future research project grant applications, for funding grants between applications where there may be a lag in funding, and for general things like improvements and repair, and replacement of small instruments that break down. This is a fund at the institution that has the flexibility and instant capability to be responsive. Senator HARKIN. It sounds like this is something that is really important to the smaller schools, those that are not in the mainstream of grants. Dr. WHITNEY. On a formula basis, in 1991, the smaller schools will be getting a minimum of $5,000, where the larger schools may get up to $200,000. The program goes across the board. Senator HARKIN. And the formula is based upon the number of grants? Dr. WHITNEY. The formula is based upon the amount of money that NIH is providing to the institution in grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Senator HARKIN. I see. I am not correct in my assumption then. The shared instrumentation grant. Just at the very sound of it, it sounds good. Why would that be cut? Dr. WHITNEY. Again, I think it is simply a matter of staying within the constraints of the budget without impacting too heavily on other programs. This is 1-year money, and so it is easier to work with this budget than it is to work with budgets that have 3 and 4 out-years to be dealt with. Senator HARKIN. Last year, this committee asked NIH to explore the alternative of using marine animals for biomedical research. |