While CABI has in the past permitted non-CABI operators to run the MRI units, for the most part such operation has not been very successful. CABI operators are well versed in the operation of CABI equipment and its limitations, and their operation of the equipment will insure optimal efficiency and success of the data acquisition. Existing CABI Certified Operators, who are in good standing (i.e., booking hours), will continue to be supported.
CABI has historically supported pilot studies utilizing limited CABI resources, and will continue to do so. Such studies often provided their own operators, who often needed training, which will not be continued. CABI will provide an operator for human studies, although such support may require limited salary compensation. Submission of new proposals must identify anticipated funding requests that will stem from pilot submissions, and include these intentions on the PRC Resource Utilization Form (RUF). CABI will follow up such projections on an annual basis. All protocols intending use of the "High Field Facility for Basic Neuroimaging" will require support of a CABI operator.
CABI has historically only billed for scheduled time associated with MRI studies completed successfully on volunteer subjects, patients, animals or samples. CABI typically has not billed for "Development Time" or "Unsuccessful Studies", etc. From this point forward, time scheduled on a project, whether for successful studies or development time, will be billed to the protocol account. When the "Funding Limit" of the project is reached, the billable rate will be adjusted to "$0" and reset to the approved billing rate when the next budget year of the funding commences. Please note that we will not allow this new billing mechanism to interfere with supported research, or to limit development time when it is needed. This policy change reflects the CABI view that funded projects support time on the CABI systems, including development and study time, and that such time should be billed up to the maximum agreed upon at the time of submission to the funding institution. This policy should not affect, in any way, the ability of a project to complete its approved research.
The NKI-IRB expects the CABI to ensure MRI safety. Therefore all protocols utilizing human subjects must be reviewed by the PRC. While some projects using in-vitro samples or small numbers of animals or the "Facility for Basic Neuroimaging" may, at the discretion of the CABI Director or Associate Directors, be considered germane to the mission of NKI and not require PRC review, all protocols should be submitted through the PRC office.
When submitting a proposal for funding that utilizes CABI facilities, CABI must first approve the budgetary items that pertain to CABI facilities use. To ascertain the appropriateness of the requested budget items, sufficient information regarding the research must be evident - thus a copy of the scientific design, personnel involved and relevant budget pages are required at a minimum. If time constraints make it difficult, discussion of the proposal with the CABI Director or Associate Director will suffice, provided a copy of the full proposal is delivered to the CABI at the time of submission. Please note that the NKI Business Office will request approval by the CABI prior to submission of the proposal.
Budget items to be included in any submission include:
Please note that paying MR time charges does not cover the cost of the MR operator. Grants on file in the CABI office are kept under lock and key - because they contain budgetary information, they will not be available to anyone except Tina Bermudez or the CABI Director. Once the PRC or Director approves a project, scheduling privileges for the project will not be activated until a copy of the grant is on file with the CABI office. This process is NOT related to the PRC review, except that after PRC approval you are not issued a password to schedule your project until 1) we have a grant number to bill for time and 2) the grant is on file in the CABI office.
PRC review requires sufficient description of the science to permit scientific merit review. The content required is only the "scientific pages" and not related budget material. In cases where the work is approved by an external granting agency conducting its own scientific review (NIH, ISO, etc) PRC scientific review will be minimal (as it is assumed that the agency has insured the merit of the work). However, PRC must still ensure that a) the work is relevant to the "Directives of the Office of Mental Health" and the Mission of the Nathan Kline Institute, b) the work can be accomplished using CABI facilities and c) any extra resources necessary to accomplish the work are provided for by the grant. For instance, provision for salary support of the CABI operator, provision for postdoctoral support if MR acquisition sequences are to be developed or new analysis software will be required, or instrumentation support if additional hardware is required to achieve the goals of the science.
Craig A. Branch, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Advanced Brain Imaging and
Chief, Division of Medical Physics,
The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
140 Old Orangeburg Road,
Orangeburg NY, 10962 USA
(845) 398-5471
branch@nki.rfmh.org
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This page was last updated on 5/1/2004. |