PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To encourage basic and clinical biomedical research and research training for a greater understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying biologic processes and diseases in the nephrologic, urologic, and hematologic systems. These include studies on immune mechanisms of kidney disease; effects of drugs, nephrotoxins and environmental toxins on the kidney; and the structure and function of the kidney such as metabolism, structure and function of the kidney such as metabolism, transport, and fluid-electrolyte dynamics. Of special interest, is the pathophysiology of chronic renal failure and endstage renal disease as well as renal transplantation and maintenance dialysis therapies (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis as examples). In urology research to encourage biomedical research in lower urinary tract physiology and pathophysiology, including neuromuscular, mechanisms, i.e., bladder dysfunction, incontinence, pyelonephritis, interstitial cystitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and vesicoureteral and renal reflux. In hematologic research, to encourage biomedical research in the etiology, pathogenesis, and therapeutic modalities of the anemias of chronic renal failure and other chronic diseases; bone marrow transplantation; erythropoietin involvement in regulation of stem cell differentiation; metabolism of iron overload and deficiency; and the structure, biosynthesis and genetic regulation of hemoglobin. To extramurally support basic laboratory research and clinical investigations and provide postdoctoral biomedical research training for individuals interested in careers in health sciences and fields related to these programs. Small Businesses Innovation Research (SBIR) program: to expand and improve the SBIR Program; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program; to stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. HEALTH;
- Prevention and Control;
- Specialized Health Research and Training;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- Public nonprofit institution/organization;
- Individual/Family;
- Private non-profit institution/organization;
- Student/Trainee;
- Graduate Student;
- Scientist/Researcher;
- U.S. Citizen;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Individual/Family;
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);