In the interactive research projects program, both/all applications are
reviewed separately regarding merit because both/all must be strong
enough to merit funding on their own.  If one project is not meritorious,
then the other(s) still stand a chance of funding as stand-alone grants.
I would presume that if both/all components are deemed meritorious, they
would probably be funded under the interactive program.  Whether PI's
should apply for these depends on whether or not they are truly engaged
in interactive projects that would fit the bill for this program.  We
have already submitted a couple from our department.

Paul Riofski
Department of Stomatology
University of California, San Francisco
xxxxxx@itsa.ucsf.edu