ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS: EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACHES
Release Date: June 12, 2000
RFA: OH-01-001
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Center
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Center for Environmental Research (NCER), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National
Institutes of Health
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: August 11, 2000
Application Receipt Date: September 22, 2000
THIS RFA USES THE "MODULAR GRANT" AND "JUST-IN-TIME" CONCEPTS. IT
INCLUDES DETAILED MODIFICATIONS TO STANDARD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
THAT MUST BE USED WHEN PREPARING APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFA.
PURPOSE
This joint interagency program by NIOSH, EPA, NIEHS, and NCI will
support research on the relationship between exposure to endocrine
disruptors and adverse health effects in humans, particularly
reproductive and developmental, with a focus on epidemiologic
approaches.
The following type of grant will be supported: traditional research
projects (see MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT section).
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010
The cooperating agencies are committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010,
a national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the
quality of life. This announcement is related to the focus area of
Occupational Safety and Health. For the conference copy of Healthy
People 2010, visit the internet site:
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign, public and
private nonprofit and for-profit organizations and by governments and
their agencies; that is, universities, colleges, research
institutions, hospitals, other public and private nonprofit and for-
profit organizations, including small, minority, and/or women-owned
businesses, State and local governments or their bona fide agents, and
federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or
Indian tribal organizations. Please note that EPA funding will not be
available to foreign organizations, Federal government agencies or
for-profit organizations.
Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which engages
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds
constituting an award, grant (cooperative agreement), contract, loan,
or any other form.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
The funding mechanisms to be used to assist the scientific community
in participating in this grant program will be those of: 1) the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigator-initiated research
project grant (R01); or 2) the Environmental Protection Agency's
Office of Research and Development STAR (Science to Achieve Results)
program, administered in accordance with 40 CFR Part 30 and 40.
Regardless of the mechanism for the award, all applicants should use
the PHS 398. Policies that govern grant award programs of each agency
will prevail for respective sources of support. Responsibility for
the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be
solely that of the applicant.
Applications which request up to $250,000 per year in direct costs
must be submitted in the modular grant format. Applications
requesting budgets greater than $250,000 must submit detailed budget
information with the application.
For administrative reasons, the primary assignment of all applications
will initially be to the NIOSH. After discussion with the other
participating programs, applications will be reassigned where they are
programmatically most appropriate.
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
Approximately $6 million is available in FY 2001 to fund the first
budget year of 9-12 grants under this RFA. Only applications that are
found to be of high scientific merit will be considered for funding,
and not all of the funds will be spent if there are not enough highly
meritorious applications. Although this program is provided for
within the financial plans of the NIOSH, EPA, NCI, and NIEHS awards
pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for
this purpose.
It is anticipated that awards will be made for a 12-month budget
period within a project period not to exceed four years. Continuation
awards within the project period will be made on the basis of
satisfactory progress and availability of funds in future years.
Awards are anticipated to range from $400,000 to $600,000 in total
costs (direct and facilities and administrative) per year.
Applicants should include in their budgets funds for one trip per year
for an annual meeting of grantees to be held in Washington, DC.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
Concerns have been expressed in both the lay and scientific
communities that some synthetic chemicals used or manufactured in the
workplace and released into the environment may be causing adverse
health effects in humans through their ability to interfere with the
function of the endocrine system. These chemicals are collectively
called Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) or Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
(EDCs) and are also referred to as hormonally active agents. They are
thought to interfere with one or more aspects of the normal endocrine
functions that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis and
the regulation of developmental processes.
The cooperating agencies support research that examines human health
consequences of exposure to physical and chemical toxicants in the
environment and in occupational settings as well as the underlying
mechanisms involved in environmentally related disease and
dysfunction. Research on endocrine disrupting chemicals is a priority
established by the Committee on Environmental and Natural Resources of
the National Science and Technology Council, and the results obtained
under this program should assist NIOSH in establishing occupational
safety and health priorities and EPA in protecting human health and
the environment.
Research Goals
Despite considerable public interest and research activity, the scope
and magnitude of the impact of putative EDCs on human health are
largely unknown. In wildlife, a number of adverse effects have been
linked to specific EDCs (Kavlock, et. al., Environ. Health
Perspectives 104, Supp. 4:715-740, 1996). Exposures in some cases,
however, have been unusually high, such as those from chemical spills
or sewage out falls, and thus are not typical of the ambient exposures
normally encountered by wildlife or human populations. In humans, an
even greater uncertainty exists. While it has been speculated that
some endocrine-related diseases or conditions, such as breast and
prostate cancer, decreased sperm counts, and hypospadias are caused by
EDC exposure; no linkage has been established to date between exposure
to a specific environmental EDC and an adverse health effect in
humans.
Research applications are sought which will investigate the
relationships between exposure to endocrine disruptors and adverse
health effects, particularly reproductive/developmental effects in
humans. For the purposes of this RFA, an endocrine disruptor is an
exogenous agent found in the workplace or environment that can
interfere with the function of the endocrine system. Studies may be
conducted in working populations or the general population.
Applications must include study designs that clearly differentiate
exposure categories. Applicants are strongly encouraged to design
studies that include a range of exposure levels; employ quantitative
exposure assessment methodologies, such as biomarkers, that allow
differentiation in exposure; allow estimation of timing of exposure in
relation to outcomes; and control for other risk factors, such as
existing medical conditions and lifestyle factors. Studies are
specifically solicited that attempt to demonstrate quantitative
relationships between chemical exposures and adverse effects in
humans.
Effects of interest include but are not limited to the following: 1)
reduced fertility in exposed male and females or other indications of
altered reproductive function such as changes in hormone levels,
menstrual function, endometriosis or poor semen quality; 2) pregnancy
outcomes and pre- and postnatal development of offspring of exposed
women such as reproductive tract malformations; 3) evidence of latent
effects on reproduction among offspring exposed in utero; such as
infertility in both male and female offspring and decline in sperm
count and semen quality; 4) hormonally mediated cancers of the
reproductive tract and sex accessory glands and tissues among
offspring exposed in utero; such as testicular cancer; and 5)
endocrine related malignancies, such as breast and prostate cancer, in
individuals exposed to exogenous EDCs.
Applications that investigate members of chemical classes (e.g.
phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and endocrine-active
fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides) that have not been
extensively investigated for endocrine disrupting activity in humans
are encouraged for this RFA. However, applications that address new
approaches (e.g. new cohorts, methods of analysis, or biological
endpoints) for studying previously studied chemicals (e.g. dioxins,
dibenzofurans, DES, and polyhalogenated biphenyls) are also welcome.
Applications that are collaborations between bench, clinical and field
epidemiologist scientists are especially encouraged.
HUMAN SUBJECTS REQUIREMENTS
If a project involves research on human subjects, assurance (in
accordance with Department of Health and Human Services Regulations,
45 CFR Part 46) of the protection of human subjects is required. In
addition to other applicable committees, Indian Health Service (IHS)
institutional review committees also must review the project if any
component of IHS will be involved with or will support the research.
If any American Indian community is involved, its tribal government
must also approve that portion of the project applicable to it.
Unless the grantee holds a Multiple Project Assurance, a Single
Project Assurance is required, as well as an assurance for each
subcontractor or cooperating institution that has immediate
responsibility for human subjects. All applications must follow this
policy.
ANIMAL SUBJECTS REQUIREMENTS
If the proposed project involves research on animal subjects,
compliance with the "PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals by Awardee Institutions" is required. An applicant (as well
as each subcontractor or cooperating institution that has immediate
responsibility for animal subjects) proposing to use vertebrate
animals in PHS-supported activities must file (or have on file) the
Animal Welfare Assurance. The applicant must provide in the
application the assurance of compliance number and evidence of review
and approval (including the date of the most recent approval) by the
Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC). All applications must
follow this policy.
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS
It is the policy of the cooperating agencies (CDC, NIH, and EPA) to
ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and
ethnic groups will be included in research projects involving human
subjects, whenever feasible and appropriate. Racial and ethnic groups
are those defined in OMB Directive No. 15 and include American Indian
or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or
Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Applicants shall
ensure that women, racial and ethnic minority populations are
appropriately represented in applications for research involving human
subjects. Where clear and compelling rationale exists that inclusion
is inappropriate or not feasible, this situation must be explained as
part of the application. This policy does not apply to research
studies when the investigator cannot control the race, ethnicity,
and/or sex of subjects. Further guidance to this policy is contained
in the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 179, pages 47947-47951, and
dated Friday, September 15, 1995.
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN
SUBJECTS
It is the policy of NIH and EPA that children (i.e., individuals under
the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research they
conduct or support, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons
not to include children. This policy applies to all initial (Type 1)
applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1, 1998.
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should
read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines on the Inclusion of Children as
Participants in Research Involving Human Subjects" that was published
in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is
available at the following URL address:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html.
URLS IN CDC, EPA or NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES
All applications and proposals for funding must be self-contained
within specified page limitations. Unless otherwise specified in the
solicitation, internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide
information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no
obligation to view the Internet sites. Reviewers are cautioned that
their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an
Internet site.
LETTER OF INTENT
Prospective applicants are asked to submit, by August 11, 2000, a
letter of intent that includes the number and title of the RFA, a
descriptive title of the proposed research, the name, address, and
telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of
other key personnel and participating institutions. Although a letter
of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the
review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains
allows NIOSH staff to estimate the potential review workload and to
plan the review.
The letter of intent is to be sent to:
Ms Ann Cronin
Review Activity
Office of Extramural Coordination and Special Programs
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Building 1, Room 3053, MS D-30
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone 404-639-2277; Fax 404-639-0035
Email: axc2@cdc.gov
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used
for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional
offices of sponsored research and from the Division of Extramural
Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health,
6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone
301/710-0267, email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
The forms may also be downloaded from the Internet at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html
Specific application instructions for this RFA have been modified to
reflect "MODULAR GRANT" and "JUST-IN-TIME" streamlining efforts being
examined by the NIH. Complete and detailed instructions and
information on Modular Grants can be found at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm. HOWEVER, IF
THE DIRECT COSTS REQUESTED EXCEED $250,000 IN ANY YEAR, THE MODULAR
GRANT FORMAT CANNOT BE USED.
The modular grant concept establishes specific modules in which direct
costs may be requested as well as a maximum level for requested
budgets. Only limited budgetary information is required under this
approach. The just-in-time concept allows applicants to submit
certain information only when there is a possibility for an award. It
is anticipated that these changes will reduce the administrative
burden for the applicants, reviewers and Institute staff. In
preparing Modular Grant Applications, the standard instructions for
the R01 mechanism should be generally followed: with these specific
modifications reflecting modular budget and just-in-time concepts:
Modular Grant Instructions
Modular Grant applications must request direct costs in $25,000
modules, up to a total direct cost request of $250,000 per year.
Applications that request more than $250,000 direct costs in any year
must follow the traditional PHS 398 application instructions and not
be formatted as a modular grant application. The total direct costs
must be requested in accordance with the program guidelines for the
individual R01 mechanism described in this RFA. Applications accepted
for funding by EPA will require a detailed budget at the time of
award. Successful applicants will be contacted by EPA regarding this
requirement.
The total direct costs must be requested in accordance with the
program guidelines and the modifications made to the standard PHS 398
application instructions described below:
o FACE PAGE: Items 7a and 7b should be completed, indicating Direct
Costs (in $25,000 increments up to a maximum of $250,000) and total
costs [Modular Total Direct plus Facilities and Administrative (F&A)
costs] for the initial budget period Items 8a and 8b should be
completed indicating the Direct and Total Costs for the entire
proposed period of support.
o DETAILED BUDGET FOR THE INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD - Do not complete
Form Page 4 of the PHS 398. It is not required and will not be
accepted with the application.
o BUDGET FOR THE ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT - Do not complete
the categorical budget table on Form Page 5 of the PHS 398. It is not
required and will not be accepted with the application.
o NARRATIVE BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - Prepare a Modular Grant Budget
Narrative page.
(See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm for
sample pages). At the top of the page, enter the total direct costs
requested for each year. This is not a Form page. Provide an
additional narrative budget justification for any variation in the
number of modules requested.
o PERSONNEL - Under personnel, list key project personnel, including
their names, percent of effort, and roles on the project. No
individual salary information should be provided. However, the
applicant should use the NIH appropriation language salary cap and the
NIH policy for graduate student compensation in developing the budget
request.
o CONSORTIUM/CONTRACT COSTS - For consortium/contractual costs,
provide an estimate of total costs (direct plus facilities and
administrative) for each year, each rounded to the nearest $1,000.
List the individuals/organization with whom consortium or contractual
arrangements have been made, the percent effort of key personnel, and
the role on the project. Indicate whether the collaborating
institution is foreign or domestic. The total cost for a
consortium/contractual arrangement is included in the overall
requested modular direct cost amount.
Biographical Sketch - The Biographical Sketch provides information
used by reviewers in the assessment of each individual's
qualifications for a specific role in the proposed project, as well as
to evaluate the overall qualifications of the research team. A
biographical sketch is required for all key personnel, following the
instructions below. No more than three pages may be used for each
person. A sample biographical sketch may be viewed at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm
- Complete the educational block at the top of the form page;
- list position(s)and any honors;
- provide information, including overall goals and responsibilities,
for ongoing research projects and those completed during the last
three years, and
- list selected peer-reviewed publications, with full citations.
o CHECKLIST - This page should be completed and submitted with the
application. If an F&A rate agreement has been established, indicate
the type of agreement and the date. All appropriate exclusions must
be applied in the calculation of the F&A costs for the initial budget
period and all future budget years.
o Page Limitation - Page limitations for the R01 applications are as
stated for the PHS 398 instructions for this mechanism.
o Appendix - An appendix or additional supporting materials will not
be accepted with the exception of originals of photos used in the
application.
o Contact - The applicant should provide the name and phone number of
the individual to contact concerning fiscal and administrative issues
if additional information is necessary following the initial review.
o Special Notes
1. Applications not conforming to these guidelines will be considered
unresponsive to this RFA and will be returned without further review.
2. After the completion of the peer review process, applications
recommended for funding by EPA will require a detailed budget.
Successful applicants will be contacted by EPA regarding this
requirement.
Just in Time Instructions
Other Support pages of the PHS 398 will not be submitted with the
application. Information on research projects ongoing or completed
during the last three years of the principal investigator and key
personnel will be provided as part of the "Biographical Sketch." This
information will include the specific aims, overall goals and
responsibilities and should include Federal and non-Federal support.
This information will be used by reviewers in the assessment of each
individual’s qualifications for a specific role in the proposed
project.
Following peer review, information about Other Research Support will
be requested from the applicant for applications being considered for
award. Additional budget information will be requested only under
special circumstances.
Quality Assurance Statement - All applications must include this
information.
EPA regulations require the inclusion of a Quality Assurance Statement
for any project involving data collection or processing, conducting
surveys, environmental measurements, and/or modeling, or the
development of environmental technology (whether hardware-based or via
new techniques) for pollution control and waste treatment. This
statement should not exceed two consecutively numbered, 8.5x11-inch
pages of single-spaced standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins.
This statement is to be considered as additional information and is
not counted against the 25 pages permitted for the Research Plan. The
Quality Assurance Narrative Statement should, for each item listed
below, either present the required information or provide a
justification as to why the item does not apply to the proposed
research. For awards that involve environmentally related
measurements or data generation, a quality system that complies with
the requirements of ANSI/ASQC E4, "Specifications and Guidelines for
Quality Systems for Environmental Data Collection and Environmental
Technology Programs," must be in place.
1. Discuss the activities to be performed or hypothesis to be tested
and criteria for determining acceptable data quality. (Note: Such
criteria may be expressed in terms of precision, accuracy,
representativeness, completeness, and comparability. These criteria
must also be applied to determine the acceptability of existing or
secondary data to be used in the project.)
2. Describe the study design, including sample type and location
requirements, any statistical analyses that were used to estimate the
types and numbers of samples required for physical samples, or
equivalent information for studies using survey and interview
techniques.
3. Describe the procedures for the handling and custody of samples,
including sample collection, identification, preservation,
transportation, and storage.
4. Describe the procedures that will be used in the calibration and
performance evaluation of the sampling and analytical methods and
equipment to be used during the project.
5. Discuss the procedures for data reduction and reporting, including
a description of statistical analyses to be used and of any computer
models to be designed or utilized with associated verification and
validation techniques.
6. Describe the quantitative and/or qualitative procedures that will
be used to evaluate the success of the project, including any plans
for peer or other reviews of the study design or analytical methods
prior to data collection.
ANSI/ASQC E4, "Specifications and Guidelines for Quality Systems for
Environmental Data Collection and Environmental Technology Programs"
is available for purchase from the American Society for Quality
Control, phone 1-800-248-1946, item T55. Only in exceptional
circumstances should it be necessary to consult this document.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
This RFA is a joint announcement by NIOSH, EPA, NCI, and NIEHS and
reflects our common research interest. The program will be managed by
the four agencies as a unified program, although the grants will be
awarded by each agency separately. Applicants will be expected to
budget for and participate in an annual All-Investigators Meeting
with NIOSH, EPA, NCI, and NIEHS scientists and other grantees to
report on research activities and to discuss issues of mutual
interest.
The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application form must be
affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Failure to
use this label could result in delayed processing of the application
such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review.
In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on line 2 of the
face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked.
The sample RFA label is available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf and has been
modified to allow for this change. Please note this is in pdf format.
Submit a signed, typewritten original, including the checklist, and
three signed, clear, and single sided photocopies in one package to:
CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application
must also be sent to Ms. Ann Cronin at the address under LETTER OF
INTENT.
Applications must be received by September 22, 2000. If an application
is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant
without review. The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will not
accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially the
same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant
withdraws the pending application. The CSR will not accept any
application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed.
This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of
applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an
introduction addressing the previous critique.
REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness and
responsiveness (applicants should clearly indicate in the project
Description (page 2 of application) which priority area of this RFA is
being addressed by their proposal). Applications determined to be
incomplete or unresponsive to this RFA will be returned to the
applicant without further consideration. If the proposed project
involves organizations or persons other than those affiliated with the
applicant organization, letters of support and/or cooperation must be
included.
Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be
evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer
review group convened by NIOSH in accordance with the review criteria
stated below. As part of the initial merit review, all applications
will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only
those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit,
generally the top half of the applications under review, will be
discussed and assigned a priority score.
Following the initial review, applications will receive a secondary
review for programmatic importance. For applications assigned to
NIOSH and EPA, the programmatic review will be conducted within their
Agency. For NCI and NIEHS, the review will be conducted by their
Advisory Councils.
PEER REVIEW CRITERIA
The goals of CDC, EPA and NIH-supported research are to advance our
understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease,
and enhance health. In the written comments reviewers will be asked
to discuss the following aspects of the application in order to judge
the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial
impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be
addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, weighting
them as appropriate for each application. Note that the application
does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to
have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score.
For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work
that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field
forward.
(Applicants should note the requirement for a Quality Assurance
Statement in the application. See APPLICATION PROCEDURES HEADING.)
o Significance - Does this study address an important problem related
to the topical research issues outlined in this solicitation? If the
aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be
advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or
methods that drive this field?
o Approach - Are the conceptual framework, design (including
composition of study population), methods, and analyses adequately
developed, well-integrated and appropriate to the aims of the project?
Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider
alternative tactics?
o Innovation - Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or
methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project
challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or
technologies?
o Investigator - Is the investigator appropriately trained and well
suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to
the experience level of the principal investigator and other
researchers, if any?
o Environment - Does the scientific environment in which the work
will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the
proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the
scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?
Is there documentation of cooperation from industry, unions, or other
participants in the project, where applicable? Is there evidence of
institutional support and availability of resources necessary to
perform the project?
o Quality Assurance Statement - The panel will review the quality
assurance statement for completeness and adequacy in addressing the
objectives of the EPA Quality Assurance Program.
The scientific review group will also examine the appropriateness of
proposed project budget and duration; the adequacy of plans to include
both genders, minorities and their subgroups, and children as
appropriate for the scientific goals of the research and plans for the
recruitment and retention of subjects; the provisions for the
protection of human and animal subjects; and the safety of the
research environment.
The personnel category will be reviewed for appropriate staffing based
on the requested percent effort. The direct costs budget request will
be reviewed for consistency with the proposed methods and specific
aims. Any budgetary adjustments recommended by the reviewers will be
in $25,000 modules. The duration of support will be reviewed to
determine if it is appropriate to ensure successful completion of the
requested scope of the project.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved
applications. The following will be considered in making funding
decisions:
- quality of the proposed project as determined by scientific review,
- availability of funds, and
- institutional program priority
SCHEDULE
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: August 11,, 2000
Application Receipt Date: September 22, 2000
Anticipated Award Date: July 1, 2001
INQUIRIES
Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to
clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.
This RFA and other CDC Announcements can be found on the CDC HomePage
(www.cdc.gov) under the Funding section. This RFA can also be found
on the NIOSH HomePage (www.cdc.gov/niosh) under "Funding
Opportunities", the NIEHS HomePage (www.niehs.nih.gov) under "Grants
and Contracts , and the NCER homepage (www.epa.gov/ncerqa) under
Announcements.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of the "National Occupational
Research Agenda" (HHS, CDC, NIOSH Publication No.96-115) from the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, telephone (800)
356-4674. It is also available on the internet at
"http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora.html".
Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to:
Michael J. Galvin, Ph.D.
Research Grants Program
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Building 1, Room 3053, MS D-30
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 639-3343
FAX: (404) 639-4616
Email: mtg3@cdc.gov
David Reese, Ph.D.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Center for Environmental Research
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Telephone: (202) 564-6919
FAX: (202) 565-2448
Email: reese.david@epa.gov
Kumiko Iwamoto, M.D., Dr.P.H.
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard
Building Executive Plaza North (EPN), Room 539
Bethesda, MD 20892-7395
Telephone: (301) 435-4911
Fax: (301) 402-4279
Email: ki6n@nih.gov
Gwen Collman, Ph.D.
Division of Extramural Research and Training
National Institute of Environmental Health Science
Box 12233, MD EC-21
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Telephone: (919) 541-4980
FAX: (919) 316-4606
Email: collman@niehs.nih.gov
Direct inquiries regarding grants management matters to:
Ms. Joanne Wojcik
CDC Announcement No. 01-006
Grants Management Branch
Procurement and Grants Office
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146
Telephone: (770) 488-2717
FAX: (770) 488-2777
Email: jcw6@cdc.gov
Mr. Jack Puzak
National Center for Environmental Research
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (8701R)
Washington, D.C. 20460
Telephone: 202/565-6825
FAX: (202) 565-2444
Email: puzak.jack@epamail.epa.gov
Mr. William Wells
Grants Administration Branch
National Cancer Institute
Executive Plaza South, Suite 243
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-8796
Fax: (301) 496-8601
Email: wellsw@gab.nci.nih.gov
Ms. Dorothy G. Duke
Division of Extramural Research and Training
National Institute of Environmental Health Science
Box 12233, MD EC-22
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Telephone: (919) 541-2749
FAX: (919)541-2860
Email: duke3@niehs.nih.gov
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is:
93.262 for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), 66.500 for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 93.393 for
the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and 93.113 and 93.866 for the
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This
program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act, as amended,
Section 301(a) [42 U.S.C. 241(a)], and the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970, Section 20(a) [29 U.S.C. 669(a)]. The applicable
program regulation is 42 CFR Part 52. EPA awards are made under
authority of 40 CFR Part 30 and 40. This program is not subject to
the intergovernmental review requirements of executive order 12372 or
Health Systems Agency Review.
LOBBYING RESTRICTIONS
Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS/EPA funds
for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the
provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352, recipients (and their sub-tier
contractors) are prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds
(other than profits from a Federal contract) for lobbying congress or
any Federal agency in connection with the award of a particular
contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or loan. This includes
grants/cooperative agreements that, in whole or in part, involve
conferences for which Federal funds cannot be used directly or
indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to instruct
participants on how to lobby.
In addition, no part of HHS/EPA appropriated funds shall be used,
other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative
relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, for the
preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet,
publication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to
support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress or any State
or local legislature, except in presentation to the Congress or any
State or local legislature itself. No part of the appropriated funds
shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract
recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity
designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending before the
Congress or any State or local legislature.
SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE
CDC, EPA, and NIH strongly encourage all grant recipients to provide a
smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products,
and Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits
smoking in certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which
education, library, day care, health care, and early childhood
development services are provided to children.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®
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