and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD AGRICULTURAL INJURY RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2002 RFA: OH-02-006 LETTER OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE: May 11, 2002 APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE: June 11, 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH) (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html) THIS RFA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION o Purpose of the RFA o Program Objectives o Mechanism(s)of Support o Funds Available o Eligible Institutions o Individuals Eligible to Become Principal Investigations o Special Requirements o Where to Send Inquiries o Pre-Application Conference Call o Letter of Intent o Submitting an Application o Peer Review Process o Review Criteria o Receipt and Review Schedule o Award Criteria o Required Federal Citations PURPOSE OF THIS RFA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), announces the availability of funds in FY 2002 to support a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. The purpose of this program is to provide support for a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury that 1)serves as a leader to facilitate prevention efforts and activities, 2) conducts education, prevention, intervention and investigative activities/research projects that address risks to children in the agriculture environment through applied and hypothesis driven research and outreach activities, 3)establishes collaborations and partnerships with the agricultural community to facilitate prevention, 4)identifies, disseminates, and facilitates the use of state-of-the-art information and programs to prevent childhood agricultural injuries, 5)develops guidelines and recommendations to promote childhood agricultural injury prevention. These goals will be achieved through outreach, and applied and hypothesis based education, prevention and intervention, and basic research projects. This announcement identifies program needs consistent with the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) developed by NIOSH and partners in the public and private sectors to provide a framework to guide occupational safety and health research in the new millennium towards topics which are most pressing and most likely to yield gains to the worker and the nation. The agenda identifies 21 research priorities. NORA priorities with specific relevance to this announcement are: traumatic injuries and special populations at risk. Information about NORA is available through the NIOSH Home Page,http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/ You may also refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Background Agricultural production, which is most commonly identified with the occupation of farming, consistently ranks among the U.S. industries with the highest rates of work-related injuries and deaths, and is unique with respect to children and adolescents. Agriculture is the only major industry in which the workplace often encompasses the home. Exposures to agricultural production hazards are not confined to working adults. Children and adolescents may be exposed to agricultural production hazards not only through work activities, but by virtue of living on a farm or ranch, accompanying their parents to work, or visiting farms or ranches. Children and adolescent involvement on farms is unique not only because they often begin to actively work on the farm at an early age, but because they also live and undertake recreational activities on the farm. An estimated 1.9 million youth under 18 years of age lived or worked on a farm in 1998 (NIOSH pub. 2001-154). Goals In 1996, the National Committee for Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention (NCCAIP) published a National Action Plan to maximize the safety and health of all children and adolescents who may be exposed to agricultural hazards. The National Action Plan included 13 objectives and 43 recommended action steps that called for funding of research and safety programs by the Federal government, foundations, agribusiness, and other public and private sector groups and nonprofit community-based organizations. The National Action Plan specifically calls for developing collaboration among public and private sector agencies and foundations, corporations, associations, researchers, nonprofit health and community-based organizations, and other groups who can collaborate on efforts to ensure the public is aware of childhood agricultural safety and health issues. The use of consensus-building processes involving interdisciplinary experts and stakeholders to arrive at guidelines and recommended standards for prevention/intervention, education practices, research, outreach, and the use of state-of-the-art information and materials are essential for achieving the objectives set forth in this plan. The goal of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury will be to enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of individuals, groups and community-based organizations within and across states to protect children and adolescents from agricultural injuries and illnesses. Useful Reference National Committee for Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention. Children and Agriculture: Opportunities for Safety and Health. Marshfield, WI: Marshfield Clinic. 1996 http://research.marshfieldclinic.org/children/action/title.htm or Write for a copy of the National Action Plan 1996. from The National Children"s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health, 1000 North Oak Avenue, WI 54449, phone 888-924-7233. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use NIOSH research project grant (PO1) award mechanism which provides support for a broadly based, multidisciplinary collection of projects that focus on a common theme or goal. As an applicant you will be solely responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. The anticipated award date is August 1, 2002. This RFA uses the detailed budget format, rather than the modular grant budget format. FUNDS AVAILABILE Approximately $800,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund one award to support a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. The amount of funding available may vary and is subject to change. The award will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period not to exceed 5 years. Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports and the availability of funds. Use of Funds Applicants should include in their budget funds for one trip per year for an annual meeting with NIOSH scientists and other childhood agricultural principal investigators for each project (prevention, education or research) to provide an opportunity for the exchange of information. For planning purposes, the applicant should budget for the meeting to be held in Morgantown, West Virginia. ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS You may submit (an) application (s) if your institution has any of the following characteristics: o For-profit or non-profit organizations o Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories. o Units of State and local governments o Eligible agencies of the Federal government o Domestic or foreign o Faith-based organizations INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIOSH programs. Note: Title 2 United States Code section 1611 states that an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS The essential characteristics of a national center for the prevention of childhood agricultural injury program project are: Overall Characteristics o The National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury program project will support a broadly based program of prevention/intervention demonstration projects, education projects, exploratory based research projects, and a coordinated outreach program. Projects in these four areas may be either applied (ideas or information put to a particular purpose or use) or exploratory (hypothesis generating or a systematic inquiry into a particular subject to discover facts or revise theories)in nature. A National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury is expected to have the following components which together address the objectives of the Center: 1. Administrative and Planning Core. This component should not exceed 25% of the direct cost budget. 2. Outreach Core This component should be at least 15% of the direct cost budget. 3. Prevention/Intervention Applied Research and Demonstration Projects. This component should be at least 20% of the direct cost budget. 4. Education Demonstration and Applied Research Projects. This component should be at least 20% of the direct cost budget. 5. Hypothesis Driven Basic Research Projects. This component should be at least 10% of the direct cost budget. o There must be a demonstrated commitment of the applicant institution to the support and encouragement of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. Such support could be demonstrated by release time of faculty, capital improvements that will facilitate the programs, and/or assistance in the acquisition of program equipment and supplies. o The National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury projects should be more than a collection of projects, but rather should include a process for the administrative integration and oversight of the projects. The projects as a collection should address child agricultural issues in an integrated and interactive manner with well defined goals. Therefore, under the Heading "OVERALL DESCRIPTION", the principal investigator should clearly describe the theme of the Center, how projects address the Center"s focus, and how the Center will function as an integrated program rather than simply a collection of projects. NON-ALLOWABLE COSTS FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD AGRICULTURAL INJURY PROGRAM PROJECT The mechanism should not be used as a substitute for individual project support. It is expected that investigators participating in the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury will have a history of independent project support in addition to the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury support. Generally, funds for renovation of existing facilities or to purchase substantial amounts of equipment will not be allowed. If such requests are made, they must be justified in terms of the critical nature of the equipment/renovations for the success of the overall objectives of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury Program project. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD AGRICULTURAL INJURY ADMINISTRATIVE AND PLANNING CORE (SHOULD NOT EXCEED 25% OF THE ANNUAL DIRECT COST) The Administrative and Planning Core must have strong leaders committed to the project, who are capable of providing the leadership and who are willing to accept responsibility for the administration and integration of a national program. Assessment of the ability of the program principal investigator to lead a highly integrated program of prevention/intervention demonstration projects, education projects, exploratory research projects (including prevention/intervention and education research), and a coordinated outreach program, will be a significant consideration in the evaluation of the application. The Administrative and Planning Core provides the administrative infrastructure for the entire program and should not be duplicated within any other components. The responsibilities and activities for the administrative and planning core include: o Appropriate and adequate organization and facilities for the conduct of the outreach, prevention/intervention, education, training, and research activities such as seminars, workshops, reference collection, computer support, etc. The principal investigator should have a minimum of 30% time commitment and each member of the internal advisory committee (one outreach, prevention/intervention, education and research project investigator)should have a minimum of 5% time commitment for the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury administration and coordination. o Feasibility Projects. Support of feasibility projects in the prevention/intervention, education, and research project areas within the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury is considered fundamental to sustaining the quality, breadth and dynamics of this injury prevention program. These projects encourage new and creative prevention/intervention, education, and research approaches, and such projects are considered an important, integral part of the support provided to the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. Therefore, funds should be designated to provide support of short-term projects (maximum duration of 12 months and $15,000) to explore the feasibility of new areas in any of the four center components (prevention/intervention demonstration, education, research, and outreach which will enable investigators to collect sufficient data to pursue support through other funding mechanisms. Feasibility projects are primarily intended to: 1. Provide initial support for new investigators to develop innovative approaches/lines of investigation in the four project areas. 2. Allow exploration of possible innovative new directions representing a significant departure from ongoing funded projects in agricultural sciences (prevention/intervention, education, or basic research). 3. Stimulate investigators from other areas of endeavor to apply their expertise to child agricultural safety and health issues. As a general rule, approximately 10%-15% of the direct cost budget for each year should be allocated to the Feasibility Projects Program of a Center. While the administrative framework for management of the Center"s Feasibility Projects Program is left to the Center Director"s discretion, certain minimal requirements should be met. Management of the program should include provision for: 1. A mechanism that ensures preparation and appropriate announcement of the availability of funding for feasibility projects. 2. A mechanism for technical/scientific merit review of feasibility project proposals. Copies of all proposals, with documentation of their reviews, relative ranking, and final action must be retained by the Center. These records should be available to reviewers in the event of a site visit. 3. A mechanism to maintain a record of subsequent results of each feasibility project study (abstract, RO1/R21 submission, etc.) recipient. This record should be available to reviewers in the event of a site visit for competing renewals. Input by both the Internal Advisory Committee and the External Advisory Committee in management of the Feasibility Projects Program is strongly encouraged. o The use of existing state and national databases is encouraged, however, a data center/statistical support activity may be included in the administrative core if needed for the Center. o An Internal Advisory Committee is formed from the individual project leaders, one from each type of project (prevention/intervention demonstration, education and research)along with the leader of the outreach core, will assist the principal investigator in making scientific and administrative decisions in the operation of the program. These individuals should have a minimum time commitment of 5%. o An External Advisory Committee comprised of at least three members who are recognized as leaders in child agricultural health and safety and regional agricultural experts that will provide overall guidance and advice to the principal investigator and program investigators on program direction. If not already included in the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury, one member should be from the Agriculture Extension community. OUTREACH CORE (SHOULD BE AT LEAST 15% OF THE ANNUAL DIRECT COST) The outreach core is an essential component of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury, playing a key role in coalition building among organizations and groups that have the potential to reduce the childhood agricultural injury burden. Assessment of the ability of the core leader to develop and lead a tightly integrated collaborative outreach program of prevention/intervention and education will be a significant consideration in the evaluation of the application. There must also be a demonstrated commitment of the core leader for consensus development activities aimed at identifying issues and providing a course of action to reduce childhood agricultural injuries and engaging the private sector to become an acknowledged entity in childhood agricultural injury prevention. Annual meetings to bring these groups (or components of these groups) together to raise awareness of issues, promote action and achieve a "critical mass" of dedicated professionals to prevent childhood agricultural injuries are encouraged. The translation of promising prevention or intervention findings into applied safety programs or demonstration programs through community services is a key role of the outreach core. This would include providing consultation and/or training to health and safety professionals, researchers, graduate/professional students, and agricultural extension agents and others in a position to improve the safety and health of children who work on, live, or visit farms. Coordinating and collaborating with established and ongoing health communication efforts and convening consensus- development sessions to address complex and/or controversial issues with the aim of preventing childhood agricultural injuries are essential functions of the outreach core. PREVENTION/INTERVENTION APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS (SHOULD BE AT LEAST 20% OF THE ANNUAL DIRECT COSTS) Applicants should include model programs, including prevention/intervention demonstration programs, for the prevention of injury and illness among children who work on, live, or visit farms. Programs should be designed to involve direct input from national agricultural stakeholders in addressing national needs and in the implementation of relevant and culturally appropriate innovative strategies for meeting those needs. The development of strong partnerships with community organizations that can facilitate the identification of project needs and culturally appropriate education, prevention, and intervention activities is encouraged. These programs should include the active participation of target populations identified at the state and national level, and include an evaluation component. Partnerships and collaborative relationships are encouraged between the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury and the NIOSH Centers for Agriculture Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention, NIOSH intramural programs, other extramural partners including NIOSH Education and Research Centers (ERCs), Training Grant (TG) recipients, and other NIOSH funded agricultural programs. In addition, when possible, collaborations with Agricultural Extension units are encouraged. The project should specifically identify: o The population of interest and relevant health and safety needs, o Mechanisms for establishing communication and active partnerships with local organizations, health care providers, educators, and community leaders, o Appropriate community-driven projects and strategies to inform the community of potential risk factors, and o Describe the study designs and time frame to evaluate the impact of these prevention/intervention strategies in mitigating agriculture-related injury and disease. The project description and application should follow the "Application Guidelines, provided below. EDUCATION DEMONSTRATION AND APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTS (SHOULD BE AT LEAST 20% OF THE ANNUAL DIRECT COSTS) Applicants should include well developed education project plans to target the key agricultural safety and health needs. These programs should be model educational programs on agricultural safety and health for children who work on, live, or visit farms. These projects should be coordinated with the outreach core. Projects should involve agricultural stakeholders in addressing educational needs and in the implementation of innovative strategies for meeting those needs. Partnerships and collaborative relationships are encouraged across states, as well as with the NIOSH Centers for Agriculture Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention, NIOSH intramural programs, and other extramural partners including NIOSH Education and Research Centers (ERCs), Training Grant (TG) recipients, and other NIOSH funded agricultural programs. In addition, when possible, collaborations with Agriculture Extension units are encouraged. The project description and application should follow the "Application Guidelines, provided below. HYPOTHESIS DRIVEN BASIC RESEARCH PROJECTS (SHOULD BE AT LEAST 10% OF THE ANNUAL DIRECT COSTS) Two types of projects, pilot(2 year) and integral (5 year) research, will be supported as part of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury program, and both types are encouraged. It is important that each project (pilot and integral research) be of sufficient scientific merit to warrant independent support and that each project is an important component of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. These projects can be in any of the three areas, prevention/intervention, education, or exploratory research. To be funded, a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury must have either one pilot project or one integral research project that is judged to have significant and substantial scientific merit. Pilot projects are intended to provide National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury investigators an opportunity to obtain the preliminary research data needed to help direct and maintain ongoing research, education, and prevention/intervention programs and for the submission of a CDC, NIH, EPA, or other peer-reviewed Research Project Grant applications. The maximum project period for a Pilot project (R21-type)is 2 years. The pilot and integral research project description and application should follow the "Application Guidelines, provided below. WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES We encourage inquiries concerning this RFA and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into three areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management issues. Direct your questions regarding programmatic issues to: Michael Galvin, Ph.D. Office of Extramural Programs National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 1600 Clifton Road, N.E. Building 24, Room 1536, MS E-74 Atlanta, GA 30333 Telephone: (404) 498-2524 FAX: (404) 498-2571 Email: [email protected] Direct your questions regarding agricultural program issues to: Stephen Olenchock, Ph.D. Agriculture Coordinator National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 1095 Willowdale Road, P04/1119 Morgantown, WV 26505-2888 Telephone: (304) 285-6271 FAX: (304) 285-6075 Email: [email protected] Direct inquiries regarding grants business management to: Joe Gilchrist Contracts Management Branch Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236-0070 Announcement Number OH-02-006 Telephone: 412-386-6428 Email: [email protected] PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE CALL Applicants are invited by NIOSH to participate in a pre-application technical assistance telephone conference call on April 4, 2002 at 1:OO PM (Eastern time) to discuss: programmatic issues regarding this program, how to apply, and questions regarding the content of the RFA. The conference name is Agriculture Centers program. The telephone bridge number is 800-311-3437. Interested parties will need the conference code (996523) to participate. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent by May 11, 2002, that includes the following information: o Descriptive title of the proposed research o Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator o Names of other key personnel o Participating institutions o Number and title of this RFA Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of an application, the information that it contains is used to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review. The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning of this document. The letter of intent should be sent to: Price Connor, Ph.D. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road, N.E. Building 24, Room 1419, MS E-74 Atlanta, GA 30333 Telephone 404-498-2511 Fax 404-498-2571 Email: [email protected] SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION Although not a prerequisite for applying, applicants are encouraged to consult with NIOSH staff concerning the technical and substantive aspects of preparing the application. Applicants should contact NIOSH staff by phone early in the preparation process. However, applicants should understand that advice given by staff is independent from the review process. Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). The PHS 398 is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone 301/710-0267, Email: [email protected]. Information to prepare a detailed budget is provided in the instructions. 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. SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS All prevention/intervention demonstration, educational, integral and pilot research projects should be consistent with the competitive/peer-reviewed funding applications that are typically awarded by NIOSH and NIH and adhere to the submission guidelines for a R01/R21 application following the PHS 398 application instructions. The R01 is a competitive, standard applied or basic research project funding mechanism and the R21 is a type of exploratory/developmental funding mechanism which provides small short-term awards used to explore the feasibility of an innovative basic or applied research question or approach. Each project section should begin with a cover sheet that identifies it as the beginning of the project section (prevention/intervention, education, or research), and the name of a project investigator who will be a member of the internal advisory committee should be listed. This page is then followed by as many subsections as there are projects under that area. Each subsection begins with a header page that identifies the project investigator and title of the project. The next page is the form page BB of the PHS 398 which provides the description, performance sites, and key personnel. For further instructions refer to the "TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD AGRICULTURAL INJURY", provided below. Page CC begins the Research Plan section of the PHS 398 and should be filled in for each project that has a research component. For the R01-type projects, the application should not exceed 25 pages for items d - g for prevention/intervention and education project plans(see table of contents for the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury application section below). For R21-type projects, follow the instructions for a NIOSH Exploratory/Developmental grant (R21), see NIH guide: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-00-006.html for additional information on R21 applications. A 15 page maximum for items d - g (see table of contents for a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury application section below) should be followed. The budget information, other support, etc. should be included in the appropriate sections of the application. NOTE: NIOSH will inform successful applicants of the procedures for adding Prevention/Intervention, Education, Pilot, or Research projects in future years of support. Thus, the application should contain only projects for which funds are requested. TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD AGRICULTURAL INJURY In order to facilitate the preparation and review of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury application, the following Table of Contents should be used. It is a minor modification of the PHS 398 table of contents which should be followed as a guide. Face Page National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury Description, Performance Sites, and Personnel, Form page BB (use additional continuation pages as needed) Table of Contents Detailed Budget for the Initial Budget Period for the Entire National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury Budget for the Entire Proposed Period of Support for the Entire National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury Detailed Budget for each Project for the Initial Budget Period Organized by Cores Budget for the Entire Proposed Period for each Project Organized by Cores Biographical Sketch-Principal Investigator/Program Director Other Biographical Sketches Other Support Overall Description of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury (2 page maximum) Highlights of Accomplishments for Past Project Period (if an existing NIOSH Center)(1 page maximum) Highlights of Accomplishments Relevant to a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury Goals (new applicants) Statement on the Institutional Commitment to the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury (1 page maximum) Identification of the States that will be involved with the project Administrative and Planning Core Cover Sheet Administrative and Planning Core Outreach Core Cover Sheet Outreach Core Prevention/Intervention Projects Cover Sheet Prevention/Intervention Project Plan A (use as many headings as there are projects) Education and Projects Cover Sheet Education and Project Plan A (use as many headings as there are projects) Research Projects Cover Sheet Integral Research Project Plan A (R01-type) Integral Research Project Plan B (use as many headings as there are projects) Pilot Project Plan A (R21-type) Note: each project plan(prevention/intervention, education, research, or outreach) should use the following outline a. Header Page with Title and Principal Investigator"s name b. Description, Performance Sites, and Personnel (form page BB) c. Highlights of Accomplishments for Past Project Period (if an existing NIOSH Center) (1 page maximum) Highlights of Accomplishments Relevant to a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury Goals (new applicants) d. Specific Aims e. Background and Significance f. Preliminary Studies/Progress Report g. Project Design and Methods Items d-g cannot exceed 25 pages (except pilot projects, which cannot exceed 15 pages) h. Human Subjects i. Vertebrate Animals j. Literature Cited k. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements l. Consultants and Collaborators, including NIOSH Note: Type density and size of the entire application must conform to the limits provided in the PHS 398 instructions on page 6. USING THE RFA LABEL: The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Type the RFA number on the label. 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 RFA label is also available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/labels.pdf SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed photocopies, in one package to: Center for Scientific Review (CSR) 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: Price Connor, Ph.D. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road, N.E. Building 24, Room 1419, MS E-74 Atlanta, GA 30333 APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by June 11, 2002. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and NIOSH 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. CSR and NIOSH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of a substantial revision of an application already reviewed, but such an application must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique. PEER REVIEW PROCESS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by CSR and responsiveness by NIOSH. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by a scientific review group convened by NIOSH in accordance with the review criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will: o Receive a written critique o Undergo a process in which only those applicants deemed to have the highest scientific or technical merit, generally the top half of the applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score o Receive a second level of review by the NIOSH Secondary Review Committee. REVIEW CRITERIA The criteria that NIOSH will use to review applications for scientific merit and for meeting program objectives are provided below. In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects of your application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals: o Significance o Approach o Innovation o Investigator o Environment The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria in assigning your application"s overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. Your 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 you may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative but essential to move a field forward. SITE VISITS A site visit to the applicant institutions may be made (but such site visits are not assured) to evaluate the overall merit of the application. The site visit team includes members of the SEP who have expertise in major program areas, facilities, and outreach activities of the proposed Center, the NIOSH Scientific Review Administrator, and NIOSH staff observer(s). A site visit is not a prerequisite and is not assured, however, for consideration of an application by NIOSH. Therefore, the application is considered a complete document for review purposes. Furthermore, the applicant should not use the site visit as an occasion for adding core units, new projects, or investigators, for making major changes, or for delivering another exposition of the application. Rather, it should be used by the principal investigator and associates to elaborate on the program and core units, cost effectiveness and quality control features of the core units, and on other Center activities for which funding is requested, as well as to answer reviewers" questions. The site visit team will not consider any component core unit that is presented for evaluation at the site visit which has not been included in the application. Budgetary changes also will not be considered at the time of a site visit. The findings of the site visit team are reported and discussed by the members of the SEP, which makes the final peer review recommendations and assigns the priority score. REVIEW FACTORS The primary consideration for a Center program project application is the ability of the Center program to bring together quality intervention/prevention, education, research, and outreach activities into an interactive, multi-disciplinary operation addressing agricultural injury and illness issues in the region. Quality projects are a prerequisite for the application, and without it, the application will fail. REVIEW CRITERIA FOR THE OVERALL PROGRAM ARE: o Responsiveness to the objectives of the program project program, including the applicant"s understanding of the objectives of the proposed program project and the relevance of the proposal to the objectives. o Feasibility of meeting the proposed goals of the program project program including the proposed schedule for initiating and accomplishing each of the activities of the program project and the proposed method for evaluating the accomplishments. o Degree to which the program design addresses the distinct characteristics, specific populations, and needs in agricultural research and education for the nation. o Qualifications of core technical, physical, and intellectual environment of the group as a national resource for agricultural occupational health research and training. o Multi-disciplinary scope of the program. o Degree of interrelationships, collaboration, and synergism of projects that might be expected to derive from Center support. o Technical and scientific stature as well as leadership ability of the Center Director and his/her ability to meet the program"s demands of time and effort. o Provisions for coordinating Project Cores. The applicant must have appropriate administrative arrangements and facilities that stimulate collaboration among constituent projects and personnel. o Effectiveness of the applicant in establishing or continuing an education and outreach program that makes maximal use of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury strengths in educating the public and surrounding community with regard to reducing child and adolescent agricultural injuries and/or hazard exposure. o Institutional commitment to the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. REVIEW CRITERIA OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROJECTS ARE: o Merit and significance of the proposed project as determined by such factors as content, originality, feasibility, potential long-term impact, transportability, and appropriateness for regional populations served by the Center. o Demonstration within the proposed project plan of current knowledge of education practices, outcomes, and standards, specifically those related to learning, attitudes, motivation, and educational strategies. o Qualifications and education experience of the principal investigator and staff, particularly but not exclusively in areas relevant to the mission of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. Individuals with strong subject matter skills are expected to play key roles. Personnel should demonstrate knowledge of the needs of their target audience in educational settings. o Availability of resources necessary to perform project objectives. o Strength of commitment by the participating institution(s) as evidenced by provision of appropriate resources, services, technical support. o Appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to proposed objectives. o Plans for evaluation of factors contributing to the project"s effectiveness. o Plans for distribution of results and products in the educational arena. REVIEW CRITERIA FOR PREVENTION/INTERVENTION DEMONSTRATION CORE PROJECTS ARE: o Merit and significance of the proposed project as determined by such factors as content, originality, feasibility, potential long-term impact, transportability, and appropriateness for populations served by the Center. o Demonstration within the proposed project plan of current knowledge of intervention practices and effectiveness. Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? o Qualifications and experience of the principal investigator and staff, particularly but not exclusively in areas relevant to the mission of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury. Individuals with strong subject matter skills are expected to play key roles. Personnel should demonstrate knowledge of the needs of their target audience. o Availability of resources necessary to perform project objectives. o Appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to proposed objectives. o Plans for evaluation of factors contributing to the project"s effectiveness. o Plans for distribution of results and products. REVIEW CRITERIA FOR PILOT AND INTEGRAL RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE: o SIGNIFICANCE: Does this project address an important problem related to the research areas 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 technical/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 stakeholders in the project, where applicable? Is there evidence of institutional support and availability of resources necessary to perform the project? OTHER REVIEW CRITERIA FOR ALL PROJECTS The 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. PROGRAMMATIC REVIEW CRITERIA: o Magnitude and severity of the occupational health or safety problems addressed in the proposal for the agricultural workplace and among agricultural populations. o Likelihood of developing technical knowledge for the prevention of agricultural occupational safety and health hazards on a national or regional basis (multi-state). RECEIPT AND REVIEW SCHEDULE Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 11, 2002 Application Receipt Date: June 11, 2002 Anticipated Award Date: August 1, 2002 AWARD CRITERIA Award criteria that will be used to make award decisions include: o Technical and scientific merit o Availability of funds o Programmatic priorities o Program balance of research areas and geographic balance (including multi- state involvement) TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARD The Terms and Conditions of Award, below, will be incorporated in all awards issued as a result of this RFA. It is critical that each applicant include specific plans for responding to these terms. These special Terms of Award are in addition to and not in lieu of otherwise applicable OMB administrative guidelines, HHS Grant Administration Regulations at 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92, and PHS Grants Policy Statement. Under the program project mechanism, the NIOSH purpose is to support a complex multidisciplinary project. Because of the nature of this award, NIOSH program staff may be more involved than in the usual research grant. NIOSH program staff may assist, as appropriate, the recipient"s activity by working with the award recipient, but NIOSH will not assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activity. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility for the activity resides with the awardee(s) for the project as a whole, and NIOSH program staff will be available to collaborate where appropriate. Recipient Responsibilities The recipient will coordinate project activities, technically, scientifically, and administratively at the awardee institution and at the other sites that may be supported by sub-contractors to this award. The applicant will have primary authority and responsibility to define objectives and approaches, to plan, conduct, and analyze data, and to publish results, interpretations, and conclusions of studies conducted under the terms and conditions of the program project award. Recipient will: o Establish and enhance a National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury to identify project areas for investigation, project findings, training and outreach programs, and information which have been shown to be effective in preventing childhood agricultural injuries, o Establish and maintain contacts with organizations, groups and individuals which supply childhood agricultural injury prevention information and data for use in targeting prevention efforts and prioritizing program needs, o Facilitate awareness and utilization of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury through appropriate activities and community services, including but not limited to involving minority- serving groups, safety and health organizations, community-based organizations, and other relevant organizations, o Coordinate and collaborate with established and ongoing health communication efforts, such as the National Safety Council"s "Farm Safety and Health Week," "Farm Safety 4 Just Kids," and other relevant organizations as appropriate, o Organize and manage multi-perspective work groups which use consensus- building processes to arrive at age appropriate guidelines, uniform standards, and recommendations for the protection of children who work on, live, or visit farms, o Inform and facilitate the involvement of the private sector into childhood agricultural injury prevention activities, o Collaborate with public and private sector agencies, schools, health organizations, community-based organizations, researchers, and other groups who can enact change through prevention efforts and activities, o Conduct investigations into the causes and prevention of childhood agricultural injuries, o Develop and evaluate methods to measure the impact of the National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury on promoting actions to prevent childhood agricultural injuries. CDC/NIOSH Responsibilities Although NIOSH has no formal responsibilities in the program project activities, NIOSH recognizes the need to assist, when appropriate, in such a complex and diverse applied and basic multidisciplinary research and outreach project. Thus the following types of activities will be available from NIOSH program staff: o Provide technical assistance through site visits and correspondence in the areas of program development, implementation, maintenance, and priority setting related to the program project. o Provide scientific collaboration where needed. o Assist in the reporting and dissemination of project results and relevant health and safety education and training information to appropriate Federal, State, local agencies, health-care providers, the scientific community, agricultural workers and their families, management and union representatives, and other CDC/NIOSH Centers for Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention. REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS: It is the policy of the CDC to ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and ethnic groups will be included in CDC-supported 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 exist 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. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines For Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on August 2, 2000 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-048.html), a complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS: It is the policy of CDC and the NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1, 1998. This policy will be followed by NIOSH for this announcement. 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 Investigators also may obtain copies of these policies from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. HUMAN SUBJECTS REQUIREMENTS: If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Regulations (Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 46) regarding the protection of human research subjects. All awardees of CDC grants and cooperative agreements and their performances sites engaged in human subjects research must file an assurance of compliance with the regulations and have continuing reviews of the research protocol by appropriate institutional review boards. In order to obtain a federal-wide Assurance (FWA) of Protection for Human Subjects, the applicant must complete an on-line application at the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) website or write to the OHRP for an application. OHRP will verify that the signatory official and the Human Subjects Protections Administrator have completed the OHRP Assurance Training/Education Module before approving the FWA. Existing Multiple Project Assurances (MPAs), Cooperative Project Assurances (CPAs), and Single Project Assurances (SPAs) remain in full effect until they expire or until December 31, 2003, whichever comes first. To obtain a FWA contact the OHRP at: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/assurances/assurances_index.html or write to: Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) Department of Health and Human Services 6100 Executive Boulevard, Suite 3B01, MSC 7501 Rockville, Maryland 20892-7507 (Note: For Express or Hand Delivered Mail, Use Zip Code 20852) Note: In addition to other applicable committees, Indian Health Service (IHS) institutional review committees must also 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 the applicable portion of that project. 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 CDC-supported activities must file (or have on file) the Animal Welfare Assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) at the National Institutes of Health. 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). Web page http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm URLS IN NIOSH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES: All applications for NIOSH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations. Unless otherwise specified in a NIOSH 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. LOBBYING RESTRICTIONS: Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funds for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352, recipients (and their subtier 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 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 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. Any activity designed to influence action in regard to a particular piece of pending legislation would be considered "lobbying." That is lobbying for or against pending legislation, as well as indirect or "grass roots: lobbying efforts by award recipients that are directed at inducing members of the public to contact their elected representatives at the Federal or State levels to urge support of, or opposition to, pending legislative proposals is prohibited. As a matter of policy, CDC extends the prohibitions to lobbying with respect to local legislation and local legislative bodies. The provisions are not intended to prohibit all interaction with the legislative branch, or to prohibit educational efforts pertaining to public health. Clearly there are circumstances when it is advisable and permissible to provide information to the legislative branch in order to foster implementation of prevention strategies to promote public health. However, it would not be permissible to influence, directly or indirectly, a specific piece of pending legislation. It remains permissible to use CDC funds to engage in activity to enhance prevention, collect and analyze data, publish and disseminate results of research and surveillance data, implement prevention strategies, conduct community outreach services, provide leadership and training, and foster safe and healthful environments. Recipients of CDC grants and cooperative agreements need to be careful to prevent CDC funds from being used to influence or promote pending legislation. With respect to conferences, public events, publication, and "grassroots" activities that relate to specific legislation, recipients of CDC funds should give attention to isolating and separating the appropriate use of CDC funds from non-CDC funds. CDC also cautions recipients of CDC funds to be careful not to give the appearance that CDC funds are being used to carry out activities in a manner that is prohibited under Federal law. SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE: CDC strongly encourages 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. SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS: It is a national policy to place a fair share of purchases with small, minority and women-owned business firms. The Department of Health and Human Services is strongly committed to the objective of this policy and encourages all recipients of its grants and cooperative agreements to take affirmative steps to ensure such fairness. In particular, recipients should: 1. Place small, minority, women-owned business firms on bidders mailing lists. 2. Solicit these firms whenever they are potential sources of supplies, equipment, construction, or services. 3. Where feasible, divide total requirements into smaller needs, and set delivery schedules that will encourage participation by these firms. 4. Use the assistance of the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce, the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, DHHS, and similar state and local offices. RESEARCH INTEGRITY: The signature of the institution official on the face page of the application submitted under this Program Announcement is certifying compliance with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations in Title 42 Part 50, Subpart A, entitled "Responsibility of PHS Awardee and Applicant Institutions for Dealing with and Reporting Possible Misconduct in Science." The regulation places several requirements on institutions receiving or applying for funds under the PHS Act that are monitored by the DHHS Office of Research Integrity"s (ORI) Assurance Program. For examples: Section 50.103(a) of the regulation states: "Each institution that applies for or receives assistance under the Act for any project or program which involves the conduct of biomedical or behavioral research must have an assurance satisfactory to the Secretary (DHHS) that the applicant: (1) Has established an administrative process, that meets the requirements of this subpart, for reviewing, investigating, and reporting allegations of misconduct in science in connection with PHS-sponsored biomedical and behavioral research conducted at the applicant institution or sponsored by the applicant, and (2) Will comply with its own administrative process and the requirements of this Subpart." Section 50.103(b) of the regulation states that: "an applicant or recipient institution shall make an annual submission to the [ORI] as follows: (1) The institution"s assurance shall be submitted to the [ORI], on a form prescribed by the Secretary,...and updated annually thereafter...(2) An institution shall submit, along with its annual assurance, such aggregate information on allegations, inquiries, and investigations as the Secretary may prescribe." HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010: CDC is 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. For the conference copy of "Healthy People 2010," visit the internet site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/Default.htm AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is: 93.056,Agricultural Health and Safety Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 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.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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