and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Participating Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), (http://www.cdc.gov)
Components of Participating Organizations
National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH), (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html)
Title: Expansion of the National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank (U24)
The policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions of the HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated in this announcement might differ from those used by the HHS National Institutes of Health (NIH). If written guidance for completing this application is not available on the CDC website, then CDC will direct applicants elsewhere for that information.
Authority: This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency Review. Awards are made under the authorization of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Section 20(a) and 21(a), (29 USC 669(a) and 29 USC 670), Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Section 501(a), 30 USC 951 (a); Section 301 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement.
Announcement Type:
New
Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted using the PHS 398 forms and the PHS 398 Application Guide.
This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application package instructions included with this announcement on Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter referred to as, Grants.gov/Apply.)
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: RFA-OH-08-002
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s): <93.262
Key Dates
Release/Posted Date: January 11, 2008
Letter of Intent
Receipt Date: February 26, 2008
Application
Submission Receipt Date(s): March 26, 2008
Peer Review Date(s): April-May, 2008
Council Review
Date(s): May 2008
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): July 2008
Expiration Date: March
27, 2008
Due Date for E.O. 12372
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
Additional Overview Content
Executive Summary
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) invites grant applications for research related to mesothelioma.Table of Contents
Part I Overview Information
Part
II Full Text of Announcement
Section
I. Funding Opportunity Description
1.
Research Objectives
Section
II. Award Information
1.
Mechanism(s) of Support
2.
Funds Available
Section
III. Eligibility Information
1.
Eligible Applicants
A. Eligible Institutions/Organizations
B. Eligible Project
Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs)
2.Cost
Sharing or Matching
3.Other - Special Eligibility Criteria
Section
IV. Application and Submission Information
1.
Request Application Information
2.
Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
A. Receipt and Review and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B. Submitting an
Application to CDC
C. Application Processing
4.
Intergovernmental Review
5.
Funding Restrictions
6.
Other Submission Requirements
Section
V. Application Review Information
1.
Criteria
2.
Review and Selection Process
A. Additional Review Criteria
B. Additional Review Considerations
C. Sharing Research Data
D. Sharing Research Resources
3.
Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Section
VI. Award Administration Information
1.
Award Notices
2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
A. Cooperative Agreement
1. Recipient
Rights and Responsibilities
2. CDC/NIOSH Responsibilities
3. Collaborative Responsibilities
3. Reporting
Section
VII. Agency Contact(s)
1.
Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2.
Peer Review Contact(s)
3.
Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)
4. General Questions Contact(s)
Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal
Citations
Part II - Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
Background
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of CDC within HHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010" and to measuring program performance as stipulated by the Government Performance and Review Act (GPRA). This RFA addresses Healthy People 2010 priority area(s) of Occupational Safety and Health, Cancer, and Respiratory Diseases and is in alignment with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health performance goal(s) to conduct research to reduce work-related illnesses and injuries. For more information, www.healthypeople.gov. and http://intra-apps.cdc.gov/fmo/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announces the availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to support one cooperative agreement (U24) for maintaining and expanding the National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank.
The purpose of the virtual mesothelioma registry and tissue bank is to provide a resource for investigators engaged in the research of mesothelioma. It is intended to provide biospecimens (blood, plasma, white blood cells and mesothelioma) together with demographic data (age, sex, race, occupational history and other epidemiologic information), and clinical data (stage, treatment and survival information). Additionally, the virtual registry and tissue bank could also serve as a repository and offer a library of reagents, such as antibodies, genomic and proteomic data, for sharing among investigators. The goal is to provide a resource that will assist in development of early markers of disease, biomarkers of stage and prognosis, as well as improved treatment modalities. Specifically, it will provide access to biospecimens for research on biomarkers for early detection (e.g., tissues, plasma proteins), susceptibility (e.g., DNA or white blood cells), epidemiologic research (e.g., occupational history and death certificate information), and clinical research (improved prognosis through improvements in treatment). Through this RFA, the awardee will maintain and expand the current National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank, improving its capability to serve as a resource for biomedical research and the clinical science community.
A virtual registry and tissue bank is one in which participating institutions will make available their independent stores of mesothelioma tissue for public access and use through a centralized internet-based database or registry. This registry is used for data recording and collection related to each tissue sample. Each participating institution is responsible for the data entry and updates into the registry for each of their samples. The recipient of this cooperative agreement will manage, and further enhance the development and utility of the National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that presents as a malignant growth in the sac lining of the chest (the pleura), or the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium). Asbestos exposure through inhalation of asbestos fibers is the main cause of mesothelioma. For many years, American workers have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, including workers in industrial and building trades and Navy personnel. Although the use of asbestos has been significantly reduced since the 1970s, mesothelioma is still a significant occupational health burden. Each year, in the United States, 2,500-3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is because the latency period for mesothelioma is 20-50 years, with the average patient age of 70 years at the time of diagnosis. Furthermore, the risk of asbestos exposure continues today in many occupational settings, and in buildings such as homes, offices and schools, in which asbestos was previously used or installed and remains present. The incidence of mesothelioma continues to rise in the U.S. and worldwide. The peak incidence worldwide is expected in 2020, and in the U.S. approximately 72,000 new cases are expected by 2026. Early diagnosis is critical if treatment is to be successful and markers for early detection are needed. In addition, treatment modalities remain difficult. Increased research efforts on mesothelioma will aid in the discovery of more effective treatments to combat this deadly disease, and the National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank will serve as a valuable resource for these research efforts.
Research Objectives
The objectives of this research are to:
(1) Maintain and expand the National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank. By seeking new collaborations with other institutions and organizations, the recipient will enroll increasing numbers of mesothelioma patients to become participants in the registry and tissue bank. Participating institutions will identify and enroll mesothelioma patients. They will expand the collection of patients clinical and demographic data (retrospective and prospective), including data determined to be necessary for diagnosis and inclusion in the registry and tissue bank; and biological samples including (but not limited to) biopsy material (fixed or frozen), serum white blood cells and nucleic acids. The recipient will continue to establish and improve standards for participants to post clinical data, demographic data, and available samples in a distributed network allowing databases of individual participating institutions to be accessed together, forming a single virtual database.
(2) Promote the mesothelioma patient registry and tissue bank as a resource for the clinical science community. The recipient will, together with participating institutions, continue to establish and maintain a process for qualified applicants to access information in the database and to request available samples for use in legitimate research. Together with NIOSH, the recipient will continue to expand and improve the marketing of the availability and utility of the mesothelioma virtual registry and tissue bank as a resource to prospective users, including the research community and public using information obtained by this tracking documentation. The recipient will work with existing mesothelioma tissue and data banks, and develop innovative plans to promote the benefits and uniqueness of the virtual registry and bank.
(3) Continue to document the usefulness of the mesothelioma virtual registry and tissue bank to the scientific community in the conduct of studies that address the etiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of malignant mesothelioma. The recipient will continue to maintain and improve a record of requests for access to the database; requests for use of tissue samples; tissue samples distributed; scientific abstracts, presentations, and publications resulting from use of the registry and tissue bank; and patents or products resulting from use of the registry and tissue bank.
See Section VIII,
Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to
this announcement.
Section
II. Award Information
1. Mechanism of Support
This funding opportunity will use the U24 cooperative agreement mechanism.
The HHS/CDC U24 is a cooperative agreement assistance instrument. Under the U24 assistance instrument, the Recipient Organization retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, and with HHS/CDC staff is substantially involved as a partner with the Recipient Organization, as described in Section VI.2.A., "Cooperative Agreement .
This FOA uses just-in-time concepts. It also uses the detailed budget format. (See the DHHS Grants Policy.)
2. Funds Available
NIOSH intends to commit approximately $1,100,000 million in FY2008 to fund one grant in response to this RFA. An applicant may request up to $1,100,000 in total costs per year and a project period of up to five years. The anticipated start date for new awards is July 2008.
HHS grants policies as described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.
If an applicant requests a funding amount greater than the ceiling of $1,100,000 in total costs, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive, and it will not enter into the review process. HHS/CDC will notify the applicant that the application did not meet the submission requirements.
Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will
vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and
duration of each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of NIOSH
are to provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding
opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a
sufficient number of meritorious applications.
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
1.A. Eligible
Institutions
You may submit an application if your organization has any of the following characteristics:
1.B. Eligible Individuals
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the PD/PI is invited to work with his/her organization 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 support.
More than one PD/PI, or multiple PDs/PIs, may be designated on the application for projects that require a team science approach that clearly does not fit the single-PD/PI model. Additional information on the implementation plans and policies and procedures to formally allow more than one PD/PI on individual research projects is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi. All PDs/PIs must be registered in the NIH eRA Commons prior to the submission of the application (see http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm for instructions).
The decision of
whether to apply for a single PD/PI or multiple PD/PI grant is the
responsibility of the investigators and applicant organizations and should be
determined by the scientific goals of the project. Applications for multiple
PD/PI grants will require additional information, as outlined in the
instructions below, and the NIH review criteria for approach, investigator, and
environment has been modified to accommodate applications involving either a
single PD/PI or multiple PDs/PIs as indicated below. A weak or inappropriate
PD/PI can have a negative effect on the review. Multiple PDs/PIs on a project
share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project,
intellectually and logistically. Each PD/PI is responsible and accountable to
the grantee organization, or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization,
for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of
all required reports. For further information on multiple PDs/PIs, please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost Sharing
or Matching is not required.
The most current HHS Grants Policy Statement is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/grantsnet/adminis/gpd
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct.
If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will not enter into the review process.
Note: Title 2 of the 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.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Request Application Information
The PHS 398 application instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of
the PHS 398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301)
710-0267, Email: [email protected].
Telecommunications
for the hearing impaired: TTY 301-451-5936.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
Applications must be prepared using the
most current PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms.
Applications must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number
as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative
agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or
through the web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/.
The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398
form.
The
title and number of this funding opportunity must be typed on line 2 of the
face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.
Special Instructions
Foreign Organizations
Several special provisions apply to applications submitted by foreign organizations:
Applications with Multiple PDs/PIs
When multiple PDs/PIs are proposed, NIOSH requires one PD/PI to be designated as the "Contact PI, who will be responsible for all communication between the PDs/PIs and NIOSH, for assembling the application materials outlined below, and for coordinating progress reports for the project. The contact PD/PI must meet all eligibility requirements for PD/PI status in the same way as other PDs/PIs, but has no other special roles or responsibilities within the project team beyond those mentioned above.
Information for the Contact PD/PI should be entered in item 15 of the SF424 (R&R) Cover component. All other PDs/PIs should be listed in the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component and assigned the project role of PD/PI. Please remember that all PDs/PIs must be registered in the eRA Commons prior to application submission. The Commons ID of each PD/PI must be included in the Credential field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person component. Failure to include this data field will cause the application to be rejected.
All projects proposing Multiple PDs/PIs will be required to include a new section describing the leadership of the project.
Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan: For applications designating multiple PDs/PIs, a new section of the research plan, entitled Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan (Section 14 of the Research Plan Component in the SF424 (R&R)), must be included. A rationale for choosing a multiple PD/PI approach should be described. The governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, including communication plans, process for making decisions on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, and scientific responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PDs/PIs and other collaborators.
If budget allocation is planned, the distribution of resources to specific components of the project or the individual PDs/PIs should be delineated in the Leadership Plan. In the event of an award, the requested allocations may be reflected in a footnote on the Notice of Award.
Applications Involving a Single Institution
When all PDs/PIs are within a single institution, follow the instructions contained in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Applications Involving Multiple Institutions
When multiple institutions are involved, one institution must be designated as the prime institution and funding for the other institution(s) must be requested via a subcontract to be administered by the prime institution. When submitting a detailed budget, the prime institution should submit its budget using the Research & Related Budget component. All other institutions should have their individual budgets attached separately to the Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form. See Section 4.8 of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for further instruction regarding the use of the subaward budget form.
When submitting a modular budget, the prime institution completes the PHS398 Modular Budget component only. Information concerning the consortium/subcontract budget is provided in the budget justification. Separate budgets for each consortium/subcontract grantee are not required when using the Modular budget format. See Section 5.4 of the Application Guide for further instruction regarding the use of the PHS398 Modular Budget component.
3. Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A for details
3. A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
Letter of Intent
Receipt Date: February 26, 2008
Application
Submission Receipt Date(s): March 26, 2008
Peer Review Date(s): April-May, 2008
Council Review
Date(s): May 2008
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): July 2008
Expiration Date: March
27, 2008
3.A.1. Letter of Intent
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:
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 CDC Program staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed in Section IV. 3.A
The letter of intent should be sent to:
Charles N. Rafferty, Ph.D.
Office
of Extramural Programs
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2530
FAX: 404-498-2571
Email: [email protected]
Overnight Mail Address:
2400 Century Parkway NE (4th Floor)
Atlanta GA 30345-3114
3.B. Submitting an Application to the CDC
Applications must be prepared using the research grant
application forms found in the PHS 398 instructions for preparing a research
grant application. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application,
including the checklist, and three signed photocopies in one package to:
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7710
Bethesda, MD 20892-7710 (U.S. Postal Service Express or regular mail)
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service; non-USPS service)
Personal deliveries of applications are no longer permitted (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-040.html).
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application and one CD ROM disk containing appendix materials (if any) must be sent to:
Charles N. Rafferty, Ph.D.
Office
of Extramural Programs
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2530
FAX: 404-498-2571
Email: [email protected]
Overnight Mail Address:
2400 Century Parkway NE (4th Floor)
Atlanta GA 30345-3114
Appendix instructions
An appendix is permitted but should include only those materials appropriate for the proposed grant mechanism. Appendix materials should be supplied in the form of a PDF file contained on a CD ROM disk. Please follow the guidelines for creating PDF files provided by the eRA Commons (see http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/pdf_guidelines.htm). Paper copies of appendix materials will not be accepted. Otherwise, the preparation of appendices should conform to the guidelines described by the PHS 398 Instructions (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html).
NIOSH (with AHRQ and NIH) has published new limitations on grant application appendix materials to encourage applications to be as concise as possible while containing the information needed for expert scientific review. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-018.html.
Applications must be received on or before the application
receipt/submission date described above (Section IV.3.A.).
If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the
applicant without review.
Upon
receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by CSR. Incomplete
applications will not be reviewed.
The
NIOSH/CDC will not accept any application in response to this FOA that is
essentially the same as one currently pending initial merit review unless the
applicant withdraws the pending application. However, when a previously
unfunded application, originally submitted as an investigator-initiated
application, is to be submitted in response to this funding opportunity, it is
to be prepared as a NEW application. That is, the application for the funding
opportunity must not include an Introduction describing the changes and improvements
made, and the text must not be marked to indicate the changes from the previous
unfunded version of the application.
Information
on the status of an application should be checked by the Principal Investigator
in the eRA Commons at: https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
All HHS/CDC awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement.
Restrictions, which applicants must take into account while writing their budgets, are as follows:
6. Other Submission Requirements
Awardees upon acceptance of Notice of
Award (NoA), must agree to the "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions
of Award" in Section VI. "Award
Administration Information .
If you are requesting indirect costs in your budget, you must include a copy of your indirect cost rate agreement. If your indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12 months of age.
Applicants research plan(s) should address activities they will conduct over the entire project period.
The HHS/CDC requires the PD/PI to fill in his/her eRA Commons User ID in the PROFILE Project Director/Principal Investigator section, Credential log-in field of the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile component. The applicant organization must include its DUNS number in its Organization Profile in the eRA Commons. This DUNS number must match the DUNS number provided at CCR registration with Grants.gov. For additional information, see Registration FAQs Important Tips -- Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.
NIOSH (with AHRQ and NIH) has published new limitations on grant application appendix materials to encourage applications to be as concise as possible while containing the information needed for expert scientific review. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-018.html.
Do not to use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan component. An application that does not observe the relevant policies and procedures may not be considered in the review process. Applicants are reminded to review specific FOAs for any additional program-specific guidance on Appendix material and other application requirements.
Plan for Sharing Research Data
The precise content of the data-sharing plan will vary, depending on the data being collected and how the investigator is planning to share the data. Applicants should describe briefly the expected schedule for data sharing, the format of the final dataset, the documentation they will provide, whether or not any analytic tools also will be provided, whether or not a data-sharing agreement will be required and, if so, a brief description of such an agreement (including the criteria for deciding who can receive the data and whether or not the awardee will place any conditions on their use), and the mode of data sharing (e.g., under their own auspices by mailing a disk or posting data on their institutional or personal website, through a data archive or enclave). References to data sharing may also be appropriate in other sections of the application.
All applicants must include a plan for sharing research
data in their application. The HHS/CDC data sharing policy is available at http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm under Additional Requirements 25 Release and Sharing of Data. All investigators
responding to this funding opportunity should include a description of how
final research data will be shared, or explain why data sharing is not
possible.
The reasonableness
of the data sharing plan or the rationale for not sharing research data will be
assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data
sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit or the priority score.
Sharing Research Resources
HHS policy requires that
grant award recipients make unique research resources readily available for
research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community
after publication (see the HHS Grants Policy Statement http://www.hhs.gov/grantsnet/adminis/gpd.) Investigators responding
to this funding opportunity should include a plan for sharing research
resources addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain
why sharing is not possible.
The adequacy of the
resources sharing plan and any related data sharing plans will be considered by
the HHS/CDC Program staff of the funding organization when making
recommendations about funding applications. The effectiveness of the resource
sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each
non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm). See Section VI.3. Reporting.
Section V. Application Review Information
1.Criteria
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications
that are complete and responsive to the FOA 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:
The goal of the NIOSH research program is to develop an understanding of the risks and conditions that are associated with occupational diseases and injuries, to explore methods for reducing risks and for preventing or minimizing exposure to hazardous conditions in the workplace, and to translate significant scientific findings into prevention practices and products that will effectively reduce work-related illnesses and injuries. Specific research priorities are derived from the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) which is used by NIOSH for determining how best to carry out its mission of providing national and world leadership in preventing work-related illnesses and injuries. Detailed information about NORA can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/. 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. The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria in assigning the application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application.
Note that an 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.
Significance: Does this study address
an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will
scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the effect
of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, diagnostics,
or preventative interventions in the mesothelioma clinical and research fields? Does the proposed research
further develop the concept and usefulness of a virtual registry and tissue
bank? Will the proposed research further enhance
access of the clinical science community to mesothelioma tissue and data
resources?
Approach: Are the conceptual or
clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well
integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the
applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
Is the project fully described and does it include a plan for the dissemination
of results? Does the project have a well-developed and conceived evaluation
plan?
Innovation: Is the project original
and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms or
clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to
progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts,
approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area? Does the PI describe how the enhanced National Mesothelioma Virtual
Registry and Tissue Bank will serve as a unique resource for researchers in
this field and how the research team will collaborate with other related
resources to further enhance the utility of the virtual registry and bank?
Investigators: Are the PD/PIs and key personnel appropriately
trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed
appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator(s) and other researchers? Do the PD/PIs and the investigative team
bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project (if applicable)? Are the roles of the PD/PIs and key personnel
well-described in the context of the U24 cooperative agreement with NIOSH and
NIOSH personnel?
Environment: Does the scientific
environment in which the applicant will do the work contribute to the
probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of
the scientific environment, or subject populations, or employ useful
collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? Does
the applicant provide evidence of existing systems and/or infrastructure that
are critical to the success of the proposal? Does the applicant have an
existing National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank or other
virtual or actual tissue or registry bank? Has as the
applicant addressed how it will work with the existing
registry and bank to maintain, enhance and improve the bank through this new
cooperative agreement?
2.A. Additional
Review Criteria
In addition
to the above criteria, the following items will be considered in the
determination of scientific merit and the priority score:
Confidentiality: Because of the sensitive nature of an internet-based registry, applicants need to specifically address how confidentiality issues will be handled in the reporting and use of data from the internet-based registry. Does the applicant describe the type of information that will be collected related to the tissues and other biospecimens included in the virtual registry and bank, and how this information will be used and protected?
Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk: The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed. See the Human Subjects Sections of the PHS398 Research Plan component.
Inclusion of Women, Minorities and Children in Research: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. See the Human Subjects Sections of the PHS398 Research Plan.
Care
and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If
applicants plan to use vertebrate animals in the project, HHS/CDC will assess
the five items described under Section 2, item 12 Vertebrate Animals of the
Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R). Additional HHS/CDC Requirements under AR-3 Animal
Subjects Requirements are available on the Internet at the following address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
Biohazards: If applicants propose the
applicant has proposed materials or procedures that are potentially hazardous
to research personnel and/or the environment, determine if the proposed
protection is adequate.
2.B. Additional Review
Considerations
Budget and Period of Support: The
reasonableness of the proposed budget and the appropriateness of the requested
period of support in relation to the proposed research may be assessed by the
reviewers. The evaluation of the budget should not affect the priority score.
2.C. Sharing
Research Data
Data Sharing Plan: The reasonableness of the
data sharing plan or the rationale for not
sharing research data may be assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will
not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the
determination of scientific merit or the priority score. The funding
organization will be responsible for monitoring the data sharing policy.
2.D. Sharing
Research Resources
HHS policy requires that
recipients of grant awards make unique research resources readily available for
research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community
after publication. Please see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/gps/8postnew.htm#phs. Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should
include a plan addressing how unique research resources will be shared or
explain why sharing is not possible.
Program staff will
be responsible for the administrative review of the plan for sharing research
resources.
The adequacy of the resources sharing plan will be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (HHS/PHS 2590 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm). See Section VI.3. Reporting .
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award
Dates
Not
applicable.
Section
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
After the peer review of the application is completed, the
applicant organization will receive a written critique called a Summary
Statement. The
applicant organization and the PD/PI will be able to access the Summary
Statement via the eRA Commons.
HHS/CDC will contact those applicants under consideration for funding for additional information.
If the application is under consideration for funding, CDC/NIOSH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant. For details, applicants may refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the Grants Management Officer (GMO) is the authorizing document. HHS/CDC will mail and/or e-mail this document to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
Selection of the application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any cost incurred before receipt of the NoA is at the recipient’s risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See also Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The Code of Federal Regulations 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92 have details about requirements. For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html. Additional requirements are available in Section VIII. Other Information of this document or on the HHS/CDC website at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm. These will be incorporated into the Notice of Award by reference.
2.A. Cooperative Agreement
The following terms of award are in addition to, and not
in lieu of, otherwise applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
administrative guidelines, HHS grant administration regulations at 45 CFR Parts
74 and 92 (Part 92 is applicable when State and local Governments are eligible
to apply), and other HHS/CDC grant administration policies.
The administrative
and funding instrument used for this program will be the cooperative agreement U24,
an "assistance" instrument (rather than an "acquisition"
instrument) in which substantial HHS/CDC programmatic involvement with the
awardees is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under
the cooperative agreement, the HHS/CDC purpose is to support and stimulate the
recipients' activities by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the
award recipients in a partnership role; it is not to assume direction, prime
responsibility, or a dominant role in the activities. Consistent with this
concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility resides with the awardees
for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities may be
shared among the awardees and the HHS/CDC may share specific tasks and
activities, as defined above.
2.A.1. Recipient Rights and Responsibilities
The Recipient will have the primary responsibility of all management, administrative and scientific aspects of the research including all data, resources, and operations.
Recipient Organization will retain custody of and have
primary rights to the information, data and software developed under this
award, subject to U.S. Government rights of access consistent with current
HHS/CDC policies.
2.A.2. HHS/CDC Responsibilities
An HHS/CDC/NIOSH agency Program Official will be responsible for the normal scientific and programmatic stewardship of the award and will be named in the NoA. The Program Official will be responsible for objective independent evaluation of the progress of the award in meeting its objectives.
In addition, a NIOSH Intramural Scientist will serve as a Project Scientist/Collaborator and may provide substantial scientific involvement as a consultant for mesothelioma, registry, and tissue bank specific subject matters. The NIOSH Project Scientist/Collaborator may publish with the awardee in accordance with HHS, CDC and NIOSH publication policies, and will assist in the reporting and dissemination of research results and relevant health and safety and training information to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies, health-care providers, the scientific community, health promotion and protection workers, management and union representatives, and other NIOSH interested parties, The NIOSH Project Scientist/Collaborator will be named in the NoA. The NIOSH Project/Collaborator will not be involved in any evaluation of the progress for the award or be involved in Extramural Program decisions affecting the award.
2.A.3. Collaborative Responsibilities
The awardee will manage the National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry and Tissue Bank with collaboration, consultation, and guidance from CDC/NIOSH. The governing Coordinating (steering) Committee, established by the awardee, will include the Principal Investigators and two other representatives from the awardee institution; two members from each tissue/data accruing site; a patient advocate; the CDC/NIOSH Extramural Program Official; and the CDC/NIOSH Intramural Scientist in the role as Project Scientist/Collaborator. Additional members may be added to the Coordinating Committee by a majority vote of the existing committee members. Each full member of the Coordinating (steering) Committee will have one vote. Awardee members of the committee will be required to accept and implement policies approved by the Coordinating Committee.
The Coordinating Committee will act as the governing body of the mesothelioma virtual registry and bank and will develop and/or modify operating policies and a Manual of Operations for uniform procedures to accession, process, and distribute tissue, uniform quality control methods and rules for access to the clinical and outcome data associated with the accrued cases.
The awardee will publicize the availability of the virtual registry and tissue bank and will consult with CDC and NIOSH to ensure CDC and NIOSH policies related to use of CDC and NIOSH logos or other relevant concerns are followed.
3. Reporting
Recipient
Organization must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard
copies of the following reports:
Recipient Organization must forward these reports by the U.S. Postal Service or express delivery to the Grants Management Specialist listed in the Agency Contacts section of this FOA.
Although the financial plans of the NIOSH provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports) and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal government.
HHS/CDC encourages your inquiries
concerning this FOA and welcomes the opportunity to answer questions from
potential applicants. Inquiries can fall into three areas: scientific/research,
peer review, and financial or grants management issues:
1. Scientific/Research Contacts:
Joan
F. Karr, Ph.D.
Scientific Program Administrator
Office of Extramural Programs
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop E74
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
Telephone: (404)498-2506
Fax: (404)498-2571
Email: [email protected] and copy OEP Correspondence (CDC)@cdc.gov
Overnight Mail Address:
2400 Century Parkway NE (4th Floor)
Atlanta GA 30345-3114
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Charles N. Rafferty, Ph.D.
Office
of Extramural Programs
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop E74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2530
FAX: 404-498-2571
Email: [email protected]
Overnight Mail Address:
2400 Century Parkway NE (4th Floor)
Atlanta GA 30345-3114
3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:
Maryann Monroe
Acquisition and Assistance Field Branch
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
626 Cochrans Mill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0070
Telephone: (412) 386-5075
FAX: (412) 386- 6429
Email: [email protected]
4. General Questions Contacts:
Technical
Information Management Section
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2700
Email: [email protected]
Section VIII. Other Information
Required
Federal Citations
Human Subjects Protection
Federal
regulations (45 CFR Part 46) require that applications and proposals involving
human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects,
the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the
research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained
or to be gained (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm).
Additional HHS/CDC Requirements under AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements can be
found on the Internet at the following address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
Use of Animals in Research
Recipients
of PHS support for activities involving live, vertebrate animals must comply
with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf)
as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm),
and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm)
as applicable. Additional HHS/CDC Requirements under AR-3 Animal Subjects
Requirements can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic
Minorities in Research
It is the policy of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR) to ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and
ethnic groups will be included in CDC/ATSDR-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.
Inclusion of Persons Under the Age of 21 in
Research
The policy of CDC is
that persons under the age of 21 must be included in all human subjects
research that is conducted or supported by CDC, unless there are scientific and
ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all CDC-conducted
or CDC-supported research involving human subjects, including research that is
otherwise exempt in accordance with Sections 101(b) and 401(b) of 45 C.F.R. Part 46, HHS Policy for the Protection of
Human Subjects. Therefore, proposals for research involving human
subjects must include a description of plans for including persons under the
age of 21. If persons under the age of 21 will be excluded from the research,
the application or proposal must present an acceptable justification for the
exclusion.
In an extramural research plan, the investigator should create a section titled "Participation of persons under the age of 21." This section should provide either a description of the plans to include persons under the age of 21 and a rationale for selecting or excluding a specific age range, or an explanation of the reason(s) for excluding persons under the age of 21 as participants in the research. When persons under the age of 21 are included, the plan must also include a description of the expertise of the investigative team for dealing with individuals at the ages included, the appropriateness of the available facilities to accommodate the included age groups, and the inclusion of a sufficient number of persons under the age of 21 to contribute to a meaningful analysis relative to the purpose of the study. Scientific review groups at CDC will assess each application as being acceptable or unacceptable in regard to the age-appropriate inclusion or exclusion of persons under the age of 21 in the research project, in addition to evaluating the plans for conducting the research in accordance with these provisions.
The inclusion of children (as defined by the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted) as subjects in research must be in compliance with all applicable subparts of 45 C.F.R. Part 46, as well as with other pertinent federal laws and regulations.
The policy of inclusion of persons under the age of 21 in CDC-conducted or CDC-supported research activities in foreign countries (including collaborative activities) is the same as that for research conducted in the United States.
HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
Recipients must have confidentiality and security provisions to protect data collected through HIV/AIDS surveillance, including copies of local data release policies; employee training in confidentiality provisions; State laws, rules, or regulations pertaining to the protection or release of surveillance information; and physical security of hard copies and electronic files containing confidential surveillance information.
Describe laws, rules, regulations, or health department policies that require or permit the release of patient-identifying information collected under the HIV/AIDS surveillance system to entities outside the public health department; describe also the measures the health department has taken to ensure that persons reported to the surveillance system are protected from further or unlawful disclosure.
Some projects may require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or a certificate of confidentiality.
HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
Compliance with Content of AIDS-Related Written Materials, Pictorials, Audiovisuals, Questionnaires, Survey Instruments, and Educational Sessions (June 1992) is required.
To meet the requirements for a program review panel, you are encouraged to use an existing program review panel, such as the one created by the State health department's HIV/AIDS prevention program. If you form your own program review panel, at least one member must be an employee (or a designated representative) of a State or local health department. List the names of the review panel members on the Assurance of Compliance form, CDC 0.1113. Submit the program review panel's report that all materials have been approved.
If the proposed project involves hosting a conference, submit the program review panel's report stating that all materials, including the proposed conference agenda, have been approved. Submit a copy of the proposed agenda with the application.
Before funds are used to develop
educational materials, determine whether suitable materials already exist in
the CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN). The website can be found at; http://www.nchstp.cdc.gov/od/infocenter/npin.htm.
Patient Care
Ensure that all STD or HIV infected patients enrolled in the proposed project will be linked to an appropriate local care system that can address their specific needs, such as medical care, counseling, social services, and therapy.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is subject to the Public Health System Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, all community-based non-governmental organizations submitting health services applications must prepare and submit the items identified below to the head of the appropriate State and/or local health agency(s) in the program area(s) that may be impacted by the proposed project no later than the application deadline date of the Federal application. The appropriate State and/or local health agency is determined by the applicant. The following information must be provided:
A. A copy of the face page of the application (SF 424).
B. A summary of the project that should be titled "Public Health System
Impact Statement" (PHSIS), not exceed one page, and include the following:
1. A description of the population to be served.
2. A summary of the services to be provided.
3. A description of the coordination plans with the appropriate state and/or local health agencies.
If the State and/or local health official should desire a copy of the entire application, it may be obtained from the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) or directly from the applicant.
Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more individuals and funded by a grant or a cooperative agreement will be subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
HHS/CDC strongly encourages all recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote abstinence from all tobacco products. 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, or early childhood development services are provided to children.
Healthy People 2010The Public Health Service (PHS) is
committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives
of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting
priority areas. This FOA is related to one or more of the priority areas.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at www.healthypeople.gov
Lobbying
Restrictions
Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS 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/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, HHS/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 HHS/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 HHS/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, publications, and "grassroots" activities that relate to specific legislation, recipients of HHS/CDC funds should give close attention to isolating and separating the appropriate use of HHS/CDC funds from non-CDC funds. HHS/CDC also cautions recipients of HHS/CDC funds to be careful not to give the appearance that HHS/CDC funds are being used to carry out activities in a manner that is prohibited under Federal law.
Prohibition on Use of HHS/CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control Activities
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act specifies that: "None of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control."
Anti-Lobbying Act requirements prohibit lobbying Congress with appropriated Federal monies. Specifically, this Act prohibits the use of Federal funds for direct or indirect communications intended or designed to influence a member of Congress with regard to specific Federal legislation. This prohibition includes the funding and assistance of public grassroots campaigns intended or designed to influence members of Congress with regard to specific legislation or appropriation by Congress.
In addition to the restrictions in the Anti-Lobbying Act, HHS/CDC interprets the language in the HHS/CDC's Appropriations Act to mean that HHS/CDC's funds may not be spent on political action or other activities designed to affect the passage of specific Federal, State, or local legislation intended to restrict or control the purchase or use of firearms.
Accounting System Requirements
The services of a certified public accountant licensed by the State Board of Accountancy or the equivalent must be retained throughout the project as a part of the recipient's staff or as a consultant to the recipient's accounting personnel. These services may include the design, implementation, and maintenance of an accounting system that will record receipts and expenditures of Federal funds in accordance with accounting principles, Federal regulations, and terms of the cooperative agreement or grant.
Capability Assessment
It may be necessary to conduct an on-site evaluation of some applicant organization's financial management capabilities prior to or immediately following the award of the grant or cooperative agreement. Independent audit statements from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for the preceding two fiscal years may also be required.
Proof of Non-profit Status
Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted by private nonprofit organizations with the application. Any of the following is acceptable evidence of nonprofit status: (a) a reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code; (b) a copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; (c) a statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State Official certifying that the applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals; (d) a certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status; (e) any of the above proof for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate.
Security Clearance Requirement
All individuals who will be performing work under a grant or cooperative agreement in a HHS/CDC-owned or leased facility (on-site facility) must receive a favorable security clearance, and meet all security requirements. This means that all awardees employees, fellows, visiting researchers, interns, etc., no matter the duration of their stay at HHS/CDC must undergo a security clearance process.
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 Funding Opportunity Announcement is certifying compliance with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations in Title 42 Part 93, Subparts A-E, entitled PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE POLICIES ON RESEARCH MISCONDUCT.
The regulation places requirements on institutions receiving or applying for funds under the PHS Act that are monitored by the DHHS Office of Research Integrity (ORI) (http://ori.hhs.gov./policies/statutes.shtml).
For example:
Section 93.301 Institutional assurances. (a) General policy. An institution with PHS supported biomedical or behavioral research, research training or activities related to that research or research training must provide PHS with an assurance of compliance with this part, satisfactory to the Secretary. PHS funding components may authorize [[Page 28389]] funds for biomedical and behavioral research, research training, or activities related to that research or research training only to institutions that have approved assurances and required renewals on file with ORI. (b) Institutional Assurance. The responsible institutional official must assure on behalf of the institution that the institution-- (1) Has written policies and procedures in compliance with this part for inquiring into and investigating allegations of research misconduct; and (2) Complies with its own policies and procedures and the requirements of this part.
Compliance with Executive Order 13279
Faith-based organization are eligible to receive federal financial assistance, and their applications are evaluated in the same manner and using the same criteria as those for non-faith-based organizations in accordance with Executive Order 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations. All applicants should, however, be aware of restrictions on the use of direct financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for inherently religious activities. Under the provisions of Title 45, Parts 74, 87, 92 and 96, organizations that receive direct financial assistance from DHHS under any DHHS program may not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization as a part of the programs or services funded with direct financial assistance from DHHS. If an organization engages in such activities, it must offer them separately, in time or location, from the programs or services funded with direct DHHS assistance, and participation must be voluntary for the beneficiaries of the programs or services funded with such assistance. A religious organization that participates in the DHHS funded programs or services will retain its independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, provided that it does not use direct financial assistance from DHHS to support inherently religious activities such as those activities described above. A faith-based organization may, however, use space in its facilities to provide programs or services funded with financial assistance from DHHS without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a religious organization that receives financial assistance from DHHS retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization=s name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization=s mission statements and other governing documents in accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other applicable requirements governing the conduct of DHHS funded activities. For further guidance on the use of DHHS direct financial assistance see Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 87, Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, and visit the internet site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Requirements
Recipients of this grant award should note that pursuant to the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164) covered entities may disclose protected health information to public health authorities authorized by law to collect or receive such information for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability, including, but not limited to, the reporting of disease, injury, vital events such as birth or death, and the conduct of public health surveillance, public health investigations, and public health interventions. The definition of a public health authority includes a person or entity acting under a grant of authority from or contract with such public agency. HHS/CDC considers this project a public health activity consistent with the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information and HHS/CDC will provide successful recipients a specific grant of public health authority for the purposes of this project.
Release and Sharing of Data
The Data Release Plan is the Grantee's assurance that the dissemination of any and all data collected under the HHS/CDC data sharing agreement will be released as follows:
a. In a timely manner.
b. Completely, and as accurately as possible.
c. To facilitate the broader community.
d. Developed in accordance with CDC policy on Releasing and Sharing Data.
April 16, 2003, http://www.cdc.gov/od/foia/policies/sharing.htm, and in full compliance with the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), (where applicable), The Office of Management and Budget Circular A110, (2000) revised 2003, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a110/a110.html and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) http://www.hhs.gov/foia/.
Applications must include a copy of the applicant's Data Release Plan. Applicants should provide HHS/CDC with appropriate documentation on the reliability of the data. Applications submitted without the required Plan may be ineligible for award. Award will be made when reviewing officials have approved an acceptable Plan. The successful applicant and the Program Manager will determine the documentation format. HHS/CDC recommends data is released in the form closest to micro data and one that will preserve confidentiality.
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
The grantee’s signature on the grant application attests to their: (1) knowledge of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665, 80 Stat. 915); and (2) intent to ensure all grant related activities are in compliance with referenced public law, as stated:
a. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) states:
The head of any Federal agency, having direct or indirect jurisdiction over a proposed Federal or Federally assisted undertaking in any State and the head of any Federal department or independent state agency having authority to license any undertaking, shall, prior to the approval of the expenditure of any Federal funds on the undertaking or prior to the issuance of any license, as the case may be, take into account the effect of the undertaking on any district, site, building, structure, or object that is included in or is eligible for inclusion in the National Register. The head of any such Federal agency shall afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation established under Title II of this ACT a reasonable opportunity to comment with regard to such undertaking.
b. Additionally, the NHPA also contains the following excerpt that forbids anticipatory demolition:
c. Each Federal agency shall ensure that the agency will not grant a loan, loan guarantee, permit, license, or other assistance to an applicant who, with intent to avoid the requirements of Section 106 of this Act, has intentionally, significantly, adversely affected a historic property to which the grant would relate or, having legal power to prevent it, allowed such significant adverse effect to occur, unless the agency, after consultation with the Council, determines that circumstances justify granting such assistance despite the adverse effect created or permitted by the applicant.
Conference Disclaimer and Use of Logos
Disclaimer: Where a conference is funded by a grant or cooperative agreement, a sub grant or a contract the recipient must include the following statement on conference materials, including promotional materials, agenda, and internet sites:
Funding for this conference was made possible [in part] by [insert grant or cooperative agreement award number] from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) or the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) . The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Logos: Neither the HHS nor the CDC ( CDC includes ATSDR) logo may be displayed if such display would cause confusion as to the source of the conference or give the false appearance of Government endorsement. A non-federal entity’s unauthorized use of the HHS name or logo is governed by U.S.C. 1320b-10, which prohibits the misuse of the HHS name and emblem in written communication. The appropriate use of the HHS logo is subject to the review and approval of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (OASPA). Moreover, the Office of the Inspector General has authority to impose civil monetary penalties for violations (42 C.F.R. Part 1003). Neither the HHS nor the CDC logo can be used on conference materials under a grant, cooperative agreement, contract or co-sponsorship agreement without the expressed, written consent of either the Project Officer or the Grants Management Officer. It is the responsibility of the grantee (or recipient of funds under a cooperative agreement) to request consent for the use of the logo in sufficient detail to assure a complete depiction and disclosure of all uses of the Government logos, and to assure that in all cases of the use of Government logos, the written consent of either the Project Officer or the Grants Management Officer has been received.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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