Technical Assistance Conference Call for Applications to AHRQ’s Health Information Technology Funding Opportunity Announcements (HS-PAR-08-268; HS-PAR-08-269; HS-PAR-08-270)

Notice Number: NOT-HS-09-002

Key Dates
Release Date: December 4, 2008

Issued by
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (http://www.ahrq.gov)

Information about the Conference Call
On Tuesday, January 13, 2009 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will host a Technical Assistance (TA) conference call to provide an overview of AHRQ’s new health information technology (IT) funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) and information relevant to the health IT Special Emphasis Notice (SEN). These announcements can be found at:

• Small Research Grant to Improve Health Care Quality through Health Information Technology (IT) (R03) (PAR-08-268)
• Exploratory and Developmental Grant to Improve Health Care Quality through Health Information Technology (IT) (R21) (PAR-08-269)
• Utilizing Health Information Technology (IT) to Improve Health Care Quality (R18) (PAR-08-270)
• Interest in Career Development (K01, K02, K08) and Dissertation (R36) Grants focused on Health Information Technology (IT) (NOT-HS-08-014)

During the TA call, AHRQ staff will highlight information found in the FOAs and respond to callers requests for clarification. Persons considering submitting grant applications in response to these FOAs or the SEN are welcome to attend this TA call. Those who cannot attend are encouraged to view the transcript of the TA meeting (see Transcript below).

Applicants are also encouraged to prepare for the forthcoming new requirements to submit Adobe-based grant application forms (see Electronic Application Package below).

Registration instructions for the conference call
In order for AHRQ to support the number of participants on the conference call, participants are encouraged to register by Thursday January 8 via e-mail at: [email protected]. Participants may also submit questions in the body of the e-mail.

PowerPoint Presentation of material to be presented will be provided to registrants via e-mail.

Call-in information for the conference call
Due to the anticipated high volume, on January 13, 2009, please call-in 15 minutes early, 12:45 pm ET:

• Dial-in Number: 1-888-324-0236
• Participant Passcode: 2362915

Transcript
By January 23, 2009, a transcript of the TA call, including AHRQ’s answers to questions posed on the call, will be available through http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/grantix.htm.

Electronic Application Package

• The new Adobe version of the Pure Edge forms for applications to these FOAs will be published and available for download through the web links for the FOAs or from Grants.gov after December 5.
• These new SF424 R&R forms will require a specific version of Adobe Reader to ensure the forms work properly. Incorrect versions may prevent successful submission of applications to Grants.gov. See NIH’s eSubmission Web site for more information.
• AHRQ recommends that you:
• Use the current FOA and begin developing your research plan now
• Install the correct version of Adobe Reader required for the new forms; and,
• Download the new Adobe application form for the FOA in December and then cut and paste your research plan into the new forms.

Inquiries

Inquiries related to this Notice should be directed to:

Angela Lavanderos
Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships
Health Information Technology
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
540 Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone: (301) 427-1505
E-mail address: [email protected]