and Human Services (HHS)
EXPIRED
Department of Health and Human Services
Participating Organizations
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ), (http://www.ahrq.gov)
Components of Participating Organizations
Center for Outcomes and
Evidence (COE), AHRQ (http://www.ahrq.gov)
Title: ARRA-AHRQ Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition: Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum for Comparative Effectiveness Research (U13)
Note: The policies, guidelines terms and conditions stated in this announcement may differ from those used by the NIH.
Announcement Type
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is a new FOA.
Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
Request For Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-HS-10-006
NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.
This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).
A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four (4) weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.715
Key Dates
Release
Date: December 8, 2009
Opening Date: December 20, 2009 (Earliest date an application may
be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): December 18, 2009
NOTE: On time submission
requires that applications be successfully submitted to Grants.gov no later
than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization).
Application Due
Date(s): January 20, 2010
Peer Review Date(s): Generally four
months after receipt date
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: Generally four
months after peer review date
Additional
Information To Be Available Date: Not applicable
Expiration Date: January 21, 2010
Due Dates
for E.O. 12372
Not
Applicable
Additional
Overview Content
Executive Summary
This AHRQ Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), supported by funds provided to AHRQ under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act” or “ARRA”), Public Law 111-5, invites Large Conference Support (U13) grant applications from organizations that propose to advance methods related to the development of the infrastructure and methodology for collecting and analyzing prospective data from electronic clinical databases for comparative effectiveness research.
While grant awards are made to institutions rather than individuals, this announcement and its instructions are written to inform individual researchers of this funding opportunity and facilitate the submission of grant applications by their organizations.
Table of Contents
Part I Overview Information
Part II Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information -
Required Federal Citations
Part II - Full Text
of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
The purpose of the award is to advance methods related to the development of the infrastructure and methodology for collecting and analyzing prospective data from electronic clinical databases for comparative effectiveness research. Data collection methods development includes new ways for linking information while ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of patient information. The Electronic Data Methods (EDM) forum will convene investigators who are conducting PROSPECT studies funded under RFA-HS-10-005 to conduct comparative effectiveness research of clinical interventions used in priority conditions and populations, other experts in clinical registries, distributed research methods, health information technology and in outcomes and effectiveness research, practicing clinicians, representatives from relevant organizations, and other stakeholders, including patients, as needed. The EDM forum, through a series of meetings and workshops, will identify the challenges to conducting comparative effectiveness research using electronic data, including but not limited to scientific, technical, organizational, clinical, legal, and ethical issues, and challenges raised by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The EDM forum is expected to propose realistic solutions to such challenges, or, when this is not feasible, to outline a course of research and/or discussion that will advance resolution of these issues.
The proceedings and recommendations of the meetings and workshops of the EDM forum will be disseminated in a variety of formats such as scientific articles, white papers and other web-based reports, to facilitate communication with a broad audience. The EDM forum will endeavor to meet the needs of PROSPECT as well as other HHS projects involving the use of electronic clinical databases for comparative effectiveness research.
It is expected that the selection of topics for discussion, speakers and drafting of products and other dissemination activities will need to be coordinated with different AHRQ programs and program staff in order to minimize overlap and enhance synergy and impact of these programmatic activities. This will necessitate substantive and substantial AHRQ program staff involvement in all major phases of the project.
It is expected that the EDM forum will sponsor a minimum of three (3) events (such as workshops, symposia etc.) annually to engage the identified experts and stakeholders in this work. In addition, there will be two meetings annually of the steering committee of the forum.
Requirements for EDM Forum funding:
The application must demonstrate a proven track record of organizing scientific and technical meetings and workshops in a timely and efficient manner; engaging diverse stakeholders; being inclusive of different perspectives; and rapidly creating and disseminating accurate, useful and usable paper-based and electronic products. The applicant must have adequate in-house clinical and technical expertise and the ability to rapidly add experts or other consultants on an as-needed basis. The application may outline a plan for obtaining funding after the expiration of ARRA funding if the applicant intends that the EDM Forum will be self-sustaining in future years.
AHRQ intends the EDM Forum to serve the general community involved with the development of infrastructure and advancement of methodology for collecting and analyzing prospective data from electronic clinical databases for comparative effectiveness research. However, the immediate impetus for establishing the EDM Forum is the initiation of the PROSPECT Studies. PROSPECT funding will support a maximum of 5 applications, with the primary purpose of advancing the quality, range and scale of the electronic data collection infrastructure as a basis for comparative effectiveness research. The EDM Forum will convene investigators who are conducting PROSPECT studies and other investigators and experts involved in similar research and infrastructure development, to address methodological and other challenges they encounter in their endeavors.
(Please note that this RFA does not include funding for the PROSPECT Studies but only for the EDM forum. For information on funding opportunities for the PROSPECT Studies, please see RFA-HS-10-005. Relevant information describing the PROSPECT Studies is included below.)
PROSPECT Study Objectives:
The purpose of the PROSPECT (Prospective Outcome Systems using Patient-specific Electronic data to Compare Tests and therapies) Studies is to develop the infrastructure and improve the methodology for prospective collection of data from electronic databases containing clinical information. This methodology will ultimately assist in generating new evidence to examine the comparative effectiveness of healthcare interventions. Funded projects shall effect a substantial improvement in the nation’s capacity to systematically collect prospective data to perform comparative effectiveness research on diagnostics, therapeutics (drugs and biologics), devices, behavioral interventions, and procedures used in clinical care.
Applications selected for funding shall develop new electronic data infrastructure by building on existing electronic databases, such as electronic medical record (EMR) systems, registries, registry overlays, claims databases, or periodic surveys, with the ultimate goal of implementing broader, scalable and sustainable systems that enable the collection of longitudinal and comprehensive data across facilities. Although the primary purpose of the PROSPECT Studies will be to advance the capacity of electronic data collection infrastructure as a basis for comparative effectiveness research, the conduct of specific comparative effectiveness studies using these data will also be an important outcome of funding, both to provide needed comparative effectiveness evidence and to demonstrate the usability of the data networks. Infrastructure developed in the PROSPECT projects should serve as a long-term source of data supporting future comparative effectiveness and other longitudinal studies.
Projects shall demonstrate the capability of the proposed data systems to collect and accurately link information, such that data from these systems can readily be used to produce methodologically rigorous and clinically meaningful prospective (observational and experimental) studies. Useful comparative effectiveness studies that make use of the proposed infrastructure will need to incorporate data from different care delivery sites and cover diverse patient populations to yield valid and generalizable conclusions. The data gathered may also have relevance for addressing issues of safety and documenting quality improvement, but this should not be the primary purpose.
For more information on the types of projects that AHRQ will fund as PROSPECT Studies, see the PROSPECT FOA [RFA-HS-10-005]
2. EDM forum Requirements
The successful applicant must fulfill the following requirements for the EDM forum:
HHS Definition of CER
HHS will use the definition of CER used in the Federal Coordinating Council’s Report to Congress to guide the HHS operational plan with regard to OS ARRA funds. The definition is as follows:
Comparative effectiveness research is the conduct and synthesis of research comparing the benefits and harms of different interventions and strategies to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor health conditions in “real world” settings. The purpose of this research is to improve health outcomes by developing and disseminating evidence-based information to patients, clinicians, and other decision-makers, responding to their expressed needs, about which interventions are most effective for which patients under specific circumstances.
Priority-Setting Process and Inputs for use of ARRA OS Funds
There were four main inputs for priorities for ARRA OS CER funds: public input, an internal Departmental workgroup, the FCC report, and the IOM report. The FCC identified the following as minimum threshold criteria which must be met to be considered for funding:
1) Included within statutory limits of ARRA and the Council’s definition of CER;
2) Potential to inform decision-making by patients, clinicians or other stakeholders;
3) Responsiveness to expressed needs of patients, clinicians or other stakeholders;
4) Feasibility of research topic (including time necessary for research).
The CER-CIT will require the use of the FCC’s prioritization criteria for scientifically meritorious research and investments for all projects funded with OS ARRA funds. These criteria are:
1) Potential impact (based on prevalence of condition, burden of disease, variability in outcomes, costs, potential for increased patient benefit or decreased harm),
2) Potential to evaluate comparative effectiveness in diverse populations and patients sub-groups and engage communities in research,
3) Addresses existing uncertainty within the clinical and public health communities regarding management decisions and variability in practice,
4) Addresses a need or is unlikely to be addressed through other organizations,
5) Potential for multiplicative effect.
Finally, investments funded from this appropriation must address at least one of the following topic areas:
1) One of the 100 IOM topic recommendations;
2) An issue within one the MMA 14 priority conditions identified by AHRQ which are not currently addressed; and/or
3) Fall into one of the AHRQ identified evidence gaps.
The current list of priority conditions includes:
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 AHRQ cooperative support (U13) grant mechanism. In the cooperative agreement mechanism, the PD(s)/PI(s) retain(s) the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, with AHRQ staff being substantially involved as a partner with the PD(s)/PI(s), as described under the Section VI. 2. Administrative Requirements, "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award".
AHRQ is not using the Modular Grant Application and Award Process. Applications submitted in modular format will not be reviewed.
2. Funds Available
This initiative is supported
by funds provided to AHRQ under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of
2009 (“Recovery Act” or “ARRA”), Public Law 111-5. AHRQ
will award $4 million in FY 2010 to fund one grant,
contingent upon the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically
meritorious applications.
The total costs awarded under this FOA will not exceed $4 million for the entire project/budget period of 3 years. Appropriate justification should support the distribution of the grant budget over the 3-year project period as proposed by the applicant. The total cost in any one year of the project may not exceed $1.33 million. Applications with project periods that exceed 3 years or budgets that exceed $4 million in total costs will not be reviewed. Applicants are encouraged to accelerate and complete work in less than 3 years, when appropriate
Although the financial plans of AHRQ provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
Funding for this program is provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The purposes of the Recovery Act are to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery in the United States, and to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health. Consistent with these goals, eligible domestic (United States) institutions/organizations who are planning to submit applications that include foreign components should be aware that requested funding for any foreign component should not exceed 10% of the total requested total costs or $25,000 (aggregate total for a subcontract or multiple subcontracts), whichever is less. AHRQ awards under the Recovery Act will be for up to three years.
Section III. Eligibility Information
The following organizations/institutions are eligible to apply. Consistent with the purposes of the Recovery Act (in particular, to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery in the United States, and to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health), applicants must be a domestic (United States) institution/organization of one of the types listed below. The United States institution/organization must be located in the 50 states or in the territories or possessions of the U.S., Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or District of Columbia. Foreign organizations/institutions are not permitted as the applicant organization.
You may submit an application(s) if your institution/organization has any of the following characteristics:
Under the most recently enacted reauthorization legislation, AHRQ is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with for-profit organizations, as well as with public and not-for-profit entities. Thus for the purpose of this FOA, AHRQ will make grants only to non-profit organizations. For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors only. Foreign institutions may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors only. Applications submitted by for-profit organizations and foreign institutions will be returned without review. Organizations described in section 501(c) 4 of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying are not eligible.
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 AHRQ support. This project requires a minimum PD/PI effort of 10 percent.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
This program
does not require cost sharing for applications in response to this FOA.
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
Number of
Applications. Applicants may not submit more than one application.
Resubmissions. Resubmission applications are not permitted in response to this FOA.
Renewals. Renewal applications are not permitted in response to this FOA.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
To download a current SF424
(R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for
completing the SF424 (R&R) forms for this FOA, use the “Apply for
Grant Electronically” button in this FOA or link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/ and follow the directions provided on that Web site.
Registration:
Appropriate registrations with Grants.gov and eRA Commons must be completed on or before the due date in order to successfully submit an application. Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should immediately check with their business official to determine whether their organization/institution is already registered with both Grants.gov and the Commons. All registrations must be complete by the submission deadline for the application to be considered “on-time” (see 3.C.1 for more information about on-time submission).
A one-time registration is required for institutions/organizations at both:
A PD/PI should work with his/her institution/organization to make sure he/she is registered in the NIH eRA Commons.
Several additional separate actions are required before an applicant can submit an electronic application, as follows:
1) Organizational/Institutional Registration in Grants.gov/Get Registered
2) Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons
3) Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the NIH eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.
Both the PD/PI and AOR/SO need separate accounts in the NIH eRA Commons since both are authorized to view the application image.
Note: The registration process is not sequential. Applicants should begin the registration processes for both Grants.gov and eRA Commons as soon as their organization has obtained a DUNS number. Only one DUNS number is required and the same DUNS number must be referenced when completing Grants.gov registration, eRA Commons registration and the SF424 (R&R) forms.
1.
Request Application Information
Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R)
application forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA
through Grants.gov/Apply.
Note: Only the forms package
directly attached to a specific FOA can be used. You will not be able to use
any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA),
although some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than
one FOA.
For further assistance, contact GrantsInfo --
Telephone 301-710-0267; Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY: (301) 451-5936
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Prepare all applications using the SF424 (R&R) application forms and in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply.
The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is critical to submitting a complete and accurate application to AHRQ. Some fields within the SF424 (R&R) application components, although not marked as mandatory, are required by AHRQ (e.g., the “Credential” log-in field of the “Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile” component must contain the PD/PI’s assigned eRA Commons User ID). Agency-specific instructions for such fields are clearly identified in the Application Guide. For additional information, see “Frequently Asked Questions – Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.”
The SF424 (R&R) application has several components. The forms package associated with this FOA in Grants.gov/APPLY includes all applicable components, required and optional. A completed application in response to this FOA includes the data in the following components:
Required Components:
SF424 (R&R) (Cover component)
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Locations
Research & Related Other Project Information
Research & Related Senior/Key Person
PHS398 Cover Page Supplement
PHS398 Research Plan
PHS398 Checklist
PHS398 Research & Related
Budget
Optional Components:
PHS398 Cover Letter File
Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s)
Form
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
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.
3. Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A below
for details.
3.A. Receipt,
Review and Anticipated Start Dates
Opening Date: December 20, 2009 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters
of Intent Receipt Date(s): December 18,
2009
Application Due
Date: January 20, 2010
Peer Review
Date(s): Generally
four months after receipt date
Earliest
Anticipated Start Date(s): Generally four months after peer review date
3.A.1. Letter of Intent
To allow AHRQ staff to estimate the potential peer review workload and plan the review (e.g., anticipate the nature of reviewer expertise that will be required), prospective applicants may submit a letter of intent that includes an acknowledgement of interest in this funding opportunity (please refer to the number and title of this funding opportunity), a few comments on the subject of the proposed research, background expertise of key personnel, and the nature and role of participating institutions. Please include the name and email address of the Principal Investigator.
This letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and is not considered in the review of a subsequent application. However, these letters are administratively very helpful, as indicated above.
The letter of intent must be sent electronically to:
EDMgrants@ahrq.hhs.gov, with a subject line of “Letter of Intent EDM Grants”.
The full address included in the Letter of Intent should read:
Letter
of Intent EDM Grants
Center
for Outcomes and Evidence
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
540 Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Email: EDMgrants@ahrq.hhs.gov
To be most useful, the
letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed in Section IV.3.A
3.A.2. Technical Assistance
Applicants may submit questions to AHRQ via email at EDMgrants@ahrq.hhs.gov. AHRQ will respond to questions via email. In addition, based on inquiries received, AHRQ will post a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and responses to these questions approximately 4 weeks after the release of this FOA at http://www.AHRQ.gov/fund/grantix.htm.
3.B. Submitting an Application Electronically to AHRQ
To submit an application in response to this FOA, applicants should
access this FOA via http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp and follow Steps 1-4. Note: Applications must only be submitted
electronically. PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
In order to expedite the review, applicants are
requested to notify the AHRQ Referral Office by email Gerald.Calderone@ahrq.hhs.gov when the application has been submitted. Please
include the FOA number and title, PD/PI name, and title of the application.
3.C. Application Processing
3.C.1 Submitting On-Time
Applications may be submitted on or after the opening date and must be successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the application due date(s). (See Section IV.3.A. for all dates.) If an application is not submitted by the due date(s) and time, the application may be delayed in the review process or not reviewed. All applications must meet the following criteria to be considered “on-time”.
Please visit http://era.nih.gov/electronicReceipt/app_help.htm for detailed information on what to do if Grants.gov or eRA system issues threaten your ability to submit on time.
Submission to Grants.gov is not the last step – applicants must follow their application through to the eRA Commons to check for errors and warnings and view their assembled application!
3.C.2 Two Day Window to Correct eRA Identified Errors/Warnings
IMPORTANT NOTE! NIH has eliminated the error correction window for due dates of January 25, 2011 and beyond. As of January 25, all corrections must be complete by the due date for an application to be considered on-time. See NOT-OD-10-123.
Once an application package has been successfully submitted through Grants.gov, NIH provides applicants a two day error correction window to correct any eRA identified errors or warnings before a final assembled application is created in the eRA Commons. The standard error correction window is two (2) business days, beginning the day after the submission deadline and excluding weekends and standard federal holidays. All errors must be corrected to successfully complete the submission process. Warnings will not prevent the application from completing the submission process.
Please note that the following caveats apply:
3.C.3 Viewing an Application in the eRA Commons
Once any eRA identified errors have been addressed, and the assembled application has been created in the eRA Commons, the PD/PI and the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) have two weekdays (Monday – Friday, excluding Federal holidays) to view the assembled application before it automatically moves forward to NIH for further processing.
Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH, and AHRQ. Incomplete and/or non-responsive applications will not be reviewed.
There will be an acknowledgement of receipt of applications from Grants.gov and the Commons. The submitting AOR/SO receives the Grants.gov acknowledgments. The AOR/SO and the PD/PI receive Commons acknowledgments. Information related to the assignment of an application to a Scientific Review Group is also in the Commons.
Note: Since email can be unreliable, it is the responsibility of the applicant to check periodically on the application status in the Commons.
AHRQ will not accept any application in response to this funding opportunity that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial 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 a 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.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval of human subjects is not required prior to peer review of an application (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-00-003.html). However, initiation of IRB review, if necessary or applicable, is strongly encouraged to assure timely commencement of research.
Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding assignment within eight (8) weeks.
o Use of CMS Data
Purchase of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public-use data, if required, should be discussed in the application narrative and included in the budget. Projects will ordinarily not use CMS (Medicare or Medicaid) data involving individual identifiers. However, for applications that propose to use Medicare or Medicaid data that are individually identifiable, applicants should state explicitly in the “Research Design and Methods” section of the Research Plan (form 398) the specific files, time periods, and cohorts proposed for the research. In consultation with CMS, AHRQ will use this information to develop a cost estimate for obtaining the data. This estimate will be included in the estimated total cost of the grant at the time funding decisions are made.
Applicants should be aware that for individually identifiable Medicare and Medicaid data, Principal Investigators and their grantee institutions will be required to enter into a Data Use Agreement (DUA) with CMS to protect the confidentiality of data in accordance with the confidentiality provision in the AHRQ statute, 42 USC 299c-3(c); the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule at 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, if applicable; and standards set out in OMB Circular A-130, Appendix III–Security of Federal Automated Information Systems. The use of the data will be restricted to the purposes and time period specified in the DUA. At the end of this time period, the grantee will be required to return the data to CMS or certify that the data have been destroyed.
Unless AHRQ is able to negotiate exceptional arrangements, the DUA will include the requirement that the data user agrees to submit to CMS, a copy of all findings within 30 days of making such findings, for the sole purpose of assuring CMS that data confidentiality is maintained. The user further agrees not to submit these findings to any third party (including but not limited to any manuscript to be submitted for publication) until receiving CMS's approval to do so.
In developing research plans, applicants should allow time for refining, obtaining approval, and processing of their CMS data requests. Requests may take six months from the time they are submitted to complete. Applications proposing to contact beneficiaries or their providers require the approval of the CMS Director and may require meeting(s) with CMS staff.
CMS data are provided on IBM mainframe tapes using the record and data formats commonly employed on these computers. Applicants should either have the capability to process these tapes and formats or plan to make arrangements to securely convert them to other media and formats.
Questions regarding CMS data should be directed to the AHRQ program official listed under Agency Contacts (see Section VII).
To avoid double counting, applicants should not include the cost of identifiable CMS data in the budget. In the event the total costs of the project plus the cost of CMS data is greater than the total cost cap of this FOA, the budget for the project will be adjusted so that the total costs awarded to the recipient plus the CMS data costs do not exceed the cost cap.
4. Intergovernmental Review
This
initiative is not subject to intergovernmental
review.
5. Funding Restrictions
For efficient grant administration, AHRQ grant administration procedures
will be used and conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions, cost
principles, and other considerations described in the HHS Grants Policy
Statement. The Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/hhspolicy.htm
Pre-award costs are allowable. A
grantee may, at its own risk and without AHRQ prior approval, incur obligations
and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the
initial budget period of a new award if such costs are necessary to conduct the
project and would be allowable under the grant, if awarded, without AHRQ prior
approval. If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the grantee
must obtain AHRQ approval before incurring the cost. AHRQ prior approval is
required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning
date of the initial budget period of a new award.
The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a
competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on AHRQ either to make
the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made
for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award
costs incurred. AHRQ expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs
result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not
impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the
approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project.
6. Other Submission Requirements and Information
The
PI/PD must devote a minimum level of effort of 10% annually (1.5 calendar
months) to the project. A program manager/coordinator must devote a
minimum level of effort of 50% annually (6 calendar months) to manage the
project. Applications should budget to travel three persons, (at a minimum the
project PI and program manager must travel), to AHRQ for five meetings
annually.
Allowable and Unallowable Costs
Allowable Costs: Salary (in proportion to the time or effort spent directly on the conference/meeting); rental of necessary equipment; travel and per diem or subsistence allowances; supplies needed for conduct of the meeting (only if received for use during the budget period); conference services; publication costs; speakers fees.
Non-allowable costs:
These lists are not all inclusive, and the applicant should contact AHRQ staff regarding any other items being considered for which there are questions regarding whether or not the items are allowed to be included. Please also refer to the HHS Grants Policy Statement for additional information regarding costs.
PD/PI Credential (e.g., Agency Login)
The NIH requires the PD(s)/PI(s) to fill in his/her Commons User ID in the “PROFILE – Project Director/Principal Investigator” section, “Credential” log-in field of the “Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile” component.
Organizational DUNS
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 “Frequently Asked Questions – Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.”
PHS398 Research Plan Component Sections
The research plan component of the PHS398 may not exceed 20 pages, including tables, graphs, figures, diagrams, and charts. While each section of the Research Plan component needs to be uploaded separately as a PDF attachment, applicants are encouraged to construct the Research Plan component as a single document, separating sections into distinct PDF attachments just before uploading the files. This approach will enable applicants to better monitor formatting requirements such as page limits. All attachments must be provided to AHRQ in PDF format, filenames must be included with no spaces or special characters, and a .pdf extension must be used.
All application instructions outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide are to be followed, incorporating "Just-in-Time" information concepts, and with the following additional requirements:
Warning: Please be sure that you observe the direct cost, project period, and page number limitations specified above for this FOA. Application processing may be delayed or the application may be rejected if it does not comply with these requirements.
Special Instructions for Modular Grant applications
AHRQ is not using the Modular Grant Application and Award Process. Applicants for funding from AHRQ should ignore application instructions concerning the Modular Grant Application and Award Process, and prepare applications using instructions for the Research and Related Budget Components of the SF 424 (R&R). Applications submitted in the Modular format will not be reviewed.
Appendix Materials
Applicants must follow the specific instructions on Appendix materials as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm). Also see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-018.html.
Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan component. An application that does not comply with the required page limitations may be delayed in the review process.
No supplemental/update information will be accepted.
Priority Populations
The Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999, in amending the Public Health Service Act, directed AHRQ, in carrying out its mission, to conduct and support research and evaluations, and to support demonstration projects, with respect to the delivery of health care in inner-city and rural areas (including frontier areas), and health care for priority populations. Priority populations include low income groups; minority groups; women; children; the elderly; and individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities and individuals who need chronic care or end-of-life health care. This authority is found at 42 USC 299(c). To implement this statutory mandate, AHRQ published a Notice in the NIH Guide on February 28, 2003, establishing a new Agency policy on the Inclusion of Priority Populations in health services research (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-03-010.html). Applicants under this FOA should consider and discuss including priority populations in the research design as specified in this Notice.
Publication Transmittal: General AHRQ Requirements
In keeping with the Agency's efforts to translate the results of AHRQ-funded research into practice and policy, grantees are to inform the AHRQ Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer (OCKT) when articles from their AHRQ-supported activities are accepted for publication in the professional literature. Grantees should also discuss any ideas about other dissemination and marketing efforts with OCKT staff. The goal is to ensure that efforts to disseminate research findings are coordinated with other Agency activities to maximize awareness and application of the research by potential users, including clinicians, patients, health care systems and purchasers and policymakers. This is critical when outreach to the general and trade press is involved. Accordingly, contact with the media will take place with close coordination between OCKT and the press offices of the grantee's institutions. In cases when products are created (such as annual or final reports, Web-based tools, CD-ROMs), grantees will be asked to submit to OCKT a brief plan describing how the product will be publicized. An OCKT staff person will be assigned to each product and will coordinate the implementation of the plan, especially issues related to printing and electronic dissemination, and outreach to the media.
Assessment of AHRQ Grant Programs
In carrying out its stewardship of research programs, AHRQ may request information essential to an assessment of the effectiveness of Agency research programs. Accordingly, grant recipients are hereby notified that they may be contacted after the completion of awards for periodic updates on publications resulting from AHRQ grant awards, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of AHRQ-sponsored research.
AHRQ expects grant recipients to keep the Agency informed of publications, as well as the known uses and impact of their Agency-sponsored research. Applicants must agree to notify AHRQ immediately when a manuscript based on research supported by the grant is accepted for publication, and to provide the expected date of publication as soon as it is known, regardless of whether or not the grant award is still active.
HCUP & MEPS
Applicants are encouraged to make use of AHRQ’S Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) or the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). HCUP is a family of health care databases and related software tools and products developed through a Federal-State-Industry partnership. HCUP databases bring together the data collection efforts of State data organizations, hospital associations, private data organizations, and the Federal government to create a national information resource of patient-level health care data. HCUP databases provide data beginning in 1988 and contain encounter-level information for all payers compiled in a uniform format with privacy protections in place. HCUP includes three nationwide databases, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID), the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, and three types of State databases, the State Inpatient Databases (SID), the State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (SASD), and the State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD). More information on HCUP can be found at http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/home.jsp.
The MEPS is conducted to provide nationally representative estimates of health care use, expenditures, sources of payment, and insurance coverage for the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population. MEPS is composed of three component surveys: the Household Component (HC), the Medical Provider Component (MPC), and the Insurance Component (IC). The Household Component is the core survey, and it forms the basis for the MPC sample and part of the IC sample. The MEPS IC collects data on health insurance plans obtained through employers and unions, including the number and types of private insurance plans offered, employer characteristics, premiums, and contributions by employers and employees. More information on the MEPS is available at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov.
Applicants’ use of HCUP and/or MEPS data does not preclude the use of secondary data sources or primary data collection.
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 who are planning to share data may wish to describe briefly the expected schedule for data sharing; the format of the final dataset; the documentation to be provided; 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 any conditions will be placed on their use); and the mode of data sharing (e.g., under its own auspices by mailing a disk or posting data on its institutional or personal website or through a data archive or enclave). Investigators choosing to share under their own auspices may wish to enter into a data-sharing agreement. References to data sharing may also be appropriate in other sections of the application.
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.
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Administrative Criteria: Upon receipt, applications will be
reviewed by AHRQ for completeness and responsiveness.
Merit Review Criteria are described below.
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 in
accordance with standard AHRQ peer review procedures that are described in 42
CFR Part 67, Subpart A. Incomplete and/or non-responsive applications or
applications not following instructions given in this FOA will not be reviewed.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:
In their written critiques, reviewers will be asked to comment on each of the following criteria in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be addressed and considered in assigning the overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application.
Note that an application does not need to be strong in all
categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve
a meritorious 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 the applicant address all relevant requirements for
the EDM forum? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific
knowledge or clinical practice be advanced?
The emphasis is on the topics that are chosen for discussion and how they relate to advancing the knowledge on electronic data collection, linkage, and analysis with respect to comparative effectiveness research. Special focus should be paid to topics related to populations and conditions under-represented in clinical trials or those under-served in healthcare.
Approach: Are the conceptual 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?
The emphasis is on the approach taken to select topics for discussion, minimizing overlap with other AHRQ-funded methods projects, identifying persons and organizations to engage in specific topics, the continuity of work between meetings and the approach to disseminate the findings in a timely manner while reaching out to a wide audience.
Innovation: Is the project original and innovative? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches or methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area? The emphasis is on innovative approaches to conduct the project in a timely manner while addressing topics of relevance to electronic data for comparative effectiveness research and engaging a wide spectrum of participants.
Investigators: Is the PD/PI and other key personnel appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level(s) of the principal investigator(s) and other researchers? Does the PD/PI and investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project (if applicable)? The PI and the investigators need to have a well-established track record in clinical and health services research and in clinical informatics. The previous track record of the project team in carrying out similar projects that involve a wide variety of stakeholders as well a range of topics is important. The track record of successful management and completion of large, complex projects is as important as the scientific credentials of the project team.
Environment: Does the scientific environment(s) in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific environment(s), or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? The organization should have extensive experience with using electronic data for clinical and health services research. The facilities and infrastructure should be conducive to engaging a large number of participants in multiple projects such as starting and maintaining intranet and internet web sites, tracking and collating electronic comments from participants, and writing position papers and white papers.
Budget: Is the proposed budget reasonable and is the requested period of support appropriate in relation to the proposed research?
Special Budget Requirements
Allowable and Unallowable Costs
Expenses allowed under the AHRQ Program for Large or Recurring Conferences follow the guidelines described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement (http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/hhspolicy.htm), unless otherwise stated in the funding opportunity announcement. Areas of particular relevance to conference grants and exceptions to the general policies are described below.
Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs (indirect costs) are not allowed on grants in support of conferences.
Direct Cost Expenditures
a. Equipment. Grant funds may be used for rental of necessary equipment. Funds may not be used for the purchase of equipment. Rental expenses should be listed under the other expenses category.
b. Travel. Proposed per diem or subsistence allowances must be reasonable and will be limited to the days of attendance at the conference plus actual travel time required to reach the conference location by the most direct route available. Travel costs are limited to the extent provided for by formal institutional travel policy. If the grantee institution has no formal travel policy, the Department of Health and Human Services travel regulations shall be applied in determining the amount of travel chargeable to grant funds. Where meals and/or lodging are furnished without charge or at a nominal cost, the proposed per diem or subsistence allowance must take this into consideration. Transportation costs for those attending and participating in the conference and paid with grant funds may not exceed economy class fares. U.S. carriers must be used where possible. For local participants in the conference, grant funds may not be used to pay per diem or expenses other than local mileage.
c. Supplies. Grant funds may be used for the purchase of conference supplies, provided the supplies are received and used during the project period.
d. Conference Services. Grant funds may be used for necessary recording of proceedings, simultaneous translation, and subsequent transcriptions.
e. Publication Costs. Grant funds may be used to pay for the publication and dissemination of conference proceedings.
f. Registration Fees. Charges for registration fees may not be paid from grant funds.
g. Entertainment and Personal Expenses. Costs of amusement, diversion, social activities, ceremonial, and related incidental costs such as bar charges and personal telephone calls of participants or guests cannot be charged to the grant.
h. Federal Employees. Grant funds may not be used to cover the cost of travel or any payment to a full-time Federal employee, except when that employee is on leave without pay status from his or her employing office.
i. Honoraria. Honoraria or other payments given for the purpose of conferring distinction on or to symbolize respect, esteem, or admiration may not be paid from grant funds. Speaker fees for services rendered, however, are allowable.
j. Alteration and Renovations. Grant funds may not be used to support facility alteration or renovations of any kind.
k. Food. Applicants may not request funds for the purchase of food. AHRQ will not award funds to support the cost of food for any conference grant.
2.A. Additional Review
Criteria:
In addition to the above criteria, the following items will be considered by the peer-reviewers in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:
Has the application provided adequate details and rationale on the approach to:
Degree of responsiveness: How well does the application address the purpose and objectives of this FOA? How responsive is the application to the special eligibility criteria, including the project requirements, noted in the FOA?
Inclusion: Adequacy of plans to address the needs of both genders, racial and ethnic minorities (and subgroups). Adequacy of attention to AHRQ priority populations (see above discussion on Priority Populations in section IV.6 “Other Submission Requirements,” and inclusion criteria included in section VIII of Required Federal Citations, below).
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 of the SF424 (R&R).
Privacy and Security Protections for Patients: The resources and processes to be used to address privacy and security issues in the development and implementation of the intervention will be assessed.
Applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
Appeals will not be permitted. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-09-011.html, Recovery Act of 2009: AHRQ Announces Suspension of Grants Funding Appeals Process
2.B.
Additional Review Considerations
Not Applicable
2.C. Resource Sharing Plan(s)
Data Confidentiality
Pursuant to 42 USC 299c-3(c), information obtained in the course of any AHRQ supported-study that identifies an individual or entity must be treated as confidential in accordance with any explicit or implicit promises made regarding the possible uses and disclosures of such data. There are civil monetary penalties for violation of the confidentiality provision of the AHRQ statute 42 USC 299c-3(d). In the Human Subjects section of the application, applicants must describe procedures for ensuring the confidentiality of the identifying information to be collected. The description of the procedures should include a discussion of who will be permitted access to this information, both raw data and machine readable files, and how personal identifiers and other identifying or identifiable data will be restricted and safeguarded. Identifiable patient health information collected by grantees under this FOA will also be obtained and managed in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. These regulations serve to limit the disclosure of personally identifiable patient information by covered entities and define when and how such information can be disclosed e.g., to researchers. Thus, health care plans ordinarily will require either patient authorization for disclosures of identifiable information to be made to researchers or waivers of such authorizations obtained from an IRB or Privacy Board (defined in the regulations), which will involve review to ensure that identifiable health information will be appropriately safeguarded by the investigators. The DHHS Office of Civil Rights is the enforcement body for this regulation. Additional information about the regulations, their implementation, and alternative methods of permissible disclosures to researchers (limited data sets with data use agreements, de-identified data sets, data about deceased persons, and data use to develop protocols) can be obtained from: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
The grantee should ensure that computer systems containing confidential data have a level and scope of security that equals or exceeds that established by the HIPAA Security Rules if applicable (see HIPAA website in prior paragraph) and that established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in OMB Circular No. A-130, Appendix III - Security of Federal Automated Information Systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published several implementation guides for this circular. They are: An Introduction to Computer Security: The NIST Handbook; Generally Accepted Principals and Practices for Securing Information Technology Systems; and Guide for Developing Security Plans for Information Technology Systems. The circular and guides are available on the web at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-12/. The applicability and intended means of applying these confidentiality and security standards to subcontractors and vendors, if any, should be addressed in the application.
Sharing Research Resources: Rights in Data
Unless otherwise provided in grant awards, AHRQ grantees may copyright or seek patents for, as appropriate, final and interim products and materials developed in whole or in part with AHRQ funds, including, but not limited to, methodological tools, measures, software with documentation, literature searches, and analyses. Such copyrights and patents are subject to a worldwide irrevocable AHRQ license to use and permit others to use these products and materials for government purposes. In accordance with its legislative dissemination mandate, AHRQ purposes may include, subject to statutory confidentiality protections, making project materials, databases, results, and algorithms available for verification or replication by other researchers. In addition, subject to AHRQ budget constraints, final products may be made available to the health care community and the public by AHRQ or its agents if such distribution would significantly increase access to a product and thereby produce substantial or valuable public health benefits. Ordinarily, to accomplish distribution, AHRQ publicizes research findings but relies on grantees to publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and to market grant-supported products. AHRQ's Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer (OCKT) wishes to be consulted in advance of publication in order to coordinate announcements of new AHRQ-supported research results with other AHRQ dissemination activities. Important legal rights and requirements applicable to AHRQ grantees are set out or referenced in AHRQ's grants regulation at 42 CFR Part 67, Subpart A (available in libraries and from the GPO's website at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html).
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Generally, applicants should anticipate eight months between the application submission date and the earliest possible start date.
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons.
If the application is under consideration for funding, AHRQ will request
"Just-In-Time" information from the applicant. Just-In-Time
information generally consists of information on other support, any additional
information necessary to address administrative issues, and certification of
IRB approval of the project's proposed use of human subjects. For
details, applicants may refer to the "AHRQ Revised Policy for
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review of Human Subjects Protocols in Grant
Applications" (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-hs-00-003.html).
Once any/all administrative and programmatic issues have been resolved, a
formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NOA) will be provided
to the applicant organization. The NOA will be generated via email
notification from the awarding component to the grantee business
official. The NOA signed by the grants management officer is the
authorizing document.
The terms of the NoA will reference the requirements of the Recovery Act.
In addition to the standard AHRQ terms of award, all funding provided under the Recovery Act will be subject to the HHS Standard Terms and Conditions for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The full text of these terms approved for AHRQ awards can be found in the following document: Department of Health and Human Services Standard Terms and Conditions American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/arraterms.htm
Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin
performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NOA are 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
All AHRQ grant and cooperative agreement awards are subject to AHRQ’s grants regulations at 42 CFR Part 67, Subpart A, and are subject to the requirements of the HHS Grants Policy Statement that are applicable based on the recipient type and the purpose of this award (see http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/hhspolicy.htm).
As necessary, additional Terms and Conditions will be incorporated into the award statement.
Activities conducted under this award that involve the collection of information e.g., conducting surveys or requesting responses to uniform questions from nine or more persons, establishments or other entities, are currently required by HHS to be cleared by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 USC 3501-3521). Submissions for clearance under PRA are through AHRQ and HHS. Therefore, affected grantees should include the time in their proposed timelines to develop materials and receive necessary clearances. It typically takes at least six months from date of initial submission to AHRQ to receive clearances ,and sometimes much longer if submissions are incomplete or the justification for the proposed data collection plans are questioned during the clearance process. Information collection that requires PRA clearance may not begin until grantees receive written notification via e-mail from AHRQ that clearance has been obtained. Detailed information on the PRA can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/ocio/policy/collection/.
The
following Terms and Conditions will be incorporated into the award statement
and will be provided to the Principal Investigator as well as to the
appropriate institutional official, at the time of award.
2.A. Cooperative Agreement
Terms and Conditions of Award
The
following special terms of award are in addition to otherwise applicable OMB
administrative guidelines: DHHS grant administration regulations at 45
CFR Parts 74 or 92 (Part 92 is applicable for State and local Governments), and
other DHHS, PHS, and AHRQ grant administration policy statements. AHRQ
will use these procedures in evaluating and administering the cooperative
agreements under this FOA.
The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will be the cooperative agreement U13, an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition” mechanism), in which substantial AHRQ programmatic involvement with the grantees is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under the cooperative agreement, the AHRQ 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 PD/PI for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities may be shared between a grantee and AHRQ as described in this subsection of the FOA. Cooperative activities are intended to strengthen the individual grantee activities through the facilitation of data sharing, data access and communications.
All cooperative activities that include significant government involvement will require prior approval by the AHRQ Program Officer.
2. A.1. Principal Investigator Rights and Responsibilities
The PD(s)/PI will have the primary responsibility for identifying a list of topics for the work of the
forum; identifying a list of speakers appropriate to the topics; arranging all
the logistics for the planning and conduct of the meetings, workshops and other
activities of the forum; identifying appropriate products and mechanisms for
dissemination; drafting, revision and dissemination of the products;
coordination with other national activities that fit within the scope of this
project
Grantees will retain custody of and have primary
rights to the data and software developed under these awards, subject to
Government rights of access consistent with current DHHS, PHS, and AHRQ
policies.
2.A.2. AHRQ Responsibilities
AHRQ program staff will have substantial
programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role
in awards, as described below:
Coordination with other AHRQ programmatic activities that
fit within the scope of this project; coordination with other federal agencies
as appropriate.
Additionally, a separate AHRQ program staff member will
be responsible for the normal scientific and programmatic stewardship of the
award and will be named in the award notice.
2.A.3. Collaborative Responsibilities
A steering committee will serve as the governing board for the award. The PD/PI, AHRQ program officer and other relevant AHRQ staff, and other experts will be members of the steering committee. The selection of committee members will be made collaboratively by the PD/PI, AHRQ program officer and other relevant AHRQ staff. The committee will finalize the selection of topics and speakers for the meetings, workshops and other activities of the forum; finalize selection of products and dissemination mechanisms; and provide other direction to the work of the forum as needed. The PD/PI and relevant program staff, AHRQ program officials, steering committee members and other experts, as needed, will co-author products of the forum. All significant programmatic issues will be discussed by the steering committee.
2.A.4. Arbitration Process
N/A.
3. Reporting
When multiple years are
involved, grantees will be required to submit the Non-Competing Grant
Progress Report (PHS 2590) annually.
The annual progress report summary must include Section 2.2.6 Sections A through F as described in the general PHS form 2590 instructions. For details regarding progress report submission, refer to http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/noncomp.htm. If instructions on the AHRQ website are different from the PHS form 2590 instructions, follow the instructions on the AHRQ website.
The Progress Report is to include descriptive and evaluative comments on both completed activities and plans for the remainder of that year, including any changes foreseen in the future. At a minimum, the reports will include descriptive comments on: progress to date measured against project aims; methodological changes implemented; key preliminary findings; significant problems and resolutions; inclusion of priority populations; and project related publications, presentations, and dissemination activities. AHRQ will provide the timetable for these progress reports.
Financial Status Reports (FSRs; SF 269) are required annually by AHRQ for ALL grant programs as described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement (see http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/hhspolicy.htm). This report must be submitted for each budget period no later than 90 days after the close of the budget period. A hard copy of the report should be submitted to the assigned grants management specialist.
Section 1512 of The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) requires prime recipients of the ARRA funds submit quarterly report, due no later than 10 calendar days after each calendar quarter in which the recipient receives the award (January 10, April 10, July 10, and October 10). Accordingly, in addition to the standard AHRQ terms of award, all funding provided under the Recovery Act must comply with the statutory reporting requirements and will be subject to the HHS Standard Terms and Conditions for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) as described above and found on the ARHQ Website at http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/arraterms.htm
In addition, AHRQ is currently developing AHRQ-specific reporting requirements. Detailed information and requirements on the specific AHRQ reporting venues and reporting timeline will be included in the Notice of Grant Award and incorporated into AHRQ Terms and Conditions of Award.
A final Progress Report and Financial Status Report are required when an award ends. For further details regarding grant closeout requirements, refer to http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/closeout.htm.
This funding announcement is subject to restrictions on oral conversations during the period of time commencing with the submission of a formal application (includes the preliminary application and letter of intent phases of the program), by an individual or entity and ending with the award of the competitive funds. Federal officials may not participate in oral communications initiated by any person or entity concerning a pending application for a Recovery Act competitive grant or other competitive form of Federal financial assistance, whether or not the initiating party is a federally registered lobbyist. This restriction applies unless:
For additional information see http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-24.pdf
We encourage your inquiries
concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer
questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into three areas:
scientific/research (program), peer review, and financial or grants management
issues. Please see below for specific instructions on submitting
inquiries.
1. Scientific/Research Contacts:
Direct your questions about general FOA issues, including information on the inclusion of priority populations to EDMgrants@ahrq.hhs.gov. Due to staffing resource constraints, all scientific/research (program related) inquiries pertaining to general FOA issues must be submitted by e-mail and will only be replied by e-mail.
Amy Lindinha
Center
for Outcomes and Evidence
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
540 Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone: (301) 427-1600
Email: EDMgrants@ahrq.hhs.gov
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Direct
your questions about peer review issues of grant applications made in response
to this FOA to:
Kishena
Wadhwani, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Office
of Extramural Research, Education and Priority Populations
Division
of Scientific Review
Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality
540
Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone:
(301) 427-1556
Fax:
(301) 427-1562
E-mail
address: Kishena.Wadhwani@ahrq.hhs.gov.
Questions regarding peer review contacts may be written or by telephone.
3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:
Direct inquiries
regarding fiscal matters to either of these contacts:
George
Gardner
Office
of Performance Accountability, Resources and Technology
Division
of Grants Management
Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality
540
Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone:
(301) 427-1450
Fax:
(301) 427-1462
E-mail
address: George.Gardner@ahrq.hhs.gov
Michelle
Burr
Office
of Performance Accountability, Resources and Technology
Division
of Grants Management
Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality
540
Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone:
(301) 427-1451
Fax:
(301) 427-1462
E-mail
address: Michelle.Burr@ahrq.hhs.gov
Questions regarding financial or grants management issues may be written or by telephone.
Section VIII. Other Information
Required Federal Citations
The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5): http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.pdf
Standard Terms and Conditions for Recovery Act Awards: The full text of these terms approved for AHRQ awards can be found in the following document: http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/arraterms.htm
Funding under this program is subject to the “Updated Guidance Regarding Communications with Registered Lobbyists About Recovery Act Funds” that was issued by the Office of Management and Budget on July 24, 2009 to implement section 3 of the President’s March 20, 2009 Memorandum entitled “Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds.” Many of the restrictions described in the guidance also apply to non-lobbyists after the submission of competitive applications for Recovery Act funds and before awards are made. The guidance is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-24.pdf.
Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research Study Populations:
Women and members of minority groups are included in all AHRQ-supported
research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling
rationale and justification are provided that inclusion is inappropriate, e.g.,
because of the lack of connection between the study and the health of women or
particular minorities.
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the UPDATED "NIH Guidelines on the 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 is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_update.htm. To the extent possible, AHRQ requires adherence to these NIH Guidelines.
Investigators may obtain copies from the above sources or from the NIH Guide Web site at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html. AHRQ Program staff may also provide additional information concerning these policies (see Section VII, Agency Contacts).
Human Subjects Protection:
Federal regulations at 45 CFR Part 46 require that applications and
proposals involving human subjects research must be evaluated in accordance
with those regulations, 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).
Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) "Standards for
Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information", regulation was
mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
which governs the protection of individually identifiable health information.
It is administered and enforced by the DHHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
The OCR website (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/)
provides information on the Privacy Rule, including a complete Regulation Text
and a set of decision tools that may be used to determine whether a researcher
is a staff member of a covered entity. Compliance with the Privacy Rule for
those classified under the Rule as "covered entities" is mandatory.
Decisions about applicability and implementation of the Privacy Rule
reside with covered entities. Project Officers will assist grantees in
resolving questions about the applicability of HIPAA requirements.
Access to Research Data through the Freedom of Information Act:
The OMB Circular A-110 provides access to certain research data
developed with Federal support through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5
U.S.C. 552, in certain circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in
a project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2)
cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that
has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation or administrative order)
may be accessed through FOIA. If no Federal action is taken having the force
and effect of law in reliance upon an AHRQ-supported research project, the
underlying data are not subject to this disclosure requirement.
Furthermore, even if a Federal regulatory action is taken in reliance on
AHRQ-supported research data under FOIA, disclosure of confidential
identifiable data from such study is statutorily protected under 42 USC
299c-3(c), and thus is exempted from disclosure under "the (b)(3)
exemption” in FOIA, 5 USC 552(b)(3). It is important for applicants
to understand the scope of this requirement and its limited potential impact on
data collected with AHRQ support. Proprietary data might also be exempted
from FOIA disclosure requirements under "the (b)(4) exemption", 5 USC
552(b)(4) for example, if it constitutes trade secrets or commercial
information. NIH has provided general related guidance at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm which does not include discussion of the exception applicable to confidential
identifiable data collected under AHRQ's authorities.
Should applicants wish to place data collected under this FOA in a public archive, which can provide protections for the data (e.g., as required by confidentiality provisions of the statute applicable to AHRQ-supported projects, 42 USC 299c-3(c) and manage the distribution of non-identifiable data for an indefinite period of time, they may. The application should include a description of any archiving plan in the study design and include information about this in the budget justification section of the application. In addition, applicants should consider how to structure informed consent statements or other human subject protection procedures to permit or restrict disclosures of identifiable data, as warranted.
Healthy People 2010:
The 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 health improvement priorities for the United States. AHRQ encourages applicants to submit grant applications with relevance to
the specific objectives of this initiative. Potential applicants may obtain a
copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
Authority and Regulations:
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 authority of 42 USC 299 et
seq. and, 42 CFR Part 67 and in accordance with 45 CFR Parts 74 or 92 and
other referenced applicable statutes and regulations. All awards are
subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations
described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement. The HHS Grants Policy Statement
can be found at http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/hhspolicy.htm.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the Public Health Service mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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