[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3783]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 94-13: Human 
Genome Program--Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) of the 
Office of Energy Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hereby 
announces its interest in receiving applications in support of the 
Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) subprogram of the Human 
Genome Program (HGP). The HGP is a coordinated, multidisciplinary, 
goal-oriented, research effort aimed at improving technologies that 
will lead to a detailed understanding of the human genome at the 
molecular level. This particular research notice encompasses research 
grants that address ethical, legal, and social issues that may arise 
from the use of information and knowledge resulting from the HGP. The 
DOE especially encourages the submission of applications to conduct 
multidisciplinary, empirical research on privacy issues from the 
creation, use, maintenance, and disclosure of genetic information. This 
may include (but is not limited to) issues of ownership and control of 
genetic information and the protection of the privacy of genetic 
information in various settings including the workplace. Applications 
should demonstrate knowledge of the relevant literature, and should 
include detailed plans for the gathering and analysis of factual 
information and the exploration of issues associated with the ethical, 
legal, and social implications of the knowledge gained from the HGP. 
All applications should include, where appropriate, detailed discussion 
of human subjects protection issues; e.g., storage of, manipulation of, 
and access to data. Where survey techniques are proposed, provisions to 
ensure the inclusion of women, minorities, and potentially disabled 
individuals must be described, unless specific exclusions are 
scientifically necessary and justified in detail. All proposed research 
applications should address the issue of efficient dissemination of 
results to the widest appropriate audience.
    The DOE is also soliciting applications for the preparation and 
dissemination of educational materials in any appropriate medium that 
will enhance public understanding of both the scientific aspects and 
the ethical, legal, and social aspects of the HGP. In addition, the DOE 
is encouraging applications for the support of conferences focusing on 
specific issues or areas of concern related to the ethical, legal, and 
social implications of the HGP. Educational and conference applications 
should also demonstrate awareness of the relevant literature, and 
include detailed plans for the accomplishment of project goals, 
including, where appropriate, video productions. In the case of 
educational activities, the DOE strongly recommends inclusion of 
assessments of effectiveness of the proposed activities. In the case of 
all conferences, a fairly detailed and complete roster of committed 
speakers is necessary. At the completion of the conference, a summary 
or report is required. Educational and conference applications must 
also demonstrate awareness of the need to reach the widest appropriate 
audience.

DATES: Formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be 
received by 4:30 p.m., e.d.t., July 14, 1994, to be accepted for merit 
review in September 1994, and to permit timely consideration for award 
in Fiscal Year 1995.

ADDRESSES: Formal applications referencing Program Notice 94-13 should 
be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, 
Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64 (GTN), 
Washington, DC 20585, ATTN: Program Notice 94-13. The following address 
must be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail or any commercial mail delivery service, or when 
handcarried by the applicant: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Energy Research, Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64, 
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel W. Drell, Office of Health 
and Environmental Research, ER-72 (GTN), Office of Energy Research, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585, (301) 903-6488.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Potential applicants are strongly encouraged 
to submit a brief preapplication in accordance with 10 CFR 
600.10(d)(2), that consists of two to three pages of narrative 
describing the research project objectives and methods of 
accomplishment. These will be reviewed relative to the scope and 
research needs of the DOE's Human Genome Program. Preapplications 
referencing Program Notice 94-13 should be received by April 15, 1994, 
and sent to Dr. Daniel W. Drell, Office of Health and Environmental 
Research, ER-72 (GTN), Washington, DC 20585. Telephone and FAX numbers 
are required parts of the preapplication, and electronic mail addresses 
are desirable. A response to the preapplications discussing the 
potential program relevance of a formal application generally will be 
communicated within 30 days of receipt.
    It is anticipated that approximately $1,000,000 will be available 
for grant awards in this area during FY 1995, contingent upon 
availability of appropriated funds. Multiple year funding of grant 
awards is expected, and is also contingent upon availability of funds. 
Previous awards have ranged from $60,000 per year up to $500,000 per 
year with terms from one to three years. Similar award sizes are 
anticipated for new grants. Information about development and 
submission of applications, eligibility, limitations, evaluation, 
selection process, and other policies and procedures may be found in 
the Application Guide for the Office of Energy Research Financial 
Assistance Program and 10 CFR part 605. The Application Guide is 
available from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Health and 
Environmental Research, Health Effects and Life Sciences Research 
Division, ER-72 (GTN), Washington, DC 20585. Telephone requests may be 
made by calling (301) 903-6488.
    As part of its grant regulations, ER requires at 10 CFR 605.11(b) 
that a grantee funded by ER and performing research involving 
recombinant DNA molecules and/or organisms and viruses containing 
recombinant DNA molecules shall comply with the National Institutes of 
Health ``Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules'' 
(51 FR 16958, May 7, 1986), or such later revision of those guidelines 
as may be published in the Federal Register.
    The dissemination of materials and research data in a timely manner 
is essential for progress towards the goals of the DOE Human Genome 
Program. The OHER requires the timely sharing of resources and data. 
Applicants should, in their applications, discuss their plans for 
disseminating research results and materials that may include, where 
appropriate, publication in the open literature, wide-scale mailings, 
etc. Once OHER and the applicant have agreed upon a distribution plan, 
it will become part of the award conditions. Funds to defray the costs 
of disseminating results and materials are allowable; however, such 
requests must be sufficiently detailed and adequately justified. 
Applicants should also provide timelines projecting progress toward 
achieving proposed goals.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this 
program is 81.049.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 8, 1994.
D.D. Mayhew,
Director, Office of Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 94-3783 Filed 2-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P