[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23198]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement Number 506]

 

Grants For Violence-Related Injury Prevention Research; Notice of 
Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1995

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces 
applications are being accepted for Violence-Related Injury Prevention 
Research Grants for fiscal year (FY) 1995. The Public Health Service 
(PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000, a PHS-led national 
activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of 
life. This announcement is related to the area of Violent and Abusive 
Behavior (To order a copy of Healthy People 2000, see the Section WHERE 
TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under Sections 301, 391-394 of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241, 280b-280b-3). Program 
regulations are set forth in Title 42 CFR Part 52.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include all non-profit and for-profit 
organizations. Thus State, and local health departments, other State 
and local governmental agencies, universities, colleges, research 
institutions, and other public and private organizations, including 
small, minority and/or woman-owned businesses are eligible for these 
research grants. Current holders of CDC injury control research 
projects are eligible to apply.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients 
to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all 
tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect 
and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $1.0 million may be available in FY 1995 to fund 
approximately 3 to 5 grants. The amount of funding actually available 
may vary and is subject to change. New grant awards will not exceed 
$300,000 per year (including both direct and indirect costs). Grant 
applications that exceed the $300,000 per year cap will be returned to 
the investigator as non-responsive. Research grant supplements will 
generally be no more than $75,000 (including both direct and indirect 
costs). New awards are expected to begin on or about September 1, 1995. 
Awards will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period not to exceed 3 years. Continuation awards within the project 
period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress demonstrated 
by investigators at work-in-progress monitoring workshops, the 
achievement of workplan milestones reflected in the continuation 
application, and the availability of Federal funds. In addition, 
continuation awards will be eligible for increased funding to offset 
inflationary costs depending upon the availability of funds.

Purpose

    The purposes of this program are to:
    A. Build the scientific base for the prevention of injuries and 
deaths due to violence in the following three priority areas: 
interpersonal youth violence, youth suicide, and firearm injuries as 
delineated in Injury Control in the 1990s: A National Plan for Action. 
Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1993 and Healthy 
People 2000;
    B. Identify effective strategies to prevent violence-related 
injuries;
    C. Expand the development and evaluation of current and new 
intervention methods and strategies for the primary prevention of 
violence-related injuries;
    D. Encourage professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines such 
as medicine, health care, public health, criminal justice, and 
behavioral and social sciences, to undertake research to prevent and 
control injuries from interpersonal violence and suicidal behavior.

Program Requirements

    The following are applicant requirements:
    A. A principal investigator who has conducted research, published 
the findings, and has specific authority and responsibility to carry 
out the proposed project.
    B. Demonstrated experience in conducting, evaluating, and 
publishing injury control research on the applicant's project team.
    C. Effective and well-defined working relationships within the 
performing organization and with outside entities which will ensure 
implementation of the proposed activities.
    D. An explanation of how research findings could lead to the 
development of injury control interventions within 3-5 years of project 
start-up. Furthermore, how the research findings might be disseminated 
and implemented through organizations (such as public health agencies) 
or systems, both public and private.
    E. The ability to carry out injury control research projects.
    F. The overall match between the applicant's proposed theme and 
research objectives, and the program priorities as described under the 
heading ``Programmatic Interests'' and in Injury Control in the 1990s: 
A National Plan for Action. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 1993, and Healthy People 2000.

    Note: Grant funds will not be made available to support the 
provision of direct care services.

    Eligible applicants may enter into contracts, including consortia 
agreements (as set forth in the PHS Grants Policy Statement) as 
necessary to meet the requirements of the program and strengthen the 
overall application.

Programmatic Interests

    The grants should concentrate on the need to prevent the morbidity, 
mortality, and disability which results from interpersonal violence and 
suicidal behavior, in order to reduce their devastating social and 
economic impact on the nation. Applicants are encouraged to propose 
research which either: (1) Rigorously evaluates the outcomes of 
violence prevention strategies currently in use, or (2) identifies 
modifiable risk factors which can lead to the development of effective 
interventions. Examples of possible projects listed under the priority 
areas below are by no means exhaustive, and innovative approaches are 
encouraged. Because of time constraints, comments were not solicited 
from the general public regarding funding priorities and special 
considerations.
    (1) Evaluating the outcomes of violence prevention strategies:
    In prevention, there is specific interest in research which 
evaluates the effectiveness of interventions in preventing violent 
injuries or reducing their impact and develops the basic sciences of 
injury (i.e., social and behavioral science, biomechanics, and 
epidemiology). This research might evaluate one or more different 
approaches to implementing a specific intervention strategy. In 
addition, there is a need to examine intervention strategies for which 
evidence of effectiveness is either sparse or totally lacking. 
Interventions chosen for evaluation should have a significant potential 
for reduction in violent injury morbidity, mortality, disability, or 
cost. Special consideration will be given to grants which target 
populations at high risk for violence-related injuries and their 
consequences, including adolescents, women, and children, racial and 
ethnic minorities, urban residents, and people with low incomes.
    Prevention strategies for youth suicide whose effectiveness should 
be assessed include:
     school or community ``gatekeeper'' training;
     screening for high-risk youth;
     peer support programs;
     suicide education of the general population;
     crisis centers and hotlines;
     limiting access to lethal means of suicide, such as 
firearms, prescription drugs, and high places;
     intervention after a suicide or attempted suicide to 
prevent imitation due to the effects of ``contagion''.
    Interventions which should be evaluated for their effectiveness in 
preventing firearm injuries are listed below:
     firearm design modifications to reduce the lethality of 
firearms and ammunition, loading indicators, and safety mechanisms to 
prevent accidental discharge;
     statutory interventions (e.g., prohibiting carrying 
firearms in public, increasing sentences for felony gun use, or owner 
liability for firearm injury);
     imposing waiting periods and limits on the number of guns 
which can be purchased within a specified time period;
     taxing firearm and/or ammunition purchases;
     increased gun dealer fees and restrictions;
     metal detectors in schools;
     firearm licensure system (e.g., restricting youth access 
to firearms, owner-registration regulations, etc.);
     storage containers which limit unauthorized access to 
weapons and ammunition;
     disrupting illegal gun markets through localized street-
level tactics currently used against illegal drug markets, and 
neighborhood-oriented police coordination with residents and community-
based organizations;
     public education campaigns to change weapon storage 
practices.
    Examples of interpersonal youth violence interventions which 
deserve further evaluation include:
     mentoring programs which provide positive adult role 
models for high-risk youth;
     public information campaigns which dramatize the 
unacceptability and enormous social and economic cost of violence, 
while promoting alternatives to violence as a means of conflict 
resolution;
     environmental changes such as improved lighting, 
protective landscaping, or closed-circuit television monitoring;
     legal sanctions restricting youth access to alcohol;
     job training and work experiences;
     sports and recreational activities which offer young 
people opportunities to spend time in a structured and purposeful 
environment;
     parent training to increase parental support for non-
violent behavior by youths.
    (2) Identifying modifiable risk factors:
    In epidemiology, there is programmatic interest in analytic 
research that identifies mechanisms, causes, or risks of injury which 
might lead to new or more effective interventions against the four 
types of violence highlighted in this announcement. Examples of 
potentially modifiable risk factors which should be examined for each 
area are listed below:
    Youth Suicide
     impact of acute exposure to alcohol and chronic alcohol 
abuse on suicidal behavior among youth;
     possible relationship between sexual orientation and 
suicidal behavior among youth;
     impact of accessibility to lethal means (e.g., guns, 
medications) upon youth suicide;
     relationship between a history of physical and/or sexual 
abuse and suicidal behavior among youth;
    Firearm Injuries
     risk of firearm injury vs. the protective value of 
firearms;
     motives and sources of gun acquisition by adolescents;
     role of firearms in protecting people from injuries;
    Interpersonal Youth Violence
     role of social and economic factors (e.g., unemployment, 
poverty, family dysfunction, and racism) in contributing to violent 
behavior;
     early childhood experiences of violence, as a victim or 
witness, related to later development of violent behavior patterns;
     link between television and media portrayals of violence 
and the development of attitudes which lead to violent behavior as an 
acceptable method of settling conflict;
     influence of alcohol or other drug use upon victimization 
and perpetration of violent behavior;
     role of academic performance, athletics or other 
extracurricular activities as a protective factor for violent behavior;
     history of prior victimization as a predictor of risk for 
future homicide/assault perpetration or victimization.
    Also of interest is research that more accurately defines the cost 
of violent injuries and the cost effectiveness or prevention 
effectiveness of interventions. Cost analysis should be included in the 
plans, where appropriate, to evaluate an intervention(s) that addresses 
one of the three priority areas of violence-related injury research 
previously outlined, (i.e., youth suicide, firearm injuries, and 
interpersonal youth violence). A more complete discussion of 
methodologies for assessing cost analysis is presented in, A Framework 
for Assessing the Effectiveness of Disease and Injury Prevention, (CDC, 
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 27, 1992, Volume 41, 
Number RR-3, pages 5-11). (To receive information on these reports see 
the section WHERE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.)

Evaluation Criteria

    Upon receipt, applications will be screened by CDC staff for 
completeness and responsiveness as outlined under the previous heading, 
Program Requirements (A-F). Incomplete applications and applications 
that are not responsive will be returned to the applicant without 
further consideration. Applications which are complete and responsive 
may be subjected to a preliminary evaluation by a peer review group to 
determine if the application is of sufficient technical and scientific 
merit to warrant further review (triage); the CDC will withdraw from 
further consideration applications judged to be noncompetitive and 
promptly notify the principal investigator/program director and the 
official signing for the applicant organization. Those applications 
judged to be competitive will be further evaluated by a dual review 
process. Awards will be made based on priority score ranking by the 
Injury Research Grants Review Committee (IRGRC), programmatic 
priorities and needs by the Advisory Committee for Injury Prevention 
and Control, and the availability of funds.
    A. The first review will be a peer review to be conducted on all 
applications. Factors to be considered will include:
    1. The specific aims of the research project, i.e., the broad long-
term objectives, the intended accomplishment of the specific research 
proposal, and the hypothesis to be tested;
    2. The background of the proposal, i.e., the basis for the present 
proposal, the critical evaluation of existing knowledge, and specific 
identification of the injury control knowledge gaps which the proposal 
is intended to fill;
    3. The significance and originality from a scientific or technical 
standpoint of the specific aims of the proposed research, including the 
adequacy of the theoretical and conceptual framework for the research;
    4. For competitive renewal and supplemental applications, the 
progress made during the prior project period. For new applications, 
(optional) the progress of preliminary studies pertinent to the 
application;
    5. The adequacy of the proposed research design, approaches, and 
methodology to carry out the research, including quality assurance 
procedures, plan for data management, and statistical analysis plan;
    6. The extent to which the evaluation plan will allow for the 
measurement of progress toward the achievement of the stated 
objectives;
    7. Qualifications, adequacy, and appropriateness of personnel to 
accomplish the proposed activities;
    8. The degree of commitment and cooperation of other interested 
parties (as evidenced by letters detailing the nature and extent of the 
involvement);
    9. The reasonableness of the proposed budget to the proposed 
research and demonstration program;
    10. Adequacy of existing and proposed facilities and resources.
    B. The second review will be conducted by the Advisory Committee 
for Injury Prevention and Control. The factors to be considered will 
include:
    1. The results of the peer review;
    2. The significance of the proposed activities in relation to the 
objectives stated in Injury Control in the 1990s: A National Plan for 
Action. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1993 and 
Healthy People 2000;
    3. National needs;
    4. Overall distribution among:
     the three priority areas of violence-related injury 
research: youth suicide, firearm injuries, and interpersonal youth 
violence;
     the major disciplines of violence-related injury 
prevention: social and behavioral science, biomechanics, and 
epidemiology;
     populations addressed (e.g., adolescents, racial and 
ethnic minorities, the elderly, children, urban, rural);
    5. Budgetary considerations (e.g., preference may be given to 
applicants who submit proposals requesting funding for research 
projects of one to two year's duration);
    6. Additional consideration may be given to those applicants who 
provide evidence of an active training program or mentoring program for 
inexperienced minority injury researchers (``junior investigators'').
    C. Continued Funding:
    Continuation awards made after FY 1995, but within the project 
period, will be made on the basis of the availability of funds and the 
following criteria:
    1. The accomplishments reflected in the progress report of the 
continuation application indicate that the applicant is meeting 
previously stated objectives or milestones contained in the project's 
annual workplan and satisfactory progress has been demonstrated through 
monitoring presentations or work-in-progress workshops;
    2. The objectives for the new budget period are realistic, 
specific, and measurable;
    3. The methods described will clearly lead to achievement of these 
objectives;
    4. The evaluation plan will allow management to monitor whether the 
methods are effective; and
    5. The budget request is clearly explained, adequately justified, 
reasonable and consistent with the intended use of grant funds.
    D. Supplementary Funding:
    Competing Supplemental grant awards may be made when funds are 
available, to support research work or activities not previously 
approved by the Injury Research Grants Review Committee (IRGRC). 
Applications should be clearly labelled to denote their status as 
requesting supplemental funding support. These applications will be 
reviewed by the IRGRC and the secondary review group.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    Applications are not subject to the review requirements of 
Executive Order 12372, entitled Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.

Public Health System Reporting Requirement

    This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.136.

Application Submission and Deadlines

A. Preapplication Letter of Intent

    Although not a prerequisite of application, a non-binding letter of 
intent-to-apply is requested from potential applicants. The letter 
should be submitted to the Grants Management Officer (whose address is 
reflected in section B, ``Applications''). It should be postmarked no 
later than two months prior to the planned submission deadline, (e.g., 
December 13 for January 13 submission). The letter should identify the 
announcement number, name the principal investigator, and specify the 
priority area of violence-related injury research (i.e., youth suicide, 
firearm injuries, and interpersonal youth violence) addressed by the 
proposed project. The letter of intent does not influence review or 
funding decisions, but it will enable CDC to plan the review more 
efficiently, and will ensure that each applicant receives timely and 
relevant information prior to application submission.

B. Applications

    Applicants should use Form PHS-398 and adhere to the ERRATA 
Instruction Sheet for Form PHS-398 contained in the Grant Application 
Kit. Please submit an original and five copies, on or before January 
13, 1995 to: Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants Management Officer, Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

C. Deadlines

    1. Applications shall be considered as meeting a deadline if they 
are either:
    A. Received at the above address on or before the deadline date, or
    B. Sent on or before the deadline date to the above address, and 
received in time for the review process. Applicants should request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailings.
    2. Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered 
late applications and will be returned to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional information, call (404) 332-4561. You will be 
asked to leave your name, address, and phone number and will need to 
refer to Announcement Number 506. You will receive a complete program 
description, information on application procedures, and application 
forms.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical information may be obtained 
from Lisa Tamaroff, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, 
telephone (404) 842-6796. Programmatic technical assistance may be 
obtained from Ted Jones, Project Officer, Extramural Research Grants 
Branch, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop K-58, 4770 Buford 
Highway, NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, telephone (404) 488-4824.
    Please refer to Announcement 506 when requesting information or 
submitting an application.
    Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full 
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary 
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of 
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, 
telephone (202) 783-3238.
    Copies of Injury Control in the 1990s: A National Plan for Action. 
Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1993 and A 
Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Disease and Injury 
Prevention, (CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 27, 
1992, Volume 41, Number RR-3, pages 5-11) may be obtained by calling 
(404) 488-4334.
    Information for obtaining the suggested readings, Violence and the 
Public's Health, Understanding and Preventing Violence, and Violence in 
America: A Public Health Approach, is included on a separate sheet with 
the application kit.

    Dated: September 14, 1994.
Deborah L. Jones,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Mary Ellen Bloodworth,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-23198 Filed 9-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P