[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25011]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 11, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 

National Institutes of Health; Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority

    Part H. Chapter HN (National Institutes of Health) (NIH) of the 
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for 
the Department of Health and Human Services (40 FR 22859, May 27, 1975, 
as amended most recently at 59 FR 42066, August 16, 1994) is amended to 
reflect a reorganization within the National Center for Research 
Resources (NCRR) (HNR), NIH. The reorganization consists of (1) 
abolishing Intramural Research Resources (HNR2) and Extramural Research 
Resources (HNR3); and (2) realigning the remaining NCRR substructure to 
indicate their correct organizational level. This reorganization is 
consistent with Administration objectives related to the National 
Performance Review (NPR) and the Continuous Improvement Program (CIP)--
specifically, streamlining, delayering, and decreasing the ratio of 
supervisors to employees in accordance with effective management 
practices.
    Section NH-B, Organization and Functions, is amended as follows: 
(1) Under the heading National Center for Research Resources (HNR) 
delete the titles and functional statements for Intramural Research 
Resources (HNR2) and  Extramural Research Resources (HNR3) in their 
entirety and substitute the following:
    Office of Science and Health Reports (HNR12). (1) Serves as a focal 
point for the Center's efforts to interpret and disseminate the goals 
and results of NCRR-supported research programs and projects to the 
biomedical research community, Congress, other specialized groups, and 
the general public; (2) provides answers to White House, congressional, 
and public inquiries regarding research resources and produces 
materials designed to facilitate these responses; (3) provides advice 
and assistance to members of the Center's scientific and administrative 
staff engaged in research and program reporting; (4) serves as an 
information source for NIH personnel carrying out public affairs 
assignments related to NCRR interests; (5) cooperates with appropriate 
voluntary agencies and professional societies in planning and producing 
informational materials for specialized groups; and (6) provides 
responses to requests under the Freedom of Information Act and the 
Privacy Act, and advises the NCRR Director on matters related to these 
Acts.
    Office of Grants ad Contracts Management (HNR13). (1) Collaborates 
in the formulation of NCRR, NIH, and PHS policies and procedures 
relating to the management of the grant and contract programs; (2) 
interprets and applies NCRR, NIH, and PHS policies and procedures 
relating to the business management of grants and contracts; (3) 
provides administrative and financial review of grant applications and 
contract proposals and collaborates with program directors in grants 
negotiation, award, and administration; (4) provides administrative and 
technical support in the development, execution, and monitoring of 
grant and contract programs including budget forecasting; (5) maintains 
liaison with grants and contracts management staffs in other 
Institutes, central OD/NIH offices, grantees, and contractors; and (6) 
interprets and implements new/revised administrative policies/
regulations affecting the overall mission of the Center, and NIH and 
PHS policies and procedures relating to the management of the grant and 
contract programs.
    Office of Administrative Management (HNR14). (1) Plans implements, 
and evaluates administrative and management services and support to the 
programs and activities of NCRR; (2) provides budgetary support for 
budget formulation and execution; (3) provides personnel management, 
services, and advice; (4) plans and operates NCRR data systems; and (5) 
maintains liaison with the Office of the Director (OD/NIH).
    Office of Science Policy (HNR15). (1) Advises the NCRR Director on 
policy matters, scientific developments, and other relevant issues that 
may affect NCRR programs and initiatives; (2) assists in the 
establishment of NCRR objectives and in the development or modification 
of programs to meet these objectives; (3) evaluates the performance and 
impact of NCRR programs and related PHS programs and activities; (4) 
acquires data and performs analyses for use in NCRR planning and 
development; (5) coordinates the presentation of the Center's plans and 
reports; (6) conducts the Center's legislative liaison activities; and 
(7) provides staff support for the NCRR Director.
    Office of Review (HNR16). (1) Provides policy direction and 
coordination for the planning and execution of initial scientific and 
technical reviews conducted within the Center involving applications 
for grant and contract research; (2) supervises and manages NCRR-
chartered committees and the establishment of ad hoc review committees 
as required; (3) coordinates the identification and selection of 
qualified experts to serve on review committees and assists with the 
review of grant applications and contract proposals as required; (4) 
serves as the information and coordination center for all grant 
applications and contract proposals pending review by the Office; (5) 
supervises scientific review administrators for the initial scientific 
review of grant proposals reviewed within NCRR; (6) coordinates 
scientific review activities with NCRR program staff and the Division 
of Research Grants, NIH; and (7) maintains uniform policies and 
procedures governing the technical review of grant applications and 
contract proposals within NCRR.
    Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation Program (HNR4). 
Contributes to the advance of NIH research in applications of 
engineering, mathematics, and the physical sciences to the solution of 
problems in biology and medicine through: (1) Consultations and 
collaborations with NIH scientists in areas such as measurement, 
imaging, mathematical modeling, and design of specialized equipment; 
(2) research and development of theoretical and experimental methods, 
including novel instrumentation; and (3) technical support services 
such as the design, construction, modification, repair, sale, and lease 
of scientific equipment.
    Veterinary Resources Program (HNR5). Contributes to the advancement 
of NIH research through the application of laboratory animal sciences 
by: (1) Consultative and collaborative inter-action with NIH intramural 
researchers; (2) providing fully characterized laboratory animal 
models; (3) providing a full range of professional and technical 
support services; facilities, and other resources required for 
laboratory animal care; and (4) conducting independent research and 
development in the field of laboratory animal science.
    Medical Arts and Photography Branch (HNR6). Contributes to the 
advance of NIH research by providing comprehensive visual 
communications services through: (1) Creating products that visually 
communicate scientific data, research accomplishments, and NIH programs 
to the scientific community and the general public; and(2) producing 
publications, exhibits, and audio-visual presentations through a 
variety of services including design, graphics, video production, 
medical illustration, micro- and macro-photography, information and 
patient photography, and staff assistance in planning and coordination 
of visual communication needs.
    Library Branch (NHR7). Contributes to the advance of NIH research 
by providing comprehensive research library support to NIH scientific, 
clinical, and management programs through: (1) An extensive collection 
of books and journals; (2) access to computer information banks (3) 
staff assistance and consultation in information handling and 
retrieval; (4) translation of foreign research reports; and (5) studies 
to explore avenues for scientific communications and dissemination of 
medical research findings.
    Comparative Medicine Program (HNR8). (1) Plans, develops, 
administers, and evaluates a comprehensive scientific program utilizing 
resource grants, resource-related research grants, research contracts, 
and training awards to: (a) Provide access to non-human primates for 
biomedical research through Regional Primate Research Centers, (b) 
develop and support shared resources for animal models of human 
disease/processes; (c) reduce disease in laboratory animal colonies, 
(d) improve quality of institutional animal resource programs, (e) 
train individuals for these activities, and (f) foster optimal 
standards for the care of laboratory animals; (2) plans workshops, 
conferences, and seminars to explore animal research resource needs of 
investigators; and (3) serves as a focal point for NIH interchange with 
organizations, institutions, and individuals concerning the use of 
animals in biomedical research.
    Research Facilities Improvement Program (HNR9). (1) Plans, 
develops, administers, and evaluates a comprehensive program utilizing 
grants and contracts for the repair, renovation, modernization, and 
expansion of biomedical research-related facilities and the purchase of 
associated equipment; (2) formulates general policy, administrative 
procedures, and parameters within which the program will operate; (3) 
identifies areas where improved facilities would produce new knowledge 
and methods; and (4) serves as the focal point for interchange with 
institutions and independent research organizations regarding the use 
of funds available for research facilities improvement.
    General Clinical Research Centers Program (HNRB). (1) Plans, 
develops, administers, and evaluates a comprehensive clinical research 
program utilizing resource grants, resource-related grants, and 
research contracts to: (a) Establish, within public or private 
institutions, facilities for quality-controlled clinical research with 
patients; (b) stimulate multi-disciplinary research; and (c) provide 
shared laboratory resources to facilitate technology transfer to the 
patient research; (2) formulates general policy, administrative 
arrangements, and scientific considerations within which the program 
will operate; (3) maintains management and scientific liaison with 
institutions supported through the program; (4) plans workshops, 
conferences, and seminars to identify clinical resource needs for 
scientists; (5) provides competitive support to junior faculty to 
develop a cadre of independent clinical investigators and (6) 
coordinates clinical resource support within other NIH institutes and 
centers.
    Biomedical Research Technology Program (HNRC). (1) Plans, develops, 
administers, and evaluates a comprehensive scientific program utilizing 
resource grants, resource-related grants, research project grants, and 
research contracts to support biomedical computing, biomedical 
structure and function, biomedical characterization, biomedical image 
and image processing resources, and biomedical engineering resources; 
(2) formulates general policy, administrative arrangement, and 
scientific considerations framework within which the program will 
operate; (3) plans workshops, conferences, and seminars to identify 
technologies to be modified or developed as tools for biomedical 
research; and (4) serves as a focal point for NIH interchange with 
organizations, institutions, and individuals concerning the use of 
technologies in biomedical research.
    Biomedical Research Support Program (HNRE). (1) Plans, develops, 
administers, and evaluates programs for shared research resources, and 
resources for underserved populations; (2) plans, develops, administers 
and evaluates programs to improve science education activities and the 
Nation's science literacy; (3) formulates general policy, 
administrative arrangements, and scientific considerations within which 
the programs will operate; (4) plans workshops, conferences, and 
seminars to explore means of program development; and (5) serves as the 
focal point for NIH interchange with organizations, institutions, and 
individuals concerning these programs.
    Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program (HNRG). (1) 
Plans, develops, administers, and evaluates the Research Centers in 
Minority Institutions Program utilizing competitive institutional 
resource grants to strengthen the research environment in predominantly 
minority educational institutions which offer doctoral degrees in the 
health professions or the sciences related to health; (2) formulates 
general policy, administrative arrangements, and scientific 
considerations within which the program operates; (3) plans workshops, 
conferences, and seminars to identify research resource needs of 
institutions development; and (4) serves as a focal point for NIH 
interchange with organizations, institutions, and individuals 
concerning the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program.
    Biological Models and Materials Research Program (HNRH). (1) Plans, 
develops, administers, and evaluates a comprehensive scientific program 
utilizing research grants, cooperative agreements, and research 
contracts to: (a) Develop and provide cell systems, lower organisms, 
and non-biological systems as models for biomedical research, (b) 
provide biological materials serving as critically important resources 
to the biomedical research community, and (c) respond to requests from 
the research community for support of needed biological materials and 
biological and non-biological model systems; (2) tracks model research 
systems supported by NIH; (3) serves as NIH's focal point for exchange 
of information concerning the use of model systems in biomedical 
research with individuals, organizations, and institutions; (4) 
collaborates with other NIH components to support biological materials 
resources of critical importance to the biomedical research community; 
(5) plans workshops, conferences, and seminars to explore research 
resource needs of scientists; and (6) formulates general policy, 
administrative arrangements, and scientific considerations within which 
the program will operate.

    Dated: September 22, 1994.
Harold Varmus,
Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-25011 Filed 10-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M