[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25151]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement Number 509]

 

Grants for Unintentional Injury Prevention and Control Research 
Notice of Availability of Funds For Fiscal Year 1995

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces that 
applications are being accepted for Injury Prevention and Control 
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 Healthy People 2000 chapter 
on Unintentional Injuries. (To order a copy of Healthy People 2000, see 
the section Where to Obtain Additional Information.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under Sections 301 and 391-394 of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 and 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 and 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 $2.0 million is projected to be available in FY 1995 
to fund 6 to 9 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). 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, if 
funds are available, continuation awards may be eligible for increased 
funding to offset inflationary costs.

Purpose

    The purposes of this program are to:
    A. Support injury prevention and control research on priority 
issues as delineated in Injury Control in the 1990s: A National Plan 
for Action and Healthy People 2000.
    B. Encourage professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines such 
as engineering, medicine, health care, public health, behavioral and 
social sciences, and others, to undertake research to prevent and 
control injuries.
    C. Evaluate current and new intervention methods and strategies for 
the prevention and control of injuries.
    D. Encourage professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines such 
as medicine, health care, public health, behavioral and social 
sciences, and others to undertake research to prevent and control 
unintentional injuries.

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 (as previously defined) 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 an injury control research project.
    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 Injury Control in the 1990s: A 
National Plan for Action 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

    Grant applications for unintentional injury prevention and control 
research are sought. The focus of grants should reflect the broad-based 
need to control injury morbidity, mortality, disability, and costs. 
Special consideration may be given to applications requesting one or 
two years of funding. One-year pilot projects are encouraged.
    In prevention, there is special programmatic interest in research 
which evaluates the effectiveness of interventions in preventing 
injuries or reducing their impact and develops the basic sciences of 
injury (i.e., biomechanics and epidemiology). This research might 
evaluate one or more different approaches to implementing a specific 
intervention strategy for which there is already existing evidence of 
effectiveness (e.g., protective helmets for bicycle riders, energy-
absorbing playground surfaces, lowered tap water temperatures, etc.). 
In addition, there is a need to develop new intervention strategies or 
examine intervention strategies for which evidence of effectiveness is 
either sparse or totally lacking (e.g., public education and 
information campaigns, teaching infants to swim, interior design 
innovations to prevent falls among older persons, etc.). Interventions 
chosen for evaluation should have a significant potential for reduction 
in injury morbidity, mortality, disability, or cost. Special 
consideration will be given to grant applications which target 
populations at high risk for injuries and their consequences, including 
adolescents, children, racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, 
farm families, and people with low incomes.
    In acute care, there is special programmatic interest in 
intensifying the role of the emergency department and in-patient 
hospital trauma services in regard to public health surveillance and 
prevention of traumatic injuries. In acute care settings, identifying 
underlying risk factors for injury and intervening to reduce or 
eliminate them can help minimize the impact of violence, substance 
abuse, and other factors associated with injury recidivism. There is 
also a need to assess the impact of national and State health care 
reforms on prehospital emergency medical services, emergency department 
care of the injured, in-patient trauma care, and rehabilitation 
services. There is interest in the identification of optimal methods 
for diagnosing and treating patients who have sustained major trauma, 
including central nervous system injuries, burns, and multiple organ 
system injuries.
    In rehabilitation, there is programmatic interest in clinical 
research and clinical trials on improved approaches to comprehensive 
rehabilitation. This includes research directed towards minimizing the 
secondary complications of injury including pressure sores, 
contracture, muscular atrophy, skeletal deformity and other definable 
conditions. This research should cover methods of their prevention and 
take into account the injured person's need for education to prevent 
recurrent medical problems and the role of the family in preventing 
secondary conditions. Population-based and longitudinal studies are 
needed to better establish the prognoses and rehabilitation needs of 
patients with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, and 
severe sensory loss.
    In biomechanics, there is special programmatic interest in brain 
and spinal cord injury. This interest includes the biomechanical 
evaluation of intervention concepts and strategies (e.g., bike helmets, 
energy absorbing playground surfaces, hip pads, motor vehicle side 
impact and rollover countermeasures, etc.), development of models to 
elucidate injury physiology and pharmacologic, surgical and other 
interventions; defining human tolerance limits for injury among 
children, women, the chronically ill and older persons; improvements in 
injury assessment technology; and understanding impact injury 
mechanisms and quantifying injury-related biomechanical responses for 
critical areas of the human body (e.g., brain and vertebral injury with 
spinal cord involvement). Consideration will also be given to the 
biomechanics of thoracic and abdominal viscera, musculature and joints 
including the articular cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
    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. Also of interest is 
epidemiologic research having as its focus the development of improved 
methods and the evaluation and improvement of injury surveillance 
systems.
    Research is needed that more accurately defines the cost of 
unintentional injury and the cost effectiveness or prevention 
effectiveness of interventions. Cost analysis should be included in the 
plans, where appropriate, to evaluate an intervention(s) pertinent to 
one of the topics previously outlined under prevention, acute care, 
rehabilitation, biomechanics, etc. 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 reviewed 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 conducted by the IRGRC on 
all applications. Factors to be considered will include:
    1. The specific aims of the research project, i.e., the broad 
longterm 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 
priorities and objectives stated in Injury Control in the 1990s: A 
National Plan for Action and Healthy People 2000.
    3. National needs.
    4. Overall distribution among:
     The three phases of injury control: prevention, acute 
care, and rehabilitation;
     The major disciplines of injury control: biomechanics and 
epidemiology;
     Populations addressed (e.g., adolescents, children, racial 
and ethnic minorities, rural residents, farm families, and people with 
low incomes); and
    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 for inexperienced 
minority injury researchers.
    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 10 for February 10 submission). The letter should identify the 
announcement number, name the principal investigator, and specify the 
injury phase or discipline 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 February 
10, 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, GA 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 
are 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 in 1.A. or 1.B. 
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 509. You will receive a complete program 
description, information on application procedures, and application 
forms.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from Lisa G. Tamaroff, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-13, 
Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6796. Programmatic technical 
assistance may be obtained from Ted Jones, Project Officer, Office of 
Research Grants, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, 
NE., Mailstop K-58, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, telephone (404) 488-4824.
    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) referenced in the Introduction 
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) 488-4265.
    Information for obtaining the suggested readings, Injury In America 
and Injury Prevention: Meeting the Challenge, is included on a separate 
sheet with the application kit.

    Dated: October 5, 1994.
Deborah L. Jones,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 94-25151 Filed 10-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P