[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29356-29358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14201]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service
[0917-ZA04]


American Indians Into Psychology Program

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of competitive grant applications for American Indians 
Into Psychology Program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces that competitive 
grant applications are now being accepted for the American Indians Into 
Psychology Program. These grants are established under the authority of 
section 217 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Public Law 94-
437, as amended. There will be only one funding cycle during fiscal 
year (FY) 1997. This program is described at 93.970 in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance. Costs will be determined in accordance 
with applicable Office of Management and Budget Circulars. Executive 
Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not applicable to 
this program.
    The PHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of Health People 2000. Health People 2000, the 
full report, is currently out of print. You may obtain the objectives 
from the latest Health People 2000 Review. A copy may be obtained by 
calling the National Center for Health Statistics, telephone (301) 443-
8500.

Smoke Free Workplace

    The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a 
smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products, 
and Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking 
in certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, 
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development 
services are provided to children.

DATES: a. Application Receipt Date: An original and two copies of the 
completed grant application must be submitted with all required 
documentation to the Grants Management Branch, Division of Acquisition 
and Grants Management, Twinbrook Metro Plaza, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, 
Suite 100, Rockville, Maryland 20852, by close of business July 2, 
1997.
    Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they 
are either: (1) Received on or before the deadline with hand carried 
applications received by close of business 5 p.m.; or (2) postmarked on 
or before the deadline and received in time to be reviewed along with 
all other timely applications. A legibly dated receipt from a 
commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service will be accepted in lieu 
of a postmark. Private metered postmarks will not be accepted as proof 
of timely mailing. Late applications not accepted for processing will 
be returned to the applicant and will not be considered for funding.

Additional Dates

    1. Application Review: July 15, 1997. The review will be conducted 
by field readers.
    2. Applicants Notified of Results: on or about July 17, 1997 
(approved, recommended for approval but not funded, or disapproved).
    3. Anticipated Start Date: August 1, 1997.

CONTACTS FOR ASSISTANCE: For American Indians Into Psychology program 
information, contact Ms. Pat Lee-McCoy, Office of Management Support, 
Division of Health Professions Support, Scholarship Branch, Indian 
Health Service, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 
20852, (301) 443-6197. For grant application and business management 
information, contact Mrs. M. Kay Carpentier, Grants Management Branch, 
Indian Health Service, Twinbrook Metro Plaza, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, 
Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-5204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This announcement provides information on 
the general program purpose, eligibility and documentation, program 
requirements, required affiliations, funds available, limitations, 
period of support, and application procedures for FY 1997.

A. General Program Purpose

    The purpose of the American Indians Into Psychology program is to 
develop and maintain American Indian psychology career recruitment 
programs as a means of encouraging Indians to enter the mental health 
field.

B. Eligibility and Documentation

    Public and non-profit private colleges and universities are 
eligible to apply for a grant, however, only one grant will be awarded 
and funded to a college or university per funding cycle.

C. Program Requirements

    Each proposal must address the following objectives to be 
considered for funding:
    1. Provides outreach and recruitment for health professions to 
Indian communities including elementary, secondary and community 
colleges located on Indian reservations that will be served by the 
program.
    2. Incorporates a program advisory board comprised of 
representatives from the tribes and communities that will be served by 
the program.
    3. Provides summer enrichment programs to expose Indian students to 
the varied fields of psychology through research, clinical, and 
experiential activities.
    4. Provides stipends to undergraduate and graduate students to 
pursue a career in psychology. Stipends for individuals will not be 
funded during the first year of the project because the first year will 
involve recruiting individuals. Stipends must be included in the budget 
and narrative for the second and third years of the project.
    5. Develops affiliation agreements with tribal community colleges, 
the IHS, university affiliated programs, and other appropriate entities 
to enhance the education of Indian students.
    6. To the maximum extent feasible, utilizes existing university 
tutoring,

[[Page 29357]]

counseling and student support services.
    7. To the maximum extent feasible, employs qualified Indians in the 
program.

D. Required Affiliations

    The grant applicant must submit official documentation indicating a 
tribe's cooperation with and support of the program within the schools 
on its reservation and its willingness to have a tribal representative 
serving on the program advisory board. Documentation must be in the 
form prescribed by the tribe's governing body, i.e., letter of support 
or tribal resolution. Documentation must be submitted from every tribe 
involved in the grant program.

E. Funds Available, Limitations and Period of Support

    1. Funds available--It is anticipated that approximately $70,000 
will be available for one award.
    2. Limitations--Only one grant project will be awarded to a college 
or university.
    3. Period of support--Project will be awarded for a budget term of 
12 months, with a maximum project period of up to 3 years. Grant 
funding levels include both direct and indirect costs. Funding of 
succeeding years will be based on the FY 1997 level, continuing need 
for the program, satisfactory performance, and the availability of 
appropriations in those years.

F. Application Process

    An IHS Grant Application Kit, including the required PHS 5161-1 
(OMB Approval No. 0937-0189, expires 07/31/98) and the U.S. Government 
standard forms (SF-424, SF-424A and SF-424B), may be obtained from the 
Grants Management Branch, Division of Acquisition and Grants 
Management, Indian Health Service, Twinbrook Metro Plaza, 12300 
Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 100, Rockville, Maryland 20852, telephone 
(301) 443-5204. (This is not a toll free number.)

G. Grant Application Requirements

    All applications must be single-spaced, typewritter, and 
consecutively numbered pages using black type not smaller than 12 
characters per one inch, with conventional one inch border margins, on 
only one side of standard size 8\1/2\ x 11 paper that can be 
photocopied. The application narrative (not including the Appendix) 
must not exceed 5 typed pages as described above. An additional page 
may be used for each additional year of funding requested. All 
applications must include the following in the order presented.

--Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance
--Standard Form 424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs and 
instructions (pages 1-4)
--Project Narrative (5 pages)

    1. Introduction and and Potential Effectiveness Project.
    2. Project Administration.
    3. Accessibility to Target Population.
    4. Relationship of Objectives to Manpower Deficiencies.
    5. Project Budget.

--Brief Multi-Year Narratives and Budgets--Limited to one page for each 
additional year of funding
--Appendix

    Once an application is approved for funding, the following 
documents must be submitted prior to award:

--SF 424B--Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
--Certifications (PHS-5161-1--pages 17 and 18)

H. Application Narrative Instructions, Application Standards 
(Evaluation Criteria) and Weights

    The instructions for preparing the application narrative also 
constitute the evaluation criteria for reviewing and scoring the 
application. Weights assigned each section are noted in parenthesis.
    Narrative: Please describe the complete project in clear and 
succinct style. It should be organized as described in sections 1-5 and 
not exceed 5 single spaced pages, and address the following:

1. Introduction and Potential Effectiveness of Project (30 pts.)

    a. Describe your legal status and organization.
    b. State specific objectives of the project, which are measurable 
in terms of being quantified, significant to the needs of Indian 
people, logical, complete and consistent with the purpose of section 
217.
    c. Describe briefly what the project intends to accomplish. 
Identify the expected results, benefits, and outcome or products to be 
derived from each objective of the project.
    d. Provide a project specific work plan (milestone chart) which 
lists each objective, the tasks to be conducted in order to reach the 
objective, and the time frame needed to accomplish each task. Time 
frames should be projected in a realistic manner to assure that the 
scope of work can be completed within each budget period. (A work plan 
format is provided.)
    e. In the case of proposed projects or identification of Indians 
with a potential for education or training, include a method for 
assessing the potential of interested Indians for undertaking necessary 
education or training.
    f. State clearly the criteria by which the project's progress will 
be evaluated and by which the success of the project will be 
determined.
    g. Explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the 
needs, goals, and objectives identified and discussed in the 
application are being met and if the results and benefits identified 
are being achieved.
    h. Identify who will perform the evaluation and when.

2. Project Administration (20 pts.)

    a. Provide an organizational chart and describe the administrative, 
managerial and organizational arrangement and the facilities and 
resources to be utilized to conduct the proposed project.
    b. Provide the name and qualifications of the project director or 
other individuals responsible for the conduct of the project; the 
qualifications of the principal staff carrying out the project; and a 
description of the manner in which the applicant's staff is or will be 
organized and supervised to carry out the proposed project. Include 
biographical sketches of key personnel (or job descriptions if the 
position is vacant).
    c. Describe any prior experience in administering similar projects.
    d. Discuss the commitment of the organization, i.e., although not 
required, the level of non-Federal support. List the intended financial 
participation, if any, of the applicant in the proposed project 
specifying the type of contributions such as cash or services, loans of 
full or part-time staff, equipment, space, materials or facilities or 
other contributions.

3. Accessibility to Target Population (20 pts.)

    a. Describe the current and proposed participation of Indians (if 
any) in your organization.
    b. Identify the target Indian population to be served by your 
proposed project and the relationship of your organization to that 
population.
    c. Describe the methodology to be used to access the target 
population.

4. Relationship of Objectives to Manpower Deficiencies (20 pts.)

    a. Provide data and supporting documentation to substantiate need 
for recruitment.
    b. Indicate the number of potential Indian students to be contacted 
and

[[Page 29358]]

recruited as well as potential cost per student recruited. Those 
projects that have the potential to serve a greater number of Indians 
will be given first consideration.

5. Project Budget (10 pts.)

    a. Provide a budget for the budget period requested. The funds 
requested should be appropriate and necessary for the scope of the 
project.
    b. The available funding level of $70,000 is inclusive of both 
direct and indirect costs. Because this project is for a training 
grant, the Department of Health and Human Services' policy limiting 
reimbursement of indirect cost to the lesser of the applicant's actual 
indirect costs or 8 percent of total direct costs (exclusive of tuition 
and related fees and expenditures for equipment) is applicable. This 
limitation applies to all institutions of higher education other than 
agencies of State and local government.
    c. Projects requiring a second and third year must include a brief 
narrative and budget for each additional year of funding.
    Appendix to include:
    * Resumes and position descriptions for key staff.
    * Organizational chart.
    * Work plan.
    * Tribal Resolution(s)/letters of support.
    * Application Receipt Card, PHS-3038-1 Rev. 5-90.

I. Assurances

    Assurances (SF-424B), and Certifications (PHS-5161-1-pages 17 and 
18) need not be submitted with the application. They will be required 
prior to actual award if the application is approved for funding.

J. Reporting

    1. Annual Progress Report--An annual progress report is due 60 days 
before the end of each budget period prior to the final budget period 
for all multi-year projects. This report will include a brief 
description of program accomplishments to the goals established, 
reasons for slippage, other pertinent information as required, and 
plans for the next budget period.
    2. Final Progress Report--A final progress report is due 90 days 
after expiration of the project period. This report will include a 
description of program accomplishments to the goals established, 
reasons for slippage, and other pertinent information as required.
    3. Financial Status Report--A final financial status report is due 
90 days after expiration of the project period. Standard Form 269 (long 
form) will be used for financial reporting.

K. Grant Administration Requirements

    Grants are administered in accordance with the following documents:
    1. 45 CFR part 92, HHS, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments, or 45 
CFR part 74, Administration of Grants to Non-profit Recipients.
    2. PHS Grants Policy Statement, and
    3. OMB Circular A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions.

L. Application Consideration+p300X

1. Application Review

    Applications submitted by the closing date and verified by the 
postmark under this program announcement will undergo a review to 
determine that the applicant is eligible in accordance with the 
Eligibility and Documentation Section of this announcement; the 
application narrative, forms and materials submitted are adequate to 
allow the reviewers to undertake an in-depth evaluation; and that the 
application complies with this announcement; otherwise it will be 
returned without consideration.

2. Competitive Review of Accepted Applications

    Applications meeting eligibility requirements that are complete, 
responsive, and conform to this program announcement will be reviewed 
for merit by reviewers appointed by the IHS. The review will be 
conducted in accordance with PHS review procedures. The review process 
ensures selection of quality projects in a national competition for 
limited funding. Applications will be evaluated and rated on the basis 
of the evaluation criteria listed above. These criteria are used to 
evaluate the quality of a proposed project, to assign a numerical score 
to each application, and to determine the likelihood of its success. 
Applications scoring below 60 points will not be funded.

3. Results of the Review

    The results of the review are forwarded to the Division Director, 
Division of Health Professions Support (DHPS), for final review and 
approval. The Division Director will also consider the recommendations 
from the Grants Management Branch. After the decisions have been made 
on all applications, applicants are notified by July 17, 1997. 
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.
    Successful applicants are notified through an official Notice of 
Grant Award (NGA) document. The NGA will state the amount of Federal 
funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of 
the grant award, the effective date of the award, the project period, 
and the budget period.

    Dated: April 22, 1997.
Michael H. Trujillo,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director.
[FR Doc. 97-14201 Filed 5-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-16-M