[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17420-17426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9329]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 98047]


Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers 
Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 
1998

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for cooperative agreement 
programs for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers.
    CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 2000,'' a DHHS-led national 
activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of 
life. This announcement is related to health priorities in Health 
Promotion, Health Protection, and Preventive Services. (To order a copy 
of ``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section ``Where to Obtain 
Additional Information.'')

Authority

    This program is authorized under sections 1706 (42 U.S.C. 300u-5) 
and 317(k)(3) (42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(3)), of the Public Health Service Act, 
as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and Pub. 
L. 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.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are academic health centers; defined as schools 
of public health, medicine, or osteopathy; that have:
    A. Multidisciplinary faculty with expertise in public health and 
which has working relationships with relevant groups in such fields as 
public health, medicine, psychology, nursing, oral health, social work, 
education, and business.
    B. Core faculty in epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences, 
behavioral and environmental health sciences, and health 
administration.
    C. Demonstrated curriculum in health promotion and disease 
prevention.

[[Page 17421]]

    D. Capability for residency training in public health or preventive 
medicine.
    Eligible applicants may enter into contracts, including consortia 
agreements, as necessary to meet the essential requirements of this 
program and to strengthen the overall application.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $7 million is available in FY 1998 to fund 
approximately fourteen new awards. It is expected that the average 
award will be $500,000, (including both direct and indirect costs), 
ranging from $ to $600,000. It is expected that the awards will begin 
on or about September 30, 1998, and will be made for a 12-month budget 
period within a project period of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may 
vary and are subject to change.
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
    If requested, Federal personnel may be assigned to a project in 
lieu of a portion of the financial assistance.

Optional Funding

    In addition, approximately $205,000 (including both direct and 
indirect costs) is available to fund one special interest project 
related to promotion of physical activity and healthy eating.
    Available funds will support a Prevention Research Center 
addressing one or more of the following objectives:

(NOTE: A careful evaluation strategy must be described and 
implemented, regardless of the objective selected.)

    (a) Develop and test tools to assess need, monitor processes and 
determine outcomes of environmental and policy changes designed to 
increase physical activity and healthy eating at the State or community 
level in various settings or among specific target populations.
    (b) Develop and test policy/environmental interventions to promote 
physical activity. Intervention and assessment methodologies will be 
developed incorporating elements such as community psychology, 
transportation systems, and policy evaluation.
    (c) Develop and test policy/environmental interventions to promote 
healthy eating. Intervention and assessment methodologies will be 
developed incorporating elements such as community psychology, food 
marketing and retail systems, religious organizations, schools, 
worksites, and policy evaluation.
    It is expected that this award will begin on or about September 30, 
1998, and is made for a 12-month budget period within a project period 
of up to 3 years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change. 
For more information on applying for Optional Funding, please contact 
persons listed under the section ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information.''

Lobbying Restrictions

    Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS funds 
for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the 
provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352 (which has been in effect since December 
23, 1989), recipients (and their subtier contractors) are prohibited 
from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits from a 
Federal contract) for lobbying Congress or any Federal agency in 
connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative 
agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that, 
in whole or in part, involve conferences for which Federal funds cannot 
be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to 
instruct participants on how to lobby.
    In addition, the FY 1998 Department of Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Pub. 
L. 105-78) states in section 503 (a) and (b) that no part of any 
appropriation contained in this Act shall be used, other than for 
normal and recognized executive-legislative relations, for publicity or 
propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any 
kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or video 
presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before 
the Congress or any State legislature, except in presentation to the 
Congress or any State legislature itself. No part of any appropriation 
contained in this Act shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of 
any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, 
related to any activity designed to influence legislation or 
appropriations pending before the Congress or any State legislature.

Special Interest Projects (SIP)

    Applicants currently funded to conduct special interest projects 
(SIP) can apply for extensions and continuations for FY 1998 under 
current award. Requests for SIP extensions and continuations should not 
be submitted with applications for funding under this announcement. 
Requests should be addressed separately to CDC's Procurement and Grants 
Office. Applicants receiving funds under this announcement will be 
eligible to compete for new SIP's whenever such projects are announced 
by CDC.

Background

    Recent history has indicated a gap between public health research 
findings and the implementation of those findings through public health 
practices. The Health Promotion Disease Prevention Research Centers 
Program was established in 1986 to bridge the gap between public health 
science and applied public health practices. This program serves to 
establish and maintain interdisciplinary academic centers that focus on 
public health issues or themes of national importance. The 
congressionally mandated purpose of this program remains as originally 
intended--to improve public health practice within communities.

CDC Program Objectives

    An integrated, interdisciplinary community-based approach to health 
promotion disease prevention is the hallmark of the Health Promotion 
Disease Prevention Research Center Program. The program's overarching 
objectives are:
    A. To develop community-based partnerships that lead to improved 
public health practice and increased capacity in health promotion and 
disease prevention.
    B. To assess the current status of health promotion and disease 
prevention programs and services offered within State, local, and 
territorial health agencies; State and local education agencies; tribal 
jurisdictions; public and private health-care providers; voluntary 
agencies; and other community or lay organizations.
    C. To identify, develop, and disseminate effective health promotion 
disease prevention interventions.
    D. To advance the scientific basis of health promotion and disease 
prevention programs and services through research, evaluation, and 
dissemination.
    E. To establish demonstration projects for delivery of health 
promotion and disease prevention programs and services to defined 
population groups in collaboration with the providers of these programs 
and services, especially State and local health and education 
departments.
    F. To develop improved evaluation methodologies to assess the 
efficacy of health promotion and disease prevention programs and 
services, the effectiveness of broad-based programs to carry out these 
strategies, and the cost-effectiveness of applying and disseminating 
these programs and services to broad-based constituencies.

[[Page 17422]]

    G. To foster collaborative relationships among health promotion and 
disease prevention research centers, both nationally as well as within 
the Network of CDC-Supported Prevention Research Centers. Prevention 
Research Centers are expected to make their expertise available to 
prevention, surveillance, and health programs conducted by Federal, 
State, and local governments, or other public and private 
organizations.
    H. To develop a multidisciplinary approach to health promotion and 
disease prevention that includes developing, testing, evaluating, and 
disseminating model programs.
    I. To provide a multidisciplinary base for education and training 
activities in the area of prevention and promotion.

Purpose

    The purpose of this program is to support health promotion and 
disease prevention research that focuses on the major causes of death 
and disability. Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) are to conduct 
research and demonstration projects to develop improved methods of 
appraising health hazards and risk factors, and to initiate research 
and demonstration projects to develop and test new and innovative 
public health practices that can be rapidly applied to prevent and 
ameliorate disease and disability in the community. PRCs should help 
design programs that meet the needs of their communities to increase 
their capabilities in the areas of public health knowledge, skills, and 
policymaking, as well as to help communities better understand and 
evaluate public health research by fostering community involvement in 
all aspects of prevention research.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities listed under A. 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under B. (CDC Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Conduct and evaluate a demonstration project in health promotion 
and disease prevention or preventive health services, within a defined 
community or special population. The project must reflect the needs of 
the community within the applicant's jurisdiction and show evidence of 
having used an appropriate planning process in determining project 
selection. Consistent with the discussion in the Background and CDC 
Program Objectives sections, the project should specify how the 
research project will heighten public health practice and advance 
research translation.
    2. Establish an advisory committee to provide input on the major 
program activities. Membership may include but is not limited to a 
variety of local health-care providers, health and education agency 
officials, community leaders and organizers, and representatives of 
local businesses, churches, voluntary organizations, and consumers.
    3. Conduct applied community-based training in research methods to 
foster community involvement and build community capacity for 
participatory research. If appropriate, this training may include a 
distance-learning-based format.
    4. Establish collaborative activities with appropriate 
organizations, individuals, and State health departments.
    5. Establish and document activities that support a 
multidisciplinary approach to health promotion and disease prevention, 
and provide multidisciplinary education and training programs in 
prevention research.
    6. Demonstrate how the PRC will ensure dissemination of results to 
appropriate constituencies.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Collaborate as appropriate with the recipient in all stages of 
the project.
    2. Provide programmatic and technical assistance.
    3. Participate in improving program performance through 
consultation based on information and activities of other projects.
    4. Provide scientific collaboration.
    5. At the request of the applicant, assign Federal personnel in 
lieu of a portion of the financial assistance to assist with developing 
the curriculum, training, or conducting other specific necessary 
activities.

Technical Reporting Requirements

    An original and two copies of a progress report and financial 
status report are due no later than 90 days after the end of the budget 
period. The progress reports must include the following for each 
program, function, or activity involved: (1) A comparison of actual 
accomplishments to the goals established for the period; (2) the 
reasons for slippage if established goals are not met; and (3) other 
pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and 
explanation of unexpectedly high costs for performance.
    Final financial and performance reports are required no later than 
90 days after the end of the project period. All reports are submitted 
to the Grants Management Branch, CDC.

Application Content

    All applications must be developed in accordance with the 
instructions for PHS Form 398, information that is contained in this 
program announcement, and the instructions outlined below.
    The narrative must not exceed 90 double-spaced pages, excluding 
appendixes and PHS Form 398. Appendices must not exceed 25 pages and 
must be hard copy documents (i.e., no audiovisual materials, posters, 
etc.).

A. Research Theme

    Identify a research theme and describe activities designed to focus 
on the theme that will result in innovative approaches to prevention 
research. Clearly identify the need of the partner community, and 
describe the PRC's experience working with communities on the 
identified research theme. Applicants may wish to refer to products 
from the community prevention task force when considering their 
research theme. (For detailed information, visit the Guide to Community 
Preventive Services on the Web at http://web.health.gov/
communityguide).
    Examples of research themes from current Research Prevention 
Centers include:
    1. Risk Reduction Among African-Americans, and Other Underserved 
Populations.
    2. Families, Neighborhoods, and Communities: A Model for Action in 
Chronic Disease Prevention.
    3. Reduction of Excess Morbidity and Mortality in the Harlem 
Community.
    4. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan.
    5. Promoting Health and Preventing Disease Among Urban and Rural 
Adolescents.
    6. Teen Pregnancy Prevention.
    7. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in American Indians.
    8. Workplace Health Promotion.
    9. Promoting Healthy Behavior and Disease Prevention in Native 
American Populations.
    10. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Low-Income Rural 
Communities.
    11. Promoting Health Through Physical Activities.
    12. From Healthy Children To Healthy Adults.
    13. Keeping Older Adults Healthy and Independent.
    14. Risk Factors in Appalachia.

[[Page 17423]]

B. PRC Plan

    Submit a PRC plan with clear goals, objectives, and activities, to 
include:
    1. A description of goals, and objectives for the budget period 
that are consistent with the research theme. Objectives should be 
specific, measurable, and realistic.
    2. A description of the scope, methods of operation, evaluation, 
and a timeline for implementation.
    3. A description of the use of other federal funds that will impact 
on stated program objectives.
    4. A description of any financial and in-kind contributions from 
nonfederal sources.
    5. Documentation of how the Advisory Committee will facilitate 
collaboration with community organizations, State and local health or 
education departments. Documentation should include a description of 
composition, membership, rationale for membership, and objectives for 
the community advisory committee.
    6. A description of any community-based applied training.
    7. A description of needed prevention research training for 
professionals.
    8. Documentation of commitment to minority and underserved 
populations, or other defined populations or communities.
    9. A description of significant factors which may favorably or 
adversely impact on program performance.

C. Management and Staffing Plan

    Provide a management plan that includes a description of all 
organizational units and functions in the PRC. The plan should reflect 
the ability of the PRC to carry out the chosen research theme. Describe 
how the applicant will integrate the PRC within the parent institution. 
The following areas should be considered in developing a management and 
staffing plan:
    1. Describe the PRCs personnel infrastructure.
    2. Describe how proposed staffing will support center activity. 
Current resumes must be included.
    3. No less than two full-time FTE's must be allocated for the 
following functions: (Percentages of an FTE may be used for several 
positions.)
    (a) Scientific oversight: Accountable for center research and 
development, design, methodology, project evaluation, and publications.
    (b) Community Development: Community liaison, advisory committee, 
community training activities, oversight of IRB protocols, community 
dissemination.
    (c) Program and Project Management: Oversight of center supported 
research, coordination of center studies, mentorship of junior 
investigators, dissemination activities, and professional training in 
prevention research.
    (d) Center Administration: Responsible for communication with CDC's 
Prevention Research Centers Program staff and Procurement and Grants 
Office. Responsibilities will include submission of fiscal reports, 
fiscal tracking and reports, personnel, and center procurement.

D. Research Project

    Submit a description of the research project that is consistent 
with the CDC PRC Program objectives. Describe the project's community 
involvement. The narrative for specific project should contain:
    1. A description of the research project including goals, 
objectives, timeline, and evaluation.
    2. A description of the research activities that can ensure 
progress toward the achievement of objectives stated in the research 
project.
    3. A description of project staff (number and types of positions).
    4. A project budget.
    5. A description of the efforts to conduct dissemination of 
research findings.

E. Evaluation Plan

    Provide an evaluation plan that is directly linked to the research 
theme, the research project, and the objectives of the PRC. Describe a 
methodology to evaluate the overall prevention center theme and 
objectives with regard to program process, impact, fulfillment of 
outcome objectives, and community involvement; the PRCs community-based 
objectives; and any other indicators, such as cost-benefit analyses.

F. Budget Information

    Provide a line-item budget and narrative justification for all 
requested costs that are consistent with the purpose, objectives, and 
proposed research activities, to include:
    1. Line-item breakdown and justification for all personnel, i.e., 
name, position title, annual salary, percentage of time and effort, and 
amount requested.
    2. Line-item breakdown and justification for all contracts and 
consultants, to include:
    (a) Name of contractor or consultant.
    (b) Period of performance.
    (c) Method of selection (e.g., competitive or sole source).
    (d) Scope of work.
    (e) Method of accountability.
    (f) Itemized budget
    3. Requests for any direct assistance in the form of field 
assignees must also include the following:
    (a) The number of assignees requested.
    (b) A description of the position and proposed duties for each 
assignee.
    (c) Justification for request.
    (d) An organizational chart and the name of the intended 
supervisor.
    (e) The availability of career-enhancing training, education, and 
research experience opportunities for the assignee(s).
    (f) Assignee access to computer equipment for electronic 
communication between CDC headquarter's office and PRC.
    4. A brief five-year budget projection should be submitted that 
clearly separates and distinguishes direct from indirect costs.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated through a dual review 
process. The first review will be a peer evaluation of the scientific 
and technical merit of the application conducted by an external review 
committee. The second review will be conducted by senior Federal staff, 
who will consider the results of the first review together with 
national program need and relevance to the mission of CDC. Awards will 
be made on the basis priority score ranking by the external peer 
review, recommendations based on program review by senior Federal 
staff, and the availability of funds.
    A. The Prevention Research Centers Objective Review Committee may 
recommend approval or disapproval based on the intent of the 
application and the following criteria:

1. PRC Theme (10 points)

    The extent to which the research theme results in approaches or 
interventions that meet health priorities and emerging public health 
needs of identified communities or special groups; and the relevance 
and validity of the process used to identify the PRC theme.

2. PRC Plan (40 points)

    (a) The PRC plan has objectives that are clear, specific, 
measurable, and realistic, and makes effective use of both the PRC and 
community resources to advance the PRC theme.
    (b) Includes the technical and scientific merits of the proposed 
PRC plan, and its potential to achieve the stated objectives.
    (c) Consistent with the PRC purpose, and includes a five-year 
timeline.

[[Page 17424]]

    (d) Composition of Community Advisory Committee and rationale for 
its membership, relevance and feasibility of committee objectives and 
its role within the PRC.
    (e) The existence of a clear plan for curriculum development, 
pilot-testing, and possible institutionalization.
    (f) Capacity for providing professional multidisciplinary 
prevention research training in the area of health promotion and 
disease prevention, and the appropriateness of training goals and 
intended audience.

3. Management and Staffing Plan (15 points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the ability, 
capacity, organizational structure, and staffing to carry out the 
overall theme, objectives, and specific project plans.

4. Research Project (20 points)

    The extent, feasibility, and capacity for the proposed 
demonstration project, multidisciplinary input; implementation plan; 
research methodology; and dissemination plan.

5. Evaluation (15 points)

    Feasibility of the methodology to evaluate the overall prevention 
center theme and objectives with regard to the PRC plan, process, 
impact, fulfillment of outcome objectives, demonstration project(s), 
and community involvement; the PRC's community-based objectives; and 
any other indicators, such as cost-benefit analyses.

G. Budget (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the budget and justification are consistent 
with the program objectives and purpose.

7. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    If the proposed project involves human subjects, whether or not 
exempt from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 
regulations, the extent to which adequate procedures are described for 
the protection of human subjects. Recommendations on the adequacy of 
protections include: (1) Protections appear adequate and there are no 
comments to make or concerns to raise, or (2) protections appear 
adequate, but there are comments regarding the protocol, or (3) 
protections appear inadequate and the ORG has concerns related to human 
subjects, or (4) disapproval of the application is recommended because 
the research risks are sufficiently serious and protection against the 
risks are inadequate as to make the entire application unacceptable, 
and (5) protections appear adequate that women, racial and ethnic 
minority populations are appropriately represented in applications 
involving human research.
    B. Review by senior Federal staff:
    Further review will be conducted by senior Federal staff.
    Factors to be considered are:
    1. Results of the peer review.
    2. Program needs and relevance to community and national goals.
    3. Budgetary considerations.

Typing and Mailing

    Applicants should submit an original and five copies of the 
application to Sharron P. Orum, 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, 
Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before June 15, 1998. All pages 
must be clearly numbered, and a complete Table of Contents for the 
application and any appendices must be included. The original and each 
copy of the application must be submitted unstapled and unaffixed, 
bound with rubber bands only. All materials must be typewritten, 
single-spaced, with unreduced type on 8.5'' by 11'' paper, with at 
least 1'' margins, headers and footers, and printed on one side only.

Noncompeting Continuation Application Contents

    Noncompeting continuation applications submitted within the project 
period need only include:
    A. A brief progress report describing the accomplishments of the 
previous budget period.
    B. Any new or significantly revised items or information 
(objectives, scope of activities, operational methods, evaluation, key 
personnel, work plans, etc.) not included in the 01 Year or subsequent 
continuation applications.
    C. An annual detailed budget and justification. Existing budget 
items that are unchanged from the previous budget period do not need 
rejustification. Simply list the items in the budget and indicate that 
they are continuation items.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This program is not subject to the Executive Order 12372 review.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    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 93.135.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
persons and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Human Subjects

    If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the 
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services 
Regulations, 45 CFR part 46, regarding the protection of human 
subjects. Assurance must be provided to demonstrate the project will be 
subject to initial and continuing review by an appropriate 
institutional review board. The applicant will be responsible for 
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and 
form provided in the application kit.

Women and Racial and Ethnic Minorities

    It is the policy of the CDC to ensure that women and racial and 
ethnic groups will be included in CDC-supported research projects 
involving human subjects, whenever feasible and appropriate. Racial and 
ethnic groups are those defined in OMB Directive No. 15 and include 
American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, 
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic or Latino. 
Applicants shall ensure that women and racial and ethnic minority 
populations are appropriately represented in applications for research 
involving human subjects. Where clear and compelling rationale exist 
that inclusion is not feasible, this situation must be explained as 
part of the application. In conducting the review of applications for 
scientific merit, review groups will evaluate proposed plans for 
inclusion of minorities and both sexes as part of the scientific 
assessment and assigned score. This policy does not apply to research 
studies when the investigator cannot control the race, ethnicity and/or 
sex of subjects. Further guidance to this policy is contained in the 
Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 179, Friday, September 15, 1995, pages 
47947-47951.

[[Page 17425]]

Application Submission and Deadlines

A. Letter of Intent (LOI)

    Potential applicants should submit an original and two copies of a 
one page, typewritten LOI to: Sharron P. Orum, Grants Management 
Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-18, 255 East 
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Atlanta, GA 30305.
    The LOI must briefly describe the proposed theme for the 
prospective Prevention Research Center (maximum of one paragraph), the 
applicant's experience and expertise on the proposed theme (maximum of 
one paragraph), and a brief description of the proposed community 
partner (maximum of one paragraph). The LOI must also include the name, 
address, telephone number, facsimile (fax) number, and E-mail address 
of a contact person from the applicant institution.
    Attachments, booklets, or other documents will not be accepted with 
the LOI. LOIs will be reviewed by program staff, and the information 
used in planning the review process and the selection of reviewers. The 
original and two copies of the LOI must be postmarked by the deadline 
May 11, 1998. Facsimiles are not acceptable.

B. Application Due Date

    One original and five copies of the application PHS 398 form 
(Revised 9/91) must be submitted to Sharron P. Orum, 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, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before 
June 15, 1998.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
above if they are either:
    1. Received on or before the deadline date; or
    2. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the External Review Committee. (Applicants must request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing).
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 
B.(1) and B.(2) above are considered late applications. Late 
applications will not be considered in the competition and will be 
returned to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information and to request an 
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked 
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
Announcement Number of interest. A complete program description and 
information on application procedures are contained in the application 
package. Business management technical assistance may be obtained from 
Glynnis Taylor, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6593, by fax (404) 842-6513, 
or by Internet or CDC WONDER electronic mail at [email protected]. 
Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Enrique Nieves, 
Jr., M.S., Senior Project Officer, National Center for Chronic Disease 
Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K-30, Atlanta, GA 
30341-3717, telephone (770) 488-5482, or by Internet or CDC WONDER 
electronic mail at [email protected].
    Please refer to Program Announcement Number 98047 when requesting 
information and submitting an application.
    You may obtain this announcement from one of two Internet sites on 
the actual publication date: CDC's homepage at http://www.cdc.gov or at 
the Government Printing Office homepage (including free on-line access 
to the Federal Register at http://www.access.gpo.gov).
    Potential applicants may obtain a copy of ``Healthy People 2000'' 
(Full Report, Stock number 017-001-00474-0) or ``Healthy People 2000'' 
(Summary Report, Stock number 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the 
``Introduction'' through the Superintendent of Documents, Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325, Telephone (202) 512-1800.

Forum for Questions and Answers

    The forum for questions and answers during the application process 
will be in the form of a mailing listing for the PRCs. The PRC mailing 
list will be titled PREV-CENTERS. A mailing list or LISTSERV is a 
system that allows you to create, manage, and control mailing lists on 
a network or on the Internet. Mailing lists make it possible to confer 
in a rapid manner via the written word. It can replace a telephone 
conference call for questions and answers because questions via 
electronic mail are delivered in a matter of seconds, or occasionally 
minutes. Answers are sent to everyone on the list simultaneously.
    PREV-CENTERS is a closed list available only to persons and 
entities associated with the cooperative agreement application process 
for Announcement Number 98047. It is to be used as a communication tool 
for CDC and applicants.
    To subscribe to the listserv the applicant must send an E-mail 
message to: [email protected] with the following command in the 
BODY of the message: SUBSCRIBE PREV-CENTERS. There is no need to write 
a ``Subject,'' or anything else in the message. The subscriber will 
then receive a welcome E-mail message from the list server with 
additional instructions on how to use commands for the mailing list. 
After the applicant is subscribed, questions to the PREV-CENTERS list 
may be sent to the following E-mail address: PREV-
[email protected]. Do not post confidential information on the 
list because every member of the PREV-CENTERS list will receive the 
message and the reply. All confidential matters should be conducted 
through normal channels; i.e., direct E-mail, correspondence, or 
telephone.
    Please use the PREV-CENTERS LIST exclusively for posting any 
questions you may have on the application process for Announcement 
Number 98047. Questions will be accepted until the application 
deadline. All subscribers to the list will be deleted from the listserv 
after the application due date.

Program Definitions

    Advisory Committee: A group of persons with implied or pretended 
knowledge and expertise in a particular research theme that have 
delegated powers to investigate, consider, and recommend courses of 
action regarding research, operation, and management of a Prevention 
Research Center.
    Capacity-Building: The endeavoring that will lead to increasing the 
ability of a community to engage in participatory research.
    Community: An interacting population of various kinds of 
individuals with common conditions defined by geographical and 
demographic factors.
    Community-Based Applied Training: Training in research methods, 
epidemiology, and health policy designed to assist local health workers 
and community leaders in identifying

[[Page 17426]]

public health priorities and health-related problems.
    Field Assignee: A CDC employee assigned to a grantee, through the 
cooperative agreement mechanism, for a specified purpose and time 
period.
    Health Promotion: As defined by the Ottawa Charter for Health 
Promotion (WHO [1987]. Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Health 
Promotion, 1 (4), iii.), refers to the ``process of enabling people to 
increase control over, and to improve, their health.'' The 
implementation of this definition requires that health promotion 
initiatives (i.e., programs, policies, or other organized activities) 
should be empowering, participatory, holistic, intersectoral, 
equitable, sustainable, and multistrategy.
    Impact Objective: The desired impact of prevention research is 
change in the behavior or norm of a special group or community that 
heightens the likelihood of generalizing the research outcomes to 
reduce disease and death. The measurement of behaviors is the most 
significant and basic component of an impact evaluation. Knowledge and 
attitudes are also very important. Within the Prevention Research 
Centers, impact is measured by attaining outcomes that can be rapidly 
applied to targeted communities (translation), which includes building 
the capacity of the community to initiate its own research.
    Indicators: A value that exposes the condition of a particular 
situation or activity without bias or judgment.
    Outcome Objective: Outcome objectives focus on the long-term 
effects (rates of death and illness) of prevention research and 
translation of outcomes to a specific targeted population. Outcome 
evaluations are conducted long enough after the translation takes place 
for behavioral changes to show an affect. For the Prevention Research 
Centers, outcome is determined by changes in behavior of the targeted 
population or community.
    Participatory Research: Community involvement in all stages of 
planning, developing, and evaluating the research.
    Process Objective: Process objectives indicate the activities that 
are to be done and how they will be accomplished. Process involves 
administrative and community activities necessary to efficiently and 
effectively achieve a positive program impact (behavior change). 
Process for most prevention research projects include Center 
Administration; Research and Development; Community Involvement Plans; 
Professional Education; Applied Community Training; and Monitoring and 
Evaluation.
    Special Interest Project: A research project that supplements the 
Prevention Research Center's Cooperative Agreement funded by Centers, 
Institutes, or Offices (CIO's) within CDC, or other federal agencies.
    Special Population: A group of persons with common characteristics 
or conditions.

    Dated: April 3, 1998.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-9329 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P