[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31498-31501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15259]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry
Notice of Availability of Funds Program Announcement 99006;
Public Health Conference Support Grant Program
A. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds for the Public Health
Conference Support Grant Program. This program addresses the ``Healthy
People 2000'' priority area(s) for CDC and ATSDR, (1) Physical Activity
and Fitness; (2) Nutrition; (3) Educational and Community-Based
Programs; (4) Unintentional Injuries; (5) Violent and Abusive Behavior;
(6) Occupational Safety and Health; (7) Environmental Health; (8) Oral
Health; (9) Maternal and Infant Health; (10) Heart Disease and Stroke;
(11) Cancer; (12) Diabetes and Chronic Disabling Conditions; (13)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases; (14) Immunization and Infectious
Disease; (15) Clinical Preventive Services; (16) Prevention Research in
Program and Policy Development in Managed Care; (17) Surveillance and
Data Systems;
[[Page 31499]]
Smoking and Health; Chronic Disease Prevention; Efforts that would
strengthen the Public Health System; and Laboratory Practices.
ATSDR priority areas are; (1) health effects of hazardous
substances in the environment; (2) disease and toxic substance exposure
registries; (3) hazardous substance removal and remediation; (4)
emergency response to toxic and environmental disasters; (5) risk
communication; (6) environmental disease surveillance; and (7)
investigation and research on hazardous substances in the environment.
CDC supports local, State, academic, national and international
health efforts to prevent unnecessary disease, disability, and
premature death, and to improve the quality of life. This support often
takes the form of education, and the transfer of high quality research
findings and public health strategies and practices through symposia,
seminars and workshops. Through the support of conferences and meetings
in the areas of public health research, education, and prevention
application, CDC is meeting its overall goal of dissemination and
implementation of new cost-effective intervention strategies.
ATSDR's systematic approaches are needed for linking applicable
resources in public health with individuals and organizations involved
in the practice of applying such research. Mechanisms are also needed
to shorten the time frame between the development of disease prevention
and health promotion techniques and their practical application. ATSDR
believes that conferences and similar meetings that permit individuals
engaged in hazardous substances and environmental health research,
education, and application (related to actual and/or potential human
exposure to toxic substances) to interact, are critical for the
development and implementation of effective programs to prevent adverse
health effects from hazardous substances.
The purpose of this program is to provide partial support for
specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health promotion,
disease prevention, information, and education programs. Because
conference support by CDC and ATSDR creates the appearance of CDC and
ATSDR co-sponsorship, there will be active participation by CDC and
ATSDR in the development and approval of those portions of the agenda
supported by CDC and ATSDR funds. In addition, CDC and ATSDR will
reserve the right to approve or reject the content of the full agenda,
speaker selection, and site selection.
B. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted to CDC by public and private non-
profit and for-profit organizations and by governments and their
agencies; that is, universities, colleges, research institutions,
hospitals, other public and private nonprofit and for-profit
organizations, State and local governments or their bona fide agents,
and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or
Indian tribal organizations.
Note: Pub. L. 104-65 states that an organization described in
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan,
or any other form.
ATSDR eligible applicants are the official public health agencies
of the States, or their bona fide agents. This includes the District of
Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Northern Mariana
Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Island, the Republic of Palau,
and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments. State
organizations, including State universities, State colleges, and State
research institutions, must establish that they meet their respective
State's legislature definition of a State entity or political
subdivision to be considered an eligible applicant. Also eligible are
nationally recognized associations of health professionals and other
chartered organizations generally recognized as demonstrating a need
for information to protect the public from the health effects of
exposure to hazardous substances.
C. Availability of Funds
Approximately $500,000 is available from CDC in FY 1999 to fund
approximately 25 to 30 awards. It is expected that the average award
will be $15,000, ranging from $1,000 to $30,000. It is expected that
the awards will begin on or about thirty days before the date of the
conference and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a 12-
month project period. Funding estimates may change.
Approximately $50,000 is available from ATSDR in FY 1999 to fund
approximately six awards. It is expected that the average award will be
$8,000, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. It is expected that the awards
will begin on or about thirty days before the date of the conference
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a 12-month project
period. Funding estimates may change.
Use of Funds
CDC and ATSDR funds may be used for direct costs:
salaries; speaker fees; rental of necessary equipment; registration
fees; and transportation costs (not to exceed economy class fare) for
non-Federal individuals.
CDC and ATSDR funds may be used for only those parts of
the conference specifically supported by CDC or ATSDR as documented in
the grant award.
CDC and ATSDR funds may NOT be used for the purchase of
equipment; payments of honoraria; alterations or renovations;
organizational dues; entertainment or personal expenses; cost of travel
and payment of a Federal employee; per diem or expenses other than
local mileage for local participants.
CDC and ATSDR funds may NOT be used for reimbursement of
indirect costs.
Although the practice of handing out novelty items at
meetings is often employed in the private sector to provide
participants with souvenirs, Federal funds CANNOT be used for this
purpose.
CDC and ATSDR will NOT fund 100% of any conference
proposed under this announcement.
CDC and ATSDR will NOT fund a conference after it has
taken place.
D. Program Requirements
CDC and ATSDR grantees must meet the following requirements:
1. Manage all activities related to program content (e.g.,
objectives, topics, attendees, session design, workshops, special
exhibits, speakers' fees, agenda composition, and printing). Many of
these items may be developed in concert with assigned CDC or ATSDR
project personnel.
2. Provide draft copies of the agenda and proposed ancillary
activities to CDC or ATSDR for approval. Contingency awards will be
made allowing usage of only 10 percent of the total amount to be
awarded until a final full agenda is approved by CDC and ATSDR. The
remainder of funds will be released only upon approval of the final
full agenda. CDC and ATSDR reserves the right to terminate co-
sponsorship at any time.
3. Determine and manage all promotional activities (e.g., title,
logo, announcements, mailers, press, etc.). CDC or ATSDR must review
and approve any materials with reference to CDC or ATSDR involvement or
support.
4. Manage all registration processes with participants, invitees,
and registrants (e.g., travel, reservations,
[[Page 31500]]
correspondence, conference materials and hand outs, badges,
registration procedures, etc.).
5. Plan, negotiate, and manage conference site arrangements,
including all audiovisual needs.
6. Analyze data from conference activities that pertain to the
impact on prevention. Adequately assess increased knowledge, attitudes,
and behaviors of the target attendees.
7. ATSDR grantees must collaborate with ATSDR staff in reporting
and disseminating results and relevant prevention education and
training information to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies,
and the general public.
E. Application Content
Letters of Intent
Potential applicants must submit an original and two copies of a
one-page typewritten Letter of Intent (LOI) that briefly describes the
title, location, purpose, and date of the proposed conference and the
intended audience (number and profession). The LOI must also include
the estimated total cost of the conference and the percentage of the
total cost (which must be less than 100 percent) being requested from
CDC or ATSDR. Requests for 100 percent funding will be considered non-
responsive to this program announcement and returned to the applicant
without review. Current recipients of CDC and ATSDR funding must
provide the award number and title of their funded programs. No
attachments, booklets, or other documents accompanying the LOI will be
considered. LOI's will be reviewed by program staff for consistency
with the following:
CDC's mission to promote health and quality of life by
preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability for healthy
people in a healthy world, through prevention.
ATSDR's mission to prevent exposure and adverse human
health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure
to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other
sources of pollution present in the environment.
Applications
Following submission of a LOI, ONLY those applicants who will be
invited to submit an application will receive notification from the
Grants Management Officer. Applications may be accepted by CDC and
ATSDR only after the LOI has been reviewed by CDC and ATSDR and a
written invitation from CDC and ATSDR has been received by the
prospective applicant. An invitation to submit an application will be
made on the basis of the proposed conference's relationship to the CDC
and ATSDR funding priorities and the availability of funds.
An invitation to submit an application does not constitute a
commitment on the part of CDC and ATSDR to fund the application.
Applicants invited to apply must use application Form PHS 5161-1, and
the following must be included:
1. TWO-PAGE OVERVIEW--The overview must include the following:
a. Title of conference--include the term ``conference,''
``symposium,'' ``workshop,'' or similar designation to assist in the
identification of the request;
b. Location of conference--city, state, and facility, if known;
c. Expected registration--target audience and number of persons
expected to attend;
d. Date(s) of conference; and
e. Summary of conference objectives, format, and projected agenda,
including a list of principal areas or topics to be addressed.
2. BRIEF BACKGROUND OF APPLICANT ORGANIZATION--Include the
organizational history and purpose, and previous experience related to
the proposed conference topic.
3. NARRATIVE--The narrative should cover the following:
a. A clear statement of the need for and purpose of the conference.
This statement should also describe any problems the conference will
address or seek to solve, and the action items or resolutions it may
stimulate.
b. An elaboration on the conference objectives and target
population. A proposed agenda must be included. A list should be
included of the principal areas or topics to be addressed, including
speakers/facilitator. In addition, information should be provided about
all other national, regional, and local conferences held on the same or
similar subject during the last three years (if known).
c. A clear description of the evaluation plan and how it will
assess the accomplishments of the conference objectives.
d. An operational plan or step-by-step schedule of major conference
planning activities necessary to attain specified objectives. This
schedule will include target dates by which the activities will be
accomplished.
e. A description of any support (e.g., monetary, staff) or co-
sponsorship related to this conference. (It is necessary that
organizations seeking these grant funds be able to show additional
support in the form of finances, services, etc., because this program
provides PARTIAL funding only.) For each organization contributing
funding, a letter must be included documenting that support.
f. Any other information that will support this request for funds.
Note: Essential information requested in the Narrative should
NOT be included as appendices to the application.
4. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES--Biographical sketches are needed for the
individuals responsible for planning and implementing the conference.
Experience and training related to conference planning and
implementation as it relates to the proposed topic should be noted.
5. LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT OR RECOMMENDATIONS--Letters of
endorsement or recommendations supporting the organization and its
capability to perform the proposed conference activity.
6. BUDGET INFORMATION--A total conference budget that includes the
share requested from CDC as well as those funds from other sources
(including income from the conference), and a clearly justified budget
narrative, consistent with the purpose, objectives, and operational
plan of the conference.
F. Submission and Deadline
Letter of Intent (LOI)
ONE ORIGINAL AND TWO COPIES of the LOI must be postmarked by the
following deadline dates in order to be considered in either of this
announcements' two cycles. (FACSIMILES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.)
Letter Of Intent Due Dates:
Cycle A: October 5, 1998.
Cycle B: April 5, 1999.
Submit to: Karen E. Reeves, Grants Management Specialist, Grants
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement Number
99006, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-09, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209
Application
Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189) form which is in the application kit on or before:
Application Due Dates: Earliest Possible Award Date:
CYCLE A: January 18, 1999, March 16, 1999.
CYCLE B: June 14, 1999, August 2, 1999.
Submit the application to: Karen E. Reeves, Grants Management
Specialist, Grants Management Branch,
[[Page 31501]]
Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement Number 99006, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE., Mailstop E-09, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
Letters of Intent and Applications shall be considered as meeting
the deadline if they are either:
1. Received on or before the deadline date, or
2. Postmarked on or before the deadline date and received in time
for submission to the independent review group. (Applicants must
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 will NOT be acceptable as proof of
timely mailing.)
3. Late applications that do not meet the criteria in F.1 and F.2.
above are considered late applications and will be returned to the
applicant without review.
G. Evaluation Criteria
CDC and ATSDR Public Health Conference Support Grant Program
applications are each objectively reviewed utilizing the following
evaluation criteria:
Section 1.a., is ATSDR specific;
Section 1.b., is CDC specific.
All other sections in these criteria are applicable to both CDC and
ATSDR.
1. Proposed Program and Technical Approach (25 points).
a. The public health significance of the proposed conference
including the degree to which the conference can be expected to
influence the prevention of exposure and adverse human health effects
and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous
substances from waste sites, unplanned releases and other sources of
pollution present in the environment. (Applicable to ATSDR applications
only.)
b. The applicant's description of the proposed conference as it
relates to specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health
promotion and disease prevention information/education programs (except
HIV infection, mental health, and substance abuse), including the
public health need of the proposed conference and the degree to which
the conference can be expected to influence public health practices.
Evaluation will be based also on the extent of the applicant's
collaboration with other agencies serving the intended audience,
including local health and education agencies concerned with health
promotion and disease prevention. (Applicable to all CDC applications
except ATSDR.)
c. The applicant's description of conference objectives in terms of
quality and specificity and the feasibility of the conference based on
the operational plan.
2. Applicant's Capability (10 points) Adequacy of applicants'
resources (additional sources of funding, organization's strengths,
staff time, proposed facilities, etc.) available for conducting
conference activities.
3. The Qualification of Program Personnel (20 points) Evaluation
will be based on the extent to which the application has described:
a. The qualifications, experience, and commitment of the principal
staff person, and his/her ability to devote adequate time and effort to
provide effective leadership.
b. The competence of associate staff persons, discussion leaders,
speakers, and presenters to accomplish conference objectives.
c. The degree to which the applicant demonstrates the knowledge of
nationwide and educational efforts currently underway which may affect,
and be affected by, the proposed conference.
4. Conference Objectives (25 points).
1. The overall quality, reasonableness, feasibility, and logic of
the designed conference objectives, including the overall work plan and
timetable for accomplishment.
2. The likelihood of accomplishing conference objectives as they
relate to disease prevention and health promotion goals, and the
feasibility of the project in terms of the operational plan.
5. Evaluation Methods (20 points).
Evaluation mechanisms for the conference should adequately assess
increased knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the target attendees.
6. Budget Justification and Adequacy of Facilities (not scored).
The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its
reasonableness; concise and clear justification; and consistency with
the intended use of grant funds. The application will also be reviewed
as to the adequacy of existing and proposed facilities and resources
for conducting conference activities.
H. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements Provide the Grants Management
Office with original plus two copies of:
1. A Performance report, or in lieu of a performance report,
proceedings of the conference, no more that 90 days after the end of
the budget/project period.
2. A financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of
the budget/project period.
Send all reports to: Karen E. Reeves, Grants Management Specialist,
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE., Mailstop E-09, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I.
I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The CDC program is authorized under Section 301(a) of the Public
Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 241(a), as amended]. The Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283. The ATSDR program is
authorized under Sections 104(i) (14) and (15) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act of 1986 (SARA), [42 U.S.C. 9604 (i) (14) and (15)]. The Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.161.
J. Where To Obtain Additional Information
To receive additional written information, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-
888-472-6874). You will be asked to leave your name, address and phone
number and refer to Announcement Number 99006. You will receive a
complete program description. CDC/ATSDR will not send by facsimile or
express mail. See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm
For program technical assistance, contact: Bruce R. Granoff,
Director, Extramural Services Activity, Public Health Practice Program
Office (PHPPO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770
Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K-38, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3714,
Telephone (770) 488-2508, Email address [email protected].
Dated: June 3, 1998.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-15259 Filed 6-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P