[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]


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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;

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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,

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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