[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42381-42382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19970]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 00014]


Cooperative Agreement To Support and Evaluate Distance-Based 
Graduate-Level Degree Programs in Public Health in Developing 
Countries; Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 2000 for a cooperative 
agreement program to support and evaluate distance-based graduate-level 
degree programs in public health in developing countries (see addendum 
2). The purpose of this program is to support and evaluate a program 
specifically tailored to the needs of the international public health 
scene. This distance-based program will not require persons enrolled in 
the program to establish and maintain residence requirements at the 
university. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority 
area of Educational and Community-Based Programs.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign public and 
private nonprofit universities and colleges. The applicant must be an 
accredited academic institution with university status. Provide this 
assurance with the application in a separate cover memo.

    Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization as 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.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $20,000 is available in FY 2000 to fund one award, 
pending availability of FY 2000 funds. It is expected that the award 
will begin on February 1, 2000, and will be made for a 12-month budget 
period within a project period of 3 years. Funding estimates may change 
during the period in which the project is conducted.
    A continuation award within the approved project period will be 
made on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required 
reports and the availability of funds.

D. Use of Funds

    Project funds may be used to support personnel services, supplies, 
equipment, travel, subcontracts, and other services consistent with the 
approved scope of work of recipient's activities.
    Project funds may not be used to supplant other available applicant 
or collaborating agency funds, for construction, for purchase of 
facilities or space, or for patient care.
    Project funds may not be used to support student stipends, travel, 
or tuition and fees for recipient.
    Project funds may not be used to support or supplant any basic or 
applied research.
    Foreign institutions will not be reimbursed indirect costs.

E. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purposes of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under #1 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under #2 (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Develop graduate-level curriculum programs for distance-based 
training of public health staff in developing countries throughout the 
world.
    b. Coordinate and distribute training modules and other 
instructional materials.
    c. Evaluate effectiveness of all training programs.
    d. Compile and disseminate the results of all aspects of the 
project.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide technical assistance and support in the development and 
promotion of curriculum programs for the training of public health 
staff throughout the world.
    b. Provide technical assistance with the management, 
administration, and evaluation of the academic program.

F. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, Evaluation Criteria, and Errata Sheet to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in the layout of your program 
plan.
    Each application should be submitted as an original and two copies 
of the PHS 398 (OMB Number 0925-0001). Each application narrative 
should be limited to 25 pages, excluding attachments (i.e., letters of 
support, resumes, etc.). All material must be typewritten, single-
spaced, with type no smaller than 10 characters per inch, on 8.5'' x 
11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins on all four sides, with headings 
and footers, with page numbers, unbound, and printed on one side only. 
No materials should be submitted in spiral or other types of bindings.
    The first page of the application should contain the response to 
Applications Requirements as indicated in section B above.

G. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and five copies of PHS 398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001). Adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for 
PHS 398. Forms are in the application kit.
    On or before October 15, 1999, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in ``Where To Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.

[[Page 42382]]

    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date; or
    (b) Sent 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 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 
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be 
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

H. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application should document the existence of an operational 
distance-based learning, graduate-level, degree program in the 
applicant institution. Each qualifying application will be evaluated 
individually against the following criteria by an independent review 
panel appointed by CDC.

1. Background, Need, and Capability (30 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant describes current and previous 
related experience.
    a. The extent to which the applicant is currently an 
internationally recognized, accredited graduate-level program in public 
health.
    b. The extent to which the applicant operates an internationally 
recognized, accredited graduate-level program in public health.
    c. The extent to which the applicant already has existing academic 
testing centers throughout the world, which are currently maintained, 
so that a student's academic progress can be objectively monitored at 
regular intervals without his/her having to go outside his/her country 
of residence.

2. Goals and Objectives (15 Percent)

    The extent to which the goals and objectives are relevant and 
feasible to be accomplished during the project period, and which 
address all activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the 
proposal.

3. Methods (20 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description 
of proposed activities which are likely to achieve each objective and 
overall program goals and which includes designation of responsibility 
for each action undertaken. The extent to which the applicant provides 
a reasonable and complete schedule for implementing all activities. The 
extent to which concurrence with the applicant's plans by all other 
involved parties is specific and documented.

4. Evaluation (20 Percent)

    The extent to which the proposed evaluation system is detailed and 
will document program process, effectiveness, impact, and outcome. The 
extent to which the applicant demonstrates potential data sources for 
evaluation purposes, and documents staff availability, expertise, and 
capacity to perform the evaluation. The extent to which a feasible plan 
for reporting evaluation results and using evaluation information for 
programmatic decisions is included.

5. Personnel and Staffing (15 Percent)

    The extent to which position descriptions, CVs and lines of command 
are appropriate to accomplish the program goals and objectives.

6. Budget and Justification (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget and 
narrative justification consistent with stated objectives and planned 
program activities.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with an original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual reports;
    2. Financial status report no more than 90 days after the end of 
each budget period; and
    3. Final financial status and performance reports no more than 90 
days after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
``Where To Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable:

AR-10: Smoke-Free Workplace Requirement
AR-11: Healthy People 2000 Requirement
AR-12: Lobbying Restrictions

J. Authority and Catalog of Federal International Assistance

    This program is authorized under the Sections 307 of Public Health 
Service Act, [42 U.S.C. section 242l], as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal International Assistance number is 93.283.

K. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional information, please go to the CDC home page 
on the Internet: www.cdc.gov and click on the word ``funding.''
    If you do not have Internet access, you can request an application 
kit by calling 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.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all 
documents, business assistance can be obtained from: Joanne Wojcik, 
Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Announcement 00014, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-
4146, telephone (770) 488-2717, E-mail address: [email protected]
    For program technical assistance, contact Ms. Elliott Churchill, 
M.S., M.A., Senior Communications Specialist, Division of International 
Health, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mailstop C-08, Atlanta, GA 30333, 
telephone: (404) 639-2231, E-mail address: [email protected]

    Dated: July 29, 1999.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-19970 Filed 8-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P