[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 83 (Monday, April 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21385-21388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10481]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01101]


Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers 
Cooperative Agreement; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program to fund up to two Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 
Research Centers (PRCs). This program addresses the ``Healthy People 
2010'' focus area of Educational and Community-Based Programs.
    The purpose of the PRC program is to support health promotion and 
disease prevention research that (1) focuses on the major causes of 
death and disability; (2) improves public health practice within 
communities; and (3) cultivates more effective state and local public 
health programs.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by schools of public health, schools 
of medicine or osteopathy with an accredited Preventive Medicine 
Residency that have:
    1. A multidisciplinary faculty with expertise in public health and 
which has working relationships with relevant groups in such fields as 
medicine, psychology, nursing, social work, education and business;
    2. Graduate training programs relevant to disease prevention;
    3. A core faculty in epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences, 
behavioral and environmental sciences, and health administration; and
    4. A demonstrated curriculum in disease prevention.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, Chapter 26, 
Section 1611 states that an organization described in section of the 
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 $1,434,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund up to two 
PRCs at approximately $717,000 per center. It is expected that the 
awards will begin on or about September 30, 2001, and will be made for 
a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to two years. 
Funding estimates may change. Continuation awards within an approved 
project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress as 
evidenced by required reports and the availability of funds.

Direct Assistance

    You may request Federal personnel, in lieu of a portion of 
financial assistance (see Application Content).

D. Program Requirements

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

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Select a research theme that will serve as a focus for 
Prevention Research activities.
    b. Develop the administrative structure and recruit staff to 
implement a Prevention Research Center plan.
    c. Conduct and evaluate a research or demonstration project in 
health promotion and disease prevention or preventive health services 
research, 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, 
collaborative planning process with community partners in determining 
project selection and implementation.
    d. Specify how the research project will advance the translation of 
research into improved public health practice.
    e. 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, religious organizations, voluntary organizations, and 
consumers.
    f. Establish collaborative activities with appropriate 
organizations, individuals, and State and local health departments.
    g. Establish the capacity to implement and evaluate 
multidisciplinary, professional training programs in prevention 
research or to conduct applied community-based training in

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research methods to foster community involvement and build community 
capacity for participatory research. If appropriate, this training may 
include a distance-learning-based format.
    h. Establish a plan to ensure translation of research results and 
program findings to appropriate constituencies (beyond publication in 
peer-reviewed journals).
    i. Designate a core staff member with expertise in research 
dissemination and information management to assist in the following 
types of activities: (1) the development of bibliographies and other 
archives pertaining to research publications and other documents; (2) 
training and other research and translation activities etc.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Assist the recipient in all stages of the program by providing 
programmatic and technical assistance.
    b. Assist in improving program performance through consultation 
based on information and activities of other projects.
    c. 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.
    d. Assist in the development of a research protocol for 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review by all cooperating institutions 
participating in the research project. The CDC IRB will review and 
approve the protocol initially and on at least an annual basis until 
the research project is completed.

E. Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    An LOI is required for this program. The narrative should be no 
more than 2 double-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one inch 
margins, and 12" font. Your letter of intent will be used to plan the 
external peer reivew panel, and should 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 
propose community partners (maximum of one paragraph). The LOI must 
also include the name, address, telephone number, facsimile (fax) 
number, and E-mail address for a contact person from the applicant 
institution. Attachments, booklets, or other documents will not be 
accepted with the LOI.

Applications

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 90 double-spaced paged, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and 12" font, 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.). Instructions contained here regarding font and page length 
supersede those in the PHS Form 398.
1. 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 needs of the partner communities and 
describe the PRC's experience working with communities in selecting or 
revising/focusing the research theme. The applicant may wish to refer 
to products from the Task Force Community Preventive Services when 
considering their research theme. (For detailed information, visit the 
Guide to Community Preventive Services on the Web at http://www.communityguide.org).
    Examples of research themes from current Research Prevention 
Centers include:
    a. Bridging the Gap Between Public Health Science and Practice in 
Undeserved Populations.
    b. Promoting the Health of Multiethnic Communities of the 
Southwest.
    c. Putting Health Promotion into Action: Community Collaboration.
    d. Reduction of Excess Morbidity and Mortality in the Harlem 
Community.
    e. Promoting Health Through Physical Activity.
    f. Community-based Marketing.
2. Prevention Research Center Plan
    Identify and submit a plan for a prevention research center with 
specified goals, objectives, activities, and timeliness to include:
    a. A description of goals and objectives of the PRC for the budget 
period that are consistent with the research theme.
    b. A description of the use of other federal funds that will impact 
on stated program objectives.
    c. A description of any financial and in-kind contributions from 
non-federal sources.
    d. Describe a plan for building the identity of the PRC within the 
university and local community.
    e. Documentation describing the composition, membership, rationale 
for membership, and objectives for a Community Advisory Committee. 
Documentation of how the Advisory Committee will collaborate in the 
selection and implementation of priority activities for the centers as 
well as facilitate collaboration with community organizations, state 
and local health or education departments. Documentation of 
dissemination activities to these constituencies.
    f. Either a description of plans for conducting community-based 
applied training or a description of capacity to provide prevention 
research training for professionals.
    g. Documentation of commitment to minority and undeserved 
populations, or other defined populations or communities (Be sure to 
give an operational definition of community).
    h. A description of significant factors that may favorably or 
adversely impact on program performance and how these will be addressed 
during implementation of the center.
3. 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:
    a. Describe the PRC's personnel infrastructure.
    1. Describe proposed leadership roles including how they complement 
one another.
    2. Describe how staff filling each role will be actively engaged in 
the PRC.
    b. Describe how proposed staffing will support center activity. 
Current resumes must be included.
    c. Describe how the proposed staff meet the goal of establishing a 
multidisciplinary prevention research center.
    d. No less than two full-time positions (FTE's) must be allocated 
for the following functions:
    (Percentages of an FTE may be used for several positions.)
    (1) Center Leadership: Responsible for overall center functions and 
the final authority for decision making about program and project 
activities/issues.
    (2) Scientific oversight: Accountable for center research and 
development,

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design, methodology, project evaluation, and publications.
    (3) Community Development: Community liaison, advisory committee, 
community training activities, and community dissemination.
    (4) Program and Project Management: Oversight of center supported 
research and Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, coordination 
of center studies, mentorship of junior investigators, dissemination 
activities, and professional training in prevention research.
    (5) 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.
4. Research Project
    Provide a description of a research or demonstration project that 
is consistent with the PRC Program objectives and selected PRC theme. 
The narrative for specific project should contain:
    a. A description of the project including goals, objectives, time-
line, research questions and target population.
    b. A description of the methods including methods for participant 
recruitment, data collection, evaluation design, and data analysis.
    c. A description of the extent of community and other research 
collaborations in the proposed project.
    d. A description of project staff (number and types of positions).
    e. A project budget.
    f. A description of the plans to translate research findings onto 
public health practice or policy.
    g. A description of how the project addresses the requirements of 
title 45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects.
5. Evaluation Plan
    Describe a plan to evaluate PRC program and activities with regard 
to program progress and process; fulfillment of outcome objectives; 
impact, and community involvement; the PRC's community-based 
objectives; and any other indicators, such as cost benefit analyses. 
Describe a plan to evaluate the scientific methods utilized or 
described in center research projects, publications, and protocols. 
Specify staff responsible for the plans and their background and 
experience in center level evaluation.
6. Budget Information
    Provide a line-item budget and narrative justification for all 
requested costs that are consistent with the goals, objectives, and 
proposed research activities, to include:
    a. Line-item breakdown and justification for all personnel, i.e., 
name, position title, annual salary, percentage of time and effort, and 
amount requested.
    b. Line-item breakdown and justification for all contracts and 
consultants, to include:
    (1) Name of contractor or consultant
    (2) Period of performance
    (3) Method of selection (e.g., competitive or sole source)
    (4) Scope of work
    (5) Method of accountability
    (6) Itemized budget
    c. To request new direct assistance assignees, include:
    (1) number of assignees requested;
    (2) description of the position and proposed duties for each 
assignee;
    (3) ability or inability to hire locally with financial assistance;
    (4) justification for request;
    (5) organizational chart and the name of intended supervisor;
    (6) opportunities for training, education, and work experiences for 
assignees; and
    (7) description of assignee's access to computer equipment for 
communication with (e.g., personal computer at home, personal computer 
at workstation, shared computer at workstation on site, shared computer 
at a central office).

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    On or before May 24, 2001, submit an original and 2 copies of the 
LOI to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to 
Obtain Additional Information'' section of this announcement.

Application

    Submit the original and five copies of the application PHS Form 398 
(OMB Number 0925-0001) (adhere to the instructions on the Errata 
Instruction Sheet for PHS 398). Forms are available in the application 
kit and at the following Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm
    On or before June 15, 2001, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.
    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 the U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an external peer review panel: (1) PRC Theme; (2) 
Center Plan; (3) Management and Staffing Plan; (4) Research Project; 
and (5) Evaluation. The Budget and Human Subjects sections are reviewed 
but not scored. The review panel will score each of the 5 criteria 
listed above on a 1-5 scale (with increments of 0.1) with 1=highest 
(best) and 5-lowest. The review panel will also score the application 
overall, based on the same scale. the reviewers' scores are then 
averaged and multiplied by 100 to attain a priority score for the 
application. The review panel will compile a summary and 
recommendations including the strengths and weaknesses of the 
application.

1. PRC Theme

    (a) To what extent does the research theme meet health priorities 
and emerging public health needs of identified communities or special 
groups?
    (b) To what extent has there been community involvement in the 
selection of the theme?

2. Center Plan

    (a) To what extent does the plan have objectives that are clear, 
specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-phased?
    (b) Does the plan make effective use of both PRC and community 
resources to advance the PRC theme?
    (c) Is the plan consistent with the PRC purpose, and does it 
include a two-year time-line?
    (d) Does the plan describe the composition of a Community Advisory 
Committee and rationale for its membership, relevance and feasibility 
of committee objectives and its role within the PRC?
    (e) Is a plan included to establish collaborative activities with 
appropriate organizations, individuals, State, and local health 
departments?
    (f) Is a plan included to conduct community-based training in 
research methods to foster community involvement and build community

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capacity for participatory research or does the plan contain a 
description of the Center's capacity for providing professional, 
multidisciplinary prevention research training in the area of health 
promotion and disease prevention?
    (g) Does the plan address dissemination of findings to the 
community?

3. Management and Staffing Plan

    (a) To what extent does the applicant demonstrate the ability, 
capacity, organizational structure, and staffing to carry out the 
overall theme, objectives, and specific project plans?
    (b) Does the applicant demonstrate well-defined and active 
leadership roles for the center?

4. Research Project

    (a) Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the 
community contexts, current scientific literature, as well as other 
information sources relevant to the proposed project?
    (b) Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, analyses, and 
translation plan adequately developed, well-integrated, scientifically 
strong, and appropriate to the aims of the project?
    (c) Does the proposed approach allow for flexibility or change in 
research methods or focus as necessary?
    (d) Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and 
consider alternative tactics?
    (e) Is there an appropriate work plan included?
    (f) Does the project include plans to measure progress toward 
achieving the stated objectives?
    (g) Does the applicant propose research translation approaches or 
methods from the project?
    (h) The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic and racial groups 
in the proposed research. This includes:
    (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate 
to measure differences when warranted.
    (4) A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and 
outreach for study participants include the process of establishing 
partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.

5. Evaluation

    (a) To what extent are the plan and methodology proposed to 
evaluate the PRC program and activities with regard to program progress 
and process; fulfillment of outcome objectives; impact, and community 
involvement; the PRCs community-based objectives; and any other 
indicators, such as cost-benefit analyses feasible and of scientific 
merit?
    (b) Are there adequate plans for periodic evaluation of the 
technical and scientific merit of research projects and publications?

6. Budget (Reviewed But Not Scored)

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

7. Human Subjects (Reviewed But Not Scored)

    Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 
45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of
    1. annual reports;
    2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. final financial 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 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment 1 of the 
announcement.
AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-8  Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-22  Research Integrity

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301(a), 317(k)(2) and 
1706 [42 U.S.C. 241(a), 247b(k)(2) and 300u-5] of the Public Health 
Service Act, as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
number is 983.135.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page 
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements.''
    To receive aditional written information and to request on 
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 
Program Announcement number of interest.
    Should you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Robert Hancock, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone number (770) 488-2746, E-mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: David Elswick, Deputy 
Program Director, Prevention Research Centers Office, National Center 
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Northeast, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, Telephone number: 404-488-5395, E-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: April 23, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-10481 Filed 4-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-M