[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44351-44354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21268]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02005]


Sexually Transmitted Disease Faculty Expansion Program;Notice of 
Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for cooperative agreements 
for a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Faculty Expansion Program 
(FEP). This program will provide resources to medical schools in the 
United States to support faculty positions specializing in training 
related to STD prevention and control. This program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
    The purposes of this program are:
    1. To enable the awardee institutions to provide STD training and 
education by developing faculty positions dedicated to the area of STD 
clinical care, prevention, and control, in medical schools where such 
clinical and research expertise does not currently exist.
    2. To support the development of linkages between health 
departments and medical schools in the area of STD prevention through 
jointly appointed staff who strengthen health department STD 
programmatic activities by undertaking clinical care, research, and 
teaching responsibilities.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public or private medical schools 
or health science centers in the United States, including the District 
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or 
possession of the United States, and all federally recognized Indian 
tribal governments. Competition for these funds is limited to those 
institutions where CDC has not previously funded a Faculty Expansion 
Program or is not currently funding an STD/HIV Prevention Training 
Center (PTC). The rationale for this limited competition is that the 
areas where CDC has previously funded an FEP or is currently funding a 
PTC already have expertise in STDs and have established training and 
health department collaborations similar to those described as goals of 
this announcement.

C. Availability of Funds

    Funding for this program is variable throughout the project period. 
Approximately $340,000 is expected to be available in FY 2002 to fund 
approximately four awards. It is expected that the average award for 
the first year will range between $65,000 and $85,000 which is less 
than the amount expected for year 02. The amount of the award is less 
in the first year because it is expected that the first 6 months will 
be devoted to faculty recruitment activities so that the full faculty 
salary expense will not be incurred until the latter half of year 01.
    The initial award is expected to begin on or about February 1, 2002 
for a 12-month budget period. Thereafter, four additional 
noncompetitive continuation awards will be made annually within a 
program period of up to five years depending upon funding availability. 
Continuation awards within the program period will depend on 
satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports and the 
availability of funds. It is anticipated that each award for the second 
year will range from approximately $130,000 to $150,000, a commitment 
level of 100 percent support from CDC. For project years 03 to 05, CDC 
funding for each award is expected to decrease as the university and/or 
health department assumes more fiscal responsibility for the faculty 
member's salary. In year 03, each award is expected to range between 
$97,500 and $112,500, a commitment level of 75 percent support from 
CDC. In year 04, each award is expected to range between $65,000 and 
$75,000, a commitment level of 50 percent support from CDC. In year 05, 
each award is expected to range between $32,500 and $37,500, 
representing a CDC level of support of 25 percent. Funding estimates 
may change. It is expected that the faculty member's salary in years 03 
to 05 will not decrease as CDC funding decreases. The faculty member's 
annual salary in years 03 to 05 should sum to at least the same level 
as that established in year 02 when the annual salary is solely funded 
by CDC. CDC's intent is that the funding of faculty member's salary in 
years 03 to 05 will be shared by the institution, the collaborating 
health department, and CDC and provided at a minimum of the year 02 
salary level.
    Computation of the salary should include cost-of-living and merit 
increases, if applicable.
    In project years 02, 03, or 04, applicants will have the option to 
apply for supplemental funds (up to $25,000 per year) for research 
pilot projects of 1 to 3 years duration.
    If the faculty member's career trajectory and academic track 
includes research as well as teaching, the research experience gained 
through the pilot projects may increase his/her ability to successfully 
compete for future research grants. These funds will be awarded on the 
basis of the merit of the research proposal/protocol submitted and the 
availability of funds. Criteria for evaluation of proposals will be 
identified in the guidance for continuation applications for years 02, 
03, and 04.
    CDC is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any 
reason the application does not receive an award or if the award to the 
recipient is less than anticipated and inadequate to cover costs. For 
the purpose of determining contributions, total program costs consist 
of the items listed under the Use of Funds section.

1. Use of Funds

    Funds are awarded for a specifically defined purpose and may not be 
used for any other purpose or program. It is expected that funds for 
the 12 month budget period may be used to support:
    a. The salary and benefits of a faculty member,
    b. The salary and benefits of a part-time support person,
    c. Travel to project-related and professional meetings,
    d. Supplies necessary for professional training activities,
    e. Indirect costs, and

[[Page 44352]]

    f. In years 02, 03, and 04, up to $25,000/year for CDC-approved 
research projects (optional).
    Funds may not be used to support the following activities:
    a. Leasing space and renovation of facilities,
    b. Providing diagnostic and treatment facilities or services,
    c. Paying other expenses normally supported by the applicant or the 
collaborating health department,
    d. Replacing training support, and
    e. Supplanting existing sources of funding for a current faculty 
member since the purpose of this cooperative agreement is to enable the 
medical school to provide STD training and education by establishing a 
faculty position in STDs in a clinical department.

2. Recipient Financial Participation

    Recipient financial participation is required for this program in 
accordance with this Program Announcement. As described in Section C. 
Availability of Funds, institutional support and health department 
support increases gradually in years 03-05 of the project.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose 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 as follows:

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Recruit and hire a full-time, qualified faculty person, on a 
clinical educator track, a tenure track, or their equivalents, with the 
authority and responsibility to carry out the requirements of this 
program.
    b. Provide a qualified mentor to guide the new faculty member's 
academic and research activities.
    c. Provide administrative support to assist the faculty member in 
carrying out the responsibilities of this program.
    d. Develop and maintain an agreement between a state or local 
health department and the medical school to carry out the requirements 
of this program, including the use of the health department's clinical 
facilities by the faculty member for clinical teaching and research in 
STDs. It is suggested that the faculty member be either a permanent, 
part-time employee or a contractor of the health department.
    e. Assess the current STD content in the medical school curriculum 
and modify it, as appropriate, such that the following occurs:
    (1) In the preclinical years, didactic STD instruction, sufficient 
to produce a sound educational basis for subsequent clinical 
instruction, is provided.
    (2) In the clinical years, additional content on the diagnosis and 
management of STDs is integrated into existing clinical rotations 
{e.g., Internal medicine (infectious diseases), primary care, 
adolescent medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, or other rotations deemed 
appropriate}, to enhance the information provided in the preclinical 
years.
    f. Provide STD clinical training for third and fourth year medical 
students sufficient to ensure that they have the skills necessary to 
prevent, diagnose, and treat STDs.
    g. Provide lectures/grand rounds to residents in primary care 
specialities sufficient to ensure they have adequate knowledge of STD 
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
    h. Develop or enhance STD clinical rotations at the collaborating 
health department for residents in primary care specialities, 
sufficient to ensure they have adequate skills to diagnose, treat, and 
prevent STDs.
    i. Provide opportunities for STD research for those faculty who 
seek a career trajectory that includes both teaching and research. 
Clinical, prevention-oriented or outcome-oriented research in the 
medical school or health department should be particularly encouraged.
    j. Structure the faculty position to maximize the likelihood of 
long-term financial support after the termination of CDC support.
    k. Participate in semi-annual meetings with the CDC project officer 
and other FEP faculty during the project period to discuss educational 
strategies, review progress, share resources, and develop and review 
evaluation and research plans.
    l. Develop and carry out an evaluation of STD Faculty Expansion 
Program effectiveness through analysis and interpretation of data on 
medical student and resident performance and on the overall impact on 
state and local STD prevention goals, and report findings in 
appropriate format to CDC.
    m. In years 02-04, those faculty who elect to apply for optional 
research funds must develop and submit a research application on STD 
clinical, prevention-oriented, or outcome-oriented research, which will 
be specified in the years 02-04 continuation applications. These 
applications will be reviewed for merit by a CDC internal review panel 
based on the criteria outlined in the years 02-04 continuation 
applications.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Conduct annual site visits as necessary.
    b. Provide technical assistance to facilitate: (1) The planning and 
implementation of curriculum changes, and (2) the planning and 
implementation of the clinical, outcome, or prevention-oriented 
research protocols.
    c. Provide assistance, as requested and needed, in designing an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the FEP through analysis and 
interpretation of data on medical student and resident performance and 
the overall impact on state and local STD prevention goals.
    d. Arrange semi-annual meetings of CDC-supported FEP members to 
review accomplishments, discuss educational strategies, share resources 
and experiences across FEP sites, discuss problems, and review 
evaluation and research plans.

E. Application Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    CDC requests (but does not require) that potential applicants 
submit a letter of intent to apply for these funds on or before 
September 17, 2001 to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement. The narrative should be no more than two pages, double-
spaced, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and 12-point font. 
Your letter will be used for planning purposes related to convening an 
independent review group. Your letter of intent should include the 
following information: Program Announcement Number; name and address of 
academic institution; name, address and telephone number of contact 
person; and the specific objectives to be addressed by the proposed 
project. 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 40 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one-inch margins and 12-point font. All 
pages, including appendices, should be numbered sequentially. Letters 
of support, organizational charts, biosketches, and position 
descriptions should be included in an appendix. The narrative must 
contain the following sections in the order presented below:

[[Page 44353]]

    1. Abstract: Provide no more than a two-page summary of your 
application including a brief statement of need (include data on STD 
incidence or prevalence in your state and local geographic area), the 
name of the institution and clinical department where the STD faculty 
member will be housed, the anticipated track for the proposed faculty 
member, the name of the mentor, the name of the collaborating health 
department, the number of hours of STD didactic and clinical offerings 
currently in place, the number of hours and content of STD didactic and 
clinical offerings proposed for both medical students and residents, 
and the plan for continued funding for the STD faculty member.
    2. Background and Need for Support: Describe your understanding of 
the purpose of the cooperative agreement, including the need in your 
state and local geographic area and your institution for a dedicated 
STD faculty position. Describe your commitment to the development of a 
faculty position, to changes in the medical school curriculum and 
resident training, and to a collaborative arrangement with the health 
department.
    This must be documented by:
    a. A written commitment for partial funding of the faculty position 
for years 03-05 (co-signed by the department chairperson and dean of 
the medical school).
    b. A written commitment supporting the proposed changes to the 
medical school curriculum to fulfill the Program Requirements (co-
signed by the chair of the curriculum committee or dean for academic 
affairs).
    c. A written agreement or contract with the local or state health 
department acknowledging and agreeing to a collaborative relationship, 
partial financial support for the faculty member, and the use of STD 
clinic facilities for training and research.
    d. A written commitment from the proposed mentor to assume 
responsibility for facilitating academic and research development of 
the faculty member (include the mentor's curriculum vitae).
    e. A written commitment from the directors of primary care 
residency programs agreeing to the STD training as described in Program 
Requirements.
    Provide a demographic description of your medical students. Include 
number of students per class, gender, and ethnic/racial characteristics 
(may be in table format). In addition, provide current status of STD 
training for medical students in your institution. Specifically 
identify the amount of time allotted for, and placement of, content as 
identified in part c. and d. of Recipient Activities.
    3. Objectives: Identify process and impact objectives related to 
program requirements.
    4. Program Plan:
    a. Provide a description of proposed changes in the medical school 
curriculum to include additional STD training. Indicate the number and 
placement of additional hours of didactic and clinical training. 
Describe any innovative/integrated content offerings or courses related 
to the intent of the cooperative agreement.
    b. Provide a description of proposed resident training.
    c. Provide a description of the health department STD clinic 
facilities, including physical layout and number of STD patients seen 
in the most recent 12-month period, categorized by sex, age, race/
ethnicity, and diagnosis. Identify other personnel in the health 
department who might serve as resource personnel or preceptors.
    d. Provide a description of ongoing research and/or opportunities 
for the faculty member to do STD research within the medical school 
and/or through the health department.
    e. Provide a plan for continued support of the faculty member after 
the termination of CDC support.
    f. Provide a written agreement from the medical school 
administration to provide office space and to provide administrative 
support for the faculty member, including a description of the space 
and personnel.
    5. Program Implementation Methods:
    a. Provide a list of qualifications for the proposed STD faculty 
member (may include a sample advertisement).
    b. Provide a description of the proposed faculty search plan with 
time line.
    c. Describe the appointment process for the new faculty.
    d. Provide a timetable for the implementation of the program plan.
    6. Evaluation Plan:
    a. Provide an outline of a plan for evaluating the effect of 
improved STD training on medical student and house staff knowledge/
behavior.
    b. Provide an outline of a plan for evaluating the effect of 
medical school/health department collaboration on state and local STD 
prevention goals.
    7. Budget. Provide a budget using PHS 398 (Rev 05/01) forms with a 
line-item justification and any other information to demonstrate that 
the request for assistance is consistent with the purpose and 
objectives of this program. The budget should include travel to one 
project-related meeting during year 01 and two project-related trips 
per year thereafter. At least one meeting each year will be held at CDC 
in Atlanta.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    On or before October 23, 2001, submit the original and two copies 
of the application on Form PHS 398 (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: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    Submit the application to the Grants Management Specialist 
identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of 
this announcement.
    Deadline: Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are either:
    1. Received on or before October 23, 2001; or
    2. 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 which do not meet the criteria in 1. or 2. above 
will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by a Special Emphasis Panel appointed by CDC:
    1. The need for faculty expertise in STDs in the school and 
geographic area. The strength of the program plan in addressing the 
need for a faculty member with clinical and research expertise in STDs 
in the school and geographic area. (15 points)
    2. The strength of the agreement with the health department. The 
quality of the documentation of a commitment from the state or local 
health department to provide financial support for the faculty member 
and to provide clinic facilities that routinely examine and treat a 
sufficient number of STD clients for training medical students and 
house staff. The degree to which the applicant demonstrates innovative 
approaches to the medical school/health department collaboration that 
will contribute to locally relevant STD prevention research, training, 
and programmatic activities. (20 points)
    3. The extent to which the proposed program plan addresses the 
program requirements. The extent to which the

[[Page 44354]]

applicant documents commitments from the medical school to implement 
the curriculum changes described under program requirements. The extent 
to which the applicant documents commitment from residency program 
directors to implement the training described under program 
requirements. Consideration will be given to those schools that 
demonstrate the greatest commitment of additional hours for high 
quality instruction to students and residents over the life of the 
project. (20 points)
    4. The quality of the assurance to support the faculty member 
during tenure of the project. The extent to which the department 
submitting the application demonstrates a commitment to assuring 
research opportunities and financial support for the faculty member 
during the grant period. The qualifications and involvement of the 
designated mentor to assure the success of this endeavor. The quality 
of the plan to provide administrative support to help the faculty 
member meet the program requirements. (10 points)
    5. The quality of the documentation of proposed qualifications for 
the STD faculty member. The quality of the description of the selection 
or search process, including a proposed time frame. (10 points)
    6. The quality of the plan for evaluating the training's 
effectiveness, in terms of improved STD knowledge/behaviors of medical 
students and residents and the achievement of prevention goals. (15 
points)
    7. The quality of the documentation indicating a strong commitment 
to structure the faculty position and integrate the proposed curriculum 
and training so that these will be continued as CDC support decreases 
and eventually terminates. (10 points)
    8. The budget will be evaluated for the extent to which it is 
reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of 
the funds. The level of support will depend on the availability of 
funds. (not scored)

H. Other Requirements:

    Technical Reporting Requirements: Provide CDC with the original 
plus two copies of:
    1. Progress reports are due on July 31 and January 31 in years 01 
and 02 and on January 31 in years 03-05 in a format determined by CDC.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    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.
    Any materials developed in whole or in part with CDC funds will be 
subject to a nonexclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license to the 
government to reproduce, translate, publish, or otherwise use and 
authorize others to use for government purposes.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the 
application kit.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-4  HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-5  HIV program
AR-6  Patient Care
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-21  Small, Minority, and Women-owned Business
AR-22  Research Integrity

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under Section 318 of the Public Health 
Service Act, [42 United States code 247c-1], as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.978.

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 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. If 
you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the documents, 
business management technical assistance may be obtained from: Mr. Kang 
Lee, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000 MS-E15, Atlanta, GA 
30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2733, E-mail address: [email protected].
    For programmatic technical assistance, contact: Dr. Marianne 
Scharbo-DeHaan, Chief, Medical Education and Evaluation Section, 
Training and Health Communications Branch, Division of STD Prevention, 
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop 
E-02, Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone: (404) 639-8360, E-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: August 17, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease and 
Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-21268 Filed 8-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P