[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45118-45121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16939]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02152]


Dissertation Awards for Doctoral Candidates for Violence-Related 
Injury Prevention Research in Minority Communities; Notice of 
Availability of Funds; Amendment

    A notice announcing the availability of Fiscal Year 2002 grant 
funds for Program Announcement Number 02152, entitled ``Dissertation 
Awards for Minority Doctoral Candidates for Violence-Related Injury 
Prevention Research was published in the Federal Register on May 9, 
Vol. 67, No. 90, pages 31344-31348. The notice is amended primarily to 
(1) open the program for all doctoral candidates for violence-related 
injury prevention research (2) change the application submission and 
deadline to August 7, 2002, (3) adjust the Evaluation Criteria section, 
and (4) emphasize the targeted minority population. The announcement is 
amended in most sections to identify the eligible dissertation 
candidates. Therefore, the entire amended announcement is submitted 
below.

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for an extramural grant 
program for Dissertation Awards to Doctoral Candidates for Violence-
Related injury prevention research. This program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2010'' focus areas of injury and violence prevention.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for The National Center for 
Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC):
    1. Reduce the risk of youth violence in minority communities.
    2. Reduce violence against women in minority communities.
    3. Enhance the capacity of states to implement effective rape 
prevention and education programs for minority communities.
    4. Increase external input on the research priorities, policies, 
and procedures related to the extramural research supported by CDC.
    The purposes of this program are to:
    1. Stimulate and encourage doctoral candidates from a variety of 
academic disciplines and programs, including, but not limited to public 
health, health care, criminal justice, and behavioral and social 
sciences, to conduct violence-related injury prevention research.
    2. Assist students in the completion of their dissertation research 
on a violence-related topic.
    3. Encourage investigators to build research careers related to the 
prevention of violence-related injuries, disabilities, and deaths.
    A dissertation represents the most extensive research experience 
formulated and carried out by a doctoral candidate, with the advice and 
guidance of a mentor (the chair of the dissertation committee or other 
academic advisor). Dissertation research involves a major investment of 
the doctoral student's time, energy, and interest and its substance is 
often the basis for launching a research career. This research 
initiative is aimed at providing students with assistance to complete 
their dissertation research on a violence-related topic and thereby 
increase their representation in violence-related injury research.
    Deaths and injuries associated with interpersonal violence and 
suicidal behavior are a major public health problem in the United 
States and around the world. In 1999, more than 46,000 people died from 
homicide and suicide in the United States. Among 15 to 24 year olds, 
homicide ranked as the second and the third leading causes of death. 
Violent deaths are the most visible consequence of violent behavior in 
our society. Morbidity associated with physical and emotional injuries 
and disabilities resulting from violence, however, also constitute an 
enormous public health problem. For every homicide that occurs each 
year there are more than 100 non-fatal injuries resulting from 
interpersonal violence. For every completed suicide it is estimated 
that there are 20 to 25 suicide attempts. The mortality and morbidity 
associated with violence are associated with a variety of types of 
violence including child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner 
violence, sexual violence, elder abuse, and self-directed violence or 
suicidal behavior.
    Violence has a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic 
minorities. In 1999, homicide was the leading cause of death for 
African Americans and the second leading cause of death for Hispanics 
between the ages of 15 and 34. Suicide was the second leading cause of 
death for American Indians and Alaskan Natives and Asian and Pacific 
islanders 15 to 34 years of age. It is important to note that existing 
research indicates that race or ethnicity, per se, is not a risk factor 
for violent victimization or a cause of violent behavior. Rather, 
racial or ethnic status is associated with many other factors, such as 
poverty, that do influence the risk of becoming a victim or behaving 
violently. Nevertheless, racial and ethnic minorities in the United 
States are at high risk for both violent victimization and 
perpetration. A better understanding of the factors that contribute to 
this vulnerability or protection from such risk is important to 
furthering effective violence prevention programs that address racial 
and ethnic minorities.
    There is a critical need for highly qualified scientists to carry 
out research on violence that can help in the development, 
implementation, and evaluation of effective violence prevention 
programs. In particular, scientists are needed that bring an 
understanding and sensitivity to the problems of violence as they 
affect

[[Page 45119]]

minority communities. The purpose of this extramural research grant 
program is to attract young scientists to the field of violence by 
encouraging doctoral candidates from a variety of disciplines to 
conduct violence prevention research and hopefully carry this focus on 
throughout their careers. The number of individuals who are members of 
minority groups and who are engaged in violence-related injury 
prevention research is currently small. This research program should 
also attract young minority scientists to the field of violence.

B. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301(a) (42 U.S.C. 241(a)) 
of the Public Health Service Act and section 391 (a) (42 U.S.C. 
280b(a)) of the Public Service Health Act, as amended. The catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.136.

C. Eligibility

    Eligible institutions include any United States public or private 
institution such as a university or college that supports an accredited 
doctoral level training program. The performance site must be domestic.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code section 1611 states that 
an organization described in Section 501 (C)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to 
receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant or loan.

    Applicants must be students in good standing enrolled in an 
accredited doctoral degree program. The applicant must have the 
authority and responsibility to carry out the proposed project. 
Applicants must be conducting or intending to conduct research in one 
of the areas described under the Research Objectives section. To 
receive this funding, applicants must have successfully defended their 
dissertation proposal, which must be verified in a letter of 
certification from the mentor (the chair of the dissertation committee 
or other academic advisor) and submitted with the grant application, if 
available, or before the negotiation and award of the grant.

D. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $100,000 is expected to be available in FY 2002 for 
up to five dissertation awards for doctoral candidates. The 
availability of Federal funding may vary and is subject to change. It 
is expected that the awards will begin on or about September 30, 2002, 
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a one-year project 
period. Applications that exceed the funding cap noted above will be 
excluded from the competition and returned to the applicant.
    Grants to support dissertation research will provide no more than 
$20,000 in direct and indirect costs. Grants will be awarded for twelve 
months, but may be extended without additional funds for up to a total 
of 24 months. Grant funds will not be made available to support the 
provision of direct patient care including medical and/or psychiatric 
care.
    Allowable costs include direct research project expenses, such as 
interviewer expenses, data processing, participant incentives, 
statistical consultant services, supplies, dissertation printing costs, 
and travel to one scientific meeting, if adequately justified. 
Applicants should include travel costs for one two-day trip to CDC in 
Atlanta to present research findings. No tuition support is allowed.
    Matching funds are not required for this program.

E. Program Requirements

Research Objectives

    For the purpose of this program announcement the highest priority 
will be given to dissertation research that addresses the following 
areas of inquiry:
    1. Identifying shared and unique risk and protective factors for 
the perpetration of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child 
maltreatment, youth violence, or suicidal behaviors, and examining the 
relationships among these forms of violence in minority communities.
    2. Evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions, 
programs, and policies to prevent intimate partner violence, sexual 
violence (includes both sexual violence against adults and child sexual 
abuse), child maltreatment, youth violence, or suicidal behavior in 
minority communities.
    3. Evaluating strategies for disseminating and implementing 
evidence-based interventions or policies for the prevention of intimate 
partner violence, sexual violence, child maltreatment, youth violence, 
or suicidal behavior in minority communities.

Other Special Conditions for Dissertation Research Grants

    1. The doctoral candidate must be the designated principal 
investigator. The principal investigator will be responsible for 
planning, directing, and executing the proposed project with the advice 
and consultation of the mentor and dissertation committee.
    2. The responsible program official for CDC must be informed if 
there is a change of a mentor. A biographical sketch of the new mentor 
must be provided for approval by the CDC program official.
    3. A dissertation research grant may not be transferred to another 
institution, except under unusual and compelling circumstances (such as 
if the mentor moves to a new institution and both the mentor and the 
applicant wish to move together).
    4. Two copies of the dissertation, including abstract, must be 
submitted to the CDC program official and will constitute the final 
report of the grant. The dissertation must be officially accepted by 
the dissertation committee or university official responsible for the 
candidate's dissertation and must be signed by the responsible 
university official.
    5. Any publications directly resulting from the grant should be 
reported to the CDC program official. The grantee also should cite 
receiving support from the NCIPC and CDC, both in the dissertation and 
any publications directly resulting from the dissertation grant.

F. Content

Application

    Use the information in the Program Requirements and Evaluation 
Criteria sections described below 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.
    Applications should follow the PHS-398 (Rev. 5/2001) application 
and Errata sheet and should include the following information:
    1. The project's focus that justifies the research needs and 
describes the scientific basis for the research, the expected outcome, 
and the relevance of the findings to reduce injury morbidity, 
mortality, and economic losses in minority communities. This would 
include describing an understanding and sensitivity to the problems of 
violence as they affect minority communities.
    2. Specific, and time-framed objectives.
    3. A detailed plan describing the methods by which the objectives 
will be achieved, including their sequence.
    4. A description of the principal investigator's role and 
responsibilities, along with that of the mentor.
    5. A description of all project staff regardless of their funding 
source. It should include their title, qualifications, experience, 
percentage of time each will devote to the project, as well as that 
portion of their salary to be paid by the grant.

[[Page 45120]]

    6. A description of those activities related to, but not supported 
by the grant.
    7. A description of the involvement of other entities that will 
relate to the proposed project, if applicable. Letters of collaboration 
and a clear statement of their roles are required from all 
collaborating organizations.
    8. A detailed budget for the grant.
    9. An explanation of how the research findings will contribute to 
the national effort to reduce the morbidity, mortality and disability 
caused by violence-related injuries.
    The narrative portion of the application that describes the 
Research Plan for the dissertation may not exceed fifteen pages.

Additional Materials Required

    The applicant must also submit the following materials, attached to 
the application as appendices:
    1. A letter from the applicant's mentor which: (a) Fully identifies 
the members of the dissertation committee. (b) Certifies that the 
mentor has read the application and believes that it reflects the work 
to be completed in the dissertation. (Letters certifying approval of 
the dissertation proposal must be received before negotiation and award 
of the grant.) (c) Certifies that the institution's facilities and 
general environment are adequate to conduct the proposed research.
    2. A tentative time line for completion of the research, the 
dissertation, and the dissertation defense.
    3. An official transcript of the applicant's graduate school record 
showing that the applicant has completed all required course work for 
the degree with the exception of the dissertation.
    4. A statement of the applicant's career goals and intended career 
trajectory.
    5. A biography of the mentor, limited to two pages (use the 
Biographical Sketch page in application form PHS 398).

G. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001) (adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction sheet for 
PHS 398). Forms are available at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm. Forms may also be obtained by 
contacting the Grants Management Specialist in ``Where to Obtain 
Additional Information'' section of this announcement.
    Applications must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time 
on August 7, 2002. Submit the application to: Technical Information 
Management-PA02152, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30341-4146.

Deadline

    Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they 
are received before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. 
Applicants sending applications by the United States Postal Service or 
commercial delivery services must ensure that the carrier will be able 
to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing date and time. 
If an application is received after closing due to (1) carrier error, 
when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by 
the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather delays or natural 
disasters, CDC will upon receipt of proper documentation, consider the 
application as having been received by the deadline. Applications that 
do not meet the above criteria will not be eligible for competition and 
will be discarded. Applicants will be notified of their failure to meet 
the submission requirements.

    Note: Applicants who submitted their applications to meet the 
June 24, 2002, deadline have the opportunity to make changes to 
their original applications if they wish. Any revisions, however, 
must be submitted to meet the August 7, 2002, deadline.

H. Evaluation Criteria

    Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by CDC staff for 
completeness, responsiveness and eligibility as outlined in Section 
``C. Eligibility''. Applications that are incomplete, not responsive, 
from applicants that are not eligible, or request more than the dollar 
limit will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. 
It is especially important that the applicant's abstract reflects the 
project's focus, because the abstract will be used to help determine 
the responsiveness of the application.
    Applications which are complete and responsive will undergo a 
review by an objective review panel appointed by CDC. The objective 
review panel will use the current National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
criteria listed below to evaluate the methods and scientific quality of 
the applications.
    1. Significance: Does this study address an important problem? 
There must be an overall match between the applicant's proposed topic 
and research objectives, and the research objectives described under 
``Program Requirements'.
    2. Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and 
analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the 
aims of the project? Does the principal investigator demonstrate an 
understanding and sensitivity to the problems of violence as they 
affect minority communities?
    3. Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches 
or methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project 
challenge or advance existing paradigms, or develop new methodologies 
or technologies? Will it help expand and advance our understanding of 
violence, its causes, and prevention strategies?
    4. Investigator: Is the principal investigator appropriately 
trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the proposed work 
appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator? Is 
the name and role of a scientific mentor described?
    5. Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work 
will be done contribute to the probability of success? Is there 
evidence of agreements to collaborate or other institutional support?
    6. Ethical Issues: What provisions have been made for the 
protection of human subjects and the safety of the research 
environments? Where relevant, how does the applicant plan to handle 
issues of confidentiality and compliance with mandated reporting 
requirements, e.g., suspected child abuse? Does the application 
adequately address the requirements of 45 CFR part 46 for the 
protection of human subjects? (An application can be disapproved if the 
research risks are sufficiently serious and protection against risks is 
so inadequate as to make the entire application unacceptable.) 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:
    (a) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (b) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (c) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate 
to measure differences when warranted.
    (d) 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.

[[Page 45121]]

    7. Study Samples: Are the samples rigorously defined to permit 
complete independent replication at another site? Have the referral 
sources been described, including the definitions and criteria? What 
plans have been made to include women and minorities, and their 
subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research? How 
will the applicant deal with recruitment and retention of subjects?
    8. Dissemination: What plans have been articulated for 
disseminating findings?

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    The grantee must provide CDC with an original plus two copies of:
    1. The dissertation, including abstract that will constitute the 
final report of the grant.
    2. A financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. At the completion of the project, the grant recipient will 
submit a brief (2,500 to 4,000 words written in non-scientific 
(laymen's) terms) summary highlighting the findings and their 
implications for injury prevention programs, policies, environmental 
changes, etc. The grant recipient will also include a description of 
the dissemination plan for research findings. This plan will include 
publications in peer-reviewed journals and ways in which research 
findings will be made available to stakeholders outside of academia, 
(e.g., state injury prevention program staff, community groups, public 
health injury prevention practitioners, and others). CDC will place the 
dissertation abstract with the National Technical Information Service 
(NTIS) to further the agency's efforts to make the information more 
available and accessible to the public.
    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:
AR-1  Human Subjects Certification
AR-2  Requirements for inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-3  Animal Subjects Requirement
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirement
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-13  Prohibition on Use of CDC funds for Certain Gun Control 
Activities
AR-21  Small, Minority, and Women-owned Business
AR-22  Research Integrity
    J. Where to Obtain Additional Information
    This and other CDC announcements, the necessary application and 
associated forms can be found on the CDC homepage Internet address--
http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements.'' If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all 
the documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from:

Nancy Pillar, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants 
Office--PA02152, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, Telephone: (770) 
488-2721, Email address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact:

Melinda Williams, Project Officer, Prevention Development and 
Evaluation Branch, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for 
Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mail Stop K-60, Atlanta, GA 
30341-4723, Telephone: (770) 488-4647, Email address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: June 27, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-16939 Filed 7-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P