[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 177 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57817-57822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23151]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03008]


Grants for Injury Control Research Centers; Notice of 
Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2003 funds for a grant for an Injury 
Control Research Center (ICRC). This program addresses the ``Healthy 
People 2010'' focus area of Injury and Violence Prevention. A copy of 
``Healthy People 2010'' is available at the following Internet address: 
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    The purposes of this program are:
    1. To support injury prevention and control research on priority 
issues as delineated in: Healthy People 2010; Injury Control in the 
1990's: A National Plan for Action; Reducing the Burden of Injury: 
Advancing Prevention and Treatment; and the research priorities 
published in the National Center for

[[Page 57818]]

Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) Research Agenda. (For a copy of 
the NCIPC Research Agenda contact the Program Manager identified in the 
``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.)
    2. To integrate, in the context of a national program, the 
disciplines of engineering, epidemiology, medicine, biostatistics, 
public health, law and criminal justice, behavioral and social sciences 
in order to prevent and control injuries more effectively.
    3. To support the identification and description of injury 
problems, by identifying risk and protective factors that can be used 
to design and test injury prevention and control strategies. Evaluate 
current and new interventions for the prevention and control of 
injuries, and support the implementation of effective prevention and 
control strategies in the public and private sector.
    4. To provide technical assistance to injury prevention and control 
programs within a geographic region.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal for NCIPC: To increase external input on the 
research priorities, policies, and procedures related to the extramural 
research supported by CDC.

B. Authority And Catalog Of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under Sections 301, 391, 392, 393, and 
394 of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 241, 280b, 280b-1, 
280b-1a, and 280b-2] as amended. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
number is 93.136.

C. Eligible Applicants

    This announcement will provide funding for applicants in regions 
which do not have funded ICRCs and for applicants in regions which have 
funded centers who must re-compete for funding.
    Eligible applicants include all nonprofit and for-profit 
organizations in Region two, three, and six. Thus, universities, 
colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public and private 
organizations, faith-based organizations, State and local health 
departments, and small, minority and/or women-owned businesses are 
eligible for these grants. Non-academic applicant institutions should 
provide evidence of a collaborative relationship with an academic 
institution.
    Eligible applicants are limited to organizations in Region two (New 
Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands), Region three 
(Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and 
West Virginia), and Region six (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, 
Oklahoma, and Texas).

    Note: ICRC grant awards are made to the applicant institution/
organization, not the Principal Investigator. An organization 
described in section 501(c)(4) of Title 26 which engages in lobbying 
activities shall not be eligible for the receipt of Federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, or loan.

D. Funds

Availability of Funds:

    Approximately $905,500 is expected to be available in FY 2003 to 
fund one award. It is expected that the award will be $905,500 (total 
of direct and indirect costs). It is expected that the award will begin 
on or about September 1, 2003, and will be made for a 12-month budget 
period within a project period of up to five years. Applications that 
exceed the funding cap of $905,500 will be excluded from the 
competition and returned to the applicant. 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.
    Matching funds are not required for this program announcement, 
however other sources of funding must be documented.
    Use of Funds: Center funding is to be designated for two types of 
activities. One type of activity is considered ``Core'' and includes 
administration, management, general support services (e.g., 
statistical, library, media relations, and advocacy) as well as 
activities associated with research development, technical assistance, 
and education (e.g., seed projects, training activities, and 
collaborative and technical assistance activities with other groups). 
Funds may be allocated for trainee stipends, tuition remission, and 
trainee travel, in accordance with the current rates for the Public 
Health agencies. Indirect costs for these trainee-related activities 
are limited to eight percent.
    Defined research projects constitute the second type of activity, 
and ICRCs are encouraged to work toward addressing the breadth of the 
field. Core activities and defined research projects may each 
constitute between 25 percent to 75 percent of the operating budget, 
and should be balanced in such a way that the ICRC demonstrates 
productivity in research as well as teaching and service. Applicants 
with less demonstrated expertise in research are encouraged to devote a 
larger percentage of funds to defined research projects in order to 
establish their capability as research centers of excellence.
    Grant funds will not be made available to support the provision of 
direct care. Studies may be supported which evaluate methods of care 
and rehabilitation for potential reductions in injury effects and 
costs. Studies can be supported which identify the effect on injury 
outcomes and cost of systems for pre-hospital, hospital, and 
rehabilitative care and independent living.
    Eligible applicants may enter into contracts, including consortia 
agreements (as set forth in the PHS Grants Policy Statement, dated 
April 1, 1994), as necessary to meet the requirements of the program 
and strengthen the overall application.
    Funding Preferences: Funding preference will be given to re-
competing ICRCs. These centers represent a long-term investment for 
NCIPC and an established resource for Injury Control-related issues for 
their States and regions.

E. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the following activities:
    1. Applicants must demonstrate expertise and conduct research 
projects in at least one of the three phases of injury control 
(prevention, acute care, or rehabilitation) and are encouraged to be 
comprehensive.
    2. Applicants must document ongoing injury-related research 
projects or control activities currently supported by other sources of 
funding.
    3. Applicants must provide a director (Principal Investigator) who 
has specific authority and responsibility to carry out the project. The 
director must report to an appropriate institutional official, e.g., 
dean of a school, vice president of a university, or commissioner of 
health. The director must have no less than thirty percent effort 
devoted solely to this project with an anticipated range of thirty 
percent-fifty percent.
    4. Applicants must demonstrate experience in successfully 
conducting, evaluating, and publishing injury research and/or 
designing, implementing, and evaluating injury control programs.
    5. Applicants must provide evidence of working relationships with 
outside agencies and other entities which will allow for implementation 
of any proposed intervention activities.
    6. Applicants must provide evidence of involvement of specialists 
or experts in medicine, engineering, epidemiology, law and criminal 
justice, behavioral and social sciences, biostatistics, and/or

[[Page 57819]]

public health as needed to complete the plans of the center. These are 
considered the disciplines and fields for ICRCs. An ICRC is encouraged 
to involve biomechanicists in its research. This may be achieved 
through collaborative relationships as it is not a requirement that all 
ICRCs have biomechanical engineering expertise.
    7. Applicants must have established curricula and graduate training 
programs in disciplines relevant to injury control (e.g., epidemiology, 
biomechanics, safety engineering, traffic safety, behavioral sciences, 
or economics).
    8. Applicants must disseminate injury control research findings, 
translate them into interventions, and evaluate their effectiveness.
    9. Applicants must have an established relationship, demonstrated 
by letters of agreement, with injury prevention and control programs or 
injury surveillance programs being carried out in the region in which 
the ICRC is located. Cooperation with private-sector programs, e.g., 
``Safe USA'' partnerships, is encouraged.
    10. Applicants should have an established or documented planned 
relationship with organizations or individual leaders in communities 
where injuries occur at high rates, e.g., minority communities.

F. Content

    The Program Announcement title and number must appear in the 
application. Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Applications should include the following 
information:
    1. Face page
    2. Description (abstract) and personnel
    3. Table of contents
    4. Detailed budget for the initial budget period: The budget should 
reflect the composite figures for the grant. In addition, separate 
budgets (direct and indirect costs) and justifications should be 
provided for the following categories of activities:
    a. Core activities, including management and administrative 
functions, other non-research activities (e.g., education/training, 
consultation, technical assistance, translation/dissemination, program 
and policy development and evaluation, advocacy, and media activities, 
etc.), and small seed projects of less than $15,000 for one year or 
less.
    b. Research Studies:
    (1) Small studies of $15,000-75,000 for one to three years 
duration. These projects might be expansions of seed projects, either 
further developing methods or hypotheses in preparation for a larger 
investigation leading to the submission of an RO1 level proposal, or 
may be stand-alone investigations sufficient to yield results worthy of 
publication in a peer-reviewed journal and/or a technical report for a 
legislative body, governmental agency, or injury control program.
    (2) Larger scale studies with annual budgets exceeding $75,000 and 
lasting up to five years. These projects typically will test hypotheses 
and employ more sophisticated methodologies and/or larger sample sizes 
than small studies.
    For seed projects, only modest descriptions are required within the 
application and/or clear definition of procedures used to select the 
projects. More detailed descriptions, commensurate with costs, are 
required for both small studies and larger scale projects.
    An applicant organization has the option of having specific salary 
and fringe benefit amounts for individuals omitted from the copies of 
the application which are made available to outside reviewing groups. 
To exercise this option: On the original and two copies of the 
application, the applicant must use asterisks to indicate those 
individuals for whom salaries and fringe benefits are not shown; the 
subtotals must still be shown. In addition, the applicant must submit 
an additional copy of page four of Form PHS-398, completed in full, 
with the asterisks replaced by the salaries and fringe benefits. This 
budget page will be reserved for internal staff use only.
    5. Budget for entire proposed project period including budgets 
pertaining to consortium/contractual arrangements.
    6. Biographical sketches of key personnel, consultants, and 
collaborators, beginning with the Principal Investigator and core 
faculty.
    7. Other support: This listing should include all other funds or 
resources pending or currently available. For each grant or contract 
include source of funds, amount of funding (indicate whether pending or 
current), date of funding (initiation and termination), and 
relationship to the proposed program.
    8. Resources and environment.
    9. Research plan:
    a. ICRCs are to develop a range of research and other non-research 
activities that are designed to advance the field of injury control 
through development of new scientific or surveillance methods, creation 
of new knowledge, and translation of knowledge into training, program 
and policy development and evaluation activities or other applications 
that will ultimately reduce injuries or their effects. ICRC 
applications should articulate how the activities of their program are 
integrated with each other, demonstrating ICRCs activities and their 
potential impact.
    b. A detailed research plan (design and methods) including 
hypothesis, expected outcome, value to field, measurable, and time-
framed objectives consistent with the activities for each project 
within the proposed grant.
    (1) Seed projects require a short write-up describing the injury 
control context of the study, the objective, the design, the setting 
and participants, the intervention being addressed, main outcome 
measurements, expected results, time lines, cost (direct and indirect), 
and plans for translation/dissemination, and/or clear definition of 
procedures used to select the projects.
    (2) Small research projects require a ten to fifteen page summary 
describing the accomplishment of all the steps, including the 
development and testing of methods, instruments, and collection of 
preliminary data needed to take an innovative approach and develop it 
to the level of a larger investigation leading to the submission of an 
RO1 level proposal or a stand-alone investigation sufficient to yield 
results worthy of publication in a peer-reviewed journal and/or a 
technical report for a legislative body, governmental agency, or injury 
control program.
    (3) Large research projects require an RO1 level summary as 
described in the PHS 398 (Rev. 5/01) guidelines. The summary should be 
included as appendices of the application.
    (4) A detailed evaluation plan which should address outcome and 
cost-effectiveness evaluations as well as formative, efficacy, and 
process evaluation.
    In the research plan section of the application, include a 
description for each small and large research project:
    (1) Title of Project
    (2) Project Director/Lead Investigator
    (3) Institution(s)
    (4) Categorization as to ``Prevention, Acute Care, Rehabilitation, 
or Biomechanics''
    (5) Categorization as to which NCIPC research agenda priority area 
the project addresses. Also, a brief description on how it addresses 
that priority area. If a priority area is not addressed, provide an 
explanation
    (6) Categorization as to ``Seed Project, Small Project, or Large 
Project''
    (7) Categorization as to ``New or Ongoing Project''

[[Page 57820]]

    (8) Cost/Year (Total of Direct and Indirect)
    (9) Research Training? Names, Degrees of Persons Trained or in 
Training
    (10) Key Words
    (11) Brief Summary of Project including Intended Application of 
Finding (Abstract)
    c. A description of the core faculty and their roles in 
implementing and evaluating the proposed programs. The applicant should 
clearly specify how disciplines will be integrated to achieve the ICRCs 
objectives.
    d. Charts showing the proposed organizational structure of the ICRC 
and its relationship to the broader institution of which it is a part 
and, where applicable, to affiliate institutions or collaborating 
organizations. These charts should clearly detail the lines of 
authority as they relate to the center or the project, both 
structurally and operationally. ICRC directors should report to an 
appropriate organizational level (e.g. dean of a school, vice president 
of a university, or commissioner of health), demonstrating strong 
institution-wide support of ICRC activities and ensuring oversight of 
the process of interdisciplinary activity.
    e. Documentation of the involved public health agencies and other 
public and private sector entities to be involved in the proposed 
program, including letters that detail commitments of support and a 
clear statement of the role, activities, and participating personnel of 
each agency or entity.

G. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001) and adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction sheet 
for PHS 398. Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm. If you do not have access to the 
Internet, or if you have difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you 
may contact the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information 
Management Section at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to 
you.
    The application must be received by 5 P.M. Eastern Time October 28, 
2002. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management 
Section-PA03008, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically.
    Deadline: The applications shall be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are received before 5 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 which do not meet the above criteria will not be 
eligible for competition and will be returned to the applicant.

H. Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed by CDC staff for completeness and 
responsiveness as outlined under the previous heading Program 
Requirements. Incomplete applications and applications that are not 
responsive will be returned to the applicant without further 
consideration.
    Applications which are complete and responsive may be subjected to 
a preliminary evaluation (triage) by the Injury Research Grant Review 
Committee (IRGRC) to determine if the application is of sufficient 
technical, and scientific merit to warrant further review by the IRGRC. 
Applications that are determined noncompetitive will not be considered, 
and IRGRC will promptly notify the investigator/program director and 
the official signing for the applicant organization. Applications 
determined to be competitive will be evaluated by a dual review 
process.
    Awards will be made based on priority scores assigned to 
applications by the IRGRC, programmatic priorities and needs determined 
by a secondary review committee (the Advisory Committee for Injury 
Prevention and Control), and the availability of funds.
1. Review by the Injury Research Grants Review Committee (IRGRC)
    Initial peer-review of ICRC grant applications will be conducted by 
the IRGRC. The IRGRC will recommend the application for further 
consideration. For those applications recommended for further 
consideration, a team of peer reviewers, including members of the 
IRGRC, will conduct on-site visits at each applicant institution, 
generate summary statements for the visits, and report the assessment 
to the IRGRC.
    Factors to be considered by the IRGRC include:
    a. The specific aims of the application, e.g., the long-term 
objectives and intended accomplishments. Approval of research projects 
(including new research projects proposed during the five-year funding 
cycle) is subject to peer-review.
    (1) Seed projects will be evaluated collectively on the mechanism 
for solicitation of projects, on the technical/scientific merit review, 
and on the selection and monitoring of projects.
    (2) Small projects will be evaluated individually on the innovative 
approach and proposed methods for achieving an investigation sufficient 
to support a submission of an RO1 level proposal and/or worthy of 
publication in a peer-reviewed journal and/or a technical report for a 
legislative body, governmental agency, or injury control program.
    (3) Large projects will be evaluated individually according to 
existing RO1 level project standards as described in the PHS 398 (Rev. 
4/98) guidelines. The application must have a minimum of three large 
research projects approved in order to be recommended for further 
consideration.
    b. The scientific and technical merit of the overall application, 
including the significance and originality (e.g., new topic, new 
method, new approach in a new population, or advancing understanding of 
the problem) of the proposed research.
    c. The extent to which the evaluation plan will allow for the 
measurement of progress toward the achievement of stated objectives. 
Does your application specify how you will measure the effectiveness of 
your program?
    d. Qualifications, adequacy, and appropriateness of personnel to 
accomplish the proposed activities.
    e. The soundness of the proposed budget in terms of adequacy of 
resources and their allocation.
    f. In addition to conducting defined research projects, ICRCs are 
expected to devote substantial attention to activities directed at 
advancing the field through other activities that are designed to 
improve research capabilities and translate research into practice. 
Examples of activities include: Consultation and technical assistance 
that are responsive to regional and state priorities, professional 
training for researchers and practitioners, program development, and 
evaluation endeavors. The degree of effort devoted to these aspects of 
an ICRCs program should be clearly stated in the justification and the 
budget. The degree of effort may be varied and should reflect the 
specific focus and goals of the ICRC.
    g. Details of progress in the most recent funding period should be 
provided in the application if the applicant is submitting a re-
competing

[[Page 57821]]

application. Documented examples of success include: Development of 
pilot projects; completion of high quality research projects; 
publication of findings in peer reviewed scientific and technical 
journals; number of professionals trained; ongoing provision of 
consultation and technical assistance; integration of disciplines; 
translation of research into implementation; and impact on injury 
control outcomes including legislation, regulation, treatment, and 
behavior modification interventions.
    h. Does the application adequately address the requirements of 
Title 45 CFR part 46 for the protection of human subjects?
    i. Does the applicant meet 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, 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 or communities and recognition of mutual 
benefits.
    j. Does the application adequately address the requirements of the 
``PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals by Awardee 
Institutions?'
2. Review by the CDC Advisory Committee for Injury Prevention and 
Control (ACIPC)
    Secondary review of ICRC grant applications with a priority score 
of 350 or better from the initial peer-review by the IRGRC will be 
conducted by the Science and Program Review Section (SPRS) of the 
ACIPC. The SPRS consists of ACIPC members, Federal Ex Officio 
participants, and organizational liaisons. The Federal Ex Officio 
participants will be responsible for identifying proposals in 
overlapping areas of research interest so that unwarranted duplication 
in federally funded research can be avoided. The NCIPC Division 
Associate Directors for Science (ADS) or their designees will address 
the SPRS to assure that research priorities of the announcement are 
understood and to provide background regarding current research 
activities. These recommendations will be presented to the entire ACIPC 
in the form of a report by the Chairman of the SPRS. The ACIPC will 
vote to approve, disapprove, or modify these recommendations for 
funding consideration.
    These recommendations, based on the results of the review by the 
IRGRC, the relevance and balance of the proposed research relative to 
the NCIPC programs and priorities, and the assurance of no duplication 
of federally-funded research, are presented to the Director, NCIPC, for 
funding decisions.
    Factors to be considered by the ACIPC include:
    a. The results of the peer-review.
    b. The significance of the proposed activities as they relate to 
national program priorities, geographic balance, and the achievement of 
national objectives.
    c. The overall balance of the ICRC program in addressing the three 
phases of injury control (prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation); 
the control of injury among populations who are at increased risk, 
including racial/ethnic minority groups, the elderly and children; the 
major causes of intentional and unintentional injury; and the major 
disciplines of injury control (such as biomechanics, epidemiology, and 
behavioral science).
    d. Budgetary considerations. The ACIPC will recommend annual 
funding levels as detailed is section ``D. Funds'' of this 
announcement.
3. Continued Funding
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of the availability of funds and the following criteria:
    a. The accomplishments of the current budget period show that the 
applicant's objectives as prescribed in the yearly work plans are being 
met.
    b. The objectives for the new budget period are realistic, 
specific, and measurable.
    c. The methods described will clearly lead to achievement of these 
objectives.
    d. The evaluation plan allows management to monitor whether the 
methods are effective by having clearly defined process, impact, and 
outcome objectives, and the applicant demonstrates progress in 
implementing the evaluation plan.
    e. The budget request is clearly explained, adequately justified, 
reasonable, and consistent with the intended use of grant funds.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
    1. Annual progress report. The progress report will include a data 
requirement that demonstrates measures of effectiveness.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial status report and performance report, 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 I of this 
announcement as posted on the CDC home web page.

AR-1 Human Subjects Certification
AR-2 Requirements for inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-3 Animal Subjects Requirements
AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act 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-20 Conference Activities within Grants/Cooperative Agreements

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''. For general questions about this 
announcement, contact: Technical Information Management, CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Rd, Room 3000, Atlanta, 
GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
    For business management and budget assistance, contact: Nancy 
Pillar, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, 2920 Brandywine Rd, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone: 770-488-2751, E-mail: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Tom Voglesonger, Program 
Manager, Office of Research Grants, National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE., (K58), Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, 
Telephone: 770-488-4265, E-mail: [email protected].


[[Page 57822]]


    Dated: September 5, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-23151 Filed 9-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P