[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22811-22819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9545]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Child Care Bureau Research Scholars; Funding Opportunity

    Federal Agency Name: Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF), Child 
Care Bureau (CCB).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Child Care Bureau Research Scholars.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-YE-0006.
    CFDA Number: 93.647.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is June 28, 2004.

SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), 
Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF), Child Care 
Bureau (CCB) announces the availability of funds to support new Child 
Care Research Scholar projects in fiscal year 2004. The CCB Research 
Scholar Grants are designed to increase the number of graduate students 
conducting dissertation research on child care issues that are 
consistent with the Bureau's research agenda.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Child Care Bureau

    Since its establishment in 1995, the Child Care Bureau (CCB) has 
been

[[Page 22812]]

dedicated to enhancing the quality, affordability, and supply of child 
care available for all families. The Child Care Bureau administers the 
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), a $4.8 billion child care 
program that includes funding for child care subsidies and activities 
to improve child care quality and availability. CCDF was created after 
amendments to ACF child care programs by Title VI of the Personal 
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 
consolidated four Federal child care funding streams, including the 
Child Care and Development Block Grant, AFDC/JOBS Child Care, 
Transitional Child Care, and At-Risk Child Care. With related State and 
Federal funding, CCDF provides more than $11 billion a year to States, 
territories, and tribes to help low-income, working families access 
child care.
    The Bureau works closely with ACF regions, States, territories, and 
tribes to facilitate, oversee, and document the implementation of new 
policies and programs that support State, local, and private sector 
administration of child care services and systems. In addition, the 
Bureau collaborates extensively with other offices throughout the 
Federal government to promote integrated approaches, family-focused 
services, and coordinated child care delivery systems. In all of these 
activities, the Bureau strives to support children's healthy growth and 
development in safe child care environments, promote children's early 
learning and school readiness, enhance parental choice and involvement 
in their children's care, and facilitate the linkage of child care with 
other community services.

B. Child Care Bureau's Research Agenda

    Since 2000, Congress has appropriated $10 million per year from the 
CCDF to be used for child care research and evaluation, and the CCB has 
used these funds to develop our research agenda. The Bureau's FY 2004 
child care research agenda will continue ongoing projects and launch 
new research initiatives. The CCB's research agenda supports activities 
that will generate knowledge about child care services and programs and 
to inform policy decisions and solutions. We intend to improve our 
capacity to respond to questions of immediate concern to policymakers, 
strengthen the child care research infrastructure, and increase 
knowledge about the efficacy of child care policies and programs in 
providing positive learning and school readiness outcomes for children 
and employment and self-sufficiency outcomes for parents.
    The CCB capacity to further child care related research and data is 
enhanced by the Child Care Policy Consortium, which is an alliance of 
research projects sponsored by the CCB. The consortium is comprised of 
researchers who have partnered with policy organizations, States, and 
local communities to link research, policy, and practice. The research 
projects of consortium members are broadly construed. For example, some 
projects describe State and local child care populations, services, and 
programs, while others focus on child care subsidy policies and market 
dynamics. In addition, some projects examine issues surrounding 
professional development and training approaches for child care 
providers.
    In order to synthesize the broad array of child care information 
being generated, the Bureau has created the Child Care Research 
Collaboration and Archive (CCRCA), which serves as the Child Care 
Bureau's national research knowledge management system for the child 
care field. The CCRCA consists of an interactive Web site, an archive 
of data sets and reports, and a technical assistance support system to 
assist researchers and facilitate collaboration.

C. Purpose & Goals of the CCB Research Scholar Program

    The purpose of this grant program is to help develop a national 
infrastructure for high quality child care research by increasing the 
number of upcoming researchers investigating child care issues that are 
consistent with the Bureau's research agenda.
    The goals of this program area are as follows:
    1. To foster formal mentoring relationships between faculty members 
and graduate students who are pursuing research in the child care 
field. Each student will work under the direct supervision of a faculty 
mentor who ensures that the project will address critical child care 
issues with a high level of technical quality. This type of student-
mentor relationship should be collaborative and foster the skills 
needed to build the student's career trajectory. The faculty mentor 
will be listed as the Principal Investigator of the grant and will 
ensure that all requirements are met and that a high quality 
dissertation is completed.
    2. To support students' graduate training and professional 
development as researchers engaged in policy-relevant research. 
Students are expected to become autonomous researchers who are 
connected to other professionals from diverse backgrounds across a 
variety of child care roles. Research projects may include independent 
studies conducted by the student or a well-defined portion of a larger 
study being conducted by the Principal Investigator holding a faculty 
position or senior research position and for which the graduate student 
will have primary responsibility. Research projects must use sound 
quantitative or qualitative research methodologies or some combination 
of the two. The student must be the author of the grant proposal.
    3. To encourage the active communication, networking, and 
collaboration among graduate students, their mentors, other prominent 
child care researchers, and policy makers. Students whose projects 
involve community-level or administrative-level research are encouraged 
to work with an additional mentor from the field in order to gain a 
more comprehensive understanding of child care policies and practices. 
Students whose work involves secondary analysis of large data sets are 
encouraged to work closely with one or more senior investigators on the 
original project. In order to facilitate students' networking with 
policy makers, students are required to participate in the Child Care 
Bureau's Annual Meeting of the Child Care Policy Research Consortium 
and the State Administrators' Meeting.

D. Statutory Authority and Other Citations

    Statutory authority: The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act 
of 1990 as amended (CCDBG Act); section 418 of the Social Security Act.
    Code of Federal Domestic Assistance: The Code of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) number is 93.647.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Program Funding: $120,000 per year.
    Anticipated number of awards: It is anticipated that 4 awards will 
be made.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $30,000 per year.
    Floor of Individual Award Amounts: None.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $30,000 in first year, $20,000 in 
second year.
    Project Periods for Awards: Up to 24 months.

Funding Levels

    Pending the availability of funds and receipt of satisfactory 
applications, grants will be awarded for up to $30,000 for the first 
12-month budget period and up to $20,000 for a second year, for a total 
not exceeding $50,000 for the project period.

[[Page 22813]]

    All monies must be used for the student's dissertation research, 
including required personnel costs, travel, and other expenses directly 
related to the research.

Number of Awards

    Three or four dissertation grants will be awarded. No individual 
educational institution will be funded for more than one candidate 
unless applications from different universities or colleges do not 
qualify for support.

Project Period

    This announcement is inviting applications for project periods up 
to two years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year 
budget period, although project periods may be for two years. 
Applications for continuation grants funded under this award beyond the 
one-year budget period but within the two year project period will be 
entertained in subsequent years on a non-competitive basis, 
satisfactory progress of the grantee, and a determination that 
continued funding is in the best interest of the government.
    If the student expects to receive a doctorate by the end of the 
first 12-month budget period, the application should request funding 
for a single grant period. The need for a two-year project period 
should be identified in the current application (on SF-424A) and in the 
project narrative. A subsequent year award for continuation of the 
project will not be approved if the student has completed his/her 
dissertation by the end of the 12-month budget period. Scholars are 
expected to complete their dissertation by the end of the 24 month 
period.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education acting on 
behalf of graduate students who are pursuing a doctorate and who are 
completing a dissertation on child care issues. The student is expected 
to have an approved dissertation proposal before the beginning of the 
grant period. The institution must be fully accredited by one of the 
regional accrediting commissions recognized by the Department of 
Education and the Council of Post-Secondary Accreditation.
    Faith-based institutions or institutions serving minority 
populations, including but limited to Tribally Controlled Land Grant 
Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities (HBCUs), are also eligible applicants. TCUs are those 
institutions cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land 
Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), any other institution 
that qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Community 
College Assistance Act of 1978, (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and Navajo 
Community College, authorized in the Navajo Community College 
Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-471, title II (25 U.S.C. 640a 
note). Those TCUs that are not accredited are not eligible to apply 
under this announcement. HBCUs are defined in the amended version of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965, codified at 20 U.S.C. 1061(2), are 
institutions established prior to 1964 whose principle mission was, and 
is, the education of Black Americans, and must satisfy section 322 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Institutions which meet 
the definition of ``Part B institution'' in section 322 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1061(2), shall be eligible 
for assistance under this announcement.
Additional Information on Eligibility
Proof of Non-Profit Status
    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its non-profit status at the time of submission (see section 
IV.2). The non-profit organization can accomplish this by providing (a) 
a reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal 
Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations 
described in the IRS code; (b) a copy of a currently valid IRS tax 
exemption certificate; (c) a statement from a State taxing body, State 
attorney general, or other appropriate State official certifying that 
the applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of the 
net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals; (d) a 
certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or 
similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status; (e) any of 
the items listed above for a State or national parent organization and 
a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant 
organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
    Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is 
$30,000. An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar 
range specified will be considered ``non-responsive'' and will be 
returned to the applicant without further review.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching and Indirect Costs

    There are no matching requirements. Because of the small size of 
these grants and their value to institutions of higher learning as well 
as to the student scholars, applicants are strongly encouraged to waive 
any allowable indirect costs in their applications.

III.3. Other

    On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in 
the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal 
grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to 
provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or 
after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an 
applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-
wide electronic portal (http://www.grants.gov). A DUNS number will be 
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation 
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement 
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    Applications that fail to follow the required format described in 
section IV.2 Application Requirements will be considered non-responsive 
and will not be eligible for funding under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address To Request Application Package

    This full announcement can be obtained via the following link: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb. If you are unable to download the 
complete announcement, requests for applications may be sent to: ACYF 
Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, RS/CCB Funding, 118 Q Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132, phone: 800-351-2293, e-mail: 
[email protected].

IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Format and Organization. An original and two copies of your 
application must be submitted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to 
limit their application to 100 pages, double-spaced, with standard

[[Page 22814]]

one-inch margins and 12 point fonts. This page limit applies to both 
narrative text and supporting materials. In addition, applicants should 
number the pages of their application and include a table of contents.
    Applicants are advised to include all required forms and materials 
and to organize these materials according to the format presented 
below:
    a. Cover Letter.
    b. Required Standard Forms:
     Standard Application for Federal Assistance 
(forms 424 and 424A).
     Applicants requesting financial assistance for a 
non-construction project must sign and return Standard Form 424B, 
Assurances: Non-Construction Programs, with their applications.
     Applicants must provide a Certification 
Regarding Lobbying. Prior to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, 
applicants shall furnish an executed copy of the lobbying 
certification. Applicants must sign and return the certification with 
their application.
     Applicants must make the appropriate 
certification of compliance with all Federal statutes relating to 
nondiscrimination. By signing and submitting the application, 
applicants are providing the certification and need not mail back a 
certification form.
     Applicants must make the appropriate 
certification of their compliance with the requirements of the Pro-
Children Act of 1994 as outlined in Certification Regarding Environment 
Tobacco Smoke.
    c. Table of Contents.
    d. Project Narrative Statement.
    e. Appendix.
    Complete Contact Information for Student and Faculty Advisor.
    Curriculum Vitae for Student and Faculty Advisor.
    Letter of Support from Advisor.
    Official Transcript of Student Reflecting Graduate Courses.

    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit, with 
their applications, the optional survey located under ``Grant Manuals & 
Forms'' at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.grants.gov apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may 
not email an electronic copy of a grant application.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov:
     Electronic submission is voluntary.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will 
find information about submitting an application electronically through 
the site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must 
have a DUNS Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry 
(CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR 
registration.
     You will not receive additional point value 
because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will 
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information typically included on the SF 424 and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page 
limitation requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your 
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The 
Administration for Children and Families will retrieve your application 
from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation, which will include 
an ACF tracking number.
     We may request that you provide original 
signatures on forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for 
this program on http://www.Grants.gov.
    You may search for the downloadable application package by the CFDA 
number.
    Content of Project Narrative Statement: The project narrative 
statement contains most of the information on which applications will 
be competitively reviewed. The project narrative should be carefully 
developed in accordance with the Bureau's research goals and agenda, 
the requirements listed in the Uniform Project Description (section 
V.A), and the evaluation criteria (section V.B).
    The following sections from the Uniform Project Description are 
included as part of the project narrative statement:
    a. Project Summary Abstract.
    b. Objectives and Need for Assistance.
    c. Approach--Research Design and Methodology.
    d. Approach--Management Plan.
    e. Staff and Position Data.
    f. Budget and Budget Justification.

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
eastern standard time (e.s.t.) on June 28, 2004. Mailed applications 
received after the closing date will be classified as late. Handcarried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be 
classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date 
at: ACYF Operations Center, c/o the Dixon Group, Inc., RS/CCB Funding, 
118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
    Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., e.s.t., Monday through Friday (excluding Federal 
holidays), at: ACYF Operations Center, c/o the Dixon Group, RS/CCB 
Funding, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132. Phone: 800-351-
2293, Email: [email protected]. The address must appear on the 
envelope/package containing the application with the note ``Attention: 
The Dixon Group.'' Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
services do not always deliver as agreed. ACYF cannot accept 
applications by fax. Applicants will receive a confirmation postcard 
upon receipt of applications.
    Notice of Intent To Submit Application: If you intend to submit an 
application, please e-mail the ACYF Operations Center and include the 
following information: the number and title of this announcement, your 
organization's name and address, and your contact person's name, title, 
phone number, fax number, and e-mail address. This notice is not 
required but is strongly encouraged. The information will be used to 
determine the number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate 
applications and to update the mailing list for future program 
announcements.
    Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do 
not always deliver as agreed.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God

[[Page 22815]]

(floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are widespread 
disruptions of mail service, or in other rare cases. Determination to 
extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.
    The table below details when the materials need to be submitted and 
where these forms or formatting descriptions can be found.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Application for Federal     Per required form.....  May be found at http://      By application due
 Assistance (forms SF 424, 424A,                              acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/    date.
 and 424B).                                                   forms.htm.
------------------------------------
Certification regarding Lobbying     Per required form.....  May be found at http://      By application due
 and associated Disclosure of                                 acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/    date.
 Lobbying Activities (SF LLL).                                forms.htm.
------------------------------------
Environmental Tobacco Smoke          Per required form.....  May be found at http://      By application due
 Certification.                                               acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/    date.
                                                              forms.htm.
------------------------------------
Protection of Human Subjects.......  Per required form.....  May be found at http://      By application due
                                                              acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/    date.
                                                              forms.htm.
------------------------------------
Proof of Non-Profit Status.........  See Section III.B.....  May be found at http://      By application due
                                                              acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/    date.
                                                              forms.htm.
------------------------------------
Project Narrative Statement........  See Section IV.C and    Format described in Section  By application due
                                      Section V.A and V.B.    IV.C and V.A. and V.B.       date.
------------------------------------
Contact Information, Vita, Letter    See Section and IV.B    Format described in Section  By application due
 of Support, Transcript.              and IV.G.               IV.B and IV.G.               date.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional Forms: Private-non-profit organizations may submit with 
their applications the voluntary survey located under ``Grant Related 
Documents and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant 
Applicants''.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit       Per required form.....  May be found on http://      By application due
 Grant Applicants.                                            www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/form.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV.4. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 2003, of the most recent SPOC list, the following 
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order 
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects 
administered by federally-recognized Indian tribes need take no action 
in regard to E.O. 12372: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, 
Washington, Wyoming, and Palau.
    Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in 
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of 
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining 
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have 
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should 
contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the 
prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must 
submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that 
the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the 
award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if 
any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date 
of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 
16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a) (2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
    SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are 
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and 
those official State process recommendations which may trigger the 
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

IV.5. Funding Restrictions

    Transferability. Grants awarded as a result of this competition are 
not transferable to another student or to another institution. Awards 
can not be divided among two or more students.
    Concurrent Awards. A CCB research scholar grant may not be held 
concurrently with another federally funded dissertation grant or 
fellowship.

[[Page 22816]]

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

    Contact information for both the graduate student and the student's 
faculty mentor is required and should be included in the Appendix.
    The application must include a letter from the faculty mentor 
stating that he/she approves the application and describing how he/she 
will regularly monitor the student's work. In addition, the letter must 
verify (a) the student's status in the doctoral program, (b) that the 
grant will be used to fund the student's dissertation research, and (c) 
that the student is within two years or less of completing his/her 
dissertation. This letter should be included in the Appendix.
    In the Appendix the student must include an official transcript 
reflecting his/her completed graduate course work.
    Electronic Submission: To submit an application electronically, 
please use the http://www.Grants.gov apply site. For complete details 
on how to submit electronically, please refer to section IV.2. Content 
and Form of Application Submission.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13): Public reporting 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 hours for 
the Child Care Research Scholars, including time for reviewing 
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    The project description is approved under OMB Control number 0970-
0139 which expires 03/31/04 (currently under review at OMB). An agency 
may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. In addition, a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
valid OMB control number.
    Instructions: ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD). The following 
are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the ``project 
summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections of the 
application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that each 
criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under the 
ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD). The UPD was approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Control Number 0970-0139, 
expiration date 03/31/04. The generic UPD requirement is followed by 
the evaluation criterion specific to this announcement.
    The Project Description Overview. The project description provides 
a major means by which an application is evaluated and ranked to 
compete with other applications for available assistance. The project 
description should be concise and complete and should address the 
activity for which Federal funds are being requested. Supporting 
documents should be included where they can present information clearly 
and succinctly. In preparing your project description, all information 
requested through each specific evaluation criteria should be provided. 
Awarding offices use this and other information in making their funding 
recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this information be 
included in the application.
    General Instructions. ACF is particularly interested in specific 
factual information and statements of measurable goals in quantitative 
terms. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance, 
not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross referencing 
should be used rather than repetition. Supporting information 
concerning activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or 
information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the 
grant funded activity should be placed in an appendix. Pages should be 
numbered and a table of contents should be included for easy reference.

Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description.

1. Project Summary Abstract

    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.

2. Objectives and Need for Assistance

    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/ footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/ beneficiary information, as needed.
    In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer 
or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects 
currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of 
which may be outside the scope of the program announcement.

3. Approach

    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.

4. Additional Information

    Following are requests for additional information that need to be 
included in the application:
a. Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
b. Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the

[[Page 22817]]

categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.

5. General

    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: First column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
a. Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
b. Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
c. Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
d. Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
e. Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
f. Other
    Description: Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where 
applicable and appropriate, may include but are not limited to 
insurance, food, medical and dental costs (noncontractual), 
professional services costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and 
publication, computer use, training costs, such as tuition and 
stipends, staff development costs, and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
g. Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the 
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for 
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant 
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals 
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
    Evaluation Criteria: Eligible applications will be scored 
competitively against the evaluation criteria. These criteria will be 
used in conjunction with the other expectations and requirements set 
forth in this announcement to evaluate how well each proposal addresses 
the bureau's research agenda and the program goals.
Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance (35 Point Maximum)
    The extent to which the application reflects a solid understanding 
of (a) critical issues, information needs, and research issues of the 
child care field, (b) the child care subsidy system and TANF, and (c) 
low-income working families from various cultural, language, and ethnic 
groups.
    The extent to which the conceptual model, objectives and hypotheses 
are (a) well formulated and appropriately linked, (b) reflect the 
bureau's research agenda and goals, and (c) will contribute new 
knowledge to the field.
    The effectiveness with which the application articulates the 
current state of knowledge on (a) the interplay among child care and 
other early care and education programs, (b) child care and children's 
development and well-being, or (c) child care and family self-
sufficiency.
Criterion 2: Approach--Research Design and Methodology (35 Point 
Maximum)
    The extent to which the proposed research design (a) appropriately 
links research issues, questions, variables, data sources, samples, and 
analyses (b) employs technically sound and appropriate approaches, 
design elements and procedures, and sampling techniques.

[[Page 22818]]

    The extent to which the proposed design (a) reflects sensitivity to 
technical, logistical, and ethical issues that may arise (b) and 
includes realistic strategies for the resolution of difficulties.
    The extent to which the researchers assure (a) adequate protection 
of human subjects, confidentiality of data, and consent procedures, as 
appropriate.
    The extent to which the research design (a) specifies the measures 
to be used and their psychometric properties, (b) describes how these 
measures have been used to address the proposed research questions, and 
(c) describes how these measures have been used with the low-income, 
diverse population to be studied.
Criterion 3: Approach--Management Plan (Maximum of 10 Points)
    The extent to which the application includes a management plan that 
(a) presents a sound framework for maintaining quality control over the 
implementation and ongoing operations of the study, (b) demonstrates 
how the researcher will gain access to necessary organizations, 
participants, and data sources, and (c) details how the mentor will 
actively facilitate this plan.
    The extent to which the scope of the project is reasonable for the 
funds available and feasible for the time frame specified (d) includes 
an effective plan for the dissemination and utilization of information 
by researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field.
Criterion 4: Staff and Position Data (Maximum of 10 Points)
    The extent to which the student and his/her mentor (a) demonstrate 
competence in the areas addressed by the proposed research, including 
relevant background, experience, and training on related research or 
similar projects, (b) demonstrate expertise in research design, 
sampling, field work, data processing, statistical analysis, reporting, 
and information dissemination to academic and policy communities, (c) 
reflect an understanding of the child care subsidy system and the child 
care needs of low-income families and the complexities of conducting 
research within that system and the diverse cultural, language, and 
ethnic population it serves.
Criterion 5: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum of 10 Points)
    The extent to which the proposed project costs (a) are reasonable, 
appropriately allocated, and sufficient to accomplish the objectives, 
research design, and dissemination plan (b) include funds for the 
student, and his/her mentor if applicable, to participate in the Child 
Care Bureau's Annual Meeting of the Child Care Policy Research 
Consortium and the State Administrators' Meeting in Washington, DC, and 
(c) are justified according to the needs and objectives of carrying out 
the proposed project.

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Application Process. This announcement includes all of the 
information needed to apply for funding. Detailed instructions for 
preparing and submitting applications are described. Applicants are 
advised to follow the prescribed content and format in preparing their 
applications.
    Applicants are also advised to adhere to the guidelines describing 
the preparation of their Project Narrative Statement. This section of 
the proposal details the applicant's need for assistance, research 
design and methodology, management plan, staff and position data, and 
budget. It thus contains most of the information on which applications 
will be competitively reviewed. The Project Narrative Statement will be 
evaluated according to the evaluation criteria (section V.B) and the 
Uniform Project Description (section V.A).
    Application, Review, Selection, and Award. Each application will be 
screened to determine whether the applicant institution is eligible. 
Applications from ineligible institutions will be excluded from the 
review.
    a. The review will be conducted in Washington, DC. Expert reviewers 
may include researchers, Federal or State staff, child care 
administrators, or other individuals experienced in child care research 
and evaluation. A panel of at least three reviewers will evaluate each 
application to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal 
in terms of the Bureau's research goals and expectations, its fit with 
the bureau's research agenda, and the evaluation criteria.
    b. Given the involvement of non-Federal reviewers, applicants have 
the option of omitting from the application copies (but not the 
original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in 
the budget and individuals' Social Security Numbers. If the applicant 
omits individual salary information on the application copies, the 
copies must include summary salary information.
    c. Panelists will provide written comments and assign numerical 
scores for each application. The assigned scores for each criterion 
will be summed to yield a total evaluation score for the proposal.
    d. In addition to the panel review, the Child Care Bureau may 
solicit comments from other Federal offices and agencies, States, non-
governmental organizations, and individuals whose particular expertise 
is identified as necessary for the consideration of technical issues 
arising during the review. The Bureau will consider their comments, 
along with those of the panelists, when making funding decisions. The 
Bureau will also take into account the best combination of proposed 
projects to meet its overall research goals.
    e. The ACYF Commissioner will make the final selection of the 
applicants to be funded. Applications may be funded in whole or in part 
depending on: (1) The rank order of applicants resulting from the 
competitive review, (2) staff review and consultations, (3) the 
combination of projects that best meets the bureau's research 
objectives, (4) the funds available; and (5) other relevant 
considerations.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will be notified via a notice of award signed 
by the grants officer which will document the funding level, terms and 
conditions of the award, reporting requirements, effective date of the 
award, budget period for which support is given, and the total project 
period for which support is provided.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR parts 74 and 92.
    Conference Attendance. The student must attend and present a poster 
at the Annual Meeting of the Child Care Policy Research Consortium and 
pre-conference each year of the grant. This conference is typically 
scheduled during the spring of each year. In addition, the student must 
attend and present at the State Administrators' Meeting typically held 
in the summer of each year. The budget should reflect travel funds for 
both conferences. Faculty advisors are strongly encouraged to attend 
these conferences as well.
    Archiving and Publishing. The student must agree to archive his/her 
approved dissertation document with the Child Care Research and 
Collaboration Archive (CCRCA). The student must also work with Child 
Care Bureau staff and CCRCA staff to publish a research/policy brief 
that can be published on the CCRCA Web site.

[[Page 22819]]

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: All grantees will be required to submit semi-
annual progress reports that describe major accomplishments during the 
previous six months, plans for the next six months, problems or 
difficulties encountered and plans for their resolution, significant 
research findings, and dissemination activities. The final report is 
due 90 days after the end of the grant period.
    Financial Reports: Grantees will also be required to submit semi-
annual fiscal reports on the Standard Federal Form 269 (long version). 
A final report documenting the project activities and results will be 
due 90 days after the end of the grant period.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Application Process Contact: ACYF Operations Center, c/o the Dixon 
Group, RS/CCB Funding, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132; 
phone: 800-351-2293, e-mail: [email protected].
    Program Office Contact: Dr. Stephanie Curenton, Child Care Bureau 
Policy and Research Division, Child Care Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447; phone: (202) 205-9899, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Grants Management Office Contact: William Wilson, Grants Management 
Officer, 330 C Street, SW., Switzer Bldg, Room 2070, Washington DC 
20447; phone: (202) 205-8913, e-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other

    None.

    Dated: April 7, 2004.
Frank Fuentes,
Deputy Commissioner, Administration for Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-9545 Filed 4-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P