[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 56 (Thursday, March 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15098-15106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5554]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Child Care Bureau Research Scholars

    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-YE-0010.
    CFDA Number: 93.647.
    Dates: Due Date for Notice of Intent or Preapplications: Notice of 
Intent is due April 25, 2005.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due May 23, 2005.
    Executive 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 
CCB Research Scholar projects in Fiscal Year 2005. The 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

    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 CCB Research Scholar 
projects in Fiscal Year 2005. The 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.

Priority Area 1

1. Description
    A. Child Care Bureau. Since its establishment in 1995, the CCB has 
been dedicated to enhancing the quality, affordability, and supply of 
child care available for all families. CCB 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. The 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. The entitlement 
portion consisted of mandatory and matching funds made available under 
section 418 of the Social Security Act, while the discretionary funding 
was authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act. The 
combined funding from these streams was designated the CCDF. 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 States, Territories, Tribes, and ACF 
regions 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 about $10 million per year of CCDF discretionary funds to 
be used for child care research and evaluation, and the CCB has used 
these funds to develop its research agenda. The Bureau's FY 2005 child 
care research agenda will continue ongoing projects and launch new 
research initiatives. CCB's research agenda supports activities that 
will generate knowledge about child care services and programs and 
inform policy decisions and solutions. We intend to improve our 
capacity to respond to questions of immediate concern to policy makers, 
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

[[Page 15099]]

for children and employment and self-sufficiency outcomes for parents.
    The CCB's 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 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 cover a wide array of topics. 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 
generated, CCB created the Child Care and Early Education Research 
Connections (Research Connections) to serve as a national research 
knowledge management system for the child care and early education 
fields. Research Connections 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 and 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 in partnership with a faculty mentor in 
order to foster the skills necessary to build a graduate student's 
career trajectory. Within this nurturing and supportive mentoring 
relationship, scholars are empowered to become autonomous researchers 
with the skills necessary to address critical child care issues with a 
high level of technical quality. 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 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 CCB's Annual 
Meeting of the Child Care Policy Research Consortium and the State 
Administrators' Meeting.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding Per Budget Period: $120,000 
per budget period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 4.
    Average Projected Award Amount Per Budget Period: $30,000 per 
budget period.
    Ceiling on Individual Awards Per Budget Period: $30,000 per budget 
period.
    Floor on amount of individual awards: None.
    Length of Project Periods: 24-month project with two 12-month 
budget periods.

Other

    Explanation of other: This announcement is inviting applications 
for project periods of up to 24 months with two 12-month budget 
periods. 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 the second 12-month budget 
period, for a total not exceeding $50,000 for the entire 24-month 
project period. The need for a 24-month project period should be 
identified in the current application (on SF-424A) and in the project 
narrative and budget. If the student expects to receive a doctorate by 
the end of the first 12-month budget period, the application should 
request funding for only a 12-month project period. 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 first 
budget period.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible 
for funding under this announcement.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    State controlled institutions of higher education; Native American 
tribal governments (federally recognized); Nonprofits having a 
501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher 
education; Private institutions of higher education.
    You must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) to be 
considered eligible.
    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.
    Additional Information on Eligibility: Institutions of Higher 
Education. Eligible institutions must be fully accredited by one of the 
regional accrediting commissions recognized by the Department of 
Education and the Council of Post-Secondary Accreditation. No 
individual educational institution will be funded for more than one 
candidate unless applications from different universities or colleges 
do not qualify for support.
    Faith-based institutions are eligible applicants. In addition, 
Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are encouraged to 
apply. 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 institutions that qualify 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

[[Page 15100]]

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), and are institutions 
established prior to 1964 whose principal 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.
    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. As the author of the 
grant proposal, the student is expected to have an approved 
dissertation proposal before the beginning of the grant period, 
September 30, 2005. All monies must be used for the student's 
dissertation research, including required personnel costs, travel, and 
other expenses directly related to the research.
    Please see Section IV.2 for required documentation supporting 
eligibility or funding restrictions if any are applicable.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    None.

3. Other Eligibility Information

    1. Contact information for both the graduate student and the 
student's faculty mentor is required and should be included in the 
Appendix. The student must be the author of the grant proposal.
    2. 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.
    3. In the Appendix the student must include an official transcript 
reflecting his/her completed graduate course work.
    4. Because of the small size of these grants and their value to 
institutions of higher education as well as to the student scholars, 
applicants are strongly encouraged to waive any allowable indirect 
costs.
    All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. 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.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of non-profit status is 
any one of the following:
     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.
     A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
     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.
     A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
     Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately 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.
    When applying electronically we strongly suggest you attach your 
proof of non-profit status with your electronic application.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' 
at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Disqualification Factors
    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this 
announcement.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the 
deadline will not be considered for competition.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Attn: Child Care 
Bureau Research Scholars Funding, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 
20002-2132. Phone: 866-796-1591; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-YE-0010.html.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Notice of Intent to Submit Application: If you intend to submit an 
application, please e-mail the ACYF Operations Center 
([email protected]) 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.
    Format and Organization. An original and two copies of your 
application must be submitted. Applicants must limit their application 
to 100 pages, double-spaced, with standard one-inch margins and 12-
point fonts. This page limit applies to both narrative text and 
supporting materials. In addition, applicants must number the pages of 
their application and include a table of contents.
    Applicants should include all required forms and materials and 
organize these materials according to the format presented below:

a. Letter of Intent to Submit Application (30 days prior to application 
due date).
b. Cover Letter.
c. Required Standard Forms and Certifications.
d. Table of Contents.
e. Project Abstract.
f. Project Description.
g. Budget Narrative/Justification.

[[Page 15101]]

h. 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.
    You may submit your application 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 e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov:
     Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly 
recommended.
     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.
     We recommend you visit Grants.gov at least 30 days prior 
to filing your application to fully understand the process and 
requirements. We encourage applicants who submit electronically to 
submit well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties 
are encountered an applicant can still send in a hard copy overnight. 
If you encounter difficulties, please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk 
at 1-800-518-4276 to report the problem and obtain assistance with the 
system.
     To use Grants.gov, the applicant must have a DUNS number 
and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Applicants 
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     Applicants will not receive additional point value for 
submitting a grant application in electronic format, nor be penalized 
for submitting an application in paper format.
     Applicants may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information typically included on the SF-424 and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
     Applications must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After submitting the electronic application, applicants 
will receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains 
a Grants.gov tracking number. ACF will retrieve the application from 
Grants.gov.
     ACF may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     The electronic application for this program can be 
accessed on http://www.Grants.gov.
     Search for the downloadable application package by the 
CFDA number.
    An original and two copies of the complete application are 
required. The original and each of the two copies must include all 
required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed 
by an authorized representative, have original signatures, and be 
submitted unbound.
    Private non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and 
Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' titled, 
``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Standard Forms and Certifications
    The project description should include all the information 
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in 
the program announcement under Section V Application Review 
Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant 
needs to complete all the standard forms required for making 
applications for awards under this announcement.
    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be 
reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and 
return the standard forms with their application.
    Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the 
Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for 
an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal 
funds for lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance 
under this announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if 
applicable, with their applications (approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants must 
sign and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for 
the smoking prohibition included within Public Law 103-227, Title XII 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A 
copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking 
prohibition is included with forms. By signing and submitting the 
application, applicants are providing the certification and need not 
mail back the certification with the application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification form. Complete 
the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances 
based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications 
may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the 
project summary/abstract and the full project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Dates: Notices of Intent are due April 25, 2005.
    Due Date: Application is due May 23, 2005.
    Explanation of Due Dates: The closing time and date for receipt of 
applications is referenced above. Mailed or hand carried applications 
received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time 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 time 
and date referenced in Section IV.6. Applicants are responsible for 
mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, to 
ensure that the applications are received on or before the deadline 
time and date.
    Applications hand carried 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., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section 
IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays).
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax. 
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted 
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are

[[Page 15102]]

considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that 
its application will not be considered in the current competition.
    Any application received after 4:30 pm eastern time on the deadline 
date will not be considered for competition.
    Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be 
provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier 
services, or by hand delivery. However, applicants will receive an 
electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via 
Grants.gov.
    Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two 
(2) working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of 
applications. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
services do not always deliver as agreed).
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

                                                    Checklist
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            What to submit                 Required content     Required form or format       When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Intent to Submit             See Section IV.2.......  Found in Section IV.2..  30 days prior to
 Application.                                                                             application due date.
Project Abstract.....................  See Sections IV.2 and V  Found in Sections IV.2   By application due
                                                                 and V.                   date.
Project Description..................  See Sections IV.2 and V  Found in Sections IV.2   By application due
                                                                 and V.                   date.
Budget Narrative/Justification.......  See Sections IV.2 and V  Found in Sections IV.2   By application due
                                                                 and V.                   date.
Table of Contents....................  See Section IV.2.......  Found in Sections IV.2.  By application due
                                                                                          date.
Complete Contact Information for       See Section IV.2.......  Found in Section III.3   By application due
 Student and Faculty Advisor.                                    and IV.2.                date.
Curriculum Vitae for Student and       See Section IV.2.......  Found in Section IV.2..  By application due
 Faculty Advisor.                                                                         date.
Letter of Support from Advisor.......  See Section IV.2.......  Found in Section III.3   By application due
                                                                 and IV.2.                date.
Official Student Transcript            See Section IV.2.......  Found in Section III.3   By application due
 Reflecting Graduate Courses.                                    and IV.2.                date.
SF424................................  See Section IV.2.......  See http://              By application due
                                                                 www.acf.hhs.gov/         date.
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.
SF-LLL Certification Regarding         See Section IV.2.......  See http://              By date of award.
 Lobbying.                                                       www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification Regarding Environmental  See Section IV.2.......  See http://              By date of award.
 Tobacco Smoke.                                                  www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Assurances...........................  See Section IV.2.......  .......................  By date of award.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms

    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' 
at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

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

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    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.
    The following jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the 
Executive Order (E.O.) process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or 
for projects administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes need to 
take no action in regard to E.O. 12372:
    All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, 
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, 
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa and Palau have elected to 
participate in the Executive Order process and have established Single 
Points of Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-four 
jurisdictions need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372. Applicants 
for projects to be administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes 
are also exempt from the requirements of E.O. 12372. Otherwise, 
applicants should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them 
of the prospective applications and receive any necessary 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. It is imperative that the applicant 
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.
    Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in 
the process, entities which have met the

[[Page 15103]]

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.
    A list of SPOCs for each State and Territory is included with the 
application materials for this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Pre-award Costs: Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-
award costs.
    Transferability: Grants awarded as a result of this competition are 
not transferable to another student or to another institution. Awards 
cannot 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.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. The application must be received at the 
address below by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on or before the closing date. 
Applications should be mailed to: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon 
Group, Attn: Child Care Research Scholars Funding, 118 Q Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20002-2132.
    Hand Delivery: An applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30 
p.m., eastern time, on or before the closing date. Applications that 
are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday. Applications may be 
delivered to: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Attn: Child 
Care Research Scholars Funding, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 
20002-2132.
    Electronic Submission: http://www.grants.gov Please see Section IV. 
2 for guidelines and requirements when submitting applications 
electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 15 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information. This program announcement fully 
complies with the Paperwork Reduction Act through the use of the 
Uniform Project Description.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires April 30, 2007. An agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

1. Criteria

    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).
Part 1--The Project Description Overview
Purpose
    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, information responsive to each of the requested evaluation 
criteria must 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 in a 
manner that is clear and complete.
General Instructions
    ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions 
that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended 
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of 
substance and measurable outcomes, 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.
Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation 
criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what your project 
description should include while the evaluation criteria identifies the 
measures that will be used to evaluate applications.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
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

[[Page 15104]]

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.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action that 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 that 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.
Additional Information
    Following are requests for additional information that need to be 
included in the application:
Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch and job description for each key 
person appointed. Job descriptions for each vacant key position should 
be included as well. As new key staff is appointed, biographical 
sketches will also be required.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide a budget with 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. 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 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other
    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.
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, upon notification that an award will be made, it 
should immediately develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with 
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. When an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool

[[Page 15105]]

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: The following evaluation criteria appear in 
weighted descending order. The corresponding score values indicate the 
relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; 
however, applicants need not develop their applications precisely 
according to the order presented. Application components may be 
organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and 
logical flow of information (i.e., from a broad overview of the project 
to more detailed information about how it will be conducted).
    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
Objectives and Need for Assistance (35 Points)
    The extent to which the proposal 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 proposal 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.
Approach (35 Points)
    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.
    The extent to which the proposed design (a) reflects sensitivity to 
technical, logistical, and ethical issues that may arise (b) includes 
realistic strategies for the resolution of difficulties, (c) 
demonstrates how the researcher will gain access to the necessary 
organizations, participants, and data sources needed for the project.
    The extent to which the researchers assure (a) adequate protection 
of human subjects, confidentiality of data, and consent procedures, as 
appropriate; and (b) include a sound description of the anticipated 
results and benefits of the project.
    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.
Staff and Position (Data 20 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, (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, and (d) include an effective plan for the 
dissemination and utilization of information by researchers, policy-
makers, and practitioners in the field.
    The extent to which the application includes a management plan that 
presents a sound framework for how the mentor and student will maintain 
quality control over the implementation and ongoing operations for the 
study.
Budget and Budget Justification (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 CCB's 
Annual Meeting of the Child Care Policy Research Consortium and the 
State Administrators' Meeting in Washington, DC (c) are justified 
according to the needs and time frame for carrying out the proposed 
project, and (d) includes funds for activities, such as conference 
attendance, publications, invited lectures, etc.

2. Review and Selection Process

    No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of 
an incomplete application.
    Application Process: This announcement includes all of the 
information needed to apply for funding. Detailed instructions for 
preparing and submitting applications are described. Applicants must 
follow the prescribed content and format in preparing their 
applications (see Section IV.2). Applications will be evaluated 
according to the Evaluation Criteria and the Uniform Project 
Description (see Section V.1).
    Application, Review, Selection, and Award: Each application will be 
screened to determine whether the applicant institution is eligible.
    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.
    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. In addition 
to the panel review, CCB 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.
    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) Rank order of applicants resulting from the 
competitive review, (2) staff review and consultations, (3) the 
combination of projects that best meet the Bureau's research 
objectives, (4) the funds available; and (5) other relevant 
considerations.
    Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the process, 
applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not 
the original) specific salary rates or amounts for

[[Page 15106]]

individuals specified in the application budget and Social Security 
Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include 
summary salary information.
Approved But Unfunded Applications
    In cases where more applications are approved for funding than ACF 
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund 
applications in their order of approval until funds run out. In this 
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved applications up 
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same 
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if 
the program's evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must 
then be placed in rank order along with other applications in later 
competition.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of 
a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of 
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective 
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be 
given, the non-Federal share to be provided, and the total project 
period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance 
Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal 
mail.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR part 74 (non-
governmental) or 45 CFR part 92 (governmental).
    Direct Federal grants, subaward funds, or contracts under this 
Child Care Research Scholars Program shall not be used to support 
inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, 
or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps to 
separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities 
from the services funded under this Program. Regulations pertaining to 
the prohibition of Federal funds for inherently religious activities 
can be found on the HHS Web site at http://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.
    Special Terms and Conditions of Awards: The following special 
term(s) and condition(s) are in addition to the ACF standard terms and 
conditions which accompany the Financial Assistance Award (FAA) 
document.
    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 Research Connections. The student 
must also work with CCB staff and Research Connections staff to publish 
a research/policy brief that can be published on the Research 
Connections Web site.

3. Reporting Requirements

    Program Progress Reports: Semi-annual.
    Financial Reports: Semi-annual.
    Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial 
reports (SF 269) throughout the project period. Program progress and 
financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. In 
addition, final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days 
after the close of the project period. The SF-269 may be found at the 
following URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Dr. Dawn Ramsburg, Administration for 
Children and Families, Child Care Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., Switzer 
Building, Room 2046, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-690-6705; Fax: 
202-690-5600; e-mail: [email protected].
    Grants Management Office Contact: Peter Thompson, Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Mary E. Switzer Building, Room 2070, 330 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-4608; Fax: 202-401-
5644; e-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants will not be sent acknowledgements of received 
applications.

    Notice: Beginning with FY 2006, the Administration for Children 
and Families will no longer publish grant announcements in the 
Federal Register. Beginning October 1, 2005, applicants will be able 
to find a synopsis of all ACF grant opportunities and apply 
electronically for opportunities via: http://www.Grants.gov. 
Applicants will also be able to find the complete text of all ACF 
grant announcements on the ACF Web site located at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/index.html.


    Dated: March 14, 2005.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 05-5554 Filed 3-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P