[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8550-8555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3941]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Indian Health Professions Preparatory, Indian Health Professions 
Pregraduate and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs

    Announcement Type: Initial.
    CFDA Numbers: 93.971, 93.123, and 93.972.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: February 28, 2009, for Continuing students.

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    Application Deadline: March 28, 2009, for New students.
    Application Review: May 4-8, 2009.
    Application Notification: First week of July, 2009.
    Award Start Date: August 1, 2009.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) is committed to encouraging 
American Indians and Alaska Natives to enter the health professions and 
to assuring the availability of Indian health professionals to service 
Indians. The IHS is committed to the recruitment of students for the 
following programs:
     The Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship 
authorized by section 103 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act 
(IHCIA), as amended.
     The Indian Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship 
authorized by section 103 of the IHCIA, as amended.
     The Indian Health Professions Scholarship authorized by 
section 104 of the IHCIA, as amended.
    Full-time and part-time scholarships will be funded for each of the 
three scholarship programs.

II. Award Information

    Awards under this initiative will be administered using the grant 
mechanism of the IHS.
    Estimated Funds Available: An estimated $14.0 million will be 
available for FY 2009 awards. The IHS program anticipates, but cannot 
guarantee, due to possible funding changes, student scholarship 
selections from any or all of the following disciplines in the 103, 
103P and 104 Programs for the Scholarship Period 2009-2010. Anticipated 
Number of Awards: Approximately 127 awards will be made under the 
Health Professions Preparatory and Pregraduate Scholarship Programs for 
Indians. The awards are for ten months in duration and the average 
award to a full-time student is approximately $29,171. An estimated 210 
awards will be made under the Indian Health Professions Scholarship 
Program. The awards are for 12 months in duration and the average award 
to a full-time student is approximately $54,262. In FY 2009, an 
estimated $9,000,000 is available for continuation awards, and an 
estimated $5,000,000 is available for new awards.
    Project Period--The project period for the Health Professions 
Preparatory Scholarship support is limited to two years for full-time 
students and the part-time equivalent of two years, not to exceed four 
years for part-time students. The project period for the Health 
Professions Pregraduate Scholarship support is limited to four years 
for full-time students and the part-time equivalent of four years, not 
to exceed eight years for part-time students. The Indian Health 
Professions Scholarship support is limited to four years for full-time 
students and the part-time equivalent of four years, not to exceed 
eight years for part-time students.

III. Eligibility Information

    This announcement is a limited competition for awards made to 
American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, state recognized 
Tribal members, and first and second degree descendants of state 
recognized Tribal members), or Alaska Natives only.

1. Eligible Applicants

    The Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship awards are made to 
American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, first and second 
degree descendants of Tribal members, and state recognized Tribal 
members, first and second degree descendants of Tribal members), or 
Alaska Natives who:
     Have successfully completed high school education or high 
school equivalency;
     Have been accepted for enrollment in a compensatory, pre-
professional general education course or curriculum; and
    The Health Pregraduate Scholarship awards are made to American 
Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, first and second degree 
descendants of Tribal members, and state recognized Tribal members, 
first and second degree descendants of Tribal members), or Alaska 
Natives who:
     Have successfully completed high school education or high 
school equivalency; and
     Have been accepted for enrollment or are enrolled in an 
accredited pregraduate program leading to a baccalaureate degree in 
pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-podiatry or pre-optometry.
    The Indian Health Professions Scholarship may be awarded only to an 
individual who is a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe or 
Alaska Native as provided by section 4(c) and 4(d) of the IHCIA. 
Membership in a Tribe recognized only by a state does not meet this 
statutory requirement. To receive an Indian Health Professions 
Scholarship, an otherwise eligible individual must be enrolled in an 
appropriately accredited school and pursuing a course of study in a 
health profession as defined by section 4(n) of the IHCIA.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    The Scholarship Program does not require matching funds or cost 
sharing to participate in the competitive grant process.

IV. Application Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

    Applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting an 
application packet from their IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator. They 
are listed on the IHS Web site at http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/DHPS/Scholarships/SCoordinator_Directory.asp. This information is 
listed below. Please review the following list to identify the 
appropriate IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator for your State. 
Application packets may be obtained by calling or writing to the 
following individuals listed below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     IHS area office and states/locality served                     Scholarship coordinator address
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Area IHS:                                    Ms. Kim Annis, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator, Aberdeen
Iowa                                                   Area IHS, 115 4th Avenue, SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, Tele:
Nebraska                                               (605) 226-7466.
North Dakota
South Dakota
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium:               Ms. Krista Ruesch, Alternate: Ms. Wendy Perrell, IHS Area
Alaska                                                 Scholarship Coordinator, 4000 Ambassador Drive,
                                                       Anchorage, AK 99508, Tele: (907) 729-1348 or (907) 729-
                                                       1352, 1-800-684-8361 (toll free).
Albuquerque Area IHS:                                 Ms. Cora Boone, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
Colorado                                               Albuquerque Area IHS, 5300 Homestead Road, NE,
New Mexico                                             Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele: (505) 248-4418.

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Bemidji Area IHS:                                     Mr. Tony Buckanaga, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
Illinois                                               Bemidji Area IHS, 522 Minnesota Avenue, NW, Room 209,
Indiana                                                Bemidji, MN 56601, Tele: (218) 444-0486.
Michigan
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Billings Area IHS:                                    Mr. Delon Rock Above, Alternate: Ms. Bernice Hugs, IHS
Montana                                                Area Scholarship Coordinator, Billings Area IHS, Area
Wyoming                                                Personnel Office, P.O. Box 36600, 2900 4th Avenue, North,
                                                       Suite 400, Billings, MT 59103, Tele: (406) 247-7100.
California Area IHS:                                  Ms. Mona Celli, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
California                                             California Area IHS, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-100,
Hawaii                                                 Sacramento, CA 95814, Tele: (916) 930-3981.
Nashville Area IHS:                                   Ms. Gina Blackfox, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
Alabama                                                Nashville Area IHS, 711 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville,
Arkansas                                               TN 37214, Tele: (615) 467-1500.
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Virginia
Mississippi
District of Columbia
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Massachusetts
Navajo Area IHS:                                      Ms. Roselinda Allison, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
Arizona                                                Navajo Area IHS, P.O. Box 9020, Window Rock, AZ 86515,
New Mexico                                             Tele: (928) 871-1358.
Utah
Oklahoma City Area IHS:                               Ms. Melissa Langley, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
Kansas                                                 Oklahoma City Area IHS, Five Corporate Plaza, 3625 N.W.
Missouri                                               56th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, Tele: (405) 951-
Oklahoma                                               6040.
Phoenix Area IHS:                                     Ms. Kimberly Honahnie, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
Arizona                                                Phoenix Area IHS, Two Renaissance Square, 40 North
Nevada                                                 Central Avenue, Suite 510, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Tele: (602)
Utah                                                   364-5253.
Portland Area IHS:                                    Ms. Laurie Veitenheimer, IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator,
Idaho                                                  Portland Area IHS, 1220 S.W. Third Avenue, Room 476,
Oregon                                                 Portland, OR 97204-2892, Tele: (503) 326-6983.
Washington
Tucson Area IHS:                                      Ms. Kimberly Honahnie (See Phoenix Area).
Arizona
Texas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Content and Form Submission

    Each applicant will be responsible for submitting a completed 
application (Forms IHS-856-1, through 856-8) and one copy to their IHS 
Area Scholarship Coordinator. Electronic applications are being 
accepted for this cycle. Go to www.scholarship.ihs.gov for more 
information on how to apply electronically. The application will be 
considered complete if the following documents (original and one copy) 
are included.
     Completed and signed application Checklist.
     Original Signed complete application form IHS-856 (for 
continuation students--Data Sheet in place of IHS-856).
     Current Letter of Acceptance from College/Proof of 
application to Health Professions Program.
     Official transcripts for all colleges (or high school 
transcripts for applicants who have not taken college courses).
     Cumulative GPA: Applicants calculations.
     Documents for Indian Eligibility.
    A. If you are a member of a Federally recognized Tribe or Alaska 
Native (recognized by the Secretary of the Interior), provide evidence 
of membership such as:

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    (1) Certification of Tribal enrollment by the Secretary of the 
Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA 
Certification: Form 4432--Category A or D, whichever is applicable); or
    (2) In the absence of BIA certification, documentation that you 
meet requirements of Tribal membership as prescribed by the charter, 
articles of incorporation or other legal instrument of the Tribe and 
have been officially designated as a Tribal member as evidenced by an 
accompanying document signed by an authorized Tribal official, or
    (3) Other evidence of Tribal membership satisfactory to the 
Secretary of the Interior.
    B. If you are a member of a Tribe terminated since 1940 or a State 
recognized Tribe and first or second degree descendant, provide 
official documentation that you meet the requirements of Tribal 
membership as prescribed by the charter, articles of incorporation or 
other legal instrument of the Tribe and have been officially designated 
as a Tribal member as evidenced by an accompanying document signed by 
an authorized Tribal official; or other evidence, satisfactory to the 
Secretary of the Interior, that you are a member of the Tribe. In 
addition, if the terminated or state recognized Tribe of which you are 
a member is not on a list of such Tribes published by the Secretary of 
the Interior in the Federal Register, you must submit an official 
signed document that the Tribe has been terminated since 1940 or is 
recognized by the state in which the Tribe is located in accordance 
with the law of that state.
    C. If you are not a Tribal member but are a natural child or 
grandchild of a Tribal member, from a Federally recognized tribe, you 
must submit: (1) Evidence of that fact, e.g., your birth certificate 
and/or your parent's birth certificate showing the name of the Tribal 
member; and (2) evidence of your parent's or grandparent's Tribal 
membership in accordance with paragraphs A and B. The relationship to 
the Tribal member must be clearly documented. Failure to submit the 
required documentation will result in the application not being 
accepted for review.

    Note: If you meet the criteria of B or C you are eligible only 
for the Preparatory or Pregraduate Scholarships.

     Two Faculty/Employee Evaluations with original signature.
     Reasons for Requesting the Scholarship.
     Delinquent Debt Form.
     2009 W-4 Form with original signature.
     Course Curriculum Verification with original signature.
     Acknowledgement Card.
     Curriculum for Major.
    Health Professions Applicants Only:
     Health Related Experience (MPH only)--Optional Form.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Receipt Date: The application deadline for new 
applicants is Saturday, March 28, 2009. Applications (original and one 
copy) shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received 
by the appropriate IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator on the deadline 
date or postmarked on or before the deadline date. Applicants should 
request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a 
legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. 
Private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of timely 
mailing and will not be considered for funding. Once the application is 
received, the applicant will receive an ``Acknowledgement of Receipt of 
Application'' (IHS-815) card that is included in the application 
packet.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not 
applicable to this program.

5. Funding Restrictions

    No more that 5% of available funds will be used for part-time 
scholarships this fiscal year. Students are considered part-time if 
they are enrolled for a minimum of six hours of instruction and are not 
considered in full-time status by their college/university. 
Documentation must be received from part-time applicants that their 
school and course curriculum allows less that full-time status. Both 
part-time and full-time scholarship awards will be made in accordance 
with 42 CFR Parts 136.320, 136.330 and 136.370 incorporated in the 
application materials; and for Health Professions Scholarship Program 
for Indians.

6. Other Submissions Requirements

    New Applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting an 
application packet from their IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator. The 
Division of Grant Operations will mail continuation students an 
application packet. If you do not receive this information please 
contact your IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator to request a continuation 
application.
    Continuing students must submit a complete application (original 
plus one copy) and meet the deadline of Saturday, February 28, 2009; 
there will be no exceptions.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and scored with the following 
criteria.
     Needs of the IHS (health personnel needs in Indian 
Country) (30 points)
    Applicants are considered for scholarship awards based on their 
desired career goals and how these goals relate to current Indian 
health personnel needs. Applications for each health career category 
are reviewed and ranked separately.
     Academic Performance (40 points)
    Applicants are rated according to their academic performance as 
evidenced by transcripts and faculty evaluations. In cases where a 
particular applicant's school has a policy not to rank students 
academically, faculty members are asked to provide a personal judgment 
of the applicant's achievement. Health Professions applicants with a 
cumulative GPA below 2.0 are not eligible for award.
     Faculty/Employer Recommendations (30 points)
    Applicants are rated according to evaluations by faculty members, 
current and/or former employers and Tribal officials regarding the 
applicant's potential in the chosen health related professions.
     Stated Reasons for Asking for the Scholarship and Stated 
Career Goals (30 points)
    Applicants must provide a brief written explanation of reasons for 
asking for the scholarship and of their career goals. The applicant's 
narrative will be judged on how well it is written and its content.
     Applicants who are closest to graduation or completion of 
training are awarded first. For example, senior and junior applicants 
under the Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship receives funding 
before freshmen and sophomores.
     Priority Categories
    The following is a list of health professions that will be 
considered for funding in each scholarship program in FY 2009.
     Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarships
    A. Pre-Clinical Psychology (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
    B. Pre-Dietetics (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
    C. Pre-Medical Technology (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).

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    D. Pre-Nursing.
    E. Pre-Occupational Therapy.
    F. Pre-Pharmacy.
    G. Pre-Physical Therapy (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
    H. Pre-Social Work (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
     Indian Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarships
    A. Pre-Dentistry.
    B. Pre-Medicine.
    C. Pre-Podiatiy.
    D. Pre-Optometry.
     Indian Health Professions Scholarship
    A. Chemical Dependency Counseling: Baccalaureate and Master's 
Level.
    B. Clinical Psychology: PhD Program.
    C. Dental Hygiene: B.S.
    D. Dentistry: D.D.S. and D.M.D.
    E. Diagnostic Radiology Technology: Certificate, Associates and 
B.S.
    F. Dietitian: B.S.
    G. Environmental Health & Engineering: B.S.
    H. Health Records: R.H.I.T. and R.H.I.A.
    I. Medical Technology: B.S.
    J. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
    K. Nurse: Associate and Bachelor Degrees and advanced degrees in 
Psychiatry, Geriatric, Women's Health, Pediatric Nursing, Nurse 
Anesthetist, and Nurse Practitioner.
    *(Priority consideration will be given to Registered Nurses 
employed by the IHS; in a program conducted under a contract or compact 
entered into under the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education 
Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638) and its amendments; or in a program 
assisted under Title V of the IHCIA).
    L. Occupational Therapy: B.S. or Masters.
    M. Optometry: O.D.
    N. Pharmacy: Pharm.D.
    O. Physician Assistant: PAC.
    P. Physical Therapy Assistant: Associate Degree.
    Q. Physical Therapy: M.S. and D.P.T.
    R. Podiatry: D.P.M.
    S. Respiratory Therapy: BS Degree.
    T. Social Work: Masters Level only (Direct Practice and Clinical 
concentrations).
    U. Ultrasonography (Prerequisite: Diagnostic Radiology Technology).

2. Review and Selection Process

    The applications will be reviewed and scored by the JHS Scholarship 
Program's Application Review Committee appointed by the IHS. Each 
reviewer will not be allowed to review an application from his/her area 
or his/her own Tribe. Each application will be reviewed by three 
reviewers. The average score of the three reviews provides the final 
Ranking Score for each applicant. To determine the ranking of each 
applicant, these scores are sorted from the highest to the lowest 
within each scholarship, health discipline, date of graduation, and 
score. If several students have the same date of graduation and score 
within the same discipline, computer ranking list will randomly sort 
and will not be sorted by alphabetical name. Selections for 
recommendations to the Director, IHS, are then made from the top of 
each ranking list to the extent that funds allocated by the IHS among 
the three scholarships are available for obligation.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    It is anticipated that applicants will be notified in writing 
during the first week of July 2009. An Award Letter will be issued to 
successful applicants. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in 
writing, which will include a brief explanation of the reasons the 
application was not successful and provide the name of the IHS official 
to contact if more information is desired.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Regulations at 42 CFR 136.304 provide that the IHS shall, from time 
to time, publish a list of health professions eligible for 
consideration for the award of Indian Health Professions Preparatory 
and Pregraduate Scholarships and Indian Health Professions Scholarship. 
Section 104(b)(1) of the IHCIA, as amended by the Indian Health Care 
Amendment of 1988, Public Law 100-713, authorizes the IHS to determine 
specific health professions for which Indian Health Scholarships will 
be awarded.
    Awards for the Indian Health Professions Scholarships will be made 
in Accordance with 42 CFR 136.330.
    Recipients shall incur a service obligation prescribed under 
section 338A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 2541) which 
shall be met by service:
    (1) In the IHS;
    (2) in a program conducted under a contract or compact entered into 
under the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance Act 
(Pub. L. 93-638) and its amendments;
    (3) in a program assisted under Title V of the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act (Pub. L. 94-437) and its amendments; or
    (4) in a private practice option of his or her profession, if the 
practice (a) is situated in a health professional shortage area, 
designated in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services (Secretary) and (b) addresses the health care needs of a 
substantial number (51%) of Indians as determined by the Secretary in 
accordance with guidelines of the Service.
    Pursuant to the Indian Health Amendments of 1992, (Pub. L. 102-
573), a recipient of an Indian Health Professions Scholarship may, at 
the election of the recipient, meet his/her active duty service 
obligation prescribed under section 338A of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 2541) by a program specified in options (1)(4) above 
that:
    (i) Is located on the reservation of the Tribe in which the 
recipient is enrolled; or
    (ii) Serves the Tribe in which the recipient is enrolled.
    In summary, all recipients of the Indian Health Professions 
Scholarship are reminded that recipients of this scholarship incur a 
service obligation. Moreover, this obligation shall be served at a 
facility determined by the Director, IHS, consistent with IHCIA, Public 
Law 94-437, as amended by Public Law 100-713, and Public Law 102-573.

3. Reporting

    Scholarship Program Minimum Academic Requirements
    It is the policy of the IHS that a scholarship recipient awarded 
under the Health Professions Scholarship Program of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average 
(GPA) each semester/quarter and maintain full-time student status 
(minimum of 12 credit hours considered by your school as full-time). A 
recipient of a scholarship under the Health Professions Pre-Graduate 
and Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship authority must maintain 
good academic standing each semester/quarter and be a full-time student 
(minimum of 12 credit hours or the number of credit hours considered by 
your school as full time). In addition to the two requirements stated 
above, a Health Professions Scholarship program grantee must be 
enrolled in an approved/accredited school for a health professions 
degree. Part-time students for the three scholarship programs must also 
maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and must take at least six credit hours 
each semester/quarter but less than the number of hours considered 
full-time by your school. Scholarship grantees must be approved for 
part-time status at the time of scholarship award. Scholarship grantees 
may not change from part-time

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status to full-time status or vice versa in the same academic year.
    The following reports must be sent to the IHS Scholarship Program 
at the identified time frame. Each scholarship grantee will be provided 
with an IHS Scholarship Handbook where the needed reports are located. 
If a scholarship grantee fails to submit these reports as required, 
they will be ineligible for continuation of scholarship support and 
scholarship award payments will be discontinued.
    A. Recipient's Enrollment and Initial Progress Report Within thirty 
(30) days from the beginning of each semester or quarter, scholarship 
grantees must submit a Recipient's Enrollment and Initial Progress 
Report (Form IHS-856-10, page 63 of the student handbook).

B. Transcripts

    Within thirty (30) days from the end of each academic period, i.e., 
semester, quarter, or summer session, scholarship grantees must submit 
an Official Transcript showing the results of the classes taken during 
that period.

C. Notification of Academic Problem/Change

    If at any time during the semester/quarter, scholarship grantees 
are advised to reduce the number of credit hours for which they are 
enrolled below the minimum of the 12 (or the number of hours considered 
by their school as full time) for a full-time student or at least six 
hours for part-time students; or if they experience academic problems, 
they must submit this report (Form IHS 856-11, page 65 of the student 
handbook).

D. Change of Status

     Change of Academic Status
    Scholarship Grantees must immediately notify the IHS Area 
Scholarship Coordinator if they are placed on academic probation, 
dismissed from school, or voluntarily withdraw for any reason (personal 
or medical).
     Change of Health Discipline
    Scholarship Grantees may not change from the approved IHS 
Scholarship Program health discipline during the school year. If an 
unapproved change is made, scholarship payments will be discontinued.
     Change in Graduation Date
    Any time that a change occurs in a scholarship grantee's expected 
graduation date, they must notify their 1115 Area Scholarship 
Coordinator immediately in writing. Justification must be attached from 
the school advisor.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Please address application inquiries to the appropriate IHS Area 
Scholarship Coordinator. Other programmatic inquiries may be addressed 
to Dr. Dawn Kelly, Chief, Scholarship Program, 801 Thompson Avenue, 
Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Telephone (301) 443-6622. (This 
is not a toll-free number). For grants information, contact the Grants 
Scholarship Coordinator, Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health 
Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852; 
Telephone (301) 443-0243. (This is not a toll-free number).

VIII. Other Information

    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2010, a PHS-led activity for setting priority areas. This program 
announcement is related to the priority area of Education and 
Community-Based Programs. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of 
Healthy People 2010, (Full Report; Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or 
Healthy People 2010 (Summary Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through 
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, 
Washington, DC 20402-9325 [Telephone (202) 783-3238].
    Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible 
health and allied professions is effective for applicants for the 2009-
2010 academic year. These priorities will remain in effect until 
superseded. Applicants for health and allied health professions not on 
the above priority list will be considered pending the availability of 
funds and dependent upon the availability of qualified applicants in 
the priority areas.

    Dated: February 19, 2009.
Robert G. McSwain,
Director, Indian Health Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-3941 Filed 2-24-09; 8:45 am]
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