[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38592-38593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16156]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Solicitation of Applications and Notice of Funding Availability 
for Reducing the Effects of Traumatic Exposure to Grade Crossing and 
Trespasser Incidents on Train Crews

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funds availability, solicitation of applications.

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SUMMARY: Under this notice, FRA is soliciting applications from 
interested and responsible parties for a grant to assess the 
applicability of current knowledge about post traumatic interventions 
and to advance evidence-based recommendations for controlling the risks 
associated with traumatic exposure in the railroad setting.

DATES: FRA will begin accepting applications immediately after 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. FRA will accept 
applications for this grant opportunity until August 16, 2010. Reviews 
will be conducted immediately following the solicitation close date and 
selection announcements will be made promptly.

ADDRESSES: Applications for grants under this Program must be submitted 
electronically to Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) following the 
detailed procedures in the grant application package online. The 
Grants.gov Web site allows organizations to find and apply 
electronically for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal 
grant-making agencies. Any entity wishing to submit an application 
pursuant to this notice should immediately initiate the process of 
registering with Grants.Gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical inquiries should be directed 
to Mr. Michael Coplen, Human Factors Program Manager, FRA, Mail Stop 
20, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 (Phone: (202)

[[Page 38593]]

493-6346; e-mail: [email protected]). Non-technical inquiries 
should be directed to Ms. Jennifer Capps, Grants Officer, Office of 
Acquisition and Grants Services, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590 (Phone: (202) 493-0112; e-mail: 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA's Office of Research and Development and 
Office of Railroad Safety are concerned about the health and safety of 
train crews who witness traumatic events from grade crossing and 
trespasser incidents. These incidents carry the risk of exposure to the 
sort of situations known to trigger severe emotional and psychological 
distress, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the more 
immediate Acute Distress Disorder (ASD). FRA seeks to fund a grant 
assessing the applicability of current knowledge about post traumatic 
interventions and to advance evidence-based recommendations for 
controlling the risks associated with traumatic exposure in the 
railroad setting. The selected entity will develop one or more program 
designs suitable for implementation by rail carriers in partnership 
with their respective unions and researchers. FRA's Office of Research 
and Development has $50,000 available in fiscal year 2010 to fund a 
grant for the initial development of an intervention plan for reducing 
the effects of traumatic exposure to grade crossing and trespasser 
incidents in particular. Additional funding may be available in future 
years for expansion and implementation of the intervention.
    Eligible Organizations. Any individual or organization with 
previous experience designing and implementing a PTSD intervention 
program, along with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to 
carry out the proposed research as the project director/principal 
investigator, is invited to develop an application for support.
    Selection Criteria. Proposals submitted under this notice must, at 
a minimum, satisfy the following requirement: The principal 
investigator(s) identified to lead the technical effort under this 
program must have demonstrated experience working with employees and 
employers to successfully implement programs mediating the effects of 
employees' exposure to trauma. Proposals that meet the minimum 
qualifications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
    1. Key Personnel and Supporting Organization. The technical 
qualifications and demonstrated experience of key personnel proposed to 
lead and perform the technical efforts (e.g., holding a Ph.D. in 
psychology or related fields, having peer-reviewed publications 
relating to PTSD, ASD, or other trauma interventions); and 
qualifications of primary and supporting organizations to fully and 
successfully execute the proposal plan within the proposed time frame 
and budget.
    2. Technical Merit. Degree to which proposed ideas exhibit a basis 
in established scientific and psychological principles and practices; 
and the perceived likelihood of technical and practical success in a 
railroad environment.
    Requirements and Conditions for Grant Applications. Detailed 
application requirements and conditions may be found in the grant 
application guidance (CFDA Number 20.313) for this solicitation on 
Grants.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 28, 2010.
Mark Yachmetz,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Policy and Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-16156 Filed 7-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P