[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28200-28203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13140]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99100]
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Related Applied Research and
Professional Education Projects; Notice of Availability of Funds
A. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of funds beginning in fiscal year (FY) 1999 for
cooperative agreements to conduct human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
related applied research and professional education in the control and
prevention of HIV. The purpose of this program is to encourage new and
innovative methods to further the prevention of HIV infection. Projects
that will be considered for funding are applied research or
professional education for the control and prevention of HIV. This
program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority areas of HIV
Infection, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Immunization and
Infectious Diseases.
National Program Goals
CDC's national strategic goals for the programs supported by the
National Center for HIV, STDs and TB Prevention are:
1. Increase public understanding of, involvement in, and support
for HIV, STDs, and TB prevention.
2. Ensure completion of therapy for persons identified with active
TB or TB infection.
3. Prevent or reduce behaviors or practices that place persons at
risk for HIV and STDs infection or, if already infected, place others
at risk.
4. Increase individual knowledge of HIV sero status and improve
referral systems to appropriate prevention and treatment services.
5. Assist in building and maintaining the necessary State, local,
and community infrastructure and technical capacity to carry out
necessary prevention programs.
6. Strengthen the current systems and develop new systems to
accurately monitor HIV, STDs, and TB, as a basis for assessing and
directing prevention programs.
B. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants will include universities, colleges, research
institutions, hospitals, public and private non-profit organizations,
community-based, national, and regional organizations, State and local
governments or their bona fide agents or instrumentalities, federally
recognized Indian Tribal governments, Indian tribes or organizations.
Note: Pub. L. 104-65 states that an organization described in
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan,
or any other form.
C. Availability of Funds
Approximately $500,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund
approximately four awards. It is expected that the average award will
be $125,000, ranging from $100,000-$300,000. Funding estimates
[[Page 28201]]
are subject to change. It is expected that awards will begin in
September, 1999, and will be made for a 12 month budget period within a
project period of up to three years. Funding estimates are subject to
change. Continued support in future years will be based on the
availability of funds and success in demonstrating progress toward
achievement of objectives.
Program Priority Areas
Funding Priorities
Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed funding
priorities. All comments received within 30 days after publication in
the Federal Register will be considered before the final funding
priority is established. If the funding priority changes because of
comments received, a revised announcement will be published in the
Federal Register, and revised applications will be accepted before the
final selections are made. Address comments to the Grants Management
Specialist listed in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information''
section of this announcement.
1. Among HIV-infected persons receiving medical care, prevent
development of opportunistic infections and prevent or delay
progression to AIDS and death.
2. Develop, pilot, evaluate, and transfer technology of HIV rapid
testing and counseling strategies.
3. Among national organizations representing health professionals
who provide prenatal or neonatal care, assist in the national
dissemination of perinatal HIV transmission information, resources, and
interventions to pediatricians, obstetricians, family practitioners,
nurse practitioners, and other health care providers.
4. The identification and characterization of recently HIV-infected
persons in specific populations or geographic areas; or the assessment
of HIV incidence in selected high-risk populations or social networks
in geographically-defined communities where HIV incidence is known or
expected to be high; or use of HIV incidence data to evaluate
prevention interventions.
5. Develop and implement methods to improve access to care of HIV-
infected person and to reduce HIV associated morbidity and mortality
among persons in medical care.
6. Pilot test, implement, and evaluate perinatal HIV transmission
prevention programs to domestic and global prevention partners, e.g.,
ministries of health, UNAIDS, UNICEF.
D. Program Requirements
Recipient activities to achieve the purposes of this program will
vary by project. CDC will be responsible for the activities under CDC
Activities.
1. Recipient Activities (applied research).
a. Complete the development of the research protocol.
b. Carry out the activities according to the approved protocol.
c. Ensure that appropriate approvals are secured for the protection
of human subjects, Office of Management and Budget and Paperwork
Reduction Act, privacy, confidentiality, and data security.
d. Compile and disseminate findings.
2. Recipient Activities (professional education).
a. Develop and disseminate HIV prevention education and training
programs and materials.
b. Evaluate the materials and their dissemination.
c. Report and disseminate results and recommendations and relevant
HIV prevention and education and training information to appropriate
health-care providers, HIV/AIDS prevention and service organizations,
and the general public.
3. CDC Activities.
a. Monitor and evaluate scientific and operational accomplishments
of the project through periodic site visits, frequent telephone calls,
and review of technical reports and interim data analysis.
b. For recipients whose project involves collaboration with a State
or local health department, CDC will assist in facilitating the
planning and implementation of the necessary linkages with local or
State health departments and assist with the developmental strategies
for applied clinical or prevention oriented research programs.
c. Facilitate the technological and methodological dissemination of
successful prevention and intervention models among appropriate target
groups, such as, State and local health departments, community based
organizations, and other health professionals.
d. As requested, provide technical assistance in planning and
evaluating strategies and protocols.
E. Application Content
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Potential applicants must submit an original and two copies of a
two-page typewritten Letter of Intent (LOI) that briefly describes the
title of the project, purpose and need for the project, and funding
priority which it addresses. Current recipients of CDC funding must
provide the award number and title of the funded programs. No
attachments, booklets, or other documents accompanying the LOI will be
considered.
LOI's will be reviewed by CDC program staff and an invitation to
submit a full application will be made based on the documented need for
the proposed project, relationship to funding priorities, and the
availability of funds. LOI's may focus on more than one programmatic
priority area.
An invitation to submit a full application does not constitute a
commitment by CDC to fund the applicant.
Application
Applications may be submitted only after a Letter of Intent has
been approved by CDC and a written invitation from CDC has been
extended to the prospective applicant. Applicants who are invited to
submit a full application must submit the original and five copies of
PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-0001) (adhere to the instructions on the
Errata Instruction Sheet for PHS 398). Forms are in the application
kit. The application narrative should consist of:
1. Abstract (Not to exceed 1 page): An executive summary of your
program covered under this announcement, specifying whether your
program is applied research or professional education.
2. Program Plan (Not to exceed 10 pages): In developing the
application under this announcement, please review the recipient
activities and, in particular, evaluation criteria and respond
concisely and completely.
3. Budget: Submit an itemized budget and supporting justification
that is consistent with your proposed program plan.
F. Submission and Deadlines
Letter of Intent (LOI)
One Original and Two Copies of the LOI must be postmarked on or
before June 21, 1999. (Facsimiles Are Not Acceptable.)
Application
Submit the original and five copies of the application on Form PHS
398 (OMB Number 0925-0001). Forms are available at the following
Internet address: HTTP://WWW.CDC.GOV/OD/PGO/FROMINFO.HTM or in the
application kit. On or before July 23, 1999, submit your application to
the Grants Management Specialist listed in
[[Page 28202]]
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this
announcement.
Deadline: Letters of Intent and Applications shall be considered as
meeting the deadline if they are either:
1. Received on or before the deadline date, or
2. Postmarked on or before the deadline date and received in time
for submission to the objective review committee. (Applicants must
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 shall not be acceptable as proof of timely
mailing.)
Applications that do not meet these criteria are considered late
applications and will be returned to the applicant without review.
G. Evaluation Criteria
Letters of Intent responding to this announcement will be evaluated
on the documented need for the proposed activities and the relationship
to the listed funding priorities.
Each application will be evaluated individually against the
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
1. Applied Research
a. The inclusion of a brief review of the scientific literature
pertinent to the study being proposed and specific research questions
or hypotheses that will guide the research. The originality and need
for the proposed research, the extent to which it does not replicate
past or present research efforts, and how findings will be used to
guide prevention and control efforts. (25 points)
b. The quality of the plans to develop and implement the study,
including the degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial
groups in the proposed research. This includes:
(1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
(2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or
absent.
(3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate
to measure differences when warranted.
(4) A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and
outreach for study participants include the process of establishing
partnerships with communities and recognition of mutual benefits. (25
points)
c. Extent to which proposed activities, if well executed, support
attaining project objectives. (25 points).
d. Extent to which personnel involved in this project are
qualified, including evidence of past achievements appropriate to the
project, and realistic and sufficient time commitments. Evidence of
adequacy of facilities and other resources supported to carry out the
project. (25 points).
e. Other (not scored).
(1) Budget: Will be reviewed to determine the extent to which it is
reasonable, clearly justified, consistent with the intended use of the
funds, and allowable. All budget categories should be itemized.
(2) Human Subjects: Does the application adequately address the
requirements of Title 45 CFR part 46 for the protection of human
subjects?
2. Professional Education
a. Extent to which the applicant demonstrates the scientific
soundness of the technology to be transferred. (25 points)
b. The extent to which the applicant's description of the proposed
material relates to HIV prevention and education, responds to a
specific public health need, and can be expected to influence public
health practices. (25 points)
c. The adequacy and commitment of institutional resources to
administer the program. (25 points)
d. The degree to which the application demonstrates that all key
personnel have education and expertise relative to its objectives. (25
points)
e. Budget: Will be reviewed to determine the extent to which it is
reasonable, clearly justified, consistent with the intended use of the
funds, and allowable. All budget categories should be itemized.
Funding decisions on approved applications will depend on the area
of interest of the proposals, their relationship to NCHSTP National
Program Goals, and the quality of the application.
H. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements Provide CDC with original plus two
copies of:
1. An annual progress report,
2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of
the budget period, and
3. Final financial status report and performance report, no more
than 90 days after the end of the project period.
Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this
announcement.
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
program. For a complete description of each, see attachment 1 in the
application kit.
AR-1--Human Subjects Requirements (applied research only)
AR-2--Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Research
Requirements (applied research only)
AR-4--HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-5--HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-6--Patient Care Prohibitions
AR-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11--Healthy People 2000
AR-12--Lobbying Restrictions
I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act,
section 317(k)(2)(42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)), as amended. The Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance numbers are 93.941, HIV Demonstration,
Research, Public and Professional Education; 93.943, Epidemiologic
Research Studies of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Selected Population Groups.
J. Where to Obtain Additional Information
To receive additional written information and to request an
application kit, call 1-888-472-6874. You will be asked to leave your
name and address and will be instructed to identify the announcement of
interest.
This and other CDC announcements are also available through the CDC
home page on the Internet. The address for the CDC home page is HTTP://
www.cdc.gov.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from: Sheryl Disler, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920
Brandywine Road, Mailstop E-15, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146,
telephone (770) 488-2756 or facsimile at (770) 488-2777, or INTERNET
address: HTTP://[email protected]
You may obtain programmatic technical assistance from: Peggy Bloom,
National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30333,
Telephone (404) 639-0927, INTERNET
[[Page 28203]]
address: HTTP://[email protected]
Dated: May 19, 1999.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-13140 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P