80_FR_53912 80 FR 53739 - National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Endowments

80 FR 53739 - National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Endowments

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 173 (September 8, 2015)

Page Range53739-53747
FR Document2015-22018

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is issuing regulations governing the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) endowment grants awarded to section 736 and section 464z-4 Centers of Excellence to facilitate minority health disparities research and other health disparities research.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53739-53747]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22018]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

42 CFR Part 52i

[Docket Number NIH-2007-0931]
RIN 0925-AA61


National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities 
Research Endowments

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human 
Services.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is issuing regulations 
governing the National Institute on Minority Health and Health 
Disparities (NIMHD) endowment grants awarded to section 736 and section 
464z-4 Centers of Excellence to facilitate minority health disparities 
research and other health disparities research.

DATES: This final rule is effective October 8, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Moore, NIH Regulations Officer, 
Office of Management Assessment, NIH, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Room 
601, MSC 7669, Rockville, MD 20852; by email at [email protected]; by 
fax on 301-401-0169 (not a toll free number); or by telephone on 301-
496-4607 (not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 464z-3 (42 U.S.C. 285t) of the 
Public Health Service (PHS) Act authorizes the Director of the NIMHD to 
carry out a program to facilitate minority health disparities research 
and other health disparities research by providing research endowments 
to eligible centers of excellence under sections 736 and 464z-4 of the 
PHS Act. The program is called the NIMHD Research Endowment Program 
(Endowment Program). The objective of the Endowment Program is to build 
research and training capacity and infrastructure at eligible section 
736 health professions schools (42 U.S.C. 293) and section 464z-4 
biomedical and behavioral research institutions (42 U.S.C. 285t-1) to 
facilitate minority health and other health disparities research to 
close the disparity gap in the burden of illness and death experienced 
by racial and ethnic minority Americans and other health disparity 
populations. Endowment Program activities may include strengthening the 
research

[[Page 53740]]

infrastructure through the renovation of facilities, purchasing of 
state-of-the-art instruments and equipment, and enhancing information 
technology; enhancing the academic environment by recruiting a diverse 
faculty and creating relevant courses in such topics as research 
methodology and health disparities as additions to the existing 
curriculum; enhancing recruitment of individuals currently 
underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social 
sciences; or other relevant activities.
    Section 464z-4 of the PHS Act authorizes the NIMHD Director to make 
awards to designated biomedical and behavioral research institutions, 
alone or as a participant in a consortium, that meet certain criteria 
for the purpose of assisting the institutions in supporting programs of 
excellence in training for individuals who are members of minority 
health disparity populations or other health disparity populations. 
This program is called the NIMHD Centers of Excellence Program. Section 
464z-4(f) of the PHS Act permits the NIMHD Director to expend a portion 
of such an award for research endowment.
    To be eligible to apply for the Endowment Program, Centers of 
Excellence (funded under section 736 or section 464z-4 of the PHS Act) 
must have an institutional endowment that is equal to or less than 50 
percent of the national median of endowment funds at institutions that 
conduct similar biomedical research and training of health 
professionals. Endowment Program applications filed by institutions 
meeting eligibility requirements undergo peer review by outside experts 
to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of the proposed 
activities and the adequacy of the endowment fund management plan. 
Reviewers use the criteria of significance, investigators, innovation, 
approach, and environment to determine the overall impact of the 
application. After receiving an Endowment Program award, a grantee must 
provide documentation to the NIMHD over a 20-year period regarding 
endowment fund activity, including investments, income, and 
expenditures for activities consistent with its strategic plan.
    This final rule specifies the endowment research grants or 
endowment portion of an award to which the regulations apply (section 
52i.1), the definitions (section 52i.2), who is eligible (section 
52i.3) and how to apply for a grant under the program (section 52i.5), 
and under what conditions an eligible institution that is a recipient 
may transfer to a foundation a research endowment grant (section 
52i.4). Additionally, the final rule specifies how endowment grant 
applications will be evaluated (section 52i.6), the nature of the grant 
awards (52i.7), how much endowment fund income a grantee may withdraw 
and spend and for what purpose (sections 52i.9 and 52i.10), what a 
grantee must record and report (section 52i.11), and when and for what 
purposes a grantee may spend the endowment fund corpus (section 52i.8). 
This final rule also specifies what happens if a grantee fails to 
administer the research endowment grant in accordance with applicable 
regulations (section 52i.12), what other HHS policies and regulations 
apply (section 52i.13), and what additional conditions the NIMHD 
Director may impose when, in the Director's judgment, the conditions 
are necessary (section 52i.14).
    NIH announced its intentions to take this rulemaking action, 
through HHS, in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled 
``National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research 
Endowments'' published in the Federal Register on June 14, 2013 (78 FR 
35837-35844). In the NPRM, we provided a sixty day public comment 
period. The comment period expired August 13, 2013. We received a total 
of five comments, two of which were identical.
    Three respondents, two of whom submitted identical comments, 
expressed general support for the regulations. One of these respondents 
cited the importance of clarity regarding eligibility, the application 
process, and other required terms and conditions. The other two 
respondents discussed health disparities in the United States and 
research as a means to support health equity for all people in the 
United States. These supportive comments did not result in any 
necessary changes to this final rule.
    One respondent stated that the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) should require all municipalities and States that 
receive Federal funds from HHS for the provision of health care to 
notify HHS of the reasons for not considering or exploring solicited or 
non-solicited health disparities proposals they have received within 90 
days. Since this comment is not related to any of the provisions of the 
Endowment Program, we did not consider the comment relevant to this 
rulemaking.
    A fifth respondent provided comments addressing a number of issues 
relevant to the rulemaking, which are discussed below. This respondent 
requested clarification of the definition of a ``Center of 
Excellence,'' specifically, whether the act of receiving funds under 
section 736 or section 464z-4 is necessary for an institution to meet 
the definition of a Center of Excellence for purposes of the Endowment 
Program. The designation as a Center of Excellence for the purposes of 
the Endowment Program requires both receiving funding under section 736 
or section 464z-4 of the Public Health Service Act and meeting certain 
specific nonfinancial institutional operational requirements as 
specified in section 736(c)(2)-(5) or section 464z-4(c)(1), 
respectively. The funding component of the definition in section 52i.2 
is intended to clarify that an institution must be an active Center of 
Excellence under section 736 or section 464z-4 to be eligible for an 
endowment grant under this program. An institution is not eligible 
merely because it may be able to satisfy the nonfinancial requirements 
to qualify for funding under section 736 or section 464z-4.
    This respondent also requested that institutions be allowed to 
apply for another Endowment Program grant prior to their last year of 
funding. We disagree with the comment. The intent of the language in 
the regulation is to prevent an eligible entity with an active award 
from having more than a single endowment grant at any given time.
    This respondent additionally inquired whether awardee institutions 
may now directly conduct health disparities research projects instead 
of capacity building for the conduct of research projects because 
Endowment Program applications undergo scientific peer review. This is 
not the case. At the NIH, the peer review of applications determines 
the technical and scientific merit of the proposed project. The process 
of peer review does not in itself convey any meaning regarding the 
particular activities allowed under a grant program. The Endowment 
Program supports the development of research infrastructure and 
capacity which is the underpinning of the conduct of research projects.
    This respondent raised concerns regarding the scientific peer 
review of applications and the expertise of the members of the review 
groups, suggesting that applicants be able to suggest potential 
candidates for each review group. We disagree with the comment. One of 
the hallmarks of the NIH is objective, peer review of applications for 
financial support. The organizational units within NIH that are 
responsible for the review of applications take deliberate steps to 
ensure that the reviewers have the appropriate expertise for the

[[Page 53741]]

applications to be reviewed. Allowing applicants to suggest potential 
reviewers would interfere with NIH procedures designed to prevent 
possible financial and scientific conflicts of interest in the review 
of applications.
    This respondent also expressed the belief that requiring the 
endowment fund corpus to be maintained for 20 years after the end of 
the award period is too restrictive, suggesting that awardees be given 
greater flexibility and allowed to expend a proportion of the endowment 
fund corpus earlier than 20 years. We disagree with the comment. 
Institutional endowments, in general, are designed to create a long-
term asset capable of generating income for an extended period of time. 
Since the focus of the Endowment Program is to build institutional 
capacity and infrastructure to conduct health disparities research, any 
diminution of the endowment corpus in the short-term would be at odds 
with the goals and objectives of the Endowment Program.
    This respondent requested clarity on what actions would satisfy the 
requirement that awardees take ``appropriate actions'' in cases where 
the investments have eroded into the value of the endowment corpus. We 
have not specified a strict definition for ``appropriate actions'' in 
order to allow each institution the flexibility to manage their 
endowment funds effectively. Certainly, a review and change of 
investment strategy to a more conservative approach would be an option. 
A temporary suspension of investment due to adverse market conditions 
could also be an appropriate action. We did not want to be 
prescriptive, but would expect actions to be reasonable and consistent 
with prevailing practices in the management of institutional 
endowments.
    This respondent also inquired as to whether management costs for 
the endowment fund can be paid from the endowment fund itself. Section 
52i.11(a)(4) of the proposed rule provided that expenses and charges 
associated with the management of the endowment funds may be paid from 
``the grant funds.'' Since the endowment fund corpus cannot be used for 
this purpose, section 52i.11(a)(4) has been amended to replace ``the 
grant funds'' with ``endowment fund income'' to clarify the issue. 
Awardees are expected to ensure that those costs are appropriately 
recorded.
    This respondent suggested adding a reference to an ``institution's 
policies and procedures'' to section 52i.9(b) regarding the expenditure 
of endowment fund income. We disagree with the comment. Section 
52i.7(b) already specifies the need for the awardee to adhere to the 
institution's spending rules and policies, provided that such spending 
rules are not inconsistent with applicable federal regulations and 
policies.
    This respondent requested clarification on the timing for the 
filing of the final Financial Status Report under section 52.11(d). 
Upon approval of an application for the Endowment Program, NIMHD agrees 
to provide financial support for a specified project period, usually 
five years. Due to the unique nature of the program, it is reasonable 
for the long-term reporting requirement to begin at the end of the 
project period. To clarify the filing requirement, section 52i.11(d) 
has been amended to replace ``date of the original award'' with ``end 
of the project period.'' In addition, sections 52i.7(e) and 52i.8(a) 
have been amended in a consistent manner to replace ``date of award'' 
with ``end of the project period.''
    Finally, with regard to actions that may be taken if a grantee 
fails to administer the endowment in accordance to the regulations, 
this respondent believes that the awardee should be given an 
opportunity to rectify an error, unless such an error or failure was 
intentional. We agree with the comment with the following 
qualification. The specific language in section 52i.12 is consistent 
with the financial stewardship responsibilities of the Federal 
government. The opportunity for a full and fair hearing is provided and 
the Director of NIMHD has discretion regarding any action to be taken 
depending on the circumstances of the breach in responsibilities. 
Limiting the range of actions available to the NIH in situations of an 
awardee's poor endowment fund management, even if non-intentional, 
would not be appropriate.
    The published NPRM contained two typographical errors that have 
been corrected in this final rule. First, under the definition of 
``endowment fund'' in section 52i.2, the reference to ``section 464z-
4'' should have been ``section 464z-3'' of the PHS Act. Second, in the 
discussion of the sections of the proposed regulations that contain 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
reference to section ``52i.9'' should have been specified as section 
``52i.9(b)''. That error has been corrected in the final rule, 
consistent with the correct identification of section 52i.9(b) in the 
Reporting part of the Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Burden table included in the NPRM and this final rule. The published 
NPRM contained a table on the cost burdens for reporting and 
recordkeeping for the NIMHD Research Endowment Program. In the final 
rule it has been labeled ``ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN TO THE 
RESPONDENTS FOR REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING UNDER THE NIMHD RESEARCH 
ENDOWMENT PROGRAM.'' An additional column (designated as the 4th) was 
added to the table as ``Average Burden per Respondents (in hours)'' and 
columns 1, 2 3, 5, and 6 were re-titled as ``Final Rule Citations,'' 
``Number of Respondents,'' Number of Responses per Respondent,'' 
``Hourly Wage Rate,'' and ``Total Cost Burden,'' respectively. The 
dollar amounts in the Hourly Wage Rate column were edited to reflect 
the actual cost per hour for responses. In addition, the footnotes for 
the table were edited to be consistent with the table.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act section of the final rule has been 
revised to clarify that while all eligible institutions are considered 
small entities, the impact of the final rule will not exceed five 
percent of revenues of the entities.

Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIA)

    We have examined the impacts of this rule as required by Executive 
Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review (September 30, 1993); 
Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review 
(January 18, 2011); the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612); 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4); and Executive 
Order 13132, Federalism (August 4, 1999).

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, directs 
agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory 
alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory 
approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, 
environmental, public health and safety, and other advantages; 
distributive impacts; and equity). A regulatory impact analysis (RIA) 
must be prepared for major rules with economically significant effects 
($100 million or more in one year). Based on our analysis, we believe 
that the final rule does not constitute an economically significant 
regulatory action. Additionally, if a regulatory action is deemed to 
fall within the scope of the definition of the term ``significant 
regulatory action'' contained in section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, 
pre-publication review by the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required. This 
final

[[Page 53742]]

rule was reviewed under the criteria of Executive Order 12866 and was 
not deemed a ``significant regulatory action.''
    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health, and safety effects; distributive impacts; and equity). 
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both 
costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of 
promoting flexibility.

Benefits

    The final rule will add transparency for potential applicants 
regarding who is eligible and how to apply for a grant under the 
program, how grant applications will be evaluated, and under what 
conditions an eligible institution that is a recipient may transfer to 
a foundation a research endowment grant. Additionally, the final rule 
specifies the nature of the grants, how much endowment fund income a 
grantee may withdraw and for what purpose, what a grantee must record 
and report, and when and for what purposes a grantee may spend the 
endowment fund corpus.
    This final rule also enhances compliance and effective fiduciary 
responsibilities for the federal government. It specifies what happens 
if a grantee fails to administer the research endowment grant in 
accordance with applicable regulations, what other HHS policies and 
regulations apply, and additional conditions the NIMHD Director may 
impose when, in the Director's judgment, the conditions are necessary. 
The Director may, with respect to any grant award, impose additional 
conditions prior to, or at the time of, any award when in the 
Director's judgment the conditions are necessary to ensure the carrying 
out of the purposes of the award, the interests of the public health, 
or the conservation of grant funds.

Costs

    Based on the provisions of the PHS Act, approximately twelve 
Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) are eligible for the NIMHD 
Research Endowment Program. Costs for participation can be subdivided 
into those associated with the application process and those required 
for the necessary recordkeeping. The application process includes a 
competitive submission, as well as noncompetitive progress report for 
those institutions awarded funds under the NIMHD Research Endowment 
Program for subsequent years within the project period. Based on 
estimates provided in the PHS 424 instructions, an average application 
should require approximately 22 hours to complete and 15 hours for a 
subsequent progress report, according to the PHS 2590 instructions. The 
contribution of various professional disciplines such as biomedical 
researchers, contract/grants specialists, and technical staff to the 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements varies. Cost estimates are 
based on a blended analysis of institutional salary structure and 
prevailing market conditions for certain categories of personnel. In 
addition, fiscal year 2012 NIH salary limitations were included in the 
derivation of cost estimates, where applicable.

  Estimated Annualized Cost Burden to the Respondents for Reporting and Recordkeeping Under the NIMHD Research
                                                Endowment Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Average burden
                                     Number of       Number of          per         Hourly wage     Total cost
      Final rule citations          respondents    responses per    respondents      rate \2\       burden \3\
                                        \1\         respondent      (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting:
    Sec.   52i.3(b)(2)..........               4               1               4      \4\ $33.65         $538.40
    Sec.   52i.4(a).............               4               1               1       \5\ 33.65          134.60
    Sec.   52i.4(c).............               4               1               1       \6\ 33.65          134.60
    Sec.   52i.5(a).............               4               1              22      \7\ 163.73       14,408.00
    Sec.   52i.9(b).............               4               1               4       \8\ 86.39        1,382.24
    Sec.   52i.11(b)............              12               1              15      \9\ 118.33       21,300.00
    Sec.   52i.11(d)............              12               1               2     \10\ 100.00        2,400.00
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal................  ..............  ..............              49  ..............       40,297.84
Recordkeeping:
    Sec.   52i.10...............              12               1               2     \11\ 200.00        4,800.00
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(1).........              12               1               2      \12\ 33.65          807.60
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(2).........              12               1               2      \13\ 33.65          807.60
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(3).........              12               1               2      \14\ 33.65          807.60
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(4).........              12               1               2      \15\ 33.65          807.60
    Sec.   52i.11(b)............              12               1               8      \16\ 33.65        3,230.40
        Subtotal................  ..............  ..............              18  ..............       11,260.80
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total...............  ..............  ..............              67  ..............       51,558.64
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There is currently a total of twelve institutions eligible for the NIMHD Research Endowment Program.
  Historically, requests for applications are solicited every three years.
\2\ Average cost per hour.
\3\ Number of respondents x average burden per response x hourly wage rate.
4 5 6 Based on contracts/grants staff costs.
\7\ Based on the contributions of the principal investigator, participating faculty, contracts/grants staff,
  financial investment advisors, and administrative support. Aggregate cost is $173.73/hour.
\8\ Based on principal investigator costs.
\9\ Based on the contributions of the principal investigator, participating faculty, contracts/grants staff,
  financial investment advisors, and administrative support. Aggregate cost is $118.33/hour.
\10\ Based on financial analyst/auditor costs.
\11\ Based on financial investment advisor costs.
12 13 14 15 16 Based on contracts/grants staff costs.


[[Page 53743]]

Alternatives

    The unique and complex nature of the NIMHD Research Endowment 
Program with regard to the management of endowment funds, restrictive 
nature of expenditures, and strict reporting provides a challenge to 
the necessary federal oversight. The final rule provides the guidelines 
for the creation of an operation structure of the institutional 
program. The implementation of the final rule will provide clarity to 
eligible and participating institutions with regard to expectations as 
a grantee under the program, as well as enhance the ability of the 
federal government to ensure the grantees are in compliance with all 
the applicable provisions of the statute.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) requires agencies 
to analyze regulatory options that would minimize any significant 
impact of the rule on small entities. For the purposes of this 
analysis, small entities include small business concerns as defined by 
the Small Business Administration, usually businesses with fewer than 
500 employees. Also a nonprofit entity is defined by the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act as small if it is not dominant in its field, regardless 
of the number of employees. Eligibility requirements of the Research 
Endowment program, as codified in Public Law 111-148, limits the 
universe of potential applicants to approximately twelve institutions 
of higher education (IHEs). Utilizing sources of information such as 
local business bureaus, workforce statistics, and institution Web 
sites, a reasonable determination was made as to the approximate number 
of employees at eligible institutions. The range estimates are from 
175-550 for the smallest institution to 3,976 for the largest and none 
are considered dominant in their field. While all eligible institutions 
are considered small entities, the impact of the final rule will not 
exceed five percent of revenues of the entities. Accordingly, the 
Secretary certifies that this rule will not have a significant impact 
on a significant number of small entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Section 202(a) of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires 
that agencies prepare a written statement, which includes an assessment 
of anticipated costs and benefits, before proposing ``any rule that 
includes any Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation [with base year of 1995]) in any 1 year.'' The current 
inflation-adjusted statutory threshold is approximately $141 million 
based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator. The 
Secretary certifies that this rule does not mandate any spending by 
state, local or tribal government in the aggregate or by the private 
sector. Participation in the NIMHD Research Endowment Program is 
voluntary and not mandated.

Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, Federalism, requires federal agencies to 
consult with state and local government officials in the development of 
regulatory policies with federalism implications. The Secretary 
reviewed this rule as required under the Executive Order and determined 
that it does not have federalism implications. The Secretary certifies 
that this rule will not have an effect on the states or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule contains requirements that are subject to OMB approval 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35). Sections 52i.3(b)(2), 52i.4(a), 52i.4(c), 52i.5(a), 
52i.9(b), 52i.11(b), and 52i.11(d) contain reporting and information 
collection requirements that are subject to OMB approval under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act. Sections 52i.10, 52i.11(a)(1), 52i.11(a)(2), 
52i.11(a)(3), 52i.11(a)(4), and 52i.11(b) contain recordkeeping 
requirements that are subject to OMB review under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act. The title, program description, and respondent 
description of the information collection and recordkeeping 
requirements contained in this rule will be submitted to OMB for 
review. Organizations and individuals can submit comments on the 
information collection and recordkeeping requirements, including the 
burden estimates, to: (1) Seleda Perryman, Project Clearance Officer, 
National Institutes of Health, Rockledge Center 1, 6705 Rockledge 
Drive, Room 3509, Bethesda, MD 29817, telephone 301-594-7949 (not a 
toll-free number); and (2) the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, OMB, [email protected] or by fax to 202-395-6974, and 
mark ``Attention: Desk Officer for the National Institutes of Health, 
Department of Health and Human Services.'' After we obtain OMB 
approval, we will publish the OMB control number in the Federal 
Register.
    Title: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities 
Research Endowments.
    Description: The NIMHD Research Endowment Program builds research 
capacity and research infrastructure in order to facilitate minority 
health research and research regarding other health disparity 
populations at eligible institutions under sections 736 and 464z-4 of 
the PHS Act.
    Respondent Description: Institutions currently funded under Section 
736 or Section 464z-4 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act).

            Estimated Annualized Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden NIMHD Research Endowment Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                    Citations                        Number of     responses per  per respondent   Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting:
    Sec.   52i.3(b)(2)..........................               4               1               4              16
    Sec.   52i.4(a).............................               4               1               1               4
    Sec.   52i.4(c).............................               4               1               1               4
    Sec.   52i.5(a).............................               4               1              22              88
    Sec.   52i.9(b).............................               4               1               4              16
    Sec.   52i.11(b)............................              12               1              15             180
    Sec.   52i.11(d)............................              12               1               2              24
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal................................  ..............  ..............              49             332
Recordkeeping:
    Sec.   52i.10...............................              12               1               2              24

[[Page 53744]]

 
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(1).........................              12               1               2              24
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(2).........................              12               1               2              24
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(3).........................              12               1               2              24
    Sec.   52i.11(a)(4).........................              12               1               2              24
    Sec.   52i.11(b)............................              12               1               8              96
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal................................  ..............  ..............              18             216
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
            Total...............................  ..............  ..............              67             548
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance-numbered program 
applicable to this rule is: 93.307--Minority Health and Health 
Disparities Research.

List of Subjects in 42 CFR Part 52i

    Grant programs--Health, Medical research.

    For reasons described in the preamble, title 42 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations is amended by adding part 52i to read as follows.

PART 52i--NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH 
DISPARITIES RESEARCH ENDOWMENT PROGRAMS

Sec.
52i.1 To what programs does this part apply?
52i.2 Definitions.
52i.3 Who is eligible to apply?
52i.4 Under what conditions may an eligible institution designate a 
foundation as the recipient of a research endowment grant?
52i.5 How to Apply for a Grant.
52i.6 Evaluation and Disposition of Research Endowment Grant 
Applications.
52i.7 Grant Awards.
52i.8 When and for what purposes may a grantee spend the endowment 
fund corpus?
52i.9 How much endowment fund income may a grantee spend and for 
what purposes?
52i.10 How shall a grantee calculate the amount of endowment fund 
income that it may withdraw and spend?
52i.11 What shall a grantee record and report?
52i.12 What happens if a grantee fails to administer the research 
endowment grant in accordance with applicable regulations?
52i.13 Other HHS policies and regulations that apply.
52i.14 Additional conditions.

     Authority:  42 U.S.C. 216, 285t-285t-1.


Sec.  52i.1  To what programs does this part apply?

    This part applies to grants awarded under section 464z-3(h) of the 
Public Health Service Act (the Act), which authorizes the Director of 
the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities 
(NIMHD) to carry out a program of research endowment grants to eligible 
institutions to facilitate minority health and health disparities 
research (the NIMHD Research Endowment Program), and, with the 
exception of Sec. Sec.  52i.5 and 52i.6, applies to that portion of an 
award made under section 464z-4(f) of the Act authorized by the NIMHD 
Director for research endowment.


Sec.  52i.2  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    Act means the Public Health Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 201 
et seq.).
    Center of Excellence means, for purposes of grants authorized by 
section 464z-3(h) of the Act, an institution designated as a Center of 
Excellence and receiving a grant under section 736 (42 U.S.C. 293) or 
section 464z-4 (42 U.S.C. 285t-1) of the Act.
    Director means the Director, NIMHD, of the National Institutes of 
Health.
    Endowment fund means a fund that is established by state law, by an 
institution, or by a foundation associated with an institution that is 
exempt from taxation and is maintained for the purpose of generating 
income for the support of minority and health disparities research or 
research training if the funds are from a grant made under section 
464z-3 of the Act. The principal or corpus of the fund may not be spent 
except as noted in Sec.  52i.8(b).
    Endowment fund corpus means an amount equal to the total grant 
funds awarded under this part or equal to the amount designated as 
endowment under section 464z-4 of the Act.
    Endowment fund income means the income generated from investing the 
corpus, i.e., the amount of which exceeds the endowment fund corpus.
    Health disparities research means basic, clinical, and behavioral 
research on health disparity populations (including individual members 
and communities of such populations) that relates to health 
disparities, including the causes of such disparities and methods to 
prevent, diagnose, and treat such disparities.
    Health disparity population means a population that, as determined 
by the Director of the NIMHD after consultation with the Director of 
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, has a significant 
disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, 
morbidity, mortality, or survival rates in the population as compared 
to the health status of the general population.
    Health disparity students means students of minority health 
disparity populations or other health disparities populations.
    Institutional endowment (IE) means the corporate or system-wide 
endowment fund that is the sum total of the endowment assets of all 
campuses and their components. This includes, but is not limited to, 
endowments managed by an institution's foundations/associations as well 
as state university systems.
    Institution system-wide means all campuses and components.
    Minority health conditions means, with respect to individuals who 
are members of minority groups, all diseases, disorders, and conditions 
(including with respect to mental health and substance abuse):
    (1) Unique to, more serious, or more prevalent in such individuals;
    (2) For which the factors of medical risk or types of medical 
intervention may be different for such individuals, or for which it is 
unknown whether such factors or types are different for such 
individuals; or

[[Page 53745]]

    (3) With respect to which there has been insufficient research 
involving such individuals as subjects or insufficient data on such 
individuals.
    Minority health disparities research means basic, clinical, and 
behavioral research on minority health conditions, including research 
to prevent, diagnose, and treat such conditions.
    Racial and ethnic minority or minority group means American Indians 
(including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts), Asian Americans, 
Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics. 
Hispanic means individuals whose origin is Mexican, Puerto Rican, 
Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services and any 
other officer or employee of the Department of Health and Human 
Services to whom the authority involved has been delegated.


Sec.  52i.3  Who is eligible to apply?

    (a) To be eligible for a grant under section 464z-3(h) of the Act 
an applicant:
    (1) Must be a Center of Excellence under section 736 (42 U.S.C. 
293) or section 464z-4 (42 U.S.C. 285t-1) of the Act, and
    (2) Must have an institutional endowment that is equal to or less 
than 50 percent of the national median of endowment funds at 
institutions that conduct similar biomedical research and training of 
health professionals.
    (b) To be eligible for a portion of a grant award to be expended as 
a research endowment under section 464z-4(f) of the Act, an applicant:
    (1) Must be a designated biomedical and behavioral research 
institution under section 464z-4 of the Act, and
    (2) Must submit those materials prescribed by the Director, NIMHD.


Sec.  52i.4  Under what conditions may an eligible institution 
designate a foundation as the recipient of a research endowment grant?

    A number of universities and other organizations have established 
closely affiliated, but separately incorporated, organizations to 
facilitate the administration of research and other programs supported 
by federal funds. Such legally independent entities are often referred 
to as ``foundations,'' although this term does not necessarily appear 
in the name of the organization. An institution awarded an endowment 
grant under section 464z-3(h) of the Act or using designated grant 
funds for endowment purposes under section 464z-4(f) of the Act may 
designate a foundation associated with the institution to receive the 
endowment funds only for investment purposes if:
    (a) The institution assures in its application that the foundation 
is legally authorized to receive the endowment funds and to administer 
the endowment funds in accordance with the regulations set forth in 
this part;
    (b) The foundation agrees to administer the endowment funds in 
accordance with the regulations in this part;
    (c) The institution agrees to be liable for any violation by the 
foundation of any applicable regulation, including any violation 
resulting in monetary liability; and
    (d) The grantee institution has control and is responsible for the 
administration of the grant accounts.


Sec.  52i.5  How to apply for a grant.

    (a) Each institution interested in applying for a grant under 
section 464z-3(h) of the Act must submit an application at such time 
and in such form and manner as the Secretary may prescribe.
    (b) An institution described in Sec.  52i.3 that has received a 
grant under this part may apply for another grant under this part if:
    (1)(i) The institution still meets the eligibility requirements in 
Sec.  52i.3; and
    (ii) The institution is in the last year of funding provided by NIH 
under this part; or
    (2) The institution no longer has an active grant under this part 
from NIH.


Sec.  52i.6  Evaluation and award of research endowment grant 
applications.

    All applications filed in accordance with this part and meeting the 
minimal eligibility requirements shall be evaluated and recommended by 
technical and scientific peer review. The review evaluation shall take 
into account, among other pertinent factors:
    (a) The scientific and technical merit of the proposed project to 
facilitate minority health disparities research and other health 
disparities research;
    (b) The likelihood of its producing meaningful results;
    (c) The adequacy of the applicant's resources available for the 
project; and
    (d) The adequacy of the applicant's plan for managing the endowment 
fund.


Sec.  52i.7  Grant awards.

    (a) Within the limits of funds, and upon such review and 
recommendation as may be required by law, the Director shall award a 
grant to those applicants whose approved projects will in the 
Director's judgment best promote the purposes of this part.
    (b) An institution described in Sec.  52i.3 that receives a grant 
under this part or an institution described in section 464z-4(f) of the 
Act authorized to use grant funds for endowment purposes shall follow 
the spending rules under the law of the state in which the institution 
is located and the spending rules/policies adopted by the recipient 
institution, provided that such spending rules are not inconsistent 
with applicable federal regulations/policies.
    (c) Grants awarded under this part or grant funds designated for 
endowment purposes as described under section 464z-4(f) of the Act must 
be invested no later than 90 days after the start date of the grant.
    (d) The institution, in investing the endowment fund established 
under this section, shall exercise the judgment and care, under the 
circumstances then prevailing, that a person of prudence, discretion, 
and intelligence would exercise in the management of such person's own 
affairs and avoid all appearances of conflict of interest in the 
management of this fund.
    (e) The total amount of an endowment grant under this part or the 
designated amount of the grant under section 464z-4(f) of the Act must 
be maintained as corpus by the institution for 20 years from the end of 
the project period.
    (f) In the case of situations in which investment conditions result 
in the corpus referred to in paragraph (e) of this section having a net 
market value less than the value of the funds at the time of their 
receipt, appropriate actions must be taken (e.g., careful review of the 
investment strategy) in order to preserve the value of the endowment 
corpus.
    (g) An institution described in Sec.  52i.3 receiving an endowment 
grant under section 464z-3(h) of the Act may not simultaneously receive 
endowment funds under section 464z-4(f) of the Act.
    (h) Consistent with section 464z-4(f) of the Act, the Director, 
NIMHD, may designate for a research endowment some of the funds awarded 
to a Center of Excellence for research education and training.


Sec.  52i.8  When and for what purposes may a grantee spend the 
endowment fund corpus?

    (a) A grantee may not withdraw or spend any part of the endowment 
fund corpus for a total of 20 years from the end of the project period.
    (b) At the end of the 20-year period, during which the endowment 
corpus must be maintained, the grantee institution is encouraged to 
preserve the endowment fund corpus but may use the endowment fund 
corpus for any

[[Page 53746]]

purpose that expands or develops the institution's minority health and/
or health disparities research and/or training capacity.


Sec.  52i.9  How much endowment fund income may a grantee spend and for 
what purposes?

    (a) Any endowment income realized in the initial year following the 
grant award under this part shall not be expended to support 
programmatic activities until after conclusion of the initial year of 
the grant.
    (b) After the first year of the grant, a grantee awarded funds 
under this part may spend endowment income realized from funds it 
receives solely in accordance with the regulations of this part, the 
terms and conditions of the award, NIMHD policies and procedures, and 
the grantee's strategic plan that has been approved by the NIMHD and 
includes priorities for the use of the endowment fund income.


Sec.  52i.10  How shall a grantee calculate the amount of endowment 
fund income that it may withdraw and spend?

    A grantee awarded funds under this part shall calculate the amount 
of endowment fund income that it may withdraw and spend at a particular 
time as follows:
    (a) On each date that the grantee plans a withdrawal of endowment 
fund income, the grantee must determine the amount of the income by 
calculating the value of the fund that exceeds the endowment fund 
corpus.
    (b) If the total value of the endowment fund exceeds the endowment 
fund corpus, the grantee may withdraw and spend the excess amount, 
i.e., the endowment fund income, in accordance with Sec.  52i.9.


Sec.  52i.11  What shall a grantee record and report?

    A grantee awarded funds under this part shall:
    (a) Maintain appropriate records in compliance with this part and 
other requirements as referenced in terms of the award, including 
documentation of:
    (1) The type and amount of investments of the endowment fund;
    (2) The amount of endowment fund income and corpus;
    (3) The amount and purpose of expenditures of endowment fund 
income; and
    (4) The expenses and charges associated with the management of the 
endowment funds if such expenses and charges were paid from endowment 
fund income.
    (b) Retain records in accordance with 45 CFR 74.53. The endowment 
fund corpus, fund income, and fund expenditures must be reported over a 
20-year period, and supporting records are to be retained for 3 years 
after the submission of the final report to the NIMHD;
    (c) Permit authorized officials the authority to conduct a review, 
as set forth in 45 CFR 74.53(e) (which states that the Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS) awarding agencies, the HHS Inspector 
General, the U.S. Comptroller General, and any of their duly authorized 
representatives ``have the right of timely and unrestricted access to 
any books, documents, papers, or other records of recipients that are 
pertinent to the awards, in order to make audits, examinations, 
excerpts, transcripts, or copies of such documents''); and
    (d) Submit Financial Status Reports, as set forth in 45 CFR 74.52, 
as required by the NIMHD and in the form prescribed. A final Financial 
Status Report shall be required 20 years after the end of the project 
period.


Sec.  52i.12  What happens if a grantee fails to administer the 
research endowment grant in accordance with applicable regulations?

    (a) The Director, after giving notice and an opportunity for a 
hearing, may authorize the termination of a grant awarded and/or 
recovery of funds under this part during the 20-year period if the 
grantee:
    (1) Withdraws or spends any part of the endowment fund corpus in 
violation of this part;
    (2) Spends any portion of the endowment fund income not permitted 
to be spent in this part;
    (3) Fails to invest the endowment fund corpus in accordance with 
the investment standards set forth in this part;
    (4) Fails to meet the requirements in Sec.  52i.7; or
    (5) Otherwise fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
award.
    (b) Recovery of funds may include up to the amount of endowment 
awards plus any income earned.


Sec.  52i.13  Other HHS policies and regulations that apply.

    Several other regulations and policies apply to grants under this 
part. These include, but are not limited to:
    (a) 2 CFR part 376--HHS Nonprocurement debarment and suspension.
    (b) 42 CFR part 50, subpart D--Public Health Service grant appeals 
procedure.
    (c) 42 CFR part 93--Public Health Service policies on research 
misconduct.
    (d) 45 CFR part 16--Procedures of the Departmental Grant Appeals 
Board.
    (e) 45 CFR part 46--Protection of human subjects.
    (f) 45 CFR part 74--Uniform administrative requirements for awards 
and subawards to institutions of higher education, hospitals, other 
nonprofit organizations, and commercial organizations; and certain 
grants and agreements with states, local governments, and Indian tribal 
governments.
    (g) 45 CFR part 80--Nondiscrimination under programs receiving 
federal assistance through the Department of Health and Human Services 
effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    (h) 45 CFR part 81--Practice and procedure for hearings under part 
80 of this chapter.
    (i) 2 CFR part 382--Requirements for drug-free workplace (financial 
assistance).
    (j) 45 CFR part 84--Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in 
programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
    (k) 45 CFR part 86--Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in 
education programs or activities receiving federal financial 
assistance.
    (l) 45 CFR part 91--Nondiscrimination on the basis of age in 
programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance from HHS.
    (m) 45 CFR part 92--Uniform administrative requirements for grants 
and cooperative agreements to State, local, and tribal governments.
    (n) 45 CFR part 93--New restrictions on lobbying.
    (o) NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic 
Nucleic Acid Molecules at http://osp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIH_Guidelines_0.pdf. Further information may be obtained from the NIH 
Office of Biotechnology Activities via email at [email protected] or 
the OBA Web site at http://osp.od.nih.gov/office-biotechnology-activities.
    (p) NIH Guidelines on the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as 
Subjects in Clinical Research at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html. Further information may be obtained 
from the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health via email at 
[email protected] or the ORWH Web site at http://ORWH.od.nih.gov.
    (q) NIH Grants Policy Statement (October 1, 2013). This version is 
located on the NIH Web site at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2013. [Note: this policy is subject to change, and interested 
persons should contact the Office of Policy for Extramural Research 
Administration

[[Page 53747]]

(OPERA), Office of Extramural Research, NIH, 6701 Rockledge Drive, 
Suite 350, MSC 7974, Bethesda, MD 20892-7974 (telephone 301-435-0938 or 
toll-free 800-518-4726), to obtain references to the current version 
and any amendments. Information may be obtained also by contacting the 
OPERA Division of Grants Policy via email at [email protected]. 
Previous versions of the NIH Grants Policy Statement are archived at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm.]
    (r) Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of 
Laboratory Animals, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, NIH (Revised 
August 2002). [Note: this policy is subject to change, and interested 
persons should contact the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, NIH, 
Rockledge 1, Suite 360, MSC 7982, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 
20892-7982 (telephone 301-594-2382, not a toll-free number), to obtain 
references to the current version and any amendments. Information may 
be obtained also via the OLAW Web site at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm.]


Sec.  52i.14  Additional conditions.

    The Director may, with respect to any grant award, impose 
additional conditions prior to, or at the time of, any award when in 
the Director's judgment the conditions are necessary to ensure the 
carrying out of the purposes of the award, the interests of the public 
health, or the conservation of grant funds.

    Dated: August 13, 2015.
Francis S. Collins,
Director, National Institutes of Health.
    Approved: August 24, 2015.
Sylvia M. Burrell,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2015-22018 Filed 9-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4140-01-P



                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                                   53739

                                                                  EPA-APPROVED ALASKA NONREGULTAORY PROVISIONS AND QUASI-REGULATORY MEASURES
                                                                                Applicable geographic              State submittal
                                               Name of SIP provision                                                                       EPA Approval date                              Comments
                                                                                or nonattainment area                   date

                                                                          State of Alaska Air Quality Control Plan: Volume II. Analysis of Problems, Control Actions


                                                        *                         *                            *                       *                       *                      *                *

                                                                                                        Section III Area wide Pollutant Control Program


                                                        *                         *                            *                       *                       *                      *                *

                                             I. Transportation Con-            Statewide .....................            4/17/15    September 8, 2015 [In-
                                                formity.                                                                               sert Federal Reg-
                                                                                                                                       ister citation].
                                             Transportation Con-               Statewide .....................            7/29/15    September 8, 2015 [In-        Clarification re: Access to Public Records: AS
                                               formity Supplement.                                                                     sert Federal Reg-             40.25.110, AS 40.25.115, and 2 AAC 96.
                                                                                                                                       ister citation].

                                                        *                         *                            *                       *                       *                      *                *



                                             *      *       *       *      *                               July 8, 2015 (80 FR 38959) make the                      issuing regulations governing the
                                             [FR Doc. 2015–21938 Filed 9–4–15; 8:45 am]                    following correction:                                    National Institute on Minority Health
                                             BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                                                                                 and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
                                                                                                           § 52.220      [Corrected]                                endowment grants awarded to section
                                                                                                           ■ On page 38964, in the third column,                    736 and section 464z–4 Centers of
                                             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                      line 25 from the top of the column,                      Excellence to facilitate minority health
                                             AGENCY                                                        correct paragraph (c)(460) to read as                    disparities research and other health
                                                                                                           follows:                                                 disparities research.
                                             40 CFR Part 52                                                   ‘‘(460) The following plan revision                   DATES: This final rule is effective
                                             [EPA–R09–OAR–2015–0164; FRL–9933–50–                          was submitted on September 29, 2014,                     October 8, 2015.
                                             Region 9]                                                     by the Governor’s designee.                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry
                                                                                                              (i) [Reserved]                                        Moore, NIH Regulations Officer, Office
                                             Revisions to the California State                                (ii) Additional Material.                             of Management Assessment, NIH, 6011
                                             Implementation Plan, Feather River Air                           (A) Feather River Air Quality
                                                                                                                                                                    Executive Boulevard, Room 601, MSC
                                             Quality Management District;                                  Management District.
                                                                                                                                                                    7669, Rockville, MD 20852; by email at
                                             Correction                                                       (1) Reasonably Available Control
                                                                                                                                                                    MooreJ@mail.nih.gov; by fax on 301–
                                                                                                           Technology Analysis and Negative
                                             AGENCY: Environmental Protection                                                                                       401–0169 (not a toll free number); or by
                                                                                                           Declarations (‘‘2014 RACT SIP’’), as
                                             Agency (EPA).                                                                                                          telephone on 301–496–4607 (not a toll-
                                                                                                           adopted on August 4, 2014.’’
                                             ACTION: Direct final rule; correction.                                                                                 free number).
                                                                                                             Dated: August 21, 2015.                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
                                             SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                       Jared Blumenfeld,                                        464z–3 (42 U.S.C. 285t) of the Public
                                             Agency (EPA) is correcting a direct final                     Regional Administrator, Region IX.                       Health Service (PHS) Act authorizes the
                                             rule that appeared in the Federal                             [FR Doc. 2015–21939 Filed 9–4–15; 8:45 am]               Director of the NIMHD to carry out a
                                             Register on July 8, 2015. The document                        BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                   program to facilitate minority health
                                             approved revisions to various sections                                                                                 disparities research and other health
                                             of the California State Implementation                                                                                 disparities research by providing
                                             Plan (SIP). This document adds the                            DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                 research endowments to eligible centers
                                             appropriate amendatory language to                            HUMAN SERVICES                                           of excellence under sections 736 and
                                             § 52.220, Subpart F.                                                                                                   464z–4 of the PHS Act. The program is
                                             DATES: Effective on September 8, 2015.                        42 CFR Part 52i                                          called the NIMHD Research Endowment
                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                              [Docket Number NIH–2007–0931]                            Program (Endowment Program). The
                                             Kevin Gong, EPA Region IX, (415) 972–                                                                                  objective of the Endowment Program is
                                             3073, Gong.Kevin@epa.gov.                                     RIN 0925–AA61                                            to build research and training capacity
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EPA                                                                                     and infrastructure at eligible section 736
                                                                                                           National Institute on Minority Health                    health professions schools (42 U.S.C.
                                             published a document in the Federal                           and Health Disparities Research
                                             Register on July 8, 2015, (80 FR 38959)                                                                                293) and section 464z–4 biomedical and
                                                                                                           Endowments                                               behavioral research institutions (42
                                             approving revisions to various sections
                                             of the California State Implementation                        AGENCY:  National Institutes of Health,                  U.S.C. 285t–1) to facilitate minority
                                                                                                                                                                    health and other health disparities
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                             Plan (SIP) in § 52.220, Subpart F. This                       Department of Health and Human
                                             correction adds the appropriate                               Services.                                                research to close the disparity gap in the
                                             amendatory language.                                          ACTION: Final rule.                                      burden of illness and death experienced
                                                                                                                                                                    by racial and ethnic minority Americans
                                             Correction                                                    SUMMARY:  The National Institutes of                     and other health disparity populations.
                                               In FR Doc. 2015–16627 appearing on                          Health (NIH), through the Department of                  Endowment Program activities may
                                             page 38964 in the Federal Register on                         Health and Human Services (HHS), is                      include strengthening the research


                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014     15:42 Sep 04, 2015    Jkt 235001    PO 00000       Frm 00049   Fmt 4700    Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\08SER1.SGM   08SER1


                                             53740            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                             infrastructure through the renovation of                a research endowment grant (section                   of a ‘‘Center of Excellence,’’ specifically,
                                             facilities, purchasing of state-of-the-art              52i.4). Additionally, the final rule                  whether the act of receiving funds under
                                             instruments and equipment, and                          specifies how endowment grant                         section 736 or section 464z–4 is
                                             enhancing information technology;                       applications will be evaluated (section               necessary for an institution to meet the
                                             enhancing the academic environment by                   52i.6), the nature of the grant awards                definition of a Center of Excellence for
                                             recruiting a diverse faculty and creating               (52i.7), how much endowment fund                      purposes of the Endowment Program.
                                             relevant courses in such topics as                      income a grantee may withdraw and                     The designation as a Center of
                                             research methodology and health                         spend and for what purpose (sections                  Excellence for the purposes of the
                                             disparities as additions to the existing                52i.9 and 52i.10), what a grantee must                Endowment Program requires both
                                             curriculum; enhancing recruitment of                    record and report (section 52i.11), and               receiving funding under section 736 or
                                             individuals currently underrepresented                  when and for what purposes a grantee                  section 464z–4 of the Public Health
                                             in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral,                may spend the endowment fund corpus                   Service Act and meeting certain specific
                                             and social sciences; or other relevant                  (section 52i.8). This final rule also                 nonfinancial institutional operational
                                             activities.                                             specifies what happens if a grantee fails             requirements as specified in section
                                                Section 464z–4 of the PHS Act                        to administer the research endowment                  736(c)(2)–(5) or section 464z–4(c)(1),
                                             authorizes the NIMHD Director to make                   grant in accordance with applicable                   respectively. The funding component of
                                             awards to designated biomedical and                     regulations (section 52i.12), what other              the definition in section 52i.2 is
                                             behavioral research institutions, alone                 HHS policies and regulations apply                    intended to clarify that an institution
                                             or as a participant in a consortium, that               (section 52i.13), and what additional                 must be an active Center of Excellence
                                             meet certain criteria for the purpose of                conditions the NIMHD Director may                     under section 736 or section 464z–4 to
                                             assisting the institutions in supporting                impose when, in the Director’s                        be eligible for an endowment grant
                                             programs of excellence in training for                  judgment, the conditions are necessary                under this program. An institution is
                                             individuals who are members of                          (section 52i.14).                                     not eligible merely because it may be
                                             minority health disparity populations or                   NIH announced its intentions to take               able to satisfy the nonfinancial
                                             other health disparity populations. This                this rulemaking action, through HHS, in               requirements to qualify for funding
                                             program is called the NIMHD Centers of                  the notice of proposed rulemaking                     under section 736 or section 464z–4.
                                             Excellence Program. Section 464z–4(f)                   (NPRM) titled ‘‘National Institute on                    This respondent also requested that
                                             of the PHS Act permits the NIMHD                        Minority Health and Health Disparities                institutions be allowed to apply for
                                             Director to expend a portion of such an                 Research Endowments’’ published in                    another Endowment Program grant prior
                                             award for research endowment.                           the Federal Register on June 14, 2013                 to their last year of funding. We disagree
                                                To be eligible to apply for the                      (78 FR 35837–35844). In the NPRM, we                  with the comment. The intent of the
                                             Endowment Program, Centers of                           provided a sixty day public comment                   language in the regulation is to prevent
                                             Excellence (funded under section 736 or                 period. The comment period expired                    an eligible entity with an active award
                                             section 464z–4 of the PHS Act) must                     August 13, 2013. We received a total of               from having more than a single
                                             have an institutional endowment that is                 five comments, two of which were                      endowment grant at any given time.
                                             equal to or less than 50 percent of the                 identical.                                               This respondent additionally inquired
                                             national median of endowment funds at                      Three respondents, two of whom                     whether awardee institutions may now
                                             institutions that conduct similar                       submitted identical comments,                         directly conduct health disparities
                                             biomedical research and training of                     expressed general support for the                     research projects instead of capacity
                                             health professionals. Endowment                         regulations. One of these respondents                 building for the conduct of research
                                             Program applications filed by                           cited the importance of clarity regarding             projects because Endowment Program
                                             institutions meeting eligibility                        eligibility, the application process, and             applications undergo scientific peer
                                             requirements undergo peer review by                     other required terms and conditions.                  review. This is not the case. At the NIH,
                                             outside experts to evaluate the scientific              The other two respondents discussed                   the peer review of applications
                                             and technical merit of the proposed                     health disparities in the United States               determines the technical and scientific
                                             activities and the adequacy of the                      and research as a means to support                    merit of the proposed project. The
                                             endowment fund management plan.                         health equity for all people in the                   process of peer review does not in itself
                                             Reviewers use the criteria of                           United States. These supportive                       convey any meaning regarding the
                                             significance, investigators, innovation,                comments did not result in any                        particular activities allowed under a
                                             approach, and environment to                            necessary changes to this final rule.                 grant program. The Endowment
                                             determine the overall impact of the                        One respondent stated that the                     Program supports the development of
                                             application. After receiving an                         Department of Health and Human                        research infrastructure and capacity
                                             Endowment Program award, a grantee                      Services (HHS) should require all                     which is the underpinning of the
                                             must provide documentation to the                       municipalities and States that receive                conduct of research projects.
                                             NIMHD over a 20-year period regarding                   Federal funds from HHS for the                           This respondent raised concerns
                                             endowment fund activity, including                      provision of health care to notify HHS                regarding the scientific peer review of
                                             investments, income, and expenditures                   of the reasons for not considering or                 applications and the expertise of the
                                             for activities consistent with its strategic            exploring solicited or non–solicited                  members of the review groups,
                                             plan.                                                   health disparities proposals they have                suggesting that applicants be able to
                                                This final rule specifies the                        received within 90 days. Since this                   suggest potential candidates for each
                                             endowment research grants or                            comment is not related to any of the                  review group. We disagree with the
                                             endowment portion of an award to                        provisions of the Endowment Program,                  comment. One of the hallmarks of the
                                             which the regulations apply (section                                                                          NIH is objective, peer review of
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                                                                                                     we did not consider the comment
                                             52i.1), the definitions (section 52i.2),                relevant to this rulemaking.                          applications for financial support. The
                                             who is eligible (section 52i.3) and how                    A fifth respondent provided                        organizational units within NIH that are
                                             to apply for a grant under the program                  comments addressing a number of                       responsible for the review of
                                             (section 52i.5), and under what                         issues relevant to the rulemaking, which              applications take deliberate steps to
                                             conditions an eligible institution that is              are discussed below. This respondent                  ensure that the reviewers have the
                                             a recipient may transfer to a foundation                requested clarification of the definition             appropriate expertise for the


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         53741

                                             applications to be reviewed. Allowing                   already specifies the need for the                    contained a table on the cost burdens for
                                             applicants to suggest potential reviewers               awardee to adhere to the institution’s                reporting and recordkeeping for the
                                             would interfere with NIH procedures                     spending rules and policies, provided                 NIMHD Research Endowment Program.
                                             designed to prevent possible financial                  that such spending rules are not                      In the final rule it has been labeled
                                             and scientific conflicts of interest in the             inconsistent with applicable federal                  ‘‘ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST
                                             review of applications.                                 regulations and policies.                             BURDEN TO THE RESPONDENTS FOR
                                                This respondent also expressed the                      This respondent requested                          REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING
                                             belief that requiring the endowment                     clarification on the timing for the filing            UNDER THE NIMHD RESEARCH
                                             fund corpus to be maintained for 20                     of the final Financial Status Report                  ENDOWMENT PROGRAM.’’ An
                                             years after the end of the award period                 under section 52.11(d). Upon approval                 additional column (designated as the
                                             is too restrictive, suggesting that                     of an application for the Endowment                   4th) was added to the table as ‘‘Average
                                             awardees be given greater flexibility and               Program, NIMHD agrees to provide                      Burden per Respondents (in hours)’’ and
                                             allowed to expend a proportion of the                   financial support for a specified project             columns 1, 2 3, 5, and 6 were re–titled
                                             endowment fund corpus earlier than 20                   period, usually five years. Due to the                as ‘‘Final Rule Citations,’’ ‘‘Number of
                                             years. We disagree with the comment.                    unique nature of the program, it is                   Respondents,’’ Number of Responses
                                             Institutional endowments, in general,                   reasonable for the long–term reporting                per Respondent,’’ ‘‘Hourly Wage Rate,’’
                                             are designed to create a long–term asset                requirement to begin at the end of the                and ‘‘Total Cost Burden,’’ respectively.
                                             capable of generating income for an                     project period. To clarify the filing                 The dollar amounts in the Hourly Wage
                                             extended period of time. Since the focus                requirement, section 52i.11(d) has been               Rate column were edited to reflect the
                                             of the Endowment Program is to build                    amended to replace ‘‘date of the original             actual cost per hour for responses. In
                                             institutional capacity and infrastructure               award’’ with ‘‘end of the project                     addition, the footnotes for the table were
                                             to conduct health disparities research,                 period.’’ In addition, sections 52i.7(e)              edited to be consistent with the table.
                                             any diminution of the endowment                         and 52i.8(a) have been amended in a                      The Regulatory Flexibility Act section
                                             corpus in the short–term would be at                    consistent manner to replace ‘‘date of                of the final rule has been revised to
                                             odds with the goals and objectives of the               award’’ with ‘‘end of the project                     clarify that while all eligible institutions
                                             Endowment Program.                                      period.’’                                             are considered small entities, the impact
                                                This respondent requested clarity on                    Finally, with regard to actions that               of the final rule will not exceed five
                                             what actions would satisfy the                          may be taken if a grantee fails to                    percent of revenues of the entities.
                                             requirement that awardees take                          administer the endowment in
                                             ‘‘appropriate actions’’ in cases where                  accordance to the regulations, this                   Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIA)
                                             the investments have eroded into the                    respondent believes that the awardee                    We have examined the impacts of this
                                             value of the endowment corpus. We                       should be given an opportunity to                     rule as required by Executive Order
                                             have not specified a strict definition for              rectify an error, unless such an error or             12866, Regulatory Planning and Review
                                             ‘‘appropriate actions’’ in order to allow               failure was intentional. We agree with                (September 30, 1993); Executive Order
                                             each institution the flexibility to manage              the comment with the following                        13563, Improving Regulation and
                                             their endowment funds effectively.                      qualification. The specific language in               Regulatory Review (January 18, 2011);
                                             Certainly, a review and change of                       section 52i.12 is consistent with the                 the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
                                             investment strategy to a more                           financial stewardship responsibilities of             601–612); the Unfunded Mandates
                                             conservative approach would be an                       the Federal government. The                           Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4); and
                                             option. A temporary suspension of                       opportunity for a full and fair hearing is            Executive Order 13132, Federalism
                                             investment due to adverse market                        provided and the Director of NIMHD                    (August 4, 1999).
                                             conditions could also be an appropriate                 has discretion regarding any action to be             Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
                                             action. We did not want to be                           taken depending on the circumstances
                                             prescriptive, but would expect actions                  of the breach in responsibilities.                      Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
                                             to be reasonable and consistent with                    Limiting the range of actions available               Planning and Review, directs agencies
                                             prevailing practices in the management                  to the NIH in situations of an awardee’s              to assess all costs and benefits of
                                             of institutional endowments.                            poor endowment fund management,                       available regulatory alternatives and,
                                                This respondent also inquired as to                  even if non–intentional, would not be                 when regulation is necessary, to select
                                             whether management costs for the                        appropriate.                                          regulatory approaches that maximize
                                             endowment fund can be paid from the                        The published NPRM contained two                   net benefits (including potential
                                             endowment fund itself. Section                          typographical errors that have been                   economic, environmental, public health
                                             52i.11(a)(4) of the proposed rule                       corrected in this final rule. First, under            and safety, and other advantages;
                                             provided that expenses and charges                      the definition of ‘‘endowment fund’’ in               distributive impacts; and equity). A
                                             associated with the management of the                   section 52i.2, the reference to ‘‘section             regulatory impact analysis (RIA) must
                                             endowment funds may be paid from                        464z–4’’ should have been ‘‘section                   be prepared for major rules with
                                             ‘‘the grant funds.’’ Since the endowment                464z–3’’ of the PHS Act. Second, in the               economically significant effects ($100
                                             fund corpus cannot be used for this                     discussion of the sections of the                     million or more in one year). Based on
                                             purpose, section 52i.11(a)(4) has been                  proposed regulations that contain                     our analysis, we believe that the final
                                             amended to replace ‘‘the grant funds’’                  requirements subject to the Paperwork                 rule does not constitute an economically
                                             with ‘‘endowment fund income’’ to                       Reduction Act of 1995, the reference to               significant regulatory action.
                                             clarify the issue. Awardees are expected                section ‘‘52i.9’’ should have been                    Additionally, if a regulatory action is
                                             to ensure that those costs are                          specified as section ‘‘52i.9(b)’’. That               deemed to fall within the scope of the
                                                                                                     error has been corrected in the final                 definition of the term ‘‘significant
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                                             appropriately recorded.
                                                This respondent suggested adding a                   rule, consistent with the correct                     regulatory action’’ contained in section
                                             reference to an ‘‘institution’s policies                identification of section 52i.9(b) in the             3(f) of Executive Order 12866, pre–
                                             and procedures’’ to section 52i.9(b)                    Reporting part of the Estimated Annual                publication review by the Office of
                                             regarding the expenditure of                            Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden                    Information and Regulatory Affairs
                                             endowment fund income. We disagree                      table included in the NPRM and this                   (OIRA), Office of Management and
                                             with the comment. Section 52i.7(b)                      final rule. The published NPRM                        Budget (OMB) is required. This final


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                                             53742                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                             rule was reviewed under the criteria of                                   income a grantee may withdraw and for                                    Program. Costs for participation can be
                                             Executive Order 12866 and was not                                         what purpose, what a grantee must                                        subdivided into those associated with
                                             deemed a ‘‘significant regulatory                                         record and report, and when and for                                      the application process and those
                                             action.’’                                                                 what purposes a grantee may spend the                                    required for the necessary
                                                Executive Orders 12866 and 13563                                       endowment fund corpus.                                                   recordkeeping. The application process
                                             direct agencies to assess all costs and                                     This final rule also enhances                                          includes a competitive submission, as
                                             benefits of available regulatory                                          compliance and effective fiduciary                                       well as noncompetitive progress report
                                             alternatives and, if regulation is                                        responsibilities for the federal                                         for those institutions awarded funds
                                             necessary, to select regulatory                                           government. It specifies what happens if
                                                                                                                                                                                                under the NIMHD Research Endowment
                                             approaches that maximize net benefits                                     a grantee fails to administer the research
                                                                                                                                                                                                Program for subsequent years within the
                                             (including potential economic,                                            endowment grant in accordance with
                                             environmental, public health, and safety                                  applicable regulations, what other HHS                                   project period. Based on estimates
                                             effects; distributive impacts; and                                        policies and regulations apply, and                                      provided in the PHS 424 instructions,
                                             equity). Executive Order 13563                                            additional conditions the NIMHD                                          an average application should require
                                             emphasizes the importance of                                              Director may impose when, in the                                         approximately 22 hours to complete and
                                             quantifying both costs and benefits, of                                   Director’s judgment, the conditions are                                  15 hours for a subsequent progress
                                             reducing costs, of harmonizing rules,                                     necessary. The Director may, with                                        report, according to the PHS 2590
                                             and of promoting flexibility.                                             respect to any grant award, impose                                       instructions. The contribution of various
                                                                                                                       additional conditions prior to, or at the                                professional disciplines such as
                                             Benefits
                                                                                                                       time of, any award when in the                                           biomedical researchers, contract/grants
                                                The final rule will add transparency                                   Director’s judgment the conditions are                                   specialists, and technical staff to the
                                             for potential applicants regarding who is                                 necessary to ensure the carrying out of                                  reporting and recordkeeping
                                             eligible and how to apply for a grant                                     the purposes of the award, the interests                                 requirements varies. Cost estimates are
                                             under the program, how grant                                              of the public health, or the conservation                                based on a blended analysis of
                                             applications will be evaluated, and                                       of grant funds.                                                          institutional salary structure and
                                             under what conditions an eligible
                                                                                                                       Costs                                                                    prevailing market conditions for certain
                                             institution that is a recipient may
                                                                                                                                                                                                categories of personnel. In addition,
                                             transfer to a foundation a research                                         Based on the provisions of the PHS
                                                                                                                                                                                                fiscal year 2012 NIH salary limitations
                                             endowment grant. Additionally, the                                        Act, approximately twelve Institutions
                                             final rule specifies the nature of the                                    of Higher Education (IHEs) are eligible                                  were included in the derivation of cost
                                             grants, how much endowment fund                                           for the NIMHD Research Endowment                                         estimates, where applicable.

                                                   ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST BURDEN TO THE RESPONDENTS FOR REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING UNDER THE
                                                                                NIMHD RESEARCH ENDOWMENT PROGRAM
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Average
                                                                                                                                                                      Number of
                                                                                                                                           Number of                                            burden per       Hourly wage               Total cost
                                                                          Final rule citations                                                                      responses per
                                                                                                                                         respondents 1                                         respondents          rate 2                  burden 3
                                                                                                                                                                      respondent                 (in hours)

                                             Reporting:
                                                § 52i.3(b)(2) ...................................................................                             4                          1                4               4 $33.65            $538.40
                                                § 52i.4(a) .......................................................................                            4                          1                1                 5 33.65             134.60
                                                § 52i.4(c) .......................................................................                            4                          1                1                 6 33.65             134.60
                                                § 52i.5(a) .......................................................................                            4                          1               22               7 163.73           14,408.00
                                                § 52i.9(b) .......................................................................                            4                          1                4                 8 86.39           1,382.24
                                                § 52i.11(b) .....................................................................                            12                          1               15               9 118.33           21,300.00
                                                § 52i.11(d) .....................................................................                            12                          1                2              10 100.00            2,400.00

                                                     Subtotal ..................................................................         ........................   ........................             49     ........................     40,297.84
                                             Recordkeeping:
                                                § 52i.10 ..........................................................................                          12                           1               2              11 200.00            4,800.00
                                                § 52i.11(a)(1) .................................................................                             12                           1               2                12 33.65             807.60
                                                § 52i.11(a)(2) .................................................................                             12                           1               2                13 33.65             807.60
                                                § 52i.11(a)(3) .................................................................                             12                           1               2                14 33.65             807.60
                                                § 52i.11(a)(4) .................................................................                             12                           1               2                15 33.65             807.60
                                                § 52i.11(b) .....................................................................                            12                           1               8                16 33.65           3,230.40
                                                     Subtotal ..................................................................         ........................   ........................             18     ........................     11,260.80

                                                                Total ................................................................   ........................   ........................             67     ........................     51,558.64
                                                1 There    is currently a total of twelve institutions eligible for the NIMHD Research Endowment Program. Historically, requests for applications
                                             are solicited every three years.
                                                2 Average cost per hour.
                                                3 Number of respondents × average burden per response × hourly wage rate.
                                                4 5 6 Based on contracts/grants staff costs.
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                                                7 Based on the contributions of the principal investigator, participating faculty, contracts/grants staff, financial investment advisors, and adminis-
                                             trative support. Aggregate cost is $173.73/hour.
                                                8 Based on principal investigator costs.
                                                9 Based on the contributions of the principal investigator, participating faculty, contracts/grants staff, financial investment advisors, and adminis-
                                             trative support. Aggregate cost is $118.33/hour.
                                                10 Based on financial analyst/auditor costs.
                                                11 Based on financial investment advisor costs.
                                                12 13 14 15 16 Based on contracts/grants staff costs.




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                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                                                                    53743

                                             Alternatives                                                             the final rule will not exceed five                                       amended (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
                                               The unique and complex nature of the                                   percent of revenues of the entities.                                      Sections 52i.3(b)(2), 52i.4(a), 52i.4(c),
                                             NIMHD Research Endowment Program                                         Accordingly, the Secretary certifies that                                 52i.5(a), 52i.9(b), 52i.11(b), and
                                             with regard to the management of                                         this rule will not have a significant                                     52i.11(d) contain reporting and
                                             endowment funds, restrictive nature of                                   impact on a significant number of small                                   information collection requirements that
                                             expenditures, and strict reporting                                       entities.                                                                 are subject to OMB approval under the
                                             provides a challenge to the necessary                                                                                                              Paperwork Reduction Act. Sections
                                                                                                                      Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
                                             federal oversight. The final rule                                                                                                                  52i.10, 52i.11(a)(1), 52i.11(a)(2),
                                                                                                                      1995
                                             provides the guidelines for the creation                                                                                                           52i.11(a)(3), 52i.11(a)(4), and 52i.11(b)
                                             of an operation structure of the                                            Section 202(a) of the Unfunded                                         contain recordkeeping requirements that
                                             institutional program. The                                               Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires                                      are subject to OMB review under the
                                             implementation of the final rule will                                    that agencies prepare a written                                           Paperwork Reduction Act. The title,
                                             provide clarity to eligible and                                          statement, which includes an                                              program description, and respondent
                                             participating institutions with regard to                                assessment of anticipated costs and                                       description of the information collection
                                             expectations as a grantee under the                                      benefits, before proposing ‘‘any rule that                                and recordkeeping requirements
                                             program, as well as enhance the ability                                  includes any Federal mandate that may                                     contained in this rule will be submitted
                                             of the federal government to ensure the                                  result in the expenditure by State, local,                                to OMB for review. Organizations and
                                             grantees are in compliance with all the                                  and tribal governments, in the aggregate,                                 individuals can submit comments on
                                             applicable provisions of the statute.                                    or by the private sector, of $100,000,000                                 the information collection and
                                                                                                                      or more (adjusted annually for inflation                                  recordkeeping requirements, including
                                             The Regulatory Flexibility Act                                           [with base year of 1995]) in any 1 year.’’                                the burden estimates, to: (1) Seleda
                                                The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                                     The current inflation-adjusted statutory                                  Perryman, Project Clearance Officer,
                                             U.S.C. 601–612) requires agencies to                                     threshold is approximately $141 million                                   National Institutes of Health, Rockledge
                                             analyze regulatory options that would                                    based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics                                   Center 1, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Room
                                             minimize any significant impact of the                                   inflation calculator. The Secretary                                       3509, Bethesda, MD 29817, telephone
                                             rule on small entities. For the purposes                                 certifies that this rule does not mandate                                 301–594–7949 (not a toll-free number);
                                             of this analysis, small entities include                                 any spending by state, local or tribal                                    and (2) the Office of Information and
                                             small business concerns as defined by                                    government in the aggregate or by the                                     Regulatory Affairs, OMB, OIRA_
                                             the Small Business Administration,                                       private sector. Participation in the                                      submission@omb.eop or by fax to 202–
                                             usually businesses with fewer than 500                                   NIMHD Research Endowment Program                                          395–6974, and mark ‘‘Attention: Desk
                                             employees. Also a nonprofit entity is                                    is voluntary and not mandated.                                            Officer for the National Institutes of
                                             defined by the Regulatory Flexibility                                                                                                              Health, Department of Health and
                                                                                                                      Executive Order 13132
                                             Act as small if it is not dominant in its                                                                                                          Human Services.’’ After we obtain OMB
                                             field, regardless of the number of                                          Executive Order 13132, Federalism,                                     approval, we will publish the OMB
                                             employees. Eligibility requirements of                                   requires federal agencies to consult with                                 control number in the Federal Register.
                                             the Research Endowment program, as                                       state and local government officials in                                     Title: National Institute on Minority
                                             codified in Public Law 111–148, limits                                   the development of regulatory policies                                    Health and Health Disparities Research
                                             the universe of potential applicants to                                  with federalism implications. The                                         Endowments.
                                             approximately twelve institutions of                                     Secretary reviewed this rule as required
                                             higher education (IHEs). Utilizing                                       under the Executive Order and                                               Description: The NIMHD Research
                                             sources of information such as local                                     determined that it does not have                                          Endowment Program builds research
                                             business bureaus, workforce statistics,                                  federalism implications. The Secretary                                    capacity and research infrastructure in
                                             and institution Web sites, a reasonable                                  certifies that this rule will not have an                                 order to facilitate minority health
                                             determination was made as to the                                         effect on the states or on the distribution                               research and research regarding other
                                             approximate number of employees at                                       of power and responsibilities among the                                   health disparity populations at eligible
                                             eligible institutions. The range estimates                               various levels of government.                                             institutions under sections 736 and
                                             are from 175–550 for the smallest                                                                                                                  464z–4 of the PHS Act.
                                             institution to 3,976 for the largest and                                 Paperwork Reduction Act                                                     Respondent Description: Institutions
                                             none are considered dominant in their                                      This rule contains requirements that                                    currently funded under Section 736 or
                                             field. While all eligible institutions are                               are subject to OMB approval under the                                     Section 464z–4 of the Public Health
                                             considered small entities, the impact of                                 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as                                       Service Act (PHS Act).

                                                      ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING BURDEN NIMHD RESEARCH ENDOWMENT PROGRAM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Average
                                                                                                                                                                                              Number of
                                                                                                                                                                   Number of                                           burden per        Total burden
                                                                                               Citations                                                                                    responses per
                                                                                                                                                                  respondents                                          respondent           hours
                                                                                                                                                                                              respondent                (in hours)

                                             Reporting:
                                                § 52i.3(b)(2) ...............................................................................................                         4                          1                4                16
                                                § 52i.4(a) ...................................................................................................                        4                          1                1                 4
                                                § 52i.4(c) ...................................................................................................                        4                          1                1                 4
                                                § 52i.5(a) ...................................................................................................                        4                          1               22                88
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                                                § 52i.9(b) ...................................................................................................                        4                          1                4                16
                                                § 52i.11(b) .................................................................................................                        12                          1               15               180
                                                § 52i.11(d) .................................................................................................                        12                          1                2                24

                                                     Subtotal .............................................................................................      ........................   ........................             49               332
                                             Recordkeeping:
                                                § 52i.10 .....................................................................................................                       12                           1                  2             24



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                                             53744               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING BURDEN NIMHD RESEARCH ENDOWMENT PROGRAM—
                                                                                            Continued
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Average
                                                                                                                                                                                                Number of
                                                                                                                                                                     Number of                                           burden per        Total burden
                                                                                              Citations                                                                                       responses per
                                                                                                                                                                    respondents                                          respondent           hours
                                                                                                                                                                                                respondent                (in hours)

                                                  § 52i.11(a)(1) .............................................................................................                         12                          1                   2             24
                                                  § 52i.11(a)(2) .............................................................................................                         12                          1                   2             24
                                                  § 52i.11(a)(3) .............................................................................................                         12                          1                   2             24
                                                  § 52i.11(a)(4) .............................................................................................                         12                          1                   2             24
                                                  § 52i.11(b) .................................................................................................                        12                          1                   8             96

                                                        Subtotal .............................................................................................     ........................   ........................             18               216

                                                               Total ...........................................................................................   ........................   ........................             67               548



                                             Catalogue of Federal Domestic                                            § 52i.1 To what programs does this part                                     corpus, i.e., the amount of which
                                             Assistance                                                               apply?                                                                      exceeds the endowment fund corpus.
                                               The Catalogue of Federal Domestic                                        This part applies to grants awarded                                          Health disparities research means
                                             Assistance-numbered program                                              under section 464z–3(h) of the Public                                       basic, clinical, and behavioral research
                                             applicable to this rule is: 93.307—                                      Health Service Act (the Act), which                                         on health disparity populations
                                             Minority Health and Health Disparities                                   authorizes the Director of the National                                     (including individual members and
                                             Research.                                                                Institute on Minority Health and Health                                     communities of such populations) that
                                                                                                                      Disparities (NIMHD) to carry out a                                          relates to health disparities, including
                                             List of Subjects in 42 CFR Part 52i                                      program of research endowment grants                                        the causes of such disparities and
                                               Grant programs—Health, Medical                                         to eligible institutions to facilitate                                      methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat
                                             research.                                                                minority health and health disparities                                      such disparities.
                                               For reasons described in the                                           research (the NIMHD Research                                                   Health disparity population means a
                                             preamble, title 42 of the Code of Federal                                Endowment Program), and, with the                                           population that, as determined by the
                                             Regulations is amended by adding part                                    exception of §§ 52i.5 and 52i.6, applies                                    Director of the NIMHD after
                                             52i to read as follows.                                                  to that portion of an award made under                                      consultation with the Director of the
                                                                                                                      section 464z–4(f) of the Act authorized                                     Agency for Healthcare Research and
                                             PART 52i—NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON                                           by the NIMHD Director for research                                          Quality, has a significant disparity in
                                             MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH                                               endowment.                                                                  the overall rate of disease incidence,
                                             DISPARITIES RESEARCH                                                                                                                                 prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or
                                                                                                                      § 52i.2       Definitions.                                                  survival rates in the population as
                                             ENDOWMENT PROGRAMS
                                                                                                                         As used in this part:                                                    compared to the health status of the
                                             Sec.                                                                        Act means the Public Health Service                                      general population.
                                             52i.1 To what programs does this part                                    Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.).                                       Health disparity students means
                                                  apply?                                                                 Center of Excellence means, for                                          students of minority health disparity
                                             52i.2 Definitions.                                                       purposes of grants authorized by section
                                             52i.3 Who is eligible to apply?                                                                                                                      populations or other health disparities
                                             52i.4 Under what conditions may an                                       464z–3(h) of the Act, an institution                                        populations.
                                                  eligible institution designate a                                    designated as a Center of Excellence and                                       Institutional endowment (IE) means
                                                  foundation as the recipient of a research                           receiving a grant under section 736 (42                                     the corporate or system-wide
                                                  endowment grant?                                                    U.S.C. 293) or section 464z–4 (42 U.S.C.                                    endowment fund that is the sum total of
                                             52i.5 How to Apply for a Grant.                                          285t–1) of the Act.                                                         the endowment assets of all campuses
                                             52i.6 Evaluation and Disposition of                                         Director means the Director, NIMHD,                                      and their components. This includes,
                                                  Research Endowment Grant                                            of the National Institutes of Health.                                       but is not limited to, endowments
                                                  Applications.                                                          Endowment fund means a fund that is
                                             52i.7 Grant Awards.                                                                                                                                  managed by an institution’s
                                             52i.8 When and for what purposes may a
                                                                                                                      established by state law, by an                                             foundations/associations as well as state
                                                  grantee spend the endowment fund                                    institution, or by a foundation                                             university systems.
                                                  corpus?                                                             associated with an institution that is                                         Institution system-wide means all
                                             52i.9 How much endowment fund income                                     exempt from taxation and is maintained                                      campuses and components.
                                                  may a grantee spend and for what                                    for the purpose of generating income for                                       Minority health conditions means,
                                                  purposes?                                                           the support of minority and health                                          with respect to individuals who are
                                             52i.10 How shall a grantee calculate the                                 disparities research or research training                                   members of minority groups, all
                                                  amount of endowment fund income that                                if the funds are from a grant made under                                    diseases, disorders, and conditions
                                                  it may withdraw and spend?
                                                                                                                      section 464z–3 of the Act. The principal                                    (including with respect to mental health
                                             52i.11 What shall a grantee record and
                                                  report?                                                             or corpus of the fund may not be spent                                      and substance abuse):
                                             52i.12 What happens if a grantee fails to                                except as noted in § 52i.8(b).                                                 (1) Unique to, more serious, or more
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                                                  administer the research endowment                                      Endowment fund corpus means an                                           prevalent in such individuals;
                                                  grant in accordance with applicable                                 amount equal to the total grant funds                                          (2) For which the factors of medical
                                                  regulations?                                                        awarded under this part or equal to the                                     risk or types of medical intervention
                                             52i.13 Other HHS policies and regulations                                amount designated as endowment under                                        may be different for such individuals, or
                                                  that apply.                                                         section 464z–4 of the Act.                                                  for which it is unknown whether such
                                             52i.14 Additional conditions.                                               Endowment fund income means the                                          factors or types are different for such
                                                Authority: 42 U.S.C. 216, 285t–285t–1.                                income generated from investing the                                         individuals; or


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                       53745

                                                (3) With respect to which there has                  foundation associated with the                           (b) An institution described in § 52i.3
                                             been insufficient research involving                    institution to receive the endowment                  that receives a grant under this part or
                                             such individuals as subjects or                         funds only for investment purposes if:                an institution described in section
                                             insufficient data on such individuals.                    (a) The institution assures in its                  464z–4(f) of the Act authorized to use
                                                Minority health disparities research                 application that the foundation is                    grant funds for endowment purposes
                                             means basic, clinical, and behavioral                   legally authorized to receive the                     shall follow the spending rules under
                                             research on minority health conditions,                 endowment funds and to administer the                 the law of the state in which the
                                             including research to prevent, diagnose,                endowment funds in accordance with                    institution is located and the spending
                                             and treat such conditions.                              the regulations set forth in this part;               rules/policies adopted by the recipient
                                                Racial and ethnic minority or                          (b) The foundation agrees to                        institution, provided that such spending
                                             minority group means American Indians                   administer the endowment funds in                     rules are not inconsistent with
                                             (including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and                 accordance with the regulations in this               applicable federal regulations/policies.
                                             Aleuts), Asian Americans, Native                        part;                                                    (c) Grants awarded under this part or
                                             Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders,                    (c) The institution agrees to be liable             grant funds designated for endowment
                                             Blacks, and Hispanics. Hispanic means                   for any violation by the foundation of                purposes as described under section
                                             individuals whose origin is Mexican,                    any applicable regulation, including any              464z–4(f) of the Act must be invested no
                                             Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South                   violation resulting in monetary liability;            later than 90 days after the start date of
                                             American, or other Spanish culture or                   and                                                   the grant.
                                             origin.                                                   (d) The grantee institution has control                (d) The institution, in investing the
                                                Secretary means the Secretary of                     and is responsible for the administration             endowment fund established under this
                                             Health and Human Services and any                       of the grant accounts.                                section, shall exercise the judgment and
                                             other officer or employee of the                                                                              care, under the circumstances then
                                                                                                     § 52i.5   How to apply for a grant.                   prevailing, that a person of prudence,
                                             Department of Health and Human
                                             Services to whom the authority                             (a) Each institution interested in                 discretion, and intelligence would
                                             involved has been delegated.                            applying for a grant under section 464z–              exercise in the management of such
                                                                                                     3(h) of the Act must submit an                        person’s own affairs and avoid all
                                             § 52i.3   Who is eligible to apply?                     application at such time and in such                  appearances of conflict of interest in the
                                               (a) To be eligible for a grant under                  form and manner as the Secretary may                  management of this fund.
                                             section 464z–3(h) of the Act an                         prescribe.                                               (e) The total amount of an endowment
                                             applicant:                                                 (b) An institution described in § 52i.3            grant under this part or the designated
                                               (1) Must be a Center of Excellence                    that has received a grant under this part             amount of the grant under section 464z–
                                             under section 736 (42 U.S.C. 293) or                    may apply for another grant under this                4(f) of the Act must be maintained as
                                             section 464z–4 (42 U.S.C. 285t–1) of the                part if:                                              corpus by the institution for 20 years
                                             Act, and                                                   (1)(i) The institution still meets the             from the end of the project period.
                                               (2) Must have an institutional                        eligibility requirements in § 52i.3; and                 (f) In the case of situations in which
                                             endowment that is equal to or less than                    (ii) The institution is in the last year           investment conditions result in the
                                             50 percent of the national median of                    of funding provided by NIH under this                 corpus referred to in paragraph (e) of
                                             endowment funds at institutions that                    part; or                                              this section having a net market value
                                             conduct similar biomedical research                        (2) The institution no longer has an               less than the value of the funds at the
                                             and training of health professionals.                   active grant under this part from NIH.                time of their receipt, appropriate actions
                                               (b) To be eligible for a portion of a                                                                       must be taken (e.g., careful review of the
                                                                                                     § 52i.6 Evaluation and award of research
                                             grant award to be expended as a                                                                               investment strategy) in order to preserve
                                                                                                     endowment grant applications.
                                             research endowment under section                                                                              the value of the endowment corpus.
                                             464z–4(f) of the Act, an applicant:                        All applications filed in accordance                  (g) An institution described in § 52i.3
                                               (1) Must be a designated biomedical                   with this part and meeting the minimal                receiving an endowment grant under
                                             and behavioral research institution                     eligibility requirements shall be                     section 464z–3(h) of the Act may not
                                             under section 464z–4 of the Act, and                    evaluated and recommended by                          simultaneously receive endowment
                                               (2) Must submit those materials                       technical and scientific peer review.                 funds under section 464z–4(f) of the
                                             prescribed by the Director, NIMHD.                      The review evaluation shall take into                 Act.
                                                                                                     account, among other pertinent factors:                  (h) Consistent with section 464z–4(f)
                                             § 52i.4 Under what conditions may an                       (a) The scientific and technical merit             of the Act, the Director, NIMHD, may
                                             eligible institution designate a foundation             of the proposed project to facilitate
                                             as the recipient of a research endowment
                                                                                                                                                           designate for a research endowment
                                                                                                     minority health disparities research and              some of the funds awarded to a Center
                                             grant?                                                  other health disparities research;                    of Excellence for research education and
                                                A number of universities and other                      (b) The likelihood of its producing                training.
                                             organizations have established closely                  meaningful results;
                                             affiliated, but separately incorporated,                   (c) The adequacy of the applicant’s                § 52i.8 When and for what purposes may
                                             organizations to facilitate the                         resources available for the project; and              a grantee spend the endowment fund
                                             administration of research and other                       (d) The adequacy of the applicant’s                corpus?
                                             programs supported by federal funds.                    plan for managing the endowment fund.                   (a) A grantee may not withdraw or
                                             Such legally independent entities are                                                                         spend any part of the endowment fund
                                             often referred to as ‘‘foundations,’’                   § 52i.7   Grant awards.                               corpus for a total of 20 years from the
                                             although this term does not necessarily                   (a) Within the limits of funds, and
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                                                                                                                                                           end of the project period.
                                             appear in the name of the organization.                 upon such review and recommendation                     (b) At the end of the 20-year period,
                                             An institution awarded an endowment                     as may be required by law, the Director               during which the endowment corpus
                                             grant under section 464z–3(h) of the Act                shall award a grant to those applicants               must be maintained, the grantee
                                             or using designated grant funds for                     whose approved projects will in the                   institution is encouraged to preserve the
                                             endowment purposes under section                        Director’s judgment best promote the                  endowment fund corpus but may use
                                             464z–4(f) of the Act may designate a                    purposes of this part.                                the endowment fund corpus for any


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                                             53746            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                             purpose that expands or develops the                    expenditures must be reported over a                     (e) 45 CFR part 46—Protection of
                                             institution’s minority health and/or                    20-year period, and supporting records                human subjects.
                                             health disparities research and/or                      are to be retained for 3 years after the                 (f) 45 CFR part 74—Uniform
                                             training capacity.                                      submission of the final report to the                 administrative requirements for awards
                                                                                                     NIMHD;                                                and subawards to institutions of higher
                                             § 52i.9 How much endowment fund                            (c) Permit authorized officials the                education, hospitals, other nonprofit
                                             income may a grantee spend and for what
                                                                                                     authority to conduct a review, as set                 organizations, and commercial
                                             purposes?
                                                                                                     forth in 45 CFR 74.53(e) (which states                organizations; and certain grants and
                                                (a) Any endowment income realized                    that the Department of Health and                     agreements with states, local
                                             in the initial year following the grant                 Human Services (HHS) awarding                         governments, and Indian tribal
                                             award under this part shall not be                      agencies, the HHS Inspector General,                  governments.
                                             expended to support programmatic                        the U.S. Comptroller General, and any                    (g) 45 CFR part 80—
                                             activities until after conclusion of the                of their duly authorized representatives              Nondiscrimination under programs
                                             initial year of the grant.                              ‘‘have the right of timely and                        receiving federal assistance through the
                                                (b) After the first year of the grant, a                                                                   Department of Health and Human
                                                                                                     unrestricted access to any books,
                                             grantee awarded funds under this part                                                                         Services effectuation of Title VI of the
                                                                                                     documents, papers, or other records of
                                             may spend endowment income realized                                                                           Civil Rights Act of 1964.
                                                                                                     recipients that are pertinent to the
                                             from funds it receives solely in                                                                                 (h) 45 CFR part 81—Practice and
                                                                                                     awards, in order to make audits,
                                             accordance with the regulations of this                                                                       procedure for hearings under part 80 of
                                                                                                     examinations, excerpts, transcripts, or
                                             part, the terms and conditions of the                                                                         this chapter.
                                                                                                     copies of such documents’’); and
                                             award, NIMHD policies and procedures,                                                                            (i) 2 CFR part 382—Requirements for
                                                                                                        (d) Submit Financial Status Reports,
                                             and the grantee’s strategic plan that has                                                                     drug-free workplace (financial
                                                                                                     as set forth in 45 CFR 74.52, as required
                                             been approved by the NIMHD and                                                                                assistance).
                                                                                                     by the NIMHD and in the form
                                             includes priorities for the use of the                                                                           (j) 45 CFR part 84—
                                                                                                     prescribed. A final Financial Status
                                             endowment fund income.                                                                                        Nondiscrimination on the basis of
                                                                                                     Report shall be required 20 years after
                                             § 52i.10 How shall a grantee calculate the              the end of the project period.                        handicap in programs or activities
                                             amount of endowment fund income that it                                                                       receiving federal financial assistance.
                                             may withdraw and spend?                                 § 52i.12 What happens if a grantee fails to              (k) 45 CFR part 86—
                                               A grantee awarded funds under this
                                                                                                     administer the research endowment grant               Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in
                                                                                                     in accordance with applicable regulations?            education programs or activities
                                             part shall calculate the amount of
                                             endowment fund income that it may                         (a) The Director, after giving notice               receiving federal financial assistance.
                                                                                                     and an opportunity for a hearing, may                    (l) 45 CFR part 91—
                                             withdraw and spend at a particular time
                                                                                                     authorize the termination of a grant                  Nondiscrimination on the basis of age in
                                             as follows:
                                                                                                     awarded and/or recovery of funds under                programs or activities receiving federal
                                               (a) On each date that the grantee plans
                                                                                                     this part during the 20-year period if the            financial assistance from HHS.
                                             a withdrawal of endowment fund
                                                                                                     grantee:                                                 (m) 45 CFR part 92—Uniform
                                             income, the grantee must determine the
                                                                                                       (1) Withdraws or spends any part of                 administrative requirements for grants
                                             amount of the income by calculating the
                                                                                                     the endowment fund corpus in violation                and cooperative agreements to State,
                                             value of the fund that exceeds the
                                                                                                     of this part;                                         local, and tribal governments.
                                             endowment fund corpus.                                                                                           (n) 45 CFR part 93—New restrictions
                                               (b) If the total value of the endowment                 (2) Spends any portion of the
                                                                                                     endowment fund income not permitted                   on lobbying.
                                             fund exceeds the endowment fund                                                                                  (o) NIH Guidelines for Research
                                             corpus, the grantee may withdraw and                    to be spent in this part;
                                                                                                       (3) Fails to invest the endowment                   Involving Recombinant or Synthetic
                                             spend the excess amount, i.e., the                                                                            Nucleic Acid Molecules at http://
                                             endowment fund income, in accordance                    fund corpus in accordance with the
                                                                                                     investment standards set forth in this                osp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIH_
                                             with § 52i.9.                                                                                                 Guidelines_0.pdf. Further information
                                                                                                     part;
                                             § 52i.11   What shall a grantee record and                (4) Fails to meet the requirements in               may be obtained from the NIH Office of
                                             report?                                                 § 52i.7; or                                           Biotechnology Activities via email at
                                               A grantee awarded funds under this                      (5) Otherwise fails to comply with the              OBA-OSP@od.nih.gov or the OBA Web
                                             part shall:                                             terms and conditions of the award.                    site at http://osp.od.nih.gov/office-
                                               (a) Maintain appropriate records in                     (b) Recovery of funds may include up                biotechnology-activities.
                                             compliance with this part and other                     to the amount of endowment awards                        (p) NIH Guidelines on the Inclusion of
                                             requirements as referenced in terms of                  plus any income earned.                               Women and Minorities as Subjects in
                                             the award, including documentation of:                                                                        Clinical Research at http://
                                               (1) The type and amount of                            § 52i.13 Other HHS policies and                       grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/
                                                                                                     regulations that apply.                               NOT-OD-02-001.html. Further
                                             investments of the endowment fund;
                                               (2) The amount of endowment fund                        Several other regulations and policies              information may be obtained from the
                                             income and corpus;                                      apply to grants under this part. These                NIH Office of Research on Women’s
                                               (3) The amount and purpose of                         include, but are not limited to:                      Health via email at ORWHINFO@
                                             expenditures of endowment fund                            (a) 2 CFR part 376—HHS                              mail.nih.gov or the ORWH Web site at
                                             income; and                                             Nonprocurement debarment and                          http://ORWH.od.nih.gov.
                                               (4) The expenses and charges                          suspension.                                              (q) NIH Grants Policy Statement
                                                                                                       (b) 42 CFR part 50, subpart D—Public                (October 1, 2013). This version is
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                                             associated with the management of the
                                             endowment funds if such expenses and                    Health Service grant appeals procedure.               located on the NIH Web site at http://
                                             charges were paid from endowment                          (c) 42 CFR part 93—Public Health                    grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_
                                             fund income.                                            Service policies on research                          2013. [Note: this policy is subject to
                                               (b) Retain records in accordance with                 misconduct.                                           change, and interested persons should
                                             45 CFR 74.53. The endowment fund                          (d) 45 CFR part 16—Procedures of the                contact the Office of Policy for
                                             corpus, fund income, and fund                           Departmental Grant Appeals Board.                     Extramural Research Administration


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 173 / Tuesday, September 8, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                       53747

                                             (OPERA), Office of Extramural Research,                 effectively manage Commission                         organization of the Field. Our review
                                             NIH, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 350,                   resources, and align the Commission’s                 concludes that our Field resources
                                             MSC 7974, Bethesda, MD 20892–7974                       field enforcement activities with                     should be concentrated in urban areas
                                             (telephone 301–435–0938 or toll-free                    contemporary needs for a field                        where the need for them is greatest. This
                                             800–518–4726), to obtain references to                  enforcement presence. The Commission,                 Order refocuses the Field on
                                             the current version and any                             the Office of Managing Director and the               enforcement of our radio frequency
                                             amendments. Information may be                          Enforcement Bureau will take several                  spectrum rules and other key
                                             obtained also by contacting the OPERA                   actions to realign the mission and                    regulations in a high impact and cost
                                             Division of Grants Policy via email at                  resources of its 24 field offices. The                effective manner that is better aligned
                                             GrantsPolicy@mail.nih.gov. Previous                     Bureau’s field offices will primarily                 with the priorities of the Commission
                                             versions of the NIH Grants Policy                       support the enforcement of the                        and the Bureau as a whole.
                                             Statement are archived at http://                       Commission’s radio frequency spectrum
                                                                                                                                                           II. Discussion
                                             grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/                           rules and other key regulations in a
                                             policy.htm.]                                            manner likely to have the greatest                       2. The Commission has determined to
                                                (r) Public Health Service Policy on                  impact, in the most cost effective way                make changes to the Field in order to
                                             Humane Care and Use of Laboratory                       possible.                                             create a more effective organization
                                             Animals, Office of Laboratory Animal                                                                          within the limits of our budgetary
                                                                                                     DATES: Effective September 8, 2015.
                                             Welfare, NIH (Revised August 2002).                                                                           constraints. By this action we
                                                                                                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      restructure the Enforcement Bureau’s
                                             [Note: this policy is subject to change,                William Davenport, Enforcement
                                             and interested persons should contact                                                                         field operations to implement the
                                                                                                     Bureau, (202) 418–1034.                               changes. The Field reorganization will
                                             the Office of Laboratory Animal                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
                                             Welfare, NIH, Rockledge 1, Suite 360,                                                                         better align the Field’s mission with the
                                                                                                     summary of the Commission’s Order;                    priorities of the Commission, increase
                                             MSC 7982, 6705 Rockledge Drive,                         FCC 15–81, adopted and released on
                                             Bethesda, MD 20892–7982 (telephone                                                                            efficiency in terms of both employee
                                                                                                     July 16, 2015. The full text of this                  performance and management oversight,
                                             301–594–2382, not a toll-free number),                  document is available for public
                                             to obtain references to the current                                                                           and enable updating the employee
                                                                                                     inspection during regular business                    skillset and equipment deployed in the
                                             version and any amendments.                             hours in the FCC Reference Center,
                                             Information may be obtained also via                                                                          Field. We take this action after extensive
                                                                                                     Room CY–A257, 445 12th Street SW.,                    outreach to internal and external
                                             the OLAW Web site at http://                            Washington, DC 20554 or at the
                                             grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm.]                                                                         stakeholders, including a survey of field
                                                                                                     following Internet address: https://                  personnel and interviews with field
                                             § 52i.14   Additional conditions.                       www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-plan-                 staff, current and former management,
                                               The Director may, with respect to any                 modernize-field-operations-0.                         outside experts, regulatees, and other
                                                                                                     Alternative formats are available to                  government agencies. We also reviewed
                                             grant award, impose additional
                                                                                                     persons with disabilities (braille, large             field operations by other federal
                                             conditions prior to, or at the time of, any
                                                                                                     print, electronic files, audio format); to            agencies and examined the Bureau’s
                                             award when in the Director’s judgment
                                                                                                     obtain, please send an email to fcc504@               enforcement activity database to assess
                                             the conditions are necessary to ensure
                                                                                                     fcc.gov or call the Consumer and                      the Field’s caseload, efficiency, and
                                             the carrying out of the purposes of the
                                                                                                     Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202)                  effectiveness.
                                             award, the interests of the public health,
                                                                                                     418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432                         3. Based on that comprehensive
                                             or the conservation of grant funds.
                                                                                                     (TTY).                                                review, the Commission, the Office of
                                               Dated: August 13, 2015.                                                                                     Managing Director and the Enforcement
                                                                                                     I. Introduction
                                             Francis S. Collins,                                                                                           Bureau will take several actions to
                                             Director, National Institutes of Health.                   1. Through this Order, we act to                   realign the mission and resources of the
                                               Approved: August 24, 2015.                            improve the Commission’s efficiency,                  Field. The Bureau’s field offices will
                                                                                                     effectively manage Commission                         primarily support the enforcement of
                                             Sylvia M. Burrell,
                                                                                                     resources, and align the Commission’s                 the Commission’s radiofrequency
                                             Secretary, Department of Health and Human
                                                                                                     field enforcement activities with                     interference requirements and other key
                                             Services.
                                                                                                     contemporary needs for a field                        rules. These enforcement efforts will be
                                             [FR Doc. 2015–22018 Filed 9–4–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                     enforcement presence. With its 24 field               guided by the priorities of the
                                             BILLING CODE 4140–01–P                                  offices (‘‘Field’’) and Equipment                     Commission and the Enforcement
                                                                                                     Development Group, the Enforcement                    Bureau and occur in the manner likely
                                                                                                     Bureau resolves interference issues,                  to have the greatest impact, in the most
                                             FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS                                  assists with disaster recovery, and
                                             COMMISSION                                                                                                    cost effective way possible.
                                                                                                     enforces technical compliance with                       4. The Field will embark on a program
                                                                                                     Commission rules and the                              to update its equipment and employee
                                             47 CFR Parts 0, 2, 11, 15, 18, 73, 74,                  Communications Act. The current
                                             76, 78, 80, 90, 95, and 97                                                                                    skillset to address the likely issues that
                                                                                                     model of the Field was adopted                        will accompany new and expanded uses
                                             [FCC 15–81]                                             approximately 20 years ago.1 Since                    of spectrum. This program will include
                                                                                                     then, technological changes and                       the expanded use of remotely operated
                                             Reorganization of the Enforcement                       increasingly limited resources have                   monitoring equipment to supplement
                                             Bureau’s Field Operations                               created the need to take a fresh look at              field staff, as well as the identification
                                                                                                     the Bureau’s Field operations. The                    and use of portable devices capable of
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                                             AGENCY:  Federal Communications
                                                                                                     Commission has completed a full                       assessing interference issues in bands
                                             Commission.
                                                                                                     review of the mission, processes, and                 expected to experience heavy spectrum
                                             ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                       1 Amendment of Part 0 of the Commission’s Rules
                                                                                                                                                           use. Upon completion of all required
                                             SUMMARY: The Federal Communications                     to Reflect Reorganization of the Compliance and
                                                                                                                                                           implementation steps, the Commission
                                             Commission (the Commission) acts to                     Information Bureau, Order, 11 FCC Rcd 1725            will first apply the net savings resulting
                                             improve the Commission’s efficiency,                    (1996).                                               from this reorganization effort to this


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Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:13:11
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:13:11
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis final rule is effective October 8, 2015.
ContactJerry Moore, NIH Regulations Officer, Office of Management Assessment, NIH, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Room 601, MSC 7669, Rockville, MD 20852; by email at [email protected]; by fax on 301-401-0169 (not a toll free number); or by telephone on 301- 496-4607 (not a toll-free number).
FR Citation80 FR 53739 
RIN Number0925-AA61
CFR AssociatedGrant Programs-Health and Medical Research

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