Health Communication Research; Notice of Availability of Funds

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18033-18034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9152]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99107]


Health Communication Research; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    In Cooperation with the Office of Prevention Research (Prevention 
Research Initiative), the Division of Health Communication within the 
Office of Communication in the Office of the Director at the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the availability of 
fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds for a health communication research grant 
program. This program addresses all of the ``Healthy People 2000'' 
priority areas. The purpose of this program is to further the 
understanding of, and ability to apply, effective health communication 
strategies and tactics.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by private nonprofit organizations 
and by governments and their agencies; that is, universities, colleges, 
research institutions, hospitals, other public and private nonprofit 
organizations, State and local governments or their bona fide agents, 
and federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or 
Indian tribal organizations.

    Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages 
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan 
or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $500,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund 
approximately 2 to 4 awards. It is expected that the average award will 
be $150,000, ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. It is expected that the 
awards will begin on or about September 30, 1999, and will be made for 
a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to 3 years. 
Funding estimates may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

D. Program Priorities

    Applications must address one of the following research priorities 
identified in CDC's Health Communication Research Agenda:
    1. Discover effective strategies to communicate the public health 
implications of human genetic research.
    2. Identify risk communication strategies for effectively 
communicating public health recommendations and products related to 
vaccines, human genetics, and environmental health.
    3. Determine the conditions under which new communication 
approaches like entertainment education, internet and web TV, and media 
literacy are most effective for different audiences.
    4. Test communication strategies designed to foster societal 
support for public health initiatives and systems.
    5. Determine the communication strategies and tactics are most 
effective in promoting the adoption of health enhancing behaviors among 
members of diverse populations.
    CDC's latest draft of the full Health Communication Research Agenda 
is included as Attachment II in the application packet.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Other Requirements, and Evaluation 
Criteria sections to develop the application content. Your application 
will be evaluated on the criteria listed, so it is important to follow 
them in laying out your program plan.
    Specifically, the applications for health communication research 
grants should include:
    1. The project's focus that justifies the research needs and 
describes the scientific basis for the research, the expected outcome, 
and the relevance of the findings to improving the practices of health 
communication within a larger public health context.
    2. Specific, measurable, and time-framed objectives.
    3. A detailed plan describing the methods by which the objectives 
will be achieved, including their sequence.
    4. A description of the grant's principal investigator's role and 
responsibilities.
    5. A description of all the project staff regardless of their 
funding source. It should include their title, qualifications, 
experience, percentage of time each will devote to the project, as well 
as that portion of their salary to be paid by the grant.
    6. A description of those activities related to, but not supported 
by the grant.
    7. A description of the involvement of other entities that will 
relate to the proposed project, if applicable. It should include 
commitments of support and a clear statement of their roles.
    8. A detailed first year's budget for the grant with future annual 
projections,
    9. A plan for publishing/distributing results.
    An applicant organization has the option of having specific salary 
and fringe benefit amounts for individuals omitted from the copies of 
the application which are made available to outside reviewing groups. 
To exercise this option: on the original and five copies of the 
application, the applicant must use asterisks to indicate those 
individuals for whom salaries and fringe benefits are not shown; the 
subtotals must still be shown. In addition, the applicant must submit 
an additional copy of page four of Form PHS-398, completed in full, 
with the salary and fringe amounts shown. This budget page will be 
reserved for internal staff use only.

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001) adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for 
PHS 398). Forms are in the application kit.
    On or before June 30, 1999, submit the application to: Sheryl L. 
Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99107, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30341.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date; or
    (b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
Objective Review. (Applicants must request a legibly dated U.S. Postal 
Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial 
carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks shall not be 
acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be 
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Applications that are complete and responsive may be subjected to a 
preliminary evaluation by a peer review group to determine if the 
application is of sufficient technical and scientific merit to warrant 
further review (triage); the CDC will withdraw from further 
consideration applications judged to be noncompetitive and promptly 
notify the principal investigator/program director and the official 
signing for the applicant organization. Those applications judged

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to be competitive will be further evaluated by a dual review process.
    Each competitive application will be evaluated individually against 
the following criteria by a Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) appointed by 
CDC. The SEP will score each proposal based on scientific and technical 
merit. Factors to be considered by the SEP include:
    1. A principal investigator who has conducted research, published 
the findings in peer-reviewed journals, and has specific authority and 
responsibility to carry out the proposed project.
    2. Demonstrated experience (on the applicant's project team) in 
conducting, evaluating, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals that 
publish the health communication research theories and research 
findings.
    3. Effective and well-defined working relationships within the 
performing organization and with outside entities that will ensure 
implementation of the proposed activities.
    4. The specific aims of the research project, i.e., the broad long-
term objectives, the intended accomplishment of the specific research 
proposal, and the hypothesis to be tested.
    5. The background of the proposal, i.e., the basis for the present 
proposal, regarding how the proposed research will further 
understanding of, and the ability to apply, effective health 
communication strategies and tactics.
    6. The significance and originality from a scientific or technical 
standpoint of the specific aims of the proposed research, including the 
adequacy of the theoretical and conceptual framework for the research.
    7. The adequacy of the proposed research design, approaches, and 
methodology to carry out the research, including quality assurance 
procedures, plan for data management, and statistical analysis plan.
    8. The extent to which the research findings will increase 
understanding of, and ability to apply, effective health communication 
strategies and tactics.
    9. The degree to which the research is consistent with health 
communication research priorities as identified under the 
``Programmatic Priorities'' section (section D) of this announcement.
    10. The degree to which the evaluation plan will allow the 
measurement of progress toward the achievement of the stated 
objectives.
    11. The degree to which the qualifications, adequacy, and 
appropriateness of personnel to accomplish the proposed activities.
    12. The degree to which commitment and cooperation of other 
interested parties (as evidenced by letters detailing the nature and 
extent of the involvement).
    13. The degree to which adequacy of existing and proposed 
facilities and resources.
    14. The degree to which the reasonableness of the proposed budget 
to the proposed research.
    15. If Human Subjects are involved, does the applicant adequately 
address the requirements of 45 CFR 46 for the protection of human 
subject?
    16. If Human Subjects are involved, has the applicant met the CDC 
Policy requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and 
racial groups in the proposed research. This includes:
    a. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and 
ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    b. The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    c. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to 
measure differences when warranted.
    d. A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach 
for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships 
with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.
    A second review will be conducted by a panel of Senior Federal 
Officials. The Senior Federal Officials will review the ranked 
proposals to assure maximal impact and balance ofthe proposed research. 
The factors to be considered will include:
    a. The results of the peer review.
    b. The extent to which the proposed research addresses health 
communication research needs and priorities.
    c. National needs.
    d. Budgetary considerations.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
    1. Annual progress reports.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial status report and performance report, no more 
than 90 days after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to: Sheryl L. Heard, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 
99107, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341.
    For descriptions of the following Other Requirements, see 
Attachment I in the application package:

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2000
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 1704 of the Public Health 
Service Act, 42 U.S.C. section 300u-3, as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    Please refer to announcement number 99107 when requesting 
information and submitting applications. To receive additional written 
information and to request an application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-
888-472-6874). You will be asked to leave your name and address and 
will be instructed to identify the Announcement number of interest.
    The application kit for 99107 can also be downloaded via the CDC 
home page on the Internet: https://www.cdc.gov.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Sheryl L. Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99107, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, 
Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone (770) 488-2723, Email address: 
slh3@cdc.gov.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Galen E. Cole, Ph.D., 
M.P.H., Division of Health Communication, Office of Communication, 
Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
Mail Stop D42, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, Phone: 404-639-
7275, Email: gxc9@cdc.gov.

    Dated: April 7, 1999.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office Centers of Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-9152 Filed 4-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P