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93.155 RURAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTERS

FEDERAL AGENCY
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION
Section 711 of the Social Security Act as amended by section 432 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

OBJECTIVES
To support the operation of rural health research centers and 1 year research grants to provide an information base and policy analysis capability on the full range of rural health services issues, including financing, recruitment and retention of health professionals, access to care, health disparities and rural delivery systems.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
All funds awarded should be expended solely for carrying out the approved projects in accordance with the provisions of Section 711 of the Social Security Act as amended by section 432 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

Applicant Eligibility
All public and private entities, nonprofit and for-profit, including faith-based and community-based organizations, and Federally recognized tribes and/or tribal organizations, are eligible to apply. Please see individual grant guidances at www.grants.gov for program-specific eligibility

Beneficiary Eligibility
The entities that will benefit from this program are health care personnel, health research personnel, and the general public.

Credentials/Documentation
Applicants should review the individual HRSA Guidance documents issued under these CFDA programs for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package.

Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded for coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure
Grant applications and required forms for this program can be obtained from Grants.gov. Please visit the Grants.gov Web site at www.grants.gov to both find and apply for all Federal grant opportunities. All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee which will make funding recommendations to the Associate Administrator for the Office of Rural Health. The Associate Administrator has the authority to make final selections for awards.

Award Procedure
The review of applications is carried out by Federal and nonfederal professionals in health services research. Applications are reviewed for merit and are recommended for approval or disapproval. Final decisions are made by the Director, Office of Rural Health Policy.

Deadlines
www.hrsa.gov.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximatley 6 months.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
Research center awards may be made for up to 4-year project periods. Subject to availability of funds, after initial awards, projects may be renewed non-competitively contingent upon submission and approval of an application, availability of appropriated funds, and awardee's satisfactory performance. One-year research grants are only available for one year.

Formula and Matching Requirements
There are no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made annually. Awards are normally made in a lump sum for the entire budget period. Payments are made through an Electronic Transfer System or Cash Demand System.

Reports
Annual Program reports and special reports (if any) are required. Targeted Rural Health Research grantees are required to submit three quarterly reports and one final report. In addition, a Financial Status Report is to be submitted within 90 days after the close of each budget period.

Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records
All records must be maintained until expiration of 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions remain following the 3-uear period, such as those raised as a result of an audit or an on-going enforcement action, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.

Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations
FY 07 $4,299,507; FY 08 est. $$4,410,000; and FY 09 $$4,750,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For Research Centers: (FY 07) $400,000 to $600,000; $500,000 and for FY 08 est. $600,000 to $700,000, $650,000. For Targeted Rural Health Research Grants: FY 07 range and average is $150,000 and for FY 08 est. range and average is $150,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In FY 07 eight non-competitive research center grants were awarded and two Targeted Rural Health Research Grants were awarded. It is anticipated that in FY 08 and FY 09 there will be 6 Research Center awards and three Targeted Rural Health Research Grant awards.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable

Regional or Local Office
Program Contact: Joan Van Nostrand, D.P.A. for Rural Health Research Centers or Erica Molliver, M.H.S. for Targeted Rural Health Research Centers, Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Parklawn Building, Room 9A-55, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-0835.

Headquarters Office
Grants Management Office: Rick Goodman, Director, Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-16. Health Services Branch: Telephone: (301) 443-2385; Research and Training Branch: Telephone: (301) 443-3099; Government and Special Focus Branch: Telephone: (301) 443-3288.

Web Site Address
www.hrsa.gov

RELATED PROGRAMS
None.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
In FY 07 the research centers focused on rural health services as they relate to the following topic areas: Rural Health Clinics, Public Health Workforce, Oral Health, HIT Implementation, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Targeted Rural Health Research Grants In FY07, the three Targeted Rural Health Research Grantees focused on asbestos-related disease, diabetes and obesity, and preventive care among rural Medicare beneficiaries.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
Criteria will be published in the HRSA Preview for competitive application cycles.


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)