Department of Health and Human Services
Participating Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (http://www.cdc.gov/)
Components of Participating Organizations
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html)
Title: Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers
Note: The policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions stated in this announcement may differ from those used by the NIH.
Announcement Type
New
Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
Program Announcement (PA) Number: PAR-05-107
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.262
Key Dates
Release Date: May 12, 2005
Application Receipt Dates(s): September 16, 2005
Peer Review Date(s): January/February, 2006
Council Review Date(s): May/June, 2006
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2006
Expiration Date: September 17, 2005
Due Dates for E.O. 12372
Not Applicable
Additional Overview Content
Executive Summary
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)/ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) invites grant applications for Education and Research Centers (ERC) that are focused on occupational safety and health. NIOSH is mandated to provide an adequate supply of qualified personnel to carry out the purposes of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the ERCs are one of the principal means for meeting this mandate. ERCs are academic institutions that provide interdisciplinary graduate training and continuing education in the core occupational safety and health areas of industrial hygiene (IH), occupational health nursing (OHN), occupational medicine residency (OMR), occupational safety (OS), as well as other closely related occupational safety and health (OSH) fields. Research and research training are integral components of ERCs, thus ERC scientists conduct peer reviewed, investigator initiated research on issues related to the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The NIOSH homepage provides a full description of occupational safety and health program areas, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html. The ERCs also serve as regional resource centers for industry, labor, government, and the public.
The total amount of funds awarded under this program is approximately $20 million dollars per year for new competing applications, competing renewal applications, and continuing awards. The number of awards for this program is between 12 and 20 depending on the quality of the applications and funds available. Each year the number of new competing and competing renewal awards will vary between one and ten depending on the number of awards that have ended. This program uses the T42 mechanism which is for the support of ERCs. You may submit (an) application(s) if your organization has any of the following characteristics:
Note: Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed training and research program is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIOSH programs. An applicant organization may submit only one application under this announcement.
Application materials may be obtained from http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. In addition, supplemental instructions are provided on the NIOSH web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/training.html. Applicants must follow the special instructions provided or the application will be returned as non-responsive.
Table of ContentsPart II Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Program Objectives
Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
2. Funds Available
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
A. Eligible Institutions
B. Eligible Individuals
2.Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other - Special Eligibility Criteria
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
A. Receipt and Review and Anticipated Start Dates
1. Letter of Intent
B. Sending an Application to the NIH
C. Application Processing
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
A. Additional Review Criteria
B. Additional Review Considerations
C. Sharing Research Data
D. Sharing Research Resources
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting
Section VII. Agency Contact(s)
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)
Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations
Part II - Full Text of AnnouncementThe Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This PA is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
1. Program Objectives
The purpose of this program is to continue existing, and/or establish new Education and Research Centers (ERC) that are focused on occupational safety and health. NIOSH is mandated to provide an adequate supply of qualified personnel to carry out the purposes of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the ERCs are one of the principal means for meeting this mandate. ERCs are academic institutions that provide interdisciplinary graduate training and continuing education in the core disciplines of Industrial Hygiene (IH), Occupational Health Nursing (OHN), Occupational Medicine Residency (OMR), Occupational Safety (OS), and other fields closely related to occupational safety and health (OSH). Research and research training are integral components of the ERC concept. Thus, ERC scientists should conduct peer reviewed, investigator-initiated research on issues related to the mission of NIOSH. The NIOSH homepage provides a full description of occupational safety and health program areas, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html.
The ERCs are multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary awards that address OSH training and research in a cross cutting and integrated manner, and should result in cross-fertilization among the various disciplines and impact safety and health practice and research. The ERCs are the major part of a network of training grants that help ensure there is an adequate supply of qualified professional occupational safety and health practitioners and researchers. These training programs are intended to provide multi-level practitioner and research training.
The ERCs have a significant role in the research to practice (r2p) initiative of the institute. Thus, ERCs are expected to undertake projects that have a focus on the translation of occupational safety and health research products into the practitioner environment. Through their continuing education, outreach, training and research activities, ERCs will significantly impact the practitioner environment in a measurable way. The ERCs also serve as regional and national resource centers on OSH issues for industry, labor, government, and the public.
Training Programs
This program may support Masters, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral training.
Certain training areas are considered “core disciplines”. The core disciplines are: OMR, OHN, IH, and OS. In addition to these core disciplines, in order to take full advantage of the unique strengths and capabilities of institutions, consideration will be given to the development of new and innovative academic component programs in allied disciplines that are relevant to the occupational safety and health field, e.g., ergonomics, industrial toxicology, occupational injury prevention, occupational epidemiology, occupational health psychology, health services research, and agricultural safety and health. Also, consideration will be given to innovative technological approaches to training and education, and an ERC may offer Hazardous Substance Academic Training (HSAT).
Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/home/home.asp, is required for the OMR program. In addition, an ERC is encouraged to have accreditation of the Masters level training programs by applicable recognized accrediting organizations.
ERCs must document that the core or allied disciplines will fill a critical gap in the selected occupational safety and health disciplines that meets a specific regional workforce need.
Each core area program curriculum should include courses that fully prepare trainees to move into and/or advance in the OSH work community. Appropriate clinical rotations and field experiences with occupational safety and health agencies or other appropriate groups and with labor-management health and safety groups are encouraged.
Core programs can offer masters and doctoral degrees. Pre-doctoral training must lead to the Masters degree and/or the Ph.D. degree or a comparable research doctoral degree. Pre-doctoral research training should emphasize fundamental training in areas of occupational safety and health sciences. Undergraduate degrees and training are not authorized under this program. If an HSAT program is proposed, the HSAT program must ensure the successful completion by trainees of a 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations training course to meet the requirements of 29CFR1910.120 either during or prior to enrollment.
Post Doctoral Training (optional)
Postdoctoral training is considered an important role of the ERCs, and the applicant is allowed to request support for this type of training.
The trainees must meet the NIH guidelines for support under the National Research Service Award (T32) program (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-109.html).
It is not appropriate to provide support for postdoctoral trainees in mentor (investigator) laboratories that do not have peer reviewed support. In addition, the work of the postdoctoral mentor must be specific to the NIOSH mission. Postdoctoral research training is for individuals who have received a Ph.D., D.V.M, D.D.S., M.D., or a comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic institution. Research training at the postdoctoral level must emphasize specialized training to meet national research priorities in the occupational safety and health sciences.
An ERC is encouraged to provide Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral trainees instruction in the following areas:
An ERC may provide training in as many core or allied program OSH areas as resources allow; however, the ERC application must have the components that are marked below as required. If one of the required components is not proposed, the application will be considered non-responsive and it will be returned to the applicant without a review:
There must be a minimum of five (5) full time trainees in each program, with the exception of OMR, where there must be at least four (4) full time trainees.
There must be a minimum of five (5) full time trainees in a core discipline program, with the exception of OMR, where there must be at least four (4) full time trainees.
There must be at least three (3) full time trainees in any additional allied OSH or HSAT programs. However, as in the past, HSAT programs do not qualify as one of the three required programs for an ERC.
The trainees must meet the NIH guidelines for support under the National Research Service Award (T32) program (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-109.html).
An ERC must include a continuing education program for OSH that provides training courses for physicians, nurses, industrial hygienists, safety engineers and other occupational safety and health professionals, paraprofessionals and technicians, including personnel from labor-management health and safety committees, in the geographical region in which the ERC is located. The ERC continuing education course offerings should be based on the regional and national needs and the applicant should provide a rationale for the courses that are offered.
As a goal, an ERC is expected to provide continuing education training to a minimum of 400 trainees per year representing all of the above categories of personnel. ERCs should describe plans to target occupational safety and health training to physicians in family/industrial practice, industrial hygienists, occupational health nurses, and safety engineers.
A priority for this program is to establish/continue new and innovative training technologies, including distance learning programs and short-term programs designed to prepare a cadre of skilled practitioners in occupational safety and health.
Where appropriate, Continuing Education Units (as approved providers) may be awarded. Also, the courses should be structured so that higher educational institutions, public health and safety agencies, professional societies or other appropriate agencies can utilize them to provide training at a local level to occupational health and safety personnel in the workplace.
Continuing Education for Hazardous Substance Training (HST) may be proposed (OPTIONAL).This program must be structured the same as the OSH continuing education program. The program must include public sector student participation.
Center-Wide Activities
This aspect of the project is made up of multiple components. It is noted on the list below whether the components are required or optional:
The Center Director and key members must attend an annual Center Director's meeting that will rotate between ERC sites. For planning purposes, the applicant should budget for the meeting to be in Washington, DC.
The ERC should also establish a Board of Advisors that represents the users and affected populations and may include representatives of labor, industry, government agencies, academic institutions and professional associations. It is expected that this advisory board would meet annually and provide critical advice to the ERC Director. The ERC should also have an executive committee that assists the ERC Director in the management of the program. It is recommended that this committee be composed of the ERC Director, Deputy Director, Academic Program Directors, Continuing Education Program Director, and others whom the ERC Director may determine are needed for the management of the ERC.
An essential component of an ERC is the outreach to other institutions, businesses, community groups or agencies located within the region. Programs should address serving area needs and implement innovative strategies for meeting those needs with a focus on impacting the practitioner environment. Partnerships and collaborative relationships are encouraged between ERCs and NIOSH-funded Training Project Grantees. Examples of outreach activities might include: interaction with other colleges and schools within the ERC serving area and with other universities or institutions in the region to integrate occupational safety and health principles and concepts within existing curricula (e.g., Colleges of Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture, Law, and Arts and Sciences); providing curriculum materials and consultation for curriculum/course development in other institutions; use of a visiting faculty program to involve labor and management leaders; cooperative and collaborative arrangements with professional societies and scientific associations; and presentation of awareness seminars to undergraduate and secondary educational institutions (e.g., high school science fairs and career days) as well as to labor, management and community associations. A priority for outreach is for activities that will have a measurable impact on the practitioner environment. Thus, outreach activities that facilitate the translation of research and training products into the practitioner environment are the highest priority.
ERCs are encouraged to recruit and train minority students to help address the under-representation among the occupational safety and health professional workforce. A detailed plan to address the under-representation of minorities among occupational safety and health professionals and for the recruitment of underrepresented minorities to the core programs must be a part of the application. The initial review group will review this plan as part of the overall rating of the application. Specific efforts to conduct outreach activities to develop collaborative training programs with academic institutions serving minority and other special populations, such as Tribal Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions are encouraged.
The applicant should describe a plan for ensuring the interdisciplinary coordination and interaction of the trainees in the core academic training programs. For each core program (OMR, IH, OHN, OS), the applicant may request up to 5% effort for the program director for interdisciplinary coordination/integration of the ERC training programs.
Support for projects relevant to the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) of NIOSH is considered fundamental to sustaining the quality, breadth, and dynamics of the ERC program. These projects are intended for the exploration and development of new and creative exploratory, prevention/intervention and translation projects, and are considered an important and integral part of the support provided to the ERC. These pilot/small projects should provide support for short-term projects (maximum duration of 24 months). This program will enable investigators to collect sufficient data to pursue support through other funding mechanisms. Examples of pilot/small projects may include, but are not limited to:
1. Provide initial support to develop innovative approaches/lines of investigation in the program areas.
2. Allow exploration of possible innovative new directions in OSH sciences.
3. Stimulate investigators from other fields to apply their expertise to OSH issues.
4. Develop new mechanisms for external or multi-ERC collaborative partnerships to address emerging safety and health concerns.
5. Provide initial support for a translational/research to practice project.
6. Support for trainee capstone projects
While the administrative framework for management of the ERCs Pilot/Small Project Program is left to the Center Director's discretion, certain minimal requirements must be met. Management of the program must include provisions for:
1. A mechanism that ensures preparation and appropriate announcement of the availability of pilot/small project funding.
2. A mechanism for merit review of pilot/small project proposals. Record that projects address a NORA topic. Copies of all proposals, with documentation of their reviews, relative ranking, and final action must be retained by the Center. These records must be available to reviewers in the event of a site visit. These records should include a categorization of the projects funded by NORA area.
3. A mechanism to maintain a record of subsequent results of each pilot/small project (abstract, RO1/R21 submission/award, dissertation, etc.) recipient. This record must be available to reviewers in the event of a site visit for competing renewals. Input by both the Internal Advisory Committee and the External Advisory Committee into the management of the Pilot/Small Projects Program is strongly recommended.
Section II. Award InformationThe ERCs represent a variety of strengths and approaches that are required in order to promote high quality research in occupational safety and health, and are a major vehicle for the development of future leaders in occupational safety and health research. They are structured to foster development of interdisciplinary research skills that are needed to effectively address the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) priority areas and are a critical link to practicing occupational safety and health professionals and others to translate research findings into interventions that prevent illness and injury in the workplace.
These funds may be used for:(a) assessment of regional needs for research and research training in NORA areas; (b) provision of administrative and technical support for conducting research, including the infrastructural support of research; (c) coordinating interdisciplinary research among graduate students; (d) training graduate students in research principles, including students whose theses are in NORA priority areas, (e) training students who become occupational safety and health professionals who implement NORA findings in evidence-based practice; and (f) administration of outreach and continuing education activities that bring NORA-related research findings to those who can effect changes that will reduce worker illness and injury. NRS funds are provided to ERCs to address some combination of these goals. Examples of relevant projects that would be responsive include:
1. Research projects that address a specific NORA topic and include training professional students (masters, doctoral, post-doctoral).
2. Programmatic activities to train graduate students in research principles who are enrolled in approved academic core or allied training programs.
3. Outreach and continuing education projects that bring NORA-related research findings to those who can effect changes that will reduce worker illness and injury.
4. Programs to train research occupational safety and health professionals (doctoral and post-doctoral candidates) who will, upon completion, implement NORA findings in evidence based practice. Such trainees should be enrolled in approved academic core or allied training programs.
5. Interdisciplinary pre-doctoral student research training in NORA related projects. The research training must emphasize specialized skills to meet NORA priorities in occupational safety and health disciplines.
6. Post Doctoral Training. The trainees must meet the NIH guidelines for support under the National Research Service Award (T32) program .support of post doctoral trainees. The work of the postdoctoral mentor must be specific to a NORA topic, and be supported by external peer reviewed funding. Postdoctoral research training is for individuals who have received a Ph.D., D.V.M, D.D.S., Dr.PH, ScD, M.D., or a comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic institution that provides doctoral training in OSH fields. Research training at the postdoctoral level must emphasize specialized training to meet NORA priorities in the occupational safety and health sciences.
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
This funding opportunity will use the NIOSH T42 award mechanism(s). As an applicant, you will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.
This funding opportunity uses the just-in-time budget concepts. It also uses the non-modular budget format described in the PHS 398 application instructions (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html). A detailed categorical budget for the "Initial Budget Period" and the "Entire Proposed Period of Support" is to be submitted with the application.
This program is an ongoing program. The announcement is open for applications for one year, and NIOSH intends to re-announce the program upon expiration of this announcement. An Applicant may request a project period of up to five years.
2. Funds Available
The total amount of funds awarded under this program is approximately $20 million dollars per year for new competing applications, competing renewal applications, and continuing awards. The number of awards for this program is between 12 and 20 depending on the quality of the applications and funds available. Each year the number of new competing and competing renewal awards will vary between one and ten depending on the number of five year awards that have ended. The anticipated start date for these awards is July 1 of the year following application submission and the maximum performance period that may be requested is five years.
Although the financial plans of NIOSH provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
Section III. Eligibility Information1. Eligible Applicants
1.A. Eligible Institutions
You may submit (an) application(s) if your organization has any of the following characteristics:
Note: Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply
1.B. Eligible Individuals
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost sharing is not required .
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
Post-doctoral trainees must meet the NIH guidelines for support under the National Research Service Award (T32) program. See the following web site for further information on the NIH guidelines: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-109.html.
An applicant institution may only submit one application under this announcement.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information1. Address to Request Application Information
The PHS 398 application instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of the PHS 398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435-0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY 301-451-0088.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Applications must be prepared using the most current PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms. Applications must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/. The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form.
The title and number of this funding opportunity must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.
The application for this program uses both the detailed budget page (form page 4) and the substitute form page 4 (“NRSA Substitute Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period Direct Costs”) of the 398 application. Applicants that do not submit the budget in the required format will have their applications returned as non-responsive. Limits on funding levels for each component are listed below in Section IV.6., “Other Submission Requirements.” A sample budget for this program is displayed on the NIOSH web site at the following address: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/training.html.
Supplemental Instructions
All training activities should be consistent with the goals of the ERC program and should be based on well documented occupational safety and health needs. In order to assist applicants in the preparation of an application that can be reviewed, a number of supplemental instructions are provided. The applicant should follow the special instructions for institutional training grants contained within the PHS 398 and the supplemental instructions for preparing an ERC application, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/training.html . The applicant should follow the page limits specified in the outline below, and ensure that each activity is clearly described and identified. The application should be organized as indicated below:
Table of Contents for an Education and Research Center Application
In order to facilitate the preparation and review of the ERC application, the following Table of Contents should be used. It is a minor modification of the PHS 398 Table of Contents.
Suggested tables for an ERC application are listed in the supplemental instructions at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/training.html).
Note: In the top left margin of the detailed (form page 4) and summary (form page 5) budget pages, the principal investigator should identify the project title. For example, Academic Training Program: Industrial Hygiene. Type density and size throughout the entire application must conform to the limits provided on page 14 in the PHS 398 instructions.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be received on or before the receipt date described below (Section IV.3.A). Submission times N/A.
3.A. Receipt, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
Application Receipt Date(s): September 16, 2005
Peer Review Date: January/February, 2006
Council Review Date: May/June, 2006
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2006
3.A.1. Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is not required for this funding opportunity.
3.B. Sending an Application to the NIOSH
Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms as described above. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the checklist, and three signed photocopies in one package to:
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7710
Bethesda, MD 20892-7710 (U.S. Postal Service Express or regular mail)
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service; non-USPS service)
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application and all copies of the appendix material must be sent to:
Charles N. Rafferty, Ph.D.
Assistant Director for Review and Policy
Office of Extramural Programs
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, N.E, MS E-74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2582
FAX: (404) 498-2571
Email: cor9@cdc.gov
3.C. Application Processing
Applications must be received on or before the application receipt date(s) described above (Section IV.3.A.). If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by CSR and responsiveness by NIOSH.
NIOSH will not accept any application in response to this funding opportunity that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. NIOSH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of a substantial revision of an application already reviewed, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous critique.
Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding assignment within eight (8) weeks.
4. Intergovernmental Review
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.
All CDC awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the PHS Grants Policy Statement. (see also Section VI.3. Reporting). Additional guidance can be found at NIH Grants Policy Statement.
The ERC Center funding mechanism should not be used as a substitute for individual research grant support. It is expected that research investigators participating in the ERC Centers will have a history of independent project support in addition to the special support available to ERC members.
Generally, funds for renovation of existing facilities or to purchase substantial amounts of equipment will not be allowed. If such requests are made, they must be justified in terms of the critical nature of the equipment/renovations for the success of the overall objectives of the ERC award.
Indirect costs are limited to 8%.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Applications for this announcement will use the budget form page 4 and 5 and NRSA substitute form page 4 and 5 to display the budgets. The facilities and administrative costs for this program are limited to 8% of the total direct costs. The NIOSH web site provides an example of a budget and tables for this program. The web address is http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/training.html.
Stipends, tuition, and fees may only be paid for two years for full time masters trainees, four years for doctoral trainees, and two years for post doctoral trainees from this award. Stipends are not allowed for part-time trainees. Under extenuating circumstances exceptions to this policy may be granted by the NIOSH program director.
Funding may be requested up to the levels described below. Unless an applicant receives written permission from the NIOSH program official named below, any requests for funding above these levels will cause the application to be determined non-responsive, and the application will not be reviewed.
Trainee Stipends
Stipends are provided as a subsistence allowance to help trainees defray living expenses during the training experience. It is not provided as a condition of employment with either the Federal Government or the awardee institution. Stipends may be paid to eligible trainees. Stipend budgets must be based on the levels established for the current fiscal year of the grant. For appointments of less than a full year, the stipend will be based on a monthly or daily pro-ration. The monthly stipend amount is calculated by dividing the current annual stipend by 12. The daily stipend is calculated by dividing the current annual stipend by 365.
Tuition and Fees
The institution may request tuition and fees (including appropriate health insurance) only to the extent that the same resident or nonresident tuition and fees are charged to regular non-Federally supported students. Tuition at the postdoctoral level is limited to that required for specified courses.
Other Trainee Costs
Trainee travel, including attendance at scientific meetings that the institution determines to be necessary to the individual's training, is an allowable trainee expense.
Additional support for travel to a training experience away from the institution may be permitted. Training experiences away from the parent institution must be justified considering the type of opportunities for training available, the manner in which these opportunities differ from and compliment those offered at the parent institution, and the relationship of the proposed experience to the trainee's career stage and goals. This type of training requires prior approval from the NIOSH. Letters requesting such training may be submitted to NIOSH at any time during the award period. For OMR training, applicant may request funds for other necessary costs required for the residency training such as malpractice insurance, hospital parking and other required expenses for all residents at the institution.
Trainee Related Expenses
Funds may be requested to defray the cost of other training related expenses such as staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, supplies, and travel expense for the training faculty. Because there are core costs that are fixed, the following scale should be used to determined the training related expenses. For the core academic programs (IH,OS, OMR, OHN), training related expenses are $12,000 per full time trainee supported by the ERC award for the first five (5) trainees, and $1,000 per each additional full time/full time equivalent trainee. For the allied OSH and HSAT programs, training related expenses are $12,000 per full time trainee supported by the ERC award for the first three (3) trainees, and $1,000 per each additional full time/full time equivalent trainee. For the core academic OMR program training related expenses are $20,000 per full time trainee for the first five (4) trainees, and $5,000 per each additional full time/full time equivalent trainee. However, training related expenses for OMR cannot exceed 50% of the program budget and cannot exceed 40% of the program budget for all other academic programs. The training programs use substitute form page 4, and in the training related expense section, the name of the students and academic status (full time (ft), half time(1/2) , one third time (1/3) are listed. Because many programs provide support for trainees from other sources, it is appropriate to list all trainees in the program in determining the training related expenses. If needed, use a continuation page to list the names of the trainees. For programs that have vacant positions that will be filled during the year, enter TBN for each position requested.
Administrative Core Funds:
The administrative core will support the management, academic and research development, and other center activities not supported by other categories. Up to one half of a full-time equivalent effort between the principal investigator and deputy director may be requested. Up to 100% of a full-time equivalent for administrative support for the Center may be requested. Funds may also be requested to support the external advisory committee. These funds should be requested on a budget form page 4 labeled administrative core.
Center Director's Fund
An applicant may request up to $50,000 per year in direct costs for a Center Director's fund may be requested each year as part of the administrative core budget. These funds are intended to provide ERC Directors discretionary funds to meet unplanned expenses and take advantage of unexpected opportunities. These funds may also be used for travel to the Center Director's meeting and other necessary travel for the Center personnel estimated to be $5,000. Although the specific uses of these funds may vary each year, the applicant should provide a description of how these funds would be used.
Continuing Education for OSH (REQUIRED)
Up to $100,000 per year in direct costs may be requested.
Continuing Education for Hazardous Substance Training (OPTIONAL)
Up to $75,000 per year in direct costs may be requested. This budget must include a minimum of $10,000 for public sector student participation assistance.
Outreach to Occupational Community/ Research to Practice (REQUIRED)
Up to $35,000 in direct costs may be requested per year. Include in the overall budget page under “Other Expenses” and label it Outreach. A detailed budget for this activity is not required; however, in the budget justification, the principal investigator should describe the use of these funds.
Pilot/Small Projects Program (OPTIONAL)
Up to $100,000 in direct costs may be requested per year. There is a maximum of $20,000 allowed per project per year, and a maximum duration of 24 months. Include in the overall budget under “Other Expenses” and labeled Pilot/Small Projects. The PI is solely responsible for these funds. A detailed budget for this activity is not required; however, in the budget justification, the principal investigator should describe the use of these funds. These projects must be on a NORA topic and may not be renewed.
Interdisciplinary Coordination. (REQUIRED)
For each core program (OMR, IH, OHN, OS), the applicant may request up to 5% effort for the academic program directors for interdisciplinary coordination/integration of the ERC academic training programs.
Diversity Recruitment Plan (REQUIRED)
Up to $5,000 in direct costs may be requested per year. Include in the overall budget page under “Other Expenses”, and label it Diversity A detailed budget for this activity is not required, however in the budget justification; the principal investigator should describe the use of these funds.
NORA Support (OPTIONAL)
Up to $200,000 per year for support of National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) projects. Each project must have a cover sheet, a PHS 398 form page 2 description, a detailed and summary budget, and a project plan not to exceed 15 pages.
Plan for Sharing Research Data
Not applicable
Sharing Research Resources
Not applicable
1. Criteria
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications submitted for this funding opportunity will be assigned to NIOSH.
Appropriate scientific review groups convened by NIOSH in accordance with the standard NIOSH peer review procedures (http://www.csr.nih.gov/refrev.htm) will evaluate applications for scientific and technical merit.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:
• A separate evaluation of each of the component ERC training programs
• A separate evaluation of each of the individual NORA projects
• An evaluation of the Administrative Core/Center-Wide Activity Program
• A summary evaluation of the overall ERC program
Applications are selected for funding primarily on the basis of scientific and educational merit, but other factors are considered. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
The NIOSH objectives include the support of education programs that train personnel to address occupational safety and health issues, and provide continuing education programs for personnel engaged in occupational safety and health work. In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the following aspects of the application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed training and research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these objectives. The scientific review group will address and consider each of these criteria in assigning the application's overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application.
Site Visits
A site visit to the applicant institutions may be made (but such site visits are not assured) to evaluate the overall merit of the application. The site visit team includes members of the Special Emphasis Panel who have expertise in major academic training, continuing education, facilities, outreach, and other activities of the proposed Center, the NIOSH Scientific Review Administrator, and NIOSH staff observer(s).
A site visit is not a prerequisite and is not assured for consideration of an application by NIOSH. Therefore, the application is considered a complete document for review purposes. Furthermore, the applicant should not use the site visit as an occasion for adding core units, research projects, or investigators, for making major changes, or for delivering another exposition of the application. Rather, it should be used by the principal investigator and associates to elaborate on the program and core units, cost effectiveness and quality control features of the core units, and on other Center activities for which funding is requested, as well as to answer reviewers' questions. The site visit team will not consider any area that is presented for evaluation at the site visit which has not been included in the application. Budgetary changes also will not be considered at the time of a site visit. The findings of the site visit team are reported and discussed by the members of the SEP, which makes the final peer review recommendations and assigns the priority score.
Review Criteria for Overall ERC Program
Review Criteria for Administrative Core and Center Wide Activities
Review Criteria for Academic Training Programs
Core, other OSH Academic Training Programs, and HSAT Program
Review Criteria for Continuing Education Training Program
(Also applies to Hazardous Substance Continuing Education Program, if proposed)
Review Criteria for Individual NORA Projects
2.A. Additional Review Criteria:
In addition to the above criteria, the following items will continue to be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:
Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk: The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed (see the Research Plan, Section E on Human Subjects in the PHS Form 398).
Inclusion of Women, Minorities and Children in Research: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both gender, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated (see the Research Plan, Section E on Human Subjects in the PHS Form 398).
Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the five items described under Section F of the PHS Form 398 research grant application instructions will be assessed.
2.B. Additional Review Considerations
Minority Recruitment and Retention Plan:
NIOSH remains committed to increasing the participation of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in biomedical and behavioral research. All competing applications for ERCs and institutional training grants must include a specific plan to recruit and retain underrepresented groups in the training program. In addition, all competing continuation applications must include a report on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups during the previous award period. If an application is received without a plan or without a report on the previous award period, the application will be considered incomplete and will be returned to the applicant without review. NIOSH follows the NIH requirements which were published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 22, Number 25, July 16, 1993 (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not93-188.html).
Competing continuation and non-competing applications must include a detailed account of experiences in recruiting individuals from underrepresented groups during the previous funding period. Information must be included on successful and unsuccessful recruitment strategies. The report should provide information on the racial/ethnic distribution of:
Students who applied for admission within the department(s) relative to the training grant,
Students who were offered admission to or a position within the department(s),
Students actually enrolled in the academic program relevant to the training grant,
Students who were appointed to the training grant.
For those trainees who were enrolled in the whether the trainees finished their training.
The success of efforts to recruit and retain minority trainees is a factor in the assessment of the quality of the trainee pool and thus will be included within the priority score. In addition, peer reviewers will separately evaluate the minority recruitment plan and report (for competing renewals) after the overall score has been determined. Reviewers will examine the strategies to be used in the recruitment of minorities and whether the experience in recruitment during the previous award period has been incorporated into the formulation of the plan for the next award period. The review panel's evaluation will be included in an administrative note in the summary statement. If the plan or the record of minority recruitment and retention is judged to be unacceptable, funding will be withheld until a revised plan (and report) that addresses the deficiencies is received. Staff within the NIOSH, with guidance from the NIOSH Secondary Review Committee, will determine whether amended plans and reports submitted after the initial review are acceptable.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research:
Every pre-doctoral and Masters (if research) trainee supported by an ERC or institutional training grant must receive instruction in the responsible conduct of research. (NIOSH follows the NIH policies for this requirement, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 21, Number 43, November 27, 1992, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not92-236.html.
Applications must include a description of a program to provide formal or informal instruction in scientific integrity or the responsible conduct of research. Applications without plans for instruction in the responsible conduct of research will be considered incomplete and will be returned to the applicant without review.
Although the NIH and NIOSH do not establish specific curricula or formal requirements, all programs are encouraged to consider instruction in the following areas: conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, data management, data sharing, and policies regarding the use of human and animal subjects. Within the context of training in scientific integrity, it is also beneficial to discuss the relationship and the specific responsibilities of the institution and the graduate students appointed to the program.
Plans must address the subject matter of the instruction, the format of the instruction, the degree of faculty participation, trainee attendance, and the frequency of instruction. The rationale for the proposed plan of instruction must be provided.
Program reports on the type of instruction provided, topics covered, and other relevant information, such as attendance by trainees and faculty participation, must be included in future competing continuation and non-competing applications. The NIOSH encourages institutions to provide instruction in the responsible conduct of research to all graduate students, and research staff regardless of their source of support.
NIOSH initial review group will assess the applicant's plans on the basis of the appropriateness of topics, format, amount and nature of faculty participation, and the frequency and duration of instruction. The plan will be discussed after the overall determination of merit, so that the review panel's evaluation of the plan will not be a factor in the determination of the priority score. Plans will be judged as acceptable or unacceptable. The acceptability of the plan will be described in an administrative note on the summary statement. Regardless of the priority score, applications with unacceptable plans will not be funded until the applicant provides a revised, acceptable plan. NIOSH Staff will judge the acceptability of the revised plan.
Following initial review, the NIOSH Secondary Review Committee will consider the assessment of the scientific and educational merit of the research training grant application as well as the initial review group's comments on the recruitment of individuals from underrepresented groups and the plan for instruction in the responsible conduct of research.
Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed programs. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.
2.C. Sharing Research Data
Not applicable
2.D. Sharing Research Resources
Not applicable
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Not applicable
1. Award Notices
After the peer review of the application is completed, the Principal Investigator will also receive a written critique called a Summary Statement.
If the application is under consideration for funding, NIOSH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant. For details, applicants may refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part4.htm).
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Grant Award (NGA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NGA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document.
Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NGA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.
The NGA will be mailed or emailed to the business official named on the application.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All NIOSH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the PHS Grants Policy Statement as part of the notice of grant award. Additional guidance may be found at NIH Grants Policy Statement in P art II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards.
Awardees will be required to submit the PHS Non-Competing Grant Progress Report, Form 2590 annually (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm) and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Additionally, a Comprehensive Annual Center Report is due on October 1 following each budget period. The comprehensive report describes all activities relating to the Center. The report is submitted electronically. The report will include:
(a) An "Introduction and Summary" of the program.
(b) Directors report on major accomplishments (highlights).
(c) Detailed progress reports on each program, grouped according to type with appropriate references and a list of publications since the last annual report. This should include a table by program for all trainees in the past budget period and another table for trainees who completed their training in the past five years and their current positions including degree received and date (month/year)
(d) A report on Pilot/Small Projects.
(e) A report on the Outreach Program.
(f) A report on specific improvements in occupational safety and health that resulted from center activities.
(g) An administrative report, discussing relevant personnel and other matters.
This report is made available on the NIOSH web page and is used to provide information on our training activities to the Congress, public, and others. This report must be submitted electronically.
Section VII. Agency ContactsWe encourage your inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into three areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management issues:
1. Scientific/Research Contacts:
John Talty
Office of Extramural Programs
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4676 Columbia Parkway, Mail stop C- 7
Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998
Telephone: (513) 533-8241
FAX: (513) 533-8564
Email: jtt2@cdc.gov
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Charles N. Rafferty, Ph.D.
Assistant Director for Review and Policy
Office of Extramural Programs
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/CDC
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Building 24, Room 1536, MS E-74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2582
FAX: (404) 498-2571
Email: cor9@cdc.gov
3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:
Cynthia Mitchell
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
626 Cochrans Mill Road
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236-0070
Telephone: (412) 386-6434
FAX: (412) 386-6459
Email: cmitchell@cdc.gov
Required Federal Citations
Authority and Regulations:
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at http://www.cfda.gov/ and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards are made under the authorization of Section 670 (a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act [29 U.S.C. 670(a)] and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The NIH Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm.
Use of Animals in Research:
Recipients of PHS support for activities involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf) as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm) as applicable.
Human Subjects Protection:
Federal regulations (45CFR46) require that applications and proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm).
Inclusion of Women And Minorities in Clinical Research:
It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-populations must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research projects unless a clear and compelling justification is provided indicating that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43). All investigators proposing clinical research should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html); a complete copy of the updated Guidelines is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm. The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition of clinical research; updated racial and ethnic categories in compliance with the new OMB standards; clarification of language governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials consistent with the new PHS Form 398; and updated roles and responsibilities of NIH staff and the extramural community. The policy continues to require for all NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) all applications or proposals and/or protocols must provide a description of plans to conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable; and b) investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group differences.
Inclusion of Children as Participants in Clinical Research:
The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all clinical research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines" on the inclusion of children as participants in research involving human subjects (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm).
Required Education on the Protection of Human Subject Participants:
NIH policy requires education on the protection of human subject participants for all investigators submitting NIH applications for research involving human subjects and individuals designated as key personnel. The policy is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC):
Criteria for federal funding of research on hESCs can be found at http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp and at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html. Only research using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (http://escr.nih.gov/). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide in the project description and elsewhere in the application as appropriate, the official NIH identifier(s) for the hESC line(s)to be used in the proposed research. Applications that do not provide this information will be returned without review.
Public Access to Research Data through the Freedom of Information Act:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is important for applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH has provided guidance at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm. Applicants may wish to place data collected under this PA in a public archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application should include a description of the archiving plan in the study design and include information about this in the budget justification section of the application. In addition, applicants should think about how to structure informed consent statements and other human subjects procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under this award.
Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued final modification to the "Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information", the "Privacy Rule", on August 14, 2002 . The Privacy Rule is a federal regulation under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that governs the protection of individually identifiable health information, and is administered and enforced by the DHHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Decisions about applicability and implementation of the Privacy Rule reside with the researcher and his/her institution. The OCR website (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/) provides information on the Privacy Rule, including a complete Regulation Text and a set of decision tools on "Am I a covered entity?" Information on the impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on NIH processes involving the review, funding, and progress monitoring of grants, cooperative agreements, and research contracts can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-025.html.
URLs in NIH Grant Applications or Appendices:
All applications and proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page limitations. Unless otherwise specified in an NIH solicitation, Internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation to view the Internet sites. Furthermore, we caution reviewers that their anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an Internet site.
Healthy People 2010:
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This PA is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
Smoke-Free Workplace:
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.
Lobbying Restrictions:
Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funds for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352, recipients (and their subtier contractors) are prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits from a Federal contract) for lobbying congress or any Federal agency in connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that, in whole or in part, involve conferences for which Federal funds cannot be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to instruct participants on how to lobby. In addition, no part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appropriated funds shall be used, other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress or any State or local legislature, except in presentation to the Congress or any State or local legislature itself. No part of the appropriated funds shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending before the Congress or any State or local legislature. Any activity designed to influence action in regard to a particular piece of pending legislation would be considered “lobbying.” That is lobbying for or against pending legislation, as well as indirect or “grass roots: lobbying efforts by award recipients that are directed at inducing members of the public to contact their elected representatives at the Federal or State levels to urge support of, or opposition to, pending legislative proposals is prohibited. As a matter of policy, CDC extends the prohibitions to lobbying with respect to local legislation and local legislative bodies. The provisions are not intended to prohibit all interaction with the legislative branch, or to prohibit educational efforts pertaining to public health. Clearly there are circumstances when it is advisable and permissible to provide information to the legislative branch in order to foster implementation of prevention strategies to promote public health. However, it would not be permissible to influence, directly or indirectly, a specific piece of pending legislation. It remains permissible to use CDC funds to engage in activity to enhance prevention; collect and analyze data; publish and disseminate results of research and surveillance data; implement prevention strategies; conduct community outreach services; provide leadership and training; and foster safe and healthy environments. Recipients of CDC grants and cooperative agreements need to be careful to prevent CDC funds from being used to influence or promote pending legislation. With respect to conferences, public events, publication, and “grassroots” activities that relate to specific legislation, recipients of CDC funds should give attention to isolating and separating the appropriate use of CDC funds from non-CDC funds. CDC also cautions recipients of CDC funds to be careful not to give the appearance that CDC funds are being used to carry out activities in a manner that is prohibited under Federal law.
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
![]() |
Office of Extramural Research (OER) |
![]() |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892 |
![]() |
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
![]() |
||||
Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, RealPlayer, Video or Flash files, see Help Downloading Files. |