[Federal Register: December 19, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 244)]
[Notices]               
[Page 65505-65506]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19de01-53]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02019]

 
Cooperative Agreement for the Surveillance, Research, and 
Prevention of Birth Defects; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the surveillance, research, and prevention of birth 
defects. The purpose of this program is to aid in the surveillance, 
research, and prevention of birth defects.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the International Centre for 
Birth Defects (ICBD). No other applications are solicited.
    Located in Rome, Italy, ICBD was established in 1989 as an 
organization devoted to the prevention of birth defects through 
surveillance, training, and epidemiologic research. ICBD accomplishes 
this by serving as the headquarters for the International Clearinghouse 
for Birth Defects Monitoring Programs. The Clearinghouse is a non-
governmental organization comprised of 32 member programs representing 
34 countries in Europe, the Americas, Japan, China, South Africa, and 
Australia. The Clearinghouse's mission is to prevent birth defects 
through the exchange of information, enabling collaborative research, 
and consultation and assistance. Specifically, the Clearinghouse:
    1. Responds to possible or suspected clusters of congenital 
malformations with information, monitoring systems, and personnel so 
that member countries are alerted and preventive action may be taken. 
This is the primary and most enduring goal of the Clearinghouse;
    2. Enables collaborative epidemiological research based on birth 
defect surveillance data obtained from the member programs. Joint 
studies with the member programs have attempted to provide an 
understanding of endemic occurrence as well as temporal and/or 
geographical clusters of malformations; and
    3. Provides expert consultation and assistance.

    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.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $150,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund this award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about April 1, 2002, and 
will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up 
to three 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.

Use of Funds

    Funds may be utilized only for the purpose and for the activities 
described and approved in the final award.
    1. All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be stated 
in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, CDC will not compensate foreign 
grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the issuance of 
supplemental awards.
    a. Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, including 
personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be purchased 
if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives, however, prior 
approval by CDC officials must be requested in writing.
    b. The costs that are generally allowable in grants to domestic 
organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and international 
organizations, with the following exception: Indirect costs will not be 
paid (either directly or through sub-award) to organizations located 
outside the territorial limits of the United States or to international 
organizations regardless of their location.
    c. The applicant may contract with other organizations under this 
program. However, the applicant must perform a substantial portion of 
the activities including program management and operations, and 
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required.

D. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page 
Internet address http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements.''
    To obtain business management technical assistance, contact: 
Angelia D. Hill, Grants Management Specialist, International Grants and 
Contracts Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and

[[Page 65506]]

Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-
4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2785, E-mail address: aph8@cdc.gov.
    Program technical assistance may be obtained from: J. David 
Erickson, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental 
Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 
Buford Highway NE., Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, Telephone: (770) 488-7161, 
E-mail address: jde1@cdc.gov.

    Dated: December 12, 2001.
Rebecca B. O'Kelley,
Chief, International Grants and Contracts Branch, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-31222 Filed 12-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P