Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply to IHS grants with the exception of the Lobbying and Discrimination policy.

3. Submission Dates and Times:

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 12:00 midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the deadline due date. If technical challenges arise and the applicant is unable to successfully complete the electronic application process, the applicant should contact Ms. Michelle G. Bulls, Director, Grants Policy or Ms. Tammy Bagley, Senior Grants Policy Analyst, Grants Policy Staff, fifteen days prior to the application deadline and advise of the difficulties that your organization is experiencing. The grantee must obtain prior approval, in writing (e-mails are acceptable) allowing the paper submission. If submission of a paper application is requested and approved, the original and two copies may be sent to the appropriate grants contact that is listed in Section IV above. Applications not submitted through Grants.gov, without an approved waiver, may be returned to the applicant without review or consideration. Late applications will not be accepted for processing, and will be returned to the applicant without consideration for funding.

4. Intergovernmental Review:

Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not applicable to this

program.

5. Funding Restrictions:

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION - The preferred method for receipt of applications is electronic submission through Grants.gov. However, should any technical challenges arise regarding the submission, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1 (800)-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. The Contact Center hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST. If you require additional assistance, please call (301) 443-6290 and identify the need for assistance regarding your Grants.gov application. Your call will be transferred to the appropriate grants staff member. The applicant must seek assistance at least fifteen days prior to the application deadline. Applicants that do not adhere to the timelines for Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and/or Grants.gov registration and/or requesting timely assistance with technical issues will not be a candidate for paper applications.

To submit an application electronically, please use the Grants.gov website, http://www.grants.gov/index.jsp and select “Apply for Grants” link on the homepage. Download a copy of the application package on the Grants.gov website, complete it offline and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant application to IHS.

Please be reminded of the following:

Again, e-mail applications will not be accepted under this announcement.

DUNS NUMBER

Applicants are required to have a DUNS number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal Government. The DUNS number is a nine digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access <http://www.dunandbradstreet.com> or call (866)-705-5711. Interested parties may wish to obtain their DUNS number by phone to expedite the process.

Applications submitted electronically must also be registered with the CCR. A DUNS number is required before CCR registration can be completed. Many organizations may already have a DUNS number. Please use the number listed above to investigate whether or not your organization has a DUNS number. Registration with the CCR is free of charge.

Applicants may register by calling 1 (888) 227 2423. Please review and complete the CCR Registration Worksheet located at http://www.grants.gov/CCRRegister.

More detailed information regarding these registration processes can be found at http://www.grants.gov.

V. Application Review Information

Criteria

1. Introduction and Potential Effectiveness of Project (30 pts.)

a. Describe your legal status and organization.

b. State specific objectives of the project, and the extent to which they are measurable and quantifiable, significant to the needs of American Indian people, logical, complete, and consistent with the purpose of section 217.

c. Describe briefly what the project intends to accomplish. Identify the

expected results, benefits, and outcomes or products to be derived from each objective of the project.

d. Provide a project specific work plan (milestone chart) that lists each objective, the tasks to be conducted in order to reach the objective, and the time frame needed to accomplish each task. Time frames should be projected in a realistic manner to assure that the scope of work can be completed within each budget period. (A work plan format is provided.)

e. In the case of proposed projects for identification of American Indians

with a potential for education or training in the health professions, include a method for assessing the potential of interested Indians for undertaking necessary education or training in such health professions.

f. State clearly the criteria by which the project's progress will be evaluated and by which the success of the project will be determined.

g. Explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs, goals, and objectives identified and discussed in the application are being met and if the results and benefits identified are being achieved.

h. Identify who will perform the evaluation and when.

2. Project Administration (20 pts.)

a. Provide an organizational chart and describe the administrative, managerial and organizational arrangements and the facilities and resources to be utilized to conduct the proposed project (include in appendix).

b. Provide the name and qualifications of the project director or other individuals responsible for the conduct of the project; the qualifications of the principal staff carrying out the project; and a description of the manner in which the applicant’s staff is or will be organized and supervised to carry out the proposed project. Include biographical sketches of key personnel (or job descriptions if the position is vacant) (include in appendix).

c. Describe any prior experience in administering similar projects.

d. Discuss the commitment of the organization, i.e., although not required, the level of non-Federal support. List the intended financial participation, if any, of the applicant in the proposed project specifying the type of contributions such as cash or services, loans of full or part-time staff, equipment, space, materials or facilities or other contributions.

e. Describe the ability to provide outreach and recruitment for health professions to Indian communities including elementary and secondary schools and community colleges located on American Indian reservations which will be served by the program.

f. Describe the organizations plan to incorporate a program advisory board comprised of representatives from the Tribes and communities which will be served by the program.

g. To the maximum extent feasible, employ qualified Indians in the program.

3. Accessibility to Target Population (20 pts.)

a. Describe the current and proposed participation of American Indians (if any) in your organization.

b. Identify the target American Indian population to be served by your proposed project and the relationship of your organization to that population.

c. Describe the methodology to be used to access the target population.

d. Identify affiliation agreements with Tribal community colleges, the IHS, university affiliated programs, and other appropriate entities to enhance the education of American Indian students.

e. Identify existing university tutoring, counseling and student support services available to American Indians.

4. Relationship of Objectives to Manpower Deficiencies (20 pts.)

a. Provide data and supporting documentation to substantiate need for

recruitment.

b. Indicate the number of potential American Indian students to be contacted and

recruited as well as potential cost per student recruited. Those projects that have the potential to serve a greater number of American Indians will be given first consideration.

5. Project Budget (10 pts.)

a. Clearly define the budget. Provide a justification and detailed breakdown of the funding by category for the first year of the project. Information on the project director and project staff should include salaries and percentage of time assigned to the grant. List equipment purchases necessary to conduct the project.

b. The available funding level of $250,000 is inclusive of both direct and

indirect costs or 8 percent of total direct costs. Because this project is for a training grant, the Department of Health and Human Services' policy limiting reimbursement of indirect costs to the lesser of the applicant's actual indirect costs or 8 percent of total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and related fees and expenditures for equipment) is applicable. This limitation applies to all institutions of higher education.

c. The applicant may include as a direct cost tuition and student support for students who have been selected to receive a scholarship through the American Indians into Psychology Program grant. Scholarship support consists of full tuition/fees and a monthly stipend for 12 months. The current stipend is to be $1,500.00 per month and adjusted annually at 2 percent.

d. Projects requiring a second, third, fourth and fifth year must include a program narrative and categorical budget and justification for each additional year of funding requested (this is not considered part of the 15-page narrative).

e. Provide budgetary information for summer preparatory programs for Indian students, who need enrichment in the subjects of math and science in order to pursue training in the health professions.

f. Provide budget information on stipends that will be provided to undergraduate and graduate students to pursue a career in clinical psychology. Stipends for individuals will not be funded during the first year of the project if the grantee has not had an established American Indians into Psychology Program grant, because the first year will involve recruiting individuals. Stipends must be included in the budget and narrative for the second through fifth years of the project.

Multi -Year Project Requirements

1. Applications must include a narrative, budget, and budget justification for the second through fifth years of funding.

Appendix to include:

a. Resumes and position descriptions.

b. Organizational Chart.

c. Work Plan.

d. Tribal Resolution (s), letters of support.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications meeting eligibility requirements that are complete, responsive,

and conform to this program announcement will be reviewed by an Objective Review Committee (ORC) in accordance with IHS objective review procedures. The objective review process ensures a statewide competition for limited funding. The ORC will be comprised of IHS (40% or less) or other Federal employees and (60% or more) non-Federal individuals with appropriate expertise. The ORC will review each application against established criteria. Based upon the evaluation criteria, the reviewer will assign a numerical score to each application, which will be used in making the final funding decision. Approved applications scoring less than 60 points will not be considered for funding.

The results of the review are forwarded to the Director, Office of Public Health Support (OPHS), for final review and approval. In making his decision the Director, OPHS, will also consider the recommendations from the Division of Health Professions Support and the Division of Grants Operations (DGO).

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

The IHS anticipates an award start date of August 1, 2009.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

The Notice of Award (NoA) will be initiated by the DGO and will be mailed via postal mail on or before June 22, 2009 to each entity that is approved for funding under this announcement. The NoA will be signed by the Grants Management Officer and this is the authorizing document for which funds are dispersed to the approved entities. The NoA will serve as the official notification of the grant award and will reflect the amount of Federal financial funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of the award, the effective date of the award, and the budget/project period. The NoA is the legally binding document. Applicants who are approved but unfunded or disapproved based on their Objective Review score will receive a copy of the Executive Summary which identifies the weaknesses and strengths of the application submitted.

1. Administrative Requirements

Grants are administered in accordance with the following documents:

o This Program Announcement.

3. Indirect Costs: This section applies to all grant recipients that request indirect costs in their application. In accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires applicants to have a current indirect cost rate agreement in place prior to award. The rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with the applicable cost principles and guidance as provided by the cognizant agency or office. A current rate means the rate covering the applicable activities and the award budget period. If current rate is not on file with the awarding office, the award shall include funds for reimbursement of indirect costs. However, the indirect cost portion will remain restricted until the current rate is provided to the DGO.

Generally, indirect cost rates for IHS Tribal organization grantees are negotiated with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Cost Allocation at http://rates.psc.gov/, and indirect cost rates that are for IHS-funded, Federally-recognized Tribes are negotiated with the Department of Interior, National Business Center at http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/indirect/indirect.asp. If your organization has questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please contact the DGO at (301) 443-5204.

4. Progress Reporting

A. Progress Report. Program progress reports are required semi-annually. These reports will include a brief comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the period, reasons for unmet accomplishments (if applicable), and other pertinent information as required. A final report must be submitted within 90 days after the budget period ends.

B. Financial Status Report. Semi-annual financial status reports must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the half year. Final financial status reports are due within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period. Standard Form 269 (long form) will be used for financial reporting.

C. Financial Reporting. Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate reporting of the Progress Reports and Financial Status Reports which are due semi annually. Financial Status Reports (SF 269) are due 90 days after each budget period and project period. Grantees must submit reports in a timely manner and should notify Norma Jean Dunne on 301-443-5204 if the report will be delayed.

Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed to the DGO, may result in suspension or termination of an active grant, withholding of additional awards for the project, or other enforcement actions such as withholding of payments or converting to the reimbursement method of payment. Continued failure to submit required reports may result in one or both of the following: (1) the imposition of special award provisions; and (2) the non-funding or non-award of other eligible projects or activities. This applies whether the delinquency is attributable to the failure of the grantee organization or the individual responsible for preparation of the reports.

1. Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY (301)-443-6394.

VII. Agency Contacts

For program information, contact RADM Robert E. Pittman, Office of Public Health Support, Division of Health Professions Support, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852, (301) 443-2316, or Mr. Michael Berryhill, Office of Public Health Support, Division of Health Professions Support, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland, 20852 (301) 443-2443.

For grant application and business management information, contact Ms. Norma Jean Dunn, Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, Maryland 20852 (301) 443-5204.