Part I Overview Information
All changes to this announcement can be found in red.
Department of Health and Human Services
Issuing Organization Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov
Participating Organizations Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) http://ww.cdc.gov/niosh
Components of Participating Organizations National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
Title: NIOSH SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS (R13/U13) Note: The policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions stated in this announcement may differ from those used by the NIH.
Announcement Type
This is a change to PAR-06-014.
This is an amendment to PAR-05-005 which was previously released October 18, 2004
NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov using the SF424 (R&R forms and Application Instruction Guide.
APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.
This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply)
A registration process is necessary before submission and should be started at least two weeks in advance of the planned submission.
Submission of applications to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is performed in a one-step process. Applications should be submitted to Grants.gov for processing by CDC. This process does not include eRA Commons at this time, which differs from the NIH submission procedure.
Program Announcement (PA) Number:
PAR-06-014Due Dates for E.O. 12372
·
The NIOSH recognizes the value of supporting high quality scientific meetings that are relevant to its scientific mission and to the public health. A scientific meeting is defined as a gathering, symposium, seminar, conference, workshop or any other organized, formal meeting where persons assemble to coordinate, exchange, and disseminate information or to explore or clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge. Support of such meetings is contingent on the fiscal and programmatic interests and priorities of NIOSH, which are linked to the website, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html·
Because the nature and scope of the proposed conference will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.·
The mechanisms of award will be by conference grant (R13) and conference cooperative agreement (U13).·
Eligible organizations include: for-profit or non-profit organizations, public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories, units of State and local governments, agencies of the Federal government, domestic institutions/organizations, faith-based or community-based organizations and units of state and local tribal government.·
Eligible principal investigators include any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed scientific meeting. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply·
Applicants may submit more than one application, provided they are scientifically distinct·
See Section IV.1 for application materials.·
For general information on SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission, see the following Web sites:o
SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission Information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htmo
General information on Electronic Submission of Grant Applications: http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/·
Telecommunications for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 301-451-0088Table of Contents
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
The NIOSH recognizes the value
of supporting high quality scientific meetings that are
relevant to its scientific mission and to the public health.
A scientific meeting is defined as a gathering, symposium,
seminar, conference, workshop or any other organized, formal
meeting where persons assemble to coordinate, exchange, and
disseminate information or to explore or clarify a defined
subject, problem, or area of knowledge. Support of such
meetings is contingent on the fiscal and programmatic
interests and priorities of NIOSH, which are linked to the
website, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
This Program Announcement will use the conference grant (R13) and conference cooperative agreement (U13) award mechanisms. Under the R13 mechanism, the applicant will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. Multiple year awards may be made to a permanently sponsoring organization for conferences held annually or biennially on a recurring topic. The total project period for an application requesting support may not exceed five years.
The NIOSH
(U13) is a cooperative agreement award mechanism. In the cooperative agreement mechanism, the Principal Investigator retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, with NIH staff being substantially involved as a partner with the Principal Investigator, as described under the Section VI. 2. Administrative Requirements, "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award".
2. Funds Available
Because the nature and scope of
the proposed research will vary from application to
application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of
each award will also vary. 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 Information
1. Eligible Applicants
1.A. Eligible Institutions
You may submit an application if your institution has any of the following characteristics:
·
For-profit organizations·
Non-profit organizations·
Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories·
Units of State government·
Units of local government·
Eligible agencies of the Federal government·
Domestic Institutions·
Faith-based or community-based organizations·
Units of State Tribal government·
Units of Local Tribal government
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed scientific meeting is invited to work with that individual's institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
An applicant may request up to $30,000 in direct costs, any applicant exceeding that amount must contact Susan Board at (404) 498-2512 prior to submission.
Registration and Instructions for Submission via Grants.gov
To download an Application Package and Instructions for completing the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) Forms for this FOA, link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/ and follow the directions provided on that site.
Several additional separate actions are required before an applicant can submit an application through Grants.gov. See "Preparing for Electronic Receipt" at http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm
Prepare all applications using the using the SF424 (R&R) application forms and instructions in accordance with the Application Guidance.
The SF424 (R&R) application is comprised of data arranged in separate components. Some components are required, others are optional. The forms package associated with this announcement in Grants.gov APPLY will include all applicable components, required and optional. A completed application in response to this announcement will include the following components:
Required Components:
SF424 (R&R) (Cover component)
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Locations
Research & Related Other Project Information
Research & Related Senior/Key Person
Research & Related Budget
PHS398 Cover Page Supplement
PHS398 Research Plan
PHS398 Checklist
Optional Components:
PHS398 Cover Letter File
Research & Related Subaward Budget Form
In your Description, Performance Site(s) & Key Personnel information, include a very brief description of the proposed meeting, including the dates, location, types of participants, goals, and topics to be covered. Enter the site of the meeting or workshop as the Performance Site. Key Personnel are defined as the Principal Investigator and those individuals responsible for the scientific planning, and organization of the meeting.
The NIOSH conference award contact should be consulted for guidance regarding any specific budget requirements. Enter the direct costs requested. Provide a narrative justification for each proposed personnel position, including role and proposed level of effort. Include information regarding efforts to obtain funding for this conference/meeting from other sources.
Allowable Costs: Salaries in proportion to the time or effort spent directly on the meeting; rental of necessary equipment; travel and per diem or subsistence allowances; supplies needed for conduct of the meeting, only if received for use during the budget period; conference services; publication costs; registration fees; speakers' fees.
Non-allowable Costs: Purchase of equipment; transportation costs exceeding coach class fares; visas; passports; entertainment; tips; bar charges; personal telephone calls; laundry charges; organization dues; honoraria or other payments for the purpose of conferring distinction or communicating respect, esteem or admiration; patient care; alterations or renovations; facilities and administrative costs.
The Research Plan may not exceed 10 pages. Letters of agreement from participants should be included. Human Subjects requirements do not apply to conference grants.
Use the research plan section of the application to describe the objectives, specific program, and logistical arrangements for the meeting. Describe the format and agenda, including the principal topics to be covered, problems to be addressed, and developments or contributions the meeting might stimulate. Provide a detailed justification for the meeting, including the scientific need, timeliness, and usefulness of the meeting to the scientific community.
Describe the composition and role of the organizing committee, and provide the names and credentials of key participants in the meeting, including the basis for their selection and documentation of their agreement to participate.
Describe plans for the appropriate involvement of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in the planning and implementation of the proposed meeting. Estimate the expected size and composition of the audience, as well as the method of selection. Describe plans for publicizing the meeting and publication of proceedings. Identify related meetings held on the subject during the past three years. If this is one of a series of periodic meetings held by a permanent sponsoring organization, briefly describe and evaluate the last meeting in the series.
Applications requesting multiple years of support must provide the following additional information for each future year requested, in as much detail as possible: meeting topic(s); tentative dates, locations, and participants; and contingency plans for future meetings dependent on, for example, the outcome of the first year's meeting or developments in the field.
Appendices are limited to announcements and reports of previous meetings under the same sponsorship.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Submission Dates(s): April 15, August 15, and December 15, annually
Peer Review Date(s): June, October, February annually
Council Review Date(s): October, January, May annually.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: December, April, July
·
Descriptive title of proposed conference·
Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator·
Names of other key personnel·
Participating institutions·
Number and title of this funding opportunity Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NIOSH staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
The letter of intent should be sent to:
Susan B. Board, M.S.
Scientific Program Administrator
Office of Extramural Programs
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Building 24, Room 1415, MS E-74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2512
FAX: (404) 498-2571
Email: sboard@cdc.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
3.B. Sending an Application
to the NIOSH
To submit an application in
response to this FOA, applicants should access this FOA via
http://www.grants.gov/Apply and follow steps 1-4. Note:
Applications must only be submitted electronically
PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
3.C.
Application Processing
Applicants are reminded to
follow the submission dates cited in this FOA. Applications
must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application
submission date(s) described above (Section IV.3.A.) If an
application is received after that date, it will not be
reviewed.
Upon receipt applications
will be transferred from Grants.gov to CDC. There will be immediate
acknowledgement of receipt of applications via Grants.gov
Upon receipt applications
will be evaluated for completeness by CSR. Incomplete
applications will not be reviewed.
The NIOSH will not accept
any application in response to this FOA that is essentially
the same as one currently pending initial merit review
unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The
NIOSH will not accept any application that is essentially
the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the
submission of an application already reviewed with
substantial changes, but such application must include an
Introduction addressing the previous critique. Note such an
application is considered a "resubmission" for the SF 424
R&R.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Non-allowable Costs: Purchase of equipment; transportation costs exceeding coach class fares; visas; passports; entertainment; tips; bar charges; personal telephone calls; laundry charges; organization dues; honoraria or other payments for the purpose of conferring distinction or communicating respect, esteem or admiration; patient care; alterations or renovations; facilities and administrative costs.
An applicant may request up to $30,000 in direct costs, any applicant exceeding that amount must contact Susan Board at (404) 498-2512 prior to submission.
The precise content of the data-sharing plan will vary, depending on the data being collected and how the investigator is planning to share the data. Applicants who are planning to share data may wish to describe briefly the expected schedule for data sharing, the format of the final dataset, the documentation to be provided, whether or not any analytic tools also will be provided, whether or not a data-sharing agreement will be required and, if so, a brief description of such an agreement (including the criteria for deciding who can receive the data and whether or not any conditions will be placed on their use), and the mode of data sharing (e.g., under their own auspices by mailing a disk or posting data on their institutional or personal website, through a data archive or enclave). Investigators choosing to share under their own auspices may wish to enter into a data-sharing agreement. References to data sharing may also be appropriate in other sections of the application.
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications that are
complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical
merit by an appropriate review group convened by (NIOSH) in accordance with the review criteria stated below.
As part of the initial merit
review, all applications will:
·
Undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score.·
Receive a written critique·
Receive a second level of review by the NIOSH Secondary Review Committee.The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
·
Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review·
Availability of funds·
Relevance to program prioritiesNIOSH research programs support priority areas identified
in the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) and
other significant programs related to occupational safety
and health. 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 research will have
a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. 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. The
application does not need to be strong in all categories to
be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus
deserve a high priority score. For example, an applicant may
propose to host a conference that by its nature is not
innovative but is essential to move a field forward.
Significance: Does this scientific meeting address an
important problem? If the aims of the application are
achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What
will be the effect of these endeavors on the concepts or
methods that drive this field?
Approach: Is the format and agenda for the meeting
appropriate for achieving the goals of the conference? Is
the meeting timely for the subject matter? How well do the
plans for inclusion of women, minorities and persons with
disabilities provide for their appropriate representation in
the planning, organization, and implementation of the
proposed meeting? Multi-year applications should address
these issues for the length of the proposed grant period.
Investigator: Is the PI well suited for organizing this conference? Are the qualifications of the PI appropriate and past performance adequate? Are the key personnel and selected speakers appropriate and well suited for their described roles in the conference?
Environment: How appropriate is the meeting site? Does the applicant organization have the ability to contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed meetings, exhibits, interactions, etc., take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support?
2.B. Additional Review Considerations
Period of Support: The appropriateness of the
requested period of support in relation to the proposed
research.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see 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 and Part II Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_part9.htm
The following Terms and Conditions will be incorporated into the NoA and will be provided to the Principal Investigator and the appropriate institutional official at the time of award.
2.A. Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award
The following special terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable OMB administrative guidelines, HHS grant administration regulations at 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92 (Part 92 is applicable when State and local Governments are eligible to apply), and other HHS, PHS, and NIH grant administration policies.
The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will be the grant and/or cooperative agreement (R13/U13), an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism such as a contract), in which the Principal investigator (PI) retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing and executing the proposed project. If a U13 mechanism is used NIOSH staff will be substantially involved as a partner with the PI, although specific tasks and activities in carrying out the project will be shared among the awardee and NIOSH designated staff, as described below.
2.A.1. Principal Investigator Rights and Responsibilities
Awardees have primary
authorities and responsibilities to define objectives and
approaches, and to plan, conduct, analyze, and publish
results, interpretations, and conclusions of the
conferences.
The Principal Investigator will retain custody of, and have primary rights to, information developed under the cooperative agreement, subject to Government rights of access, consistent with current Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), PHS, and CDC policies. Publication and copyright agreements and the requirements for financial status reports; retention of records; and terminal progress reports will be as stated in the CDC Policies.
Awardees are responsible for identifying specific
milestones for conferences that will be supported during the
project period, when multi-year conferences are supported.
2.A.2. NIOSH Responsibilities
A NIOSH Project
Scientist will have substantial scientific-programmatic
involvement during conduct of this activity, through
technical assistance, advice, and coordination above and
beyond normal program stewardship for grants. Substantial
involvement as a partner would include, for example,
assisting in planning the agenda, selecting speakers,
organizing a symposium, determining the content of the
meeting, or determining the acceptability of submitted
papers. Substantial involvement would not include serving as
an invited speaker or providing limited advice.
A NIOSH Program Director will be responsible for normal
stewardship of the award, and may also serve as a Project
Scientist. The Program Director will be responsible for
assessing the progress of multi-year conferences toward the
accomplishment of specified milestones, and for recommending
if further funds should be released to the project.
3.
Reporting
After the conclusion of
the conference awardees are required to submit a copy of the
conference proceedings.
For multiple year awards, the progress report (Form PHS 2590, available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm , must be submitted two months prior to the next budget period start date. It should include a report on the previous meeting supported by the current grant, as well as a full description of the next planned meeting.
We 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:
Scientific Program Administrator
Office of Extramural Programs
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Building 24, Room 1415, MS E-74
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2512
FAX: (404) 498-2571
Email: sboard@cdc.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
Assistant Director for Review and Policy
Office of Extramural Programs/NIOSH
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd., NE, MS E-74
Atlanta GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-2582
FAX: (404) 498-2571
Email: cor9@cdc.gov
Acquisition and Assistance Field Branch
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Announcement Number RFA PAR-05-005
626 Cochrans Mill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0070
Telephone: 412/386-6834
Email: pgrandillo@cdc.gov
Required Federal Citations
URLs in NIH Grant Applications or Appendices:
All applications and proposals for NIOSH funding must be
self-contained within specified page limitations. Unless
otherwise specified in an NIOSH 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 the priority
area of occupational safety and health. Potential applicants
may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople
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 authorization of Sections 301
and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) 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
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 sub-tier 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.
CDC Home Page: http://www.cdc.gov
CDC Funding Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/funding.htm
CDC Forms Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm