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United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Participating Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at, http://www.cdc.gov
Components of Participating Organizations
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD/CDC), at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/
Title: Continuation of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers Research and Prevention Network (U01)
The policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions of the HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated in this announcement may be different from those used by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If a CDC policy does not exist to cover an applicable topic, or is in the process of being drafted, then for purposes of this announcement, the NIH policy is hereby adopted by CDC and will be applicable to that particular topic. In addition, if written guidance for completing this application is not available on the CDC website, then applicants will be directed elsewhere for that information.
Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 311, 317(k) (2) and 317(C) of the Public Health Service Act., (42 U.S.C., Section 243, 247b(k)(2) and 247b-4) as amended.
Announcement Type:
Instructions for Submission of Electronic Research Applications:
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 Research and Related (R&R) forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application package instructions included with this announcement on Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter referred to as, Grants.gov/Apply.)
A registration process is necessary before submission, and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.
Two steps are required for on time submission:
(1) The application must be successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the application submission receipt date (see Key Dates below.)
(2) Applicants must complete a verification step in the Electronic Research Administration (eRA Commons Commons) within two business days of notification. Note: Since email can be unreliable, it is the responsibility of the applicant to periodically check on their application status in the eRA Commons.
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: RFA-DD-07-004Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
Due Date for E.O. 12372
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
Additional Overview Content
Executive Summary
Funding Opportunity Announcement Glossary: FOA Glossary Terminology
Table of Contents
Part I Overview Information
Part II Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
2. Funds Available
Section III. Eligibility Information
1.Eligible Applicants
A. Eligible Institutions
2.Cost Sharing or Matching
3.Other - Special Eligibility Criteria
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. 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. Submitting an Application to CDC
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
A. Cooperative Agreement
1. Recipient Rights and Responsibilities
2. HHS/CDC Responsibilities
3. Collaborative Responsibilities
3. Reporting
Section VII. Agency Contacts
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)
4. General Questions Contact(s)
Section VIII. Other Information – Required Federal Citations
Part II - Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives
The NCBDDD of CDC within HHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010" and to measuring program performance as stipulated by the Government Performance and Review Act (GPRA). This Funding Opportunity Announcement addresses "Healthy People 2010" priority area(s) of Maternal, Infant, and Child Health and Disability and Secondary Conditions, and is in alignment with NCBDDD performance goal(s) to prevent birth defects and developmental disabilities and improve the health of people with disabilities. For more information, see www.health.gov/healthypeople and www.whitehouse.gov/omb/mgmt-gpra/.
This current announcement will build upon the findings from the previous announcements with a focus upon patient provider education, patient care, and continuation and the expansion of the registry to further epidemiologic and clinical research investigations in the areas of thrombosis, thrombophilia, and the reduction and prevention of their associated complications.
Disorders of hemostasis include both bleeding and clotting abnormalities. The most well-known inherited bleeding disorders (hemophilia A and B), affect approximately 1 in 5000 males. Thrombophilia describes a heterogeneous, chronic tendency for blood clotting resulting from inherited and/or acquired factors. Adverse outcomes associated with thrombophilia are venous thromboembolism (VTE), arterial thrombosis, thrombosis during pregnancy, and potentially, complications of pregnancy including recurrent fetal loss, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and preeclampsia.
Venous thromboembolism, the third most common cardiovascular disease after coronary artery disease and stroke, has an annual incidence of about 1 per 1000 and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening event since a clot can detach, travel to the lung, and occlude a major vessel. Pulmonary embolism (PE), a frequent sequela to a deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), entails a 15% risk of death, accounting for up to 100,000 fatalities per year. Other sequelae of DVT include post-thrombotic syndrome, recurrent thrombosis, and complications of anticoagulation therapy. Acquired factors which increase risk of VTE include surgery, trauma, malignancy, immobilization and pregnancy. Deficiencies in anticoagulant proteins C, S, or antithrombin III are responsible for less than 10% of cases of VTE.
Recently, researchers have identified numerous polymorphisms in genes which code for components of the hemostatic system or affect condition of the vessel wall. A defect in the factor V leads to a poor response to the anticoagulant activated protein C (APC) and, as a result, a thrombophilic state (Bertina, 1994). The factor V (Leiden) mutation has been identified as a cause of DVT in several epidemiologic studies (Koster, 1993; Svensson, 1994; Ridker, 1995) and has been shown to be strongly associated with recurrence of venous thrombosis (Simioni, 1997). A second gene of potential importance, associated with plasma levels of the coagulation factor, prothrombin, involves a nucleotide change (a G to A transition) at position 20210 in the 3'-UT region of the prothrombin gene. The 20210 AG genotype has been associated with a 3-fold increased risk of VTE in several epidemiologic studies (Poort, 1996; Margaglione, 1998).
Pregnancy is by definition a prothrombotic state, characterized by increased levels of fibrinogen, coagulation factors VII, VIII, and C, and von Willlebrand factor (vWF) as well as by decreased activity of protein S (Walker, 1994; Letsky, 1994). In the presence of inherited thrombophilia, the risk of thrombosis in pregnancy is greatly increased. Several recent studies suggest that factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations may be associated with thrombosis during pregnancy (Dilley, 2000; Gerhardt, 2000). A growing body of literature suggests that thrombophilia may play a role in other adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Both recurrent fetal loss and IUGR may have thrombogenic etiologies and result from compromise of placental vasculature (Preston, 1996). Factor V Leiden mutation, antiphospholipid antibodies, and deficiencies of proteins C, S, and antithrombin III have been implicated in fetal loss.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite important advances in understanding the etiology of VTE, delivery of care to patients with thrombosis and thrombophilia is frequently incomplete and highly variable. A comprehensive model of health care has been used successfully to treat and prevent complications for people with hemophilia and other chronic disorders. The effectiveness of an integrated healthcare model for patients with all coagulation disorders has yet to be evaluated.
The Division of Hereditary Blood Disorders, NCBDDD, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers (pilot sites) to provide health-related services and conduct research directed toward the reduction or prevention of complications of thrombosis and thrombophilia.
This announcement will be used to make awards only to those original four recipients receiving cooperative agreements under the aforementioned two announcements. Those projects are Duke University, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan.
The Objectives/Goals for the current announcement will be to:
See Section VIII, Other Information – Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.
Section II. Award Information
1. Mechanism(s) of Support
This funding opportunity will use the U01 award mechanism.
The HHS/CDC U01 is a cooperative agreement assistance instrument. Under the U01 assistance instrument, the Recipient Organization retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, and with HHS/CDC staff being substantially involved as a partner with the Recipient Organization as described in Section VI.2.A., Cooperative Agreement.
2. Funds Available
The NCBDDD intends to commit approximately $1,000,000 that includes both direct and indirect costs in FY 2007 to fund four awards for the first 12 month budget period. The applicant may request a project period of up to five years. The approximate total project period funded amount for each of the four funded projects is approximately $250,000. The anticipated start date for new awards is July 2, 2007.
All estimated funding amounts are subject to the availability of funds.
CDC will accept and review applications with budgets greater than the ceiling amount. However, the award issued pursuant to this funding opportunity is contingent upon the availability of funds.
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
1.A. Eligible Institutions
Assistance will be provided only to the original four recipients receiving prior cooperative agreements under the aforementioned announcements: (1) Duke University, (2) University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, (3) University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and (4) Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan. No other applications are solicited.
This current FOA will build upon the findings from the previous announcements in supporting these four projects with a focus upon patient provider education, patient care, with continuation and expansion of the registry to further epidemiologic and clinical research investigations in the areas of thrombosis, thrombophilia, hemostasis, and the reduction and prevention of their associated complications.
These sites are important to be sustained in that work will continue to build the research network for thrombosis, thrombophilia, and hemostasis. These four established cooperative agreement projects will expand full participation in the patient registry as demonstrated by a steady flow of data collection and data entry into the registry, and participate and follow all operational study protocols and methods of conducted sub-studies. These projects participate in steering committee and subcommittees on quality of care and patient follow-up. Within the scope of he projects, all sites will evaluate patient care, quality of life, and laboratory procedures and evaluation.
Further, these experienced projects will improve patient education, contribute to the scientific knowledge base on thrombosis and thrombophilia and participate in implemented protocols for epidemiologic studies. Data from the patient registry will be analyzed to achieve study objectives. Results of these analyses will be disseminated to the medical community via published manuscripts and presentations (abstracts, posters, and oral presentations) at scientific conferences. Educational materials in the form of patient and provider brochures will be developed as indicated and distributed per a formal plan for dissemination and evaluation of benefits.
Over the past seven years these four recipients fostered models of care for an increasing population base in four distinct demographic areas of the country. As evidenced by project growth, these sites developed approved human subjects protocols, determined the risk factors and characteristics of the diverse populations to be served, and initiated exploration of the needs and gaps in research in the target communities.
Given the experience and competencies developed in implementing this program; additional support of this research is designed to further epidemiologic research, enhance provider and patient education, focus on prevention of secondary conditions and complications of these conditions, and measure the longer-term clinical outcomes for patients, including patient satisfaction and quality of life.
Since this project will be funded for up to five years without further outside competition, CDC feels it is critical that these applicants demonstrate their experience, potential and prognosis for success by providing convincing evidence of their experience and capabilities in addressing the major objectives under the requirements of this announcement.
1.B. Eligible Investigators
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 CDC programs.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost Sharing, matching funds, or cost participation is not required under this announcement. The most current HHS Grants Policy Statement may be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/HHS_GPS_Oct_2006.doc.
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria
If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will not enter into the review process.
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 Information
To download a SF424 (R&R) Application Package and SF424 (R&R) Application Instructions for completing the SF424 (R&R) forms for this FOA, link to http://www.grants.gov/Apply/ and follow the directions provided on that Web site.
A one-time registration is required for institutions/organizations at the following:
PD/PIs should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the eRA Commons.
Several additional actions an applicant institution/organization should complete before submitting an electronic application, are as follows:
1) Organizational/Institutional Registration in Grants.gov Get Registered
2) Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons
3) Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.
Note that if a PD/PI is also an HHS peer-reviewer with an Individual DUNS and CCR registration, that particular DUNS number and CCR registration are for the individual reviewer only. These are different than any DUNS number and CCR registration used by an applicant organization. Individual DUNS and CCR registration should be used only for the purposes of personal reimbursement and should not be used on any grant applications submitted to the Federal Government.
Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should immediately check with their business official to determine whether their organization/institution is already registered in both Grants.gov and the eRA Commons. The HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to use the Grants.gov electronic applications process and have organizations and PD/PIs complete all necessary registrations.
1. Request Application Information
Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply
Note: Only the forms package directly attached to a specific FOA can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA), although some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than one FOA.
For further assistance, contact PGO TIMS: Telephone 770-488-2700, Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
HHS/CDC Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY 770-488-2783.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Prepare all applications using the SF424 (R&R) application forms and in accordance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (MS Word or PDF).
The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is critical to submitting a complete and accurate application to HHS/CDC. There are fields within the SF424 (R&R) application components that, although not marked as mandatory, are required by HHS/CDC (e.g., the "Credential" log-in field of the "Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile" component must contain the PD/PI's assigned eRA Commons User ID). Agency-specific instructions for such fields are clearly identified in the Application Guide. For additional information, see "Tips and Tools for Navigating Electronic Submission" on the front page of "Electronic Submission of Grant Applications."
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 FOA in Grants.gov/APPLY will include all applicable components, mandatory and optional. A completed application in response to this FOA 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 Sub-award Budget Attachment(s) Form
Note: While both budget components are included in the SF424 (R&R) forms package, the CDC U01 uses ONLY the detailed Research & Related Budget. (Do not use the PHS 398 Modular Budget.)
3. Submission Dates and Times
See Section IV.3.A for details
3.A. Submission, Review and Anticipated Start Dates
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not Applicable
Application Submission Receipt Date(s): March 5, 2007
Peer Review Date (s): May 2007
Council Review Date (s): May 2007
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July 2, 2007
3.A.1. Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is not applicable to this funding opportunity announcement.
3.B. Submitting an Application to CDC
If the instructions in this announcement differ in any way from the 424 R&R instructions, follow the instructions in this announcement.
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. If submittal of the application is done electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov), the application will be electronically time/date stamped by Grants.gov. Applicants will receive an e-mail notice of receipt from eRA Commons and Grants.gov when HHS/CDC receives the application.
All requested information must be received in the HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. If an applicant submits materials by the United States Postal Service or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC receives your submission after closing because of : (1) carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather delays or natural disasters, you have the opportunity to submit documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the submission as having been received by the deadline.
This announcement is the definitive guide on application content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the application instructions. If your application does not meet the deadline described in Section IV.3.A, it will not be eligible for review, and HHS/CDC will discard it. You will receive notification that you did not meet the submission requirements.
Otherwise, HHS/CDC will not notify you upon receipt of your paper submission. If you have a question about the receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If you still have a question, contact the PGO-TIMS staff at: 770-488-2700. Before calling, please wait two to three days after the submission deadline. This will allow time for HHS/CDC to process and log submissions.
If submitting a paper application, it must be prepared using the 424 R&R instructions for preparing a research grant application. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application and all appendices, including the checklist, and three signed photocopy(s) to the following address:
Technical Information Management Section – RFA-DD-07-004
CDC, Procurements and Grants Office
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: 770-488-2700
3.C. Application Processing
HHS/CDC must receive applications on or before 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on the application submission date(s) described above (Section IV.3.A.). If HHS/CDC receives an application after that submission date and time, the application may be delayed in the review process or not reviewed.
Once an application package has been successfully submitted through Grants.gov, any errors have been addressed, and the assembled application has been created in the eRA Commons, the PD/PI and the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) have two business days to view the application image.
Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and responsiveness by NCBDDD and HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO). HHS/CDC will not review incomplete and non-responsive applications.
There will be an acknowledgement of receipt of applications from Grants.gov and the eRA Commons.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
All HHS/CDC awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement may be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/HHS_GPS_Oct_2006.doc.
Restrictions, which applicants must take into account while writing their budgets, are as follows:
6. Other Submission Requirements
Awardees upon acceptance of Notice of Award (NoA), must agree to the "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award" in Section VI. "Award Administration Information."
If you are requesting indirect costs in your budget, you must include a copy of your indirect cost rate agreement. If your indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12 months of age. If submitting electronically, use a PDF version of the agreement, attach it in Grants.gov under "Other Attachments," and title it appropriately.
Applicants' research plan(s) should address activities they will conduct over the entire project period.
The HHS/CDC requires the PD/PI to fill in his/her eRA Commons User ID in the "PROFILE – Project Director/Principal Investigator" section, "Credential" log-in field of the "Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile" component. The applicant organization must include its DUNS number in its Organization Profile in the eRA Commons. This DUNS number must match the DUNS number provided at CCR registration with Grants.gov. For additional information, see Registration FAQs – Important Tips – Electronic Submission of Grant Applications - Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.
Research Plan Component Sections
While each section of the Research Plan component needs to be uploaded separately as a PDF attachment, applicants are encouraged to construct the Research Plan component as a single document, separating sections into distinct PDF attachments just before uploading the files. This approach will enable applicants to better monitor formatting requirements such as page limits. All attachments must be provided to HHS/CDC in PDF format, filenames must be included with no spaces or special characters, and a .pdf extension must be used. Do not include any information in a header or footer of the attachments. A header will be system-generated that references the PD/PI. Page numbers for the footer will be system-generated in the complete application, with all pages sequentially numbered; therefore, do not number the pages of your attachments. Your research plan must not exceed 25 pages. If your research plan exceeds the page limitation, your application will be considered unresponsive and ineligible for review. Information contained in the appendix as noted below is not included in this page limitation.
The following materials may be included in the Appendix:
Up to fifteen publications, manuscripts (accepted for publication), abstracts, patents, or other printed materials directly relevant to the proposed project. Do not include manuscripts submitted for publication. Applicants should refer to instruction guides and specific Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) to determine the appropriate limit on the number of publications that may be submitted for a particular program. Note that not all grant activity codes allow the inclusion of publications.
Do not to use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan component. An application that does not observe the relevant policies and procedures may not be considered in the review process. Applicants are reminded to review specific FOAs for any additional program-specific guidance on Appendix material and other application requirements.
It is especially important that the abstract (Description, PHS 398 form, page 2) of your application reflects the focus and purpose of the overall application. That is important since if your application is funded, your abstract will become public information. The language of the abstract must be simple and easy to understand for a broad audience.
Plan for Sharing Research Data
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 should describe briefly the expected schedule for data sharing, the format of the final dataset, the documentation they will provide, 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 the awardee will place any conditions 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). References to data sharing may also be appropriate in other sections of the application.
Thus, the applicant must include a plan for sharing research data in their application. The HHS/CDC data sharing policy is available at http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm under Additional Requirements 25 Release and Sharing of Data. Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a description of how final research data will be shared, or explain why data sharing is not possible.
The reasonableness of the data sharing plan or the rationale for not sharing research data will be assessed by the reviewers. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit of the application or the priority score.
Sharing Research Resources
The HHS policy requires that grant award recipients make unique research resources readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after publication (see the HHS Grants Policy Statement may be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/HHS_GPS_Oct_2006.doc.) Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a plan for sharing research resources addressing how unique research resources will be shared or explain why sharing is not possible.
The adequacy of the resources sharing plan and any related data sharing plans will be considered by the HHS/CDC Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding applications. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590,https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm). See Section VI.3. Reporting.
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications that are complete and responsive to the FOA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the CDC Office of Public Health Research (OPHR) in accordance with the review criteria stated below.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:
The goals of HHS/CDC-supported research are to advance the understanding of health promotion and the prevention of disease, injury, and disability, and enhance preparedness. In the written comments, evaluate the application to judge the likelihood the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. Each of these criteria will be addressed by the reviewers and considered in assigning the overall score, weighting them and weighted, as appropriate for each application:
Note that an 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 investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative but is essential to move a field forward.
Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the applicant achieves the aims of the application, how will it advance scientific knowledge or clinical practice? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
Approach: Are the conceptual or clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
Innovation: Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area?
Investigators: Are the investigators appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers? Does the investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project (if applicable)?
Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the applicant will do the work contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support?
2.A. Additional Review Criteria
In addition to the above criteria, the following items will be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:
Each application should include at least one research project relevant to the Outcomes and capable of being applied to the network.
Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk: When human subjects are involved, HHS/CDC will assess the available protections from research risk that relate to their participation in the proposed research. [see the Research Plan, Section 2, item 8 on Human Subjects in the SF424 (R&R)] http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm. Additional HHS/CDC Requirements under AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements are available on the Internet at the following address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research:
Does the application adequately address the HHS/CDC Policy requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed research? This includes: (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation; (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or absent; (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to measure differences when warranted; and (4) A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits (see Section 2, item 9 Inclusion or Women and Minorities of the Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R).
Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If applicants plan to use vertebrate animals in the project, HHS/CDC will assess the five items described under Section 2, item 12 Vertebrate Animals of the Research Plan component of the SF424 (R&R). Additional HHS/CDC Requirements under AR-3 Animal Subjects Requirements are available on the Internet at the following address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
Biohazards: If applicants propose materials or procedures that are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, HHS/CDC will determine if the proposed protection is adequate.
2.B. Additional Review Considerations
Budget and Period of Support: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the appropriateness of the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research may be assessed by the reviewers. Is the number of person months listed for the effort of the PD/PI appropriate for the work proposed? Is each budget category realistic and justified in terms of the aims and methods? The evaluation of the budget should not affect the priority score.
2.C. Sharing Research Data
Data Sharing Plan: HHS/CDC will assess the reasonableness of the data sharing plan. However, reviewers will not factor the proposed data sharing plan into the determination of scientific merit or the priority score. The presence of a data sharing plan will be part of the terms and conditions of the award. The funding organization will be responsible for monitoring the data sharing policy.
Reviewers will be asked to assess the adequacy of the research sharing plan as proposed in the application.
2.D. Sharing Research Resources
HHS/PHS policy requires that recipients of grant awards make unique research resources readily available for research purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community after publication. Please see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/gps/8postnew.htm#phs. Investigators responding to this funding opportunity should include a plan on sharing research resources.
Reviewers will be asked to assess the adequacy of the mechanism described for sharing research resources as proposed in the application.
The adequacy of the resources sharing plan will also be considered by Program staff of the funding organization when making recommendations about funding levels. The effectiveness of the resource sharing will also be evaluated as part of the administrative review of each non-competing Grant Progress Report (HHS/PHS 2590 https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm). See Section VI.3 Reporting.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
The CDC Procurement and Grants will notify successful applicants in a pre-award conference call and by providing the notice of award.
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
After the peer review of the application is completed, the applicant organization will receive a written critique called a "Summary Statement." The applicant organization and the PD/PI will be able to access the Summary Statement via the eRA Commons.
HHS/CDC will contact those applicants under consideration for funding for additional information.
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the Grants Management Officer (GMO) is the authorizing document. HHS/CDC will mail and/or e-mail this document to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
Selection of the application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any cost incurred before receipt of the NoA is at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See also Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The Code of Federal Regulations 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92 have details about requirements. For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html. Additional requirements are available Section VIII. Other Information of this document or on the HHS/CDC website at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm. These will be incorporated into the NoA by reference.
The following terms and conditions will be incorporated into the NoA and will be provided to the appropriate institutional official and a courteous copy to the PD/PI at the time of award.
2.A. Cooperative Agreement
The following terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable Office of Management and Budget (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 HHS/CDC grant administration policies.
The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will be the cooperative agreement U01 an "assistance" instrument (rather than an "acquisition" instrument), in which substantial HHS/CDC programmatic involvement with the awardees is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under the cooperative agreement, the HHS/CDC purpose is to support and stimulate the recipients' activities by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipients in a partnership role; it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activities. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility resides with the awardees for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities may be shared among the awardees and the HHS/CDC may share specific tasks and activities, as defined above.
2.A.1. Recipient Rights and Responsibilities
The Recipient will have the primary responsibility for the oversight of all management, administrative, and scientific aspects of the research including all data, resources, and operations.
The recipient organization will retain custody of and have primary rights to the information, data and software developed under this award, subject to U.S. Government rights of access consistent with current HHS, HHS/PHS, and applicable HHS/CDC policies.
2.A.2. HHS/CDC Responsibilities
An HHS/CDC Project Scientist will have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards, as described below:
There are two separate CDC scientific roles – Scientific Collaborator and Scientific Program Administrator
In this cooperative agreement, a CDC Scientist (Scientific Collaborator) within the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) is an equal partner with scientific and programmatic involvement during the conduct of the project through technical assistance, advice, and coordination.
Scientific Collaborators will:
1. Use their experience in studies of this nature to advise the project on specific questions regarding the project-developed protocol;
2. As requested, assist the project in responding to inquiries regarding such areas as data management, data analysis, intervention design, formats for presenting research findings, and in comparing project-developed evaluation formats with other research projects and activities known to CDC;
3. Provide scientific consultation and technical assistance as requested on questions related to epidemiology, statistical and power calculations, and data storage and tracking formats used in other CDC sponsored research that could be advantageous to the project; and
4. Suggest to the project upon request processes for analysis, interpretation, and reporting of findings in the literature that can serve a broad range of scientific interests.
CDC Scientific Program Administrator (SPA)
The CDC NCBDDD Office of Extramural Research (OER) will appoint an SPA, apart from the NCBDDD Scientific Collaborator who will:
1. Serve as the Program Official for the funded research institutions.
2. Carry out continuous review of all activities to ensure objectives are being met.
3. Provide scientific consultation and technical assistance in the conduct of the project as requested.
4. Conduct site visits to recipient institutions to monitor performance against approved project objectives.
Additionally, an HHS/CDC agency program official or CIO program director will be responsible for the normal scientific and programmatic stewardship of the award and will be named in the Notice of Award.2.A.3. Collaborative Responsibilities
The planning and implementation of the cooperative aspects of the study will be effected by a Coordinating Committee consisting of the Principal Investigator from organizations receiving awards under this announcement and the CDC Scientific Collaborator; and will address issues of common concern throughout the life of the project. Organizations serving as sub-contractors under awarded projects are not considered members of the Coordinating Committee.
At periodic Coordination Committee meetings among recipients, the group will: (1) make recommendations on the study protocol and data collection approaches; (2) discuss common protocols as they relate to all data; (3) discuss the target populations that have been or will be recruited; (4) identify and recommend solutions to unexpected study problems; and (5) discuss ways to efficiently coordinate study activities and best practices.
Each full member will have one vote. Awardee members of the Coordinating Committee (including a CDC member) should accept and implement policies approved by the Committee. The Committee decisions are used to implement the objectives of the project activities in a consistent way.
3. Reporting
The recipient organization must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the following reports:
1. Non-Competing Grant Progress Report, (use form PHS 2590, posted on the HHSCDC website, http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/forms.htm and at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm, the progress report will serve as the non-competing continuation application.
2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of the budget period.
3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days after the end of the project period.
The recipient organization must forward these reports by the U.S. Postal Service or express delivery to the Grants Management Specialist listed in the "Agency Contacts" section of this NoA. Progress reports and Financial status reports should be provided in hard copy format.
Although the financial plans of the HHS/CDC CIO(s) provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports) and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal government.
HHS/CDC encourages your inquiries concerning this FOA and welcomes the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries can fall into three areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management issues:
1. Scientific/Research Contacts:
Dr. Don Lollar
Acting Director, Office of Extramural Research
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E87
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 498-3041
Fax: (404)-498-3050
E-Mail: email@example.com
2. Peer Review Contacts:
Dr. Juliana Cyril
Office of Public Health Research (OPHR)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mailstop D-72
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 639-4639
Fax: (404) 639-4903
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:
LaKasa Wyatt
Grants Management Specialist
U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: (770) 488-2728
Fax: (770) 488-2777
E-Mail: email@example.com
4. General Questions Contacts:
Technical Information Management Section
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2700
Email: email@example.com
Section VIII. Other Information
Required Federal Citations
Human Subjects Protection
Federal regulations (45 CFR Part 46) 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). Additional HHS/CDC Requirements under AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements can be found on the Internet at the following address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Research
It is the policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and ethnic groups will be included in CDC/ATSDR-supported research projects involving human subjects, whenever feasible and appropriate. Racial and ethnic groups are those defined in OMB Directive No. 15 and include American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Applicants shall ensure that women, racial and ethnic minority populations are appropriately represented in applications for research involving human subjects. Where clear and compelling rationale exist that inclusion is inappropriate or not feasible, this situation must be explained as part of the application. This policy does not apply to research studies when the investigator cannot control the race, ethnicity, and/or sex of subjects. Further guidance to this policy is contained in the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 179, pages 47947-47951, and dated Friday, September 15, 1995.
The policy of CDC is that persons under the age of 21 must be included in all human subjects research that is conducted or supported by CDC, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all CDC-conducted or CDC-supported research involving human subjects, including research that is otherwise exempt in accordance with Sections 101(b) and 401(b) of 45 C.F.R. Part 46, HHS Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects. Therefore, proposals for research involving human subjects must include a description of plans for including persons under the age of 21. If persons under the age of 21 will be excluded from the research, the application or proposal must present an acceptable justification for the exclusion.
In an extramural research plan, the investigator should create a section titled "Participation of persons under the age of 21." This section should provide either a description of the plans to include persons under the age of 21 and a rationale for selecting or excluding a specific age range, or an explanation of the reason(s) for excluding persons under the age of 21 as participants in the research. When persons under the age of 21 are included, the plan must also include a description of the expertise of the investigative team for dealing with individuals at the ages included, the appropriateness of the available facilities to accommodate the included age groups, and the inclusion of a sufficient number of persons under the age of 21 to contribute to a meaningful analysis relative to the purpose of the study. Scientific review groups at CDC will assess each application as being acceptable or unacceptable in regard to the age-appropriate inclusion or exclusion of persons under the age of 21 in the research project, in addition to evaluating the plans for conducting the research in accordance with these provisions.
The inclusion of children (as defined by the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted) as subjects in research must be in compliance with all applicable subparts of 45 C.F.R. Part 46, as well as with other pertinent federal laws and regulations.
The policy of inclusion of persons under the age of 21 in CDC-conducted or CDC-supported research activities in foreign countries (including collaborative activities) is the same as that for research conducted in the United States.
Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more individuals and funded by a grant or a cooperative agreement will be subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
HHS/CDC strongly encourages all recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote abstinence from all tobacco products. Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children.
In addition no part of HHS/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, HHS/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 HHS/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 healthful environments.
Recipients of HHS/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, publications, and "grassroots" activities that relate to specific legislation, recipients of HHS/CDC funds should give close attention to isolating and separating the appropriate use of HHS/CDC funds from non-CDC funds. HHS/CDC also cautions recipients of HHS/CDC funds to be careful not to give the appearance that HHS/CDC funds are being used to carry out activities in a manner that is prohibited under Federal law.
Accounting System Requirements
The services of a certified licensed public accountant or the equivalent must be retained throughout the project as a part of the recipient's staff or as a consultant to the recipient's accounting personnel. These services may include the design, implementation, and maintenance of an accounting system that will record receipts and expenditures of Federal funds in accordance with accounting principles, Federal regulations, and terms of the cooperative agreement or grant.
Capability Assessment
It may be necessary to conduct an on-site evaluation of some applicant organization's financial management capabilities prior to or immediately following the award of the grant or cooperative agreement. Independent audit statements from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for the preceding two fiscal years may also be required.
Proof of Non-profit Status
Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted by private nonprofit organizations with the application. Any of the following is acceptable evidence of nonprofit status: (a) a reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code; (b) a copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; (c) a statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State Official certifying that the applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals; (d) a certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status; (e) any of the above proof for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate.
Security Clearance Requirement
All individuals who will be performing work under a grant or cooperative agreement in a HHS/CDC-owned or leased facility (on-site facility) must receive a favorable security clearance, and meet all security requirements. This means that all awardee employees, fellows, visiting researchers, interns, etc., no matter the duration of their stay at HHS/CDC must undergo a security clearance process.
Small, Minority, And Women-owned Business
It is a national policy to place a fair share of purchases with small, minority and women-owned business firms. The Department of Health and Human Services is strongly committed to the objective of this policy and encourages all recipients of its grants and cooperative agreements to take affirmative steps to ensure such fairness. In particular, recipients should:
Research Integrity
The signature of the institution official on the face page of the application submitted under this Funding Opportunity Announcement is certifying compliance with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations in Title 42 Part 93, Subparts A-E, entitled PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE POLICIES ON RESEARCH MISCONDUCT.
The regulation places requirements on institutions receiving or applying for funds under the PHS Act that are monitored by the DHHS Office of Research Integrity (ORI) (http://ori.hhs.gov./policies/statutes.shtml).
For example:
Section 93.301 Institutional assurances.(a) General policy. An institution with PHS supported biomedical or behavioral research, research training or activities related to that research or research training must provide PHS with an assurance of compliance with this part, satisfactory to the Secretary. PHS funding components may authorize [[Page 28389]] funds for biomedical and behavioral research, research training, or activities related to that research or research training only to institutions that have approved assurances and required renewals on file with ORI. (b) Institutional Assurance. The responsible institutional official must assure on behalf of the institution that the institution-- (1) Has written policies and procedures in compliance with this part for inquiring into and investigating allegations of research misconduct; and (2) Complies with its own policies and procedures and the requirements of this part.
Compliance with Executive Order 13279
Faith-based organization are eligible to receive federal financial assistance, and their applications are evaluated in the same manner and using the same criteria as those for non-faith-based organizations in accordance with Executive Order 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations. All applicants should, however, be aware of restrictions on the use of direct financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for inherently religious activities. Under the provisions of Title 45, Parts 74, 87, 92 and 96, organizations that receive direct financial assistance from DHHS under any DHHS program may not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization as a part of the programs or services funded with direct financial assistance from DHHS. If an organization engages in such activities, it must offer them separately, in time or location, from the programs or services funded with direct DHHS assistance, and participation must be voluntary for the beneficiaries of the programs or services funded with such assistance. A religious organization that participates in the DHHS funded programs or services will retain its independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, provided that it does not use direct financial assistance from DHHS to support inherently religious activities such as those activities described above. A faith-based organization may, however, use space in its facilities to provide programs or services funded with financial assistance from DHHS without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a religious organization that receives financial assistance from DHHS retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization=s name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization=s mission statements and other governing documents in accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other applicable requirements governing the conduct of DHHS funded activities. For further guidance on the use of DHHS direct financial assistance see Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 87, Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, and visit the internet site:http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Requirements
Recipients of this grant award should note that pursuant to the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164) covered entities may disclose protected health information to public health authorities authorized by law to collect or receive such information for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability, including, but not limited to, the reporting of disease, injury, vital events such as birth or death, and the conduct of public health surveillance, public health investigations, and public health interventions. The definition of a public health authority includes a person or entity acting under a grant of authority from or contract with such public agency. HHS/CDC considers this project a public health activity consistent with the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information and HHS/CDC will provide successful recipients a specific grant of public health authority for the purposes of this project.
Release and Sharing of Data
The Data Release Plan is the Grantee's assurance that the dissemination of any and all data collected under the HHS/CDC data sharing agreement will be released as follows:
April 16, 2003, http://www.cdc.gov/od/foia/policies/sharing.htm, and in full compliance with the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), (where applicable), The Office of Management and Budget Circular A110, (2000) revised 2003, www.whitehouse.gov/omb/query.html?col=omb&qt=Releasing+and+Sharing+of+Data and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) www.4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/5/5/552/html.
Applications must include a copy of the applicant's Data Release Plan. Applicants should provide HHS/CDC with appropriate documentation on the reliability of the data. Applications submitted without the required Plan may be ineligible for award. Award will be made when reviewing officials have approved an acceptable Plan. The successful applicant and the Program Manager will determine the documentation format. HHS/CDC recommends data is released in the form closest to micro data and one that will preserve confidentiality.
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
(Public Law 89-665, 80 Stat. 915)
The grantee's signature on the grant application attests to their: (1) knowledge of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665, 80 Stat. 915); and (2) intent to ensure all grant related activities are in compliance with referenced public law, as stated:
a. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) states:
The head of any Federal agency, having direct or indirect jurisdiction over a proposed Federal or Federally assisted undertaking in any State and the head of any Federal department or independent state agency having authority to license any undertaking, shall, prior to the approval of the expenditure of any Federal funds on the undertaking or prior to the issuance of any license, as the case may be, take into account the effect of the undertaking on any district, site, building, structure, or object that is included in or is eligible for inclusion in the National Register. The head of any such Federal agency shall afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation established under Title II of this ACT a reasonable opportunity to comment with regard to such undertaking.
b. Additionally, the NHPA also contains the following excerpt that forbids "anticipatory demolition:"
Each Federal agency shall ensure that the agency will not grant a loan, loan guarantee, permit, license, or other assistance to an applicant who, with intent to avoid the requirements of Section 106 of this Act, has intentionally, significantly, adversely affected a historic property to which the grant would relate or, having legal power to prevent it, allowed such significant adverse effect to occur, unless the agency, after consultation with the Council, determines that circumstances justify granting such assistance despite the adverse effect created or permitted by the applicant.
Conference Disclaimer and Use of Logos
Disclaimer: Where a conference is funded by a grant or cooperative agreement, a subgrant or a contract the recipient must include the following statement on conference materials, including promotional materials, agenda, and internet sites:
"Funding for this conference was made possible [in part] by [insert grant or cooperative agreement award number] from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) or the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) . The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government."
Logos: Neither the HHS nor the CDC ("CDC" includes ATSDR) logo may be displayed if such display would cause confusion as to the source of the conference or give the false appearance of Government endorsement. A non-federal entity's unauthorized use of the HHS name or logo is governed by U.S.C. § 1320b-10, which prohibits the misuse of the HHS name and emblem in written communication. The appropriate use of the HHS logo is subject to the review and approval of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (OASPA). Moreover, the Office of the Inspector General has authority to impose civil monetary penalties for violations (42 C.F.R. Part 1003). Neither the HHS nor the CDC logo can be used on conference materials under a grant, cooperative agreement, contract or co-sponsorship agreement without the expressed, written consent of either the Project Officer or the Grants Management Officer. It is the responsibility of the grantee (or recipient of funds under a cooperative agreement) to request consent for the use of the logo in sufficient detail to assure a complete depiction and disclosure of all uses of the Government logos, and to assure that in all cases of the use of Government logos, the written consent of either the Project Officer or the Grants Management Officer has been received.
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, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files.


text:
Tagged: america
Ruscha's Rusty Signs (2014)
Made from a single piece of paper, Ed Ruscha's Rusty Signs (2014) appear to have been rusted and weathered, reading as actual patinated metals. These remarkably realistic works draw upon motifs consistent with the artist's career: components of visual culture, the passage of time, and Americanisms. Filtered through the language of common objects, the prints read DEAD END, CASH FOR TOOLS, and FOR SALE 17 ACRES in multiple iterations, as if they came from different locations, subjected to a different set of circumstances, with strikingly naturalistic gunshots and thick layers of rust and grime. In keeping with the course of his career, Ruscha is not merely representing the image of the sign as he has in the past through his paintings and photographs of signage but actually here recreates the sign itself.
samira yamin
LOS ANGELES TIMES review by Christopher Knight – Click here.
The hypnotizing work and meticulous methodology of my friend Samira Yamin.
Her show, We Will Not Fail, is now on view at the SMMoA.

subset: commoncrawl


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What are the best ways of gathering information on events (any type) from the internet ?
Keeping in mind that different websites will present information in different ways.
I was thinking 'smart' web crawlers, but that can turn out to be extremely challenging, simply because of the hugely varied ways that different sites present their information.
Then I was thinking of sifting through the official twitter feeds of organisations, people with knowledge of events .. etc and look for the event hash tag, grab the tweet and dissect it to grab the relevant information about the event.
Information I am interested in gathering is: Date and Time of Event, Address where Event is being held, and any Celebrities (or any famous people) attending the event (if any).
The reason to ask here is my hope that experienced folk will open my eyes to things I've missed, which I am sure I have.


text:
Shiest Bub Rollin A Blunt In 57 Seconds In London
MakinMoves reports "Shiest Bub pupple city rolling a blunt in 57 secs can you beat him ?"
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
SteelSeries QcK Heavy is a monster among desktop cloth pads. Nothing less. It is a super-sized mouse pad made of a high quality cloth material with a specially designed non-slip rubber base, which prevents the pad from sliding; no matter what surface the mouse pad is placed on. It's important to notice the difference between SteelSeries QcK Heavy and all other mouse pads from the SteelSeries product line. This mouse pad features extremely heavy thickness, which results in a very unique feeling.
Other mouse pads from SteelSeries are very thin, aiming to provide a high quality gaming surface, as close as possible to the level of the tabletop it's used on.
The heavy thickness of the mouse pad eliminates problems from uneven surfaces, making the mouse pad suitable for gaming at LAN-events and other which often provide battered, tilted or second-hand tables. The extreme size makes SteelSeries QcK heavy perfect for low sensitivity mouse settings and the smooth cloth surface offers maximum precision. The cloth surface, combined with the heavy thickness, is also very easy on the users wrists, even for hardcore gamers, graphic designers and others who use their mouse for extended periods of time.
- Product Description
- SteelSeries QcK heavy - mouse pad
- Product Type
- Mouse pad
- Product Material
- Rubber, micro-woven cloth
- Dimensions (WxDxH)
- 45 cm x 40 cm
Detailed Specification
- Product Type
- Mouse pad
- Product Material
- Rubber, micro-woven cloth
- Width
- 45 cm
- Depth
- 40 cm
- Thickness
- 0.6 cm
- Shipping Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight
- 11 cm x 7.8 cm x 46.2 cm / 620 g
- Features
- Washable, anti-slip base


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Status: New Series
Premiered: - 19 March 2014 (USA)
Show Category: - Action | Drama | Sci-Fi
WebSite: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_100_(TV_series)
The series is set 97 years after a devastating nuclear war that wiped out all life on Earth. The only survivors were supposed to be the residents of twelve space stations in Earth orbit prior to the war, and a handful of "grounders" who managed to escape to the space stations. These space stations banded together to form a single massive station named "The Ark", where about 2,400 people live.[1] Resources are scarce and all crimes no matter their nature or severity are punishable by death ("floating") unless the perpetrator is under 18 years of age. After the Ark's life support systems are found to be critically failing, one hundred imprisoned convicts are declared "expendable" and sent to the surface in a last ditch attempt to determine if Earth is habitable again.
Season 1 (HDTV)
ed2k: The.100.s01e01.hdtv.xvid-fum.avi [347.04 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E02.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [347.23 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: the.100.s01e03.proper.hdtv.xvid-fum.avi [346.80 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: the.100.s01e04.hdtv.xvid-fum.avi [345.65 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E05.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [345.67 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: the.100.s01e06.hdtv.xvid-fum.avi [348.31 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E07.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [346.99 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E08.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [347.83 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E09.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [347.40 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E10.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [348.30 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E11.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [347.49 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E12.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [347.89 Mb] [Stats]
ed2k: The.100.S01E13.HDTV.XviD-FUM.avi [347.60 Mb] [Stats]
Info: -
New series found, very good.
I'm I avi guy myself, if you want MP4 or other format, find it yourself.
[ Add all 13 links to your ed2k client ]


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We sometimes talk about a person being "full of himself" as if it were a bad thing. But really, who else would a person be full of? Watching a child become full of himself is a beautiful thing to behold, as witnessed by Judy Miller in her post Full. A found videotape led to several reclaimed memories for her son:
We watched those minutes together over and over that afternoon, my son temporarily filling up that place deep inside of him where ambiguous loss dwells, receiving affirmation that he was deeply loved and valued long before his adoption was finalized.
As an analogy to making sense of the adoption mosaic Rebecca invokes the Buddhist story of the blind men and the elephant in her post The Whole Elephant. There are pieces in addition to our own that make up the bigger, more complicated thing we call Adoption.
The adoption community is like this. We have different experiences and perspectives. We are adoptees who searched and had successful reunions and those who searched and experienced rejection … and we are those who choose not to search. We are adoptive parents who embrace and struggle with the complexity of adoption and those who connect only with joy and contribution. We are birth parents filled with rage and grief and those who are at peace with placement.
There are power in stories, both in the telling and the listening.
What would you do if your child's birth parent asked to move in to your home temporarily? Anne writes about such a situation in her post Under One Roof:
So what is it like to like to have your daughter's first mother live with you for five weeks? In some ways, it was oddly normal. There were many times when it felt no different than having a sister or close friend live with us. There were a lot of laughs. Can't breathe kind of laughs. It was comfortable. It was really nice. Sometimes it was emotionally draining. Those who live it know that open adoption can be simple and complicated in the very same moment. There were nights when I cried by myself.
Click to read the ways in which the experience changes the bonds among Anne, Fiona and the daughter they both love, Lily, as well as how Anne dealt with the remarks of concerned friends and family members.
Maggie's post is from March but it wasn't brought to my intention until April. In a guest post from her daughter's birth grandmother, Maggie gives space for Sharon to tell the thought process behind a family choosing to make an adoption plan from the point-of-view of the birth mom's mom.
From Sharon, mom to Tarah who is birth mom to Georgia: Yes, Tarah could have taken care of a baby. I was a pediatric nurse and I taught all my daughters baby care. We loved babies at our house; we are the kind of people that carry everyone's baby, we beg to babysit, we plan special things just for kids…..we love them. My girls knew how to change diapers, use bottles and how to rock and pat a fussy baby. But raising a child was different, they are only a baby for a short time…….and then they're toddlers and grade school kids, and adolescents, and…….and…..and.
A Birth Family's Story is from a viewpoint we don't see very often in the adoption blogosphere.
Monika muses about a petition going around to make contract agreements in open adoptions legally binding. She and her commenters share their varied opinions on the subject. Monika says in her post Oh, The Legalities,
In my blog post about meeting Jim Gritter the other day, I mentioned that he believes open adoption should be based on hospitality and that he said, "Hospitality is the search for 'we' and not 'I'." I agree with him. Just as in any relationship all parties have to focus on "us" versus "me," the same is especially true for an open adoption situation. It's my personal opinion that making contact agreements legally enforceable does not make certain that people focus on other things but themselves. In fact I think the opposite is true. If I'm forced to do something then I'm going to be focused on what I have to do instead of how it might be benefiting the other person/people involved.
There was a surprise to me in Monkia's post regarding just what entity enforces such a contract agreement. Who do you think it would be? Read to find out.
Be on the lookout for what you consider Very Important Posts during the month of May — I'd love to know your nominations for the next edition of VIPs.


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An incredibly important, but frequently overlooked element of any cars' service, blocked air filters can not only cause harmful abrasives to build inside an engine, but also restrict performance and hamper fuel economy. Although many may think that simply 'tapping out' a dirty air filter or spraying the filter's pleats with compressed air can negate the need to replace the filter, more often than not this can cause damage to the filter, and severely detract from the media's ability to remove particulate from the intake air. Furthermore, neither of these acts can restore the original flow characteristics of the filter, leaving the car with the same poor performance.
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Barbara Starr
Nov 20, 2012
Three U.S. Navy amphibious warships are returning to the eastern Mediterranean to remain on standby in the event they are needed to assist Americans leaving Israel in the coming days, according to two U.S. officials.
The officials stressed an evacuation remains an extremely remote possibility and the Obama administration is not currently planning for one. Americans who wish to leave the region now are able to do so using commercial airlines.
But the decision to send the ships even if the event is such a remote contingency underscores the growing concern about where the Israel-Gaza conflict could be headed.
"This is due diligence. It is better to be prepared should there be a need," one official said Monday. Both officials said the ships would be used only for assisting Americans and not for any combat role.
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Saturday 21st September 2019 @ Slim Jim's
Doors 10pm to 3am - £3 Playing the best in Rock n Roll, Hard Rock and Classic Rock till late with resident DJ David Mortal behind the decks.
Every Saturday from 10pm to 3am.
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From the Endgame discussion.
Concerning City of Titan's version of the Mission Architect:
What do players want out of a Mission Architect system?
- Number of players (and or sidekicking)
- Gating linked to a character's progression (story arc, Task Force, badge, level, etc)
- Rewards (currency, enhancements, respec token, experience, alignment)
What capabilities do you want it to provide?
- Scripting (be descriptive)
- Special effects (black & white [ala flashback], hmm... other camera effects)
- Cinematics (when, where, what, triggered under what conditions, etc)
- Special one off items/powers (gadget, temporary mutation, npc helper, etc)
- Tweaks to the game world (gravity, mass, character stats, costumes, etc)
- Access to game elements (core characters from the lore, player characters, whatever you need to craft opponent(s) or other beings)
- Repeatable (is it repeatable? How often can it be repeated? Do you get rewards [full or partial]? etc)
What experiences are you hoping to craft?
- Provide as much info as you can
Can you provide an overview of a mission that you would like to create?
"Just, well, update your kickstarter email addresses, okay? Make sure they're current?" - warcabbit


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Other online store
FAQs and BUYER MUST READ
You can pay with PayPal, credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. Please make sure that the information you provided is correct in order to complete the payment process.
We employ SSL encryption technology to ensure your payment information is always safe.
We use the payment system of a secure payment agency, so you don't worry about payment security.
1. Please order the product.
2. Please confirm your order and payment.
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1. Physical dolls are special custom-made goods, so it is not supported to return or exchange without reason. In order to ensure that you can receive the products earlier, we will arrange the customized production immediately after you place the order (if the doll is temporarily out of stock). We don't support modifying any commodity properties during the production process. If the order is canceled due to special reasons, the manufacturer will deduct 20% of the amount paid by the customer as compensation for material cost.
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Penn State Beaver offers nine baccalaureate degrees with several options that you can complete on our campus. In addition, we offer a nursing degree completion program.
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AUGUSTA — A state oversight office has found no evidence of fraud by the Maine State Housing Authority, according to a report presented to lawmakers Friday.
The Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability reviewed about $4.3 million in spending by the housing authority from 2007 to 2011, based on questions and criticism of the authority and its former director.
"All of the business expenses appear to be business related … and we find no indications of fraud," Beth Ashcroft, the office's director, told the Legislature's Government Oversight Committee.
Ashcroft's report was the product of a "rapid-response" analysis requested by lawmakers in January amid intense criticism of the housing authority by the Maine Heritage Policy Center and Republican state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin, a member of the authority's board of commissioners.
The criticism prompted the resignation in March of Director Dale McCormick, a Democrat who was appointed by the previous administration to lead the housing authority.
McCormick steadfastly denied the accusations of misspending, but said she had to step down to end the rancor. She could not be reached for comment Friday.
The report is considered the first phase of a more comprehensive, ongoing review. It will be the subject of a public hearing before the Government Oversight Committee on June 8.
The report says, "OPEGA judged substantially all of the $4.3 million sampled MaineHousing expenses to be generally consistent with its mission and primary activities."
However, it identifies expenses that "might be questioned as unnecessary" because they are not typical of conventional state agencies, Ashcroft said. Those expenses include professional memberships and donations to advocacy groups, gift-card bonuses for employees, and business meals that were not associated with out-of-town travel.
For example, the authority paid at least $9,625 during the five-year period for business meals for administrators and staff members who were not traveling, a practice that is limited in core state departments, Ashcroft noted.
Ashcroft noted that the housing authority has historically not been held to the same spending guidelines as conventional state agencies and departments. It is a quasi-independent agency overseen by a board of commissioners. Most of its $14 million annual budget comes from mortgage lending activities and fees. It received $374,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2010-11.
Quasi-independent state agencies have come under increased scrutiny since an audit done in 2010 uncovered misspending and fraud by the former director of the Maine Turnpike Authority. A state law that will take effect this summer will impose financial guidelines on those agencies similar to existing guidelines for core state departments.
The review of the Maine State Housing Authority includes an especially close look at McCormick's business expenses, including travel to conferences and meals. It notes, for example, that lodging expenses for most of about 40 trips during the review period appeared reasonable, although her hotel room exceeded $300 per night in three cases.
The report shows no spending of public money for personal travel or meals, like that uncovered during the review of the Maine Turnpike Authority, Ashcroft said.
Ashcroft made several recommendations for tightening up accounting by the housing authority, such as including more detailed expense reports.
Acting Director Peter Merrill said most of the recommendations have already been implemented and the authority has already restricted spending, such as on travel and meals.
The Government Oversight Committee is intended to be nonpartisan, the only legislative committee with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. However, Friday's presentation led to an exchange of partisan jabs over the report and the successful effort to oust McCormick.
"We can all agree here this was not the Maine Turnpike Authority. There is no fraud," said Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta. But he said the donations to interest groups — such as $350 for the Great Falls Balloon Festival and $2,000 to the Maine Women's Fund — "are just not related to the clear public mission of this agency."
Rep. David Burns, R-Whiting, agreed.
"The report did reveal to me some inappropriate behavior," he said. "It's an indication to me there was too much laxness."
Democrats said that the audit showed nothing inappropriate, and that the donations were part of the housing authority's effort to reach out to consumers.
"I don't see anything here that alarms me. There's a few housekeeping issues," said Rep. Donald Pilon, D-Saco.
Sen. Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, said the criticism gave a black eye to state government and McCormick, and was unfounded. "The former director was put under the spotlight and sort of forced to resign. … I'm disappointed that happened."
Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, said the report was a vindication for the housing authority and shows the attacks were politically motivated.
"I think it was definitely vindictive politics at its very worst," she said. "Now we know the truth."
Craven criticized Poliquin for helping to lead a smear campaign against a public official. "It's astounding that Bruce Poliquin could get away with that type of behavior," she said of the state treasurer.
Poliquin, who did not attend the meeting, said later that the report backed up some of the criticism he and others aimed at the authority.
"I'm pleased that apparently OPEGA has found no criminal wrongdoing. However, I'm very concerned that they have confirmed what the board has found. There have been a number of expenditures that are questionable in relation to Maine State Housing Authority's mission."
Peter Anastos, the housing authority's board chairman, helped lead the criticism of McCormick. He said the report showed that McCormick was traveling too much and spending time on side projects.
"Was there fraud? No," he said. "But were they out doing other things when they should have been taking care of business? Yes."
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