[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25011]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 11, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health; Statement of Organization,
Functions, and Delegations of Authority
Part H. Chapter HN (National Institutes of Health) (NIH) of the
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority for
the Department of Health and Human Services (40 FR 22859, May 27, 1975,
as amended most recently at 59 FR 42066, August 16, 1994) is amended to
reflect a reorganization within the National Center for Research
Resources (NCRR) (HNR), NIH. The reorganization consists of (1)
abolishing Intramural Research Resources (HNR2) and Extramural Research
Resources (HNR3); and (2) realigning the remaining NCRR substructure to
indicate their correct organizational level. This reorganization is
consistent with Administration objectives related to the National
Performance Review (NPR) and the Continuous Improvement Program (CIP)--
specifically, streamlining, delayering, and decreasing the ratio of
supervisors to employees in accordance with effective management
practices.
Section NH-B, Organization and Functions, is amended as follows:
(1) Under the heading National Center for Research Resources (HNR)
delete the titles and functional statements for Intramural Research
Resources (HNR2) and Extramural Research Resources (HNR3) in their
entirety and substitute the following:
Office of Science and Health Reports (HNR12). (1) Serves as a focal
point for the Center's efforts to interpret and disseminate the goals
and results of NCRR-supported research programs and projects to the
biomedical research community, Congress, other specialized groups, and
the general public; (2) provides answers to White House, congressional,
and public inquiries regarding research resources and produces
materials designed to facilitate these responses; (3) provides advice
and assistance to members of the Center's scientific and administrative
staff engaged in research and program reporting; (4) serves as an
information source for NIH personnel carrying out public affairs
assignments related to NCRR interests; (5) cooperates with appropriate
voluntary agencies and professional societies in planning and producing
informational materials for specialized groups; and (6) provides
responses to requests under the Freedom of Information Act and the
Privacy Act, and advises the NCRR Director on matters related to these
Acts.
Office of Grants ad Contracts Management (HNR13). (1) Collaborates
in the formulation of NCRR, NIH, and PHS policies and procedures
relating to the management of the grant and contract programs; (2)
interprets and applies NCRR, NIH, and PHS policies and procedures
relating to the business management of grants and contracts; (3)
provides administrative and financial review of grant applications and
contract proposals and collaborates with program directors in grants
negotiation, award, and administration; (4) provides administrative and
technical support in the development, execution, and monitoring of
grant and contract programs including budget forecasting; (5) maintains
liaison with grants and contracts management staffs in other
Institutes, central OD/NIH offices, grantees, and contractors; and (6)
interprets and implements new/revised administrative policies/
regulations affecting the overall mission of the Center, and NIH and
PHS policies and procedures relating to the management of the grant and
contract programs.
Office of Administrative Management (HNR14). (1) Plans implements,
and evaluates administrative and management services and support to the
programs and activities of NCRR; (2) provides budgetary support for
budget formulation and execution; (3) provides personnel management,
services, and advice; (4) plans and operates NCRR data systems; and (5)
maintains liaison with the Office of the Director (OD/NIH).
Office of Science Policy (HNR15). (1) Advises the NCRR Director on
policy matters, scientific developments, and other relevant issues that
may affect NCRR programs and initiatives; (2) assists in the
establishment of NCRR objectives and in the development or modification
of programs to meet these objectives; (3) evaluates the performance and
impact of NCRR programs and related PHS programs and activities; (4)
acquires data and performs analyses for use in NCRR planning and
development; (5) coordinates the presentation of the Center's plans and
reports; (6) conducts the Center's legislative liaison activities; and
(7) provides staff support for the NCRR Director.
Office of Review (HNR16). (1) Provides policy direction and
coordination for the planning and execution of initial scientific and
technical reviews conducted within the Center involving applications
for grant and contract research; (2) supervises and manages NCRR-
chartered committees and the establishment of ad hoc review committees
as required; (3) coordinates the identification and selection of
qualified experts to serve on review committees and assists with the
review of grant applications and contract proposals as required; (4)
serves as the information and coordination center for all grant
applications and contract proposals pending review by the Office; (5)
supervises scientific review administrators for the initial scientific
review of grant proposals reviewed within NCRR; (6) coordinates
scientific review activities with NCRR program staff and the Division
of Research Grants, NIH; and (7) maintains uniform policies and
procedures governing the technical review of grant applications and
contract proposals within NCRR.
Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation Program (HNR4).
Contributes to the advance of NIH research in applications of
engineering, mathematics, and the physical sciences to the solution of
problems in biology and medicine through: (1) Consultations and
collaborations with NIH scientists in areas such as measurement,
imaging, mathematical modeling, and design of specialized equipment;
(2) research and development of theoretical and experimental methods,
including novel instrumentation; and (3) technical support services
such as the design, construction, modification, repair, sale, and lease
of scientific equipment.
Veterinary Resources Program (HNR5). Contributes to the advancement
of NIH research through the application of laboratory animal sciences
by: (1) Consultative and collaborative inter-action with NIH intramural
researchers; (2) providing fully characterized laboratory animal
models; (3) providing a full range of professional and technical
support services; facilities, and other resources required for
laboratory animal care; and (4) conducting independent research and
development in the field of laboratory animal science.
Medical Arts and Photography Branch (HNR6). Contributes to the
advance of NIH research by providing comprehensive visual
communications services through: (1) Creating products that visually
communicate scientific data, research accomplishments, and NIH programs
to the scientific community and the general public; and(2) producing
publications, exhibits, and audio-visual presentations through a
variety of services including design, graphics, video production,
medical illustration, micro- and macro-photography, information and
patient photography, and staff assistance in planning and coordination
of visual communication needs.
Library Branch (NHR7). Contributes to the advance of NIH research
by providing comprehensive research library support to NIH scientific,
clinical, and management programs through: (1) An extensive collection
of books and journals; (2) access to computer information banks (3)
staff assistance and consultation in information handling and
retrieval; (4) translation of foreign research reports; and (5) studies
to explore avenues for scientific communications and dissemination of
medical research findings.
Comparative Medicine Program (HNR8). (1) Plans, develops,
administers, and evaluates a comprehensive scientific program utilizing
resource grants, resource-related research grants, research contracts,
and training awards to: (a) Provide access to non-human primates for
biomedical research through Regional Primate Research Centers, (b)
develop and support shared resources for animal models of human
disease/processes; (c) reduce disease in laboratory animal colonies,
(d) improve quality of institutional animal resource programs, (e)
train individuals for these activities, and (f) foster optimal
standards for the care of laboratory animals; (2) plans workshops,
conferences, and seminars to explore animal research resource needs of
investigators; and (3) serves as a focal point for NIH interchange with
organizations, institutions, and individuals concerning the use of
animals in biomedical research.
Research Facilities Improvement Program (HNR9). (1) Plans,
develops, administers, and evaluates a comprehensive program utilizing
grants and contracts for the repair, renovation, modernization, and
expansion of biomedical research-related facilities and the purchase of
associated equipment; (2) formulates general policy, administrative
procedures, and parameters within which the program will operate; (3)
identifies areas where improved facilities would produce new knowledge
and methods; and (4) serves as the focal point for interchange with
institutions and independent research organizations regarding the use
of funds available for research facilities improvement.
General Clinical Research Centers Program (HNRB). (1) Plans,
develops, administers, and evaluates a comprehensive clinical research
program utilizing resource grants, resource-related grants, and
research contracts to: (a) Establish, within public or private
institutions, facilities for quality-controlled clinical research with
patients; (b) stimulate multi-disciplinary research; and (c) provide
shared laboratory resources to facilitate technology transfer to the
patient research; (2) formulates general policy, administrative
arrangements, and scientific considerations within which the program
will operate; (3) maintains management and scientific liaison with
institutions supported through the program; (4) plans workshops,
conferences, and seminars to identify clinical resource needs for
scientists; (5) provides competitive support to junior faculty to
develop a cadre of independent clinical investigators and (6)
coordinates clinical resource support within other NIH institutes and
centers.
Biomedical Research Technology Program (HNRC). (1) Plans, develops,
administers, and evaluates a comprehensive scientific program utilizing
resource grants, resource-related grants, research project grants, and
research contracts to support biomedical computing, biomedical
structure and function, biomedical characterization, biomedical image
and image processing resources, and biomedical engineering resources;
(2) formulates general policy, administrative arrangement, and
scientific considerations framework within which the program will
operate; (3) plans workshops, conferences, and seminars to identify
technologies to be modified or developed as tools for biomedical
research; and (4) serves as a focal point for NIH interchange with
organizations, institutions, and individuals concerning the use of
technologies in biomedical research.
Biomedical Research Support Program (HNRE). (1) Plans, develops,
administers, and evaluates programs for shared research resources, and
resources for underserved populations; (2) plans, develops, administers
and evaluates programs to improve science education activities and the
Nation's science literacy; (3) formulates general policy,
administrative arrangements, and scientific considerations within which
the programs will operate; (4) plans workshops, conferences, and
seminars to explore means of program development; and (5) serves as the
focal point for NIH interchange with organizations, institutions, and
individuals concerning these programs.
Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program (HNRG). (1)
Plans, develops, administers, and evaluates the Research Centers in
Minority Institutions Program utilizing competitive institutional
resource grants to strengthen the research environment in predominantly
minority educational institutions which offer doctoral degrees in the
health professions or the sciences related to health; (2) formulates
general policy, administrative arrangements, and scientific
considerations within which the program operates; (3) plans workshops,
conferences, and seminars to identify research resource needs of
institutions development; and (4) serves as a focal point for NIH
interchange with organizations, institutions, and individuals
concerning the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program.
Biological Models and Materials Research Program (HNRH). (1) Plans,
develops, administers, and evaluates a comprehensive scientific program
utilizing research grants, cooperative agreements, and research
contracts to: (a) Develop and provide cell systems, lower organisms,
and non-biological systems as models for biomedical research, (b)
provide biological materials serving as critically important resources
to the biomedical research community, and (c) respond to requests from
the research community for support of needed biological materials and
biological and non-biological model systems; (2) tracks model research
systems supported by NIH; (3) serves as NIH's focal point for exchange
of information concerning the use of model systems in biomedical
research with individuals, organizations, and institutions; (4)
collaborates with other NIH components to support biological materials
resources of critical importance to the biomedical research community;
(5) plans workshops, conferences, and seminars to explore research
resource needs of scientists; and (6) formulates general policy,
administrative arrangements, and scientific considerations within which
the program will operate.
Dated: September 22, 1994.
Harold Varmus,
Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-25011 Filed 10-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
