98-16327. Notice of Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1998; Grants for Radiation Studies and Research  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 118 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 33677-33680]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-16327]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    [Announcement Number 98068]
    
    
    Notice of Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1998; Grants for 
    Radiation Studies and Research
    
    Introduction
    
        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces 
    that applications are being accepted for Grants for Radiation Studies 
    and Research. The efforts funded by these grants will result in models 
    and procedures that will improve systems to track environmental 
    exposures and diseases.
        CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
    prevention objectives of HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000, a national activity to 
    reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This 
    announcement is related to the priority areas of Environmental Health. 
    For ordering a copy of HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000, see the section WHERE TO 
    OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
    
    Authority
    
        This program is authorized under Section 301(a) of the Public 
    Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Section 241(a)] as amended, and under the 
    Occupational Safety and Health Act [29 U.S.C. Section 669(a)].
    
    Eligible Applicants
    
        Eligible applicants include all non-profit organizations. Thus 
    State and local health departments and other State and local 
    governmental agencies, universities, colleges, research institutions, 
    laboratories, and other public and private organizations, including 
    small, minority and/or woman-owned businesses are eligible for these 
    research grants.
    
    Availability of Funds
    
        Approximately $350,000 is expected to be available in Fiscal Year 
    1998 to fund approximately two to four awards. It is expected that the 
    average award will be $100,000-$150,000, the range being $60,000 to 
    $200,000 (including both direct and indirect costs). It is expected 
    that the awards will begin on or about September 30, 1998, and are 
    usually made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up 
    to three years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change.
    
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        Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
    basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
        Use of Funds: Grant funds may not be used to support direct care 
    services.
    
    Background
    
        The Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and 
    the Secretary, Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of 
    Understanding (MOU) transferring the authority and resources to manage 
    and conduct energy-related analytic epidemiologic research from DOE to 
    HHS. This includes the authority, resources, and responsibility for the 
    design, implementation, analysis, and scientific interpretation of 
    analytic epidemiologic studies of the following populations: workers at 
    DOE facilities; residents of communities in the vicinity of DOE 
    facilities; other persons potentially exposed to radiation; and persons 
    exposed to potential hazards resulting from non-nuclear energy 
    production and use.
        The Secretary, HHS, delegated the responsibility for implementation 
    of the MOU to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 
    Director, CDC, designated the National Center for Environmental Health 
    (NCEH) as lead for CDC and for the conduct of environmental studies. 
    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has the 
    responsibility for the conduct of occupational studies.
    
    Purpose
    
        The purposes of this program are:
        A. To support radiation research on priority issues in the 
    following categories:
        1. A broad-based need for participation in International Validation 
    Studies for Environmental Transport Models.
        2. Development of methodologies for using current sampling data as 
    an indicator of past contaminant releases to the environment.
        3. Development of Usage Factors for Environmental Dose 
    Calculations.
        4. Uncertainty Analysis of Dose Conversion Factors for Radio 
    nuclides.
        5. Risk Factors for Thyroid Disease.
        6. Development of Ultra sensitive Measurement Techniques for 
    Individual Environmental Radiation Dosimetry.
        B. To encourage professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines 
    such as engineering, medicine, health care, public health, physical 
    sciences, and others, to undertake radiation research programs.
        C. To evaluate current and new scientific methodologies and 
    strategies in the areas of radiation research.
    
    Program Requirements
    
        The following are applicant requirements:
        A. A director who has specific authority and the responsibility to 
    carry out the project.
        B. Demonstrated experience in conducting, evaluating, and 
    publishing radiation, epidemiology, and or dose assessment research.
        C. Effective and well-defined working relationships within the 
    performing organization and with outside entities which will ensure 
    implementation of the proposed activities.
        D. The ability to disseminate and implement the research findings 
    through organizations (such as public health agencies) or systems, both 
    public and private.
        E. An overall match between the applicant's proposed theme and 
    research objectives, and the program priorities as described in the 
    PURPOSE, A. Radiation research.
        Eligible applicants may enter into contracts, including consortia 
    agreements (as set forth in the PHS Grants Policy Statement) as 
    necessary to meet the requirements of the program and strengthen the 
    overall application.
    
    Programmatic Interest
    
        The focus of each grant application should reflect priority issues 
    in one or more of the following areas; (1) a broad-based need for 
    participation in International Validation Studies for Environmental 
    Transport Models; (2) development of methodologies for using current 
    sampling data as an indicator of past contaminant releases to the 
    environment; (3) development of Usage Factors for Environmental Dose 
    Calculations; (4) Uncertainty Analysis of Dose Conversion Factors for 
    Radio nuclides; (5) Risk Factors for Thyroid Disease; and (6) 
    Development of Ultra sensitive Measurement Techniques for Individual 
    Environmental Radiation Dosimetry.
    
    International Validation Studies for Environmental Transport Models
    
        The best way to determine the accuracy of any environmental 
    transport model is to compare predictions made by the model with 
    measurements of the same quantity in the environment, a process known 
    as model validation. The environmental transport models potentially 
    useful in dose reconstruction projects must be validated to the extent 
    possible if the results produced by the models are to be scientifically 
    and publicly defensible. A series of recent international projects 
    coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency have been 
    attempting to address this issue using environmental radio nuclide data 
    gathered from around the world, especially from nations formerly part 
    of the Soviet Union.
    
    Environmental Indicators of Past Releases
    
        All environmental dose reconstructions will require the extensive 
    use of mathematical models of source term development and environmental 
    transport and dosimetry. These models will be validated against past 
    and present environmental monitoring results. Early environmental 
    monitoring was not as comprehensive or sensitive as today's methods. 
    Therefore, the use of monitoring data for model validation for early 
    years of site operations potentially will be less certain than later 
    years. A number of methods are available for defining long-term trends 
    of environmental contamination. For example, tree ring analyses have 
    been performed to reconstruct historical concentrations of tritium and 
    mercury. Methods developed must provide information on the temporal and 
    geographic patterns of contamination in the environment.
    
    Usage Factors for Environmental Dose Calculations
    
        There are four major factors that determine the dose and risk to 
    people from the inhalation and ingestion of radio nuclides and 
    chemicals released to the environment:
        1. the source term (the type and amount of contaminant released to 
    the environment);
        2. environmental transport to people (via the atmosphere, 
    hydrosphere, and/or food chains);
        3. usage factors (time spent outdoors, rate of inhalation, amount 
    of a particular food product consumed, etc.); and
        4. metabolism or the particular radio nuclide or chemical in the 
    body resulting in a particular dose or risk.
        What is required for modern dose and risk estimation is a 
    probability distribution for each usage factor.
    
    Uncertainty Analysis of Dose Conversion Factors for Radio Nuclides
    
        All environmental dose reconstructions require the extensive use of 
    Dose Conversion Factors (DCF) that relate intake or exposure to 
    radioactive materials to the endpoint dose. The DCFs in use today have 
    been developed mainly for radiation protection purposes. In as much, 
    these DCFs were derived by the use of conservative values and 
    assumptions, non-stochastic values of DCFs are listed singularly (i.e., 
    with no estimates of
    
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    uncertainty). Modern dose and risk estimates require that (1) 
    probability distributions be defined for each of the parameters used to 
    derive the DCF's; (2) each of these distributed parameters be 
    propagated through the model which defines the specific DCF; and (3) 
    the final DCF be presented as a distribution with uncertainties.
    
    Risk Factors for Thyroid Disease
    
        Historical releases of iodine from activities at DOE facilities and 
    during weapons testing have raised questions concerning the risk of 
    thyroid disease associated with radiation exposure. Not only have 
    questions been raised about the risk of thyroid neoplasia, but also 
    about other thyroid diseases that may or may not be related to 
    radiation exposure. Medical monitoring for all thyroid diseases has 
    been proposed for the population around the Hanford nuclear weapons 
    facility potentially exposed to historical releases of radio iodine. A 
    large number of studies have been completed in the last ten years that 
    shed light on the risk factors for thyroid disease and on the 
    association between thyroid disease and radiation.
    
    Development of Ultra Sensitive Measurement Techniques for 
    Individual Environmental Radiation Dosimetry
    
        Much work on environmental dose reconstruction deals with computer 
    modeling using limited environmental monitoring data to ascertain 
    radiation doses to individuals for the purpose of risk assessment and 
    epidemiologic study. This is often due to the fact that the radio 
    nuclides of concern have short effective half lives with respect to the 
    elapsed time from exposure to assessment. In many cases the 
    environmental levels of contamination are significantly below 
    conventional levels of detection for in vivo radiation detection. The 
    purpose of this grant is to develop Ultra sensitive techniques that 
    could be used for assessing environmental exposures to people who are 
    now alive and who may have been exposed to historical releases from DOE 
    weapons facilities. Development of novel techniques or significant 
    improvements on current techniques will be considered.
    
    Application Content
    
        Applications for radiation research should include:
        A. The project's focus that justifies the research need and 
    describes the scientific basis for the research, the expected outcome, 
    and the relevance of the findings. The focus should be based on one or 
    more of the priority topic issues.
        B. Specific, measurable, and time-framed objectives.
        C. A detailed plan describing the methods by which the objectives 
    will be achieved, including their sequence. A comprehensive evaluation 
    plan is an essential component of the application.
        D. A description of the grant's principal investigator's role and 
    responsibilities.
        E. A description of all project staff regardless of their funding 
    source. It should include their title, qualifications, experience, 
    percentage of time each will devote to the project, as well as that 
    portion of their salary to be paid by the grant.
        F. A description of those activities related to, but not supported 
    by the grant.
        G. A description of the involvement of other entities that will 
    relate to the proposed project, if applicable. It should include 
    commitments of support and a clear statement of their roles.
        H. A detailed first year budget for the grant with future annual 
    projections, if relevant.
        I. Applicants must identify the principal priority topic areas upon 
    which their project focuses.
        An applicant organization has the option of having specific salary 
    and fringe benefit amounts for individuals omitted from the copies of 
    the application which are made available to outside reviewing groups. 
    To exercise this option, on the original and six copies of the 
    application, the applicant must use asterisks to indicate those 
    individuals for whom salaries and fringe benefits are not shown; the 
    subtotals must still be shown. In addition, the applicant must submit 
    an additional copy of page four of Form PHS-398, completed in full, 
    with the deleted amounts shown. This budget page will be reserved for 
    internal staff use only.
    
    Evaluation Criteria
    
        Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
    following criteria:
        1. The specific aims of the research project, i.e., the broad long 
    term objectives, the intended accomplishment of the specific research 
    proposal, and the hypothesis to be tested; (15 points)
        2. The background of the proposal, i.e., the basis for the present 
    proposal, the critical evaluation of existing knowledge, and specific 
    identification of the knowledge gaps which the proposal is intended to 
    fill; (10 points)
        3. The significance and originality from a scientific or technical 
    standpoint of the specific aims of the proposed research, including the 
    adequacy of the theoretical and conceptual framework for the research; 
    (20 points)
        4. The progress of preliminary studies pertinent to the 
    application; (5 points)
        5. The adequacy of the proposed research design, approaches, and 
    methodology to carry out the research, including quality assurance 
    procedures, plan for data management, and a statistical analysis plan; 
    (15 points)
        6. The extent to which the evaluation plan will allow for the 
    measurement of progress toward the achievement of the stated 
    objectives; (15 points)
        7. Qualifications, adequacy, and appropriateness of personnel to 
    accomplish the proposed activities; (10 points)
        8. The degree of commitment and cooperation of other interested 
    parties (as evidenced by letters detailing the nature and extent of the 
    involvement); (5 points)
        9. The budget request is clearly explained, adequately justified, 
    reasonable and consistent with the intended use of grant funds; (Not 
    scored) and
        10. Adequacy of existing and proposed facilities and resources. (5 
    points)
    
    Executive Order 12372 Review
    
        Applications are not subject to the review requirements of 
    Executive Order 12372.
    
    Public Health System Reporting Requirement
    
        This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
    Requirement.
    
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA)
    
        The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.
    
    Application Submission and Deadlines
    
        Applicants should use Form PHS-398 and adhere to the ERRATA 
    Instruction Sheet for Form PHS-398 contained in the Grant Application 
    Kit. Please submit an original and six copies, on or before August 
    7,1998 to: David Elswick, Grants Management Specialist, Grants 
    Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
    Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E., Room 
    300, Atlanta, GA 30305.
        Deadlines: Applications shall be considered as meeting a deadline 
    if they are either:
        1. Received on or before the deadline date; or
        2. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
    submission to
    
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    the review committee. Applicants should request a legibly dated U.S. 
    Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a 
    commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered 
    postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailings.
        Applications which do not meet the criteria in 1. or 2. above are 
    considered late applications and will be returned to the applicant.
    
    Where To Obtain Additional Information
    
        All application procedures and guidelines are contained within the 
    present announcement. Business management technical information may be 
    obtained from David Elswick, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement 
    and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
    255 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E., Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, 
    telephone (404) 842-6521.
        Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Steven 
    Adams, Project Officer, Radiation Studies Branch, Division of 
    Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for 
    Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
    4770 Buford Hwy, N.E., Mailstop F-35, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, telephone 
    (770) 488-7040.
        Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full 
    Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary 
    Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of 
    Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 
    (Telephone (202) 513-1800).
    
        Dated: June 15, 1998.
    John L. Williams,
    Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
    and Prevention (CDC).
    [FR Doc. 98-16327 Filed 6-18-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/19/1998
Department:
Health and Human Services Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
98-16327
Pages:
33677-33680 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Announcement Number 98068
PDF File:
98-16327.pdf