To (1) recognize new hazards; (2) define the magnitude of the problem; (3) follow trends in incidence; (4) target exceptional hazardous workplaces for intervention; and (5) evaluate the effectiveness of prevention efforts.

The goal of this program is to increase worker safety and health.

To

credit: Barnsley

develop specialized professional and paraprofessional personnel in the occupational safety and health field with training in occupational medicine, occupational health nursing, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, and other priority training areas.

In FY 2007, 161 research grant awards, 51 training awards, 13 SBIR awards and 10 World Trade Center awards were made. Estimated number of awards for FY 2008 is 240.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Research grants and cooperative agreements are intended to support the direct costs of a project, in accordance with an approved budget, plus an appropriate amount for indirect costs.

Training grants: Funds may be used for long term training programs and/or education and research centers.

Support is provided for the direct costs of the program, plus certain indirect costs determined by Public Health Service policy on training programs.

Amounts of stipends and other details are in accordance with Public Health Service policy.

SBIR Phase I grants (of approximately 6-months' duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process.

Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I and that are likely to result in commercial products or processes.

Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II support.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants include for-profit or non-profit organizations, public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories, units of State and local governments, eligible agencies of the Federal government, domestic or foreign institutions/organizations, faith-based organizations, Indian Tribes, Tribal Government, College and/or Organizations.

Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.

Training Grants: Any public or private educational institution or agency that has demonstrated competency in occupational safety and health training at the technical, professional, or graduate level may apply.

Trainees must be admissible to the grantee institution and must be enrolled in occupational safety and health training programs.

SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees).

For SBIR grants primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project.

In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S.

and its possessions.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Research institutions and agencies as well as workers affected by occupational hazards.

Credentials/Documentation

Applications must be signed by appropriate officials of the submitting institution. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. For-profit organizations' costs are determined in accordance with 48 CFR Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. For other grantees, costs will be determined by HHS Regulations 45 CFR Part 74, Subpart Q. For SBIR grants applicant organization (small business concern) must present in a research plan an idea that has potential for commercialization and furnish evidence that scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

NIOSH publishes announcements of funding opportunities in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts and Grants.gov is the portal for applications. The Guide is found on the Internet at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html. Appropriate forms are specified in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Research and training programs utilize either the SF-424 R&R for electronic submission or the PHS 398 application form and instructions which are available on the Internet at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm. Electronic applications should be submitted to: Center for Scientific Review (CSR), National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC7710, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910. For express/courier service: Bethesda, MD 20817. SBIR Grant Applications may be submitted via grants.gov, FOA number PA-07-280.

Award Procedures

Awards are made on the basis of a two step review of an investigator-prepared application. The initial review is performed by a peer review study section for scientific merit. The second level of review is performed by the NIOSH Secondary Review Committee for program relevance. Final approval of these recommendations and decisions concerning funding are made by the Director, NIOSH. Formal award notices are sent to successful applicants.

Deadlines

Application deadlines are posted in the published funding opportunity announcements and are available at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm.

Authorization

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Sections 20(a) and 21(a), 29 U.S. Code 669(a) and 670(a); Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, Section 501(a), 30 U.S. Code 951(a); Public Health Service Act, Section 301(a) and 405; 42 U.S. Code 241 and 284 and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Research Grants and Awards: 7-9 months. Training Grants: 9-10 months. SBIR: 7-8 months.

Appeals

A principal investigator may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute.

Renewals

Support is recommended for a specified project period, usually not in excess of 5 years. Prior to the end of a project period, the grantee may apply for renewal of support for a new project period. Applications for renewal will be reviewed in the same manner as a new application and will compete for available funds with other applications.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Research and Training Grants and Cooperative Agreements may be awarded for project periods ranging from one to five years in 12-month budget periods, and may be extended through a competitive renewal. SBIR Grants: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reports must be submitted as follows: (1) Interim progress reports (including citations of all resulting publications) annually as part of a non-competing continuation application for previously recommended support; (2) Terminal progress report (including citations of all resulting publications) within 90 days after end of project support; (3) Annual financial status report within 90 days after the conclusion of each budget period; (4) Immediate and full reporting of any inventions.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

Financial records, including documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant, must be kept readily available for review by personnel authorized to examine PHS grant accounts. Records must be maintained for three years after end of each budget period. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0943-0-1-550.

Obigations

FY 07 $144,574,277; FY 08 est $115,000,000; and FY 09 est $107,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$50,000 to $5,000,000. Training Grants: $28,000-$1,500,000. SBIR Grants: Phase I -$100,000; Phase II - up to $750,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

42 CFR Parts 86 and 87. 45 CFR Part 74 or 92, as applicable. OMB Circulars A-21 and A-87. The PHS Grants Policy Statement, including addenda in effect as of the beginning date of the budget period, and the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Funding opportunity announcements as published in the NIH Guide: (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html), the Grants.gov website (www.grants.gov), and the NIOSH OEP web site (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/). Omnibus Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant and Cooperative Agreement Applications. Any additional grant program legislation and regulation cited in the Notice of Grant Award.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Program Contact: Office of Extramural Programs, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS-E74, Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone: (404) 498-2530. Grants Management Contact: Mr. Larry Guess, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Acquisition and Assistance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, 626 Cochrans Mill road, PO Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Telephone: (412) 386-6826.

Headquarters Office

Office of Extramural Programs, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS-E74, Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone: (404) 498-2530. Grants Management Contact: Mr. Larry Guess, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, 261 Cochrans Mill road, P.O. Box 18070. Telephone: (412) 386-6826.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to stated program objectives. Training Grants: Criteria used in evaluating training proposals include: (1) Overall potential contribution of the project toward meeting program objectives; (2) the need for training in the areas outlined in the application; (3) curriculum content and design; (4) previous record of training; (5) evaluation methods; (6) experience and training of the project director and staff; (7) institutional commitment; (8) academic and physical environment; (9) past performance; and (10) appropriateness of budget. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (8) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment.