In fiscal years 2001-2003, 20 new and competitive continuation awards were made. In fiscal years 2004-2007, 10 new and non-competitive continuation awards were made for Lyme disease diagnosis, immunology, pathogenesis and tick control research, and community-based prevention programs. Beginning in fiscal year 2008, new competitive funding opportunities will be available for the evaluation of reservoir-targeted vaccine formulations to prevent enzootic transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi, and field trials to evaluate efficacy of natural products for the control of the tick vectors of Lyme disease spirochetes.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funding opportunities are made available to develop disease surveillance, conduct ecological and epidemiological studies, develop prevention and control activities, develop better diagnostic tests, and develop and disseminate educational materials and programs.

Grants include funds for direct costs, i.e., personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, necessary to carry out an approved project as well as funds for the reimbursement of applicable indirect costs.

Unallowable costs, such as reimbursement of pre-award costs, as well as those for which prior written approval is required, are indicated in the Public Health Service (PHS) Grants Policy Statement (http://www.hhs.gov/grantsnet.gps/).

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Public and nonprofit organizations able to provide services to geographical areas where Lyme disease is endemic or found to be newly emerging in the continental United States.

Thus, universities, colleges, research institutions, State and local health departments, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

States, political subdivisions of states, and other public and nonprofit private entities and the general public who may be exposed to the threat of Lyme disease in certain geographical areas.

Credentials/Documentation

Nonprofit organizations are corporations or associations no part of whose net earnings may lawfully inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted by private nonprofit organizations with the application or, if previously filed with PHS, the applicant must state where and when the proof was submitted.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program has no preapplication requirements.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in the State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

To apply for this funding opportunity, applications 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. Detailed application instructions are included in the Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) for federal assistance. Submit the signed original and five copies of your application by mail or express delivery service to: Technical Information Management System, (Add FOA number here), CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR 92 for State and local governments and OMB Circular No. A-110 for nonprofit organizations.

Award Procedures

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and responsiveness by the agency program and HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO). HHS/CDC will not review incomplete and non-responsive applications. After review and approval, a notice of grant award (NoA) is prepared and processed, along with appropriate notification to the public. Initial award provides funds for first budget period (usually 12 months) and NoA indicates support recommended for the remainder of project period, allocation of Federal funds by budget categories, and special conditions, if any.

Deadlines

Contact Headquarters Office listed below for application deadline dates.

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Sections 301, 42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 317(k)(2), 42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2), as amended.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately three to six months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Cooperative agreement project periods are for three to four years. Subject to availability of funds, after initial awards, projects may be renewed non-competitively contingent upon 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.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no matching requirements. This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance is available for a 12-month budget period within project periods ranging from 3 to 4 years. After awards are issued, funds are released in accordance with the payment procedure established by the grantee institution with DHHS, which may be an Electronic Transfer System or a Monthly Cost Request System.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

An original and two hard-copies of the Non-Competing Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) are due no less than 120 days prior to the end of each budget period within the project period.

Financial status reports are required no later than 90 days after the end of each budget period.

Final financial status and performance reports are required no more than 90 days after the end of the project period.

All reports must be submitted to the Grants Management Specialist indicated in the NoA.

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 are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the project must be kept readily available for review by personnel authorized to examine PHS grant accounts. Records must be maintained for a minimum of 3 years after the end of a budget period. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, records must be retained until completion or resolution of any audit in process or pending resolution. Property records must be retained in accordance with PHS Grants Policy Statement requirements.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0943-0-1-550.

Obigations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $2,986,426; FY 08 $1,400,494; and FY 09 est $1,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$250,000 to $650,000; Average award depends on funding opportunity announcement.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000 (Rev.) April 1, 1994. Pertinent information may be obtained by contacting the Headquarters Office.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne and Enteric Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3150 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521. Branch Extramural Activities Contacts: Ms. Diane Hamm - Telephone: (970) 221-6414 and Dr. Charles B. (Ben) Beard - Telephone: (970) 221- 6418. Division Extramural Activities Contacts: Ms. Mary Ellen (Mel) Fernandez - Telephone: (970) 221-6426. Dr. Lyle R. Petersen - Telephone: (970) 221-6428.

Headquarters Office

Scientific/Research Program Contact: Dr. Brian Mahy, Extramural Research Program, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop C-19, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone: (404) 639-3770. FAX: (404) 639-2469. Financial or Grants Management Contact: Ms. Sharron Orum, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: (770) 488-2716. Fax: (770) 488-2777.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications will be evaluated on the review criteria described in the Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs). In general, the review and selection process of complete and responsive applications to the FOA consists of determination of the scientific merit by peer review, availability of funds, and relevance of program priorities and the priorities of DHHS. Refer to the FOA for additional review criteria.t he purpose of the grant? Are the measures objective/quantitative and do they adequately measure the intended outcome? I. Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research. Additional review criteria applicable to the second Recipient Activities (Prevention) only are: 1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates high incidence of Lyme disease in the study population(s) (9.6 per 100,000 in 2000-2002); 2. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the likelihood that the proposed intervention will be practical, affordable and sustainable in the target community and can be implemented in other endemic communities. 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. If these provisions are not relevant to the proposed scope of work, state this and 5 points will be credited to the application. 6. Budget: The extent to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative agreement funds.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. If these provisions are not relevant to the proposed scope of work, state this and 5 points will be credited to the application. 6. Budget: The extent to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative agreement funds.