To
support research and evaluations, demonstration projects, research
networks, and multidisciplinary centers and to disseminate information
on health care and on systems for the delivery of such care involving:
(1) The quality, effectiveness, efficiency, appropriateness and
value of health care services; (2) quality measurement and improvement;
(3) the outcomes, cost, cost-effectiveness, and use of health care
services and access to such services; (4) clinical practice, including
primary care and practice-oriented research; (5) health care technologies,
facilities and equipment; (6) health care costs, productivity, organization,
and market forces; (7) health promotion and disease prevention,
including clinical preventive services; (8) health statistics, surveys,
database development, and epidemiology; and (9) medical liability.
In support of this research, the Agency has a special interest in
health care and its delivery in the inner city, in rural areas,
and for priority populations (low-income groups, minority groups,
women, children, the elderly, and individuals with special health
care needs).
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The research should contribute
to the health services knowledge base from which empirically based
information can be derived by policymakers, both immediately and
over the coming decades. Grants include funds for direct costs (such
as personnel, travel, equipment, or supplies) necessary to carry
out an approved project as well as funds for the reimbursement of
applicable facilities and administrative costs. Unallowable costs,
as well as those for which prior written approval is required, are
indicated in the PHS Grants Policy Statement. Discretionary funds
are available.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
Federal, State or local government agencies, federally-recognized
Indian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories, sponsored organizations,
non-government organizations, minority groups, specialized groups,
public or private institutions of higher education, and other public
or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, or organizations. Research
project grants may also be awarded to individuals. For-profit organizations
are eligible to apply for these grants only if "cooperative agreement"
is the designated funding mechanism. Organizations described in
section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying
are not eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Federal, State or local government agencies, federally-recognized
Indian Tribal Governments, public or private nonprofit institutions,
U.S. territories, Native American organizations, sponsored organizations,
consumers, students, minority groups, specialized groups, health
or education professionals, individuals, scientist/researchers,
and the general public.
Credentials/Documentation:
Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of their nonprofit status
when applying for grants. Costs will be determined in accordance
with DHHS Regulations 45 CFR 74.
Pre-application
Coordination: There is no program requirement
for preapplication. Informal preapplication consultation to prospective
applicants is available upon request, but is not required. This
program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure:
For nongovernmental applicants, Form PHS- 398 (Rev. April 1998),
should be submitted. For State and local governments, the standard
application forms, as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR
Part 92, may be used. For State agencies, no State Plan is required.
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a group composed primarily
of nonfederal scientists. The review is conducted by a panel of
experts in the specific study area proposed. This program is subject
to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State and local governments
and OMB Circular No. A-110 for nonprofit organizations.
Award Procedure:
Following review for scientific merit by a group composed primarily
of nonfederal scientists, grant applications may be reviewed by
the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality,
after which AHRQ makes final decisions to support approved applications.
When such decisions are made, applicants are notified directly
by AHRQ staff and all required steps are taken to issue the Notice
of Grant Award, Form PHS-5152-6 (Rev. December 1999).
Deadlines:
New grants (except R03 mechanism): February 1, June 1, October
1. Competing continuations and competing supplements: March 1,
July 1, November 1. New AIDS grants: May 1, September 1, January
2. R03 grants: March 24, July 24, November 24.
Range of Approval/Disapproval
Time: From 6 to 9 months from receipt of application.
Appeals:
None.
Renewals:
If additional support is desired to continue a project beyond
the approved project period, an application for competing continuation
must be submitted for review in the same manner as a new application.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching
Requirements: This program has no statutory
formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing
of Assistance: Grants may be approved for
project periods up to 5 years. Awards are made on an annual basis
and it is expected that obligations will be made within the budget
period awarded. 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 Cash Request System.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Progress reports are required on an annual basis. Financial Status
Reports must be submitted within 90 days after the end of each budget
period. Inventions are to be reported immediately. A terminal progress
report must be submitted within 90 days after the end of a project.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised,
June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit
Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance
of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities
that expend less than $300,000 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:
Records must be retained for at least three years; records shall
be retained beyond the three year period if audit findings have
not been resolved.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
75-1700-0-1-552.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $142,027,519; FY 02 est $147,200,000; and FY 03
est $83,800,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
From $5,000 to $1,800,000; Average: $300,000. These are
total cost figures (direct plus associated facilities and administrative
costs if appropriate).
In fiscal year 2001, 403
grants were provided to universities, hospitals, nonprofit private
agencies, State agencies, local government agencies and individuals
to conduct health services research and demonstration projects.
In fiscal year 2002, it is estimated that approximately 420 grants
will be provided to similar organizations and individuals for the
support of extramural health services research and demonstration
and dissemination projects. In fiscal year 2003, it is estimated
that approximately 250 grants will be provided to similar organizations
and individuals.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND
LITERATURE:
42 CFR 67, Regulations
for Grants for Health Services Research, Evaluation, Demonstration,
and Dissemination Projects as amended by P.L. 106-129; PHS Grants
Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000 (Rev.) April
1, 1994.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local
Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Department of Health
and Human Services, Suite 601, Executive Office Center, 2101 East
Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852. Program Contacts: Improving
Health Outcomes, Carolyn Clancy, MD, Director, Center for Outcomes
and Effectiveness Research (Telephone: 301 594-1485); Quality
of Care, Gregg Meyer, MD, Director, Center for Quality Improvement
and Patient Safety (Telephone: 301 594-1349); Evidence-based Practice
and Technology Assessment, Robert Graham, MD, Director, Center
for Practice and Technology Assessment (Telephone: 301 594-4015);
Primary Care, Helen Burstin, MD, MPH, Director, Center for Primary
Care Research (Telephone: 301 594-1357); Cost and Financing, Steven
Cohen, Director, Center for Cost and Financing Studies (Telephone:
301 594-1400); Organization, Delivery, and Markets, Irene Fraser,
PhD, Director, Center for Organization and Delivery Studies (Telephone:
301 594-1410); Grants Management Contact: Mable Lam, Grants Management
Officer. Telephone: 301 594-1447. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address: http//www.ahrq.gov
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
(1) Centers for Education
and Research on Therapeutics; (2) Primary and Secondary Prevention
of CHD and Stroke; (3) Improving Pain Management in Nursing Homes;
(4) Optimizing Antibiotic Use in Long-Term Care; (5) Improving the
Delivery of Effective Care to Minorities; (6) Risk-Adjustment of
1-Year Health Status Outcomes in CAD; (7) Impact of Early Discharge
Following Bypass Surgery; (8) Smoking Control in MCH Clinics: Dissemination
Strategies; (9) Benefits of Regionalizing Surgery for Medicare Patients.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
The proposals must first
be reviewed by review groups of peers and recommended for approval
on the basis of scientific and technical merit. This includes consideration
of the qualifications of the principal investigator and staff to
conduct the research using appropriate methodology and budget. Applications
may be reviewed for program relevance by the National Advisory Council
for Healthcare Research and Quality. Those approved proposals which
are most relevant to the identified program priority issues of the
AHRQ are funded to the extent that funds are available.
