GENE DISCOVERY FOR CRANIOFACIAL DISORDERS
RELEASE DATE: May 9, 2002
RFA: DE-03-001
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTES AND CENTERS (ICs):
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
(http://www.nidr.nih.gov/)
National Eye Institute (NEI)
(http://www.nei.nih.gov/)
LETTER OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE: June 30, 2002
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE: July 30, 2002
THIS RFA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
o Purpose of this RFA
o Research Objectives
o Mechanisms of Support
o Funds Available
o Eligible Institutions
o Individuals Eligible to become Principal Investigators
o Where to Send Inquiries
o Letter of Intent
o Submitting an Application
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Receipt and Review Schedule
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations:
PURPOSE OF THIS RFA
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and
the National Eye Institute (NEI) invite applications aimed at fostering
creative approaches for the discovery of genes that cause or modify
susceptibility to craniofacial, dental, oral, and ocular disorders.
The applications may be for individual research projects (R01) or for
exploratory/developmental grants (R21). This Request for Applications
(RFA) encourages research projects focused on identifying genes that
cause craniofacial disorders, modifier genes that influence risk, and
environmental conditions that alter gene expression and modify
susceptibility in diverse genetic backgrounds. Advances in genetic
studies will reveal the molecular networks that regulate the formation
of craniofacial, dental, and ocular tissues and thus, shed light on
pathogenic mechanisms leading to structural defects and disorders.
These advances will provide a basis for gene-based diagnostic criteria,
improved genetic counseling, and they will provide insights for
developing novel prevention and therapeutic strategies. Collaborative
projects involving interdisciplinary teams of investigators are strongly
encouraged.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Background
Birth defects affect 5% of all infants born in the United States, and
three-quarters of these involve the head, face and oral tissues. This
means that in the United States there is a child born every 5 minutes
with a craniofacial defect. While there are several hundred disorders
affecting the face, skull, jaw, eyes and teeth, by far the most common
craniofacial defect is isolated, or non-syndromic cleft lip with or
without cleft palate (CL/P) that affects more than one child per 1000
births. Other hereditary syndromes such as ectodermal dysplasias are
marked by the absence of all or most teeth in children and adults,
while Rieger"s syndrome is associated with significant ocular and
tooth anomalies. The social and economic costs of craniofacial
disorders are enormous and they place a disproportionately high burden
on particular population subgroups.
During the past decade, there has been significant progress in
identifying the genetic basis of many rare craniofacial and
ophthalmologic disorders that are strongly influenced by single genes
(i.e., hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta II,
Papillon-Lefevre syndrome, Apert syndrome, aniredia, and congenital
fibrosis of the extraocular muscles). Progress has been substantially
slower for the more common craniofacial disorders that are complex
disorders influenced by multiple genes interacting with each other and
with environmental factors. The search for susceptibility loci for
complex craniofacial disorders such as non-syndromic cleft lip with or
without cleft palate (CL/P) has often yielded weak linkages and
inconsistent results. This may be due in part, to the limitations of
current linkage strategies as well as our lack of understanding of the
role of genetic polymorphisms in response to environmental factors.
Genetic analysis may also be hampered by the use of disease categories
that combine phenotypes of different severity that may represent
genetically heterogeneous defects. Identification of susceptibility
genes for craniofacial disorders will permit studies of the molecular
pathways leading to these disorders and will enhance our understanding
of individual risk, clinical phenotype, and variation in response to
environmental factors.
The current initiative is the result of recommendations from several
prior NIDCR-supported conferences focused on craniofacial disorders and
genetics. These meetings highlighted the major scientific
opportunities created by the wealth of genomic information from the
Human, Mouse and other Genome Projects for the discovery of genes
involved in craniofacial disorders. These meetings include the
Workshop on the Prevention of Craniofacial Anomalies, held in September
1999, the NIDCR Genetics Workgroup held in November 1999, and a series
of three NIDCR-sponsored World Health Organization meetings
"International Collaborative Research on Craniofacial Anomalies" held
in 2000-2001.
Scope
Applications submitted in response to this announcement should focus on
discovery of genes causing or contributing to craniofacial, oral,
dental, and ocular disorders. A partial list of disorders of interest
to NIDCR is available in Appendix 5 of the Report of the NIDCR Genetics
Workgroup http://www.nidr.nih.gov/about/strat-plan/Genetics_Rpt.pdf).
These include common disorders such as orofacial clefting and
hypodontia/tooth agenesis as well as a broad spectrum of less common
disorders such as amelogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta, Sjögren"s
syndrome, Treacher-Collins syndrome, Papillon-Lefevre syndrome, and
many others.
The types of research that would be encouraged by the proposed
initiative include:
o Discovery of genes involved in single-gene or polygenic disorders
that affect dental, oral, ocular and craniofacial tissues throughout
the lifespan.
o Genotype-phenotype analysis including correlations of specific
allelic variants in primary or modifier genes and their clinical
phenotype.
o Studies focused on distinguishing heterogeneous genetic subgroups
that show similar clinical presentations.
o Research strategies for gene discovery for craniofacial disorders
may include traditional linkage analysis, case-control association
studies, linkage disequilibrium mapping, candidate gene analyses,
positional cloning techniques, SNP variant analyses, gene expression
profiling and proteomics using microarray and other high-throughput
technologies.
o Studies in model organisms(e.g., mouse, rat, zebrafish, chick,
and fruit fly) for identifying and validating candidate and modifier
genes, and for analyzing molecular mechanisms that underlie genetic
disorders are encouraged as research indicates that key molecules
involved in facial specification and assembly are evolutionarily
conserved.
o Backcross strategies such as speed congenics for mapping
susceptibility loci and evaluating modifier genes that influence
penetrance and expressivity.
High-throughput human and mouse genotyping services are available to
applicants through the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR).
Since NIDCR and NEI are NIH Institutes that participate in the support
of CIDR, research projects funded under this initiative are eligible to
apply for no-cost genotyping services at CIDR through a competitive
peer review process by a chartered CIDR Access Committee (CAC).
Detailed information and deadlines for applications to CIDR are
available at http://www.cidr.jhmi.edu.
Applicants are also advised of the availability of global gene
expression profiles during early stages of human craniofacial, oral and
dental development. These resource tools are available through the
Craniofacial and Oral Gene Expression Network (COGENE) a NIDCR-
supported consortium, and can be accessed at the web site
http://hg.wustl.edu/COGENE.
This initiative encourages multidisciplinary approaches involving
geneticists, molecular biologists, dental and medical clinicians,
epidemiologists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, bioinformaticians, and
researchers in other disciplines in order to enhance gene discovery
research.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop comprehensive operational
diagnostic criteria that include state-of-the-art diagnostic
methodologies such as imaging techniques in order to refine diagnostic
classifications. Diagnostic criteria for many rare craniofacial
disorders are highly variable and this hampers attempts to combine data
across samples and to replicate findings. Analysis of genetic and
environmental etiologies for complex traits such as orofacial clefting,
will benefit from the application of sophisticated methodologies that
permit phenotypic subgroups to be distinguished and classification
schema to be developed.
MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
This RFA will use NIH R01 (investigator-initiated research project
grant) and the R21 (exploratory/developmental research grant) award
mechanisms. As an applicant you will be solely responsible for
planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. This RFA is a
one-time solicitation. Future unsolicited, competing-continuation
applications based on this project will compete with all investigator-
initiated applications and will be reviewed according to the customary
peer review procedures. The anticipated award date is February 01,
2003.
This RFA uses just-in-time concepts. It also uses the modular
budgeting format. (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm).
Specifically, if you are submitting an application with direct costs in
each year of $250,000 or less, use the modular format.
R21 Applications. R21 proposals should have the potential for truly
groundbreaking impact. Use of this mechanism by investigators
experienced in orofacial disorders who wish to explore new genetic
approaches to address basic and applied research questions is
encouraged. Investigators with expertise in fields other than orofacial
disorders who wish to establish new research programs on the genetics
of these disorders is also encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to
contact program staff for advice about choosing the appropriate grant
mechanism.
FUNDS AVAILABLE
The NIDCR intends to commit approximately $2,500,000 and the NEI
intends to commit approximately $1,500,000 in FY 2003 to fund 10 to 16
new grants in response to this RFA. An R01 applicant may request a
project period of up to 4 years and a budget for direct costs of up to
$250,000 per year. An R21 applicant may request a project period of up
to 2 years and a budget for direct costs of up to $125,000 per year.
Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from
application to application, it is anticipated that the size and
duration of each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of
the ICs provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this RFA
are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a
sufficient number of meritorious applications. At this time, it is not
known if this RFA will be reissued.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
You may submit an application(s) if your institution has any of the
following characteristics:
o For-profit or non-profit organizations
o Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges,
hospitals, and laboratories
o Units of State and local governments
o Eligible agencies of the Federal government
o Domestic or foreign
INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to
carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their
institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from
under-represented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with
disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Plan for Dissemination of Data and Biomaterials
Rapid sharing of data and biomaterials is strongly encouraged.
Applications are required to contain a detailed plan for the timely
dissemination of data and biomaterials generated through the grant, in
agreement with PHS policy (NIH Grants Policy Statement at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not96-184.html.
Sharing of data and biomaterials is essential to foster rapid progress
in genetic studies of craniofacial disorders. The information to be
shared is expected to include pedigree structures and all clinical and
diagnostic data, which should be stripped of personal identifiers and
placed in publicly accessible databases. Applicants may also propose
to share biomaterials such as DNA samples and cell lines. The Initial
Review Group will evaluate the proposed sharing plan and comment on its
adequacy as an administrative note in the summary statement. The
adequacy of the sharing plan will be considered by NIH staff in
determining whether the grant shall be awarded. The sharing plan as
approved, after negotiation with the applicant when necessary, will be
a condition of the award. Evaluation of renewal applications will
include an assessment of the effectiveness of data and biomaterial
release.
WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES
We encourage inquiries concerning this RFA and welcome the opportunity
to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into
three areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants
management issues:
o Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:
Rochelle K. Small, Ph.D.
Director, Developmental Biology and Mammalian Genetics
Division of Basic and Translational Sciences
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Institutes of Health
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44F
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-9898
FAX: (301) 480-8318
Email: Rochelle.Small@nih.gov
Ellen Liberman, Ph.D.
National Eye Institute
Executive Plaza South, Suite 350
6120 Executive Blvd., MSC 7164
Bethesda, MD 20892-7164
Phone: (301) 451-2020
Fax: (301) 502-0528
Email: ellenliberman@nei.nih.gov
o Direct your questions about peer review issues to:
H. George Hausch, Ph.D.
Acting Director, Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Institutes of Health
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44F
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-2904
FAX: (301) 480-8303
Email: George.Hausch@nih.gov
Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:
Mr. Kevin Crist
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44F
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-4800
Fax: (301) 402-1517
Email: Kevin.Crist@nih.gov
Mr. William W. Darby
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Research
National Eye Institute
6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 350
Bethesda, MD 20892-7164
Telephone: (301) 451-2020
Fax: (301) 496-9997
Email: wwd@nei.nih.gov
LETTER OF INTENT
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that
includes the following information:
o Descriptive title of the proposed research
o Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
o Names of other key personnel
o Participating institutions
o Number and Title of this RFA
Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does
not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information
that it contains allows NIDCR staff to estimate the potential review
workload and plan the review.
The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed at the beginning
of this document. The letter of intent should be sent to:
H. George Hausch, Ph.D.
Acting Director, Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Institutes of Health
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44F
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
Telephone: (301) 594-2904
FAX: (301) 480-8303
Email: George.Hausch@nih.gov
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant
application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). The PHS 398 is
available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in
an interactive format. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo,
Telephone (301) 435-0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODULAR GRANT APPLICATIONS: Applications
requesting up to $250,000 per year in direct costs must be submitted in
a modular grant format. The modular grant format simplifies the
preparation of the budget in these applications by limiting the level
of budgetary detail. Applicants request direct costs in $25,000
modules. Section C of the research grant application instructions for
the PHS 398 (rev. 5/2001) at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html includes step-
by-step guidance for preparing modular grants. Additional information
on modular grants is available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm.
USING THE RFA LABEL: The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev.
5/2001) application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page
of the application. Type the RFA number on the label. Failure to use
this label could result in delayed processing of the application such
that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In
addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on line 2 of the face
page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. The RFA
label is also available at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf.
SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH: Submit a signed, typewritten
original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed,
photocopies, in one package to:
Center For Scientific Review
National Institutes Of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7710
Bethesda, MD 20892-7710
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application
must be sent to:
Dr. H. George Hausch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44F
Bethesda, MD 20892-6402
APPLICATION PROCESSING: Applications must be received by July 30, 2002.
If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to
the applicant without review.
The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any application
in response to this RFA that is essentially the same as one currently
pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending
application. The CSR will not accept any application that is
essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude
the submission of substantial revisions of applications already
reviewed, but such applications must include an Introduction addressing
the previous critique.
PEER REVIEW PROCESS
Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR
and responsiveness by NIDCR and NEI. Incomplete applications will be
returned to the applicant without further consideration. And, if the
application is not responsive to the RFA, CSR staff may contact the
applicant to determine whether to return the application to the
applicant or submit it for review in competition with unsolicited
applications at the next appropriate NIH review cycle.
Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be
evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer
review group convened by the NIDCR in accordance with the review
criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, all
applications will:
o Receive a written critique
o Undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the
highest scientific merit, generally the top half of the applications
under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score
o Receive a second level review by the National Advisory Councils of
either NIDCR or NEI.
REVIEW CRITERIA
The goals of NIH-supported research are to advance our understanding of
biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance health.
In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to discuss the
following aspects of your application in order to judge the likelihood
that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the
pursuit of these goals:
o Significance
o Approach
o Innovation
o Investigator
o Environment
The scientific review group will address and consider each of these
criteria in assigning your application"s overall score, weighting them
as appropriate for each application. Your application does not need to
be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major
scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score. For example,
you may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not
innovative but is essential to move a field forward.
(1) SIGNIFICANCE: Does your study address an important problem? If the
aims of your application are achieved, how do they advance scientific
knowledge? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or
methods that drive this field?
(2) APPROACH: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and
analyses adequately developed, well integrated, and appropriate to the
aims of the project? Do you acknowledge potential problem areas and
consider alternative tactics?
(3) INNOVATION: Does your project employ novel concepts, approaches or
methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does your project
challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or
technologies?
(4) INVESTIGATOR: Are you appropriately trained and well suited to
carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to your
experience level as the principal investigator and to that of other
researchers (if any)?
(5) ENVIRONMENT: Does the scientific environment in which your work
will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed
experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific
environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there
evidence of institutional support?
ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA: In addition to the above criteria, your
application will also be reviewed with respect to the following:
o PROTECTIONS: The adequacy of the proposed protection for humans,
animals, or the environment, to the extent they may be adversely
affected by the project proposed in the application.
o INCLUSION: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both
genders, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as
appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the
recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. (See
Inclusion Criteria included in the section on Federal Citations, below)
o SHARING PLAN: The adequacy of the proposed plan to make all data and
biological materials collected and produced as a result of the proposed
research accessible in a timely manner to the biomedical research
community.
o BUDGET: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested
period of support in relation to the proposed research.
o OTHER REVIEW CRITERIA: R21 applications only: Does this project have
the potential for groundbreaking impact? If successful, will this
project achieve at least one of the following goals: 1) generate pilot
data to assess the feasibility of a novel avenue of investigation, 2)
involve high risk experiments that could lead to a breakthrough in a
particular field, or 3) demonstrate the feasibility of new
technologies that could have major impact in a specific area.
RECEIPT AND REVIEW SCHEDULE
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: June 30, 2002
Application Receipt Date: July 30, 2002
Peer Review Date: Fall 2003
Council Review: January 2003
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: February 1, 2003
AWARD CRITERIA
Award criteria that will be used to make award decisions include:
o Scientific merit (as determined by peer review)
o Availability of funds
o Programmatic priorities
o Adequacy of proposed sharing plan
REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: It is the policy
of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their sub-
populations must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research
projects unless a clear and compelling justification is provided
indicating that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of
the subjects or the purpose of the research. This policy results from
the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43).
All investigators proposing clinical research should read the AMENDMENT
"NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in
Clinical Research - Amended, October, 2001," published in the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts on October 9, 2001
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html), a
complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm.
The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition
of clinical research, updated racial and ethnic categories in
compliance with the new OMB standards, clarification of language
governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials consistent with the new
PHS Form 398, and updated roles and responsibilities of NIH staff and
the extramural community. The policy continues to require for all NIH-
defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) all applications or
proposals and/or protocols must provide a description of plans to
conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by sex/gender
and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable, and b)
investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting
analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group
differences.
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN
SUBJECTS: The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals
under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research,
conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and
ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all initial
(Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1,
1998.
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should
read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines" on the inclusion of children as
participants in research involving human subjects that is available at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm.
REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS: NIH
policy requires education on the protection of human subject
participants for all investigators submitting NIH proposals for research
involving human subjects. You will find this policy announcement in the
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts Announcement, dated June 5, 2000, at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.
HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS (hESC): Criteria for federal funding of
research on hESCs can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/stem_cells.htm
and at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html.
Only research using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human
Embryonic Stem Cell Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (see
http://escr.nih.gov). It is the responsibility of the applicant to
provide the official NIH identifier(s)for the hESC line(s)to be used in
the proposed research. Applications that do not provide this
information will be returned without review.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been
revised to provide public access to research data through the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1)
first produced in a project that is supported in whole or in part with
Federal funds and (2) cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency
in support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a
regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is important for
applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH has
provided guidance at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.
Applicants may wish to place data collected under this RFA in a public
archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the
distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application
should include a description of the archiving plan in the study design
and include information about this in the budget justification section
of the application. In addition, applicants should think about how to
structure informed consent statements and other human subjects
procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under
this award.
URLs IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES: All applications and
proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page
limitations. Unless otherwise specified in an NIH solicitation, Internet
addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide information necessary to
the review because reviewers are under no obligation to view the
Internet sites. Furthermore, we caution reviewers that their anonymity
may be compromised when they directly access an Internet site.
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010: The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to
achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of
"Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority
areas. This RFA is related to one or more of the priority areas.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: This program is described in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.173 (NIDCR) and No. 93.867 (NEI) and
is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of
Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards are made
under authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health
Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and administered under NIH
grants policies described at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/policy.htm and under Federal
Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products. In
addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits
smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a
facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care,
health care, or early childhood development services are provided to
children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and
advance the physical and mental health of the American people.