PKG00256679-instructions.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Policy Research Division

Rural Health Research Center Program

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-20-035

Funding Opportunity Types: New, Competing Continuation Assistance Listings (CFDA) Number: 93.155

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Fiscal Year 2020

Application Due Date: February 21, 2020

Ensure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and passwords are current immediately!

HRSA will not approve deadline extensions for lack of registration.

Registration in all systems, including SAM.gov and Grants.gov, may take up to 1 month to complete. In addition, ensure your DUNS Number is visible to the public for verification and the registration is current. Failure to comply will delay the processing of your application.

Issuance Date: November 15, 2019

Jennifer Burges Public Health Analyst, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Telephone: (301) 945-3985 Email: jburges@hrsa.gov

Authority: Social Security Act, Title VII, §711(b) (42 U.S.C. 912(b)), as amended.

mailto:jburges@hrsa.gov

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2020 Rural Health Research Center Program. The purpose of this program is to increase the amount of high quality, impartial, policy-relevant research to assist providers and decision/policy-makers at the federal, state and local levels to better understand problems faced by rural communities and provide information that will be applied in ways that improve health care access and population health.

Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Health Research Center Program Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-20-035 Due Date for Applications: February 21, 2020 Anticipated Total Annual Available FY 2020 Funding:

$4,900,000

Estimated Number and Type of Awards:

Up to 7 cooperative agreements

Estimated Award Amount: Up to $700,000 per year subject to the availability of appropriated funds

Cost Sharing/Match Required:

No

Period of Performance: September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024 (4 years)

Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include public and nonprofit entities. Faith-based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply.

See Section III.1 of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for complete eligibility information.

Application Guide

You (the applicant organization/agency) are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide, available online at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf, except where instructed in this NOFO to do otherwise.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

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Technical Assistance

HRSA has scheduled the following technical assistance:

Webinar

Day and Date: Friday, December 6, 2019 Time: 2 – 3 p.m. ET Call-In Number: 1-800-988-9565 Participant Code: 1497500 Weblink: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/rhrc-program-nofo/ Playback Number: 1-203-369-2036 Passcode: 121019 https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/rhrc-program-nofo/

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Table of Contents

I. PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1. PURPOSE

2. BACKGROUND

II. AWARD INFORMATION

1. TYPE OF APPLICATION AND AWARD

2. SUMMARY OF FUNDING

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

2. COST SHARING/MATCHING

3. OTHER

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

i. Project Abstract

ii. Project Narrative

iii. Budget

iv. Budget Justification Narrative

v. Attachments

3. DUN AND BRADSTREET DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER AND

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. REVIEW CRITERIA

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

3. ASSESSMENT OF RISK

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. AWARD NOTICES

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

3. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

HRSA-20-035 1

I. Program Funding Opportunity Description

1. Purpose

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rural Health Research Center (RHRC) Program. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to support high-quality, impartial, policy-relevant research to assist health care providers and decision/policy-makers at the federal, state and local levels in better understanding the challenges faced by rural communities and in designing policies to improve health care access and population health. RHRC recipients will conduct policy-oriented health services research, update trend analyses and existing research, and conduct necessary literature reviews on rural issues and synthesize the issues into publically available policy briefs designed to be easily understood by a non-technical audience. In addition to primary and secondary research, the applicant must be willing and able to conduct literature syntheses and update existing research to produce timely and relevant information. The ratio of original research to other needed projects will be reviewed by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) and the final ratio will be negotiated between the recipients and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

The four-year RHRC Program awards are designed to support research centers with specific rural health research areas of concentration. The topic(s) of concentration must be policy-relevant and of enduring interest and importance to rural providers, rural stakeholders, policy makers and/or rural communities. A goal of the RHRC Program is to produce new information, through the research activities supported by this cooperative agreement, which can be applied in ways that directly inform improvements in access to health care and population health for rural America. This cooperative agreement program will support health services research projects and will exclude clinical/biomedical research and the expenditure of funds for delivery of health care services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) defines the term “health services research” as research that examines “how people get access to health care, how much care costs, and what happens to patients as a result of this care.” The main goals of health services research are to “identify the most effective ways to organize, manage, finance, and deliver high quality care; reduce medical errors, and improve patient safety.”1

2. Background

This program is authorized by Section 711(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.

912(b)), as amended. The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) FORHP is the focal point for rural health activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). FORHP is statutorily required to advise the Secretary on the effects of current policies and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative and

1 1 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. What is Health Services Research? Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2002. [Online]

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budgetary changes in Medicare and Medicaid programs on the financial viability of small rural hospitals, the ability of rural areas to attract and retain physicians and other health professions and access to and the quality of health care in rural areas. For additional information about FORHP, please see http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/index.html.

FORHP accomplishes its mission through a broad range of policy and program activities. The RHRC program focuses on informing FORHP’s policy role. Policy-relevant research is useful because it enhances knowledge about rural health and rural health services. In addition, rural health services research addresses critical concerns facing rural communities in their efforts to secure adequate, affordable, and high-quality health services. Research findings inform a wide audience of national, state, and local decision-makers about the health issues in rural communities and are instrumental in bridging gaps between policy and program needs. Research funded under this cooperative agreement is publically available on the Rural Health Research Gateway https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/).

II. Award Information

1. Type of Application and Award

Types of applications sought: New, Competing Continuation

HRSA will provide funding in the form of a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is a financial assistance mechanism where substantial involvement is anticipated between HRSA and the recipient during performance of the contemplated project.

HRSA program involvement will include:

• Participating in the planning and development of the RHRC’s annual research portfolio and the final selection of projects;

• Reviewing/commenting on the RHRC’s project design and methodology in the research proposals;

• Reviewing the RHRC’s products including the methodology, analysis, results, policy implications, format and tone prior to public dissemination;

• Participating, as appropriate, in the planning and implementation of any meetings, training activities or workgroups conducted during the period of performance; and

• Providing consultation with the RHRCs to design dissemination strategies of the RHRC’s projects and findings to multiple audiences interested in rural health issues in the form of policy briefs, journal manuscripts, chart books, presentations to policy makers, responses to health policy programs and experts, and presentations at national, state, and regional conferences.

http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/index.html

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The cooperative agreement recipient’s responsibilities will include:

• Adherence to HRSA guidelines pertaining to acknowledgement and disclaimer on all products produced by HRSA award funds;

• Adherence to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;

• Developing research projects that aim to produce new information in alignment with FORHP’s charge under Section 711 of the Social Security Act;

• Participating in the planning and development of the RHRC’s annual research portfolio and the final selection of research projects;

• Responding to FORHP requests (including execution of short-term qualitative or quantitative analyses to assist in informing emerging policy questions), comments and questions within a timely manner;

• Conducting policy-oriented health services research on rural issues and synthesizing the results into reports easily understood by a non-technical policy audience;

• Updating preexisting research that has become outdated where advised by

FORHP;

• Conducting literature reviews and syntheses when advised by FORHP;

• Sharing research findings (i.e., policy briefs, chart books, etc.) for FORHP review by work plan guidelines;

• Submission of all finalized research findings to the Rural Health Research

Gateway (https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/) and RHRC websites for publication;

• Designing and implementing dissemination strategies of the RHRC’s research results to multiple audiences interested in rural health issues in the form of policy briefs, journal manuscripts, presentations to policy makers, responses to health policy programs and experts, and presentations at national, state, and regional conferences; and

• Attending and presenting research at annual RHRC meetings, including in fall 2020.

2. Summary of Funding

HRSA expects approximately $4,900,000 to be available annually to fund seven recipients. You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $700,000 total cost (includes both direct and indirect, facilities and administrative costs) per year. The period of performance is September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024 (4 years). Funding beyond the first year is subject to the availability of appropriated funds for Rural Health Research Center Program in subsequent fiscal years, satisfactory recipient performance, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government.

All HRSA awards are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 45 CFR part 75.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75

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III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, non-profit entities. Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

Cost sharing/matching is not required for this program.

3. Other

HRSA will consider any application that exceeds the ceiling amount non-responsive and will not consider it for funding under this notice.

HRSA will consider any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.4 non-responsive and will not consider it for funding under this notice.

NOTE: Multiple applications from an organization are not allowable.

If for any reason (including submitting to the wrong funding opportunity number or making corrections/updates) an application is submitted more than once prior to the application due date, HRSA will only accept your last validated electronic submission, under the correct funding opportunity number, prior to the Grants.gov application due date as the final and only acceptable application.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

HRSA requires you to apply electronically. HRSA encourages you to apply through Grants.gov using the SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) workspace application package associated with this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) following the directions provided at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

The NOFO is also known as “Instructions” on Grants.gov. You must provide your email address when reviewing or preparing the workspace application package in order to receive notifications including modifications and/or republications of the NOFO on Grants.gov before its closing date. Responding to an earlier version of a modified notice may result in a less competitive or ineligible application. Please note you are ultimately responsible for reviewing the For Applicants page for all information relevant to desired opportunities.

https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html

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2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide provides instructions for the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, and abstract. You must submit the information outlined in the R&R Application Guide in addition to the program-specific information below. You are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide except where instructed in the NOFO to do otherwise. You must submit the application in the English language and in the terms of U.S. dollars (45 CFR § 75.111(a)).

See Section 8.5 of the SF-424 R&R Application Guide for the Application Completeness Checklist.

Application Page Limit The total size of all uploaded files may not exceed the equivalent of 80 pages when printed by HRSA. The page limit includes the abstract, project and budget narratives, attachments including biographical sketches (biosketches), and letters of commitment and support required in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide and this NOFO.

Standard OMB-approved forms that are included in the workspace application package do not count in the page limit. Biographical sketches do count in the page limitation.

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement and proof of non-profit status (if applicable) do not count in the page limit. We strongly urge you to take appropriate measures to ensure your application does not exceed the specified page limit.

Applications must be complete, within the specified page limit, and validated by Grants.gov under the correct funding opportunity number prior to the deadline to be considered under this notice.

Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion Certification

1) You, on behalf of the applicant organization certify, by submission of your proposal, that neither you nor your principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency.

2) Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 45 CFR § 75.371, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR parts 180 and 376, and 31 U.S.C. 3321).

3) Where you are unable to attest to the statements in this certification, an explanation shall be included in Attachment 6-15: Other Relevant Documents.

See Section 4.1 viii of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information on all certifications.

Program-Specific Instructions In addition to application requirements and instructions in Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide (including the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, and abstract), include the following:

i. Project Abstract See Section 4.1.ix of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

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ii. Project Narrative This section provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It should be succinct, self-explanatory, consistent with forms and attachments, and well organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

Successful applications will contain the information below. Please use the following section headers for the narrative:

INTRODUCTION -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #1 (Need)

Propose at least one area of concentration that the RHRC will focus on throughout the 4-year period of performance and briefly explain how the chosen topic(s) aligns with FORHP’s charge as specified in Section 711 of the Social Security Act, as well as other emerging and historic health policy issues. You may propose to focus your work around one area of concentration for the entire RHRC, or propose to include multiple areas of concentration that draw on the varied expertise of your key personnel. The topic(s) of concentration must be policy-relevant and of enduring interest and importance to rural providers, rural stakeholders, policy makers and/or the health of rural communities. HRSA is particularly interested in areas of concentration that capture hospital payment and policy, primary care payment and policy, post-acute care, quality, health workforce, Medicare (including Medicare Advantage) and Medicaid, pharmacy and prescription drug policy, insurance provisions, ambulance and emergency medical services (EMS) policy, mental and behavioral health, access, health status, and health disparities.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #1 (Need)

The RHRCs have the important task of analyzing the possible effects of policy on the 57 million residents of rural communities in the United States. You must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the rural population as they pertain to health and health care services. Also, you must demonstrate a strong understanding of the unique characteristics of rural communities from a health care service, payment and provider point of view as well as why rural residents are considered an underserved population. Clearly articulate the issues and challenges facing rural communities and health care providers, as well as the associated factors that contribute to those challenges. This section should demonstrate how your proposed area(s) of concentration and proposed research studies will fill information gaps and inform rural health policy, particularly as it relates to Section 711 of the Social Security Act.

METHODOLOGY -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criteria #1 (Need), #2

(Response), #4 (Impact), and #5 (Resources/Capabilities) In this section, you must include specific information about the proposed research projects for the first budget year. Proposed projects should aim to produce findings with a high likelihood of being applied in meaningful ways in a manner that advances RHRC program goals. Propose five projects. Four final projects will be chosen in consultation with HRSA and may include emerging priorities from HRSA/HHS. Competing continuation applicants must propose research projects that are not duplicative of past projects but they may propose projects that build on or update previously funded work. Post award, these projects will be defined

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collaboratively between the successful applicants and HRSA. This process may include additional input from HRSA on possible alternative proposals and/or suggested proposal modifications, depending on policy needs at that time. The awarded applicants will be asked to submit a revised budget after consultation with

HRSA.

The proposals must be national in scope and cannot be single state or regional studies in the first budget period; state/regional studies may be considered on a limited basis in years two through four.

You must avoid duplication with research that is already underway or recently completed by the currently funded centers; query the Rural Health Research Gateway for help in identifying projects previously funded and currently underway.

Projects must not duplicate or overlap with work conducted by the Flex Monitoring Team, which evaluates the Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant program and also conducts larger analyses on Critical Access Hospital (CAH) trends specific to quality and performance improvement.

It is expected that all research products proposed for the first year will be completed within the 12 month budget period.

Present five research proposals using the format outlined below. Limit each research proposal to a maximum of six pages.

Proposal Summary

a. Project title

b. Principal Investigator information (name, degree, telephone number, email address)

c. Two sentence project description

Research Proposal

a. Project title

b. Statement of the problem/issue and policy relevance: Clearly state the purpose of the research. Identify the gaps in existing knowledge that the research is intended to fill. State the relevance of the research and its implications for rural health policy from the perspectives of national, state and local stakeholders and policy makers. Emphasize its potential value for members of rural communities. State how the proposed research will contribute to the current literature and how it is likely to advance the understanding of problems faced by rural communities and to be applied in meaningful ways to achieve RHRC program health care access and population health goals.

c. Geographic Coverage: Describe the geographic coverage and any sub-populations of focus for the research and assess how generalizable the results will be for the purpose of informing policy-making. HRSA https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/ https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/ https://www.flexmonitoring.org/ https://www.flexmonitoring.org/

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recommends studies that are nationally representative or have implications for the design or implementation of national policies. Describe the ability of the data to represent varying levels of rurality. The research should include rural versus urban analyses as well as analyses by level of rurality so that the results are described for the rural continuum.

d. Hypotheses, Design and Analysis: State the hypothesis(es) or research questions for the research project. Thoroughly describe the project design you will use to accomplish the specific aims of the proposed study (quantitative or mixed methods). All studies should have some quantitative component and qualitative work should not be the foundation for a study.

Include a discussion of any anticipated limitations of the study design.

e. Methods and Data Sources: Identify proposed methods and data sources.

Include information on data availability, acquisition cost, and a time schedule for obtaining and preparing the data for analysis. If primary data will be used, discuss the data collection plan including sampling methods, estimated sample size, expected response rate, data collection schedule, etc.

f. Human Subjects Research: Provide answers to the questions below.

i. Are human subjects involved? If activities involving human subjects are planned at any time during the proposed research project, indicate YES even if the proposed project is exempt from Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects. Indicate NO if no activities involving human subjects are planned and skip to the Staff Qualifications and Staff-loading Chart section of the NOFO.

ii. If the answer was YES, indicate if the Institutional Review Board (IRB) review is pending. If the IRB has been approved, enter the approval date.

iii. If exempt from IRB approval enter the exemption numbers and a short description corresponding to one or more of the exemption categories. See http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.html#46.

101(b) for a list of the six categories of research that qualify for exemption from coverage by the regulations as defined in the Common Rule for the Protection of Human Subjects.

iv. For the Human Subject Assurance Number provide the IRB approval number or the approved Federal Wide Assurance (FWA), Multiple Project Assurance (MPA), Single Project Assurance (SPA) or Cooperative Project Assurance Number (CPA) that the applicant has on file with the Office of Human Research Protections, if available.

v. If you have not yet been reviewed by IRB and you believe your research is exempt, provide a justification for the exemption(s) with sufficient information about involvement of human subjects to allow a tentative conclusion by HRSA staff that the claimed exemption(s) seems appropriate.

vi. Note that non-exempt research involving human subjects cannot be conducted under a HHS-sponsored award unless your organization http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.html#46.101(b) http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.html#46.101(b)

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provides verification of the justification of the exemption per HHS regulations. Documentation of IRB review when it is completed and its exemption or approval must be sent to the Project Officer. This IRB certification must include the grant number, the title of the project, name of the appropriate IRB that has reviewed and exempted, or approved, the proposed activity, name of the principal investigator/program director, date of IRB exemption or approval, and appropriate signatures.

g. Staff-loading Chart: Identify the project leader and other senior staff involvement. Include a staff-loading chart that presents the number of hours devoted to the project for each staff member and the total number of hours for each activity (e.g., data cleaning, mapping, analysis). Indicate the relevant expertise and experience of the staff.

h. Timetable: Provide a schedule for the project work. Deliverable due dates for each project should be included. Gantt charts are not necessary. Dates should reflect time required for data acquisition, IRB approval, etc.

i. Literature Citations: Provide citations to published literature relevant to this proposal.

WORK PLAN -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criteria #2 (Response) and #4

(Impact) In this section you must describe the activities or steps proposed to complete the research and dissemination plan. This discussion must include the following:

1. Explanation of quality control processes, including data quality and the quality of the written products produced under this cooperative agreement.

Including plan to comply with the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

2. Project management plan that will ensure each funded activity stays on track throughout the first 12 month budget period.

3. A general work plan for budget period two through four. This SHOULD NOT include specific research projects that will be conducted during those years but should highlight activities that will span all four years of the period of performance.

4. Plan for the Principal Investigator to review all draft reports to assure their policy-relevance, quality and readability.

5. Plan for disseminating the research products (e.g., policy briefs) produced under this cooperative agreement. At minimum, this plan should include strategy to:

a. Develop and maintain a website dedicated to FORHP funded research that will house completed research projects.

b. Provide the Rural Health Research Gateway with links to completed research products housed on the RHRC’s individual website.

c. Alerting users to new research products through multiple channels of communication and targeting dissemination to State Offices of Rural Health, policy makers, and other relevant rural stakeholders.

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RESOLUTION OF CHALLENGES -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #2 (Response) Discuss challenges (data authorization, accessibility, cost, etc.) that are likely to be encountered in designing and implementing the research projects proposed in the Methodology section as well as activities described in the Work Plan. Explain the approaches that will be used to resolve these challenges.

EVALUATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CAPACITY -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #3 (Evaluative Measures) This section should describe the following:

1. The applicant’s plan for reporting the number of times that each research product posted on the RHRC’s website is accessed and/or downloaded as well as a plan to track journal citations, conference presentations and posters, speaking engagements (including webinars) and press inquiries/communications.

2. The applicant should have a detailed plan for notifying HRSA prior to any public release of data directly or indirectly funded by HRSA (for instance, a courtesy copy of manuscripts submitted to HRSA prior to journal acceptance, advance notice of a presentation at a conference and any accompanying slides or materials, etc.).

3. The applicant’s plan for measuring the broader impact of their research findings.

4. The applicant should have a tracking method that allows them to respond to an urgent HRSA request for data within a timely manner. These measures will be collected annually within the Non-Competing Continuation Application and also required 30 days after the end of the program year.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the necessary tracking measures, and additional elements may be included within the Notice of Award.

5. The applicant’s plan for self-monitoring progress on each of the research studies throughout each budget period.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review

Criterion #5 (Resources/Capabilities) This section should describe the applicant’s expertise in the area of rural-focused health services research and their demonstrated experience conducting rural relevant research. This includes the applicant organization’s structure and staffing plan.

1. Organizational Structure of the Proposed RHRC The proposed RHRC must be a single entity or a consortium of organizations with a primary entity responsible for research, supervision, administrative activities and overall management of federal funds. No co-organizational arrangements are permitted. The RHRC must have its own identity including name, organizational structure, and dedicated website but may be located in a larger organizational entity. This discussion should include at minimum:

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a. The identity of the proposed RHRC as an entity and its relationship to its parent organization (if applicable). If the applicant has multiple sites or is a consortium, this information must be provided for each component.

b. Relevant resources (e.g., personnel, computer facilities, dedicated office space, technical or analytic support) that will support the RHRC in conducting the proposed research.

c. Description of the library of data sets currently maintained by the applicant that will support rural health research, including information on the types of geo-codes on files for different definitions of rural. Indicate any plans for purchasing data sets to keep these libraries up to date, especially data files relevant for the proposed area(s) of concentration.

Applicant must provide rural relevant examples (one example at the minimum) of demonstrated experience working with each data set listed. Additionally, applicant must provide proof that they have access to the geographic variables necessary to conduct rural/urban research.

2. Staffing Plan and Personnel Requirements

Applicants must present a staffing plan and provide a justification for that plan that includes education and experience qualifications and rationale for the amount of time being requested for each staff position. Staff of the RHRC must include:

a. Principal Investigator (i.e., the Project Director)

b. Deputy Principal Investigator (i.e., the Deputy Project Director)

c. Core Research Staff

d. Technical Writer/Editor

e. Project Manager

With the exception of the Principal Investigator and the Deputy Principal Investigator, multiple staff roles may be filled by the same person (i.e., a member of the core research staff can also fill the role of the project manager).

Include a staff-loading chart that presents the number of hours of FTE devoted to the proposed RHRC for each staff member and the total number of hours or FTE for all staff members (Attachment 1). Position descriptions that include the roles, responsibilities (Attachment 2), and qualifications of proposed project staff (Attachment 3) must be provided.

The principal investigator is expected to devote at least 25 percent of his or her time to the RHRC. The principal investigator leads the development and realization of the RHRC’s research portfolio and is the lead investigator on at least two of the applicant’s proposed research projects. The principal investigator is responsible for the administrative aspects of the RHRC and reviewing all draft research products. The principal investigator should also have a substantial number of rural health publications (at least ten) related to a proposed concentration of the RHRC, a minimum of ten years of work experience specific to rural health research, and a doctoral degree.

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Describe the following regarding the Principal Investigator: (Note: A co-principal investigator is not permitted.)

a. Evidence of successfully managing a research team and conducting and disseminating policy relevant rural health research.

b. Experience informing/educating national, state, and community decision-makers about health and access issues for rural populations.

c. How he/she will supervise staff.

The Deputy Principal Investigator is expected to devote at least 20 percent of his/her time to the proposed RHRC. Describe the following regarding the Deputy Principal Investigator:

a. Experience, including roles and responsibilities in organizational lines of authority, conducting and disseminating policy relevant rural health research.

b. Experience informing/educating national, state, and community decision-makers about health and access issues for rural populations.

c. Process to assume the duties of the Principal Investigator when the Principal Investigator is on short-term (e.g., vacation) and extended (e.g., sabbatical) leave.

Strong RHRCs most often have the core research staff within the same organization and lead all projects from within that organization. The core research staff should be multi-disciplinary and have the educational and professional experience necessary to conduct research proposed by the RHRC. This may include both social science (sociology, epidemiology, demography, economics, organizational behavior, statistics, public health, political science and/or geography) and clinical backgrounds. Describe the following:

a. How the disciplines of the core research staff are related to the RHRC’s topic(s) of concentration; and/or

b. The implementation and execution of a rural health services research project or the dissemination of policy-relevant research.

An editor or technical writer must also be included on staff whose main/partial responsibility should be to review drafts of studies prior to FORHP submission for review to ensure high quality. This individual should be identified in the line item budget.

A project manager will be responsible for tracking the progress of each research project from inception to completion. The project manager should be able to provide information to FORHP staff on the current status of each research project. This individual may also fill another role (i.e., Deputy Director or Administrative Assistant) in the proposed RHRC. This individual should be identified in the line item budget.

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3. Ability to Complete Research Projects in a Timely Manner Applicants must demonstrate the capability (as evidenced by past performance) to conduct and disseminate complex, policy-relevant research studies in a 12-15 month time period. This past performance may be demonstrated by describing work completed for any funder.

4. OPTIONAL: Expert Work Group

The applicant may choose to appoint and convene an Expert Work Group (EWG) comprised of national and regional experts in its proposed area(s) of concentration. The EWG may meet with the RHRC virtually or in-person;

however, no more than $7,000 of the annual budget may be spent on this activity (including travel, per diem and honorarium). Note: The EWG is not a requirement. HRSA leaves it to the discretion of each applicant to decide whether or not an EWG will strengthen its products. If you choose to include an EWG, you are encouraged to include a diverse group of rural health stakeholders (e.g., State Offices of Rural Health, healthcare providers/healthcare organizations and patients/community organizations).

NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

To ensure that you fully address the review criteria, this table provides a crosswalk between the narrative language and where each section falls within the review criteria. Any attachments referenced in a narrative section may be considered during the objective review.

Narrative Section Review Criteria Introduction (1) Need

Needs Assessment (1) Need

Methodology (1) Need, (2) Response, (4) Impact, and (5) Resources/Capabilities

Work Plan (2) Response and (4) Impact

Resolution of Challenges (2) Response

Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity

(3) Evaluative Measures

Organizational Information (5) Resources/Capabilities

Budget and Budget Narrative

(6) Support Requested – the budget section should include sufficient justification to allow reviewers to determine the reasonableness of the support requested.

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iii. Budget See Section 4.1.iv of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide. Please note: the directions offered in the SF-424 R&R Application Guide may differ from those offered by Grants.gov. Follow the instructions included in the R&R Application Guide and the additional budget instructions provided below. A budget that follows the R&R Application Guide will ensure that, if HRSA selects the application for funding, you will have a well-organized plan, and by carefully following the approved plan can avoid audit issues during the implementation phase.

The maximum yearly budget for a RHRC is $700,000. For the purposes of responding to this NOFO, please base your $700,000 budget on the first four research proposals included under Section IV’s Methodology. After the awards have been made, the final projects will be chosen in consultation with FORHP and may include emerging priorities from FORHP, HRSA, and HHS; award recipients will be required to revise and resubmit a finalized budget. FORHP will work collaboratively with successful applicants post award to address any potential budget issues that arise during the proposal selection process. Successful applicants may be asked to submit individual budgets for each proposal post award to aid in this process.

NOTE: No more than $7,000 of the annual budget may be spent on the optional Expert Work Group (EWG), including travel, per diem and honorarium.

NOTE: This cooperative agreement program will support health services research projects and will exclude clinical/biomedical research and the expenditure of funds for delivery of health care services.

Reminder: The Total Project or Program Costs are the total allowable costs (inclusive of direct and indirect costs) incurred by the recipient to carry out a -HRSA-supported project or activity. Total project or program costs include costs charged to the award and costs borne by the recipient to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement, as applicable.

The Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 115-245), Division B, § 202, pursuant to the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-59), Division A, § 101(8), states “None of the funds appropriated in this title shall be used to pay the salary of an individual, through a grant or other extramural mechanism, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II.” See Section 4.1.iv Budget – Salary Limitation of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information. Note that these or other salary limitations may apply in the following fiscal years, as required by law.

iv. Budget Justification Narrative See Section 4.1.v of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

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v. Attachments Provide the following items in the order specified below to complete the content of the application. Unless otherwise noted, attachments count toward the application page limit. Indirect cost rate agreements and proof of non-profit status (if applicable) will not count toward the page limit. You must clearly label each attachment.

Attachment 1: Staffing Plan (Staff-loading Chart) (see Section 4.1.vi. of HRSA’s SF- 424 R&R Application Guide)

Attachment 2: Position Descriptions (see Section 4.1.vi. of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide)

Attachment 3: Biographical Sketches (see Section 4.1.vi. of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide)

Biographical sketches should follow the format laid out in Appendix A of the SF- 424 R&R Application Guide but should not exceed two pages in length.

Attachment 4: Letters of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding, and/or Description(s) of Proposed/Existing Contracts (project-specific)

Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and other entities and programs cited in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contractual or other agreements should clearly describe the roles of the contractors and any deliverable. Make sure any letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Attachment 5: List of Published Journal Articles, Briefs, and Presentations Authored/Co-Authored by the Principal Investigator, Deputy Principal Investigator, and Key Personnel

Include all rural-relevant briefs, peer-reviewed journal articles, and other written materials and presentations at national, state, and regional conferences. For published materials include the full citation. For presentations include author(s), title, conference name, and date.

Attachments 6-15: Other Relevant Documents

Include here any other documents that are relevant to the application, including letters of support. Letters of support must be dated and specifically indicate a commitment to the project/program (e.g., in-kind services, dollars, staff, space, equipment, etc.).

3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and

System for Award Management

You must obtain a valid DUNS number, also known as the Unique Entity Identifier, for your organization/agency and provide that number in the application. You must also register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and continue to maintain active SAM registration with current information at all times during which you have an active http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

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federal award or an application or plan under consideration by an agency (unless the applicant is an individual or federal agency that is exempted from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)).

HRSA may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time HRSA is ready to make an award, HRSA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as the basis for making an award to another applicant.

If you have already completed Grants.gov registration for HRSA or another federal agency, confirm that it is still active and that the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) has been approved.

The Grants.gov registration process requires information in three separate systems:

• Dun and Bradstreet (http://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html)

• System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov)

• Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/)

For further details, see Section 3.1 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

SAM.GOV ALERT: For your SAM.gov registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. The review process changed for the Federal Assistance community on June 11, 2018.

If you fail to allow ample time to complete registration with SAM or Grants.gov, you will not be eligible for a deadline extension or waiver of the electronic submission requirement.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Application Due Date The due date for applications under this NOFO is February 21, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.ET.

HRSA suggests submitting applications to Grants.gov at least 3 calendar days before the deadline to allow for any unforeseen circumstances. See Section 8.2.5 – Summary of emails from Grants.gov of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information.

5. Intergovernmental Review

The Rural Health Research Center Program is a program subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, as implemented by 45 CFR part 100.

See Section 4.1 ii of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information.

http://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html https://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://sam.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b&sysparm_search=kb0013183

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6. Funding Restrictions

You may request funding for a period of performance of up to four years, at no more than $700,000 per year (inclusive of direct and indirect costs). Awards to support projects beyond the first budget year will be contingent upon Congressional appropriation, satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government.

The General Provisions in Division B of the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 115-245), pursuant to the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-59), Division A, § 101(8), are in effect at the time this NOFO is posted. Please see Section 4.1 of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide for additional information. Note that these or other restrictions will apply, as required by law in subsequent appropriations acts for FY 2020. HRSA will issue an NOA that references the final FY 2020 appropriations act.

You cannot use funds under this notice for the following purposes:

• clinical/biomedical research, or

• to deliver health care services.

You are required to have the necessary policies, procedures, and financial controls in place to ensure that your organization complies with all legal requirements and restrictions applicable to the receipt of federal funding including statutory restrictions on use of funds for lobbying, executive salaries, etc. Like those for all other applicable grants requirements, the effectiveness of these policies, procedures, and controls is subject to audit.

All program income generated from awarded funds must be used for approved project-related activities. The program income alternative applied to the award(s) under the program will be the addition/additive alternative. You can find post-award requirements for program income at 45 CFR § 75.307.

V. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria

HRSA has procedures for assessing the technical merit of applications to provide for an objective review and to assist you in understanding the standards against which your application will be reviewed. HRSA has critical indicators for each review criterion to assist you in presenting pertinent information related to that criterion and to provide the reviewer with a standard for evaluation.

These criteria are the basis upon which the reviewers will evaluate and score the merit of the application. The entire proposal will be considered during objective review.

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