Grant Community.com

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

93.226:  Research on Healthcare Costs, Quality and Outcomes

Objectives:  To support health services research to create new knowledge and better understanding of the process by which health services are made available, and how they may be provided more efficiently and effectively. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has a broad legislative mandate to support, conduct, and disseminate research that improves the outcomes, quality, access to, and cost and utilization of health care services. Major categories of research include outcomes and effectiveness, clinical effectiveness trials, evidence-based practice centers (EPCs) translating research into practice, quality measurement and improvement, health information technology, dissemination activities, primary care, rural health, and managed care.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

93.226 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.

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 OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. For other grantees, costs will be determined in accordance with DHHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74.

93.226 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication 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. May 1995), should be submitted. For State and local governments, the standard application forms, as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR Part 92, should 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, each grant application requesting over $50,000 total direct costs may be reviewed by the National Advisory Council for Health Care Policy, Research, and Evaluation, 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-5152-5 (Rev. July 1994).

Deadlines:  New grants: February 1, June 1, and October 1. Competing continuations and competing supplementals: March 1, July 1, and November 1. New AIDS grants: May 1, September 1, and January 2.

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.

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 requesting total direct costs exceeding $50,000 may be reviewed for program relevance by the National Advisory Council for Health Care Policy, Research, and Evaluation. 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.

Examples of Funded Projects:  (1) Risk Adjustment Methods for Hysterectomy Complications; (2) Quality of Care for Newborn Jaundice; (3) Improving Heart Failure Care in Minority Communities; 4) Medical Intervention Effectiveness and Outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; (5 Comparison of Treatment Efficacy for Prostate Cancer; and (6) Organization Determinants of HIV Care Improvement.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  From $18,000 to $900,000; $200,000.

93.226 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 93.225 National Research Service Awards: Health Services Research Training.

93.226 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

93.226 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $71,530,293; FY 00 est $82,472,000; and FY 01 est $59,111,000.

Budget Account Number:  75-1700-0-1-552.

Authorization:  Public Health Service Act, Section 902, Public Law 101-239, 42 U.S.C. 299 et seq.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  42 CFR 67, Regulations for Grants for Health Services Research, Evaluation, Demonstration, and Dissemination Projects; PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000 (Rev.) April 1, 1994.

93.226 INFO 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 and Grants Management Contact: Mable Lam, Grants Management Officer. Phone: (301) 594-1844. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

93.226 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.

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 indirect 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.

93.226 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 receive 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.