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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

93.375:  Minority Biomedical Research Support

Popular Name:  MBRS

Objectives:  To increase the number of researchers who are members of minority groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, MBRS gives grants to educational institutions with substantial minority enrollments to support research by faculty members, strengthen the institutions' biomedical research capabilities, and provide opportunities for students and faculty development.

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

93.375 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  (1) Two and 4-year colleges, universities, and health professional schools with 50 percent or more enrollment of minorities that have been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research; (2) two and 4-year colleges with a student enrollment, a significant proportion of which (but not necessarily more than 50 percent) is derived from underrepresented minorities, provided the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services determines that said institution has demonstrated commitment to the special encouragement of, and assistance to, underrepresented minority faculty, students, and investigators; (3) Indian tribes that have a recognized governing body and perform substantial governmental functions; or (4) Alaskan Regional Corporations, as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et. seq.).

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Faculty and students at eligible institutions.

Credentials/Documentation:  Documentation of eligibility is required prior to acceptance of application. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. For other grantees, costs will be determined with OMB Circular No. A-21 and HHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart C.

93.375 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Consultation and assistance in preparation of an application are available from the administering agency. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  The standard application forms, as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR, Part 92, for State and local governments, must be used for this program. Application form PHS 398 (Rev. May 1995), with addendum, may be obtained from the MBRS Branch, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 45 Center Drive MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200. Phone: (301) 594-3900. 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:  Applications from eligible institutions are reviewed for scientific merit by an appropriate initial review group and by a national advisory council. All approved applications compete for available funds on the basis of scientific merit and program emphasis.

Deadlines:  RISE and SCORE: February 1, June 1, and October 1. IMSD: February 1.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  About 9 months.

Appeals:  A principal investigator (P.I.) may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute.

Renewals:  Every 4 years. Recompetition and Council approval is required.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The relevance and importance to announced program objectives; (2) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed program and its objectives; (3) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (4) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to assist minority students in pursuing research careers; (5) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; and (6) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed program.

Examples of Funded Projects:  The Minority Biomedical Research Support Branch supports institutionally-based, health-related research programs involving research subprojects conducted by individual investigators, as well as developmental activities for faculty and students. These programs are intended to address the under representation of minorities in biomedical research by improving the research capabilities of eligible institutions and increasing the number of ethnic minorities in biomedical research and related careers in eligible institutions. A broad spectrum of biomedical disciplines and fields are represented in the widely diverse health-related research subprojects that are funded through this program.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  The range is from $75,000 to $1,700,000 per year (for 3 to 4 years).

93.375 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 93.880 Minority Access to Research Careers;
• 93.960 Special Minority Initiatives.

93.375 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

93.375 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $50,888,000; FY 00 est $71,405,000; and FY 01 est $75,405,000.

Budget Account Number:  75-0851-0-1-552.

Authorization:  Public Health Service Act, Titles III and IV, Sections 301 and 461, as amended; Public Laws 78-410 and 99-158; 42 U.S.C. 241, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 285K.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  OMB Circular No. A-21, "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions"; Reference: 44 FR 12368, March 6, 1979; Rev. No. 1, 47 FR 33658, August 3, 1982; Rev. No. 2, 51 FR 20908, June 9, 1986. OMB Circular No. A-87, "Cost Principles Applicable to Grants and Contracts with State and Local Governments"; Reference: 34 CFR 255. 45 CFR 92. Reference: 42 FR 45828, September 12, 1977. OMB Circular No. A-110, "Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations"; Reference: 41 FR 32016, July 30, 1976. OMB Circular No. A-123, "Audits of State, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations"; Reference: Public Law 98-502, the Single Audit Act of 1984. 42 CFR 52h; 45 CFR 74. Department Staff Manual, "Grants Administration"; Indirect Cost Register, DHHS; "PHS Grants Policy Statements," DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000, (Rev.) April 1, 1994; NIH Grants Policy Guide, "Office for Protection from Research Risks, NIH; "A Guide to Grant and Award Programs of the NIH"; and miscellaneous program literature from Headquarters Office.

93.375 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Branch Contact: Dr. Ernest Marquez, Chief, MBRS Branch, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 45 Center Drive MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200. Phone: (301) 594-3900. Grants Management Contact: Ms. Carol Tippery, Chief Grants Management Officer, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 45 Center Drive MSC 6200, Bethesda, MD 20892-6200. Phone: (301) 594-5135. Use the same numbers for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

93.375 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  The length of time is four years.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  MBRS grants support biomedical research projects. They may also provide salaries (reimbursed according to percent effort), salaries for technicians, limited administrative support, consultant fees, equipment, research supplies, travel, and support for evaluation activities. Funds are also available for alterations an renovations. MBRS has three major grant mechanisms: Support of Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE), Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE), and Initiative for Minority Student Development (IMSD).

93.375 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Annual narrative progress and financial status reports are required.

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:  Expenditures and other financial records must be retained for 3 years from the day on which the grantee submits the last financial status report for the report period.