Alcohol Research Programs (93.273)
Program
93.273 Alcohol Research Programs
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: National Institutes of Health
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, as amended, Sections 301 and 464H, Public Law 78-410, 42 U.S.C. 241, and 42 U.S.C. 290Gb; Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, Public Law 102-564.
Program Number
93.273
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To develop a sound fundamental knowledge base which can be applied to the development of improved methods of treatment and more effective strategies for preventing alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supports research in a broad range of disciplines and subject areas related to biomedical and genetic factors, psychological and environmental factors, alcohol-related problems and medical disorders, health services research, and prevention and treatment research. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation and technology transfer through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.
Types of Assistance
PROJECT GRANTS
Uses and Use Restrictions
(1) Research Project Grants provide support for clearly defined projects or a small group of related activities, and when appropriate, support of conferences; (2) Program Project Grants are for large-scale, broad-based programs of research, usually interdisciplinary, consisting of several projects with a common focus; (3) Small Grants are for small-scale exploratory and pilot studies or exploration of an unusual research opportunity; Small Grants are limited to $50,000 for direct costs for a period of up to 2 years; and (4) Exploratory/Developmental Grants are limited for a period of up to 2 years, and a maximum of $275,000 for direct costs for the entire 2- year period. Funds may be used only for expenses directly related to the approved research project. SBIR Phase I grants (of approximately 6- months' duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or processes. Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I, and that are likely to result in commercial products or processes. STTR Phase I grants (normally of 1-year duration) are to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort that has potential for commercial application. Phase II funding is based on results of research initiated in Phase I and scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of Phase II application.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Public or private profit and nonprofit agencies, including State, local, or regional government agencies, universities, colleges, hospitals, academic or research institutions may apply for research grants. SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Public, profit and nonprofit private organizations.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. For-profit grantees' costs will be determined in accordance with Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. For other grantees, costs will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulation 45 CFR Part 74, Subpart C, Section 74.27. For SBIR and STTR grants, applicant organization (small business concern) must present in a research plan an idea that has potential for commercialization and furnish evidence that scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan. Grant forms PHS 6246-1 and PHS 6246-2 are used to apply for SBIR Phase I and Phase II, respectively. Grant forms PHS 6246-3 and PHS 6246-4 are used to apply for STTR Phase I and Phase II, respectively. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. The standard application forms, as furnished by PHS, must be used by grant applicants. Application kits, containing the necessary forms and instructions, if not available at the applicant institution, may be obtained from the NIAAA. Consultation on proposed projects is also available. Preapplication consultation with NIAAA staff is required before submission of a Program Project grant application or any unsolicited new grant application requesting $500,000 or more direct costs in any one year. Applications are reviewed by nonfederal consultants recruited nationwide. The amount of the award and period of support are determined on the basis of the merit of the project. 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. SBIR and STTR Grant Solicitations and SBIR Contract Solicitation may be obtained electronically through the NIH's "Small Business Funding Opportunities" home page at www.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm on the World Wide Web. A limited number of hard copies of these publications are produced. Subject to availability, they may be obtained by contacting the NIH support services contractor: Telephone: (301) 206-9385; Fax: (301) 206-9722; E-mail: a2y@cu.nih.gov. The Solicitations include submission procedures, review considerations, and grant application or contract proposal forms. SBIR and STTR grant applications should be submitted to the Center for Scientific Review, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040 - MSC 7710, Bethesda, MD 20892-7710.
Award Procedure
Research Grants in support of projects recommended for approval by the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and approved for payment are awarded directly by the NIAAA to the applicant institution. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.
Deadlines
Dec 15, 2009 February 1, June 1, and October 1. SBIR: April 15, August 15, and December 15. STTR: December 1, only. AIDS related research applications January 2, May 1, and September 1.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 240 to 270 days from submission of application for grant support. SBIR/STTR applications about 7-1/2 months. AIDS related research applications about 6 months.
Appeals
A principal investigator may appeal the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeals procedures is available on the NIH home page www.nih.gov/grants/guide/1997/97.11.21/n2.html .
Renewals
Support is recommended for a specified project period, usually not in excess of 5 years. Prior to termination of a project period, the grantee may apply for renewal of support for a new project period. An application for renewal is processed as a competing request. Small Grants and Exploratory/Developmental Grants are not renewable, but grantees may apply for research project grants on the same topics.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies, but a project period is generally limited to 5 years or less. Grantee may apply for renewal of support on a competing basis. Within the project period, continuation applications must be submitted on a non-competing basis for each year of approved support. Small Grants are limited to 2 years or less and are not renewable. Exploratory/Developmental Grants are limited to 3 years or less and are not renewable. Payments will be made either on a Monthly Cash Request System or under an Electronic Transfer System. Necessary instructions for the appropriate type of payment will be issued shortly after an award is made. SBIR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. STTR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 1 year; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Awards will be released electronically to applicant institutuion. Funds are released annually.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program reports are not applicable. Cash reports are not applicable. Annual progress reports as a part of the continuation application. A final expenditure report is required at the conclusion of the project. The NIAAA Program officers will monitor performance by evaluating the annual progress report.
Audits
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. In accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). In accordance with 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 74.26, for-profit (commercial) organizations are subject to audit requirements for a non-Federal audit if, during it s fiscal year, it expended $500,000 or more under HHS awards and at least one award is a HHS grant or subgrant. The regulation incorporates the thresholds and deadlines of OMB Circular No. A-133, but provides for profit organizations with two options for the type of audit that will satisfy the audit requirement: 1. a financial related audit of the HHS awards in accordance with Government Auditing Standards, or 2. an audit that meets the requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. In accordance with NIH grants policy, Foreign grantees are subject to the same audit requirements as for-profit (commercial) organizations.
Records
Grantees generally must retain financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records that are required by the terms of a grant, or may reasonably be considered pertinent to a grant, for a period of 3 years from the date the annual FSR is submitted. For awards under SNAP (other than those to foreign organizations and Federal institutions), the 3-year retention period will be calculated from the date the FSR for the entire competitive segment is submitted. Those grantees must retain the records pertinent to the entire competitive segment for 3 years from the date the FSR is submitted to NIH. Foreign organizations and Federal institutions must retain records for 3 years from the date of submission of the annual FSR to NIH. See 45 CFR 74.53 and 92.42 for exceptions and qualifications to the 3-year retention requirement (e.g., if any litigation, claim, financial management review, or audit is started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims, or audit findings involving the records have been resolved and final action taken). Those sections also specify the retention period for other types of grant-related records, including F&A cost proposals and property records. See 45 CFR 74.48 and 92.36 for record retention and access requirements for contracts under grants. In accordance with 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 74.53(e), the HHS Inspector General, the U.S. Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives have the right of timely and unrestricted access to any books, documents, papers, or other records of recipients that are pertinent to awards in order to make audits, examinations, excerpts, transcripts, and copies of such documents. This right also includes timely and reasonable access to a recipient’s personnel for the purpose of interview and discussion related to such documents. The rights of access are not limited to the required retention period, but shall last as long as records are retained.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0894-0-1-552.
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 08 $282,030,000; FY 09 est $289,896,000; FY 10 est $289,896,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
42 CFR 52. Guidelines are included in application kits. PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 90-50,000, (Rev.) April 1, 1994. Specific program announcements are available electronically from the NIAAA World Wide Web Home Page on the Internet at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov or from the NIH Home Page under Institutes and Offices. Grants will be available under the authority of and administered in accordance with the PHS Grants Policy Statement and Federal regulations at 42 CFR 52 and 42 USC 241; Omnibus Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant and Cooperative Agreement Applications. Omnibus Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Applications.
Related Programs
93.271 Alcohol Research Career Development Awards for Scientists and Clinicians; 93.272 Alcohol National Research Service Awards for Research Training
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None. The Headquarters Office (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) is responsible for the administration of these programs.
Headquarters Office
Ranga V. Srinivas, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health,
5635 Fishers Lane Room 2085 , Rockville, Maryland 20852 Email: srinivar@mail.nih.gov Phone: (301) 451-2067. Fax: (301) 4437-043
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not Applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The following considerations will be used in determining projects to be funded: (1) Scientific and technical merit of the proposal; (2) program balance; and (3) relevance to NIAAA priorities and public health issues. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human of animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (8) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment.
