Rural Health Research Centers (93.155)

 

Program

93.155 Rural Health Research Centers

 

Federal Agency

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1992, Public Law 102-170.

 

Program Number

93.155

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To support the operation of rural health research centers to provide an information base and policy analysis capability on the full range of rural health services issues, including financing, recruitment and retention of health professionals, access to care, and rural delivery systems.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

All funds awarded should be expended solely for carrying out the approved projects in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 102-170.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

All public and private entities, nonprofit and for-profit, are eligible to apply. Eligible entities may include, but are not limited to, public and private institutions for higher education, public or private health research organizations, and foundations.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The entities that will benefit from this program are health care personnel, health research personnel, and the general public.

Credentials/Documentation

The basis for determining the allowance and allocability of costs charged to Public Health Service (PHS) grants is set forth in 45 CFR 74, Subpart Q. The five separate sets of cost principles are: (1) OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, (2) OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher education, (3) 45 CFR 74, Appendix E for hospitals, (4) OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations, and (5) 48 CFR, Subpart 31.2 for-profit (commercial) organizations.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not required. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

The standard application forms, PHS 398, Rev. 5/95, as furnished by the PHS and required by 45 CFR, Part 92, must be used for this program. 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. Application kit can be obtained by writing HRSA Grants Application Center, 901 Russell Avenue, Suite 450, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 or by calling toll free: 1-877-477-2123.

Award Procedure

The review of applications is carried out by Federal and nonfederal professionals in health services research. Applications are reviewed for merit and are recommended for approval or disapproval. Final decisions are made by the Director, Office of Rural Health Policy.

Deadlines

Contact Headquarters Office for competing application deadlines.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Cooperative Agreements may be made for up to 4-year project periods. Subject to availability of funds, after initial awards, projects may be renewed non-competitively contingent upon submission and approval of an application.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

There are no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are made annually. Awards are normally made in a lump sum for the entire budget period. Payments are made through an Electronic Transfer System or Cash Demand System.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual Program reports and special reports (if any) are required. In addition, a Financial Status Report is to be submitted within 90 days after the close of each budget period.

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 expend 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 officials.

Records

Grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the end of the budget period. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, six noncompeting continuations were funded. In fiscal year 2003, six noncompeting continuations are anticipated. In fiscal year 2004 a new competition will be held and six new awards are anticipated.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 $4,189,057; FY 03 est $3,960,000; and FY 04 est $3,960,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$400,000 to $600,000; $490,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Program guidelines may be obtained by contacting the Headquarters Office for PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000, (Rev.) April 1, 1994.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Program Contact: Joan Van Nostrand, D.P.A., Director, Rural Research Centers, Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Parklawn Building, Room 9A-55, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-0835. Grants Management Contact: Janice Gordon, Acting Grants Management Officer, Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-16, Rockville, Maryland 20857. Telephone (301)443-2385.

Web Site Address

http://www.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov

 

Examples of Funded Projects

(1) The Project HOPE Walsh Center for Rural Health Analyses, located in Bethesda, MD is analyzing the restructuring of Medicare and special payments to hospitals. (2) The Rural Research Center of the University of Nebraska at Omaha focuses its research on Medicare managed care in general, on the Medicare +Choice programs, and on rural delivery systems. (3) The University of North Carolina Rural Health Research Program addresses issues in rural Medicaid managed care, the rural workforce, and maps displaying the location of a variety of rural health resources. (4) The Rural Research Center at the University of South Carolina at Columbia concentrates on health disparities of rural African Americans. (5) Texas A&M University School of Rural Public Health conducts research on rural systems building, Hispanics and long-term care. (6) The WAMI Rural Health Research Center at the University of Washington focuses on the rural health professions workforce, prenatal care, and health of American Indians/Alaska Natives.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria will be published in the HRSA Preview for competitive application cycles.