kristoff@GENBANK.BIO.NET (Dave Kristofferson) (01/04/90)
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989
NOTICES
NIDDK/DDDN DIGESTIVE DISEASE CENTER DIRECTORS MEETING .....(84/111).......... 1
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Index: DIABETES, DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES
DATED ANNOUNCEMENTS (RFPs AND RFAs)
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
(RFA ES-90-1) ...................................(117/169, 644/1194)......... 1
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Index: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
TASTE SYSTEM PLASTICITY: DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REGENERATION ........ 2
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Index: DEAFNESS, COMMUNICATION DISORDERS (175/312)
VESTIBULAR SYSTEM: BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY .....(321/454)............. 4
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Index: DEAFNESS, COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
RESEARCH GRANTS ON THE NEUROLOGICAL BASIS OF COGNITION ..(457/600)........... 5
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Index: NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, STROKE
NOTICES
NIDDK/DDDN DIGESTIVE DISEASE CENTER DIRECTORS MEETING
P.T. 42; K.W. 0715085, 0710095
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Staff members of the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition will meet
with the Center Directors to discuss issues of current concern in the Centers
Program.
Dates: January 11-12, l990
Location: Yale University School of Medicine
Hunter Radiation Building
Entrance off Cedar Street
First Floor
Courtney Bishop Conference Room
New Haven, Connecticut
The second day of the meeting will be held at the Albert Einstein College of
Medicine (January 12, l990). will be available to the Albert Einstein College
of Medicine.
Contact: Tommie S. Tralka
Program Director
Digestive Diseases Centers Program
Telephone: (301) 496-9717
DATED ANNOUNCEMENTS (RFPs AND RFAs)
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
RFA AVAILABLE: ES-90-1
P.T. 34; K.W. 0725020, 0503016
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: February 9, 1990
Application Receipt Date: March 16, 1990
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences seeks grant
applications from non-profit organizations experienced in delivering worker
health and safety training to develop and administer health and safety
education programs for hazardous materials or waste workers. Current grantees
may submit competitive supplemental applications for program expansion.
Target populations for this training include those workers covered by
requirements of the Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration
(Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 1910.120), the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and other agencies. These populations include workers and
supervisors engaged in:
1. Handling and processing by generators and treaters at active and inactive
hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities;
2. Clean-up, removal, containment or remedial actions at hazardous waste
sites;
3. Hazardous materials emergency response;
4. Hazardous waste disposal site risk assessment and investigation, remedial
actions or clean-up by State and local personnel; and
5. Transportation of hazardous materials.
Your written request for copies of the Request for Applications should be
addressed to:
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989 - Page 1
Denny Dobbin
Program Administrator
Worker Training Grants Program
Division of Extramural Research and Training
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233
104 Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2233
Telephone: (919) 541-0752
ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
TASTE SYSTEM PLASTICITY: DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REGENERATION
P.T. 34; K.W. 0710085, 1002004, 1002008, 0775000, 0790000
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
PURPOSE
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
encourages both new and established investigators in a broad range of
disciplines to submit applications related to the mechanisms of the generation
cycle of taste cells and trophic interactions between taste receptor cells,
taste nerves, and other cells during early development and later life. New
opportunities for understanding the mechanism of this plasticity and its
development have been provided by advances in the concepts, approaches, and
methods of contemporary neurobiology, for example, cell and molecular
neurobiology.
BACKGROUND
Taste cells renew themselves through life in a continuous turnover process
that requires reconnections with the afferent nerves. Taste cells degenerate
upon denervation and regenerate after reinnervation. Treatments such as
radiation and chemotherapy also affect the cycle of regeneration. Thus, the
taste system offers opportunities for studying receptor systems that are
renewed and remodeled through life.
The development of the concepts, approaches, and methods of modern
neurobiology has provided the opportunity to learn more about the mechanisms
of regeneration and neurotrophic actions in the taste system. For example,
the continued development of cell and tissue culture techniques will
contribute to knowledge about these mechanisms. Monoclonal antibodies and
other molecular probes may provide markers for specific taste cell types and
developmental stages. Techniques for long-term recordings from the
innervation of developing or regenerating taste buds provide an opportunity to
study restoration of taste function after trauma or medical treatment. High
voltage electron and temporal video microscopy can be utilized to visualize
cellular elements during development.
REFERENCE
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. A Report of
the Task Force on the National Strategic Research Plan. April 1989.
RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE
Studies of regeneration and neurotrophic actions in the taste system are
important for understanding the normal development of gustation, its
plasticity, and the response to injury, disease or therapy, and age-related
conditions. This knowledge is important for developing therapeutic approaches
for repairing damage to the system. Certain broad areas of interest in taste
system plasticity are analogous to those of other senses and include, but are
not limited to: cell birth, migration, differentiation, maturation, and
death. Examples of topics related to these areas are:
o Interations between nerve, mesenchyme and epithelium that organize
and maintain taste papillae and taste buds.
o Relative specificity of taste nerves versus other sensory nerves in
taste bud development, maintenance and regeneration.
o Role of cell surface or extracellular molecules in establishing the
peripheral taste system.
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989 - Page 2
o Mechanisms of activation and deactivation of degeneration and
regeneration.
o Origin of different types of taste cells.
o Quantitative relations between taste stem cells and progeny.
o Ultrastructural and biochemical characterization of taste cell
types during regeneration and development.
o Identification of trophic factors related to the generation cycle
of taste buds cells, including molecular mechanisms of maintenance
of taste buds.
o Relations between specific types of taste cells and innervation by
single taste nerve fibers.
o Similarities and differences in development and maintenance of
taste cells and auditory or vestibular hair cells or olfactory
neurons.
o Effects of conditions such as age or nutritional status on initial
development and regeneration of taste buds.
The list of topics above is not complete; investigators are encouraged to
study those or other topics that meet the objectives of this announcement.
MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
Support mechanisms include the individual research project grant (RO1), First
Independent Research Support and Transition Award (R29), Research Career
Development Award (KO4), Clinical Investigator Development Award (KO8),
Individual National Research Service Award (F32) and Senior Fellowship
National Research Service Award (F33). The NIH policies that govern the
programs will prevail. Funding is contingent upon receipt of proposals of
high scientific merit, responsiveness to this announcement, relevance to the
program, and availability of appropriated funds.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
Use the standard application forms (PHS 398, rev. 10/88) as instructed in the
application kits. These kits are available from the business offices or the
offices of sponsored research of most institutions, or from the Division of
Research Grants, National Institutes of Health. Type "Taste System
Plasticity: Development, Maintenance, and Regeneration" in Item #2 of the
application face page and check the "Yes" box. Applications should be
responsive to the Program Announcement and the Abstract of the Research Plan
should contain a clear statement relating the proposed research to gustation,
which is of interest to NIDCD.
Use the mailing label in the kits to mail the applications to the Division of
Research Grants. Applications should be submitted according to the receipt
dates identified in the application kits. The applications will be reviewed
as specified in the schedules of the application kits. In the event of
questions, investigators are encouraged to call or write:
Jack Pearl, Ph.D.
National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders
National Institutes of Health
Federal Building, Room 1C-14
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-5061
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.
13.854, Biological Basis Research in the Neurosciences and Communicative
Sciences, and No. 13.853, Clinical Basis Research in the Neurosciences and
Communicative Sciences. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public
Health Service Act, Title IV, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42
USC 241) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42
CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to Health Systems
Agency Review.
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989 - Page 3
VESTIBULAR SYSTEM: BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY
P.T. 34; K.W. 1003002, 0710100, 0790000, 0715050
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
The Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders of the National Institute
on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) encourages the
submission of individual research grant applications related to biochemical
and pharmacological studies that will elucidate the structure and function of
the vestibular system.
BACKGROUND
The development of techniques in the fields of cell and molecular biology and
biophysics offers new approaches for studying the biochemistry and
pharmacology of balance. The techniques include isolated cell preparations
and tissue culture, new organ culture techniques, patch clamping, laser
interferometry, microspectrofluorometry, and high voltage electron and video
microscopy.
Biochemical insights have been achieved with immunocytochemical probes and
modern methods of analytical chemistry. Recent advances in molecular biology
technology and protein sequencing methods provide powerful tools to address
questions in the vestibular field at the molecular level. Application of
these techniques is needed in biochemical and pharmacological studies of
balance.
REFERENCE
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. A Report of
the Task Force on the National Strategic Research Plan. April 1989.
RESEARCH GOALS AND SCOPE
The ultimate goal of this biochemical and pharmacological research is
effective prevention or treatment of diseases and disorders of balance. The
achievement of that goal requires a broad range of biochemical and
pharmacological studies aimed at gaining further understanding of the
structure and function of the vestibular system. Studies may address the
areas below, which are not limiting:
o Novel approaches to identify the peripheral afferent
neurotransmitter and characterize its release, reuptake, and
inactivation are needed. The process of afferent-efferent
interaction needs to be defined in terms of chemical, metabolic,
and neuromodulatory phenomena.
o The neurotransmitter receptors and receptor subtypes in all
acousticolateralis tissues need to be characterized. The role of
second messengers and their subcellular targets needs to be
analyzed.
o The biochemical changes that underlie the adaptive plasticity of
the neural circuitry need to be defined.
o An understanding of the mechanisms of ion transport and fluid
homeostasis is of clinical relevance for medical conditions such as
Meniere's disease and ototoxicity. Advances in measuring
labyrinthine blood flow allow assessment of pharmacological
manipulations of labyrinthine physiological chemistry. The
relation between endocrine substances and labyrinthine function
needs to be determined.
o The techniques of molecular biology and genetics offer the
opportunity to examine the pharmacological basis of degenerative
and congenital disorders of balance.
o The central vestibular system neurotransmitters and neuromodulators
need to be characterized with biochemical, pharmacological, and
immunocytochemical approaches. For example, quantitative
immunocytochemical studies provide a detailed localization of
transmitters and modulators. The steady development of
immunological markers facilitates progress in this area.
Combinations of these approaches would help to determine the roles
of central vestibular neurotransmitters.
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989 - Page 4
o Qualitative and quantitative changes in central neurotransmitters
and neuromodulators need to be identified in conditions such as
vestibular nerve deafferentation, aging, and development. Such
changes may be indicative of the plasticity of neuronal responses
after peripheral vestibular damage. The neurotransmitters, their
synthesis, release and inactivation, and their postsynaptic
receptors may be markers of discrete neuronal changes.
MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
Support mechanisms include, but are not limited to, the individual research
project grant (R01), First Independent Research Support and Transition Award
(R29), Research Career Development Award (K04), Clinical Investigator
Development Award (K08), Individual National Research Service Award (F32), and
Senior Fellowship National Research Service Award (F33). The NIH policies
that govern the programs will prevail. Funding is contingent upon receipt of
proposals of high scientific merit, responsiveness to this announcement,
relevance to the program, and availability of appropriated funds.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
Use the standard application forms (PHS 398, rev. 10/88) as instructed in the
application kits. The kits are available from the business offices or the
offices of sponsored research of most institutions, or from the Division of
Research Grants, National Institutes of Health.
Type "VESTIBULAR SYSTEM: BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY" in Item #2 of the
application face page and place a checkmark in the "YES" box. Applications
should be responsive to the announcement, and the Abstract of the Research
Plan should contain a clear statement relating the proposed research to the
objectives of this announcement.
Use the mailing label in the kits to mail the applications to the Division of
Research Grants. Submit applications in accord with receipt dates identified
in the application kits. The applications will be reviewed as specified in
the schedules of the application kits. For more information, investigators
are encouraged to call or write:
Jack Pearl, Ph.D.
National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders
National Institutes of Health
Federal Building, Room 1C-14
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-5061
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.
13.854, Biological Basis Research in the Neurosciences and Communicative
Sciences, and No. 13.853, Clinical Basis Research in the Neurosciences and
Communicative Sciences. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public
Health Service Act, Title IV, Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42
USC 241) and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42
CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to Health Systems
Agency Review.
RESEARCH GRANTS ON THE NEUROLOGICAL BASIS OF COGNITION
P.T. 34; K.W. 1002030, 0414005, 0705010
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
This program announcement, issued by the Division of Fundamental Neurosciences
of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), is
designed to encourage the submission of applications for research grants
dealing with the neurological basis of cognitive processes.
I. BACKGROUND
The 1990s have been designated as the Decade of the Brain. We will witness
the discovery of important insights into how the brain performs some of its
important cognitive activities. The 1980s saw a burgeoning of research into
how the two hemispheres of the mammalian brain differ in anatomy and in their
contributions to cognitive functions; it can be expected that sophisticated
physiological investigations will provide a more thorough understanding of
mechanisms that underlie asymmetrical brain functions. Recent studies have
indicated a system of structures in the human brain supporting mechanisms of
attention; different components of attention will likely be found to be
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989 - Page 5
associated with different neural systems. Sex differences have also been
reported in some areas of research into brain function underlying cognitive
processes, but the possible reasons for these phenomena are quite speculative.
In recent years research on cognitive processes have become more prominent in
the United States. This increased interest is partly the result of impressive
advances in neurobiology that have shed light on some factors in cognitive
functions. The explosive growth of research in the neurosciences is, to some
degree, a result of a desire on the part of scientists to seek a better
understanding of what is done especially well by the human brain. The purpose
of this announcement is to encourage these research trends, with the hope that
more comprehensive integration and insights will develop as new types of
investigations are designed and employed.
II. SCOPE
The Division presently supports some research into the nature of the
neurological basis of cognition, some of which was generated in response to an
announcement on the "Neurophysiology of Cognition" issued a decade ago. The
present announcement supersedes the earlier one and is meant to expand this
area of research.
Examples of research areas:
Some of the types of investigations envisioned by this announcement will
depend on ingenious developments of present lines of research and some on
expansion into unexplored lines. They could include the following:
o Investigation of localization of function with brain scanning
devices, using reliable methods of assessing such functions as
imagery, closure, autobiographical memory, different facets of
attention and problem solving.
o Neurophysiological and noninvasive neuropsychological research on
nonhuman primates engaged in language-relevant communication,
including the use of numbers. If, as in the human being and
certain birds, there is asymmetrical function, tracking the
localization as it develops can provide further insight into the
nature of the mechanisms.
o Comprehensive analysis of gender differences in the effects of
circumscribed static neurological lesions upon well-standardized
cognitive measures, with attention to comparing patients with
either anterior or posterior locations of lesions, subcortical or
cortical locations, right or nonright handedness, etc.
o Neurophysiological measures obtained from nonhuman primates engaged
in repetitive event-related activities. Certain theories about
brain function during event-related potentials might be profitably
tested in primates or other nonlissencephalic animals. Noninvasive
methods could be used with the more rare and endangered species.
o The distinction between episodic memory and semantic memory (and
other similar, or identical, types, depending on the theorist)
could perhaps benefit from research that would lead to biologically
based distinctions.
III. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
The support mechanism for grants in this area are the individual research
grant (RO1), the program project (P01), and the FIRST award (R29). Under
these mechanisms, the principal investigator and any participating
investigators will plan, direct, and perform the research.
APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
Applications must be prepared on form PHS 398 (Rev. 10/88) using the
instructions included in the application kit. These kits are available from
the Office of Sponsored Research of most institutions, from the Division of
Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449,
Bethesda, MD 20892, or from the NINDS address cited below. Additional
application guidelines for NINDS P01 applications should be obtained from the
Scientific Review Branch at the NINDS address, Room 9C10A.
Receipt dates for new research project grant and FIRST award applications are
February 1, June 1, and October 1.
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989 - Page 6
To identify responses to this announcement, check "yes" and put "Research
Grants on the Neurological Basis of Cognition" under item 2 of page 1 of grant
applications submitted in response to this program announcement. Use the
mailing label provided in the application kit and mail the signed original and
six exact copies to:
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, Maryland 20892**
Research project grant and FIRST award applications will be reviewed for
scientific and technical merit by an appropriate study section in the Division
of Research Grants. Secondary review may be by the National Advisory
Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council. Applications judged to be within
the purview of other Institutes of NIH will be assigned accordingly.
For further information, potential applicants are encouraged to call or write
to:
Herbert C. Lansdell, Ph.D.
Division of Fundamental Neurosciences
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Federal Building, Room 916
7550 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-5745
The NIH urges applicants to give added attention (where feasible and
appropriate), to the inclusion of women, as well as men, and minorities in the
study of populations for all clinical research efforts. If women and
minorities are not to be included, a clear rationale for their exclusion
should be provided.
This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.
13.854, Biological Basic Research in the Neurosciences. Awards will be made
under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Section 301 (42 USC 241)
and administered under PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part
52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to review by a Health
Systems Agency.
**THE MAILING ADDRESS GIVEN FOR SENDING APPLICATIONS TO THE DIVISION OF
RESEARCH GRANTS OR CONTACTING PROGRAM STAFF IN THE WESTWOOD BUILDING IS THE
CENTRAL MAILING ADDRESS FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. APPLICANTS WHO
USE EXPRESS MAIL OR A COURIER SERVICE ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THE CARRIER'S
REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOWING A STREET ADDRESS. THE ADDRESS FOR THE WESTWOOD
BUILDING IS:
5333 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
Vol. 18, No. 46, December 29, 1989 - Page 7
FULL TEXT OF RFAs FOR ONLINE ACCESS
REQUEST FOR GRANT APPLICATION: RFA
RFA: ES-90-1
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
P.T. 34; K.W. 0725020, 0503016
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE: MARCH 16, 1990
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Section 126(g),
authorizes a program of grants for training and education of
workers engaged in activities related to hazardous waste
generation, removal, containment or emergency response and
hazardous materials transportation and emergency response.
Recipients of these grants are to be non-profit
organizations with demonstrated ability to identify,
describe and access target worker populations and with
demonstrated experience with implementing and operating
worker health and safety training and education programs.
The Congress assigned responsibility for administering this
grant program to the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences (NIEHS), an Institute of the National
Institutes of Health within the Public Health Service. The
program was authorized at $10 million per year for the
five-year authorization of the Act, beginning October 1986,
for a total of $50 million.
Grant funds for the NIEHS Worker Health and Safety Training
Program were made available in September 1987. The original
eleven grantees have now developed curricula and training
materials, tested these in pilot courses, and established
management and evaluation systems. The grantees reported
training over 10,000 participants in the first year and
30,000 in the second. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration estimates that as many as 1.758 million
workers may be at risk from exposure to hazardous waste or
hazardous materials during an emergency response to a
hazardous material spill. In future grant years, the number
of trainees in all categories is expected to increase.
Up to $10 million per year additional funding may be
appropriated for this program in fiscal years 1990 and 1991
(for a total of $20 million additional funding for the
remainder of the program's authorization). This represents
an increase in the authorized ceiling to $20 million per
year. Annual funding levels will be determined through the
Federal budget process.
Hazardous waste workers include workers at: active and
inactive treatment, storage and disposal sites; hazardous
waste generators; clean-up and remedial action sites;
emergency response personnel; and workers engaged in
hazardous materials transportation and emergency response.
In addition to actual site workers and supervisors, Federal,
state and local personnel may be involved with site
investigation, remedial action or assessment of risk.
A variety of sites, such as those involved with Superfund
site clean-up and remedial action, may pose severe health
and safety concerns and are characterized by the
multiplicity of substances present, the presence of unknown
substances, and general uncontrolled condition of the site.
Among the many potential hazards and potential exposures at
these sites are:
1 Chemical and radiation hazards
2 Biological hazards
3 Fire and explosion hazards
4 Safety hazards, including transportation-related, electrical, manual
lifting, and heavy machinery operation hazards
5 Heat and cold related hazards
6 Confined space hazards, including oxygen deficiency
An essential component of health and safety programs for
those who work with hazardous materials is appropriate
health and safety education and training. The Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 addresses this in
Section 126, which requires the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration to promulgate standards for the health
and safety protection of employees in this area. OSHA final
rule 29 CFR 1910.120 - Hazardous Waste and Emergency
Response Operations was promulgated on March 6, 1989, with
an effective date of March 6 1990. The statute requires
that these standards address the following worker protection
provisions:
1 Site Analysis
2 Training
3 Medical Surveillance
4 Protective Equipment
5 Engineering Controls
6 Maximum Exposure Limits
7 Information Programs
8 Handling
9 Programs for Introduction of New Technology
10 Decontamination Procedures
11 Emergency Response
A minimum level of training for hazardous waste workers and
supervisors is specified in Section 126(d). General site
workers are required to receive a minimum of 40 hours of
initial instruction off-site and a minimum of three days of
actual field experience under the direction of a trained,
experienced supervisor at the time of assignment.
Supervisors are required to receive the same training as
general workers and a minimum of eight hours of specialized
training in managing hazardous waste operations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM
The NIEHS hazardous materials and waste worker protection
program seeks grant applications from qualified non-profit
organizations to develop and administer health and safety
education programs for hazardous materials or waste workers.
Current grantees may submit competitive supplemental
applications for program expansion. Target populations for
this training include those covered by requirements of
Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration and
Environmental Protection Agency standards for Hazardous
Waste Operations and Emergency Response (Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 29, Part 1910.120), as well as hazardous
materials transportation regulated by the Environmental
Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and other
agencies. These populations include workers and supervisors
engaged in:
1 Handling and processing by generators and treaters at active and
inactive hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities;
2 Clean-up, removal, containment or remedial actions at hazardous waste
sites;
3 Hazardous materials emergency response;
4 Hazardous waste disposal site risk assessment and investigation,
remedial actions or clean-up by State and local personnel; and
5 Transportation of hazardous materials.
Training programs shall satisfy minimum requirements for
hazardous waste workers as specified in Federal Occupational
Safety and Health Administration Regulations which have been
or may be promulgated. Grants will be made for direct
student and worker-trainer training, technical support of
training, and training program evaluation. Adequate
curricula and training materials are believed to exist for
worker training that can be adapted with minimal effort.
Means of multiplying training are also encouraged to meet
the need; thus programs such as train-the-trainer programs
are encouraged. Programs targeted to regional and
nationwide coverage to reach wider worker populations will
be given preference in review and funding. In this case,
regional is defined as, at a minimum statewide.
Applications will not be considered that cover
municipalities or other jurisdictions less than statewide.
Applicants should refer to Section 126 requirements for
training. Coverage of all hazardous waste and emergency
response workers is based on potential exposure and health
risk. The language of section 126 (d)(1) and (g) are clear
that training scope be broad. Section 126 states that the
training be required for personnel engaged in hazardous
substance removal or other activities which expose or
potentially expose such workers to hazardous substances.
The same section later requires that special training be
provided to workers who may be exposed to unique or special
hazards. Section (g)(1) authorizes this training grant
program for the training of workers who are or may be
engaged in activities related to hazardous waste removal or
containment or emergency response. There is no limiting
language regarding training coverage. Thus, scope depends
on hazardous waste work and exposure to hazardous substances
in the broadest sense.
A major goal of this grant program is to assist
organizations with development of institutional competency
to provide appropriate training and education to hazardous
waste workers. Two or more non-profit organizations may
join in a single application and share grant resources in
order to maximize worker group coverage, enhance the
effectiveness of training, and bring together appropriate
academic disciplines and talents. Such arrangements are
strongly encouraged. Joint applications must have specific
plans and mechanisms to implement the cooperative
arrangements necessary for program integration and to insure
effectiveness. Each participating member must identify the
specific expertise, facilities or services to be provided.
Grants will be made for up to a two-year period with annual
renewal based on availability of funds, staff review of
progress toward achieving training objectives, and
submission of copies of all training and educational
materials developed under the grant to NIEHS. A detailed
annual grant summary report is required with the renewal
application.
A list of existing curricula developed by current grantees
may be obtained from:
National Clearinghouse for
Worker Health and Safety Training
815 Sixteenth Street, NW (Room 301)
Washington, DC 20006
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Section 126(g) of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 specifies that grantees for
worker health and safety training must be non-profit
organizations. Any public or private nonprofit organization
providing worker health and safety education and training
may apply. Grantees may use services, as appropriate, of
other public or private organizations as necessary to
develop, administer, or evaluate proposed worker training
programs. Provisions of the Public Health Service Grants
Policy Statement will apply to grants awarded under this
program.
Non-profit organizations are corporations or associations
whose net earnings may in no part lawfully accrue to the
benefit of any private shareholder or individual. Proof of
non-profit status must be provided with the grant
application. Any of the following is acceptable proof of
non-profit status:
1 A reference to the applicant organizations's listing in
the Internal Revenue Service's most recent list of
tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of
the IRS Code.
2 A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exempt certificate.
3 A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney
General, or other appropriate State official certifying that
the applicant organization has a non-profit status and that
none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders
or individuals.
4 A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes
non-profit status.
5 Any of the above proof for a State or national parent
organization and a statement signed by the parent
organization that the applicant organization is a local
non-profit affiliate.
Applicants are required to show proof of the ability to
maintain satisfactory management and accounting systems to
control funds and expenditures.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
The mechanism of support will be the grant-in-aid for a
period not to exceed two years. Since the Program's
authorization expires at the end of Fiscal Year 1991, no
commitment of funds can be made beyond Fiscal Year 1991.
Administrative adjustments may be necessary to make the
funding periods coincide with this timeframe.
Applicants are expected to furnish their own estimates of
the time required to achieve specific training and education
objectives of the proposed training program and conduct
appropriate program evaluations. Any substantial
modifications in the program scope and objectives must be
mutually agreed upon by the grantee institution and NIEHS.
Because of the varied target audiences for the proposed
training and education programs, it is anticipated that a
variety of approaches will be responsive to this
announcement and that there will be a range of costs among
individual grant awards.
PROGRAM COORDINATION
To facilitate administration and coordination of this
program, the NIEHS will designate a program administrator
for the Worker Health and Safety Training Grants Program.
The program administrator will coordinate activities of
mutual interest and benefit to grantees, make periodic site
visits to grantee institutions to evaluate progress,
coordinate formal training program reviews and provide
assistance in administrative considerations.
NIEHS recognizes the need for close coordination between
grantees, governmental agencies, and other training
providers in consistent use of and delivery of existing
curricula. Such coordination will make maximum use of
training materials that have already been developed, tested,
and used. To facilitate exchange and coordination, NIEHS
will sponsor a three-day working meeting soon after initial
award of grants. In addition, it is anticipated that
grantees under this program will meet at least twice
annually to review progress, share information, and to
coordinate training activities. Applicants should budget
funds for appropriate staff to attend the initial three-day
meeting, and for each grant year, one meeting in Research
Triangle Park, and one meeting in Washington, DC.
REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
Applications will be administratively reviewed by NIEHS
staff for completeness and responsiveness to this
announcement. Incomplete or nonresponsive applications will
be returned to the applicant without further consideration.
Triage of Applications
In anticipation of a large number of applications,
applications will be triaged in accordance with NIH policy.
The criteria for triage will include assessment of the
appropriateness of the application, the adequacy of the
application elements, and other technical factors related to
the application's likely competitiveness.
Application Review
Review of applications will not include a site visit for
additional information. Therefore, it is essential that the
application be as complete as possible.
Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis for
technical merit by an ad hoc review committee convened by
the NIEHS. This committee will be composed primarily of
non-government members with expertise in occupational safety
and health training and hazardous waste operation.
A second level of review will be conducted by an ad hoc
Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from
Federal agencies with hazardous materials responsibilities
or interest.
Review Criteria
The following factors shall be considered for applications.
1 Methods and techniques to be used for identifying,
describing, and accessing target specific worker populations
for worker health and safety training and anticipated impact
of the proposed program. Applicants must identify,
describe, and fully document access to specific target
worker populations, whether organized or not, that are
engaged in hazardous waste generation, clean-up,
containment, treatment, storage, disposal, emergency
response, site evaluation or transportation and related
activities. This information must include size of the
target population, worker profiles, trades and job
categories to be trained, geographic locations of workers
and degree of worker health and safety training already
received. Applicants must provide assurances of access to
these workers for training.
2 Evidence of the organization's performance and
effectiveness in planning, implementing and operating
appropriate worker safety and health training and education
programs. Evidence should include demonstrated past success
in development and implementation of worker safety and
health training and education programs and application of
appropriate adult education techniques.
3 Adequacy of the detailed program plan for adapting
existing curricula, training of instructors, distributing
course materials, direct worker training, and conducting
program evaluations. The plan must include information on
the number of students to be trained, number of training
classes to be held, duration of training, appropriate adult
education techniques to be employed, and course content.
Plans for hands-on demonstration and instruction must be
provided as well as plans for monitoring student's progress
and performance. The plan shall include involvement of
appropriate health and safety disciplines. The plan must
identify and describe the curriculum to be used.
4 Worker training programs must include an appropriate
combination of classroom instruction and hands-on
demonstration and instruction which simulates site
activities and conditions. It is intended that offsite
instruction funded by the NIEHS grant program will be
supplemented with onsite training under the direct
supervision of trained, experienced personnel at the time of
initial job assignment. Appropriate adult education
techniques must be applied. Both initial and appropriate
refresher training will be covered by NIEHS training grants.
5 Grantees must show they are able to immediately initiate
direct worker training, program evaluation, and related
support activities.
6 Evidence of an experienced Program Director with
demonstrated capacity for providing leadership and assuring
productivity of appropriate worker health and safety
training and education programs. The Program Director shall
have overall responsibility for general operation of the
training program including quality assurance and program
evaluation.
7 Evidence of the technical and professional expertise of
present or proposed staff. Such expertise will be evaluated
by resumes, minimum position qualifications and position
descriptions. Sufficient program staff must be available
with demonstrated training experience using appropriate
adult education techniques to assure effective direct
training, and quality assurance. Availability and
continuing access to appropriate technical expertise
including but not limited to adult education techniques for
workers, toxicology and industrial hygiene also must be
available.
8 Evidence of management and procedures to effectively
achieve elements of the training program.
9 Availability of appropriate facilities and equipment to
support the described education and training activities
including hands-on instruction.
10 Methods proposed for evaluating appropriateness, quality
and effectiveness of training including student feedback,
course critiques and Board of Advisors evaluations and other
appropriate evaluations and quality assurance procedures.
11 Evidence of a Board of Advisors or consultants
representing user populations, labor, industry, governmental
agencies, academic institutions or professional associations
with interest and expertise in worker training and hazardous
waste and emergency response operations. Plans should show
that the Board will meet regularly to evaluate training
activities and will provide advice to the Program Director.
12 Reasonableness of the requested operating budget in
relation to proposed program activities.
13 Methods proposed for administrative management.
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of strengths of
administrative management with regard to the applicant's
ability to maintain satisfactory management and accounting
systems to control funds and expenditures.
14 Likelihood that the program can continue independently
beyond the grant period.
METHODS OF APPLYING
Letters of Intent
Prospective applicants are asked to submit a brief letter of
intent that includes at a minimum: (1) a descriptive title
including the identity and size of the targeted populations;
(2) names of participating institutions and their principals
regarding the grant; and (3) names of the anticipated
Program Director and other key personnel should be listed.
This letter should be received no later than February 9,
1990 and should be addressed to:
Denny Dobbin
Program Administrator
Worker Training Grants Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233
The NIEHS request such letters to provide an indication of
the number and scope of applications to be received. A
letter of intent is not binding; it will not enter into the
review of any proposal submitted subsequently, nor is it a
necessary requirement for application.
Application Procedure
A signed original and three copies should be sent or delivered to:
Division of Extramural Research and Training
Grants Processing
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233
104 Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233
In addition, mail or deliver three copies to:
Grant Applications Receipt Office
Division of Research Grants
National Institutes of Health
Westwood Building, Room 240
Bethesda, MD 20892-4500**
Applications must be RECEIVED at the NIEHS by March 16, 1990
to ensure review. Copies sent to the NIH Division of
Research Grants should clearly indicate that three copies
have been sent directly to NIEHS.
Format for Applications
Applications for Hazardous Waste Worker Health and Safety
Training Grants should be submitted on PHS Grant Application
Form 398 (revised 10/88). This form is usually available in
the sponsored programs office at academic institutions.
However, since this form is used primarily for traditional
NIH research and training grants, several sections have to
be modified and expanded to provide additional information
needed for worker training grant applications. Applicants
may request a copy of PHS Form 398 (revised 10/88) from the
Application Kits, Office of Grants Inquires, Division of
Research Grants, NIH, Room 253, 5333 Westbard Avenue,
Bethesda, MD, 20892. Special instructions for Worker
Training applications are available from the Division of
Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS, at the address
listed above.
To identify the application as being in response to this
announcement, complete item #2 of the application face page
by typing in "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE WORKER HEALTH
AND SAFETY TRAINING, RFA ES-90-1," and check the YES box.
The RFA label (found in the 10/88 revision of the
application form PHS 398) must be affixed to the bottom of
the face page of the original copy of the application.
Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing
of the application such that it may not reach the review
committee in time for a review.
Timetable
Letter of Intent: February 9, 1990
Application Receipt Date: March 16, 1990
Triage by Staff and Expert Panel Review: April, 1990
Review by ad hoc Technical Review Committee: June, 1990
Review by Advisory Committee: August, 1990
Anticipated Award Date: September, 1990
Technical inquiries may be directed to:
Denny Dobbin
Program Administrator
Worker Training Grants Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233
Telephone: (919) 541-0752
Note: This program is described in the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance, No. 13.142 Superfund Worker Training
Grants. Awards will be made under the authority of the
Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301 (Public
Law 78-410, as amended; 42 USC 241) and administered under
PHS grant policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52
and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the
intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order
12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The program is
administered according to 42 CFR 45 -- Part 74 and Part 92,
DHHS Administration of Grants; 42 CFR Part 64a, Special
Regulations for National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences Hazardous Waste Worker Training (pending); the PHS
Grants Administration Manual; and PHS Grants Policy
Statement.