To support the operation of rural health research centers and 1 year research grants 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, health disparities

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and rural delivery systems.

In FY 07 eight non-competitive research center grants were awarded and two Targeted Rural Health Research Grants were awarded. It is anticipated that in FY 08 and FY 09 there will be 6 Research Center awards and three Targeted Rural Health Research Grant awards.

Uses and Use Restrictions

All funds awarded should be expended solely for carrying out the approved projects in accordance with the provisions of Section 711 of the Social Security Act as amended by section 432 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

All public and private entities, nonprofit and for-profit, including faith-based and community-based organizations, and Federally recognized tribes and/or tribal organizations, are eligible to apply.

Please see individual grant guidances at www.grants.gov for program-specific eligibility.

Beneficiary Eligibility

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

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants should review the individual HRSA Guidance documents issued under these CFDA programs for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded for coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Grant applications and required forms for this program can be obtained from Grants.gov. Please visit the Grants.gov Web site at www.grants.gov to both find and apply for all Federal grant opportunities. All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee which will make funding recommendations to the Associate Administrator for the Office of Rural Health. The Associate Administrator has the authority to make final selections for awards.

Award Procedures

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

www.hrsa.gov.

Authorization

Section 711 of the Social Security Act as amended by section 432 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximatley 6 months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Research center awards 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, availability of appropriated funds, and awardee's satisfactory performance. One-year research grants are only available for one year.

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.

Targeted Rural Health Research grantees are required to submit three quarterly reports and one final report.

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 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

All records must be maintained until expiration of 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions remain following the 3-uear period, such as those raised as a result of an audit or an on-going enforcement action, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obigations

FY 07 $4,299,507; FY 08 est $$4,410,000; and FY 09 $$4,750,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

For Research Centers: (FY 07) $400,000 to $600,000; $500,000 and for FY 08 est $600,000 to $700,000, $650,000. For Targeted Rural Health Research Grants: FY 07 range and average is $150,000 and for FY 08 est. range and average is $150,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Program Contact: Joan Van Nostrand, D.P.A. for Rural Health Research Centers or Erica Molliver, M.H.S. for Targeted Rural Health 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.

Headquarters Office

Grants Management Office: Rick Goodman, Director, Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-16. Health Services Branch: Telephone: (301) 443-2385; Research and Training Branch: Telephone: (301) 443-3099; Government and Special Focus Branch: Telephone: (301) 443-3288.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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