[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49521-49522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25018]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Proposed Review Criteria for Grants for the National Research 
Service Awards: Primary Care Research for Fiscal Year 1998

    The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) National 
Research Service Awards: Primary Care Research (NRSA) institutional 
training grants (T32) are provided to accredited public or private 
nonprofit schools of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or a public or 
private nonprofit hospital or other entity which is affiliated with an 
entity that has received grants or contracts under section 747, 748, or 
749 of the PHS Act, agrees to use the funding for research in primary 
medical care, and is located in a State. The NRSA program is authorized 
by Title IV, Section 487(d)(3)(A) of the Public Health Service Act.

Proposed Review Criteria

    The following criteria are proposed for National Research Service 
Awards in primary care research:

1. Program Characteristics

    Objectives, design, and direction of the research training 
program--including the probability of achieving stated goals.
    Substantive and methodological content of the proposed program and 
its relevance to the Program Objectives noted above, including relevant 
descriptions of courses and experiential opportunities offered and/or 
required.
    The extent to which proposed approaches address areas in need of 
research given changes in the health care delivery system.

2. Program Support and Organizational Structure and Plans

    The institutional training environment, including the level of

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institutional commitment, quality of the facilities, availability of 
appropriate courses, and availability of research support.
    Caliber of preceptors as researchers, including successful research 
support.
    Organizational structure of the proposed training program, 
including delineation of administrative responsibilities for planning, 
oversight, and evaluation.
    Demonstration of cooperation by any proposed collaborating 
facilities, institutions, or departments in providing research 
experiences and/or sites for trainees, including (where applicable) 
documentation of mechanisms by which trainees will be integrated into 
the ongoing primary medical care research activities of other entities.
    When appropriate, the concomitant research training of health-
professional postdoctorates (e.g., individuals with the M.D., D.O., 
D.D.S./D.M.D., etc.) with basic science postdoctorates (e.g., 
individuals with a Ph.D., etc.) or linkages with basic science 
department.
    Demonstration of extent to which and ways in which HRSA support 
will be (has been in the past) leveraged through the use of other 
Federal and private resources to maximize primary medical care research 
training within the institution.
    Availability of other relevant support.

3. Trainee Recruitment & Retention Plans

    Recruitment and selection plans for trainees and the availability 
of high-quality candidates, including minority trainees (see below for 
details).
    When appropriate, record of the research training program in 
retaining health-professional postdoctoral trainees for at least 2 
years in research training or other research activities.

4. Program Record and Evaluation Plans

    Past research training record of both the program and the 
designated preceptors as determined by the success of former trainees 
in seeking further career development and in establishing productive 
scientific careers. Evidence of further career development can include 
receipt of fellowships, career awards, a prestigious training 
appointment, and similar accomplishments. Evidence of a productive 
scientific career can include a record of successful competition for 
individual research grants, receipt of special honors, a record of 
publications, receipt of patents, promotion to prestigious positions in 
academe, industry, or health policy and any other appropriate measure 
of success consistent with the nature and duration of the training 
received.
    Record of the research training program in recruiting and retaining 
trainees, noting past annual success rates in filling committed slots.
    Proposed methods for monitoring and evaluating performance of 
trainees and the overall program, record of trainees in obtaining 
individual research awards or fellowships following training, and in 
establishing careers in primary medical care research.

5. Budget

    Reasonableness of the proposed budget, including number and levels 
of trainees, in relation to the research training.
    An announcement will be made in the HRSA Preview for the 
competitive cycle in FY 1998.
    The comment period is 30 days. All comments received on or before 
October 22, 1997 will be considered before the final review criteria 
are established. Written comments should be addressed to: Enrique 
Fernandez, M.D., Division of Medicine, Bureau of Health Professions, 
Health Resources and Services, Administration, Parklawn Building, Room 
9A-20, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, Telephone: (301) 
443-1467, FAX: (301) 443-8890.
    All comments received will be available for public inspection and 
copying at the Division of Medicine, at the above address, weekdays 
(Federal holidays excepted) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m.

    Dated: September 15, 1997.
Claude Earl Fox,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-25018 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-P