[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 48 (Monday, March 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13433-13434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6107]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Research


Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 95-15: Human 
Genome Program--Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) of the 
Office of Energy Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hereby 
announces its interest in receiving applications in support of the 
Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) subprogram of the Human 
Genome Program (HGP). The HGP is a coordinated, multidisciplinary, 
goal-oriented, research effort aimed at improving technologies that 
will lead to a detailed understanding of the human genome at the 
molecular level. This particular research notice encompasses research 
grants that address ethical, legal, and social issues that may arise 
from the use of information and knowledge resulting from the HGP.

DATES: Formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be 
received by 4:30 p.m., E.D.T., July 13, 1995, to be accepted for merit 
review in September 1995 and to permit timely consideration for award 
in Fiscal Year 1996.

ADDRESSES: Formal applications referencing Program Notice 95-15 should 
be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, 
Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64 (GTN), 
Washington, D.C. 20585, Attn: Program Notice 95-15. The following 
address must be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal 
Service Express Mail or any commercial mail delivery service, or when 
handcarried by the applicant: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Energy Research, Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64, 
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel W. Drell, Office of Health 
and Environmental Research, ER-72 (GTN), Office of Energy Research, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. 20585, (301) 903-6488.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOE encourages the submission of 
applications to conduct multidisciplinary, empirical research on 
privacy issues from the creation, use, maintenance, and disclosure of 
genetic information. This may include (but is not limited to) issues of 
ownership and control of genetic information and the protection of the 
privacy of genetic information in various settings including the 
workplace. Applications should demonstrate knowledge of the relevant 
literature and should include detailed plans for the gathering and 
analysis of factual information and the exploration of the specific 
issues of interest. All applications should include, where appropriate, 
detailed discussion of human subjects protection issues; e.g., storage 
of, manipulation of, and access to data. Where appropriate, provisions 
to ensure the inclusion of women, minorities, and potentially disabled 
individuals must be described, unless specific exclusions are 
scientifically necessary and justified in detail. All proposed research 
applications should address the issue of efficient dissemination of 
results to the widest appropriate audience.
    The DOE is also soliciting applications for the preparation and 
dissemination of educational materials in any appropriate medium that 
will enhance public understanding of both the scientific aspects and 
the ethical, legal, and social aspects of the HGP. In addition, the DOE 
is encouraging applications for the support of conferences focusing on 
specific issues or areas of concern related to the ethical, legal, and 
social implications of the HGP. This may include (but is not limited 
to) implications of advances in the genetic characterization of complex 
traits and diseases. Educational and conference applications should 
also demonstrate awareness of the relevant literature, and include 
detailed plans for the accomplishment of project goals, including, 
where appropriate, video productions. In the case of applications that 
propose the production of series for broadcast, audiovisuals or other 
educational materials, the DOE strongly recommends that samples of 
previous similar work by the producers and writers be submitted along 
with the application. In the case of all educational activities, the 
DOE strongly recommends inclusion of assessments of effectiveness of 
the proposed activities. In the case of all conferences, a fairly 
detailed and complete roster of committed speakers is necessary. At the 
completion of the conference, a summary or report is required. 
Educational and conference applications must also demonstrate awareness 
of the need to reach the widest appropriate audience.
    Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a brief 
preapplication, in accordance with 10 CFR 600.10(d)(2), that consists 
of two to three pages of narrative describing the research project 
objectives and methods of accomplishment. These will be reviewed 
relative to the scope and research needs of the DOE's Human Genome 
Program. Preapplications referencing Program Notice 95-15 should be 
received by April 13, 1995, and sent to Dr. Daniel W. Drell, Office of 
Health and Environmental Research, ER-72 (GTN), Washington, D.C. 20585. 
Telephone and FAX numbers are required parts of the preapplication, and 
electronic mail addresses are desirable. A response to the 
preapplications discussing the potential program relevance of a formal 
application generally will be communicated within 30 days of receipt.
    It is anticipated that approximately $700,000 will be available for 
grant awards during FY 1996, contingent upon availability of 
appropriated funds. Multiple-year funding of grant awards is expected 
and is also contingent upon availability of funds. Previous awards have 
ranged from $60,000 per year up to $500,000 per year with terms from 
one to three years; most awards average about $200,000 per year for two 
or three years. Similar award sizes are anticipated for new grants.
    Information about development and submission of applications, 
eligibility, limitations, evaluation, selection process, and other 
policies and procedures may be found in the Application Guide for the 
Office of Energy Research Financial Assistance Program and 10 CFR Part 
605. The Application Guide is available from the [[Page 13434]] U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of Health and Environmental Research, 
Health Effects and Life Sciences Research Division, ER-72 (GTN), 
Washington, D.C. 20585. Telephone requests may be made by calling (301) 
903-6488.
    As part of its grant regulations, ER requires at 10 CFR 605.11(b) 
that a grantee funded by ER and performing research involving 
recombinant DNA molecules and/or organisms and viruses containing 
recombinant DNA molecules shall comply with the National Institutes of 
Health ``Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules'' 
(51 FR 16958, May 7, 1986) or such later revision of those guidelines 
as may be published in the Federal Register.
    The dissemination of materials and research data in a timely manner 
is essential for progress towards the goals of the DOE Human Genome 
Program. The OHER requires the timely sharing of resources and data. 
Applicants should, in their applications, discuss their plans for 
disseminating research results and materials that may include, where 
appropriate, publication in the open literature, wide-scale mailings, 
etc. Once OHER and the applicant have agreed upon a distribution plan, 
it will become part of the award conditions. Funds to defray the costs 
of disseminating results and materials are allowable; however, such 
requests must be sufficiently detailed and adequately justified. 
Applicants should also provide time lines projecting progress toward 
achieving proposed goals.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this 
program is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 
CFR Part 605.
D. D. Mayhew,
Director, Office of Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 95-6107 Filed 3-10-95; 8:45 am]
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