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SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS
Submission of Application for
Hazardous Materials Worker
Health and Safety Training
Cooperative Agreements
RFA: ES-04-005
Supplemental instructions and guidelines for
Grant Application Form PHS 398 (Rev. 05/2001)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Applicants seeking support under the NIEHS Hazardous Materials Worker Health
and Safety Training Cooperative Agreement Program should follow these special
instructions where referenced. Where no special instructions are given the
regular instructions for Grant Application Form PHS 398 (Rev. 05/2001) should
be followed.
It is essential that the application be well organized, clearly written and
complete in all details. That is, all information necessary for review must
be contained within the body of the application. Information of a reference
nature that is not essential for review should be placed in an appendix. All
appendix materials will be made available to assigned reviewers only.
Material submitted to other solicitations or part of currently funded
cooperative agreements or grants will not be made available to the review
committee unless it is incorporated in the current application. It is also
essential that the application be as concise as possible. Verbose, poorly
organized applications are not likely to do well in review.
For planning purposes, applicants should submit one application which contains
separate budgets and training plans for up to a five-year period (FY 2005
through 2010), that may respond to any or all of the targeted training
programs which are identified in this solicitation.
If applying for more than one program [i.e., Hazardous Waste Worker Training
(HWWT), Minority Worker Training (MWT), EPA-Brownfields Minority Worker
Training (BMWT), Hazmat Disaster Preparedness Training (HDPT) separate budget
pages (Form Pages 4 and 5), and a separate training plan, must be submitted
for EACH program as well as composite Form Pages 4 and 5 summarizing direct
costs for all programs.
The instructions below are designed to correspond to the format contained in
the instructions for PHS 398, beginning with I.C.
I.
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
C.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS - Forms
1.
Form Page 1
1.
Title of Project. Use the title Worker Health and Safety Training
Cooperative Agreement on all applications.
2.
Check the "yes" box; use ES-04-005 for Number; and Worker Health
and Safety Training, NIEHS.
3.
Follow PHS 398 instructions. Note that NIEHS staff “conduct
official business only with principal investigators and
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institutional officials.”
4.
Check the "no" box. Human Subjects review is inapplicable.
PHS 398 instructions.
Note
5.
Check the "no" box. Animal welfare is inapplicable.
instructions.
6.
Self explanatory. (Anticipated start date for these cooperative
agreements is 9/1/2005 with an anticipated end date of 8/31/2010.)
7a.
Self explanatory. Note PHS 398 instructions. If applying for
more than one program (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT) direct costs should
reflect the total direct costs of the composite Form Page 4 budget
page for these programs (separate budget pages are required if
applying for more than one program, as well).
7b.
Self explanatory. Follow PHS 398 instructions. Facilities and
Administrative (F&A) costs are limited to 8 per cent of total
direct costs excluding equipment, amounts in excess of the first
$25,000 of each sub-contract each year, and tuition and related
fees. The calculations for F&A costs should be shown separately
for each program budget on separate CHECKLIST FORM PAGE
FORM
PAGE , section 3, F&A COSTS. Reference specific instructions for
Checklist Form Page Form Page below.
8a.
Self explanatory. Note PHS 398 instructions. Direct costs should
reflect the total direct costs of the composite Form Page 5 budget
page for all programs applied for (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT).
8b.
Self explanatory. Note PHS 398 instructions. F&A costs are
limited to 8 per cent of total direct costs excluding equipment,
amounts in excess of the first $25,000 of each sub-contract each
year, and tuition and related fees. The calculations for F&A costs
should be shown separately for each program budget on separate
Checklist Form Page, section 3, F&A COSTS. Reference specific
instructions in Checklist Form Page.
9.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
10.
Self explanatory. Refer to RFA ES-04-005 Eligible Institutions.
Note PHS 398 instructions.
11.
Self explanatory.
Note PHS 398 instructions.
12.
Self explanatory.
Note PHS 398 instructions.
13.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
address.
14.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
15.
Self explanatory.
Note PHS 398
Note instructions for generic e-mail
Note PHS 398 instructions.
NOTE: Type the name of the Principal Investigator at the top of each
printed page and each continuation page. Number pages consecutively at
bottom center. Do not use suffixes such as 5a, 5b, etc.
2. Form Page 2
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DESCRIPTION.
Follow these instructions:
Include one sentence stating which of the 4 programs (HWWT, MWT, BMWT, HDPT)
you are applying for, indicating the total cost (direct plus F&A) for each.
State the application's broad, long-term objectives and specific aims for
worker health and safety training.
This abstract provides a preview to reviewers as to program scope and content.
As such, it is essential that it capture the character of the proposed
training program. It should describe the proposed hazardous material and
waste worker populations targeted for training including: size, types of work,
and geographic locations. It should project the number of workers anticipated
to be trained. This abstract is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate
description of the proposed work when separated from the application. If the
application is funded, this description, as is, will become public
information. Therefore, do not include proprietary/confidential information.
THE ABSTRACT MUST NOT EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THIS PAGE.
PERFORMANCE SITES.
KEY PERSONNEL.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
3. Form Page 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Follow PHS 398 format except for the following:
Change "Research Plan" to "Training Plan".
The Introduction to Revised Application and Introduction to Supplemental
Application are not applicable and should be deleted.
The Training Plan should summarize the program, its scope, target population
and progress to date. The following outline should be used and should replace
items a-j in the outline in the PHS 398 Table of Contents:
a. Specific Aims
b. Background and Significance
c. Progress Report/Compliance with Terms of Prior Award(s)
d. Administration, Staff, Advisory Board
e. Target Populations
f. Training Program
g. Training Facilities and Institutional Resources
h. Quality Control and Evaluation Plan
i. Consultants/Collaborators
j. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
k. Literature Cited
Personnel Table
Checklist Form Page
Letters of Support
Appendix
Items a-k must not exceed 25 pages. Applicants are advised to be clear and
concise in the presentation of the required information to keep within the 25
page limit. If applying for more than one program [i.e., HWWT, MWT, BMWT and
the HDPT a separate training plan should be submitted for each program, each
keeping within the 25 page limit.
4. Form Page 4
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DETAILED BUDGET FOR INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD.
Note that, if applying for more than one program (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT), a
separate Form Page 4 must be submitted for EACH program with the respective
Form Page 5. The pages must be identified at the top right corner by the
appropriate program (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT). One composite Form Page 4 must be
submitted with one composite Form Page 5, reflecting total direct costs for
all programs combined. Mark these pages on the top right corner "Composite".
List direct costs only. DO NOT include program income or F&A costs. These
shall be indicated on the Checklist Form Page Form Page, sections 2 and 3.
Personnel.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
Consultant Costs.
Follow PHS 398 instructions. Consultants must be
identified and their time/effort listed.
Equipment.
Supplies.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
Travel.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
Patient Care Costs.
This item is not applicable.
Alterations and
Renovations.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
Other Expenses.
Follow PHS 398 instructions. List any student
incentive costs here. Enter the number of students
and the total student incentive amount for each
student. Fully justify these expenses on separate
pages as follows.
Applications which request student incentives must
contain a strong justification substantiating the need
for them, the rationale as to why such support cannot
be provided by other means, and the degree of any cost
sharing proposed by awardees. Request for student
incentives will be given close scrutiny.
List any trainee/student travel costs here. Describe
the purpose for any travel and subsistence expenses,
giving the numbers of trips involved, the
destinations, and the number of students for whom
funds are requested.
Applications which request travel funds for students
must contain a strong justification which
substantiates the need for such funds, the rationale
as to why such support cannot be provided by other
means, and the degree of any cost sharing proposed by
awardees. Requests for student travel funds will be
given close scrutiny.
Consortium/
Contractual Costs.
Follow PHS 398 instructions. Be sure to include
separate itemized budget pages (Form Pages 4 and 5)
for each subcontract or consortia member with the
respective primary applicant form pages. The sum of
all consortia costs (i.e.: direct costs and F&A (8%)
cost combined) go here.
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5. Form Page 5
BUDGET FOR ENTIRE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT.
Note that, if applying for more than one program (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT), a
separate Form Page 5 must be submitted for EACH program with the respective
Form Page 4. The page must be identified at the top right corner by the
appropriate program (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT). One composite Form Page 5 must be
submitted with one composite Form Page 4, reflecting total direct costs for
all programs combined. Mark these pages on the top right corner "Composite".
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
All items in requested budgets must be fully explained and adequately
justified. Failure to do so may result in deletions or reductions by
reviewers. Use continuation pages as necessary, reproducing the blank page in
the application packet.
6. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH FORMAT PAGE.
Follow PHS 398 instructions.
7.
OTHER SUPPORT FORMAT PAGE.
Follow PHS 398 instructions as stated on p. 43. Ensure that the suggested
format is used and that the information is complete, accurate and up to date.
8.
RESOURCES FORMAT PAGE.
Follow PHS 398 instructions. Use a separate Form Page for the primary
applicant, each consortia, and each training site, identifying each page
appropriately. Substitute "training facility" for “laboratory”.
9.
Training Plan (formerly Research Plan)
If applying for more than one program (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT) a separate Training
Plan must be submitted for EACH program. The pages should be identified at the
top right corner by the appropriate program (HWWT/MWT/BMWT/HDPT).
Please follow the plan of the Table of Contents (See Form Page 3, TABLE OF
CONTENTS of these Supplementary Instructions). To assist review groups in
their evaluations, provide clear and concise yet comprehensive information
about each topic. At a minimum, each topic in the Table of Contents should be
addressed, detailing specific objectives and plans for accomplishing these
objectives. Plans should include specific tasks and time frame for each task
and should fully address the review criteria in the RFA.
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 subsequent to an award must
be mutually agreed upon by the awardee 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 awards.
a. Specific Aims.
State the broad, long-term objectives and concisely and realistically
describe what the proposed training is intended to accomplish.
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b. Background and Significance.
Briefly sketch relevant background and the need for the proposed health
and safety training. Give the rationale for the proposed training
program. Applicants must strongly document the organization's past
success in performance and effectiveness in planning, implementing, and
operating worker health and safety training programs and employing adult
education techniques. Give a summary of worker health and safety
activities for the last five years for the major participating
organizations in the proposed program. Emphasis should be placed on
worker health and safety training and education experience including
information on the students trained and their jobs, type of worker
health and safety training given, number of workers trained, training
duration, outreach activities, and new advances in training.
c. Progress Report/Compliance with Terms of Prior Award(s).
Applicants who are presently being funded under this program
should provide a progress report of their activities. This should
include: description of efforts to meet established terms and
conditions, attainment of program goals and objectives of prior
awards, ability to manage and expend funds in a timely manner in
prior budget periods and a summary of collaborative efforts with
other awardees and NIEHS program staff.
d. Administration, Staff, and Advisory Board.
Describe the administrative structure of the proposed program and the
distribution of responsibilities within it, including the means by which
the program director will obtain continuing advice with respect to the
operation of the program.
Fully document the principal investigator’s and business official’s
experience in leading worker health and safety training programs. Give
the number of current faculty and staff engaged in worker health and
safety training. List each training faculty member and consultant
involved including their role and the extent to which they are employed.
Include the per cent of effort of each in the program. Describe the
extent to which participating faculty members have collaborated with the
program in the past. List technical support staff members and identify
their roles in the program. Describe the program's experience with
adult education. Document the faculty members' relevant experience and
training in appropriate adult education techniques in the area of worker
health and safety.
A biographical sketch must be provided for each member of the faculty or
staff detailing qualifications and experience (Follow the instructions
on the "Biographical Sketch Format Page.) Minimum position
qualifications and position descriptions must be provided for proposed
staff not yet hired.
Describe the make-up and role of the Advisory Board. Show plans for how
they will be used to assure the quality of the training program
including frequency of meetings and how they will advise the Principal
Investigator.
e. Target Population(s).
Describe methods and techniques to be used for identifying and accessing
target specific worker population(s) to be trained. Specific
descriptions of targeted training populations should reflect the
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respective regulations of EPA, OSHA, etc. Describe the population(s) to
be trained, including size of the target population(s), trades and job
categories to be trained, types of hazardous materials and waste
operations and emergency response, geographic locations of workers and
the degree of health and safety training already received. Provide
documented assurances of access to these populations for training.
Describe the qualifications of prospective students and the criteria and
procedures by which students will be selected. Describe outreach and
recruitment plans. Describe the type and give the number of workers who
have applied for worker health and safety training given by your
organization over the last five years and the number of workers who have
completed this training and the resulting benefit of the program to the
student and their employers.
Applicants for the MWT program should describe target populations for
training of young persons who live near hazardous waste sites as
referenced by the US House Subcommittee of Appropriations for VA, HUD
and Independent Agencies in Report 103-311 (pp. 61-62).
f. Training Program.
Describe the proposed training program including number of students to
be trained, durations of training and anticipated course content and
training objectives. Document the program's achievement of the minimum
criteria for worker health and safety training for hazardous waste
operations and emergency response.
Describe curriculum to be used, distribution of course materials, and
conduct of direct worker training. Do not include copies of the actual
curriculum as appendix material; instead describe in outline form the
applicable standards, curricula components, modules, learning objectives
and performance measures. The outline for each curriculum must not
exceed two pages in length and should be included in the appendix only.
Describe the extent of hands-on demonstration and instruction, which
simulates hazardous materials and waste operations or emergency
response. Describe methods for employing adult education techniques,
advanced training technologies, and approaches for training and
evaluating instructors.
Indicate how the proposed worker health and safety training will be
integrated with other specialized training already provided to the
proposed target worker population. Specify and highlight the integration
of new program initiatives as identified in the RFA with your proposed
training plan. Discuss plans for continuing the program independently
beyond the cooperative agreement period.
Applicants for the MWT and the BMT programs should develop environmental
career-oriented projects within the context of other social and health
needs of young people in environmentally-contaminated communities, as
well as describe mechanisms for facilitating trainee employment and
tracking in environmental restoration activities.
g. Training Facilities and Institutional Resources.
Describe the facilities and resources, which will be used in the
proposed program including major equipment items.
Describe facilities available for hands-on demonstration and simulation
of hazardous materials and waste operations and emergency response.
Identify specific facilities and resources to be provided by each
participating member of joint programs involving two or more nonprofit
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organizations.
h. Quality Control and Evaluation Plan.
Describe how each student's progress will be measured and how the
student's performance will be monitored and evaluated. Describe methods
and procedures for evaluating appropriateness, quality and effectiveness
of worker health and safety training proposed. Evaluation protocols
should quantitatively describe a process for assessing instructor
effectiveness, trainee retention of knowledge and hands-on skills, and
the positive impacts of training activities on work practices and
overall worker protection from on-the-job hazards.
i.
Consultants/Collaborators.
29.
Follow PHS 398 instructions on page
j.
Consortium/Contractual Arrangements. Follow PHS 398 instructions
on page 29.
k.
Literature Cited.
Follow PHS 398 instructions on page 29.
10. Personnel Table
To assist in the peer review process, it is suggested that an additional
table of all professional and non-professional Personnel should be appended to
your application using the following format:
Name
Role in Program
Total Level of
Effort (%)
Affiliations
Please list all participating individuals in alphabetical order and only list
each individual once.
11.
Checklist Form Page
Follow instructions in PHS 398.
2. - Program Income. APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO INCLUDE ON THEIR GRANT
APPLICATIONS "a reasonable estimate of the amount and source of program income
expected to be generated as a result of the project for which support is being
sought." IF IT CAN BE DETERMINED THAT THE ACTIVITY WHICH GENERATED THE INCOME
IS SUPPORTED IN ANY WAY BY GRANT FUNDS OR WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED EXCEPT FOR
THE EXISTENCE OF THE GRANT-SUPPORTED PROJECT, THEN THE INCOME SO GENERATED
SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE PROGRAM INCOME.
Grantees are accountable for general program income as set forth in 45 CFR
Part 74 Subpart F and 45 CFR 92.25, AND MUST REPORT THE TOTAL PROGRAM INCOME
ON THE FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT LONG FORM, each year. The use of Program
Income applicable to this program is the "Additional Costs Alternative," and
will be stated on the Notice of Grant Award. All general program income
generated by this grant program may be retained by the primary grantee in
accordance with the above cited regulations and may be distributed or used in
accordance with other written agreement/guidelines established, for the good
of the whole grant program. Please indicate specific arrangements your
organization has adopted for program income management.
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3. F&A Costs. Allowable indirect costs for this program are limited to 8% of
a modified indirect cost base which excludes amounts over the first $25,000
for each consortia agreement, equipment costs, and tuition and related trainee
fees. Show the calculation of indirect costs for the initial year and future
years. Example:
Grantees will only receive F&A on the first $25,000 per
consortia regardless of the period of performance and the number of times the
consortia participates.
12.
Letters of Support Self Explanatory
13.
Appendix
No change from instructions in PHS 398. Information essential to the review
of the application must be included in the body, not the appendix. Include in
the appendix a table of contents of the appendices, curriculum descriptions,
as well as a synopsis of other relevant material to be used in your program,
and other supplemental information supporting the application. The Appendix
will not be duplicated with the rest of the application.
II. SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
Follow the instructions contained in the PHS 398 and additional
instruction in the RFA.