Funding Opportunities 2001 Request for Proposals Outreach Project Awards

National Network of Libraries of Medicine
Pacific Northwest Region

Announcement

2001 Request for Proposals -- Outreach Project Awards

“…to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by: 1) providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information; and, 2) improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health."

This is the mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM). Outreach to underserved populations and/or populations suffering from poor health status -- and the health care providers, public health workers, librarians and other health intermediaries who serve these communities -- is a key strategy toward this overall mission. The Regional Medical Library for the Pacific Northwest Region of the NN/LM, at the University of Washington, seeks to promote outreach by network members throughout the region. By funding "outreach projects," the RML hopes to encourage partnerships and community-focused activities in support of our overall mission. Proposals may target public health or primary healthcare workers, consumers, or geographic or professional "communities" without adequate health information literacy skills or access to information resources.

The Pacific Northwest Regional Medical Library expects to have $30,000 available for these projects during 2001-2002 and anticipates making two awards of approximately $15,000 each. Any network member is invited to submit a proposal. All applicants should consult Measuring the Difference: Guide to Planning and Evaluating Health Information Outreach in developing their proposals and in conducting the project. Awardees will be expected to share and disseminate results of their projects.

We hope that the work carried out through these projects will:

• identify areas or populations in our region that are in need of improved access to information;
• encourage network members to share their expertise and resources with a target population not normally reached;
• strengthen the role of health information and health librarians in the delivery of health care;
• develop or support local or regional partnerships, encouraging health information literacy (i.e., finding and using information to help make healthy decisions);
• promote awareness and use of the services, resources and products of NLM and the NN/LM, as well as other online health information resources by health professionals and health care consumers; and
• improve access to health information and information technology for those health professionals and health consumers without adequate access to library and information services.

  Neil Rambo
  Associate Director

  Issued by:
  National Network of Libraries of Medicine
  Pacific Northwest Region
  University of Washington, Box 357155
  Seattle WA 98195-7155

  Eligibility:

  • The bidder must be an NN/LM PNR Member.
  • Funding:
    • The NN/LM PNR has $30,000 available for these awards and anticipates funding two Outreach Projects at approximately $15,000 each.
  • Period of Performance:
    • The period of performance will be for an agreed upon period of time; typically from 18 to 24 months from the date of the award.
      
      
  • Submission Instructions:
    • Deadline for submission of proposals is September 28, 2001. Please contact Linda Milgrom (phone: 206-221-3400 or email: lmilgrom@u.washington.edu) by September 1, 2001 to indicate your intention to apply. In addition to one paper copy, an electronic version of the proposal must be submitted.
    • Proposals will be reviewed by NN/LM PNR staff and selected outside reviewers. The awards will be announced in November 2001.

  For more information, contact:

  Neil Rambo Associate Director, <nrambo@u.washington.edu>
  or
  Linda Milgrom, Outreach Coordinator, <lmilgrom@u.washington.edu>
  Telephone: 206-543-8262, 800-338-7657 (within AK, ID, MT, OR, WA)
  

  Summaries of recent Outreach Projects are available. (In the previous contract they were called "Local Outreach Projects.")
  

  
  

  Proposal Instructions

  1. Cover Sheet -- On a separate page (you may use the attached form) the Cover Sheet should include:

  Project title

  Date of submission

  Name of institution submitting proposal

  Primary contact person (postal and e-mail addresses, voice and fax telephone numbers)

  Indication that the library of the proposing institution is a NN/LM PNR member.

  2. Statement of Work
  Please address all the categories in the Statement of Work in as much detail as necessary to present the proposed project clearly and completely. Prepare the proposal according to the following outline:
  

  A. A one paragraph summary statement of the proposed project.
  
  

  B. Target population: Describe the general population (characteristics, demographics, health issues) and geographic area to be covered by the project. In addition, describe the specific target group (include numbers and types of health care professionals and/or consumers or intermediaries) and estimate how many of these the project expects to reach.
  
  

  C. Identification of need: Explain why there is a need for information outreach to the target population. Describe information resources already available, what is needed, and any relevant barriers to its access. Draw from any known needs assessments, formal or otherwise, that may be relevant and other sources of data that may be used to support the needs statements. Include some target audience input about their information needs and barriers, and what might improve or help their situation. Note: It is expected that a more in-depth community assessment will be conducted after funding is awarded. (For more information, see the Dragonfly article about Community Assessment).
  
  

  D. Goals, Outcomes, and Objectives: State the goals of the project and the general hoped for outcomes. One or more outcomes should be sustainable beyond the project completion date. Then, develop two kinds of objectives to accomplish and demonstrate these outcomes. Create process objectives about what will be done (outputs) and outcomes-based objectives that specify what will happen or change as a result. (For more information, see the Dragonfly article about Goals and Objectives). Next, discuss the approach to be used to reach these objectives, describing any relationship to work already in progress, possible problem areas, or unusual circumstances that might be encountered. Note: It is expected that the proposed goals, outcomes, and objectives are flexible and may be revised after a more indepth community assessment.
  
  

  E. Evaluation Planning: In this section, draft ideas for ways to evaluate the project. First, suggest ways to measure project outputs listed in Section D. Then, list project characteristics/products/process that might impact the success of your project. How might these be tested/assessed/tracked or monitored? Finally, suggest how outcomes from Section D might be measured. Note: It is expected that these evaluation ideas are preliminary and will need to be prioritized and focused with further input from project stakeholders. A more complete evaluation plan is to be submitted during the first quarter of the project.
  
  

  F. Partnerships: Identify and describe any institutions or organizations that will be partnering in the project and describe the populations they serve, their role and level of participation in this effort. Include descriptions of previous collaborative projects with these organizations. Include name, address, and contact person. (Should include letter of support from cooperating institutions/organizations.)
  
  

  G. Personnel and Facilities: Describe the project personnel, including a summary of their qualifications and a description of their responsibilities as they relate to this project. A current curriculum vitae for any participating librarians should be attached. Also describe the relevant facilities and resources that will be available to support the project.
  

  H. Schedule: Provide a timeline and a schedule for the delivery of items specified in the statement of work. The schedule must conform to the Period of Performance.
  
  

  I. Other Funding: Provide a statement of any other funding currently received from NLM and/or NN/LM PNR.
  
  

  3. Attachments should include:

  Curriculum vitae of key personnel

  Letters of support from partnering institution(s)/organization(s)

  Budget form and narrative budget justification

  Other relevant information to support the Statement of Work
  
  

  4. Budget –

  Submit an itemized budget with costs clearly indicated and a justification for each category of expenditure. A brief narrative justification for each category is required and should accompany the budget form. Use the attached Budget Form as a template. The following budget categories may be used:

  salaries,

  benefits,

  equipment,

  supplies,

  travel,

  other costs (e.g., postage, telephones, Internet access, database access, shipping, photocopying/printing, and miscellaneous exhibit or training site costs).

  Total Direct Costs (TDC): the sum of the above

  Modified Total Direct Costs: (MTDC): the TDC minus equipment costs

  Indirect Costs (IDC): is allowable using your institutionally agreed rate; using the MTDC as the base of calculation.

  Total Costs: the sum of TDC and IDC

  5. Reporting Requirements:

  A.     Quarterly Reports: Description of activities during the reporting period and those planned for the next; should include the following:

  ·              progress toward major objectives
  ·              problems encountered and steps taken to resolve them
  ·              projected activities for next quarter
  ·              evaluation activities including lessons learned/significant feedback
  ·              completed Outreach Training/Demonstration Reporting Form for each activity
  ·              completed Exhibit Report Form for any exhibits done
  ·              The first quarterly report to be submitted will include the initial outreach database descriptive record. (A template will be provided.)
  

  B.     Outreach database descriptive record: Must be completed and submitted with the first Quarterly Report.
  

  C.     Final Report: Narrative summary of accomplishments; copies of any products or materials developed in conjunction with the project; a project evaluation and recommendations for changes or modifications to future outreach projects. Include any aggregate data gathered (such as number of people trained) and any anecdotal information in appendices. The final report should be sent to the NN/LM PNR office within 15 days after the last day of the performance period.

  D.     The NN/LM PNR office will supply required reporting forms and outlines of the expected formats for the quarterly and final reports.
  

  Factors to be Used in Evaluation of Proposals

  Proposals will be evaluated by selected outside reviewers and NN/LM PNR staff. Requests for clarification and revision may be asked of proposal writers as determined by the reviewers. Proposals will be forwarded to the NN/LM Network Office at the National Library of Medicine for final approval.

  The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals. These criteria are based on the contents of the Statement of Work. The relative weights assigned the criteria will be used to score proposals.

  Summary paragraph is included. 5 points.

  Target Population: The target population is well-defined and is centered on health professionals, consumers, or intermediaries within the defined NN/LM priority populations. There is a clear understanding of population characteristics, demographics, and health status. 10 points

  Statement of Need: The information needs of the target population, and the barriers as well as available resources, are understood and well described. Evidence of audience involvement in determining need. 15 points

  Goals, Outcomes, and Objectives: The goals and outcomes are reasonable and at least some are sustainable. Process and outcomes-based objectives flow logically from goals. Approach to fulfilling objectives reflects realistic awareness of target community, clearly indicates steps to be accomplished, is ambitious yet feasible. 20 points

  Evaluation Planning: Initial ideas reflect clear understanding of evaluation and planning principles. Strategies are presented to monitor outputs, which are measurable units of project activities/services/products classes, and to assess outcomes, clearly describing what will be measured and how. 15 points

  Partnerships: Evidence of cooperative relationship with appropriate entities in planning, conducting, and/or assessing the project. Adequate description of planned partnerships and compelling letters of support. Intent and understanding of roles is clear. 15 points

  Personnel and Facilities: Adequate evidence of qualified staff and organizational resources to assure likelihood of successful completion of the project. Documentation includes appropriate letters of support and resumes of key personnel. 10 points

  Budget Plan and Schedule: The budget is reasonable and sufficient to accomplish the project. The budget is complete, clear, and well justified. The timeline and schedule are reasonable and well thought out. 10 points

  Cover Sheet Form | Budget Form