Health Information Outreach Award

Item 1: FULL PROJECT PROPOSAL

Please include the following three sections (Project Information, Project Narrative, and Budget Justification with both Narrative and Spreadsheet) in your Full Project Proposal. Follow the page limits and formatting standards below to ensure readability and fairness.

• Text size: 12-point font
• Text color: Black 
• Recommended fonts:
  • Arial,
  • Georgia, 
  • Helvetica, or
  • Times New Roman
• 1” margins
• DOCX or PDF file format is acceptable 
• Clearly formatted headings and labels for each section of your application

A. Project Information Section (do not exceed 1 page)

• Lead Organization: List the institution that will lead and receive funding to conduct the proposed project. 
• Project Lead: Enter the name of the person coordinating this project. 
• Institution Tax ID: Enter the 9-digit tax identification number for your institution. 
• Institution UEI Number: Please confirm your organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). As of April 2022, the Federal Government has transitioned from use of the DUNS Number to the UEI as the primary means of entity identification for federal awards. If your organization is currently registered in SAM.gov with either an active or inactive registration, you have already been assigned a UEI. If your organization does not have a UEI, apply for one as soon as possible.
• Have you/your institution previously received NNLM funding in the current grant cycle? Select “Yes,” “No,” or “I don’t know.” 
• Amount Requested: The amount specified should not exceed the limit established by the RML/Office and communicated in this Request for Applications. Contact your RML/Office if you have questions about the funding amount.

B. Project Narrative Section (do not exceed 10 pages; Note: the 10-page limit does not include supporting documentation such as a bibliography or appendix)

• Project Title: Describe the project with an external audience in mind. 
• Project Summary: Provide a one-paragraph description that summarizes the proposed project. Funded projects are displayed on the NNLM website and are provided by NLM in response to requests from NIH, HHS, OMB, Congress, and the White House.
• Partner Organizations: If applicable, use the NNLM Network Directory to find existing records for up to three (3) organizations that will partner with the Lead Organization to conduct/complete the project. List them here. Note: If a record does not exist for a partner organization, provide the institution's name, address, and contact information. 
• Training to be Provided as Part of this Award: State "Yes,” or “No”
• Proposed Start and End Dates for the Project: List the appropriate dates. Please refer to the dates listed for the period of performance to guide your consideration. Contact your RML/Office before applying if your project is anticipated to extend more than one year.
• Evidence of Need: Provide a statement of how the project proposed will support the mission of NNLM, explain how this project will address community needs, and describe the reach of this project. When possible, support the stated need using data such as known needs assessments or statistics.
• Project goals and objectives: State the goal(s) and specific objectives(s) of the proposed project. Project goals should align with NNLM Initiatives and Priorities. These initiatives and priorities are intended to further NLM goals and objectives.
• Implementation: Describe what will be done to meet project objectives and its rationale. Include tasks to be performed and who will perform them. 
• Schedule/Timeline: Include a timeline for implementing the plan to meet objectives.
• Evaluation Plan (PAS-SUB option): Funded projects are strongly encouraged to use the Subaward Participant Activity Survey (PAS-SUB), which is available through the NNLM National Evaluation Center Materials. The purpose of the PAS-SUB is to evaluate subaward-funded activities in a rigorous and standard manner, and can serve as the sole evaluation tool for funded projects. This instrument is available for awardees’ use with their projects in both English and Spanish.
• Evaluation Plan (non-PAS-SUB option): For proposals not utilizing the PAS-SUB, describe how the project will be evaluated. Include data collection frequency, type of data to be collected, tools, how data will be used or disseminated, and justification for not using the PAS-SUB. 
  • Note: Subawardees can choose to use the PAS-SUB as part of their own existing evaluation, but they must use all questions in the PAS-SUB verbatim and in the order provided. PAS-SUB questions have been determined by the Northwestern University IRB to be non-Human Subjects research and subsequently approved by NLM Extramural Programs. Additional or alternative evaluation instruments would need a local IRB determination letter. Please consult with your RML for assistance with evaluation questions. 
• Publicity/Promotion: Briefly describe how you intend to promote your project to the target audience. Please specify which NLM resources or NNLM national initiatives will be utilized, how they will be promoted, and how they will be utilized throughout the project.
• Continuity/Sustainability Plan: Describe the activities that will sustain project services and/or communication to the targeted community beyond the award project period.
• Personnel Qualifications: If applicable, list the project personnel who will be involved in the project and include their role(s) and applicable experience. Submit resumes or CVs for personnel listed in the proposal.

C. Budget Justification Narrative and Spreadsheet (do not exceed 5 pages)

Awards are cost-reimbursable and are issued to the institution, not the individual. For each budgeted category and line item, include a justification for the purchase that explains its purpose for the project (written narrative) and a cost breakdown explanation of the calculation of costs, GSA rates, vendor selection details, etc. (spreadsheet). 

If a budget line or category is not applicable to your project, you may leave it blank. 

The budget estimate should be categorized by the following, as they apply: 

• Personnel: Include breakdown of calculations (% time X annual salary) or (hourly rate X estimated hours). Check with your RML/Office for specifics on personnel.
• Consultant Costs: Estimate expenses from consultants, such as marketing firms or other agencies. Submit the following information to the RML/Office: name of consultant, description of work, hourly rate, total amount/not to exceed amount, and period of performance.
• Equipment: Quotes for items required to complete the project, such as computers and other equipment. Include quotes received or other pricing information as a separate attachment.
• Supplies: Quotes for printing and other materials. Include a written narrative description, spreadsheet calculation explanations, and add quotes received from vendors/providers as a separate attachment.
• Communications: Media, publicity, or other communication costs. Include written description, spreadsheet calculation explanations, and vendor/provider quotes as a separate attachment.
• Reproduction: Printing materials or other reproduction costs.
• Travel: Estimates for travel. Include a written narrative description, spreadsheet calculation explanations, and vendor/provider quotes as a separate attachment.
• Other: Include description, budget calculation explanation, and any quotes as a separate attachment.
• Indirect Costs (IDC) or Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs:  Apply at your institution’s non-research rate (typically “Other Sponsored Research”). If your institution has no negotiated rate, a 10% Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) can be applied if you wish to claim it. Note: If Indirect Costs (IDC) are included in your overall budget, your Direct Costs plus your IDC should not exceed the total award amount.
  • Important Note on Funding Restrictions: Food, promotional items, and furniture are not allowable expenses. Promotional items include, but are not limited to: Clothing and commemorative items such as pens, mugs/cups, folders/folios, lanyards, and conference bags that are sometimes provided to visitors, employees, grantees, or conference attendees. Refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Item 2: PERSONNEL CVs/RESUMES

Please include the CVs or resumes of any key personnel or contributors to the project.

Item 3: SF424 R&R BUDGET SHEET

Please complete the accompanying SF424 R&R Budget Sheet. Detailed instructions on completing this form can be found on page 92 of General Instructions for NIH and other PHS Agencies.

Item 4: F&A RATE AGREEMENT (if applicable)

If your institution has a negotiated F&A rate, your Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) or equivalent department can provide you with a copy of the current rate agreement. 

If your organization does not have a negotiated F&A rate and chooses to receive the “de minimus” or Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) calculation of the rate of 10%, no documentation is needed. 

Item 5: IRB NON-HUMAN SUBJECTS DETERMINATION LETTER (if applicable)

The RML does not fund projects that involve human subjects research. Some organizations have an Institutional Review Board will evaluate your project and generate a determination letter indicating that your project does not meet regulatory definitions. Inquire within your organization if you’re unsure about how to obtain this letter. 

If selected for this award, the RML will submit your proposal to the North Texas Regional Institutional Review Board for review if a letter is not available from your organization. Consulting with the RML prior to submitting your application is highly recommended. 

Item 6: LETTERS OF SUPPORT OR COMMITMENT (optional)

If you are partnering with another organization that is contributing effort or resources to your project, you may include any letters that demonstrate that commitment. This is optional.