[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32479-32484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8704]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 6, 2006 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
7 CFR Part 3411
RIN 0524-AA32
National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program--
Revisions to Administrative Provisions
AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service (CSREES) proposes to update and make technical corrections to
the administrative provisions for the National Research Initiative
Competitive Grants Program (NRICGP). In addition, CSREES proposes
substantive revisions to 7 CFR 3411.3(d), the ``Eligibility
requirements'' for NRICGP Postdoctoral Fellowships, New Investigator
Awards, and Strengthening Awards, and to 7 CFR 3411.4(c)(8), Agency
instructions to applicants preparing project budgets for NRICGP
conference grants and postdoctoral fellowships. CSREES anticipates the
proposed changes to the eligibility requirements would increase the
impact of the Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards, while the
proposed changes to the budget instructions would facilitate additional
conference and postdoctoral fellowship awards.
DATES: The Agency must receive comments on or before August 7, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Erin Daly; United States
Department of Agriculture; Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service, STOP 2299, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington,
DC 20250-2299. Comments may also be sent via electronic mail to
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail McLean at (202) 401-6060 or via
electronic mail at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES) proposes revisions to the administrative provisions for the
National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRICGP), which
was authorized in section 2(b) of the Act of August 4, 1965, as amended
by section 1615 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (FACT Act), (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)). Some of the revisions are mere
technical corrections, including updates to the Agency's name. Other
revisions reflect the Agency's developing capabilities to exchange
proposal and grant data electronically. Finally, CSREES proposes
substantive revisions to the eligibility requirements for Agricultural
Research Enhancement Awards (7 CFR 3411.3(d)) and the Agency's
instructions to applicants preparing project budgets for NRICGP
conference grants and postdoctoral fellowships (7 CFR 3411.4(c)(8)).
The Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards are intended to help
institutions develop competitive research programs and to attract
scientists to research in agriculture, food, and environmental
sciences. To increase the impact of the Agricultural Research
Enhancement Awards, CSREES proposes changing the eligibility
requirements for Postdoctoral Fellowships, New Investigator Awards, and
Strengthening Awards. Anticipated impacts would include: (1) For
Postdoctoral Fellowships, improved funding continuity and potentially
more postdoctoral scientists entering into an agricultural research
career; (2) for New Investigator Awards, improved project design and
increased probability of a successful agricultural research program;
and (3) for Strengthening Awards, improved research project continuity
and more incentive for researchers to stay at USDA-Experimental Program
for Stimulating Competitive Research (EPSCoR) or small/mid-sized
institutions. The proposed revisions to Agency instructions regarding
the preparation of project budgets apply narrowly and should optimize
the use of NRICGP funds for scientific meetings and for postdoctoral
researchers.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Current provisions indicate a postdoctoral fellowship applicant
should not have received a doctoral degree before January 1 of the
fiscal year three years prior to the submission of the proposal and not
later than June 15 of the fiscal year during which the proposal is
submitted (7 CFR 3411.3(d)(1)(i)). In the past, NRICGP proposal
submission dates were grouped together and occurred within an
approximate range of three to four months. As a result, applicants had
similar amounts of time from the date they submitted their proposals
until they were notified of awards. This was important because
applicants used the time to arrange for postdoctoral positions and
ensure continuity of funding for their postdoctoral research.
Now, however, NRICGP proposal submission dates are spread
throughout the year. The current provisions put at a disadvantage
postdoctoral fellowship applicants to NRICGP programs with proposal
submission dates that are later in the fiscal year than the doctoral
degree cutoff date of June 15. In order to ensure the availability of
their awards, applicants to these programs may wait a year between
receiving their doctoral degrees and applying for the postdoctoral
fellowships. The gap in funding can result in postdoctoral researchers
leaving agricultural research because they cannot find a laboratory
with sufficient funding to support them during this interim.
CSREES proposes revising the provisions for NRICGP postdoctoral
fellowships to base cutoff dates for receipt of doctoral degrees on
proposal due dates for specific NRICGP programs. This change would add
equity to the process and allow applicants sufficient time to make
arrangements for financial support of their postdoctoral research prior
to graduation. In doing so, it should further the engagement of the
best and brightest young scientists in agricultural research.
New Investigator Awards
The current provisions require that, in addition to the Project
Director, all co-Project Directors must meet NRICGP New Investigator
Award eligibility requirements (7 CFR 3411.3(d)(2)). When evaluating
the scientific merit of
[[Page 32480]]
a proposal, reviewers frequently suggest that New Investigators work
with established investigators. Established investigators can provide
valuable expertise on scientific subjects and experimental methods that
New Investigators need for successful research projects. The
interaction between New Investigators and established investigators can
be more than simple collaboration and require sharing of funds and
significant interaction. The current eligibility requirements for New
Investigator Awards inhibit, if not prevent, these close relationships.
CSREES proposes revising the eligibility requirements for New
Investigator Awards so that they apply to Project Directors only. As
the Project Director, the New Investigator would maintain the primary
responsibility for the research and the funding.
Currently, applicants are ineligible for New Investigator Awards if
they have received competitively-awarded Federal research funds beyond
the level of pre-or postdoctoral research awards (7 CFR 3411.3(d)(2)).
As a result, CSREES is not able to make New Investigator Awards to
former recipients of NRICGP seed grants. NRICGP seed grants are
relatively small awards that enable investigators to collect
preliminary data they can use to prepare standard research grant
applications. Seed grant eligibility is limited to faculty with
appointments at (1) small and mid-sized degree-granting institutions
that are not in the top 100 most successful institutions; and (2)
degree-granting institutions eligible for USDA-EPSCoR funding. CSREES
proposes revising the NRICGP New Investigator Award provisions so that
former recipients of NRICGP seed grants are eligible to apply for these
funds. By allowing investigators who received seed grants to remain
eligible for New Investigator Awards, CSREES hopes to increase the
chances that beginning scientists will achieve funding and continuation
of agricultural research projects.
Strengthening Awards
According to the eligibility requirements for Research Career
Enhancement Awards, Seed Grants, and Strengthening Standard Research
Project Awards, no investigators on the Proposal Cover Page may have
received a USDA NRICGP competitive research grant within the last 5
years (7 CFR 3411.3(d)(3)(ii)(A)). CSREES proposes removing this
restriction so that investigators from eligible institutions can apply
for these types of Strengthening Awards regardless of having received
NRICGP awards in the past. The Agency believes this will increase the
likelihood that investigators at institutions in EPSCoR states, and
those at institutions with small to mid-sized enrollment, will have the
funding stability necessary for successful agricultural research
programs. Often researchers from these institutions have difficulty
renewing strengthening awards. Although their projects have important
scientific merit, they tend to be limited in size and scope due to, for
example, teaching commitments, equipment access, and smaller numbers of
students and postdoctoral researchers. Thus, these proposals do not
compete well against projects from larger research institutions that
have more resources and personnel. This change will improve funding
continuity and provide incentives for established researchers to stay
at EPSCoR or small/mid-sized institutions. In doing so, it will
strengthen the institutions and the future of agricultural research
through increased opportunities for students to participate in active,
successful agricultural research projects.
The current provisions require that, in addition to the Project
Director, all co-Project Directors must meet NRICGP Strengthening Award
eligibility requirements (7 CFR 3411.3(d)(3)(ii)(B)). As with a similar
restriction placed on New Investigators, this requirement unnecessarily
hampers close relationships between investigators who can provide
expertise needed to successfully complete a project. CSREES proposes
revising the eligibility requirements for these types of NRICGP
Strengthening Awards so that they apply to Project Directors only.
Indirect Costs--Conference Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships
CSREES proposes adding language to 7 CFR 3411.4(c)(8) that
prohibits indirect costs for conference awards and postdoctoral
fellowships. Currently, CSREES restricts conference awardees' recovery
of indirect costs to 20% of total Federal funds, as provided in Section
709 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L.
109-97). Conference awards support meetings that bring together
scientists to identify research needs, update information, or advance
an area of research. Typically, these awards are modest. They rarely
exceed $10,000, but are recognized as integral to research efforts.
Where grantees incur administrative costs relative to sponsoring such
conferences (especially in off-site locations), the Agency believes the
administrative costs are negligible.
In accordance with its fiscal year 2006 Request for Applications
(RFA) for NRICGP (available at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/nri_rfa.html), CSREES allows postdoctoral fellowship awardees to
request an institutional allowance (not to exceed $2,400 per year) or
indirect costs within the $125,000 maximum award limit. Postdoctoral
fellowship applicants primarily request funds for salary support,
although they are allowed to request other expenditures (e.g.,
supplies, travel, and publication) if they properly justify them. These
awards allow postdoctoral researchers to develop independent research
projects they can take with them to career-track positions.
Postdoctoral fellowships play an important role in attracting and
supporting beginning researchers in agricultural sciences. For
postdoctoral fellowships, CSREES proposes that it continue to indicate
in its annual NRICGP RFA a maximum institutional allowance, and that,
in accordance with revised administrative provisions, the Agency plans
to make this allowance available to awardees in lieu of indirect costs.
CSREES is soliciting public comments regarding this proposed rule
and will consider and address such comments in subsequent rulemaking on
this subject. Comments should be submitted as provided for in the
ADDRESSES and DATES portions of this proposed rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995--Information Collection
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. chapter 35), the collection of information requirements
contained in this Proposed Rule have been approved (OMB Approval No.
0524-0039).
Regulatory Flexibility Act
USDA certifies that this proposed rule will not have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small entities as defined in the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-354, as amended (5 U.S.C.
601, et seq.) because it is a Federal assistance program, not a
regulatory regime, and the majority of awards will be made to colleges
and universities that do not qualify as small entities.
Executive Order 12866
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866 and has
been determined to be nonsignificant as it will not create a serious
inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action planned by another
agency; will not
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materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlement, grants, user
fees, or loan programs, or rights and obligations of the recipients
thereof; and will not raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of
legal mandates, the President's priorities, or principles set forth in
this Executive Order. This rule will not have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way
the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health, or safety, or State, local, or Tribal governments or
communities.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Pub. L. 104-4), the Department assessed the effects of this rulemaking
action on State, local, and Tribal government, and the public. This
action does not compel the expenditure of $100 million or more by any
State, local, or Tribal governments, or anyone in the private sector.
Therefore, a statement under Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 is not required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
(1) Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million
or more;
(2) Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government
agencies, or geographic regions; and
(3) Does not have significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
Executive Order 12988
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. In accordance with the Executive Order: (1) All State
and local laws and regulations that are in conflict with this rule will
be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; (3)
no administrative proceedings are required before bringing any judicial
action regarding this rule.
Executive Order 13132
In accordance with Executive Order 13132, this rulemaking does not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
Federalism Assessment. The policies contained in this rule do not have
any substantial direct effect on policymaking discretion of the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Nor does this rule impose substantial direct
compliance costs on State and local governments.
Executive Order 12372
For the reasons set forth in the Final Rule Related Notice for 7
CFR part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983), this program is
excluded from the scope of the Executive Order 12372 which requires
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. This
program does not directly affect State and local governments.
Executive Order 13175
The policies contained in this rulemaking do not have tribal
implications and thus no further action is required under Executive
Order 13175.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 3411
Agricultural research, Grant programs--agriculture, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service proposes to amend 7 CFR part
3411 to read as set forth below:
PART 3411--NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM
1. The authority citation for part 3411 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: Sec. 2(i) of the Act of August 4, 1965, as amended (7
U.S.C. 450i(i)).
Subpart A--General
2. Revise paragraph (a) of Sec. 3411.1 to read as follows:
Sec. 3411.1 Applicability of regulations.
(a) The regulations of this part apply to competitive research
grants awarded under the authority of section 2(b) of the Act of August
4, 1965, as amended by section 1615 of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACT Act), (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), for
the support of research to further the programs of the Department of
Agriculture and to improve research capabilities in the agricultural,
food, and environmental sciences in the following categories: Single
investigators or coinvestigators in the same disciplines; teams of
researchers from different disciplines; multidisciplinary teams for
long-term applied research problems; multidisciplinary teams whose
research has the eventual goal of technology transfer and education
capacity through the acquisition of special research equipment and
improvement of teaching and education, including fellowships; single
investigators or coinvestigators who are beginning their research
careers; and, faculty of small and mid-sized institutions not
previously successful in obtaining competitive grants under this
subsection. In accordance with Public Law 104-127, within the
Department of Agriculture, the Secretary established the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory
Board (NAREEEAB) to provide overall guidance to the Research, Education
and Economics mission area on policies and priorities related to
programs, including NRICGP. In addition to the stakeholder listening
sessions NAREEEAB sponsors, CSREES receives stakeholder input on
policies and priorities related to NRICGP from multiple sources
including scientific societies; the National Research Council of the
National Academy of Sciences; producers, processors, industry; the
land-grant university system; non-governmental organizations; and other
federal agencies; and through international coordination. The
Administrator of CSREES shall determine and announce, through
publication of a notice on the CSREES Web site (http://www.csrees.usda.gov), the government-wide funding opportunities Web
site (http://www.grants.gov), or in such publications as the Federal
Register, professional trade journals, agency or program handbooks, the
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, or any other appropriate means,
high-priority research areas and categories for which proposals will be
solicited and the extent that funds are made available therefore.
* * * * *
3. Revise paragraphs (a) and (c) of Sec. 3411.2 to read as
follows:
Sec. 3411.2 Definitions.
* * * * *
(a) Administrator means the Administrator of the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and any other
officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture to whom the
authority involved may be delegated.
* * * * *
(c) Project Director means a single individual who is responsible
for the scientific and technical direction of the project, as
designated by the grantee in
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the grant application and approved by the Administrator.
* * * * *
4. Amend Sec. 3411.3 by revising paragraphs (a), (d) introductory
text, (d)(1) introductory text, (d)(1)(i), (d)(2), and (d)(3)(ii) to
read as follows:
Sec. 3411.3 Eligibility requirements.
* * * * *
(a) For research projects, except where otherwise prohibited by
law, State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and
universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal
agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals shall
be eligible to apply for and receive a competitive grant under this
part, provided that the applicant qualifies as a responsible grantee
under the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
* * * * *
(d) Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards. In addition to
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the following eligibility
requirements apply to Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards for
research projects (Program reserves the right to specify funding
limitations and administrative requirements each year in the program
solicitation):
(1) Postdoctoral Fellowships. In accordance with section 2(b)(3)(D)
of the Act of August 4, 1965, as amended, individuals who recently have
received or will soon receive their doctoral degree may submit
proposals for postdoctoral fellowships. The following eligibility
requirements apply:
(i) The doctoral degree of the applicant must be received not
earlier than January 1 of the fiscal year three years prior to the
submission of the proposal and not later than nine months after the
proposal due date;
* * * * *
(2) New Investigator Awards. Pursuant to section 2(b)(3)(E) of the
Act of August 4, 1965, as amended, Project Directors who are beginning
their research careers, do not have an extensive research publication
record, and have less than 5 years of post-graduate, career-track
research experience, may submit proposals as new investigators.
Applicants may not have received competitively-awarded Federal research
funds beyond the level of pre- or postdoctoral research awards or USDA
NRICGP seed grants.
(3) Strengthening Awards.
* * * * *
(ii) Research Career Enhancement Awards, Seed Grants, and
Strengthening Standard Research Project Awards. The following
eligibility requirements apply to Research Career Enhancement Awards,
Seed Grants, and Strengthening Standard Research Project Awards:
(A) The Project Director listed on the Application For Funding must
be from a small or mid-sized institution that is not among the top 100
universities and colleges for receiving Federal funds for science and
engineering research as specified in the annual program solicitation or
must be from an institution located in a USDA-EPSCoR state.
(B) Every investigator listed on the Application For Funding must
have an appointment at a degree granting institution.
5. Amend Sec. 3411.4 by revising paragraphs (a) introductory text,
(a)(4), (a)(5), (c)(3) introductory text, (c)(7) introductory text,
(c)(8), (c)(11), and (c)(13) to read as follows:
Sec. 3411.4 How to apply for a grant.
(a) Program solicitations will be prepared and announced through
publication on the government-wide funding opportunities Web site
(http://www.grants.gov) as early as practicable each fiscal year. It
will contain information sufficient to enable all eligible applicants
to prepare competitive grant proposals and will be as complete as
possible with respect to:
* * * * *
(4) Deadline dates for receipt of proposal packages;
(5) Submission addresses;
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(c) Format for grant proposals.
* * * * *
(3) Project Description. The specific aims of the project must be
included in all proposals. The text of the project description may not
exceed 18 single- or double-spaced pages and must contain the following
components:
* * * * *
(7) Personnel support. To assist peer reviewers in assessing the
competence and experience of the proposed project staff, all personnel
who will be involved in the proposed project must be identified
clearly. For each Project Director involved, and for all senior
associates and other professional personnel who expect to work on the
project, whether or not funds are sought for their support, the
following should be included:
* * * * *
(8) Budget. A detailed budget is required for each year of
requested support. In addition, a summary budget is required detailing
requested support for the overall project period. A copy of the form
which must be used for this purpose, along with instructions for
completion, is included in the NRICGP Application Kit identified under
Sec. 3411.4(b) of the part and may be reproduced as needed by
applicants. Funds may be requested under any of the categories listed,
provided that the item or service for which support is requested may be
identified as necessary for successful conduct of the proposed project,
is allowable under applicable Federal cost principles, and is not
prohibited under any applicable Federal statute or regulation. It
should be noted, for example, that section 2(b)(7) of the Act of August
4, 1965, as amended, prohibits the use of funds under this program for
the renovation or refurbishment of research spaces, purchases or
installation of fixed equipment in such spaces, or for the planning,
repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or
facility. Also, section 2(b)(8) of the Act of August 4, 1965, as
amended, requires that all grants, except equipment grants authorized
by section 2(b)(3)(D) of the same Act, awarded under this part, shall
be used without regard to matching funds or cost sharing. Equipment
grants may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the equipment to be
acquired. Equipment grant funds also may not be used for installation,
maintenance, warranty, or insurance expenses. Indirect costs are not
permitted on equipment grants, conference grants, or postdoctoral
fellowships. According to the limit included in the annual program
solicitation, a postdoctoral fellowship applicant may request and
receive a reasonable institutional allowance.
* * * * *
(11) Additions to project description. Each project description is
expected by the Administrator, the members of peer review groups, and
the relevant program staff to be complete. However, if the inclusions
of additional information is necessary to ensure the equitable
evaluation of the proposal (e.g., photographs which do not reproduce
well, reprints, and other pertinent materials which are deemed to be
unsuitable for inclusion in the text of the proposal), the number of
copies submitted should match the number of copies of the application
requested in the program solicitation. Each set of such materials must
be identified with the name of the submitting organization, and the
name(s) of the Project Director(s). Information may not be appended to
a proposal to circumvent page limitations prescribed for the project
description. Extraneous
[[Page 32483]]
materials will not be used during the peer review process.
* * * * *
(13) National Environmental Policy Act. As outlined in CSREES's
implementing regulations of the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA) at 7 CFR part 3407, environmental data or documentation for
the proposed project is to be provided to CSREES in order to assist
CSREES in carrying out its responsibilities under NEPA. These
responsibilities include determining whether the project requires an
Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement or
whether it can be excluded from this requirement on the basis of
several categorical exclusions listed in 7 CFR p art 3407. In this
regard, the applicant should review the categories defined for
exclusion to ascertain whether the proposed project may fall within one
or more of the exclusions, and should indicate if it does so on the
National Environmental Policy Act Exclusions Form provided in the
NRICGP Application Kit.
* * * * *
6. Revise paragraph (a) of Sec. 3411.5 to read as follows:
Sec. 3411.5 Evaluation and disposition of applications.
(a) Evaluation. All proposals received from eligible applicants and
received in accordance with deadlines established in the annual program
solicitation shall be evaluated by the Administrator through such
officers, employees, and others as the Administrator determines are
uniquely qualified in the areas represented by particular projects. To
assist in equitably and objectively evaluating proposals and to obtain
the best possible balance of viewpoints, the Administrator shall
solicit the advice of peer scientists, ad hoc reviewers, and/or others
who are recognized specialists in the areas covered by the applications
received and whose general roles are defined in Sec. Sec. 3411.2(j)
and 3411.2(k). Specific evaluations will be based upon the criteria
established in Sec. 3411.15, unless CSREES determines that different
criteria are necessary for the proper evaluation of proposals in one or
more specific program areas, or for specific types of projects to be
supported, and announces such criteria and their relative importance in
the annual program solicitation. The overriding purpose of these
evaluations is to provide information upon which the Administrator may
make informed judgments in selecting proposals for ultimate support.
Incomplete, unclear, or poorly organized applications will work to the
detriment of applicants during the peer evaluation process. To ensure a
comprehensive evaluation, all applications should be written with the
care and thoroughness accorded papers for publication.
* * * * *
7. Amend Sec. 3411.6 as follows:
A. Revise paragraph (a), paragraph (b) heading, (b)(1)(iii),
(b)(1)(iv), (d) introductory text, (d)(2), and (f).
B. Remove and reserve paragraph (b)(2).
Sec. 3411.6 Grant awards.
(a) General. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose,
the awarding official shall make grants to those responsible, eligible
applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious in the announced
program areas under the evaluation criteria and procedures set forth in
this part. All funds granted under this part shall be expended solely
for the purpose for which the funds are granted in accordance with the
approved application and budget, the regulations of this part, the
terms and conditions of the award, the applicable Federal cost
principles, and the Department's Federal assistance regulations.
(b) Grant award document.
(1) * * *
(iii) Name(s) and address(es) of Project Director(s) chosen to
direct and control approved activities;
(iv) Identifying grant and proposal numbers assigned by the
Department;
* * * * *
(d) Funding mechanisms. The two mechanisms by which grants shall be
awarded are as follows:
* * * * *
(2) Continuation grant. This is a funding mechanism whereby the
Department agrees to support a specified level of effort for a
predetermined period of time with a statement of intention to provide
additional support at a future date, provided that performance has been
satisfactory, appropriations are available for this purpose, and
continued support would be in the best interests of the Federal
government and the public. This kind of mechanism normally will be
awarded for an initial one-year period, and any subsequent continuation
project grants will also be awarded in one-year increments. The award
of a continuation project grant to fund an initial or succeeding budget
period does not constitute an obligation to fund any subsequent budget
period. Unless prescribed otherwise by CSREES, a grantee must submit a
separate application for continued support for each subsequent fiscal
year. Decisions regarding continued support and the actual funding
levels of such support in future years usually will be made
administratively after consideration of such factors as the grantee's
progress and management practices and the availability of funds. Since
initial peer reviews are based upon the full term and scope of the
original application, additional evaluations of this type generally are
not required prior to successive years' support. However, in unusual
cases (e.g., when the nature of the project or key personnel change or
when the amount of future support requested substantially exceeds the
grant application originally reviewed and approved), additional reviews
may be required prior to approving continued funding.
* * * * *
(f) Current Research Information Service (CRIS). For each project
funded, instructions will be sent to the grantee for the completion of
CRIS Forms AD-416, ``Research Work Unit/Project Description--Research
Resume'' and AD-417, ``Research Work Unit/Project Description--
Classification of Research.'' Grant funds will not be released until
the completed forms are received electronically via CRIS.
8. Revise paragraph (b)(1) of Sec. 3411.7 as follows:
Sec. 3411.7 Use of funds; changes.
* * * * *
(b) Change in project plans. (1) The permissible changes by the
grantee, Project Director(s), or other key project personnel in the
approved grant shall be limited to changes in methodology, techniques,
or other aspects of the project to expedite achievement of the
project's approved goals. If the grantee and/or the Project Director(s)
is uncertain whether a particular change complies with this provision,
the question must be referred to the Administrator for final
determination.
* * * * *
9. In the list of statutes in Sec. 3411.8, revise the fifth and
tenth statutes listed.
Sec. 3411.8 Other Federal statutes and regulations that apply.
* * * * *
7 CFR part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,
implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122) and
incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308 (formerly, the Federal
Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-224), as
well as general policy requirements applicable to
[[Page 32484]]
recipients of Departmental financial assistance;
* * * * *
7 CFR part 3407--CSREES procedures to implement the National
Environmental Policy Act;
* * * * *
Dated: May 31, 2006.
Colien Hefferan,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8704 Filed 6-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P