Active Aging:Active Aging:Supporting Individuals and Enhancing Supporting Individuals and Enhancing

Community-based Care Through Health Community-based Care Through Health Information TechnologyInformation Technology

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

Technical Assistance Conference CallTechnical Assistance Conference Call

January 13, 2010January 13, 2010

Conference Call AgendaConference Call Agenda

Overview of the FOA Frequently asked questions Open forum

RFA-HS-10-016RFA-HS-10-016

AHRQ is soliciting applications from organizations that AHRQ is soliciting applications from organizations that propose to develop a specialized center (P50 grant propose to develop a specialized center (P50 grant mechanism) to carry out community-based mechanism) to carry out community-based participatory research on the use of communication participatory research on the use of communication and information focused technologies (IT) on improving and information focused technologies (IT) on improving health status of, and health-related services provided health status of, and health-related services provided to, older adults and to focus on applied research with to, older adults and to focus on applied research with the objective of developing sustainable and the objective of developing sustainable and reproducible strategies to translate research into reproducible strategies to translate research into practice effectively and efficiently. practice effectively and efficiently.

Strategic ThemesStrategic Themes

The use of IT to extend independence and functioning and The use of IT to extend independence and functioning and reduce unnecessary health care utilization of older adults reduce unnecessary health care utilization of older adults

The use of IT to place the individual and families at the The use of IT to place the individual and families at the center of expanded and more efficient service delivery center of expanded and more efficient service delivery networksnetworks

The development of innovative approaches to translate The development of innovative approaches to translate evidence generated in the first two thematic areas into evidence generated in the first two thematic areas into practice.  practice. 

Research results are intended to enhance the Research results are intended to enhance the independence and functionality of older adults through independence and functionality of older adults through applied research, development of tools, conduct of applied research, development of tools, conduct of demonstration projects, educational program development demonstration projects, educational program development and implementation, and dissemination of results. and implementation, and dissemination of results.

RFA ObjectivesRFA Objectives

To provide a stable strategic mechanism for To provide a stable strategic mechanism for community-based participatory research that focuses community-based participatory research that focuses on the use of communication and information focused on the use of communication and information focused technologies to improve the health and functioning of technologies to improve the health and functioning of aging individuals and the health and long term aging individuals and the health and long term services and supports provided to them; and that services and supports provided to them; and that allows for long term goal setting and iterative learning allows for long term goal setting and iterative learning and reformulation and reformulation

To focus on implementation research with the To focus on implementation research with the objective of using scientific methods to promote the objective of using scientific methods to promote the adoption of evidence-based information focused and adoption of evidence-based information focused and communication technologies and practices that communication technologies and practices that improve the health and personal care provided by improve the health and personal care provided by formal and informal health care providers and the formal and informal health care providers and the integration care provided by these two types of integration care provided by these two types of caregivers.caregivers.

Project RequirementsProject Requirements

Applicants are expected to:– Develop an overarching, comprehensive strategic plan that Develop an overarching, comprehensive strategic plan that

prioritizes a broad base of research needs across the three prioritizes a broad base of research needs across the three strategic areas outlined above. strategic areas outlined above.

– Develop a research center infrastructure with adequate facilities, Develop a research center infrastructure with adequate facilities, institutional support and appropriate expertise to support institutional support and appropriate expertise to support research, dissemination, and translation of research into practiceresearch, dissemination, and translation of research into practice

– Propose specific projects that focus on strategies to achieve Propose specific projects that focus on strategies to achieve goals that fit within the framework of the overall initiative goals that fit within the framework of the overall initiative

– Propose project that have distinct goals and implementation, but Propose project that have distinct goals and implementation, but are also explicitly part of the larger strategic plan that reflects the are also explicitly part of the larger strategic plan that reflects the related nature of this initiative’s three strategic themes related nature of this initiative’s three strategic themes

– Propose projects that build on each other and ultimately result in Propose projects that build on each other and ultimately result in changes in day to day practice of formal and informal caregivers changes in day to day practice of formal and informal caregivers and self-care with a community based strategy for dissemination and self-care with a community based strategy for dissemination

Research settingsResearch settings Ambulatory care settingsAmbulatory care settings Patient homesPatient homes Independent living centersIndependent living centers Residential careResidential care Transitions in care between settings described Transitions in care between settings described

above and inpatient settingsabove and inpatient settings

Privacy and SecurityPrivacy and Security

All applicants are required to describe how, in the All applicants are required to describe how, in the development and implementation of the interventions, development and implementation of the interventions, privacy and security issues related to the exchange of privacy and security issues related to the exchange of sensitive health information will be identified and sensitive health information will be identified and addressed.  addressed.  – Applicants should describe the resources and processes they will Applicants should describe the resources and processes they will

use to assure that these privacy and security concerns are being use to assure that these privacy and security concerns are being met throughout the project period.  These could include the met throughout the project period.  These could include the inclusion of participating patients in periodic reviews in order to inclusion of participating patients in periodic reviews in order to solicit their input and consultation with knowledgeable solicit their input and consultation with knowledgeable professionals over the course of the project, as well as a professionals over the course of the project, as well as a description of any existing privacy or security practices and description of any existing privacy or security practices and technology that will be incorporated into the project and reviewed technology that will be incorporated into the project and reviewed for compliance on a regular basis.for compliance on a regular basis.

– See the FOA for additional informationSee the FOA for additional information

Funding considerationsFunding considerations

Scientific merit of the proposed project as Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review determined by peer review

Availability of fundsAvailability of funds Responsiveness to goals and objectives of Responsiveness to goals and objectives of

the FOAthe FOA Relevance to program prioritiesRelevance to program priorities Programmatic balance among the ASQ Programmatic balance among the ASQ

initiative projectsinitiative projects Portfolio balance within AHRQ and DHHS Portfolio balance within AHRQ and DHHS

patient safety and health IT activitiespatient safety and health IT activities

Review CriteriaReview Criteria

Significance and impact Significance and impact Approach Approach InnovationInnovation Investigators and Partnerships Investigators and Partnerships Environment Environment Additional considerationsAdditional considerations

– Degree of responsivenessDegree of responsiveness– BudgetBudget– Privacy and Security Protections for PatientsPrivacy and Security Protections for Patients– Protection of Human Subjects from Research RiskProtection of Human Subjects from Research Risk– Inclusion of priority populationsInclusion of priority populations– TranslationTranslation

Mechanism of Support & Mechanism of Support & Funds AvailableFunds Available

P50 Specialized Center grant mechanism Up to $2 million available in FY 2010Up to $2 million available in FY 2010 Projects may be up to 5 years with $10 million Projects may be up to 5 years with $10 million

total cost ceiling and no more than $2,000,000 total cost ceiling and no more than $2,000,000 allowed in any single yearallowed in any single year

Anticipated 1 awardAnticipated 1 award Budget requests that exceed these limits will Budget requests that exceed these limits will

be returned without reviewbe returned without review

BudgetsBudgets

Applicants must use a detailed budget Applicants must use a detailed budget format  format  

Budgets must be structured as to allow Budgets must be structured as to allow for review of a discrete budget for the for review of a discrete budget for the Center infrastructure and each major Center infrastructure and each major project.  project. 

PHS 398PHS 398

All applications must be prepared using All applications must be prepared using the new PHS 398 formthe new PHS 398 form

Appendix materials must be on CD onlyAppendix materials must be on CD only New form PHS 398 and instructions are New form PHS 398 and instructions are

available at: available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htmhttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm

Eligible InstitutionsEligible Institutions

You may submit an application if your organization is a:You may submit an application if your organization is a: – Public or non-profit private institution Public or non-profit private institution

including non-profit health care organizations, universities, colleges, and including non-profit health care organizations, universities, colleges, and faith-based or community-based organizations faith-based or community-based organizations

– Unit of local or State government or eligible agency of the Federal Unit of local or State government or eligible agency of the Federal government government

– Indian/Native American Tribal Government or Tribally Designated Indian/Native American Tribal Government or Tribally Designated Organization Organization

For profit organizations are not eligible to lead For profit organizations are not eligible to lead applicationsapplications– For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of

consortia or as subcontractorsconsortia or as subcontractors– For-profit organizations that produce health IT systems are encouraged For-profit organizations that produce health IT systems are encouraged

to apply in partnership with a non-profit organizationto apply in partnership with a non-profit organization

Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply  Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply  – Foreign institutions may participate in projects as members of consortia Foreign institutions may participate in projects as members of consortia

or as subcontractorsor as subcontractors

Principal Investigator (PI)Principal Investigator (PI)

The PI should be an experienced senior level individual Because of the nature of the project, expertise in evaluation

is also a critical need that can be met through the requisite experience of the PI or another member of the project team.  

PI should devote a considerable portion of time to the project. If less than 25% time will be devoted, the application must include an explicit justification.

Individuals from underserved racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to serve as PI.

Applications should describe PI responsibilities and background.

 

Key DatesKey Dates

Release Date: December 17, 2009 Letter of Intent Receipt Date: February 25,

2010 Application Submission Date: March 25,

2010 Peer Review Date: June 2010 Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September

2010

Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions

Can there be Co-PIs?Can there be Co-PIs?

No.No.– AHRQ requires that the lead institution AHRQ requires that the lead institution

designate one and only one individual as designate one and only one individual as the project’s principal investigator. the project’s principal investigator.

– Projects may have co-investigatorsProjects may have co-investigators

How much detail should the How much detail should the letter of intent (LOI) include?letter of intent (LOI) include?

The LOI is to allow AHRQ staff to estimate the The LOI is to allow AHRQ staff to estimate the potential peer review workload and plan the reviewpotential peer review workload and plan the review

AHRQ will not provide feedback on the LOI.AHRQ will not provide feedback on the LOI. Content should include:Content should include:

– an acknowledgement of interest in this funding opportunityan acknowledgement of interest in this funding opportunity– a few comments on the subject of the proposed researcha few comments on the subject of the proposed research– background expertise of key personnelbackground expertise of key personnel

– the nature and role of participating institutions the nature and role of participating institutions  This letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and This letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and

is not considered in the review of a subsequent is not considered in the review of a subsequent application.application.

Ground Rules for Open Ground Rules for Open ForumForum

The conference call operator will put you in a queue based on call order.

Please keep your questions brief. We will try to keep responses brief. Questions that are very specific to a particular institution

or situation will not be addressed – these can be discussed individually with a Project Officer from AHRQ at a later time.

If you do not get an opportunity to ask a question, please e-mail your question to AgingFOA@ahrq.hhs.gov

AHRQ contactsAHRQ contacts

For additional technical assistance, please contact an AHRQ staff person who will be glad to provide technical assistance:

– Scientific/Research Issues: Robert Mayes: Robert.Mayes@ahrq.hhs.gov

– Peer Review Issues: Ying Tian: Ying.Tian@ahrq.hhs.gov

– Financial/Grant Management Issues: Al Deal: Al.Deal@ahrq.hhs.gov