Worker Training Program
General
1. Question: Does the project have to cross multiple states to apply for the optional components? For example, our HWWT and HDPT components cross states. Could the ECWTP primary training center be in one state, and supportive training could be conducted in another?
NIEHS Response: You must have multiple states in each of those program components. We are a national/regional training program. You must have at least two states where you are doing training in each of the components.
2. Question: We were planning to train trainers in one state to conduct participant training. Participants would be trained solely in another state. To confirm, if staff at a training site are trained in one state, and the direct participant training is in another state, it does not meet the requirements of the ECWTP component?
NIEHS Response: We have criteria that you have to do training in at least two states. We are a consortium-based program. So, if you are a program where you are only going to be doing training in one specific state, then that would not be appropriate for this particular funding opportunity. A model where, for example, a train-the-trainer is conducted in one state and those trained instructors conduct training in another state, would not be appropriate. We require that the full ECWTP student training occur in at least two states.
3. Question: Do we submit Other Support for all people listed as Senior/Key Personnel?
NIEHS Response: If we get to a point of a funding decision and Just-in-Time is requested, then Other Support will be required for all Senior/Key Personnel.
4. Question: The NOFO states: ‘For individuals who will not be Senior/Key Personnel, document the faculty members' relevant experience and training in appropriate adult education techniques for worker health and safety.’ We will include a short description in the 12-page narrative, but cannot include detailed information on all instructors. Should a biosketch be provided as an attachment for each of the instructors/faculty?
NIEHS Response: Yes, you should include a short description in that narrative about the instructors and their expertise, and include as an attachment a biosketch of those individuals if you think they are key.
5. Question: Do the Key Personnel Forms have to be electronically signed?
NIEHS Response: If referring to the Other Support form during the application process, no. If the application is selected for funding, we will reach out for just-in-time information and ask for other support, and that document must be electronically signed.
6. Question: Does Other Support have to be included in the application, or is it in Just-in-Time only?
NIEHS Response: Just-in-Time only.
7. Question: Do all individuals listed as Key Personnel need to have an eRA Commons ID? Are subawards and/or consultants considered “Other Significant Contributors?” Does the Key Personnel eRA Commons login info apply to sub-awardee as well?
NIEHS Response: Yes, if you consider them Key Personnel, they will need an eRA Commons ID, whether they are in the lead organization or are a sub-grantee. Or – if that person has a significant role in your application where, if they were not there and they were not able to do the work, then the project could fail or have problems – then they are a significant contributor or key personnel and should be treated as such.
8. Question: I was unable to attend either the in-person or the online May 16th Q/A on the U45Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training NOFO informational meeting. I would like to request a copy of the Q/A from the meeting, as we are planning to submit a LOI for a proposal.
NIEHS Response: The questions and answers from the May 16th U45 Briefing are included in this list.
9. Question: What is a performance site? The last statement on the form refers to the site’s application. Most of our performance sites do not make an application. Ours is a train-the trainer model program. We do not pay member trainers to train. Do we include all 117 member organizations in 29 states and two territories that our grant serves?
NIEHS Response: A performance site is the physical location where the training takes place. Include the most significant performance sites where the majority of the training will occur.
10. Question: We are not considering our instructors as key personnel, but we will be collecting their biosketches to add as an attachment to highlight their expertise and show how they add value to our program. Would this be considered a fellowship or non-fellowship?
NIEHS Response: It is neither. These grants are not fellowships. The instructors are part of the program and can have biosketches.
11. Question: In the NOFO for RFA-ES-24-001 – HWWT & HDPT, it states that applicants should show “examples of collaboration with DOE sites and contractors.” Is this correct, or is it a typo, as it states DOE sites and contractors?
NIEHS Response: No, DOE sites are not required for the HWWT or HDPTP. This was inadvertently listed.
12. Question: I wanted to confirm whether equipment is allowable under the open U45 grant.
NIEHS Response: Yes, equipment is allowed.
Program
1. Question: Who can we contact to have this presentation emailed electronically?
NIEHS Response: The presentation is posted on the current funding opportunities website at https://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/hazmat/funding/current_funding_opps
2. Question: I wanted to reach out and request the presentation link so that my team and I can review the material together and better prepare for this submission.
NIEHS Response: The presentation is posted on the current funding opportunities website at https://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/hazmat/funding/current_funding_opps
Budget
1. Question: 2 CFR 200 defines equipment as items costing over $10,000. Will NIH reflect that same definition?
NIEHS Response: NIH defines equipment as items over $5,000.
2. Question: F&A increased subaward cover to $50K under 2 CFR 200. Will NIH reflect that same definition?
NIEHS Response: NIH uses the threshold of $25,000.
3. Question: For the component budgets, is there a minimum number of subaward budgets to be part of the component budget? Is there guidance on how to determine if a partner requires a subaward budget?
NIEHS Response: The UH4 awards are single component awards. There is no minimum or maximum number suggested for subawards – it must be reasonable and necessary.
4. Question: Can you re-explain the process for creating a budget that includes escalators for salaries and fringe? I don’t recall if using budget escalators is ineligible or recommended. We anticipate an increase in salaries over the five-year project period, and we want our budget to be as accurate as possible.
NIEHS Response: An applicant may request escalation in salary support based on the organization’s policies. However, NIH does not award escalation at this time, so any requests for escalation will be removed at the time of award.
5. Question: It was noted that $700K may be requested year 1, but it was unclear for subsequent years the amount allowed, e.g., for a 2–3-year proposed training project.
NIEHS Response: For new applicants, the request may be up to $700K direct costs for each year. New recipients will be held to the $700K direct threshold for the first five years. It is up to the applicant if they prefer to only ask for funding for a portion of the five years.
Review
1. Question: In ASSIST under OVERALL, for Type of Application, we can select New, Resubmission, Renewal, Continuation, Revision. If we are a current awardee, what should we select?
NIEHS Response: If you are an awardee of the NOFO and corresponding mechanism, the type would be a Renewal.
2. Question: Sharon indicated the Specific Aims section is part of the 12-page Research Strategy section. However, it is a separate section in ASSIST and has always been a stand-alone piece up to one page. The Research Strategy has always been a 12-page maximum. So, we would like clarification.
NIEHS Response: You will have a maximum of one page for your Specific Aims, and that should not be part of the 12 Research Strategy pages. It is one page for the Specific Aims and/or one page for resubmission, and then followed by 12 pages for Research Strategy. Always check for specific information on this within the NOFO Section IV.
3. Question: Is the ‘Progress Report/Compliance with Terms of Prior Award(s)’ included in the 12-page limit for each component narrative?
NIEHS Response: That is correct, along with the other criteria: Background and Significance; Prior Experience; Administration, Staff, and Advisory Board; Target Populations; and Training Plan.
4. Question: ‘Ongoing Program Initiatives’ is listed in the section under HWWTP Specific Goals and Objectives. Does that mean the topics listed (extreme weather events; current and emerging preparedness, response, and recovery efforts; and substance use and worker health) should be included only in the HWWTP component?
NIEHS Response: No, Program Initiatives apply for all the program components. You should be able to pick what is important to that particular program component.
5. Question: In our application, should we follow the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan or the draft 2024-2028 Strategic Plan?
NIEHS Response: Since the new 2024-2028 Strategic Plan is still being rolled out (draft) the 2018-2023 version is being extended and can be used.
6. Question: If we have had this U45 grant previously, are we considered a new application or a renewal? What is the font size limit? What margins are used?
NIEHS Response: It depends if you are in an NCE or if the previous grant award is still funded. If either of these is the case, then it’s a renewal. Otherwise, it is new. In terms of font size, you want to use at least 11 font and ½ margins (L/R & top and bottom).
7. Question: Can you confirm whether it’s still acceptable to submit biosketches for consortium members or contracted consultants who conduct trainings for us, but are not designated as key personnel on the award notifications? We’ve always done this in the past to highlight our members’ diversity, skills, education, and years of experience, etc., and just wanted to confirm that it’s still OK forth is proposal.
NIEHS Response: Yes, this is acceptable. Just be sure to conform to NIH policy for biosketches https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
8. Question: Please confirm if we are to use the guidelines in the following chart. There is no chart specifically for U45 grant opportunities. For R01, R03, R21, S10, U01, and all other applications, if no page limit is listed in the table below, in Section IV of the NOFO under Page Limitations, or in a related notice, can we assume the attachment does not have a limit? Page Limits | grants.nih.gov
NIEHS Response: Page limitations are noted under Section IV for the U45. See ES 24-001 or https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-24-001.html#:~:text=Page%20Limitations,Multi%2DComponent%20Applications
9. Question: It is our understanding that the Program Summary/Abstract is only for the Overall Component, and is NOT required for the HWWTP, HDPTP, and ECWTP components. Is this correct?
NIEHS Response: All components should have an Abstract/Project Summary. All MC applications, including U45s, have individual Summary/Abstract sections.
10. Question: It is our understanding that we do NOT provide citations in the footer of the 12-page narrative. Instead, citations are to be provided in the form of a bibliography as an attachment under the Research & Related Other Project Information section of PH398. This does not count towards the 12-page limit of each narrative. Is this correct?
NIEHS Response: This is correct, and the bibliography/references page does not go towards the 12-page limitation.
11. Question: For the HWWT and HDPT components, the Project Summary/Abstract for HWWT and HDPT is in the Research & Related Other Project information tab, not in the PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement tab. However, in ASSIST, the Project Summary/Abstract section is listed as required. Please clarify.
NIEHS Response: A Center (U45) component section should have an abstract/summary paragraph.