Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Comments and Suggestions on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research, 69335-69336 [2020-24202]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 212 / Monday, November 2, 2020 / Notices and populations, with a focus on racial and ethnic minorities. This award will provide training and technical assistance to approximately 350 HRSAfunded health centers serving approximately one million patients with the greatest opportunities to improve blood pressure control. Through a separate funding opportunity, HRSA anticipates providing funding to these 350 health centers to support their participation in the National Hypertension Control Initiative (HTN Initiative). Amount of Awards: Approximately $32M ($17.5M OMH, $14.5M HRSA) for a project period of up to 3 years. The possible project total, including approximately $60M from HRSA to health centers, is approximately $92M ($17.5M OMH and $74.5M HRSA) and is subject to availability of funding and satisfactory performance. Project Period: November 17, 2020– November 16, 2023. This three-year HTN Initiative aligns with: (1) HHS’ Strategic Plan goal to protect the health of Americans where they live, learn, work, and play (https:// www.hhs.gov/about/strategic-plan/ overview/#overview); (2) the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities goal of advancing the health, safety and wellbeing of the American People (https:// www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/files/ Plans/HHS/HHS_Plan_complete.pdf); (3) the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Hypertension Control (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/ 10/07/surgeon-general-releases-call-toaction-on-hypertension-control.html); (4) OMH’s overarching goal of supporting the sustainability and dissemination of health equity promoting policies, programs and practices and OMH’s identification of hypertension as a clinical focus area (https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/ omh/browse.aspx?lvl=1&lvlid=1); and (5) HRSA’s strategic goal to achieve health equity and enhance population health (https://www.hrsa.gov/about/ strategic-plan/) and HRSA’s annual collection of data on health center patients with controlled hypertension (Uniform Data System (UDS) Health Outcomes and Disparities Table, https://bphc.hrsa.gov/sites/ default/files/bphc/datareporting/pdf/ 2020UDSTables.pdf). The primary purpose of the HTN Initiative is to establish a nationwide approach for improving health outcomes related to COVID–19 by addressing hypertension as a key risk factor for racial and ethnic minorities, American Indians/Alaska Natives and other vulnerable populations. This VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:55 Oct 30, 2020 Jkt 253001 initiative will build partnerships and develop relationships within a national scope to support work with HRSAfunded health centers to: • Improve health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority, American Indian/ Alaska Native and other vulnerable populations with hypertension, including individuals with undiagnosed hypertension and pregnant and postpartum women; • Increase the use of advanced selfmeasured blood pressure technology; • Increase awareness of health programs and community services for the target population; and • Increase patient and provider education and training. OMH performed an objective review of the unsolicited proposal from the American Heart Association with subject matter assistance from HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care and external and internal proposal assessments. Based on this review, OMH determined that the proposal has merit. OMH funding will support the Community Outreach and Integration, Patient and Public Education, and Evaluation components of the project. HRSA funding will support the Healthcare Organizations and Healthcare Provider Training, and the Patient and Public Education components of the project. As the nation’s largest voluntary health organization and author of the national guidelines for cardiovascular risk factor prevention, AHA is uniquely positioned to implement this national initiative to address the acute need to improve COVID-related health outcomes for highly impacted racial and ethnic minorities by addressing hypertension as a key risk factor. Reducing this preventable and most prominent threat to our nation’s health through clinical guideline and evidence-based intervention is a top organizational priority for AHA, particularly among underserved communities of color that experience higher prevalence of this critical risk factor for the leading causes of death and chronic diseases, including COVID–19. This award is being made noncompetitively because there is no current, pending, or planned funding opportunity announcement under which this proposal could compete. As the Administration continues its response to the COVID–19 pandemic, addressing the related health disparities among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native populations is an urgent challenge for HHS. Not awarding the HTN Initiative as a single source award will delay HHS’ capacity to expand health center PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69335 access to public health education, outreach, engagement and treatment services tailored to improve COVID–19 outcomes by addressing hypertension as a key risk factor for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Delays in the award could contribute to higher rates of ‘‘excess deaths’’ as defined by the CDC among the populations of focus for the HTN Initiative (https://www.cdc.gov/ nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/excess_ deaths.htm). Legislative Authority: Funding for OMH’s cooperative agreement award is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 300u–6, (Section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act). Funding for HRSA’s cooperative agreement award, which also will be administered by OMH under an interagency agreement, is authorized under Section 330(l) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(l)). Dated: October 27, 2020. Felicia Collins, RADM, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health. [FR Doc. 2020–24150 Filed 10–30–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Comments and Suggestions on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID–19 Research AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS. ACTION: Notice. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to gather broad public input on the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID–19 Research. Because of the urgency and evolving nature of the pandemic, NIH intends this plan to be a living document, which will be continually updated to reflect new challenges presented by COVID–19. To ensure that it remains in step with public needs, this RFI invites stakeholders throughout the scientific research, advocacy, and clinical practice communities, as well as the general public to comment on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID–19 Research. Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit a single response that reflects the views of their organization and their membership as a whole. DATES: This RFI is open for public comment for a period of five weeks. Comments must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. (ET) on December 7, 2020 to ensure consideration. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM 02NON1 69336 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 212 / Monday, November 2, 2020 / Notices All comments must be submitted electronically on the submission website, available at: https://rfi.grants.nih.gov/ ?s=5f91a3efdb70000018003362. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct all inquiries to: Beth Walsh, nihstrategicplan@od.nih.gov, 301–496–4000. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Urgent public health measures are needed to control the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS–CoV–2) and the disease it causes, coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID–19. Scientific research to improve basic understanding of SARS–CoV–2 and COVID–19, and to develop the necessary tools and approaches to better prevent, diagnose, and treat this disease is of paramount importance. The NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID–19 Research (available at: https://www.nih.gov/researchtraining/medical-research-initiatives/ nih-wide-strategic-plan-covid-19research), released on July 13, 2020, provides a framework for achieving this goal. It describes how NIH is rapidly mobilizing diverse stakeholders, including the biomedical research community, industry, and philanthropic organizations, through new programs and existing resources, to lead a swift, coordinated research response to this global pandemic. The plan outlines how NIH is implementing five Priorities, guided by three Crosscutting Strategies: jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Priorities • Priority 1: Improve Fundamental Knowledge of SARS–CoV–2 and COVID–19 Æ Objective 1.1: Advance fundamental research for SARS– CoV–2 and COVID–19 Æ Objective 1.2: Support research to develop preclinical models of SARS–CoV–2 infection and COVID–19 Æ Objective 1.3: Advance the understanding of SARS–CoV–2 transmission and COVID–19 dynamics at the population level Æ Objective 1.4: Understand COVID– 19 disease progression, recovery, and psychosocial and behavioral health consequences • Priority 2: Advance Detection and Diagnosis of COVID–19 Æ Objective 2.1: Support research to develop and validate new diagnostic technologies Æ Objective 2.2: Retool existing diagnostics for detection of SARSCoV–2 Æ Objective 2.3: Support research to develop and validate serological VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:55 Oct 30, 2020 Jkt 253001 assays • Priority 3: Advance the Treatment of COVID–19 Æ Objective 3.1: Identify and develop new or repurposed treatments for SARS–CoV–2 Æ Objective 3.2: Evaluate new, repurposed, or existing treatments and treatment strategies for COVID– 19 Æ Objective 3.3: Investigate strategies for access to and implementation of COVID–19 treatments • Priority 4: Improve Prevention of SARS–CoV–2 Infection Æ Objective 4.1: Develop novel vaccines for the prevention of COVID–19 Æ Objective 4.2: Develop and study other methods to prevent SARS– CoV–2 transmission Æ Objective 4.3: Develop effective implementation models for preventive measures • Priority 5: Prevent and Redress Poor COVID–19 Outcomes in Health Disparity and Vulnerable Populations Æ Objective 5.1: Understand and address COVID–19 as it relates to health disparities and COVID–19— vulnerable populations in the United States Æ Objective 5.2: Understand and address COVID–19 maternal health and pregnancy outcomes Æ Objective 5.3: Understand and address age-specific factors in COVID–19 Æ Objective 5.4: Address global health research needs from COVID–19 Crosscutting Strategies • Partnering to promote collaborative science Æ Leverage existing NIH-funded global research networks and private sector, public, and nonprofit relationships Æ Coordinate with Federal partners Æ Establish new public-private partnerships • Supporting the research workforce and infrastructure Æ Conduct research to elucidate how COVID–19 impacts the scientific workforce Æ Provide research resources Æ Leverage intramural infrastructure to support extramural researchers Æ Conduct virtual peer review processes • Investing in data science Æ Create new data science resources and analytical tools Æ Develop shared metrics and terminologies • Significant research gaps or barriers not identified in the existing framework above; • Resources required or lacking or existing leverageable resources (e.g., existing partnerships, collaborations, or infrastructure) that could advance the strategic priorities; • Emerging scientific advances or techniques in basic, diagnostic, therapeutic, or vaccine research that may accelerate the research priorities detailed in the framework above; and • Additional ideas for bold, innovative research initiatives, processes, or data-driven approaches that could advance the response to COVID–19. NIH encourages organizations (e.g., patient advocacy groups, professional organizations) to submit a single response reflective of the views of the organization or membership as a whole. Responses to this RFI are voluntary and may be submitted anonymously. Please do not include any personally identifiable information or any information that you do not wish to make public. Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should not be included in your response. The Government will use the information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion. The Government reserves the right to use any submitted information on public websites, in reports, in summaries of the state of the science, in any possible resultant solicitation(s), grant(s), or cooperative agreement(s), or in the development of future funding opportunity announcements. This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and is not a solicitation for applications or an obligation on the part of the Government to provide support for any ideas identified in response to it. Please note that the Government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for use of that information. We look forward to your input and hope that you will share this RFI opportunity with your colleagues. Dated: October 27, 2020. Lawrence A. Tabak, Principal Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. 2020–24202 Filed 10–30–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P NIH seeks comments on any or all of, but not limited to, the following topics: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM 02NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 212 (Monday, November 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69335-69336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24202]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Comments and Suggestions 
on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to gather broad 
public input on the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Wide Strategic 
Plan for COVID-19 Research. Because of the urgency and evolving nature 
of the pandemic, NIH intends this plan to be a living document, which 
will be continually updated to reflect new challenges presented by 
COVID-19. To ensure that it remains in step with public needs, this RFI 
invites stakeholders throughout the scientific research, advocacy, and 
clinical practice communities, as well as the general public to comment 
on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research. Organizations are 
strongly encouraged to submit a single response that reflects the views 
of their organization and their membership as a whole.

DATES: This RFI is open for public comment for a period of five weeks. 
Comments must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. (ET) on December 7, 2020 to 
ensure consideration.

[[Page 69336]]


ADDRESSES: All comments must be submitted electronically on the 
submission website, available at: https://rfi.grants.nih.gov/?s=5f91a3efdb70000018003362.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct all inquiries to: Beth 
Walsh, [email protected], 301-496-4000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Urgent public health measures are needed to 
control the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the 
disease it causes, coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19. Scientific 
research to improve basic understanding of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, and 
to develop the necessary tools and approaches to better prevent, 
diagnose, and treat this disease is of paramount importance. The NIH-
Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research (available at: https://www.nih.gov/research-training/medical-research-initiatives/nih-wide-strategic-plan-covid-19-research), released on July 13, 2020, provides 
a framework for achieving this goal. It describes how NIH is rapidly 
mobilizing diverse stakeholders, including the biomedical research 
community, industry, and philanthropic organizations, through new 
programs and existing resources, to lead a swift, coordinated research 
response to this global pandemic.
    The plan outlines how NIH is implementing five Priorities, guided 
by three Crosscutting Strategies:

Priorities

 Priority 1: Improve Fundamental Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and 
COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 1.1: Advance fundamental research for SARS-CoV-2 
and COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 1.2: Support research to develop preclinical models 
of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 1.3: Advance the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 
transmission and COVID-19 dynamics at the population level
    [cir] Objective 1.4: Understand COVID-19 disease progression, 
recovery, and psychosocial and behavioral health consequences
 Priority 2: Advance Detection and Diagnosis of COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 2.1: Support research to develop and validate new 
diagnostic technologies
    [cir] Objective 2.2: Retool existing diagnostics for detection of 
SARS-CoV-2
    [cir] Objective 2.3: Support research to develop and validate 
serological assays
 Priority 3: Advance the Treatment of COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 3.1: Identify and develop new or repurposed 
treatments for SARS-CoV-2
    [cir] Objective 3.2: Evaluate new, repurposed, or existing 
treatments and treatment strategies for COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 3.3: Investigate strategies for access to and 
implementation of COVID-19 treatments
 Priority 4: Improve Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
    [cir] Objective 4.1: Develop novel vaccines for the prevention of 
COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 4.2: Develop and study other methods to prevent 
SARS-CoV-2 transmission
    [cir] Objective 4.3: Develop effective implementation models for 
preventive measures
 Priority 5: Prevent and Redress Poor COVID-19 Outcomes in 
Health Disparity and Vulnerable Populations
    [cir] Objective 5.1: Understand and address COVID-19 as it relates 
to health disparities and COVID-19--vulnerable populations in the 
United States
    [cir] Objective 5.2: Understand and address COVID-19 maternal 
health and pregnancy outcomes
    [cir] Objective 5.3: Understand and address age-specific factors in 
COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 5.4: Address global health research needs from 
COVID-19

Crosscutting Strategies

 Partnering to promote collaborative science
    [cir] Leverage existing NIH-funded global research networks and 
private sector, public, and non-profit relationships
    [cir] Coordinate with Federal partners
    [cir] Establish new public-private partnerships
 Supporting the research workforce and infrastructure
    [cir] Conduct research to elucidate how COVID-19 impacts the 
scientific workforce
    [cir] Provide research resources
    [cir] Leverage intramural infrastructure to support extramural 
researchers
    [cir] Conduct virtual peer review processes
 Investing in data science
    [cir] Create new data science resources and analytical tools
    [cir] Develop shared metrics and terminologies

    NIH seeks comments on any or all of, but not limited to, the 
following topics:
     Significant research gaps or barriers not identified in 
the existing framework above;
     Resources required or lacking or existing leverageable 
resources (e.g., existing partnerships, collaborations, or 
infrastructure) that could advance the strategic priorities;
     Emerging scientific advances or techniques in basic, 
diagnostic, therapeutic, or vaccine research that may accelerate the 
research priorities detailed in the framework above; and
     Additional ideas for bold, innovative research 
initiatives, processes, or data-driven approaches that could advance 
the response to COVID-19.
    NIH encourages organizations (e.g., patient advocacy groups, 
professional organizations) to submit a single response reflective of 
the views of the organization or membership as a whole.
    Responses to this RFI are voluntary and may be submitted 
anonymously. Please do not include any personally identifiable 
information or any information that you do not wish to make public. 
Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should 
not be included in your response. The Government will use the 
information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion. The 
Government reserves the right to use any submitted information on 
public websites, in reports, in summaries of the state of the science, 
in any possible resultant solicitation(s), grant(s), or cooperative 
agreement(s), or in the development of future funding opportunity 
announcements. This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only 
and is not a solicitation for applications or an obligation on the part 
of the Government to provide support for any ideas identified in 
response to it. Please note that the Government will not pay for the 
preparation of any information submitted or for use of that 
information.
    We look forward to your input and hope that you will share this RFI 
opportunity with your colleagues.

    Dated: October 27, 2020.
Lawrence A. Tabak,
Principal Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2020-24202 Filed 10-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P
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