Grants are awarded to eligible applicant organizations for projects to strengthen and enhance the capacity for nurse education, practice and retention to address the nursing shortage.

There are three major priority areas (Education, Practice and Retention) and nine purposes associated with the

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three priority areas.

Applicants must select and focus on one of these nine purposes in the grant application.

The education priority areas are: Purpose E1) expanding enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs; Purpose E2) developing and implementing internship and residency programs to encourage mentoring and the development of specialties; Purpose E3) providing education in new technologies, including distance learning methodologies.

The practice priority areas are: Purpose P1) establishing or expanding nursing practice arrangements in non-institutional settings to demonstrate methods to improve access to primary health care in medically underserved communities; Purpose P2) providing care for underserved populations and other high-risk groups such as the elderly, individuals with HIV/AIDS, substance abusers, the homeless, and victims of domestic violence; Purpose P3) providing managed care, quality improvement, and other skills needed to practice in existing and emerging organized health care systems; Purpose P4) developing cultural competencies among nurses.

The retention priority areas are: Purpose R1) career ladder bridge programs which promote career advancement for nursing personnel and registered nurses and; Purpose R2) enhancing patient care delivery systems through improving the retention of nurses and enhancing patient care.

Faculty Development: Integrated Technology into Nursing Education and Practice Initiative (Faculty Development: ITNEP).

The Health Resources and Services Administrations (HRSA) Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), in partnership with the Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT), will administer the ITNEP.

The purpose of this initiative is to provide support to nursing collaboratives for faculty development in the use of information and other technologies in order to expand the capacity of collegiate schools of nursing to educate students for 21st century health care practice.

Nursing collaboratives will use healthcare information systems to enhance nursing education and practice, optimize patient safety, and drive improvements in health care quality.

For this initiative, use of information and other technologies in nursing education and practice, includes, but is not limited to, informatics, telehealth, mannequin-based and patient simulators, computer-based instructions, virtual simulation, interactive simulated case studies, advanced 3D graphics, e-Learning technology, and other simulated or virtual methods to enhance nursing education and practice.

Since no institution or organization currently offers the full spectrum of information and other technologies necessary to carry out this initiative, the nursing collaboratives must develop linkages and partnerships to undertake this initiative.

Program provides support to strengthen capacity for nurse education and practice under three priority areas: Education, Practice and Retention. Program supports academic, service and continuing education projects to strengthen the nursing workforce and improve nurse retention and quality of patient care. In FY07, 95 non-competing continuations and 39 new awards will be issued. It is estimated that 91 non-competing continuations and 28 new awards will be issued in FY08. ITNEP: In FY 07, 2 new projects and 2 non-competing continuation projects were funded. In FY 08 2 new projects and 4 non-competing continuation projects were funded. In FY 09 projected 2 new projects and 6 non competing continuation projects.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used for salaries of personnel specifically employed for the project; consultant fees; supplies and equipment necessary to conduct the project; essential travel expenses and student stipends or scholarships; and other expenses related to the project.

Restricted Uses: Indirect costs are allowed for administrative costs incurred as a result of the project, limited to 8 percent of direct costs exclusive of equipment and tuition and fees.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants are: accredited schools of nursing, health care facilities, or a partnership of such a school and a health care facility, nursing centers, academic health centers, State or local governments, an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, other public or private non-profit entities including faith-based and community organizations, and for-profit entities capable of carrying out the legislative purpose.

For the E1 purpose that focuses on expanding enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs, the only eligible applicant organizations are collegiate accredited school of nursing.

Schools of nursing must be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.

(NLNAC), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and Department of Education deemed State Agencies to be considered eligible applicants.

ITNEP: Eligible applicants are collegiate schools of nursing capable of carrying out the initiative's purposes.

Eligible applicants must provide evidence that they have the capacity and infrastructure in place to carry out the program goals and objectives.

Eligible applicants must provide a formal written agreement (See Program Definitions) demonstrating a collaboration with one or more academic health centers, schools of nursing, accredited public or private institutions of higher learning, or other public or private entities capable of carrying out the program goals and objectives.

The roles and responsibilities of the collective partnership and of each partner must be clearly delineated.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Accredited public and nonprofit private schools of nursing and other public or nonprofit private entities.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants should review the individual HRSA Guidance documents issued under this CFDA program for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Grant applications and required forms for this program can be obtained from Grants.gov. Please visit the Grants.gov Web site at www.grants.gov to both find and apply for all Federal grant opportunities. All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee which will make funding recommendations to the Associate Administrator for the Bureau of Health Professions. The Associate Administrator has the authority to make final selections for awards.

Award Procedures

Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Grant Award.

Deadlines

www.hrsa.gov .

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Title VIII, Section 831, 42 U.S.C. 296p, as amended; Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-205.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 6 months after receipt of applications.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Competing continuation applications may be submitted for continuance of a grant beyond the initial project period. A competing continuation application shall be submitted during the beginning of the third year of the initial project period. The submission date is the same for new applications and competing continuation applications. These applications are reviewed in the same manner and at the same time as new competing applications.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Competing and competing continuation grant applications are submitted for three (3) years of support, except for the following two legislative purposes: (1) establishing or expanding nurse practice arrangements and (2) enhancing patient care delivery systems which are for five years of support.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

A Uniform Progress Report (UPR) and Comprehensive Performance Management System (CPMS) Report must be submitted annually.

A Financial Status Report (FSR) must be submitted within 90 days after the end of each budget period.

Final progress and financial reports must be submitted within 90 days after the end of the project period.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

All records must be maintained until expiration of 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions remain following the 3-uear period, such as those raised as a result of an audit or an on-going enforcement action, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obigations

FY 07 $35,343,422; FY 08 $34,562,453; and FY 09 est $34,000,000. ITNEP: FY 07 $1,200,000 (2 competing and 2 non-competing awards); FY 08 est $1,800,000 (2 competing and 4 non-competing awards); and FY 09 est $2,400,000 (2 new competing and 6 non-competing awards).

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$14,780 - $564,280; $250,000. ITNEP: $295,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Dr. Janice Young, CAPT Catherine Rupinta and CDR Daniel Reed, Division of Nursing, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9-36, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-6193. ITNEP: Capt. Young Song, Sr. Program Management Officer, Division of Nursing, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane Room 8C-26, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-443-6333, Fax: 301-443-0791.

Headquarters Office

Grants Management Office: Rick Goodman, Director, Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-16. Health Services Branch; Telephone: (301) 443-2385; Research and Training Branch; Telephone: (301) 443-3099; Government and Special Focus Branch; Telephone: (301) 443-3288.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The purpose of the project must be consistent with and promote the activities identified in the law. Need must be documented, and the capability for achieving project goals must be described. In making awards of grants under this section, preference will be given to any qualified applicant with a project that will substantially benefit rural or underserved populations, or help meet public health nursing needs in State in local health departments. This preference will only be applied to applications that rank above the 20th percentile of applications recommended for approval.