Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Funding
  3. FAQ: Integrated Substance Use Training Program (ISTP)

FAQ: Integrated Substance Use Training Program (ISTP)

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-21-087

Funding Amount

  1. What is the amount of funding available for the Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP)?

    HRSA estimates approximately $10,300,000 will be available to fund four (4) recipients.

    Note: All funds will be awarded the first year for use over the entire period of performance. The period of performance is July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026 (5 years).

Eligibility

  1. Are private practices eligible for this grant?

    Yes. Private practices are eligible for this grant, however, they would need to meet the definition of eligible entities on page on Page 5 of the funding opportunity (PDF - 555 KB).

  2. Would precepting new nurses qualify an outpatient center for the eligibility?

    No. Precepting new nurses would not qualify as an outpatient center. Refer to page 5 of the funding opportunity (PDF - 555 KB) for eligibility information.

  3. Does a ACGME accredited Teaching Health Center (THC) primary care program need to partner with a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, health service psychologist, and/or social worker training program?

    No. You would not need to partner with a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, health service psychologist, and/or social worker training program. Refer to page 9 of the funding opportunity (PDF - 555 KB) for program requirements.

Application Process

  1. Will HRSA-21-087 applications be submitted in EHB, Grants.gov, or both?

    All applications will need to be submitted through Grants.gov.

  2. Should the format of the narrative include each question written out with an answer to each individual answer or incorporate everything into paragraph form?

    No. You do not need to answer each question provided in the NOFO individually. It is highly recommended that you address the goal and purpose of the NOFO and the strategies used in attaining the goals and meeting the funding opportunity purposed. Please see Section VIII of the NOFO (PDF - 555 KB) for Tip for Writing a Strong Application.

  3. The link in the NOFO for a sample work plan does not work:

    Here is the link for the work plan template (PDF - 65 KB)

  4. Are there page limits for the applications?

    Yes. The application may not exceed 80 pages. Refer to page 8 of the funding opportunity (PDF - 555 KB) for application guidance.

Trainees and Training

  1. Are licensed counselors and eligible training discipline for the ISTP program?

    No. ISTP is for training of practicing professionals from the following disciplines:

    • Nurse practitioners
    • Physician assistants
    • Health Service Psychologists
    • Social Workers

    Other disciplines are not a focus of this program.

  2. Can you explain what is meant by “applicants must propose to plan, develop, and operate a 12 months full-time (24 months half-time) training program"?

    Trainees must be engaged full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, for one year in this training program. It is also acceptable for trainees to be engaged half-time, approximately 20 hours per week, for two years in this program.

  3. Would the entirety of the training program have to be MAT/SUD/OUD focused?

    Yes. The entire training program needs to be MAT/SUD/OUD focused.

    Note: Only the nurse practitioners and physician assistants are to be MAT waivered, since they have prescription privileges.

  4. What is the definition of a Teaching Health Center?

    Teaching Health Center (THC) means a community-based, ambulatory patient care center that operates a primary care residency program. It includes, but not limited to:

    • Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)
    • Rural health clinics
    • Health centers operated by the Indian Health Service (IHS), tribes or tribal organizations, or by urban Indian organizations
    • Entities receiving funds under Title X of the PHS Act (section 749A(f)(3) of the PHS Act [42 U.S.C. 293l-1])

Budget and Budget Justification

  1. Will support for clinical trainees be listed as personnel costs? I.e. if we are paying fellows directly, how do we list those costs?

    Yes. Support costs for professionals being trained should be included under training costs, in the ‘Other participants’ costs’ line. Details of this line item should be described in detail in the budget justification such as each trainee’s base salary, fringe, and the FTE they will be engaged in the training.

    Salaries and wages for non-participants (not trainees) should go in the administrative portion in the personnel section. Clear demarcation of funds between the training and administrative portions is required for this program.

  2. Do we need a separate budget form for each year?

    No. This project will be forward funded. Only one SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) budget form is required and must reflect a single budget period for the five (5) year project period. You must provide a budget justification with a total requested for each 12-month increment of activity for funding requested at the time of application.

  3. What training costs are allowed?

    Training Costs: Over the 5-year period of performance, no less than 50 percent of the total funding must be dedicated to costs for planning, developing, and operating a training program. Refer to page 19 of the funding opportunity (PDF - 555 KB) for more information on training costs.

  4. Will training costs for clinical trainees be listed as personnel costs? I.e. if we are paying fellows directly, how do we list those costs?

    Yes. All Training Costs are to be included under participant/trainee costs of the SF424 R&R line. Training Costs for salary and fringe should be place in the ‘Other’ cost line of this section.

    Note: Salary limitation applies. Per year details of all line items must be itemized with a justification and narrative description in the budget justification, such as each trainee’s base salary, fringe, and the FTE (full time or part time). Clear demarcation of funds between the training and administrative portions is required for this program.

  5. What is the salary limitation?

    No funds shall be used to pay the salary of an individual through a grant or other extramural mechanism. The rate must not be in excess of Executive Level II. Refer to page 20 of the funding opportunity (PDF - 555 KB) for more information.

  6. What is the indirect Cost Rate?

    Indirect costs under training awards are calculated, budgeted and reimbursed at 8 percent of modified total direct costs rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

    Direct cost amounts for equipment, tuition and fees, and subawards and subcontracts in excess of $25,000 are excluded from the direct cost base for purposes of this calculation.

Date Last Reviewed: