Attachment 3 Privacy Act Memo

DATE: February 5, 2014

TO: Julie Schneider, Program Director

Center for Global Health, National Cancer Institute

FROM: NIH Privacy Act Officer

SUBJECT: Applicability of the Privacy Act: “Evaluation of NIH International Bilateral Programs”

I have reviewed the NCI submission to OMB to obtain approval of the above information collection. The purpose of the evaluation is to advance global biomedical research, build expertise and leverage resources across international borders, to reduce deaths worldwide. These bilateral programs require U.S. scientists and scientists from other countries to propose and establish collaborations to conduct high quality research of mutual interest and benefit to both countries while developing the basis for future institutional and individual scientific collaborations. By collaborating internationally, U.S. researchers gain access to unique populations, can test drugs and devices where the burden of disease is most prevalent, benefit from other countries’ biomedical research investments, work with outstanding investigators, and study how to apply the low cost, yet effective solutions to problems abroad in order to address some health care needs in the U.S.

The targeted audience will include Principal Investigators of bilateral awards who receive funding from NIH. The personally identifiable information collected via the survey tool will include grantee name, affiliated institution, publications and training activities. Award accomplishments, unique scientific findings or opportunities, successes and challenges of the collaborations, as well as descriptions of plans to continue collaboration will also be collected.

Personal information will not be shared outside of those with a valid business need to access the information. Physical copies will be secured in storage areas and electronic information will be stored on password-protected Government computers and NIH servers. Future publications will include an analysis of anonymized or aggregated data.

I have determined that the Privacy Act will apply to this data collection because personal identifies are collected and used to retrieve information about individuals. The data collection is covered by NIH Privacy Act Systems of Record 09-25-0036, “Extramural Awards and Chartered Advisory Committees (IMPAC 2), Contract Information (DCIS), and Cooperative Agreement Information, HHS/NIH”.

If you have any questions, please contact my office at (301) 402-6201.

Karen M. Plá

cc: NCI OMB PRA Liaison