This announcement solicits applications for the Black Lung Clinics Program (BLCP).  BLCP’s primary goal is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with occupationally-related coal mine dust lung disease (CMDLD)[1] through the provision of medical, outreach, educational, and benefits counseling services. [1] CMDLD is used here to refer to a spectrum of lung diseases caused by inhaling coal mine dust that includes coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, silicosis, dust-related diffuse fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  See, e.g., Petsonk et al (2013), “Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease: New Lessons from an Old Exposure,” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 187(11), pp. 1178-1184.

Any state, public, or private entity may apply for this funding opportunity, assuming they meet the requirements of the Black Lung Clinics Program.  This includes faith-based and community-based organizations as well as federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations. Applicant organizations that are federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations are eligible to apply if all proposed grant activities are to be conducted within federally recognized tribal areas.  Documentation of federally recognized tribal status must be included for this consideration (Attachment 1). The requirements of this announcement may be met by a state or a single entity or consortium within a state. In addition to the 50 states and the District of Columbia, applicants can be located in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Territories of the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Compact Free Association Jurisdictions of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia, if they meet the eligibility requirements. Foreign entities are not eligible for HRSA awards, unless the authorizing legislation specifically authorizes awards to foreign entities or the award is for research.  This exception does not extend to research training awards or construction of research facilities.

Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Blacklung@hrsa.gov