Privacy Act Memo

DATE:

September 6, 2018

TO:

Dr. Alison Lin
Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)

FROM:

NIH Privacy Act Officer

SUBJECT: Applicability of the Privacy Act: NCI Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research
Experiences (iCURE) Applications
I have reviewed the NCI submission to the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork
Reduction Act which proposes to collect personally identifiable information via applications and
reference letter to help evaluate the merits of candidates and their potential match for the iCURE
program. Specifically, the information will be used to assure that prospective trainees to the iCURE
program meet basic eligibility requirements, assess their potential as future scientists, determine where
mutual research interests exist, and make decisions regarding which applicants will be recommended
and approved for the iCURE awards.
The iCURE applications will collect information on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and
socioeconomic status to help assess the effectiveness of the iCURE program in reaching its primary
goal of enhancing diversity of the NCI intramural research community. This information will be used
solely to help evaluate the outcomes of the iCURE program and identify gaps to be addressed.
Applicants voluntarily submit their information to CRCHD by email. Information collected is only
made available through encrypted emails or folders with restricted access to NIH account holders who
are NCI or NIH scientific and program officials who recommend or approve fellowship awards and to
administrative, human resources, and financial officials who prepare the necessary documentation to
arrange for stipend payments and to activate the approved awards. These authorized individuals will
access their emails or folders with restricted access through NIH credentials. The applications,
including the applicant data, are stored on government-issued desktop computers and information
systems that are protected at all entry points by firewalls and intrusion detection devices.
I have determined that the Privacy Act will apply to this information collection request and is covered
by NIH Privacy Act System of Records 09-25-0014, “Clinical Research: Student Records.” If you
have any questions, please contact my office at (301) 402-6201.

Celeste Dade-Vinson
NIH Privacy Act Officer
Attachment
cc: Vivian Horovitch-Kelley, NCI