Privacy Act Memo

DATE:

May 2, 2022

TO:

Lindsey Friend, Ph.D.
Research Training Program Officer,
International Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

FROM:

NIH Privacy Act Officer

SUBJECT: Applicability of the Privacy Act: International Research Fellowship Award Program
I have reviewed the National Institute on Drug Abuse submission to OMB referenced above. The data
collection involves the use of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) International Program’s
fellowship application form which permits foreign nationals to apply for training and research opportunities in
an international fellowship program. The program will train new researchers and support experienced
researchers to advance addiction science while fostering multinational research in this disease area.
All application forms being used by the NIDA were developed in-house and will be hosted on the NIDA
website. Applicants are provided a link to the application site and enter their information that conform to
standards used by the NIH. Applicants only have access to their own applications. Internal access is limited
to NIH science and program officials who recommend or approve awards and administrative, human
resources and financial officials who prepare the necessary documentation to arrange for stipend payments
and activate, renew, and terminate approved awards. The collected information is used to validate the
applicant’s eligibility and qualifications, indicate their potential as future scientists, determine where mutual
research interests exist, and enable decision-making. The information is also used by the NIDA for strategic
planning, performance analysis, and to provide reports to Congress, if needed.
I have determined that the Privacy Act will apply to this data collection, which includes the collection of
personally identifiable information (PII) such as name, birth year, citizenship, contact information,
educational/employment history and other identifiers that will be stored in a record system designed to be
retrieved by a personal identifier.
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 questions, please contact me at (301) 402-6469.

Dustin B.
Close -S

Digitally signed by
Dustin B. Close -S
Date: 2022.05.02
10:40:57 -04'00'

Dustin Close
NIH Privacy Act Officer
cc: Chris Squiers