Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program.

(1)(a) There is created within the Department of Health the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to advance the progress of research and cures for pediatric rare diseases by awarding grants through a competitive, peer-reviewed process.

(b) Subject to an annual appropriation by the Legislature, the program shall award grants for scientific and clinical research to further the search for new diagnostics, treatments, and cures for pediatric rare diseases.

(2)(a) Applications for grants for pediatric rare disease research may be submitted by any university or established research institute in the state. All qualified investigators in the state, regardless of institutional affiliation, shall have equal access and opportunity to compete for the research funding. Preference may be given to grant proposals that foster collaboration among institutions, researchers, and community practitioners, as such proposals support the advancement of treatments and cures of pediatric rare diseases through basic or applied research. Grants shall be awarded by the department, after consultation with the Rare Disease Advisory Council, pursuant to s. 381.99, on the basis of scientific merit, as determined by the competitive, peer-reviewed process to ensure objectivity, consistency, and high quality. The following types of applications may be considered for funding:

1. Investigator-initiated research grants.

2. Institutional research grants.

3. Collaborative research grants, including those that advance the finding of treatment and cures through basic or applied research.

(b) To ensure appropriate and fair evaluation of grant applications based on scientific merit, the department shall appoint peer review panels of independent, scientifically qualified individuals to review the scientific merit of each proposal and establish its priority score. The priority scores shall be forwarded to the council and must be considered in determining which proposals shall be recommended for funding.

(c) The council and the peer review panels shall establish and follow rigorous guidelines for ethical conduct and adhere to a strict policy with regard to conflicts of interest. A member of the council or panel may not participate in any discussion or decision of the council or panel with respect to a research proposal by any firm, entity, or agency that the member is associated with as a member of the governing body or as an employee or with which the member has entered into a contractual arrangement.

(d) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, the balance of any appropriation from the General Revenue Fund for the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program that is not disbursed but that is obligated pursuant to contract or committed to be expended by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are appropriated may be carried forward for up to 5 years after the effective date of the original appropriation.