NLM and NIH recognize that it is critical to establish relationships with organizations that encourage and foster communication and information access in local communities and with different segments of the population. It is of particular interest to ensure that the government is meeting the needs of minorities and underserved communities.

Despite its tremendous potential, many members of minority communities do not have access to electronic information resources. NLM is interested in supporting projects to assist in improving this situation.

The primary purpose of these outreach projects is to design local programs for improving information access for health consumers (general public). Emphasis is on providing information or access to health and medical information in a way meaningful to the target community.

Projects must involve one or more of the following information access categories:

• Electronic Information Access: To provide or improve access to electronic health information resources by the organization, by the clients they serve, or the public. This may include the purchase of computers, telecommunications, Internet access, or other related hardware or software.
• Skills Development: Training to develop skills in accessing or using electronic health or medical information including using online databases and web-based health information resources in order to improve services and benefits to the community. This may include, for example, training for the staff of the agency, development of training programs for clients and patrons, training programs for other agencies, or training programs for the general public.
• Resource Development: To support an organization to meet the needs of their clients or their communities by developing specific educational or informational materials or information resources such as those that are culturally or language specific or of local need.
• Document Access: Access to health or medical documents and other types of materials. e.g., development of connections with local health sciences libraries to obtain use of their collections, to procure interlibrary loan services, or to develop local appropriate collections of materials when other alternatives are not available or accessible.