HRSA-22-054 HWRC_U81_ final.pdf

HRSA-22-054 i

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Bureau of Health Workforce

National Center for Health Workforce Analysis

Health Workforce Research Center Cooperative Agreement Program Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-22-054

Funding Opportunity Type(s): New, Competing Continuation Assistance Listings (AL/CFDA) Number: 93.300

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Fiscal Year 2022

Application Due Date: April 14, 2022 Ensure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and passwords are current immediately!

HRSA will not approve deadline extensions for lack of registration.

Registration in all systems may take up to 1 month to complete.

Issuance Date: January 14, 2022

Dr. Yahtyng Sheu, PhD Social Scientist, National Center for Health Workforce Analysis Telephone: (301) 443-1426 Email: YSheu@hrsa.gov

See Section VII for a complete list of agency contacts.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 300u-2 (Section 1703 of the Public Health Service Act): Public Health Workforce; 42 U.S.C. § 290bb-2, §290bb-22, §290bb-32 (Section 509, 516, 520A of the Public Health Service Act): Behavioral Health Workforce; 42 U.S.C. § 294n(c) (Section 761(c) of the Public Health Service Act): Health Equity in the Health Workforce, Allied Health Workforce, Long-Term Care Support and Services, Oral Health Workforce, Emerging Health Workforce Topics, and Technical Assistance).

mailto:YSheu@hrsa.gov

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508 COMPLIANCE DISCLAIMER

Note: Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, please email or call one of the HRSA staff listed in Section VII.

Agency Contacts.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Health Workforce Research Center (HWRC) Cooperative Agreement Program. The purpose of this program is to support and disseminate rigorous research that strengthens evidence-based policy and enhances understanding of issues and trends in the health workforce.

Pending available funding, HRSA anticipates that up to nine (9) HWRC cooperative agreements will be funded under this notice:

• One (1) HWRC will focus on the public health workforce. HRSA expects that this HWRC will be jointly funded by Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) and HRSA, and administered by HRSA.

• One (1) HWRC will focus on the behavioral health workforce. HRSA expects that this HWRC will be funded solely by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by HRSA.

• One (1) HWRC will focus on health equity in the health workforce. HRSA expects that this HWRC will be funded and administered solely by HRSA.

• One (1) HWRC will focus on the allied health workforce. HRSA expects that this HWRC will be funded and administered solely by HRSA.

• One (1) HWRC will focus on long-term care support and services. HRSA expects that this HWRC will be funded and administered solely by HRSA.

• One (1) HWRC will focus on the oral health workforce. HRSA expects that this HWRC will be funded and administered solely by HRSA.

• Two (2) HWRCs will focus on emerging health workforce topics. HRSA expects that these two HWRCs will be funded solely and administered by HRSA.

• One (1) technical assistance HWRC. HRSA expects that this HWRC will be funded solely and administered by HRSA.

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Funding Opportunity Title: Health Workforce Research Center Cooperative Agreement Program

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-22-054

Due Date for Applications: April 14, 2022

Anticipated Total Annual Available

FY 2022 Funding:

$4,950,000

Estimated Number and Type of Award(s): Up to nine (9) cooperative agreements

Estimated Annual Award Amount:

Behavioral Health Workforce, up to $900,000 per year; Public Health Workforce, up to $900,000 per year; All others, up to $450,000 per year

Subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Cost Sharing/Match Required: No

Period of Performance: September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2027 (5 years)

Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include: a State; a State workforce investment board; a public health or health professions school; an academic health center; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; or other public or private nonprofit entity. See Section III.1 of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for complete eligibility information.

Application Guide

You (the applicant organization/agency) are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide, available online at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf, except where instructed in this NOFO to do otherwise.

Technical Assistance HRSA will hold a pre-application technical assistance (TA) webinar for applicants seeking funding through this opportunity. The webinar will provide an overview of http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

HRSA-22-054 iv pertinent information in the NOFO and an opportunity for applicants to ask questions.

Visit the HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce’s open opportunities website at https://bhw.hrsa.gov/fundingopportunities/default.aspx to learn more about the resources available for this funding opportunity.

https://bhw.hrsa.gov/fundingopportunities/default.aspx

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Table of Contents

I. PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1. PURPOSE

2. BACKGROUND

II. AWARD INFORMATION

1. TYPE OF APPLICATION AND AWARD

2. SUMMARY OF FUNDING

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

2. COST SHARING/MATCHING

3. OTHER

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

i. Project Abstract

ii. Project Narrative

iii. Budget

iv. Budget Justification Narrative

v. Attachments

3. DUN AND BRADSTREET DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER TRANSITION

TO THE UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. REVIEW CRITERIA

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

3. ASSESSMENT OF RISK

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. AWARD NOTICES

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

3. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

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I. Program Funding Opportunity Description

1. Purpose

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Health Workforce Research Center (HWRC) Cooperative Agreement Program. Under this notice, applications are being sought for up to nine (9) separate HWRCs:

• One (1) HWRC focusing on the Public Health Workforce will be funded jointly by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) under Section 1703 (42 USC 300u-2) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act and by HRSA under 42 U.S.C. § 294n(c) (Section 761(c) of the PHS Act). The Public Health Workforce Research Center program will be administered by HRSA with guidance and direction given by both CDC and HRSA.

• One (1) HWRC focusing on the Behavioral Health Workforce will be solely funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under 42 U.S.C. §290bb-2, §290bb-22, §290bb-32 (Sections 509, 516, and 520A of the PHS Act). The Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center program will be administered by HRSA with guidance and direction given by both SAMHSA and HRSA.

• Seven (7) HWRCs focusing on Health Equity in the Health Workforce (1), Allied Health Workforce (1), Long-Term Care Support and Services (1), Oral Health Workforce (1), Emerging Health Workforce Topics (2), and Technical Assistance (TA) (1) will be funded and administered by HRSA under 42 U.S.C. § 294n(c) (Section 761(c) of the PHS Act).

Program Purpose

The purpose of the HWRC Cooperative Agreement Program is to support and disseminate rigorous and state-of-the-art applied research that strengthens evidence-based policy and enhances the Federal Government’s and the public’s understanding of issues and trends in the health workforce. In this way, the HWRC projects inform health workforce planning and policy at all levels.

Program Goals

The goals of this program are to:

• Collect, analyze, and disseminate health workforce program data to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis and to the public; and

• Provide TA to local and regional entities on the collection, analysis, and reporting of health workforce data.

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For more details, see Program Requirements and Expectations.

General Emergency Preparedness Statement

Eligible entities must be ready to continue programmatic activities in the event of a public health emergency – both those that are expected and unexpected. A training-focused emergency preparedness plan is critical for HRSA-funded projects and helps ensure that recipients are able to continue programmatic activities, can coordinate effectively, and can implement recovery plans when emergencies disrupt project activities. You must develop and maintain a flexible training-focused emergency preparedness plan in case of public health emergencies to ensure continuation of programmatic and training activities.

2. Background

The HWRC Cooperative Agreement Program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 294n(c) (PHS Act section 761(c)). This program provides funding to eligible entities for the purposes of conducting and disseminating research on health workforce topics related to the PHS Act’s Title VII programs. Findings from HWRC-funded projects help to inform health workforce educators, planners, and policy makers, as well as the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) within HRSA, and other audiences interested in health workforce issues.

The entire HWRC program will be implemented and managed by NCHWA. With funding provided by CDC to support the Public Health Workforce Research Center and by SAMHSA to support the Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center, CDC and SAMHSA are expected to participate in annual project selection process, participate in routine project meetings, and maintain regular contact with HRSA for their respective centers to ensure the research direction and projects align with agency priorities.

NCHWA oversees and conducts evidence-based research and evaluation initiatives that support informed public/private sectors’ decision making on a broad range of issues around the U.S. health care and health support workforce.

HRSA seeks to improve the health of the nation's underserved communities and vulnerable populations by developing, implementing, evaluating, and refining programs that strengthen the nation's health workforce and connect skilled health professionals to communities in need. HRSA’s programs holistically support a diverse, culturally competent workforce by addressing:

• Education and training

• Recruitment and retention

• Financial support for students, faculty, practitioners, and supporting institutions

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• Health workforce data collection and analysis

• Evaluation and coordination of health workforce activities

The Public Health HWRC is authorized through CDC authority, by section 1703 (42 USC 300u-2) of the PHS Act and by HRSA authority under 42 U.S.C. § 294n(c) (Section 761(c) of the PHS Act). Because the Public Health HWRC is a joint initiative between CDC and HRSA, it receives guidance and direction from both CDC and HRSA.

CDC is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that protects the public health of the nation by providing leadership and direction in the prevention and control of diseases and other preventable conditions and responding to public health emergencies. CDC addresses the health of our population through:

• Detecting and responding to new and emerging health threats

• Tackling the biggest health problems causing death and disability for Americans

• Putting science and advanced technology into action to prevent disease

• Promoting healthy and safe behaviors, communities, and environment

• Developing leaders and training the public health workforce, including disease detectives

The Behavioral Health HWRC is authorized by 42 U.S.C. §290bb-2, §290bb-22, §290bb-32 (Sections 509, 516, and 520A of the PHS Act). Because the Behavioral Health HWRC is a joint initiative between SAMHSA and HRSA, it receives guidance and direction from both SAMHSA and HRSA. SAMHSA is the agency within HHS that leads public health efforts to address the behavioral health needs of the nation. Its mission is to reduce the impact of mental illness and substance use disorders on America’s communities. SAMHSA provides national leadership in promoting the provision of quality behavioral health services and works to address mental illness and substance use disorders through:

• Increasing awareness and understanding

• Strengthening prevention

• Improving access to care and the quality of evidence-based treatments

• Supporting recovery

NCHWA oversees and conducts evidence-based research and evaluation initiatives that support informed public/private sectors decision-making on broad range of issues around the U.S. health care and health support workforce.

Currently, nine HWRCs are funded through August 31, 2022. These nine HWRCs focus on a range of topics, including the behavioral health workforce, health equity in the

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health workforce, allied health workforce, long-term care support and services, oral health workforce, emerging health workforce topics, and TA related to the health workforce. Information about the work supported through the current HWRC cooperative agreements is available via HRSA’s HWRC’s website:

http://bhw.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/researchcenters/index.html.

Program Priorities

Under this notice, the award(s) will provide support for the establishment of up to nine

(9) HWRCs. Successful applicants will demonstrate broad, national-level research expertise in one of the following HWRC topic areas:

1) Public Health Workforce.1 The successful recipient in this topic area will produce research projects focused on:

a. Evaluating the role(s) of public health occupations in delivering programs, including essential or foundational public health services, across populations.

b. Investigating public health workforce composition, data, needs, sufficiency, and distribution including both governmental (i.e., federal, state, local, tribal, territorial) and non-governmental entities.

c. Assessing public health workforce development methods including but not limited to recruitment and training models and the outlook and analytics for workforce needs.

d. Conducting and evaluating public health workforce implementation scientific research, including identifying evidence-informed strategies and interventions.

2) Behavioral Health Workforce. The successful recipient in this topic area will produce research projects focused on:

a. Evaluating disparities in behavioral health occupations as it related to reducing disparities in mental illness and/or substance use disorders across populations.

b. Investigating behavioral health workforce composition, data (including but not limited to data held by SAMHSA), needs, sufficiency, distribution, and the integration of behavioral and physical health workforces.

1 CDC Public Health Workforce Development Action Plan https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/strategic-workforce-activities/ph-workforce/action-plan.html http://bhw.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/researchcenters/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/strategic-workforce-activities/ph-workforce/action-plan.html https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/strategic-workforce-activities/ph-workforce/action-plan.html

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c. Assessing service delivery methods, including but not limited to models of care (e.g., Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Crisis Response), and reimbursement issues.

3) Health Equity in the Health Workforce. The successful recipient in this topic area will conduct research to examine a range of issues related to health equity in health workforce education and training. This may include, but not be limited to:

assessing the incorporation of health equity across various health workforces, developing health equity metrics, and evaluating the role of health equity in improving health care delivery (in respect to factors such as access to primary care; provider shortages; integration of primary, behavioral and oral health care;

workforce diversity). The encompassing goal of this Center’s research will be to strengthen the evidence base for effective education and training programs that can enable and empower a health workforce capable of fostering health equity.

4) Allied Health Workforce. The successful recipient in this topic area will conduct research to examine a range of issues related to the allied health workforce.

5) Long-Term Care Support and Services. The successful recipient in this topic area will conduct research to examine a range of health workforce issues related to long-term care support and services.

6) Oral Health Workforce. The successful recipient in this topic area will conduct research to examine a range of issues related to the oral health workforce.

7) Emerging Health Workforce Topics. The successful applicants in this topic area will conduct research on any number of emerging topics related to the PHS Act’s Title VII programs. Examples of emerging topics include: the use of health information technology (HIT) by the health workforce to deliver care to underserved and rural communities; workforce characteristics and competencies needed to provide care for special populations (e.g., the aging population;

Medicaid beneficiaries in underserved and rural communities; dual eligible beneficiaries (individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits);

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare workforce). Other emerging topic(s) may be suggested by the applicant.

8) Technical Assistance. TA to national, regional, state, and local entities on the collection, analysis, and reporting of health workforce data and research. The Center is also expected to serve as a liaison to enhance collaboration and research dissemination for health workforce research communities and other stakeholders.

In addition to selecting one of the above topic areas, all HWRC recipients should include aspects related to health equity in all studies and projects when it is scientifically, methodologically, and topically appropriate. Promoting equity is essential

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to the HHS’s mission of protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services. This view is reflected in Executive Order (E.O.) 13985 entitled Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (Jan. 20, 2021). Health equity is the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. Applicants should have an understanding of intersectionality and how multiple forms of discrimination impact individuals’ lived experiences. Individuals and communities often belong to more than one group that has been historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

Individuals at the nexus of multiple identities often experience unique forms of discrimination or systemic disadvantages, including in their access to needed services.

Other Guidance

Consortium Model (OPTIONAL)

To ensure that your HWRC will have the necessary breadth to comprehensively address a wide range of issues related to your selected HWRC topic area (from Section I.1 of this notice), you may propose to utilize a consortium model. Under a consortium model, members of your consortium would represent a purposeful group of organizations and staff who will work together on research studies related to your selected HWRC topic area. Funds must be used in accordance with Section III Eligibility Information, and Section VI Award Administration Information.

If you propose to utilize a consortium model, all members of your consortium must meet the eligibility requirements listed in Section III.1 of this notice. Also, if you are proposing to use a consortium model, your application must include a memorandum of understanding (MOU) from each anticipated consortium partner. In developing these MOUs, please recognize that the successful HWRC applicant will be ultimately responsible for the quality and accuracy of all research submitted to the Federal Government; supervision and administrative activities; and overall management of federal funds awarded under this NOFO.

Partnership (OPTIONAL)

You may propose to partner with other stakeholders, including foundations, public organizations, and private organizations who will work with you to conduct and disseminate research related to your selected HWRC topic area from Section I.1 of this notice.

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Partners do not need to meet the eligibility requirements listed in Section III.1 of this notice. However, if you do elect to partner with a foundation or organization that is engaged in work related to your selected HWRC topic area, you must describe how the partnership will strengthen the conduct and dissemination of your research. HRSA funding must not be distributed to the partner organizations, either directly or as a sub-award.

Program Definitions

A glossary containing general definitions for terms used throughout the Bureau of Health Workforce NOFOs can be located in the HRSA Health Workforce Glossary.

II. Award Information

1. Type of Application and Award

Type(s) of applications sought: New, Competing Continuation

HRSA will provide funding in the form of a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is a financial assistance mechanism where HRSA anticipates substantial involvement with the recipient during performance of the contemplated project.

HRSA program involvement will include:

• Managing all pre-award, award, and post-award HWRC program administration activities.

• Participating in the planning and development of each HWRC's annual research portfolio and in the selection of each HWRC's annual research studies. The annual project selection will be in consultation with the CDC and SAMHSA for the Public Health Workforce Research Center and the Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center, respectively.

• Reviewing, and, if necessary, commenting on each HWRC's plans and methodologies presented in their study proposals. The project review process will be in consultation with the CDC and SAMHSA for the Public Health Workforce Research Center and the Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center, respectively.

• Reviewing each HWRC's work products, including each study's methodology, analysis, results, policy implications, and format, prior to public dissemination.

• Providing consultation, as appropriate, to each HWRC to design strategies for disseminating HWRC work in order to target multiple audiences interested in https://bhw.hrsa.gov/grants/resourcecenter/glossary

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health workforce issues. Dissemination products may include policy briefs; peer-reviewed journal articles; invited presentations; responses to inquiries from health policy programs and health policy researchers; webinars; presentations at national, regional, state, and local conferences; and other appropriate vehicle(s) for sharing rigorous, policy-oriented research.

The cooperative agreement recipient’s responsibilities will include:

• Adhering to HRSA guidelines pertaining to acknowledgement and disclaimer on all products produced by HRSA award funds, per Section 1.2 of the R&R Application Guide (Acknowledgement of Federal Funding).

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other HRSA-funded HWRCs as well as with health workforce stakeholders. For Public Health and Behavioral Health Workforce Research Centers, this includes CDC and SAMHSA, respectively.

• Submitting project proposals with relevant timelines and milestones to the NCHWA Project Officer (PO) for review.

o For the recipient of the Technical Assistance HWRC, the proposals should include TA initiatives or projects related to the research community and/or local and regional entities on the collection, analysis, and reporting of health workforce data and research.

• Conducting studies/projects, and synthesizing the results into reports or other work products developed for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Participating in the planning and development of the HWRC's annual project portfolio and in the final selection of studies/projects with HRSA. CDC and SAMHSA will provide guidance and direction for their respective centers during this process.

• Preparing and submitting a 250-word abstract and a 2-page brief for each completed study/project in addition to the study's primary work product(s) (e.g., full policy brief, report, journal manuscript, monograph).

• Submitting work products (e.g., abstracts, 2-page briefs, full policy briefs, reports, manuscripts, monographs) for NCHWA review, generally within 180 days of the end of each budget period. Work products from Public Health and Behavioral Health Workforce Research Centers will be distributed to CDC and SAMHSA for review, respectively, by NCHWA. The timeline for submitting specific work products may be extended by the NCHWA project officer (PO) on a case-by-case basis upon request by the award recipient.

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• At the end of the period of performance, ensuring all the work products developed and completed through funding of this cooperative agreement (e.g., abstracts, 2-page briefs, full policy briefs, reports, manuscripts, monographs) are sent to HRSA.

• Implementing and maintaining a publicly available website with information about the health workforce, current HWRC projects funded under this cooperative agreement, and completed projects/work products funded under this cooperative agreement. The recipient's website must also include the acknowledgement and disclaimer information required on all products supported by HHS award funds.

• Designing and implementing strategies to disseminate the HWRC's studies/projects to multiple audiences interested in health workforce issues.

Dissemination products may include policy briefs; peer-reviewed journal articles;

invited presentations; responses to inquiries from health policy programs and health policy researchers; webinars; presentations at national, regional, state, and local conferences; and other appropriate vehicle(s) for sharing rigorous, policy-oriented research. Additionally, cooperative agreement recipients will:

o Post completed work products to the HWRC's publicly available website.

Note: In certain cases, exceptions may be made for posting peer-reviewed journal articles, if posting a published article is prohibited by the journal.

o Submit summary information on ongoing projects and completed work products in a mutually agreeable format to the PO for dissemination purposes. The frequency of this information gathering will occur no more than six (6) times per budget year.

• Responding to NCHWA PO's comments, questions, and requests (including executing short-term, rapid-response qualitative or quantitative analyses to assist in answering health workforce planning and policy questions) within five to ten business days. Note: The timeline for responding to rapid response requests or other requests from the PO may be extended by the PO on a case by case basis.

o Comments, questions, and requests from CDC/SAMHSA for their respective center will be given to the award recipients by the PO.

Therefore, the recipients should provide a response directly to the PO.

• Responding to and participating in HRSA requests for technical feedback on federal health workforce product development.

• Attending and presenting at periodic HWRC Cooperative Agreement Program meetings either at HRSA's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland or in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area or via virtual platform.

• Participating in periodic NCHWA-hosted conference calls with other HWRCs.

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2. Summary of Funding

HRSA estimates approximately $4,950,000 to be available annually to fund up to nine

(9) recipients. The actual amount available will not be determined until enactment of the final FY 2022 federal appropriation.

• If you are applying under the HWRC topic areas related to Public Health Workforce or Behavioral Health Workforce, you may apply for a ceiling amount up to $900,000 total cost (includes both direct and indirect, facilities and administrative costs) per year.

• If you are applying under the HWRC topic areas related to Health Equity in the Health Workforce, Allied Health Workforce, Long-Term Care Support and Services, Oral Health Workforce, Emerging Health Workforce Topics, or Technical Assistance, you may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $450,000 total cost (includes both direct and indirect, facilities and administrative costs) per year.

This program notice is subject to the appropriation of funds, and is a contingency action taken to ensure that, should funds become available for this purpose, HRSA can process applications and award funds appropriately. During a given fiscal year, additional supplemental funds may be provided for additional activities or work products.

The period of performance is September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2027 (5 years).

Funding beyond the first year is subject to the availability of appropriated funds for the HWRC Cooperative Agreement Program in subsequent fiscal years, satisfactory progress, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government.

All HRSA awards are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 45 CFR part 75.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for the HWRC Cooperative Agreement Program are a State, a State workforce investment board, a public health or health professions school, an academic health center, or an appropriate public or private nonprofit entity. Faith-based and community-based organizations are eligible to apply for these funds if otherwise eligible.

Tribes and tribal organizations may apply for these funds, if otherwise eligible. Foreign entities are not eligible for this award.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75

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2. Cost Sharing/Matching

Cost sharing/matching is not required for this program.

3. Other

HRSA may not consider an application for funding if it contains any of the non-responsive criteria below:

• Exceeds the ceiling amount

Applications for the Public Health Workforce or Behavioral Health Workforce that exceed the ceiling amounts of $900,000 each.

or

Applications for the following six (6) HWRC topic areas that exceed the ceiling amounts of $450,000 each: Health Equity in the Health Workforce, Allied Health Workforce, Long-Term Care Support and Services, Oral Health, Emerging Health Workforce Topics, and Technical Assistance.

• Fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.4

Other Eligibility Limitations

NOTE: Multiple applications from an organization with the same DUNS number or Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) are allowable if the applications propose separate and distinct projects and the applicants meet the two following conditions:

1. Each campus of the applicant organization is allowed to submit one application per HWRC topic area (from Section I.1 of this notice). A campus is defined as a division of a university that has the same name yet is separate with its own grounds, buildings (e.g., school of nursing) and faculty; a single department or agency of a state or local government. For example, the University of ABC – Springfield and the University of ABC – Goldboro can each submit an application for the same HWRC topic area under this program.

2. You can submit only one application per campus for each of the eight (8) HWRC topic areas identified in Section I.1. For example, the University of ABC – Springfield can submit one application for the Health Equity in the Health Workforce topic area AND one application for the Behavioral Health Workforce topic area. Alternatively, the University of ABC – Springfield can submit one application for the Health Equity in the Health Workforce topic area, and the University of ABC – Goldboro can submit one application for the Behavioral Health Workforce topic area.

https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update

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HRSA will only accept your last validated electronic submission, under the correct funding opportunity number, prior to the Grants.gov application due date as the final and only acceptable application.

Failure to include all required documents as part of the application may result in an application being considered incomplete or non-responsive.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

HRSA requires you to apply electronically. HRSA encourages you to apply through Grants.gov using the SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) workspace application package associated with this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) following the directions provided at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

The NOFO is also known as “Instructions” on Grants.gov. You must select “Subscribe” and provide your email address for HRSA-22-054 in order to receive notifications including modifications, clarifications, and/or republications of the NOFO on Grants.gov.

You will also receive notifications of documents placed in the RELATED DOCUMENTS tab on Grants.gov that may affect the NOFO and your application. You are ultimately responsible for reviewing the For Applicants page for all information relevant to this

NOFO.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format Requirements

Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide provides general instructions for the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, etc. You must submit the information outlined in the HRSA SF-424 R&R Application Guide in addition to the program-specific information below. You are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide except where instructed in the NOFO to do otherwise. You must submit the application in the English language and in the terms of U.S. dollars (45 CFR § 75.111(a)).

See Section 8.5 of the HRSA SF-424 R&R Application Guide for the Application Completeness Checklist.

Application Page Limitation

The total size of all uploaded files included in the page limit shall not exceed the https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

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equivalent of 80 pages when printed by HRSA. The page limit includes project and budget narratives, attachments including biographical sketches (biosketches), and letters of commitment and support required in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide and this NOFO.

Please note: Effective April 22, 2021, the abstract is no longer an attachment that counts in the page limit. The abstract is the standard form (SF) "Project Abstract Summary.”

Standard OMB-approved forms that are included in the workspace application package do not count in the page limit. Biographical sketches do count in the page limitation.

Note: If you use an OMB-approved form that is not included in the workspace application package for HRSA-22-054, it may count against the page limit. Therefore, we strongly recommend you only use Grants.gov workspace forms associated with this NOFO to avoid exceeding the page limit. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement and proof of non-profit status (if applicable) do not count in the page limit. It is therefore important to take appropriate measures to ensure your application does not exceed the specified page limit. Any application exceeding the page limit of 80 pages will not be read, evaluated, or considered for funding.

Applications must be complete, within the maximum specified page limit, and validated by Grants.gov under HRSA-22-054 prior to the deadline.

Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion Certification

1) You certify on behalf of the applicant organization, by submission of your proposal, that neither you nor your principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency.

2) Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 45 CFR § 75.371, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR parts 180 and 376, and 31 U.S.C. § 3354).

3) If you are unable to attest to the statements in this certification, you must include an explanation in Attachment 10: Other Relevant Documents.

See Section 4.1 viii of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information on all certifications.

Temporary Reassignment of State and Local Personnel during a Public Health Emergency

Section 319(e) of the PHS Act provides the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with discretion upon request by a state or tribal organization to authorize the temporary reassignment of state, tribal, and local personnel during a declared federal public health emergency. The temporary reassignment provision is http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75#se45.1.75_1371

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applicable to state, tribal, and local public health department or agency personnel whose positions are funded, in full or part, under PHS programs and allows such personnel to immediately respond to the public health emergency in the affected jurisdiction. Funds provided under the award may be used to support personnel who are temporarily reassigned in accordance with § 319(e). Please reference detailed information available on the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) website.

Program Requirements and Expectations

HRSA expects that each award recipient funded under this notice will have the following:

• A broad, comprehensive, national-level understanding of the current U.S. health workforce.

• Experience in working with health workforce data.

• Expertise in analytical methods and tools appropriate for health workforce research.

• Awareness of emerging topics, issues, and trends related to the health workforce.

Successful applicants will demonstrate their expertise as well as the potential impact of their work through the publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals; presentations at national and international conferences and meetings; and publication of policy briefs, fact sheets, articles, blogs, etc. that are available in the public domain.

Program-Specific Instructions

In addition to application requirements and instructions in Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide (including the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, and abstract), include the following:

i. Project Abstract Use the Standard OMB-approved Project Abstract Summary Form 2.0 that is included in the workspace application package. Do not upload the abstract as an attachment or it will count toward the page limitation. Please use the guidance below. It is most current and differs slightly from that in Section 4.1.ix of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

Section 4.1.ix of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

Provide a summary of the application in the Project Abstract box of the Project Abstract Summary Form using 4,000 characters or less.

• HWRC Topic Area (from the topics listed in Section I.1 of this notice) http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/pahpa/section201/Pages/default.aspx http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/pahpa/section201/Pages/default.aspx http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

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• Applicant Organization Name and Address

• Project Director/Principal Investigator Name and Degree(s)

• Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax)

• Email Address

• Website Address, if applicable

• List all program funds requested in the application, if applicable

• If requesting a funding preference, priority, or special consideration as outlined in Section V. 2. of the program-specific NOFO, indicate here.

Because the abstract is often distributed to provide information to the public and Congress, prepare this so that it is clear, accurate, concise, and without reference to other parts of the application. It must include a brief description of the proposed project including the needs to be addressed, the proposed services, and the population group(s) to be served. If the application is funded, your project abstract information (as submitted) will be made available to public websites and/or databases including USAspending.gov.

The Abstract must also include the following elements:

1. A brief overview of the project as a whole;

2. Specific, measurable objectives that the project will accomplish;

3. Which of the workforce priorities will be addressed by the project, if applicable;

4. How the proposed project for which funding is requested will be accomplished, i.e., the "who, what, when, where, why, and how" of a project;

5. Contact person’s name and email address, if different from the Project Director/Principal Investigator;

6. Anticipated consortium model members, if applicable;

7. Anticipated partner(s), if applicable; and

8. A summary of the research studies or TA initiatives proposed for Budget Year 1.

NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

To ensure that you fully address the review criteria, the table below provides a http://www.usaspending.gov/

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crosswalk between the narrative language and where each section falls within the review criteria. Any forms or attachments referenced in a narrative section may be considered during the objective review.

Narrative Section Review Criteria

Purpose and Need (1) Purpose and Need

Response to Program Purpose:

(a) Methodology/Approach

(b) Work Plan

(c) Resolution of Challenges

(2) Response to Program Purpose

(a) Methodology/Approach

(b) Work Plan

(c) Resolution of Challenges

Impact:

(a) Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity

(b) Project Sustainability

(3) Impact:

(a) Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity

(b) Project Sustainability

Organizational Information, Resources, and Capabilities

(4) Organizational Information, Resources, and Capabilities

Budget and Budget Justification Narrative

(5) Support Requested

ii. Project Narrative

This section provides a comprehensive description of all aspects of the proposed project. It should be succinct, self-explanatory, consistent with forms and attachments, and organized in alignment with the sections and format below so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

Use the following section headers for the narrative:

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PURPOSE AND NEED -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 1

In this section, you must:

• Identify one (1) topic area from the eight (8) HWRC topic areas outlined in Section I.1 of this notice as the focus of your HWRC Cooperative Agreement Program activities.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive, national-level understanding of the current composition and state of the health workforce, including education and training, as it relates to your selected HWRC topic area.

• Clearly articulate current and emerging issues and challenges related to your selected HWRC topic area.

• Describe challenges related to research in your selected HWRC topic area.

RESPONSE TO PROGRAM PURPOSE -- This section includes three sub-sections

— (a) Methodology/Approach; (b) Work Plan; and (c) Resolution of Challenges—all of which correspond to Section V’s Review Criteria 2 (a), (b), and (c).

(a) METHODOLOGY/APPROACH -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 2 (a)

Applicants for the Public Health Workforce Topic Area:

Propose twelve (12) research questions and develop a study proposal for each.

Your proposed research studies must also meet the following requirements:

• Each study must address a relevant, national-level planning or policy research question related to your selected HWRC topic area.

• You must propose at least two (2) public health workforce research studies related to each of the four (4) broad priorities listed in Section I.2. These priorities are:

1. Evaluating the role(s) of public health occupations in delivering programs, including essential or foundational public health services, across populations.

2. Investigating public health workforce composition, data, needs, sufficiency, and distribution including both governmental (i.e., Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Territorial) and non-governmental entities.

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3. Assessing public health workforce development methods including but not limited to recruitment and training models and the outlook and analytics for workforce needs.

4. Conducting and evaluating public health workforce implementation scientific research, including identifying evidence-informed strategies and interventions.

You may focus your remaining four (4) proposals on the four (4) priorities listed above, or on other public health workforce issues, or on any combination of these four (4) priorities and other topics. Collectively, your twelve (12) proposed studies must address a mix of public health professions.

• Your proposed studies do not need to address each priority equally.

• At least six (6) of your twelve (12) proposed studies must use a predominantly quantitative methodology.

• Your twelve (12) proposed studies must be feasible to complete within approximately one (1) year.

• When scientifically, methodologically, and topically appropriate, proposed studies should incorporate health equity and diversity issues.

Post award, CDC and HRSA will select eight (8) of the successful Public Health Workforce applicant’s twelve (12) proposed research studies for completion in Budget Year 1. If necessary, the selected Budget Year 1 studies will be refined collaboratively among the successful applicant, CDC and HRSA. This process may include additional input from CDC and HRSA on possible alternative proposals and suggested proposal modifications.

Applicant of the Behavioral Health Workforce Topic Area

Propose twelve (12) research questions and develop a study proposal for each.

Your proposed research studies must also meet the following requirements:

• Each study must address a relevant, national-level planning or policy research question related to your selected HWRC topic area.

• You must propose at least two (2) behavioral health workforce research studies related to each of the three (3) broad priorities listed in Section I.2.

These priorities are:

1. Evaluating disparities in behavioral health occupations as it related to reducing disparities in mental illness and/or substance use disorders across populations.

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2. Investigate behavioral health workforce composition, data (including but not limited to data held by SAMHSA), needs, sufficiency, distribution, and the integration of behavioral and physical health workforces.

3. Assess service delivery methods, including but not limited to models of care (e.g., Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Crisis response), and reimbursement issues.

You may focus your remaining six (6) proposals on the three priorities listed above, or on other behavioral health workforce issues, or on any combination of these three priorities and other topics. Collectively, your twelve (12) proposed studies must address a mix of behavioral health practitioners.

• Your proposed studies do not need to address each priority equally.

• At least six (6) of your twelve (12) proposed studies must use a predominantly quantitative methodology.

• Your twelve (12) proposed studies must be feasible to complete within approximately one (1) year.

• When scientifically, methodologically, and topically appropriate, proposed studies should incorporate health equity and diversity issues.

Post award, SAMHSA and HRSA will select eight (8) of the successful Behavioral Health Workforce applicant’s twelve (12) proposed research studies for completion in Budget Year 1. If necessary, the selected Budget Year 1 studies will be refined collaboratively among the successful applicant, SAMHSA and HRSA. This process may include additional input from SAMHSA and HRSA on possible alternative proposals and suggested proposal modifications.

Applicants for the Topic Areas of Health Equity in the Health Workforce, Allied Health Workforce, Long-Term Care Support and Services, Oral Health Workforce, and Emerging Health Workforce Topics:

Propose eight (8) research questions and develop a study proposal for each. Your proposed research studies must also meet the following requirements:

• Each study must address a relevant, national-level planning or policy research question related to your selected HWRC topic area.

• Collectively, your eight (8) proposed studies must address a mix of health practitioners.

HRSA…