HRSA-25-076 FINAL.pdf

Bureau of Health Workforce

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due February 19, 2025

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Opportunity number: HRSA-25-076

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 10

Award information 13

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 15

Get registered 16

Find the application package 16

Application writing help 16

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 18

Application contents and format 19

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 33

Application review 34

Award notices 41

Step 5: Submit Your Application 42

Application submission and deadlines 43

Application checklist 44

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 46

Post-award requirements and administration 47

Contacts and Support 51

Endnotes 54

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 19, 2025.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 10

Award information 13

Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Bureau of Health Workforce

Division of Health Careers and Financial Support

Grant for health professions schools to offer scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students

Opportunity number:

HRSA-25-076

Announcement version:

New

Federal assistance listing:

93.925

Statutory authority:

Statutory authority: 42 U.S.C § 293a (§ 737 of the Public Health Service Act)

Key dates

NOFO issue date: November 21, 2024

Informational webinar:

Visit the Bureau of Health Workforce’s open opportunities website to learn more about the informational webinar.

Application deadline:

February 19, 2025

Expected award date is by:

July 1, 2025

Expected start date: July 1, See other submissions for other time frames that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program increases diversity in the health professions and nursing workforce by providing awards to eligible health professions schools for use in awarding scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have financial need.

Funding details Application Types: Competing Continuation, New

Expected total available funding in FY 2025: $51,470,000

Expected number and type of awards: Approximately 85 grants

Funding range per award: Up to $650,000 per year for each health professions program.

We plan to fund awards in five 12-month budget periods, for a total 5-year period of performance from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030. Your request for budget years 2 to 5 cannot exceed your year 1 request.

The program and estimated awards depend on the future appropriation of funds and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of appropriations.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://bhw.hrsa.gov/fundingopportunities/default.aspx

Eligibility Who can apply You can apply if you are an accredited school of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing (as defined in section 801), pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, chiropractic, or allied health, a school offering a graduate program in behavioral and mental health practice, or an entity providing programs for the training of physician assistants.

For details on which disciplines qualify, see the subdiscipline eligibility list.

Types of eligible organizations If otherwise eligible, the following types of domestic* organizations may apply.

• Public health professions schools

• Non-profit private health professions schools

• Non-profit health professions schools having a 501(c)(3) IRS status

• Non-profit health professions schools with an IRS status other than 501(c)(3)

• For-profit nursing and physician assistant schools

• Native American tribal governments

• Native American tribal organizations

“Domestic” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Eligible subdisciplines

• Medicine

◦ Doctor of allopathic medicine

◦ Doctor of osteopathic medicine

• Dentistry

◦ Doctor of dentistry

• Other health disciplines

◦ Doctor of veterinary medicine

◦ Doctor of optometry

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

◦ Doctor of podiatry medicine

◦ Doctor of pharmacy

◦ Doctor of physical therapy

◦ Doctor of chiropractic medicine

• Behavioral and mental health

◦ Graduate degree in clinical psychology

◦ Graduate degree in clinical social work

◦ Graduate degree in gerontological counseling

◦ Graduate degree in marriage and family therapy

◦ Graduate degree in mental health counseling

◦ Graduate degree in rehabilitation counseling

• Public health

◦ Graduate degree in health administration

◦ Graduate degree in public health

• Allied health

◦ Bachelor’s and graduate degrees in dietetics

◦ Graduate degree in audiology

◦ Graduate degree in occupational therapy

◦ Graduate degree in speech pathology

◦ Bachelor’s and graduate degrees in dental hygiene

◦ Bachelor’s and graduate degrees in medical laboratory technology

◦ Bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology

• Nursing

◦ Associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees in nursing (pre-nursing is not eligible)

• Midwifery

◦ Certified nursing and non-nursing graduate degrees in midwifery (pre-nursing or pre-midwifery is not eligible)

• Physician Assistant

◦ Graduate degree in physician assistant studies

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Other eligibility criteria Your application must demonstrate you are currently:

• Accredited by the recognized accrediting body for your specific health discipline (Attachment 1).

• Carrying out a program to recruit and retain students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups, which you can demonstrate by showing you are enrolling and graduating full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds in your specific degree program, based on the following percentages for the most recent 3-year period:

◦ At least 20 percent of the total enrollment of the degree program during academic years 2021 to 2024 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024) were students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and

◦ At least 20 percent of the total graduates of the degree program during academic years 2021 to 2024 were from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Newly established schools may apply if students were enrolled for the academic year covering the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. The information provided must demonstrate at least 20 percent of the total enrollment and graduates are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• New schools must provide:

◦ At least 2 years of student enrollment data in the degree program, and

◦ At least 1 year of graduation data in the degree program

Student eligibility To receive support under this program, a student must be:

• Enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an eligible health professions or nursing school as a full-time student in a program leading to a degree in a health professions or nursing.

• From a disadvantaged background, which can be met by showing the student is from an economically, educationally or environmentally disadvantaged background as described on page 8.

• Have a financial need for a scholarship, per the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• A U.S. citizen or non-citizen national.

• An individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

• Any other person defined as a “qualified alien” under section 431(b) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L.

104-193, as amended.

Completeness and responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these basic requirements to move forward in the competition.

We will not consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that does not meet all eligibility criteria.

• Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is incomplete.

Application limits You may not submit more than one application per health professions degree program.

If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission.

While multiple applications from an institution are allowed, only a maximum of three per institution may be funded. Collaborative proposals are not allowed.

You may submit more than one application under the same Unique Entity Identifier if each proposes a different health professions degree program. We will only review your last validated application for each health professions degree program before the deadline.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to share in the costs of the project, we will not consider it during merit review. We will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Program description Purpose The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program increases diversity in the health professions and nursing workforce by providing awards to eligible health professions schools for use in awarding scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have financial need, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.

Background The SDS program aims to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to increase their access to a health profession’s degree. Since 2012, 15,054 students successfully graduated with a degree in health professions after receiving SDS scholarships. In academic years 2022 to 2023, of those graduates with follow-up data, 59 percent of graduates worked or trained in medically underserved communities one year after graduation, and 30 percent in primary care settings. [1]

A diverse health workforce can improve population health and health care quality.[2]

Diversity in health care means individuals have different backgrounds, which can include differences in race, ethnicity, rural residency, and economic status.[3] With an estimated 20 percent of the U.S. population living in designated rural areas,[4] and 11.5 percent living in poverty,[5] it is essential to consider additional demographics to create a more diverse health workforce.

In addition, health professions students from disadvantaged backgrounds, are more likely to practice in medically underserved, and primary care settings after graduating.

[6] [7] [8] SDS scholarships help reduce financial obstacles for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, which allows them to practice in rural and underserved communities.

Program goals

• Improving distribution, diversity and supply of primary care providers.

• Improving and strengthening the health professions and nursing workforce.

• Improving health care access and quality to medically underserved communities (MUCs).

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

Program objectives

• Increasing the number of graduates practicing in primary care.

• Increased retention of full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.

• Increasing the number of graduates working in MUCs.

Program requirements and expectations Your project must meet the following requirements and address them in your application.

Scholarship requirements

• You must provide scholarships to any full-time student who is an eligible individual as defined in student eligibility. Such scholarships may be expended only for tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses incurred in the attendance of such school.

• Student scholarships must not exceed:

◦ $50,000 per academic year for dental students.

◦ $40,000 per academic year for all other health and nursing students.

• Scholarships must be at least half the cost of the student’s annual tuition.

• The amount of the scholarship may not exceed the student’s financial need.

• You must agree that in providing scholarships, you will give preference to:

◦ Students for whom the cost of attendance would constitute a severe financial hardship.

• Funds should not be disbursed within one lump sum.

• Funds should be disbursed at the beginning of each period within the academic year.

Program requirements

• Your school must provide training through clinical placement(s) in at least one of the following:

◦ Primary care settings.

◦ Medically underserved communities.

◦ Rural communities.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

• You are required to state, “This program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration” on all related documents and marketing materials.

• Award recipients are required to participate in federally designed evaluations to assess program effectiveness and efficiency upon request. Conduct continuous quality improvement for program evaluation and at completion of the period of performance.

Student requirements

• Students must maintain your schools’ standards for full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic standing to remain eligible for a scholarship. Students are ineligible until this criterion is met.

• Students are strongly encouraged to sign an attestation stating they will provide post-graduation information to their school upon request.

• Students must be from either an economically disadvantaged or educationally/ environmentally disadvantaged background.

Steps to determine if a student is economically disadvantaged

• Use the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guideline table for one 1 year preceding the data submitted on the FAFSA by comparing the appropriate income to the table.

◦ Use parental income for students deemed “dependent” by the U.S.

Department of Education guidelines.

◦ Use student income for students deemed “independent” by the U.S.

Department of Education guidelines.

Steps to determine if a student is educationally or environmentally disadvantaged

• Apply the below criteria consistently for all students. It is the responsibility of each applicant to clearly delineate the criteria used to classify student participants as coming from an educationally or environmentally disadvantaged background;

• Define “low” rates using the below criteria based on your health professions schools’ current student population. Use the most recent data from your state’s Department of Education site, under “State Report Card” For example:

◦ The individual graduated from or last attended a high school that has a low overall student average SAT score.

◦ The individual graduated from or last attended a high school with either a:

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/19/2023-00885/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency

▪ Low percentage of seniors receiving a high school diploma.

▪ Low percentage of graduates who go to college during the first year after graduation.

◦ The student graduated from or last attended a high school with low per capita funding.

◦ The student graduated from or last attended a high school where many of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.

◦ The student is the first generation in his or her family to attend college. Please follow the instructions to determine the student’s first-generation status using FASFA’s Parents Education Status questions.

Award information Funding policies and limitations Policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we may:

◦ Fund more applicants from the rank order list.

◦ Extend the period of performance.

◦ Award supplemental funding.

Maintenance of effort Federal funds must add to any existing non-federal funds for your proposed activities. If you receive an award, you will have to spend at least as much as you spent in the last fiscal year before the award. Section 797(b) of the PHS Act requires this.

We will enforce these statutory requirements through all available mechanisms. You must provide supporting documentation in your Attachment 5.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://studentaid.gov/2425/help/parents-education-status https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:293a%20edition:prelim)

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see Project

Budget Information in section 3.1.4 of the R&R Application Guide. You can also see 45 CFR part 75, or any superseding regulation, General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

• You cannot earn profit from the federal award. See 45 CFR 75.400(g).

• Congress’s current appropriations act includes a salary limitation, which applies to this program. As of January 2024, the salary rate limitation is $221,900. Note this limitation may apply in future years and will be updated.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project that cannot be easily separated by project. For example, this could include utilities for a building that supports multiple projects.

Per 45 CFR 75.414(c), indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8 percent of modified total direct costs.

For modified total direct costs, we use the definition at 2 CFR 200.1. MTDC means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $50,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $50,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

State or local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes can charge their negotiated rate or use their state cost allocation plans. For the purpose of calculating indirect costs, we do not consider state universities or hospitals as government agencies.

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use any program income you generate from awarded funds for approved project-related activities. Find more about program income at 45 CFR 75.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.216(b) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/section-75.414#p-75.414(c) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 16

Find the application package 16

Application writing help 16

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist to find out what you’ll need to register.

When you register or update your SAM.gov registration, you must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations. You must agree to those for grants specifically, as opposed to contracts, because the two sets of agreements are different. You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need Help? See Contacts and Support.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HRSA-25-076.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you click the Subscribe button to get updates.

Application writing help Visit HHS Tips for Preparing Grant Proposals.

Visit HRSA’s How to Prepare Your Application page for more guidance.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 16 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application/assurances-non-construction-programs https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application/assurances-non-construction-programs https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.grants.gov/search-grants https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/get-ready-for-grants-management/tips-for-preparing-grant-proposals/index.html https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application

Join the webinar We will hold a pre-application technical assistance (TA) webinar. The webinar will provide an overview of pertinent information in the NOFO and an opportunity for applicants to ask questions. Visit the HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce’s open opportunities website to learn more about the resources available for this funding opportunity.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 19

Application contents and format Applications include 5 main components. This section includes guidance on each.

Application page limit: 60 pages.

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using U.S. dollars.

Make sure you include each of these:

Components Submission Form Included in the page limit?

Project abstract Use the Project Abstract Summary Form. No

Project narrative Research and Related Other Project Information. Yes

Budget narrative Use the Research and Related Budget form. (Line L) Yes

Attachments Insert each in the Other Attachments form. Yes, unless otherwise marked below.

Other required forms Upload using each required form. Indicated in the other required forms section.

See the application checklist for a full list of all application requirements. See form instructions for more detail on completing each form.

Required format You must format your narratives and attachments using our required formats for fonts, size, color, format, and margins. See the formatting guidelines in section 3.2 of the R&R Application Guide.

Project abstract Complete the information in the Project Abstract Summary form. Include a short description of your proposed project. Include the needs you plan to address, the proposed services, and the population groups you plan to serve. When applicable, identify if you are requesting a funding priority or preference. For more information, see section 3.1.2 of the R&R Application Guide.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 19 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1

Project narrative In this section, you will describe all aspects of your project. Project activities must comply with the nondiscrimination requirements.

Use the section headers and the order as listed.

Introduction and purpose See merit review criterion 1: Purpose and need

Briefly describe the purpose of your project for the specific health discipline.

• Describe your continuing commitment to the education of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of underrepresented minority groups.

• Describe your continuing commitment to increasing the number of graduates who practice in primary care.

• Describe your continuing commitment to increasing graduates working in MUCs.

Need See merit review criterion 1: Purpose and need

• Describe your students and their unmet needs this program will address.

• Discuss any relevant barriers to students’ access to education and success in your program.

• Provide data on:

◦ The percentage of students from disadvantaged backgrounds already receiving financial assistance in the specific health professions disciplines.

◦ The average financial aid amount received from students in the specific health discipline program.

• Use and cite demographic data as part of the descriptions and explanations above, as applicable.

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Describe how you will address your stated goals and objectives to meet the program requirements and expectations described in this NOFO.

• Describe how your project will address the needs of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20 https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/laws-regulations-guidance/laws/index.html

• Describe your past successes in recruiting, retaining, and graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of underrepresented minority groups, based on the total number/percentage of full-time enrollment during academic years 2021 to 2024 and new schools for academic years 2022 to 2024.

• Describe how strategic partnership activities will involve federal, state, local, or national organizations, and other colleges and universities.

• Describe how you will increase educational support and training opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully complete their health professions degree program.

• Describe how you will increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds practicing in primary care and MUCs.

• Describe in detail your proposed program funding and disbursement strategies and processes, including how you will prioritize eligible students who have the greatest financial need and are considered to have a severe financial hardship.

Describe how you will provide continued scholarships to current SDS scholarship recipients and how you will use available funds to support new eligible students.

High-level work plan See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Describe how you will achieve each of the objectives during the period of performance.

• Provide a timeline that includes planned activities and identifies the responsible individual(s) for each activity. As needed, identify how key stakeholders will help plan, design, and carry out all activities.

◦ Include the extent to which these stakeholders address the needs of the populations and communities served.

• You will also include a more detailed work plan in your Standardized Work Plan (SWP). See other required standard forms.

Resolving challenges See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Discuss challenges that you are likely to encounter in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan, including potential challenges with recruitment and retention.

• Explain approaches that you will use to resolve them.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21

Performance reporting and evaluation See merit review criteria 3: Impact and 4: Resources and capabilities

Outcomes Describe the expected outcomes (desired results) of the funded activities.

Performance measurement and reporting

• See Report on Your Grant for performance measure requirements and examples of reporting forms. Look for the performance measures under Health Career Grants:

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS).

• Describe how you will collect, and report required performance data accurately and on time.

• Describe how you will collect students’ demographic data.

• Describe how you will collect data about students’ economically, educationally, or environmentally disadvantaged background status as defined in the Health Workforce Glossary and in the Program requirements and expectations section of the NOFO. Describe how you will manage and securely store data.

• Include how you will collect and report National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers for students. Students in eligible disciplines must apply for and report on an NPI.

• Describe your process to track students after graduation for up to 1 year to obtain their employment information.

• Describe how you will monitor and analyze performance data to support continuous quality improvement.

Program evaluation The evaluation should examine processes and progress towards program goals, program objectives, and expected outcomes. Evaluations must follow the HHS Evaluation Policy, as well as the standards and best practices described in OMB Memorandum M-20-12.

Describe your plan to evaluate the project. Include:

• The evaluation questions, methods, data to be collected, and timelines.

• The evaluation barriers and your plan to address them.

• The evaluation capacity of your organization and staff. Include staff’s experience, skills, and knowledge.

• How you will disseminate results, how you will assess whether your dissemination plan is effective, whether the results are national in scope, and the extent of potential replication.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22 https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/report-on-your-grant

See Reporting for more information.

Sustainability See merit review criterion 3: Impact

We expect you to sustain key project elements that improve practices and outcomes for the target population. Propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends.

• Describe the actions you will take to:

◦ Highlight key elements of your projects. Examples include recruiting and retention methods or strategies that have been effective in improving practices.

◦ Obtain future sources of funding.

◦ Determine the timing to become self-sufficient.

• Discuss challenges that you will likely encounter in sustaining the program.

Include how you plan to resolve these challenges.

Organizational information See merit review criterion 4: Resources and capabilities

Briefly describe your mission, structure, and the scope of your current activities.

Explain how they support your ability to carry out the program requirements. Include a project organization chart (Attachment 2).

• Discuss how you will follow the approved plan, account for federal funds, and record all costs to avoid audit findings.

• Describe the organizations you will partner with to fulfill the program goals and meet the program objectives. Include key agreements in Attachment 3 and letters of support in Attachment 8.

• Include a staffing plan and job descriptions for key faculty and staff in Attachment 4.

• Include biographical sketches for key staff using the Research & Related Senior/ Key Person Profile form. Key staff include, at minimum the project director and financial aid representatives who will be involved in the program. See other required forms.

• Include a plan to ensure participants and stakeholders are aware that SDS funding is provided by HRSA.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 5: Support requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in section 3.1.4 of the R&R Application Guide and any specific instructions listed in this section.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supplies in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

Reminder: Indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8% of modified total direct costs. The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs incurred for the HRSA award activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy any matching or cost sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable).

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in the Research and Related Budget Form. See other required standard forms. Your budget should show a well-organized plan. The merit review committee reviews both.

The budget narrative includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the requested costs. As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are reasonable and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• The overall amount requested per year, which should equal:

◦ Your program’s 3-year average disadvantaged background student enrollment (using data from Section D of the Program Specific Form), multiplied by your 3-year average student financial need (using data obtained from your Financial Aid Office).

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations.

You must submit one-year budgets for each of the subsequent budget periods within the requested five-year period of performance at the time of application.

To create your budget narrative, see detailed instructions in section 3.1.5 of the R&R Application Guide. Follow these additional instructions specific to this NOFO.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Supplies)

Participant support costs If you include participant support costs:

• List tuition, room and board, fees, health insurance, stipends, travel, and other costs.

• Identify the amount of participant’s scholarship.

• Include a subtotal entitled “Total Participant and Trainee Support Costs” with the summary of these costs.

• Ensure scholarships must be at least half of the cost of the student’s annual tuition.

• Ensure student scholarships must not exceed $50,000 per academic year for dental students or $40,000 per academic year for all other health and nursing professionals.

• Ensure the cost is based on the average financial need for all eligible participants for the specific health professions.

• Ensure the amount of a scholarship does not exceed:

◦ A participant’s cost of tuition expenses.

◦ Other reasonable educational expenses.

◦ Reasonable living expenses incurred in attendance at the health professions or nursing school.

• Program specific limitation: Child-care expenses are not allowable.

Project director costs:

• You may request direct costs for the Project Director’s salary and fringe benefits not to exceed 25% FTE.

Attachments Place your PDF attachments in order in the Other Attachments form.

Attachment 1: Accreditation documentation Required- Counts toward the page limit.

You must provide documentation of your health professions discipline accreditation, or provisional accreditation.

Acceptable forms of proof are certificates or letters with dates that are in effect prior to the start of the budget/project period during which support will be received.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25

Please do not provide only the web link to the accreditation body’s website. HRSA will not open any links included in the application.

If accreditation is pending or not yet granted:

A letter of reasonable assurance, from or on behalf of the health professions discipline accrediting body, must be submitted along with the application stating that the program will meet the accreditation standards effective prior to the start of the budget/ project period during which support will be received.

Attachment 2: Project organizational chart Required- Counts toward the page limit.

Provide a one-page diagram that shows the full project’s organizational structure.

Include all aspects, not just for your organization.

Attachment 3: Letters of agreement, memoranda of understanding, and contracts As applicable- Counts toward the page limit.

Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and other organizations and programs you cite in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contractual or other agreements should clearly describe the roles of the contractors and partners and any deliverables.

Make sure any letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Attachment 4: Staffing plan and job descriptions Required- Counts toward the page limit.

See Section 4.1.vi of the R&R Application Guide.

Include a staffing plan that shows the staff positions that will support the project and key information about each.

Justify your staffing choices, including education and experience qualifications and your reasons for the amount of time you request for each staff position.

For key personnel, attach a one-page job description. It must include the role, responsibilities, and qualifications.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf

Attachment 5: Maintenance of effort documentation Required- Counts toward the page limit.

Specify the non-federal funds that support proposed activities. These include cash, in-kind, or other contributions. Do not include any federal funds. See Maintenance of Effort requirement.

Use the sample format below to provide the Maintenance of Effort documentation.

Table: Maintenance of Effort

FY Before Application:

Actual Non-Federal Expenditures

First FY of Award:

Estimated Non-Federal Expenditures

Attachment 6: Funding priority documentation As applicable- Counts toward the page limit.

To receive a funding priority, include a statement that you are eligible for a funding priority and identify the priority. Points will be calculated using the data submitted via the Program Specific Form. See Funding Priorities.

• Proportion of full-time students who are members of underrepresented minority groups.

• Proportion of graduates practicing in primary care.

• Proportion of graduates practicing in a MUC.

See Selection Process for information about how these apply.

Attachment 7: Tables and charts As applicable- Counts toward the page limit.

Provide tables or charts that give more details about the proposal. These might be Gantt, PERT, or flow chart.

Attachment 8: Letters of support As applicable- Counts toward the page limit.

You may provide letters of support from organizations or departments involved in the proposed project.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27

Letters of support can also be from individuals within your institution who hold the authority to speak for the organization or department, such as a CEO or chair.

Recommenders should indicate an understanding of and commitment to the project. They must sign and date their letter of support.

Attachment 9: Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Required - Does not count toward the page limit.

Download form at Grants.gov and upload as Attachment 9.

See Form Instructions.

Attachment 10: R & R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form As applicable - Does not count toward the page limit.

Download form at Grants.gov and upload as Attachment 10.

See Form Instructions.

Attachments 11 to 15: Other relevant documents As applicable- Counts toward page limit.

Other required standard forms You will need to complete some other forms. Upload the forms listed below at Grants.gov. You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and any available instructions at Grants.gov Forms. See the application checklist for a full list of all application requirements.

Forms Submission Requirement

SF-424 R & R (Application for Federal Assistance) form

Yes, with application.

Research and Related Other Project Information

Yes, with application.

Standardized Work Plan (SWP) form Yes, with application.

Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form

Yes, with the application as Attachment 9.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28 https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/RR_SubawardBudget_3_0-V3.0.pdf https://www.grants.gov/forms

Forms Submission Requirement

Research and Related Budget form Yes, with application.

R & R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) form If applicable, with the application as Attachment 10.

Project/Performance Site Locations(s) form Yes, with application.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form If applicable, with the application or before the award.

SDS Program Specific form Yes, with the application

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29

Form instructions SF-424 R&R form Does not count toward the page limit

Follow the instructions for Application for Federal Assistance in section 3.1.1 of the R&R Application Guide.

Research and Related Other Project Information form Only the project narrative counts toward the page limit

In addition to the requirements in the project narrative section, you will provide some additional information in this form.

• Complete sections 1 through 6.

• Upload a blank document in item 7: Project Summary/Abstract to avoid a cross-form error with your Project Abstract Summary Form.

• Upload your project narrative in item 8.

• Leave items 9, 10, and 11 blank.

• If you have more than 10 subawards, you may use item 12 to add subaward budgets that could not fit in your R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) form.

Standardized Work Plan form Does not count toward the page limit

In addition to the requirements in project narrative, high-level work plan, follow these instructions:

• Submit your work plan through the SWP form. Provide a detailed work plan that demonstrates your experience or ability implementing a project of the proposed scope.

• Follow the instructions in the SWP form.

• Select your organizational priorities that best fit the objective.

• Write Health Equity in the “Other Priority Linkage” if your objective or sub-objectives align with this priority.

• The Goals and Objectives in your work plan must be identical to the Program Goals and Program Objectives in the NOFO.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 30

Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form The attached biographical sketches do not count toward the page limit

Download form at Grants.gov and upload as Attachment 9.

In addition to the requirements in Project Narrative, Organizational Information, follow these instructions.

• Include biographical sketches for people who will hold the key positions.

• Try to use no more than two pages per person.

• Do not include non-public, personally identifiable information.

• If you include someone you have not hired yet, include a letter of commitment from that person with their biographical sketch.

• Upload sketches in this form.

• Include:

◦ Name and title.

◦ Education and training. For each entry, include institution and location, degree and date earned (if any), and field of study.

◦ Section A, Personal Statement: Briefly describe why the individual’s experience and qualifications make them well-suited for their role.

◦ Section B, Positions and Honors: List in chronological order previous and current positions. List any honors. Include present membership on any federal government public advisory committee.

◦ Section C, Other Support: This section is optional. List selected ongoing and completed projects during the last three years. Begin with any projects relevant to the proposed project. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and responsibilities of the person.

◦ Other information. If they apply, include language fluency and experience working with populations that are culturally and linguistically different from their own.

Please note, the R&R Application Guide states that biographical sketches count toward the page limit. However, per this Notice of Funding Opportunity, your biographical sketches will not count toward the page limit.

Research and Related Budget form Only the budget narrative counts toward the page limit

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 31 https://grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-terminology#p https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=43

In addition to the requirements in the budget and budget narrative section, follow these instructions:

Complete the Research and Related Budget Form. Follow the instructions in section

3.1.4 of the R&R Application Guide.

You will complete the form for each budget year for the proposed performance period.

After completing the first budget period in the form, you may click “Add Period” to move to the next.

R & R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) form Does not count toward the page limit*

Download form at Grants.gov and upload as Attachment 10.

You will also complete the R & R Subaward Budget Attachment Form for each subaward you propose. These include subcontracts. You will do this using the R & R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form.

To complete the budget forms, follow the instructions in Grants.gov.

If you have more than 10 subawards, you may upload the extra budget forms in the Research and Related Other Project Information form in Block 12, “Other Attachments”.

Project/Performance Site Location(s) form Counts toward the page limit*

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form Does not count toward the page limit

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov.

SDS Program Specific form Does not count toward page limit

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 32 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/RR_SubawardBudget_3_0-V3.0.pdf

Step 4:

Learn About Review and Award

In this step

Application review 34

Award notices 41

Application review Initial review We review each application to make sure it meets eligibility criteria, including the completeness and responsiveness criteria. If your application does not meet these criteria, it will not be funded.

Also, we will not review any pages over the page limit.

Merit review A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. The members use these criteria.

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Purpose and need 20 points

2. Response 35 points

3. Impact 25 points

4. Resources and capabilities 10 points

5. Support requested 10 points

Criterion 1: Purpose and need 20 points

See Project Narrative Introduction and purpose and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the program needs and contributing factors.

• Discusses the purpose of the proposed project and how it meets the program goals and objectives.

• Identifies a commitment to increasing the number of graduates practicing in primary care, MUCs, and rural areas.

• Identifies a commitment to educating students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.

• Identifies students from disadvantaged backgrounds already receiving financial assistance.

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 34

• Discusses the efforts you will make to address the barriers to student’s access to education and success in your program:

◦ Include the financial needs of disadvantaged students in your specific health discipline and the way SDS funds will improve the financial situation.

◦ Demonstrates the way SDS funds will reduce barriers to student’s access to education and graduation.

Criterion 2: Response 35 points

See Project Narrative Approach, High-level work plan, and Resolving challenges sections.

Approach (15 points) The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Proposes a project that responds to the program’s purpose.

• Provides detailed steps to achieve each of the program goals and objectives that meet the program requirements and…