HRSA-25-093 RCORP-Pathways.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due April 14, 2025

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Rural Strategic Initiatives Division

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Pathways Opportunity number: HRSA-25-093

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Award information 14

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 16

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Application writing help 17

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 19

Application contents and format 20

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 31

Application review 32

Selection process 37

Award notices 37

Step 5: Submit Your Application 38

Application submission and deadlines 39

Application checklist 41

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 43

Post-award requirements and administration 44

Contacts and Support 48

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 April 14, 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 8

Award information 14

Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Rural Strategic Initiatives Division

Support rural youth through developing pathway programs to behavioral health careers and engaging youth to address behavioral health challenges among their peer groups.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name: Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Pathways

Opportunity number:

HRSA-25-093

Announcement version:

New

Federal assistance listing:

93.912

Statutory authority: 42 U.S.C. 912(b)(5) (§ 711(b)(5) of the Social Security Act)

Key dates

NOFO issue date:

January 14, 2025

Informational webinar: To be scheduled

Application deadline:

April 14, 2025

Expected award date is by:

August 1, 2025

Expected start date:

September 1, 2025

See other submissions for other time frames that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Pathways aims to support rural youth with behavioral health care challenges while also bolstering the behavioral health care workforce in rural communities. The purpose of RCORP-Pathways is to create innovative new youth-focused, peer-driven behavioral health care support programs, while also offering career pathway opportunities in rural communities.

Through these efforts, RCORP-Pathways will ultimately support improved health care in rural areas. Applicants will establish and work within a network of organizations to engage youth in developing and implementing behavioral health support programming. The first year of the program may be used for planning activities and to formalize a network, and the remaining two years must be dedicated to implementation.

Funding details Application Types: New

Expected total available funding in FY 25: $4,800,000

Expected number and type of awards: up to 12 grants

Funding range per award: Up to $400,000 per year

We plan to fund awards in three 12-month budget periods for a total 3-year period of performance from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2028.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Eligibility Who can apply You can apply if you are a domestic public or private, non-profit or for-profit, entity.

Types of eligible organizations These types of domestic* organizations may apply:

• Public institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• Non-profits with or without a 501(c)(3) IRS status

• For-profit organizations, including small businesses

• State, county, city, township, and special district governments, including the District of Columbia, domestic territories, and freely associated states

• Independent school districts

• 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.

Other eligibility criteria To be reviewed and scored, your application must:

• Specify a target rural service area that contains only counties and/or census tracts that are designated rural per the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer.

• Include letters of commitment from at least three additional potential network members.

• Ensure that at least 50% of proposed network members are located within the target rural service area.

NOTE: HRSA will review Attachment 1 and Attachment 4 to determine whether the application meets this eligibility criteria. If Attachment 1 and Attachment 4 do not include all required information, then your application may be considered ineligible, and will not be reviewed or scored.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6 https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-health

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 missing any required attachments and narrative sections, or required attachments and narrative sections are not complete.

Application limits You may submit more than one application under the same Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) if each applicant organization is located in a different rural area, serving a different population, and proposes a distinct project. Your application must be unique and independently developed and written. All applicants applying under the same EIN/ UEI MUST submit the required information described in Attachment 11.

NOTE: Single organizations (e.g., a parent organization/headquarters) may not apply more than once for this funding opportunity on behalf of its satellite offices or clinics.

We will only review your last validated application for each distinct project before the deadline. If you provide insufficient information in Attachment 7, or submit multiple applications that are nearly identical, we will only accept the last on-time submission associated with the EIN/UEI number.

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 7

Program description Purpose The purpose of RCORP-Pathways is to create innovative new youth-focused behavioral health care support programs, while also offering behavioral health care career pathway opportunities in rural communities. Award recipients will establish and work within a network of organizations to engage youth in developing and implementing behavioral health care support programming. Through these efforts, RCORP-Pathways will improve behavioral health care in rural areas.

Goal 1: Pathway Establish pathway programs to introduce youth to behavioral health careers and facilitate admittance into formalized training programs.

Goal 2: Engagement Engage youth to develop and implement peer-driven behavioral health programming in rural communities.

Goal 3: Sustainability Develop innovative, multi-sectoral approaches to ensure the continued availability of RCORP-Pathways supported activities in the target rural service area.

Target Population The target population for RCORP-Pathways is middle school and high school aged youth living in rural communities. However, no individuals may be excluded from RCORP-Pathways activities on the basis of age.

Program Highlights

• You must collaborate with a network of at least four total organizations, including your organization and three additional organizations. At least 50% of the organizations in the network must have a physical location in the target rural service area. HRSA strongly encourages you to include community colleges and local middle/high schools in your network.

• If necessary, you may use the first year of the award for planning purposes, including establishing partnerships, developing curriculum, and engaging youth.

Implementation of your project must begin by year two of the award.

• If awarded, you will participate in the RCORP-Pathways Learning Collaborative, facilitated by the RCORP technical assistance provider.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

• Required staff roles include a project director, data coordinator, and learning collaborative point of contact.

• All awardees must conduct a financial resources assessment, to identify avenues for sustainability after the award.

Background This program is authorized by Section 711(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.

912(b)(5)). HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) is the focal point for rural health activities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

FORHP programs provide technical assistance and other activities as necessary to support improving health care in rural areas. For additional information about FORHP, please see www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth. FORHP administers the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing disease and death related to substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), in high-risk rural communities. For more information about FORHP, please see https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/opioid-response.

According to the 2021-2022 National Survey of Children’s Health, 24.5 percent of children aged 3-17 have experienced an emotional, developmental, or behavioral health problem – a nearly 2 percent increase from the previous two years. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that deaths due to drug overdose among adolescents more than doubled from 2018 (253 deaths) to 2022 (723 deaths).

Additionally, compared to their urban counterparts, rural children are more likely to experience a total of four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), increasing their risk of substance use disorder. Individuals with over 5 ACEs are 7 to 10 times more likely to report substance use disorders compared to those without ACEs and are 4 to 12 times more likely to misuse drugs.

Compounding these challenges for rural children and adolescents, behavioral health services in rural areas can be harder to access. Of the 6,234 mental health-health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in the U.S., 3,861 (61.93 percent) are in rural areas, representing 28,946,148 people – including children and adolescents - who do not have adequate access to mental health care providers. While about 64 percent of all U.S.

counties had at least one mental health facility serving young people, only about 30 percent of highly rural counties had such facilities.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/opioid-response https://www.childhealthdata.org/browse/survey/results?q=10526&r=1 https://www.childhealthdata.org/browse/survey/archive2021/results?q=8556&r=1 https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/recent-trends-in-mental-health-and-substance-use-concerns-among-adolescents/ https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/recent-trends-in-mental-health-and-substance-use-concerns-among-adolescents/ https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/public_health/research/research_centers/sc_rural_health_research_center/documents/crouchacepce1.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/preventingACES.pdf https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/rural-youth-often-lack-access-suicide-prevention-services#:~:text=About%2064%25%20of%20all%20U.S.,be%20offered%20in%20rural%20counties https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/rural-youth-often-lack-access-suicide-prevention-services#:~:text=About%2064%25%20of%20all%20U.S.,be%20offered%20in%20rural%20counties

Program requirements and expectations Target rural service area requirements RCORP-Pathways supported activities may only be delivered in HRSA-designated rural counties and rural census tracts, as defined by the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer. Within partially rural counties, activities supported by this award may only be delivered within HRSA-designated rural census tracts.

Requirements for achieving RCORP-Pathways goals Goal 1: Pathway Establish pathway programs to introduce youth to behavioral health careers and facilitate admittance into formalized training programs.

• Create new or significantly expand programs to introduce middle and high school-aged youth to behavioral health careers.

• Ensure that programs developed or expanded with RCORP-Pathway funds are strongly connected to existing local, state, and national resources such as Area Health Education Centers and National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program.

• Facilitate entrance into formal training programs for behavioral health careers through partnerships with community colleges, universities, and other training institutions.

• Examples of possible activities under Goal 1 include, but are not limited to:

◦ Train students as community health workers to assist with behavioral health issues in their communities.

◦ Offer behavioral health job shadowing opportunities.

◦ Support students through applying to the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program

Goal 2: Engagement Engage youth to develop and implement peer-driven behavioral health programming in rural communities.

• Engage youth to identify behavioral health needs within their peer groups, and develop and implement actionable, youth-driven programming and solutions.

• Examples of possible activities under Goal 2 include, but are not limited to:

◦ Establishing a peer-to-peer mentoring program for youth in local middle and high schools.

◦ Initiate student-driven support groups or clubs focused on behavioral health issues.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-health https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-health https://www.nationalahec.org/page/WhatAHECsDo https://www.nationalahec.org/page/WhatAHECsDo https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships

Goal 3: Sustainability Develop innovative, multi-sectoral approaches to ensure the continued availability of RCORP-Pathways supported activities in the target rural service area.

• Work with your network throughout the period of performance to ensure that RCORP-Pathways supported activities are sustainable.

• Examples of activities under Goal 3 include but are not limited to:

◦ Leveraging other funding streams available within the community to enhance and sustain youth-driven behavioral health services and programming.

◦ Demonstrating the collective impact of the network to secure durable community buy-in.

◦ Establishing new partnerships beyond the network to further support RCORP-Pathways services.

• NOTE: You will also receive personalized technical assistance throughout your project, to help plan for the sustainability of RCORP-Pathways funded activities.

Network Requirements Engaging youth in behavioral health care can be uniquely challenging in rural communities where such resources and services may be less available or separated by significant distances. Therefore, you must implement your RCORP-Pathways project as part of a network of organizations that represent different aspects of youth engagement and behavioral health.

• If awarded, you must submit a single memorandum of understanding signed by each network member within the first year of the project.

• At least 50% of your network members must have a physical location (either a headquarters or a satellite site) within the target rural service area.

• Each member of your network must be fully integrated into the RCORP-Pathways project.

• At a minimum, network members should commit to:

◦ Meeting regularly (at least once a quarter).

◦ Coordinating with other network members on RCORP-Impact activities.

◦ Sharing aggregate data for performance reporting to HRSA.

◦ Sustaining services after the period of performance ends.

• We strongly encourage you to engage local community colleges or other institutions of higher education in your network.

• We strongly encourage you to engage local middle and high schools in your network.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

Planning Period You may, but are not required to, spend up to the first year of the award conducting planning activities. Planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Formalizing network partnerships

• Developing and signing memorandum of understanding for the network

• Conducting focus groups with youth and other stakeholders in the target rural service area

• Developing curriculum

You must begin implementing trainings no later than September 1, 2026 – one year into your period of performance.

Learning Collaborative If awarded, you will participate in the RCORP-Pathways learning collaborative, facilitated by the HRSA-funded RCORP technical assistance provider. The learning collaborative will offer the opportunity to network, share best practices, address challenges, and receive targeted technical assistance for your project.

• You must designate one individual to serve as the point of contact for the learning collaborative.

• The Learning Collaborative will meet on a regular basis; additional information will be provided after the beginning of the period of performance.

Data Collection Measuring success is a key element of RCORP-Pathways. We encourage you to use RCORP-Pathways funds to enhance the data collection and analysis capacity of your network. We also encourage you to implement ongoing quality improvement efforts.

Recipients will be expected to report detailed quantitative data related to the number of youths engaged in RCORP-Pathways supported programming. HRSA will provide additional information during the period of performance.

Staffing Requirements To achieve RCORP-Pathways goals and meet the program requirements, you must include the following roles in your project. Individuals may fulfill more than one role:

Project Director

• Primary point of contact and leadership for the award.

• Directs project activities.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Makes staffing, financial, or other adjustments to align project activities with the project outcomes.

• Engages community members and key stakeholders to implement project activities.

• Must attend monthly calls with HRSA program staff and the HRSA-funded RCORP technical assistance team.

• You may decide the job qualifications and percentage of effort needed to effectively fulfill these duties, but we strongly recommend a minimum time commitment of at least .25 FTE for the Project Director.

Learning Collaborative Point of Contact

• Participates in regular learning collaborative meetings.

• Should be a key staff member with the authority to speak on behalf of your project.

• You may decide the job qualifications and percentage of effort needed to effectively fulfill these duties.

Data Coordinator

• Coordinates with your network members to collect, aggregate, track, and report quantitative and qualitative data and information to fulfill HRSA’s reporting requirements.

• You may decide the job qualifications and percentage of effort needed to effectively fulfill these duties.

Sustainability Throughout the period of performance, you should work with your network to make RCORP-Pathways supported services sustainable. Additionally, all award recipients must conduct a financial resources assessment, to identify avenues for sustainability after the award. HRSA will provide additional information during the period of performance.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Award information Funding policies and limitations Policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives appropriated funding annually.

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:

◦ Annual appropriation of funds.

◦ Your 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.

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 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 2025, the salary rate limitation is $225,700. This limitation may 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).

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 – Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

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/application-guide.pdf#page=13 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/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75#75.400

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate is 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

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 15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 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 17

Find the application package 17

Application writing help 17

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.

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-25-093.

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.

See Apply for a Grant for other help and resources.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17 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 https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, we will schedule a webinar.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 20

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 format

Project abstract Use the Project Abstract Summary form.

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Budget narrative Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form.

Attachments Insert each in the Attachments form.

Other required forms Upload using each required 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 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. For more information, see Section 3.1.2 of the Application Guide.

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

Use the section headers and the order listed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All required information must be located in the corresponding narrative section, as described below.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=24 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13

Background See merit review criterion 1: Background

• State the objective(s) of your proposed project.

• Briefly summarize the over-arching needs you are planning to address with your project.

• Briefly describe the target rural service area. Reminder: RCORP-Pathways supported activities may only be delivered in HRSA-designated rural counties and rural census tracts, as defined by the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer. If your target rural service area contains any counties or census tracts that are NOT designated rural per the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, your application will not be reviewed or scored.

• Briefly describe target rural population.

Organizational Information See merit review criterion 2: Organizational Information

Overview

• Describe how the mission of your organization and the scope of current organizational activities align with the purpose and goals of RCORP-Pathways project.

• Describe your organization’s connections and partnerships within the target rural service area and target rural population.

• Describe how the leadership of your organization will support the implementation of your proposed RCORP-Pathways project.

• Describe how the different components of your organization, apart from leadership, will support the implementation of your proposed RCORP-Pathways project and the effective management of HRSA funds (e.g., finance, human resources, etc.).

• Describe how you will ensure that implementation of the project begins no later than September 1, 2026.

• Describe how your organization will work with your network to manage staff turnover and ensure continuity of the project’s operations and services.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21

Staffing Plan

• Describe how you will manage your proposed project and ensure that the work plan is implemented effectively.

• Provide a high-level summary of your proposed staffing plan.

◦ The staffing plan must include a project director, learning collaborative point of contact, and data coordinator.

▪ Be sure to list the designated Project Director in Box 8f of the SF-424 Application Page.

• For positions that are currently vacant, describe how you will quickly fill the position if awarded, to avoid any delays in implementing the work plan.

• In Attachment 3, provide a staffing plan.

Staff Biosketches

• For each staff member reflected in the staffing plan, provide a brief biographical sketch in Attachment 6 that clearly demonstrates the staff member has appropriate and applicable experience for their role on the project. If an individual is fulfilling multiple roles in the proposed project, you may use a single biographical sketch to address their qualifications for each role.

• The names reflected in the staffing plan must align with the names identified in the biographical sketches.

Network Reminder: You must specify the at least three additional organizations that you anticipate will be in your network and provide letters of commitment from each. Your network must consist of at least 4 separately owned entities (your organization plus 3 additional organizations). Applications that do not include letters of commitment from three proposed network members will not be reviewed or scored. At least 50% of your network members must have a physical location (either a headquarters or a satellite site) within the target rural service area. If you don’t meet this requirement, your application will be non-responsive, and will not be reviewed or scored.

• Describe how the network will be structured and managed.

• Describe how you will engage network members to ensure effective and productive collaboration.

• Describe how the network members represent the sectors that are necessary to support a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable approach to the goals of RCORP-Pathways.

• Describe how you will ensure that all network members have the capability and agree to share aggregate data to meet HRSA performance reporting requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

• In Attachment 4, include information for organizations that you anticipate will serve in the network and attest that the network will meet at least quarterly.

• In Attachment 5, include a letter of support from at least three anticipated network members.

Approach See merit review criterion 3: Approach

Goal 1: Pathway Establish pathway programs to introduce youth to behavioral health careers and facilitate admittance into formalized training programs.

Justification of Need

• Use recent, reliable quantitative data to justify the need for the youth-focused, behavioral health workforce pathway programs you are proposing to implement in your target rural service area.

• Describe any existing behavioral health workforce pathway programs in your target rural service area, and how your network will complement, and not duplicate, these efforts.

Approach

• Describe in detail the youth-focused, behavioral health workforce pathway programs you will implement. Include any certifications that students will receive after completion of the pathway program(s).

• Describe how you will ensure that the pathway program(s) is strongly connected to existing local, state, and national resources.

• Explain how you will recruit students and support them through completion of the pathway program(s).

• Describe how you will facilitate admittance into formal behavioral health workforce training programs for students who have completed the pathway program(s) and would like to pursue a career in the field.

• Demonstrate that the anticipated number of students participating in the pathway program(s) is proportional to the size of your requested budget.

Resolution of Challenges

• Describe any challenges you may encounter, and how you will resolve them.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23

Goal 2: Engagement Engage youth to develop and implement peer-driven behavioral health programming in rural communities.

Justification of Need

• Use recent, reliable quantitative data to clearly and comprehensively justify the need for youth-focused, peer-driven behavioral health programming in your target rural service area.

Approach

• Describe in detail how your network will engage youth to identify behavioral health risks and challenges within their peer groups and develop solution-oriented programming.

◦ Specify how you will ensure that engagement of youth draws on trauma-informed approaches.

• Describe in detail how your network will support and empower youth to engage in implementing solution-oriented programming to address identified behavioral health challenges within their peer group.

◦ Specify how you will ensure appropriate supervision and support of the youth who are implementing programming.

◦ Specify how you will ensure that youth-driven programming adheres to the principals of trauma-informed care and psychological safety.

Resolution of Challenges

• Describe any challenges you may encounter, and how you will resolve them.

Goal 3: Sustainability Develop innovative, multi-sectoral approaches to ensure the continued availability of RCORP-Pathways supported activities in the target rural service area post-federal funding.

Justification of Need

• Describe existing collaborations or networks that are supporting the youth-focused behavioral health programming in the target rural service area, and why these efforts are insufficient and/or not sustainable.

Approach

• Describe how the network will work towards ensuring the continued availability RCORP-Pathways activities implemented under Goals 1 and 2, to support the ongoing strengthening of the behavioral health workforce.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24

Resolution of Challenges

• Describe any challenges you may encounter, and how you will resolve them.

High-level work plan See merit review criteria 4: Work Plan

• In Attachment 2, provide a work plan that includes the specific activities and action steps that you will take to implement each of the approaches described in the previous section.

Data and Reporting See merit review criteria 5: Data and Reporting

• Describe how you will ensure that the network effectively collects, shares, and reports required HRSA performance measures.

◦ NOTE: Recipients will be expected to report detailed quantitative data, which may include information related to the number of youths completing pathway programs, entering formal training for a behavioral health profession, and engaging in peer-driven behavioral health programming.

HRSA will provide additional guidance during the period of performance.

• Describe how you will use data, including but not limited to required HRSA performance measures, for the continuous improvement of RCORP-Pathways supported activities.

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 6: Support requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in Section 3.1.4 Project Budget Information

– Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) of the Application Guide and the instructions listed in this section. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

We strongly encourage you to consider budgeting RCORP-Pathways funds to support network members’ participation in the project.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supply 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.

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs used for the HRSA award activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable).

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200%22%20/l%20%22p-200.1(Supply)

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form 424-A.

See other required forms. It includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the costs you request. The merit review committee reviews both.

As you develop your budget, consider:

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

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

• Travel: You must budget travel funds for up to two (2) program staff to attend a three-day program meeting in Washington, DC, once in every project year. You may also propose additional meetings and conferences that are directly related to the purpose of the program and will complement your project’s objectives.

• Sustainability: Your work plan and budget/budget narrative should reflect a shift towards sustainability over the course of the three-year period of performance.

• Network Members: We encourage you to consider budgeting RCORP-Pathways funds to support network member participation in the project.

To create your budget narrative, see detailed instructions in Section 3.1.5 of the Application Guide. Three separate and complete budgets must be submitted with this application.

Attachments Place your attachments in this order in the Attachments Form. See application checklist to determine if they count toward the page limit.

Attachment 1: General Project Information IMPORTANT: The information included in this attachment will be used to determine your application’s eligibility. Be sure that the information is complete and correct.

Provide the following information about your proposed project:

• Project Title

• Requested Award Amount

• Applicant Organization Name

• Applicant Organization Address

• Applicant Organization Facility Type (e.g., Rural Health Clinic, Critical Access Hospital, Tribe/Tribal Organization, Health System, Institute of Higher Learning, Community-based Organization, Foundation, Rural Health Network, etc.)

• Project Director Name and Title (should be the same individual designated in Box 8f of the SF-424 Application Form)

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/application-guide.pdf#page=18

• Project Director Contact Information (phone and email)

• How You First Learned About the Funding Opportunity (select one: State Office of Rural Health, HRSA News Release, Grants.gov, HRSA Project Officer, HRSA Website, Technical Assistance Provider, State/Local Health Department)

• Whether you are a: current RCORP award Recipient, previous RCORP award recipient, current RCORP Consortium member, or previous RCORP consortium member.

• RCORP-Pathways target service area:

◦ Fully Rural Counties: Provide the county name and state

◦ Partially-Rural Counties: Provide county name, state, and the rural census tract

Reminder: If your target rural service area contains any counties or census tracts that are NOT designated rural per the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, your application will not be reviewed or scored.

Attachment 2: Work Plan Provide a work plan that includes the specific activities and action steps that you will take to implement each of the approaches described in the previous section. We strongly recommend that you provide your Work Plan in a well-formatted, easy to read table that has columns for activity/task, responsible staff, start date, completion date, and activity status.

The work plan must:

• Address all three RCORP-Pathways goals.

• Reflect a 3-year period of performance, including up to one year of planning.

Activities must be fully operational by September 1st, 2026.

• Include the names of the individuals/organizations who are responsible for implementing each specific activity.

• Include specific time frames for each activity (please do not list a time frame as ongoing. There should be a specific beginning and end date for each activity).

Attachment 3: Staffing plan & job descriptions See Section 4.1.vi of the Application Guide. Provide a staffing plan that includes the information below for each project staff and key information about each. It is strongly recommended that you provide this information in a table format. Be sure to include all required staff as described in the Staffing Requirements.

• Name (if not yet hired, state “TBH”).

• Title.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/sf424-application-guide.pdf#page=33

• Organizational affiliation.

• Full-time equivalent (FTE) devoted to the project (Note: You cannot bill more than

1.0 FTE across federal awards).

• List of roles and responsibilities on the project.

• Job title (e.g., project director, a learning collaborative.)

• Timeline and process for hiring/onboarding, if applicable.

Attachment 4: Network Members

• Reminder: You must specify the at least three additional organizations that you anticipate will be in your network and provide letters of commitment from each.

Your network must consist of at least 4 separately owned entities (your organization plus 3 additional organizations). Applications that do not include letters of commitment from three proposed network members will not be reviewed or scored. At least 50% of your network members must have a physical location (either a headquarters or a satellite site) within the target rural service area. If you don’t meet this requirement, your application will be non-responsive, and it will not be reviewed or scored.

PART A:

Provide the following information for all organizations that you anticipate will serve in the network.

• Organization name

• Organization’s physical address

• Sector represented (e.g., education, health, transportation, etc.)

• Point of contact, including name, position title, and email

PART B:

Attest that your network will meet, at a minimum, once a quarter.

Attachment 5: Letters of Support Provide a letter of support from at least three additional anticipated network members.

The letter should include:

• An overview of the organization’s anticipated role in the proposed RCORP- Pathways project

• A description of the organization’s ties to the target rural service area.

• A commitment to share performance data as needed with HRSA.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28

Attachment 6: Biographical Sketches For each staff member reflected in the staffing plan, provide a brief biographical sketch that clearly demonstrates the staff member has appropriate and applicable experience for their role on the project. If an individual is fulfilling multiple roles in the proposed project, you may use a single biographical sketch to address their qualifications for each role. The names reflected in the staffing plan must align with the names identified in the biographical sketches.

Attachment 7: Shared EIN Distinct organizations located in different rural areas and serving different populations may submit individual applications, even if they have the same EIN/UEI. The applications must be unique and independently developed and written. All applicants applying under the same EIN/UEI MUST submit the required information described below.

NOTE: Single organizations (e.g., a parent organization/headquarters) may not apply more than once for this funding opportunity on behalf of its satellite offices or clinics.

If you provide insufficient information in Attachment 11, or submit multiple applications that are nearly identical, HRSA will only accept the last submitted application associated with the EIN/UEI number.

• EIN and UEI number for which there will be multiple applications.

• Name and street address of each organization applying under the same EIN/UEI.

• Name, title, email, and phone number for a point of contact at each of the organizations applying under the same EIN/UEI.

• Name and street address of the “parent” organization.

• Name, title, email address, and phone number for a point of contact at the parent organization.

• Proposed RCORP-Pathways target rural service area for each of the organizations under the same EIN (these should not overlap).

• Attest that each organization applying under the same EIN/UEI will be independently responsible for the planning, program management, financial management, and decision making of their project.

• Include signatures from the points of contact at each applicant organization and the parent organization.

Attachment 8-15: other relevant documents You may use attachments 8 through 15 to add other relevant documents, such as your indirect cost rate agreement.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29

Other required forms You will need to complete some other forms. Upload the following forms at Grants.gov.

You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and any available instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission Requirement

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) With application.

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

With application.

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

Budget Narrative Attachment Form With application

Project/Performance Site Location(s) With application.

Grants.gov Lobbying Form With application.

Key Contacts With application.

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

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 30 https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

Step 4:

Learn About Review and Award

In this step

Application review 32

Selection process 37

Award notices 37

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

We will not review any pages that exceed 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. Background 5 points

2. Organizational Information 25 points

3. Approach 50 points

4. Work Plan 10 points

5. Data and Reporting 5 points

6. Support requested 5 points

Criterion 1: Background (5 points) See the project narrative Background sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it demonstrates:

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the target rural service area and target population.

• The objectives of the proposed project are closely aligned with the goal and purpose of RCORP-Pathways.

• The needs of the target population are closely aligned with the purpose of RCORP- Pathways.

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 32

Criterion 2: Organizational Information (25 points) See the project narrative Organizational Information section.

Overview (7 points) The panel will review your application for how well it demonstrates:

• The mission and activities of the applicant organization are closely aligned with the mission and goals of the proposed RCORP-Pathways Project. In other words, the proposed project fits well within the applicant organization.

• Strong connections and relationships with the target rural service area and the target rural population.

• Strong support from organizational leadership to implement the proposed project.

• Strong support from other components of the applicant organization, apart from leadership, to implement the proposed project and ensure effective use of RCORP- Pathways funds.

• The ability to begin implementing the project no later than September 1, 2026.

• The ability to manage any staff or clinician turnover, so that if these changes occur, the project’s administrative operations and services will not be disrupted.

Staffing Plan (8 points) The panel will review your application for how well it describes a staffing plan and biosketches that:

• Will be effective and…