HRSA-26-018 FAQ.pdf

HRSA-26-018

MCH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the total number of points for each criterion in the merit review?

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Need 10 points

2. Response 40 points

3. Performance management 10 points

4. Impact 15 points

5. Resources and capabilities 15 points

6. Support requested 10 points

2. Can you clarify Criterion 1: Need?

Criterion 1: Need (10 points) See Project Narrative Introduction and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the purpose of the project and the need for MCH-specific interdisciplinary undergraduate training at your university and in your geographic area.

• Describe how the project will address the unmet MCH healthcare needs in rural and other medically underserved areas.

• Describes the interdisciplinary undergraduate students who will be eligible for the LEAP Training

Program, their unmet training needs, and any relevant barriers to trainees’ access to education and success in their program.

• Uses relevant data, with appropriate references, to document and justify the need for the proposed project.

3. The stipend levels established by Kirschstein-National Research Service Awards for undergraduate students have been updated. Can you clarify if we can use the updated stipend levels?

Yes, you may use the stipend levels that were published here on March 18, 2026.

4. Can you clarify if the budget period for support year 1 should be 12-months or 8-months?

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-044.html

You should submit a 12-month budget for year 1 and request up to $155,000, even though the first year will be a shortened budget period of 8 months.

5. What is the period of performance for this program?

The period of performance will be Sept 30, 2026 – May 31, 2031.

6. Can you clarify the Appendix definition of long-term trainees?

A long-term trainee (LTT) is an individual enrolled for 300 or more hours in the MCH training program.

Trainees are qualified to participate if they are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree. Long-term trainee status is independent of a trainee’s enrollment status at the academic institution (based on credit hours and/or academic units per term).

This NOFO does not support students pursuing an advanced degree (pre-doctoral), post-doctoral (including fellows), or are practicing professionals from the community with graduate degrees or commensurate work or leadership experience.

7. Can you clarify if there will be a live or recorded webinar?

A live webinar will not be available for this NOFO. A recorded webinar may be available for this NOFO, at a later date. All application information can be found in the NOFO.

The application can be found on grants.gov, here are steps to access the full application package:

1. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate

Pathways (LEAP) Training Program (HRSA-26-018)

2. Select “Package”

3. Select “Preview”

4. Select “Download Instructions”

8. When does the application close?

The closing date for this NOFO is July 10, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST. Per the How to Apply – HRSA Application Guide, “…apply at least three calendar days before the deadline listed in the NOFO.”

9. Can the 20% effort for the Project Director be shared or split among other key personnel?

No. The Project Director should commit a minimum of 20% of their time to the LEAP program grant, which may be a combination of grant and in-kind support. The 20% effort cannot be shared by two faculty members.

HRSA recognizes only one Project Director. The Project Director must be a faculty member employed by the applicant organization at the time you submit the application and at the time of award. The Project Director should dedicate at least 20% of their time to grant-related activities. The dedicated time can be supported through in-kind contributions or by grant funds. We do not allow co-Project Directors.

10. How do we determine the trainee type?

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362287 https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362287 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.pdf

The trainee type is determined by the number of training hours each year (for example, each reporting/budget period).

Trainee Type* Training Hours

Long-term trainee (LTT) 300 or more hours

Advanced medium-term trainee (MTT-II) 150 to 299 hours

Standard medium-term trainee (MTT-I) 40 to 149 hours

Short-term trainee (STT) less than 40 hours

*Undergraduate Student

10. Can you clarify whether the NOFO language should read "rural or other medically underserved areas" or "rural and other medically underserved areas"?

The language should read as "rural or other medically underserved areas” throughout the NOFO.