HRSA-26-018 Final.pdf

)Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Friday July 10, 2026

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Division of MCH Workforce Development

MCH Leadership, Education, and

Advancement in Undergraduate

Pathways (LEAP) Training

Program

Opportunity number: HRSA-26-018

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 18

Step 3: Build Your Application 19

Application checklist 20

Application contents and format 22

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award 35

Application review 36

Selection process 41

Award notices 41

Step 5: Submit Your Application 42

Application submission and deadline 43

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 44

Post-award requirements and administration 45

Contacts and Support 47

Appendix: Standards for using MCHB grant funds to support trainees 50

Endnotes

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 July 10, 2026.

All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate; racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety. If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 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)

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Division of MCH Workforce Development

Training undergraduate students in order to expand the maternal and child health workforce.

Summary The MCH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP)

Training Program establishes pathway programs that aim to expand the MCH workforce. These programs increase access to healthcare and public health services for maternal and child health (MCH) populations, especially in rural or other medically underserved communities.

The LEAP programs:

• Train interdisciplinary undergraduate students in MCH.

• Provide mentorships, internships, and experiential learning opportunities.

• Establish and strengthen partnerships with MCH-related organizations.

Funding details Application types: Competing Continuation, New

Expected total available funding in FY 2026: $775,000*[1]

Expected total number and type of awards: Up to 5 grants

Funding range per award: Up to $155,000 per year per grant

We plan to fund awards in five 12-month budget periods for a total five-year period of performance from September 30, 2026 to May 31, 2031.

In the first and future years, subject to availability of appropriations, HRSA may award administrative supplemental funding of up to $15,000 to one successful recipient per year to convene an annual recipient meeting.

See Contacts and

Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

MCH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in

Undergraduate Pathways

(LEAP) Training Program

Opportunity number:

version:

Original

93.110

Key dates

April 29, 2026

Informational webinar: TBD

Application deadline: July 10, September 30, 2026

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

Eligibility

Who can apply You can apply if your organization is a domestic public or private nonprofit institution of higher education. Native American tribal governments and organizations that are public or private nonprofit institutions of higher learning (education) can also apply.

Types of eligible organizations

These types of domestic* organizations may apply:

• Public institutions of higher education

• Non-profit private institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments and organizations that are public or private nonprofit institutions of higher learning (education)

See 42 CFR § 51a.3(b).

* “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

Trainee eligibility

To receive support under this program, a trainee must be one of the following:

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

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

• Any other “qualified alien” under section 431(b) of the Personal Responsibility and

Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L 104-193, as amended

(PRWORA).

• Please review other trainee support information in the Appendix.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-51a#51a.3

Qualifications for principal investigator or project director

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.

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.

Application limits You may not submit more than one application. If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission.

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. Recipients agree that once committed, cost sharing amounts are enforceable and subject to reporting and auditing requirements under 2 CFR 200.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Program description

Purpose The MCH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP)

Training Program establishes pathway programs that aim to expand the MCH workforce. These programs increase access to healthcare and public health services for maternal and child health (MCH) populations, including in rural or other medically underserved communities.

The program objectives to be accomplished during the period of performance include:

• Expose interdisciplinary undergraduate students to MCH-related training, graduate programs, and careers in healthcare and public health services.

• Provide targeted mentoring to improve academic achievement, support leadership development, and guide post-graduate MCH-related career plans.

• Offer internships and experiential learning in MCH healthcare and public health services.

• Establish and strengthen partnerships with MCH-related organizations to improve access to and quality of health services for MCH populations.

Background The LEAP program is a pathway program that reaches interdisciplinary undergraduate students early in their careers and provides direct exposure to jobs and advanced training in maternal and child health. The LEAP program aims to increase the percentage of students enrolling in MCH-related graduate programs and grow the supply and capacity of the MCH workforce.

The LEAP program began in 2006 with four grants and expanded to six grants in 2021.

Since its establishment, the program has demonstrated success in using hands-on training, targeted mentoring, financial support, and internships to support students.

• From 2021-23, the LEAP program trained 2,695 students across 24 disciplines, from nursing, to nutrition, to public health.[2]

• In 2023, over half of the LEAP trainees were the first in their families to go to college, a crucial step in the pathway toward becoming part of a MCH workforce that serves rural or other medically underserved communities.[3]

• During this same period, LEAP programs strengthened relationships between public health departments and academic centers. Recipients participated in 300 collaborative activities with the state Title V Maternal and Child Health Services

Block Grant Program (Title V) and other local MCH programs to improve health outcomes and healthcare access for mothers, infants, and children.[4]

• Two years after program completion, nearly three-quarters of former LEAP trainees were working in maternal and child health.[5]

Program requirements and expectations To achieve the goals and objectives stated in the purpose section, you are expected to establish an MCH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate

Pathways (LEAP) Training Program that includes the following activities.

Trainee recruitment and retention

• Recruit, train, retain, and support at least 30 interdisciplinary undergraduate students annually, including those from rural or other medically underserved areas, in MCH as short-, medium-, and long-term trainees. At least 10 trainees should be medium- or long-term (see Appendix).

• Medium- or long-term trainees should fulfill the following requirements as part of their training:

◦ Participate in training.

◦ Engage in mentorship.

◦ Complete an MCH-related internship and experiential learning.

• Advanced medium- and long-term trainees may receive grant funding (for example, stipends, tuition assistance, or travel support). Financial support must be limited to students whose background, career goals, economic situation, and leadership potential align with the purpose of the LEAP program.

Training

• Design and implement a comprehensive and innovative undergraduate-level MCH training curriculum that exposes trainees to MCH healthcare and public health knowledge and careers. The curriculum can be a course for credit, seminar series, or other learning models. It should include:

◦ Foundational MCH-related health training that covers the history of MCH, life course approach, and the public health system in the United States, including the Title V MCH Services Block Grant.

◦ Public health training that covers a broad public health perspective, including, but not limited to:

▪ Chronic disease prevention.

▪ Rural health.

▪ Community needs assessment.

▪ Quantitative and qualitative research.

▪ Program administration.

▪ Program planning (including financial planning).

▪ Program monitoring and evaluation.

▪ Leadership training that prepares MCH-related health professionals to become leaders in practice, research, teaching, and administration.

◦ Interdisciplinary training that models interdisciplinary care and includes various disciplines such as:

▪ Health care providers.

▪ Scientists.

▪ Educators.

▪ Public health professionals.

▪ Community and family members.

◦ Professional development training that includes graduate school and workforce preparation activities.

Mentoring

• Design and implement a comprehensive mentorship model to enhance academic achievement, support leadership development, and guide post-graduate MCH-related career plans. The mentorship model should:

◦ Include mentors from multiple disciplines with subject matter expertise in

MCH.

◦ Foster long-term relationships with students and their mentors.

◦ Include clear goals and objectives (for example, an Individual Development

Plan) developed collaboratively between the mentor and mentee.

◦ Include clear roles and responsibilities of the mentor and mentee.

Internships and experiential learning

• Initiate the relationships needed to develop and maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date list of MCH-related internship sites and experiential learning activities actively accepting undergraduate students. These sites and activities should include locations in rural and other medically underserved areas.

• Facilitate and support the placement and successful completion of MCH-related internships and experiential learning activities through training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities (for example, networking, interview preparation, or public speaking).

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/training/documents/MCH_Leadership_Competencies_v4.pdf

• The MCH-related internship sites and experiential learning activities should be appropriate for undergraduate students and have a range of:

◦ Interdisciplinary opportunities in MCH healthcare and public health services.

◦ Time commitments (for example, full-time, part-time, specific number of hours, etc.).

◦ Availability throughout the calendar year (for example, during the academic year or academic breaks).

◦ Formats (for example, in-person, hybrid, or virtual).

Partnerships and advisory committee

• Establish or strengthen at least one academic-practice partnership (APP) in your state or region to enhance program activities. APPs should be beneficial to both partners.

• Partner with MCH-related organizations, including other federally funded programs co-located at your academic institution or within your state or region

(for example, the Title V MCH Services Block Grant), to advance MCH-related health training and education. Activities may include:

◦ Joint leadership seminars.

◦ Trainee internships and experiential learning opportunities.

◦ Cascading peer mentorship models (for example, undergraduate student mentees and graduate student mentors).

◦ Networking events.

• Collaborate with other LEAP program recipients funded under this announcement

(HRSA-26-018). Collaborative activities include:

◦ Participating in regular all-recipient calls.

◦ Attending and participating in the annual recipient meeting each year that it is convened.

• Establish an advisory committee to guide your program’s activities and plans. The committee should meet at least annually and should include students or alumni, faculty, staff, mentors, and representatives of internship and experiential learning organizations.

Faculty and staff

• Identify a Project Director (PD) who will have direct, day-to-day responsibility for grant activities. The PD should:

◦ Be a faculty member at the applicant organization with demonstrated leadership in an MCH-related profession.

◦ Have relevant experience and expertise with undergraduate-level curriculum development, teaching, and mentoring students.

◦ Have expertise in one or more MCH topic areas.

◦ 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.

◦ Identify core faculty, staff, mentors, or others who will support this program and mentor students. Mentors should represent multiple disciplines, demonstrate expertise in MCH, and have a strong track record in working with and mentoring interdisciplinary undergraduate students.

• The Project Director is expected to participate in regular recipient calls and attend the annual recipient meeting. Grant funds can be used to support additional faculty and staff attendance at the annual meeting.

• In the first and future years, based on availability of appropriations, HRSA may award administrative supplemental funding to one successful recipient per year to convene an annual recipient meeting. Successful recipients of this program are expected to be willing to convene the annual recipient meeting for one year of the performance period, should supplemental funding be available. This annual meeting requirement may be waived during Year 5 of the period of performance.

Performance management We expect you to measure your performance and conduct CQI activities. Actions include:

Performance measurement

• Measuring and monitoring performance on key activities, program objectives, and desired outcomes of funded activities.

• Discretionary Grants Information System (DGIS) measures noted in the reporting section.

• Collecting and reporting annually in the non-competing continuation progress report on added measures that align with program goals and objectives.

Continuous quality improvement (CQI)

• Conducting CQI activities annually (for example, use data and findings from performance measurement and/or evaluation work to inform and improve processes and outcomes).

◦ Develop a CQI plan that demonstrates how you will include trainee, alumni, faculty, and partner feedback and shows how information will be used to support program implementation and sustainability.

Statutory authority 42 U.S.C. § 701(a)(2) (Title V, § 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act)

Award information

Funding policies and limitations

Changes in HHS regulations

As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR

300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

Policies

• To make awards, funding must be available and allocated for this program and purpose, at which point 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

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

2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E - General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

• You cannot earn profit from the federal award. See 2 CFR 200.400(g).

• Current appropriations law includes a salary limit of $228,000 as of January 2026 that applies to this program. You may pay salaries at a rate higher than the

Executive Level II if the amount beyond the HHS SRL is paid with non-HHS funds.

See Manage Your Grant for other information on costs and financial management.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.400(g) https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant

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 2 CFR 300.414 indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8% of modified total direct costs. To calculate the (MTDC), we exclude from the direct cost base:

• Direct cost amounts for equipment, tuition, fees, and participant support costs.

• Subawards and subcontracts exceeding $50,000.

For modified total direct costs, we use the definition at 2 CFR 200.1.

Consider your indirect costs when developing your budget.

Program income

Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use those funds to add to approved project activities. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300/subpart-E/section-300.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Application writing help 18

Get registered

SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. 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-26-018.

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

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/search-grants

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.

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, visit the open opportunities website. The webinar will be recorded.

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 https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/HRSA-26-018

Step 3:

Build Your Application

Application checklist 20

Application contents and format 22

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply.

Narratives See the instructions for the Project Abstract Summary form and the Budget and Budget narrative.

Form Included in page limit? *

Research & Related Other Project Information Only the project narrative counts towards the page limit.

Research & Related Budget Only the budget narrative counts towards the page limit.

Attachments See instructions for attachments.

Form

1. Training Curriculum

2. Agreements with other entities

3. Advisory committee roster

4. Work plan

5. Project organizational chart

6. Staffing plan and job descriptions

7: Annual recipient meeting

8 through 15: Other relevant documents

Included in page limit? *

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Other required forms See form instructions.

Form

SF-424 (R&R)

Project Abstract Summary form

R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s)

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form

Project/Performance Site Locations(s)

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

Included in page limit? *

No*

No*

No

No

* Unless otherwise indicated, only what you attach to a form counts toward the page limit. The form itself does not count.

Application contents and format This section includes guidance on each component found in the application checklist.

Application page limit: 60 pages.

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

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 narrative Use the Research & Related Other Project Information form to attach the project narrative. In the project narrative, you will describe all aspects of your project.

Use the section headers and the order as listed.

Introduction

See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Briefly describe the purpose of your project.

Need

See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Describe the need for a dedicated undergraduate MCH-specific healthcare and public health training program at your university and in your geographic area.

• Describe the interdisciplinary undergraduate students who will be eligible for your

LEAP Training Program and their unmet MCH training needs that this program will address.

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

• Discuss any relevant barriers to the trainees’ access to education and success in your program. These barriers might include physical health, psychological health, physical environment, social environment, and economic stability.

• Use and cite data whenever possible.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D25

Approach

See merit review criterion 2: Response

Goals and objectives

• List your project goals and the specific objectives that respond to the stated need and purpose of the project.

• For each proposed project goal, provide objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART).

Trainee recruitment and retention

• Describe how you will recruit a cohort of interdisciplinary undergraduate students as LEAP short-, medium-, and long-term trainees, including trainees from rural or other medically underserved areas. Include your recruitment and outreach plans.

• Estimate the number of short-, medium-, and long-term trainees who will benefit from your LEAP training program each year. Describe how medium- or long-term trainees will fulfill the following program requirements as part of their 40+ hours of training:

◦ Participate in training.

◦ Engage in mentorship.

◦ Complete an MCH-related internship and experiential learning.

◦ Specify the difference in expectation and training for advanced medium- and long-term trainees who may receive financial support compared to other

LEAP trainees.

• Describe how you will determine which advanced medium and long-term trainees will receive financial support.

• Explain how you plan to retain and support trainees once they have entered the program. Include retention and support strategies that may be relevant to interdisciplinary undergraduate students.

See the Appendix for more trainee information.

Training

• Describe how you will assess interdisciplinary undergraduate students’ unique

MCH healthcare and public health training needs.

• Describe the training curriculum your LEAP training program will provide that will expose trainees to MCH healthcare and public health knowledge and careers.

• Describe how the following topical areas, as described in the program requirements and expectation section, will be included in your training curriculum:

◦ Foundational MCH-related health training.

◦ Public health training.

◦ Leadership training.

◦ Interdisciplinary training.

◦ Professional development training.

• In Attachment 1, outline the current or anticipated MCH healthcare and public health training curriculum.

Mentoring

• Describe your mentorship model that will comprehensively enhance academic achievement, support leadership development, and guide post-graduate MCH-related career plans.

• Describe how your mentorship model will:

◦ Identify mentors from multiple disciplines and subject matter expertise in

MCH. List all proposed and confirmed mentors and include a brief description of their subject matter expertise in MCH.

◦ Foster long-term relationships with students and their mentors.

◦ Develop clear goals and objectives (for example, an Individual Development

Plan) using a collaborative approach between the mentor and mentee.

◦ Establish clear roles and responsibilities for the mentor and mentee. Include your proposed or established roles and responsibilities for mentors and mentees.

Internships and experiential learning

• Describe how you will initiate the relationships needed to develop and maintain a comprehensive list of MCH-related internship sites and experiential learning activities, including sites and activities in rural and other medically medically underserved areas. Include your plan to ensure that the list remains updated and how you will determine if a site or activity is actively accepting undergraduate students.

• Describe your plans to facilitate and support the placement and successful completion of MCH-related internships and experiential learning activities through training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities (for example, anticipatory or concurrent summer bridge programming).

• Describe how you will determine that the MCH-related internship sites and experiential learning activities are appropriate for undergraduate students.

• Describe how your internship sites and experiential learning activities will have:

◦ Interdisciplinary opportunities in MCH healthcare and public health services.

Include a list of all proposed and confirmed internship sites and experiential learning activities.

◦ A range of time commitments, availability throughout the calendar year, and formats. Specify the time commitment, time during the year, and format for each internship site and experiential learning activity.

Partnerships and advisory committee

• Describe the partnerships you will develop to achieve program goals.

• Document how you will establish or strengthen an academic-practice partnership in your state or region.

• Document how you will partner with different MCH or public health organizations, including other HRSA- or MCHB-funded programs co-located at your academic institution or within your state or region.

• Include your plan to engage partners in your LEAP training program on an ongoing basis and include a description of any proposed or planned activities (For example, as guest lecturers, advisory committee members, or preceptors).

• Provide letters of support that demonstrate these partnerships in Attachment 2.

• State your willingness to participate in regularly scheduled recipient calls and attend the annual recipient meeting each year it is convened.

• Describe your plan to form an advisory committee. Describe the committee’s responsibilities, including how the members will guide project design, implementation, evaluation, reporting, and sustainability.

• Discuss how you will recruit advisory committee members, including students or alumni, faculty, staff, mentors, and representatives of internship and experiential learning organizations.

• Detail the frequency of meetings (at least annually) and how you will ensure the meetings are accessible to all members.

• Provide a list of proposed, invited, and confirmed members and the organizations they represent in Attachment 3.

High-level work plan

See merit review criteria 2 and 4: Response and Impact

• Describe how you’ll achieve each of the objectives during the period of performance that you outlined in the approach section.

• Provide a timeline that includes each activity and identifies who is responsible for each. As needed, identify how key stakeholders will help plan, design, and carry out all activities.

• You will also include a more detailed work plan in your attachments.

Resolving challenges

See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Discuss challenges you are likely to encounter in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan. Explain approaches that you’ll use to resolve them.

Performance reporting and evaluation

See merit review criteria 3: Performance management

Outcomes

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

• Describe how your LEAP program will increase access to healthcare and public health services for MCH populations in rural or other medically underserved communities and improve health outcomes for families and children.

Monitoring

• Describe how you will track project activities over the period of performance.

• Describe your capacity to collect, manage, and report data in a way that allows for accurate and timely monitoring, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement.

• Describe how you will manage and securely store data.

Performance measurement

• See Reporting for performance measure requirements and examples of reporting forms.

• Provide your plan for measuring and tracking program goals and objectives in the purpose section. Include a list of measures.

• Propose a plan for tracking LEAP graduates for five years post-training, including strategies to maintain contact with program graduates and methods to survey graduates and limit loss to follow-up.

Continuous quality improvement

• Describe your plans for using and incorporating information from students, faculty, staff, or other partners to improve your LEAP training program and associated activities.

See Reporting for more information.

Sustainability

See merit review criteria 4: Impact

We expect you to sustain key project activities after the federal funding ends. Propose a plan for project sustainability and describe the actions you’ll take to:

• Obtain future sources of non-federal funding, including in-kind support from your respective institution.

• Sustain key elements of your project beyond the federal funding period.

• Discuss challenges that you’ll likely encounter in sustaining the program. Include how you will resolve these challenges.

• Disseminate information about your project to help other groups advance undergraduate MCH training in other settings.

Organizational information

See merit review criterion 5: Resources and capabilities

• Briefly describe your organization’s mission, structure, and the scope of your current activities. Explain how they support your ability to carry out the program requirements.

• Document your organization’s experience working with rural and medically underserved populations or in training student’s to work with these populations.

• Include a project organizational chart in Attachment 5.

• Discuss how you’ll follow the HRSA-approved work plan, account for federal funds, and record all costs to avoid audit findings.

• Describe the Project Director’s current faculty position, experience with undergraduate student training and teaching, curriculum development, mentoring undergraduate students, and expertise in one or more MCH topic areas.

• State how much time the Project Director will commit to the LEAP Training

Program. Describe how the Project Director will manage leadership and oversight of the MCH LEAP Training Program in addition to other responsibilities (for example, teaching, research, and other grant-funded projects).

• Include a staffing plan and job descriptions for key faculty, staff, and mentors in

Attachment 6.

• You will also include biographical sketches for key faculty, staff, and mentors using the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form. See Other required forms.

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 6: 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 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 activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and nonfederal 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. The merit review committee reviews both. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

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, allowable and allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• Restrictions on spending funds. See Funding policies and limitations.

To create your budget justification narrative, see detailed instructions in section 3.1.5 of the R&R Application Guide.

Reminders:

• Indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8% of modified total direct costs.

• Pending the availability of funds during each year of the period of performance, one designated LEAP recipient will be selected to apply for an administrative supplement of up to $15,000 post-award to cover the costs of hosting the annual recipient meeting. The LEAP recipient will be chosen annually based on recipients’ indicated willingness and availability, included in Attachment 7. The meeting host will rotate among LEAP recipients. The $15,000 should not be included in your budget or budget narrative.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D15 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#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D18

Participant and trainee support costs

In your budget narrative:

• Identify the number of short-, medium-, and long-term trainees.

• List tuition, fees, health insurance, stipends, travel, subsistence, and other proposed costs that will be covered by this award.

• Separate these costs from others so we can identify them easily.

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

• Provide detailed costs for undergraduate students who are advanced medium-and long-term trainees who will receive grant-supported funding (for example, stipends and tuition assistance). Please refer to Appendix for specific information about qualifications, restrictions, allowable and non-allowable trainee costs, and stipend levels.

Preceptor costs

Preceptors can be either your employee, contractor, or consultant. Preceptor costs are unique and different than trainee support costs. Trainee support costs are for your students. Allowable preceptor costs may include the following and can be listed in the

“Other Personnel” section:

• Stipends (other than to employees).

• Percentage (%) of salary (for employees).

• Continuing education, other trainings, and related fees.

• Travel.

Note: You cannot require students to pay for preceptor costs.

• If the preceptor is an employee, specify those costs under section B. Other

Personnel, Section D Travel and Section F Other Direct Costs.

• If the preceptor is a consultant or contractor, lists those costs under section F.

Other Direct Costs.

• Include the number of preceptors in your budget narrative.

Consultant services

Identify each consultant, the services they will perform, the total number of days, travel costs, and the total estimated costs.

Attachments See section 3.2 of the HRSA R&R Application Guide.

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

Attachment 1: Training Curriculum

Outline current or anticipated MCH healthcare and public health training curriculum.

Specify the learning format that will be utilized for each training experience.

Attachment 2: Agreements with other entities

Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and others you refer to in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contracts or agreements should clearly describe the roles of sub-recipients and contractors and any deliverables. It is not necessary to include the entire contents of lengthy agreements so long as the portions you include describe the working relationship between you and the other organization. Make sure letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Attachment 3: Advisory committee roster

Attach a list of proposed, invited, and confirmed members of your advisory committee and the organizations they represent. See the requirements for the makeup of the board in the project narrative section.

Attachment 4: Work plan

Attach the project’s work plan. Make sure it includes everything required in the project narrative section. Your work plan should be presented in a table format and must:

• Include the timeline for each activity.

• Identify faculty, staff, and other personnel who are responsible for each activity.

• Identify the key partners that will help you achieve each activity (as applicable).

Attachment 5: Project organizational chart

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

Attachment 6: Staffing plan and job descriptions

See Section 3.1.7 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 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D23 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.

Attachment 7: Annual recipient meeting

State your willingness to plan and convene the annual recipient meeting for one year of the period of performance, should supplemental funding be available.

Attachments 8 to 15: Other relevant documents

You may use attachments 8 through 15 to add other relevant documents.

Other required 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.

Forms Submission Requirement

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

Project Abstract Summary form With application

Research & Related Other Project Information With application

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) With application

R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) form With application

Project/Performance Site Location(s) With application

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

https://www.grants.gov/forms

Form instructions In addition to the requirements for the budget narrative, project narrative, and attachments, following are instructions for each of the other forms required by this

NOFO. See the application checklist for a full list of all application requirements.

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

This is your application for federal assistance. Follow the instructions in section 3.1.1 of the R&R Application Guide. This is the application for Federal Assistance.

Project Abstract Summary form

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 R&R Application Guide.

Research & Related Other Project Information

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.

Important: public information

When filling out your SF-424 form, pay attention to Box 15: Descriptive Title of

Applicant’s Project.

We share what you put there with USAspending. This is where the public goes to learn how the federal government spends their money.

Instead of just a title, insert a short description of your project and what it will do.

See instructions and examples.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D8 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D14 https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile

(Expanded)

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

• Try to use no more than one page 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 the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile 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.

R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) form

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.

Use the following instructions:

• Once you open this form, you can select “Click here to extract the R&R Subaward

Budget Attachment”.

• Save the file and then open it to complete it.

• Once you save the file you can upload it within the form.

• Repeat the steps for each subaward.

https://grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-terminology#p

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 Locations(s)

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov Forms. Use the “Next Site” option rather than “Additional Location(s)” to add more than one project/performance site location.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov Forms.

Step 4:

Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review 36

Selection process 41

Award notices 41

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. Need 10 points

2. Response 20 points

3. Performance management 10 points

4. Impact 15 points

5. Resources and capabilities 15 points

6. Support requested 10 points

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.

Criterion 2: Response (40 points)

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

Approach (30 points)

The panel will review your application for:

Goals and objectives (3 points)

• How well it responds to the program’s purpose.

• How well the activities described address the need, meet project goals and objectives, and are achievable within the performance period.

• The strength of the proposed SMART goals and objectives and how well they relate to the project.

Training and mentoring (14 points)

• The degree to which the recruitment, outreach, and retention plans outlined in the project narrative section are complete, feasible, and capable of reaching interdisciplinary undergraduate students, including those from rural and other medically underserved areas. This includes the anticipated number and types of trainees, as well as retention and support strategies.

• How well it details the program requirements of medium- or long-term trainees, including the rationale used to determine which advanced medium- and long-term trainees will receive financial support.

• The strength and reasonableness of the MCH healthcare and public…