hrsa-26-049_final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due 07/08/2026

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Policy Research Division

Rural Health Research

Dissemination Program

Opportunity number: HRSA-26-049

Contents

Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Award information 11

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 14

Get registered 15

Find the application package 15

Application writing help 16

Step 3: Build Your Application 17

Application checklist 18

Application contents and format 20

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award 32

Application review 33

Selection process 39

Award notices 39

Step 5: Submit Your Application 40

Application submission and deadlines 41

Other submissions 42

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 43

Post-award requirements and administration 44

Reporting 47

Contacts and Support 48

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 07/08/2026.

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 11

Basic information Health Resources Services Administration

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Policy Research Division

Supporting rural health research under the Rural Health Research

Dissemination Program.

Summary This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rural Health

Research Dissemination Program. The purpose of this program is to disseminate health research, including rural mental health, rural infant mortality prevention, and rural occupational safety and preventive health research focused on rural health care to rural stakeholders at national, state, and community levels.

FORHP funds health research through the Rural Health Research Center (RHRC)

Program and other cooperative agreements. The successful applicant for this program will disseminate research so that it is easily and freely accessible to the public. The successful applicant will also develop and maintain strategies to disseminate this research through a website, an e-mail listserv presentations, , and webinars.

Funding details Application types: Competing continuation, New

Expected total available funding in FY26: $230,000

Expected total number and type of awards: 1 CA (Cooperative Agreement)

Funding range per award: $0 to $230,000 per award.

We plan to fund awards in five 12-month budget periods for a total 5-year period of performance from 07/01/2026 to 06/30/2031.

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

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and

Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Rural Health Research number:

version:

Initial

93.155

Key dates

06/05/2026 deadline:

07/08/2026

09/01/2026

07/01/2026

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

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

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

• State governments.

• County governments.

• City or township governments.

• Special district governments.

• Independent school districts.

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized).

• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

• Private institutions of higher education.

• For profit organizations other than small businesses.

• Small businesses.

• Others (see text field entitled “Additional information on eligibility” for clarification).

Additional information on eligibility

Only domestic* organizations are eligible. *“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.

Completeness and responsive 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 not responsive to the purpose of the program or requirements for attachments.

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 This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rural Health

Research Dissemination Program. The purpose of this program is to disseminate health research focused on rural health care to broad audiences, such as rural stakeholders at national, state, and community levels.

FORHP funds health research through the Rural Health Research Center (RHRC)

Program and other cooperative agreements. The successful applicant for this program will disseminate research so that it is easily and freely accessible to the public. The successful applicant will also develop and maintain strategies to disseminate this research through a variety of innovative mechanisms which may include but are not limited to a website, an e-mail listserv presentations, and webinars.

• To develop and maintain a website that catalogs rural health research so that it is easily and freely accessible to the public.

Background The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Federal Office of Rural

Health Policy is the main office for rural health activities within the Department of

Health and Human Services (HHS).

By law, FORHP advises the Secretary of HHS on how Medicare and Medicaid policies affect:

• The financial health of small rural hospitals.

• The ability of rural areas to attract and keep health care professionals.

• Access to and quality of rural health care.

FORHP accomplishes this mission through a broad range of program activities, including the Rural Health Research Center (RHRC) Program. More information on

FORHP.

The RHRC program:

• Supports rural health research activities at multiple research centers on issues of nationwide relevance.

• Helps providers understand rural health issues and needs to inform the improvement of health care in rural areas.

http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/index.html http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/index.html

A component of the RHRC Program, the goal of the Rural Health Research

Dissemination is to make such research free to the public in a way that is easily understood by a wide variety of audiences interested in the improvement of health care in rural areas. The Rural Health Research Dissemination program also helps advance the Making America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities, which include:

• Preventive health.

• Reducing chronic disease.

• Mental health.

• Nutrition.

• Primary and value-based care.

• Culturally appropriate services for tribes.

• Early childhood health and autism support.

Program requirements and expectations You must conduct activities in alignment with the goal of making rural health research freely accessible to and easily understood by the public. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and maintaining a website that catalogs rural health research.

• Making the research easy to find, free to access, and available to the public.

• Developing and using strategies to disseminate this research, including an e-mail listserv, presentations, and webinars.

• Synthesizing and summarizing health research on key rural health topics of national interest.

• Shifting to solution-oriented approaches in health research.

◦ HRSA and HHS have invested substantially in rural health research.

This research has not always translated into measurable improved health outcomes. Going forward, the activities will prioritize disseminating research that goes beyond measuring health or simply observing health outcomes. The disseminated research must actively examine innovative evidence-based interventions that address poor health outcomes in rural areas.

Activities should advance one or more of the MAHA priorities. Strategies to consider include work that informs:

• Addressing root causes of poor health.

• Improving access to primary care, behavioral health, preventive care, or developmental services.

• Expanding nutrition programs or chronic disease prevention.

https://www.hhs.gov/maha/index.html

• Supporting early childhood development or autism services.

• Preparing systems for value-based care.

• Advancing HHS Gold Standard Science.

• Partnering with tribal health systems.

Activities cannot support:

• Publicity or propaganda, including preparing, distributing, or using any material designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before any legislative body.

• The salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence the enactment of legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action, or Executive order proposed or pending before any legislative body. See Anti-Lobbying Restrictions for HHS Grant Recipients.

• Advertising or campaigns.

• Expenses related to subscriptions to academic journals and publishing costs.

https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/lobbying-restrictions.html https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/lobbying-restrictions.html

Disclosure of participation in or benefit from CMS Rural Transformation Program You must disclose whether you participate in or benefit from your state’s CMS Rural

Transformation Program. If you do, you must coordinate any HRSA-funded work to ensure it is complementary, not duplicative, of CMS-supported.

Statutory authority This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 912(b)(5) (§ 711(b)(5) of the Social

Security Act).

Award information

Cooperative agreement terms

Our responsibilities

Aside from monitoring and technical assistance, we also get involved in these ways:

• Providing input on dissemination strategies and selection of publications/ products for distribution including target audiences for dissemination.

• Providing input on content, presentation approach, and selection of products/ publications.

• Reviewing and providing comments on draft products and publications prior to public dissemination.

• Providing input and knowledge on the current and future rural health research issues of relevance to this cooperative agreement.

• Providing input on metrics to evaluate your deliverables.

• Providing consultative support in the selection of appropriate professional meetings, including the total number of meetings, at which to exhibit or present.

Your responsibilities

You must follow all relevant laws and policies. Your other responsibilities will include:

• Adhering to HRSA guidelines pertaining to acknowledgment and disclaimer on all products produced by HRSA award funds.

• Updating materials and resources based on the latest information on new, ongoing, and recently completed rural health research.

• Assessing the target audiences within the general public of rural health stakeholders to understand how to optimize dissemination strategies and provide information that aligns with their needs.

• Coordinating with HRSA-funded entities conducting rural health research activities to maximize the efficient use of federal funding (e.g., coordination with

HRSA-funded entities to strengthen the reach of their work).

• Developing brief (1-2 pages) research summaries using findings from research products on key topic areas (e.g., quality, workforce, post-acute care) for a general audience.

• Establishing evaluation metrics and tracking related data to measure the success of this cooperative agreement and the reach of rural health research.

• Using information gleaned from evaluation metrics to inform continuous improvement of dissemination outreach methods.

Funding policies and limitations

Changes in HHS regulations

As of October 1, 2025, HHS has adopted 2 CFR Part 200, with some modifications included in 2 CFR Part 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR Part 75.

Policies

• To make an award, funding must be available and allocated for this program and purpose, at which point we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Have clear policies and good financial practices to avoid spending HRSA funds on unallowable activities. Like other award rules, we may audit your policies, procedures, and controls.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

◦ 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 R&R Application Guide [PDF].

◦ You can also see 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E - General Provisions for Selected

Items of Cost.

◦ Allowable and Unallowable Cost and Activities in the HHS Grants Policy

Statement.

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.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html

• All costs must be reasonable, necessary, allocable to the award, and adequately documented (2 CFR 200.403).

• 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 higher rate if the rate beyond the salary rate limit (Executive Level II) is paid with non-HHS funds. For help calculating salaries under this limit, read more at “salary rate limitation” in the R&R application guide.

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 at time of award.

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), if you do not have a current 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 up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely for all your federal awards or until you choose to receive a negotiated rate.

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-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.404 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.405 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.400(g) https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D15 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-2/section-200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

Get registered 15

Find the application package 15

Application writing help 16

Get registered

SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. 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 for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

If you need additional information about user roles in SAM.gov, see “Get registered:

SAM.gov user roles” in the R&R Application Guide [PDF].

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 and How to Apply for

Grants.

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-26-049.

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

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D4 https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.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, join the webinar. Webinar information will be posted to the Related Documents tab on Grants.gov. We recommend you “Subscribe” to the NOFO on Grants.gov to receive updates when documents are posted 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

Step 3:

Build Your Application

Application checklist 18

Application contents and format 20

Application checklist There are two types of forms in Grants.gov.

• Some forms allow you to upload components of your application to the form.

These include components like your project narrative, budget and budget narrative, and attachments, as applicable.

• Other forms are more typical, fill-in-the-blank forms.

Make sure that you have everything you need to apply.

Narratives See the instructions for the project narrative and the budget and budget narrative.

Attachments See instructions for attachments.

Form Included in

2. Staffing plan and job descriptions

3. Agreements with other entities

4. Project organizational chart

5. Disclosure of participation in or benefit from CMS Rural Transformation Program (if applicable) No

Other required forms See form instructions.

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

Project/Performance Site Location(s) No

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

Application page limit: 60

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using

U.S. dollars.

Required format Required format for project summary, project narrative, budget narrative, and attachments.

Font: A readable font like Arial, Courier, CG Times, or Times New Roman.

File format:

We only accept the following document formats:

• .PDF - Adobe Portable Document Format

• .DOC/.DOCX - Microsoft Word

• .RTF - Rich Text Format

• .TXT - Text

• .WPD - Word Perfect Document

• .XLS/.XLSX - Microsoft Excel

• .VSD - Microsoft Visio

Size: 12-point font

Footnotes, charts, graphics, and budget tables may be 10-point or higher.

Ink color: Black

Spacing: Single-spaced, including all text and tables.

Alignment: Left

Headings: Bold all headings and align left.

Size: 8.5 x 11 (Make sure the print area is set and allows printing to 8.5 x 11.)

Margins: 1-inch on all sides.

Footer: On each page as the footer, include your organization’s name and page numbers. If a competing continuation or competing supplement, also include your

10-digit award number.

Page numbering:

• Do not number the standard OMB-approved forms.

• Number each attachment page sequentially (that is, 1, 2, 3).

• Reset the numbering for each attachment.

• Treat each attachment as a separate section.

File names: You can find guidance for naming our files in the R&R Application Guide

[PDF].

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 proposed project and how it aligns directly with the purpose of this funding opportunity to disseminate rural health research so that it is free and accessible to a wide range of rural health stakeholders. Describe how your activities will advance one or more MAHA priorities. Explain how your activities build from, but do not duplicate, other federal, state, tribal, or local programs.

Need

See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Describe and clearly demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of why rural stakeholders need access to rural-focused, health research.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the target audience for rural health research dissemination funded under this program.

• Describe the unique dynamics affecting rural populations compared to urban populations from a health care service, payment and provider point of view.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D36 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D36

• Demonstrate an understanding of rural health research, including the Rural

Health Research Center Program.

• Use and cite data whenever possible.

Approach

See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Tell us how you’ll address the need for accessible rural health research you described in the previous section.

• Explain how you’ll meet the program requirements and expectations outlined in this NOFO, which include:

◦ Developing and maintaining a website that catalogs solution and evidence-based rural health research.

◦ Making the research easy to find, free to access, and available to the public.

◦ Developing and using strategies to disseminate this research, including an e-mail listserv, presentations, and webinars.

◦ Synthesizing and summarizing health research on key rural health topics of national interest.

◦ Implementation science.

• Discuss how your approach will lead to increased awareness of rural health research, including the Rural Health Research Center Program.

• Include a description of any innovative methods that you will use to address the stated needs.

• Discuss how the work plan will fill information gaps that can inform the improvement of health care in rural areas.

High-level work plan

See merit review criteria 2: Response and 4: Impact

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

• 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. Clearly identify any major milestones.

Your work plan must explain how you will meet the program needs and requirements.

• You should make sure your plan clearly responds to the program’s purpose.

• You should describe plans for the first year of funding in detail. You may provide less detail for years two through five.

• You should set strong goals and objectives and connect them to your proposed activities.

• Show that you understand the need to use a variety of strategies, media and tools to increase awareness of rural health research publications.

Your plan should address the specific methods you will use to disseminate rural health research findings. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Developing, maintaining, and updating a website that serves as a single portal for new and archived research publications.

• Ensuring the website has user-friendly elements such as search features by keyword, topic, researcher, date of funding, and institution.

• Collecting feedback from users of the website.

• Developing, maintaining, updating, and expanding an email listserv to alert rural stakeholders of new research.

• Developing press releases, infographics, and other publicity for major research studies.

• Coordinating with existing rural information resources, such as RHIhub, to extend reach.

• Creating brief (1-2 page) summaries of research on key topics such as workforce, quality, and post-acute care.

• Hosting and promoting webinars featuring rural health research.

• Identifying a broad range of stakeholders within the target audience, such as

State Offices of Rural Health to ensure that the activities under this award are relevant nationwide.

Your plan should also detail how you intend to incorporate key stakeholders into your activities and workflow. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Collaborating with FORHP throughout your work including input on specific dissemination strategies, research studies for distribution, topic areas of focus for dissemination activities, and language included in dissemination activities prior to public release.

• Working with researchers as appropriate as part of dissemination activities such as webinars and research alerts.

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

https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/

Resolving challenges

See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Discuss the challenges you expect when planning and carrying out the activities in your application.

• Explain how you will address these challenges.

• Include potential copyright or coordination of research release issues, and how you will resolve them.

Performance reporting and evaluation

See merit review criteria 3: Performance reporting and evaluation and 5: Resources and capabilities

• Describe the approach for establishing evaluation metrics and tracking related data to measure success. At a minimum, these metrics should reflect specific dissemination methods, such as:

◦ Numbers of visitors to a website, and specific subsections of the website including individual research studies.

◦ Frequently searched or accessed topics areas on the website.

◦ Number of e-mail subscribers and engagement statistics.

◦ Outcomes of exhibiting at national conferences (e.g., number of conference attendees that sign up for the listserv while visiting an exhibition booth).

• Discuss how you will set goals, baselines, and/or benchmarks for assessing your progress and performance.

• Describe how you will communicate collected data to FORHP.

• Discuss how you will use the information collected to develop and refine strategies and activities for future years.

See Reporting for more information.

Organizational Information

See merit review criterion 5: Resources and capabilities

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

• Discuss the organizational structure, staff roles and responsibilities, and chain of command to attain project objectives.

◦ Include a project organizational chart in your attachments (Attachment 4).

• Describe the experience of your staff and explain how they will help you carry out the program requirements.

◦ Include a staffing plan in your attachments (Attachment 2).

• Include previous experience conducting similar work for rural-centric audiences.

The description should include:

◦ Evidence of an established relationship and/or capacity to establish and maintain relationships with rural health researchers and rural health stakeholders who would comprise the target audience.

◦ Previous experience of the organization and its staff in conducting the activities outlined in the approach and work plan.

◦ Previous experience, skills and knowledge relevant to evaluating rural-centric research dissemination activities.

• Describe the project director’s experience.

◦ The project director should have significant experience in the areas related to conducting and/or disseminating rural health research. Demonstrating this experience may include, but is not limited to, time in the field (for example, at least 5 years of experience in these areas), extensiveness of relevant experience, or a history of successfully completed projects related to rural health research dissemination.

• Discuss the skills you have that are necessary to manage, improve, and implement change as it relates to the types of information dissemination modalities discussed in this funding opportunity such as website, listservs, webinars, and presentations.

• Discuss how you’ll follow the approved project workplan, keep track of all federal funds, and record all costs to avoid issues during the project audit.

• Describe your organizational profile, budget, partners, key processes, and your key staff’s experience, skills, and knowledge.

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

Your budget should follow the instructions in budget narrative: detailed instructions section of the R&R Application Guide [PDF] and the instructions listed in this section.

Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

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).

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form 424 R&R.

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

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

To create your budget justification narrative, see budget narrative detailed instructions in the R&R Application Guide [PDF].

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D36 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.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D18

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

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

Unless the instructions below require it, do not submit organizational brochures or other promotional materials (for example, slides, films, clips).

Attachment 1: Work Plan

Attach the project’s work plan. Make sure it includes everything required in the Project

Narrative section.

Attachment 2: Staffing plan and job descriptions

See Section 3.1.7 of the R&R Application Guide [PDF].

Include a staffing plan that shows the staff positions that will support the project and key information about each. Justify your staffing choices, including education and experience qualifications and your reasons for the amount of time you request for each staff position.

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

Attachment 3: 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 subrecipients 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 4: Project organizational chart

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

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

Attachment 5: Disclosure of participation in or benefit from CMS Rural Transformation Program (if applicable)

Submit this attachment only if you participate in or benefit from their state’s CMS Rural

Transformation Program. Provide a description of the CMS-supported activities and clearly explain how the proposed HRSA-funded work is non-duplicative, coordinated, and complementary. Reviewers will not consider this information during merit review.

Attachment 6-15: Other relevant documents

You may use attachments 6 through 15 to add other relevant documents.

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

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://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

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 [PDF].

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 [PDF].

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 2 page(s) 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 location(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.

https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.grants.gov/forms

Step 4:

Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review 33

Selection process 39

Award notices 39

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, we will not fund it. If this is the case, we will notify your authorized official.

We will not review any pages that exceed the page limit.

Merit review A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. You can find more about the merit review process in the R&R Application Guide [PDF]. The members use these criteria.

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Need 15 points

2. Response 30 points

3. Performance reporting and evaluation 10 points

4. Impact 10 points

5. Resources and capabilities 30 points

6. Support requested 5 points https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D34

Criterion 1: Need (15 points)

See the project narrative Introduction and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the proposed project and how it aligns directly with the purpose of this funding opportunity to disseminate rural health research so that it is free and accessible to a wide range of rural health stakeholders.

• Describes and clearly demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of why rural stakeholders nationwide need access to rural-focused, health research.

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the target audience for rural health research dissemination funded under this program.

• Describes the unique dynamics affecting rural populations compared to urban populations from a health care service, payment and provider point of view.

• Demonstrates an understanding of rural health research, including the Rural

Health Research Center Program.

Criterion 2: Response (30 points)

See the project narrative Approach, High-level work plan, and Resolving challenge sections.

The panel will review your application for:

Approach - 10 Points

• How well it responds to the program purposes and addresses the need for accessible rural health research you described in the previous section.

• The strength and feasibility of proposed activities to meet the program requirements and expectations including:

◦ Developing and maintaining a website that catalogs rural health research.

◦ Making the research easy to find, free to access, and available to the public.

◦ Developing and using strategies to disseminate this research, including an e-mail listserv, and webinars.

◦ Disseminating research that advances HHS Gold Standard Science tenets.

◦ Articulate how they will deprioritize the dissemination of low rigor research that does not comply with HHS Gold Standard Science tenets.

◦ Synthesizing and summarizing health research on key rural health topics of national interest.

High level work plan - 15 Points

• How well the activities described will address the problem and meet project objectives.

• How well the work plan details the incorporation of key stakeholders into proposed activities and workflow. This may include, but is not limited to:

◦ Collaborating with FORHP throughout your work including input on specific dissemination strategies, research studies for distribution, topic areas of focus for dissemination activities, and language included in dissemination activities prior to public release.

◦ Working with researchers as appropriate as part of dissemination activities such as webinars and research alerts.

• The extent to which the application provides a detailed work plan addressing the specific methods to disseminate rural health research findings, with particular attention to detail in year 1 of the proposed. This may include, but is not limited to:

◦ Developing, maintaining, and updating a website that serves as a single portal for new and archived research publications.

◦ Identify how they will deprioritize research that does not meet the

HHS Gold Standard Science tenets.

◦ Ensuring the website has user-friendly elements such as search features by keyword, topic, researcher, date of funding, and institution.

◦ Collecting feedback from users of the website.

◦ Developing, maintaining, updating, and expanding an email listserv to alert rural stakeholders of new research.

◦ Developing press releases, infographics, and other publicity for major research studies.

◦ Coordinating with existing rural information resources, such as RHIhub, to extend reach.

◦ Creating brief (1-2 page) summaries of research on key rural health topics such as workforce, quality, and post-acute care.

◦ Hosting and promoting webinars featuring rural health research.

◦ Identifying target audiences, such as State Offices of Rural Health, for specific research project dissemination.

Resolving Challenges - 5 points

• How well your workplan describes the obstacles and challenges you may face during project design and implementation. This includes the quality of your plan to deal with them.

Criterion 3: Performance reporting and evaluation

(10 points)

See the project narrative Performance reporting and evaluation section.

The panel will review your application for:

Evaluation

• How well the application describes the approach for establishing evaluation metrics and tracking related data to measure success, including specific dissemination methods such as:

◦ Numbers of visitors to a website, and specific subsections of the website including individual research studies.

◦ Frequently searched or accessed topics areas on the website.

◦ Number of e-mail subscribers and engagement statistics.

Performance measurement

• Evidence that the measures the applicant identified directly relate to assessing progress towards project goals.

• Feasibility and usefulness of the proposed plan to set goals, baselines, and/or benchmarks for assessing progress and performance and to communicate collected data to FORHP.

• The applicant must report on how they have focused the activities on research that is consistent with HHS Gold Standard Science tenets.

Criterion 4: Impact (10 points)

See the project narrative High-level work plan and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for:

• The effectiveness of the proposed project in achieving its objectives in alignment with the purpose outlined in this funding opportunity.

• The extent to which the application demonstrates the benefit to rural communities.

• The extent to which the application includes a timeline that provides sufficient detail, particularly for year one, including each activity and who is responsible.

• How likely the project results are to be national in scope.

Criterion 5: Resources and capabilities (30 points)

See the project narrative Organizational information and Performance reporting and evaluation sections.

The panel will review your application to determine the extent to which:

• The description of your mission, structure, the scope of your current activities, and previous experience demonstrates the capabilities to fulfill the needs and purpose of the project.

• The organizational structure, staff roles and responsibilities, and chain of command proposed support the attainment of project objectives.

• The application indicates the availability of facilities and organizational supports to fulfill the requirements of the proposed project.

• The experience of your staff enables them to carry out and evaluate performance of the project.

• The strength of previous experience your organization has in conducting similar work for rural-centric audiences in relation to the:

◦ Evidence of an established relationship and/or capacity to establish and maintain relationships with rural health researchers and rural communities.

◦ Previous experience of the organization and its staff in conducting the activities outlined in the approach and work plan.

◦ Previous experience, skills and knowledge relevant to evaluating rural-centric research dissemination activities.

• The depth of experience of the project director, such that the project director should have significant experience in the areas related to conducting and/or disseminating rural health research such as time in the field (for example, at least 5 years of experience in these areas), extensiveness of relevant experience, or a history of successfully completed projects related to rural health services research dissemination.

• The extent of the organization’s ability to manage, improve, and implement change as it relates to the types of information dissemination modalities discussed in this funding opportunity such as website, listservs, webinars, and presentations.

• The extent to which the organization has the capacity…