Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due 07/08/2026

Maternal and Child Health Bureau Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs

Sickle Cell Disease Regional Care Excellence (SoRCE) Program Opportunity number: HRSA-26-052

Contents Before you begin 3

Basic information 5

Eligibility 8

Program description 10

Award information 16

Get registered 21

Find the application package 21

Application writing help 22

Application checklist 24

Application contents and format 26

Application review 38

Selection process 44

Award notices 45

Application submission and deadlines 47

Other submissions 47

Post-award requirements and administration 49

Reporting 53

Endnotes 57

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 8

Program description 10

Award information 16

Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs

Strengthening access to quality SCD Care through connections to services.

Summary The Sickle Cell Disease Regional Care Excellence (SoRCE) Program aims to improve the health of people with sickle cell disease (SCD). It does this by:

• Expanding access to care.

• Improving the quality of care.

• Tracking quality of life indicators.

Program structure The program funds seven recipients to serve as Regional Coordinating Hubs for their regions as identified in this funding opportunity announcement. Each region has one award recipient that serves as a Regional Coordinating Hub (RCH).

Each RCH will work to:

• Serve every person with SCD in their region.

• Improve the quality of care people with SCD receive.

To meet these goals, RCH will contract with at least three Clinical-Community Spokes (CCSs) in their region and engage in continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives to improve access and quality of care.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts Opportunity name:

Sickle Cell Disease

(SoRCE) Program number:

version:

Initial

93.365 dates

06/05/2026 webinar:

deadline:

07/08/2026

08/01/2026

09/01/2026

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

What is a Clinical-Community Spoke?

A CCS is a team made up of a clinical center working closely with one or more community-based organizations (CBOs). Together, they help connect people with SCD and their families to:

• High quality clinical care.

• Community-based services.

Each RCH and its CCS partners will form a regional network. These networks improve the health and well-being of people with SCD and their families.

Funding details Application types: New

Expected total available funding in FY2026: $6,650,000

Expected number and type of awards: 7 cooperative agreements

Funding range per award: $950,000

We will fund up to one award recipient in each region outlined below. These regions are based on the estimates of the annual number of infants born with SCD in each region and existing care connections. The maximum award is $950,000 per year.

Region name, states and jurisdictions included:

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

Mid-Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia

Southeast: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina

South: Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee

Midwest: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Heartland: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas

West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, American Samoa

As part of the application for funding, you may also apply for one supplemental funding opportunity. Supplemental funding may be awarded in any of the four project years. Supplements will be funded in the order of the objective review score earned by the applicant in the base competition. These are one time, one-year supplements.

• Up to $250,000 for one-year can be used to support emerging issues in SCD care.

Topics may include increasing access to services in rural communities; supporting children who transition from child serving health care systems to adult serving systems; clinician education; and creating comprehensive care teams with expertise to address the complex needs of individuals living with SCD.

• You must apply for the base award funding to apply for this supplement.

• To apply for this supplement, follow the instructions in Attachment 7.

We plan to fund awards in five budget periods for a period of performance from September 30, 2026 to June 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.

Eligibility You can apply if your organization is a Federally-qualified health center, a nonprofit hospital or clinic, or a university health center that provides primary health care, that:

1. Has a collaborative agreement with a community-based sickle cell disease organization or a nonprofit entity with experience in working with individuals who have sickle cell disease;

and

2. You as a Federally-qualified health center, the nonprofit hospital or clinic, the university health center, the organization or entity described in clause 1, can demonstrate at least 5 years of experience in working with individuals who have sickle cell disease.

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

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

• 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.

• Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification).

Additional information on eligibility

• Hospitals or clinics.

• Health centers.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Documentation must be provided to demonstrate that your organization has at least five years of experience in working with individuals who have sickle cell disease (SCD).

For example, please describe the clinical services or community-based services provided to individuals living with sickle cell disease.

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 SoRCE Program aims to improve the health of people with sickle cell disease (SCD).

It focuses on three main goals:

• Expanding access to care.

• Improving the quality of care.

• Tracking quality-of-life indicators.

How the program works The program will:

• Work with clinicians to improve SCD care.

• Connect people and families to high-quality clinical care and community services.

The purpose of the SoRCE supplemental awards is to support emerging issues in SCD care.

Funding opportunity goals By August 31, 2030, award recipients and their partners will:

• Serve[1] at least 30% of people with SCD in their region.

• Increase the percent of eligible people receiving disease-modifying therapies (DMTs[2]) by 5% compared to baseline established at the end of year 1.

• Collect and report annual data in two areas:

1. Quality of care: Emergency department use among people served.

2. Quality of life: High school graduation (or equivalent) rate among people served.

Note: Award recipients are required to report data each year.

Background About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) SCD is a chronic, inherited blood disorder that affects about 100,000 people in the United States.

It causes the body to make abnormal red blood cells that are rigid and shaped like a sickle or crescent. These cells die early and block small blood vessels. This restricts blood flow and can cause:

• Severe pain.

• Anemia.

• Organ damage.

• Other complications.[3]

People with SCD live an average of 54 years, about 20 years less than the general population.[4] Young adulthood, the period in which individuals transition from pediatric to adult care, is an especially vulnerable time. One study found the death rate among young adults age 20-24 was twice as high as that of teens age 15-19.[5]

Ongoing gaps in care Despite medical and public health advances over the past 40 years, many people with SCD lack access to preventive care, such as routine transcranial doppler screenings.

Many also do not have access to comprehensive, high-quality care, including disease-modifying treatments (DMTs).[6] This lack of access leads to about 250,000 emergency department (ED) visits each year.[7]

Seeking emergency department care for acute pain related to SCD requires many resources. However, when people have access to high-quality comprehensive and specialty care, they have fewer emergency visits, and the care they receive is more effective.[8]

HRSA’s role in improving care Since 2005, HRSA has funded SCD activities through the SCD Treatment Demonstration Program.

In 2021, HRSA funded five regions to improve care by:

• Educating patients, families, and clinicians.

• Linking individuals and families to evidence-based care.

• Supporting partnerships between clinicians, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

2026 current program structure Regional Coordinating Hubs (RCHs): The award recipient will be the RCH, which may be a federally qualified health center, nonprofit hospital, clinic, or a university health center with SCD experience. Each RCH is required to partner with at least three Clinical- Community Spokes (CCSs).

Clinical-Community Spokes (CCSs): Each CCS includes one clinical center partnered with at least one community-based organization (CBO).

This structure increases the number of regional hubs and connects the specialized care of RCHs and the local services of CCSs, reaching people with SCD where they live.

Program requirements and expectations This program will improve the health and well-being for people with SCD by giving them consistent access to high-quality care in every region.

Required activities Build a regional network

• As the Regional Coordinating Hub, you must:

◦ Create a network of at least three CCSs across your region. Each CCS must have one clinical center partnered with at least one community-based organization (CBO). Clinical centers and CBOs must work as a unit to connect people and families with services necessary to access health care.

◦ Choose CCSs to serve the entire region and have clinicians experienced in sickle cell disease.

◦ Spend at least 40% of your budget on CCSs to ensure that all clinical centers and community-based organizations have sufficient resources for planned activities.

• Your responsibilities also include:

◦ Calculating the number of ALL individuals with SCD living in the region.

◦ Expanding access to services in your region.

◦ Providing technical assistance, training, and coordinating continuous quality improvement (CQI) with the CCSs.

◦ Collecting data from all CCSs.

◦ Convening an annual meeting of CBOs, partners, stakeholders, and SCD experts (in person or virtual).

Develop a regional action plan Within six months, create a plan to:

• Oversee all CCS grant-related activity.

• Support partnership, collaboration, and resource sharing across all CCSs in the region.

• Ensure alignment of CCS and RCH activities.

Improve access and quality of care

• You and the CCSs must conduct CQI activities to improve care. Examples include:

◦ Educating and training health professionals, people with SCD, and their families.

◦ Creating and reviewing educational materials to improve provider knowledge.

• Each CCS must take part in at least one CQI activity per year.

Engage people with SCD and their families You must:

• Involve people with SCD and their families in program design, improvement, implementation, evaluation, and leadership. These engagement activities inform, build, and strengthen programs to better meet the needs of the program’s population.

• Compensate people and/or organizations for their participation in activities like trainings, advisory committees or task forces.

• Document how their input influences program decisions.

Partner with the HRSA-funded SCD National Coordinating Center (SCDNCC).

You must:

• Share provider training and educational resources with the SCDNCC.[9]

• Receive technical assistance from SCDNCC to build local services and to respond to emerging needs or issues in the SCD community.

• Participate in SCDNCC workgroups and attend the SCDNCC annual meeting.

◦ Work with the SCDNCC on CQI projects.

◦ Report data regularly to HRSA or third parties.

◦ Follow the guidance in the Performance measurement, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement (CQI) section.

Performance measurement, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement

(CQI)

We expect you to measure your performance, evaluate your program, and conduct CQI activities. Actions include:

• Measuring performance on key activities and program objectives.

◦ This includes Discretionary Grants Information System (DGIS) measures noted in the Reporting section.

◦ If using proxy data, you must discuss this approach with HRSA after award.

• You must collect and report annually on added measures that align with program goals and objectives including:

◦ Percent of individuals with SCD living in the region that you and your CCS partners served.

▪ This includes a numerator (the number of individuals you and your clinical center partners served) as well as a denominator (your estimate of the number of individuals with SCD living in your region).

◦ Percent of individuals served who are on disease modifying therapy (DMT).

▪ This includes a numerator (the number of individuals you serve on DMT) as well as a denominator (the number of individuals you serve who are eligible for DMT).

• During the project period, you must also develop a plan to collect data on two additional measures. Baseline data must be reported by August 31, 2027.

◦ The specific measures are:

▪ The rate of emergency department use among people served.

⁃ Award recipients are expected to finalize this measure in collaboration with HRSA and the SCDNCC.

▪ The high school graduation rate or equivalent among youth served.

⁃ Award recipients are expected to finalize this measure in collaboration with HRSA and the SCDNCC.

• Evaluating your program.

◦ You are expected to participate in a HRSA-contracted evaluation with the

SCDNCC.

◦ This will include collaborating with a third-party organization and providing data related to program implementation, outcomes, and impact.

• Engaging in continuous quality improvement.

◦ You are responsible for ensuring that each partnered CCS conducts at least one CQI activity that will improve access to care, quality of care, and outcomes for individuals living with SCD in your region.

◦ If you, as the RCH, are a clinical center, you are also expected to conduct at least one CQI activity.

◦ You will have the first grant year to plan and prepare for these projects. At the end of the first year, a CQI workplan must be submitted to HRSA for review.

Statutory authority 42 USC § 300b-5(b) (§1106(b) of the Public Health Service Act.

Award information Cooperative agreement terms Our responsibilities Aside from monitoring and technical assistance, we also get involved in these ways:

• Participating and collaborating in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of program activities under this cooperative agreement.

• Reviewing information on project activities, reports, and any other product prior to dissemination.

• Providing review of and advisory input for publications, audiovisuals, and other materials produced under the auspices of this cooperative agreement.

• Participating in the planning and scheduling of meetings conducted during the period of the cooperative agreement.

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

• Completing all activities described in this NOFO.

• Assuring adequate staff support to coordinate all grant activities and meet expectations of this program.

• Collaborating and working closely with the HRSA-funded SCD national coordinating center, including providing all grant-related information, products developed with grant dollars and data collected as a result of this program to inform a report to Congress.

• Acknowledging that the federal government, including HRSA/MCHB, has a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use any products derived from activities conducted under this cooperative agreement.

• Working closely with HRSA/MCHB program staff including:

◦ Regularly meeting with the HRSA project officer to review current strategies and progress.

• Responding in a timely and appropriate manner to requests by the HRSA project officer to collaborate on short-term, long-term and ongoing projects.

◦ Providing the HRSA project officer with adequate time and opportunity to review, provide advisory input, and approve at the program level, any publications, audiovisuals, and other materials produced under the auspices of this cooperative agreement.

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. of the Application Guide.

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

◦ Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities, in the HHS Grants Policy Statement.

• 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 Application Guide.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-grants-policy-statement-april-2025-archived.pdf#page%3D81 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-2/section-200.405 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/application-guide.pdf#page=15

Program-specific statutory or regulatory limitations For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see Project Budget Information in Section 3.1.4 of the Application Guide [PDF]. 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 higher rate if the rate beyond the salary rate limit (Executive Level II) is paid with non-HHS funds not associated with the HHS awarded project.

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

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 incur 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 the 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.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 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 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))

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use any program income you generate from awarded funds for approved project-related activities. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

Get registered 21

Find the application package 21

Application writing help 22

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 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-26-052.

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/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.

FAQs will be posted on our TA webpage after the webinar with a link to Grants.gov Related Documents tab.

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, join the webinar. More information on the HRSA-26-052 webinar will be posted at a later date to the documents tab in Grants.gov.

We recommend that you “Subscribe” to the NOFO on Grants.gov to receive updates when we post documents.

We will record the webinar.

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 24

Application contents and format 26

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

Attachments Insert each in the Attachments form in this order.

form Included in

Project Narrative Attachment form

Budget Narrative Attachment form

Included in

2. Staffing plan and job descriptions

4. Project organizational chart

5. Agreements with other entities

No

9. Project performance site locations

Other required forms Upload using each required form in Grants.gov.

Forms Submission requirement

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

Project Abstract Summary form With application.

Grants.gov Lobbying form With application.

*Only what you attach in these forms counts toward the page limit. The forms themselves do not count.

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

Application page limit: 50

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 your files in the Application Guide [PDF].

Project narrative Introduction See merit review criterion 1: Need

In this section, you will describe all aspects of your project.

Use the section headers and the order listed.

Briefly describe the purpose of your project.

Need See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Estimate how many people with SCD live in your region.

◦ Explain how you calculated this number.

◦ You may use data from state newborn screening programs or other sources.

◦ If you are funded, you may update your estimate.

◦ This number will be your denominator when calculating the percentage of people with SCD living in the region you and your CCS partners serve.

• Describe the target population and their unmet health needs.

• Document the challenges people with SCD face, such as barriers to lifelong routine comprehensive care, coordination needs, desired outcomes, and challenges related to geography, age, or emerging issues.

• Outline the community needs you plan to address.

• Discuss any barriers you hope to overcome in your region.

• Use and cite demographic data whenever possible.

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

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D26 https://am.grantsolutions.gov/foa/#_Attachment__1

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Tell us how you’ll address the needs you described and meet the program requirements and expectations described in this NOFO. Tell us how you will reach every person with SCD and their families in your region. Describe:

◦ How will the CCSs (at least three) maximize their reach and support of people with SCD and their families in your region.

◦ How you plan to expand access to services in your region. For example:

▪ How you will recruit more CCSs.

▪ How you will address policy issues related to transportation, health insurance, or other access issues.

◦ How you, as the RCH, will oversee and support the CCS’s grant activities.

◦ How you will implement CQI activities at each CCS. Examples include:

▪ Educating and training health professionals, people with SCD, and their families.

▪ Developing and sharing educational materials on evidence-based guidelines.

▪ Establishing communication strategies to share information, successes, and barriers across the region.

▪ Hosting Project ECHO sessions to educate and train providers on evidence-based care and the latest disease-modifying therapies.

▪ Addressing clinical topics relevant to SCD and showing how care will improve through continuous improvement projects.

◦ How you will involve and compensate people with SCD and their families in program development, improvement, implementation, evaluation, and leadership.

◦ How you will collaborate with the HRSA-funded SCDNCC to share training and resources, receive technical assistance, address emerging needs, and participate in the program evaluation.

• Include a plan to distribute reports, products, or project outputs to target audiences.

• Propose a plan for continuing the project when federal funding ends.

High-level work plan See merit review criteria 2: Response and 4: Impact

• Explain how you and your CCS network will meet each objective during the project period.

• Provide a timeline with each activity, responsible staff, and any role for key stakeholders.

◦ Explain how key stakeholders will help plan, design, and carry out these activities.

• Include a detailed work plan in Attachment 1.

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

Resolving challenges See merit review criterion 2: Response

Discuss possible challenges you may face in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan. Explain approaches that you’ll use to resolve them. Specifically, discuss how you will resolve challenges related to:

• Increasing the percentage of people with SCD in your region who are served by you and your CCS partners.

• Increasing the percentage of people served who receive DMT.

• Collecting data on emergency department use and high school graduation.

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

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

• Performance measurement and reporting.

◦ Describe how you will collect and report required performance data accurately and on time to HRSA.

◦ Describe your capacity to collect, track, manage, and report proposed and required data over time, including available resources, systems, and processes.

◦ Explain your plan and ability to collect data on the measures specified by HRSA MCHB in the Program requirements and expectations.

◦ Describe how you will manage and securely store data, including how you will protect data against cybersecurity threats, breaches, or other loss of data integrity.

◦ Describe how you will monitor and analyze performance data to continually improve your program.

◦ Describe your monitoring and evaluation procedures and explain how you will include evaluation and performance measurement in planning, implementation, and reporting of activities.

◦ Describe your plan and ability to collect, track, manage, and report required data from the CCSs over time, including available resources, systems, and processes.

• Program evaluation. Describe how you will evaluate your project. The evaluation should examine processes and progress towards goals, program objectives, and expected outcomes. Evaluations must follow the HHS Evaluation Policy, as well as the standards and best practices described in OMB Memorandum M-20-12. In the description of your evaluation, include:

◦ The evaluation questions, methods, data you will collect, and timeline for evaluating the program.

◦ Challenges in evaluating your program and how you will address them.

◦ The capacity of your organization and staff to evaluate the program. Include their experience, skills, and knowledge.

◦ How you will share results, how you will assess whether you are sharing results effectively, whether your results are national in scope, and whether other organizations can replicate your program.

◦ Describe the systems and processes that you’ll use to track performance outcomes.

• Describe how you’ll collect and manage data (for example, assigned skilled staff, data management software) in a way that allows for accurate and timely reporting of those outcomes.

◦ Describe the quality and feasibility of your proposed measures, how they align with the purpose of this NOFO, and how they will assess performance and progress towards the program goals and objectives.

• Describe the extent to which they can be used to attribute results to the project.

◦ Describe how you will report performance measurement and evaluation findings, use them to show the outcomes of this NOFO, and apply them for continuous program quality improvement.

https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/department-health-human-services-evaluation-policy https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M-20-12.pdf

◦ Describe your plans to monitor progress and conduct quality improvement efforts to make sure the program meets the needs of people with SCD and their families.

See the reporting section for more information.

Sustainability See merit review criterion 4: Impact

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

• Highlight key elements of your projects.

◦ Examples include training methods or strategies that have been effective in improving practices.

• Describe the actions CCSs can take to obtain future sources of funding that do not include HRSA funding.

• Describe a plan to integrate proposed activities into routine practice at the clinic and CBO levels so that federal funding is no longer needed.

◦ For example, how CQI becomes part of managed care practices.

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

◦ Include how you will resolve these challenges.

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 will help you carry out the program requirements. Include a project organizational chart in Attachment 4.

• Describe your key staff’s experience, skills, and knowledge.

◦ Include a staffing plan and job descriptions for key personnel in Attachment 2.

• Provide a summary of each CCS (the clinical site and CBO).

◦ Include an overall network chart that shows each participating CCS (include both the clinical sites and CBOs).

◦ Describe how each CCS you include serves areas where people with SCD live and receive care.

◦ Describe each CCS’s clinical experience treating people with SCD.

◦ Describe each CCS’s history of working with CBOs.

• Provide a description of the organizational capacity to gather, manage, and use data.

• Explain your experience with performance reporting and program evaluation.

• Describe the quality of the facilities you will use to carry out the project.

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

• Describe how you’ll assess the unique needs of the people who live in the community you serve.

• 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 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-A. 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.

Additional instructions specific to this NOFO:

• Budget funds to host an annual meeting of all participating CCSs and other partner organizations (virtual or in person).

• Budget at least 40% to the CCSs to ensure that all clinical centers and community-based organizations have sufficient resources for planned activities.

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

• Budget funds to compensate individuals with SCD and their families for engagement activities related to informing, building, or strengthening programs.

• Show in your budget that key staff will have sufficient time allocated to achieve your objectives.

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

Attachments 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 detailed 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 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 their education and experience. Explain your reasons for the amount of time you request for each staff position.

For each key staff member, attach a one-page job description. It must include their role, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Attachment 3: Biographical sketches Include biographical sketches for people who will hold the key positions you describe in Attachment 2.

Each biographical sketch should be no more than two pages. Do not include non-public, personally identifiable information. If you include someone you have not hired yet, provide a letter of commitment from that person along with the biographical sketch.

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/application-guide.pdf#page%3D18 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D21 https://grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-terminology#p

Attachment 5: Agreements with other entities Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and others you mention in your project narrative. If you include documents that confirm actual or pending contracts or agreements, the documents 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 6: Tables and charts Provide tables or charts that give more detail about the proposal. These might be Gantt, PERT, or flow charts.

Attachment 7: SoRCE emerging issues supplement (optional) Page limit: 4

This does not count toward the page limit of the base SoRCE program application.

The Emerging Issues narrative should include:

• Problem: State the topic that you selected and why it is important.

◦ Explain how the supplement will address an emerging issue or innovative approach that will enhance SCD care for individuals and their families.

• Goals and objectives: Identify the major goals and objectives of this supplement.

◦ Briefly describe the anticipated outcomes and deliverables of the activities.

• Methodology: Describe the activities you propose to accomplish the objectives, and how the supplemental project will build on the base application.

◦ Describe any collaboration, coordination, and partnerships you will need to ensure the success of the supplement.

• Evaluation: Describe how you will evaluate supplemental outcomes, including data collection and measures.

◦ Discuss the strategies you anticipate using to share program results and project impact with the field.

• Budget and budget narrative: Provide a separate SF-424A and budget justification narrative for this supplement.

Attachment 8: Key contacts List key contacts on your proposed project.

Attachment 9: Project performance site locations List the name, location and key contact for all the Clinical Community Spokes; identify all the participating clinical center and community-based organization within your region.

Attachments 10-15: Other relevant documents You may use attachments 10 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

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

Project Abstract Summary form With application.

Grants.gov Lobbying form With application.

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

Form instructions The application guide has detailed instructions for:

• The Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424).

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

Project abstract summary form instructions Edits should only be made to the second and third sentences if they do not reflect your requirements. (From “Include a short description…” to “groups you plan to serve”.

Complete the information in the Project Abstract Summary form. Include a short description of your proposed project. Include the needs you plan to address, the proposed services, and the population groups you plan to serve. For more information, see Section 3.1.2 of the Application Guide [PDF].

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/application-guide.pdf#page%3D8 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D13 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D13 https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

Step 4:

Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review 38

Selection process 44

Award notices 45

Application review Initial review We will review your application to make sure that it meets eligibility criteria, and the requirements in this NOFO. If your application does not meet eligibility criteria, it will not be funded. If your application does not meet other criteria, we will not fund it.

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

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Need 10 points

2. Response 40 points

3. Performance reporting and evaluation 15 points

4. Impact 10 points

5. Resources and capabilities 15 points

6. Support requested 10 points https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D32

Criterion 1: Need (10 points) See the project narrative Introduction and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the problem and its contributing factors.

Criterion 2: Response (40 points) See the project narrative Approach and High-level work plan.

The panel will review your application for:

Approach (25 points)

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

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

• How well it describes how the PRE activities will be carried out.

• How well it describes plans to reach every person with SCD and their families in the region through at least three CCSs.

• The strength of its proposal to expand access to services. Examples include:

◦ How it will recruit more CCSs.

• How it will address policy issues related to transportation, health insurance, or other access issues.

• How the RCH will oversee and support the CCSs.

• How it will run CQI activities at each CCS. Examples include:

◦ Educating and training health professionals, people with SCD, and their families.

◦ Developing and sharing educational materials on evidence-based guidelines.

◦ Establishing communication strategies to share information, successes, and barriers across the region.

◦ Hosting Project ECHO sessions to educate and train providers on evidence-based care and the latest disease-modifying therapies.

◦…