HRSA-26-062_Final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due July 8, 2026

Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) Ongoing Investments

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quality Improvement Fund — Improving Access to Dental Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

(QIF-DNDD)

Opportunity number: HRSA-26-062

Contents Before you begin 4

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 Basic Information 6

Funding details 7

Eligibility 8

Program description 10

Award information 14

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18 Get registered 19

Find the application package 19

Application writing help 20

Step 3: Build Your Application 21 Application checklist 22

Application contents and format 24

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award 37 Application review 38

Selection process 44

Award notices 44

Step 5: Submit Your Application 45 Application submission and deadlines 46

Other submissions 47

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 48 Post-award requirements and administration 49

Reporting 51

Contacts and Support 52

Appendix A: Project Work Plan Instructions 55

Appendix B: Equipment and Minor A/R Requirements 56

Appendix C: ICD Codes 58

Endnotes 60

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 8, 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.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

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 6

Funding details 7

Eligibility 8

Program description 10

Award information 14

Basic Information Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)

Ongoing Investments

Build upon existing evidence-based models to pilot innovative approaches in health centers to strengthen dental access, workforce, and patient outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Summary The purpose of this funding is to increase access to preventive dental and additional dental services. This will improve dental health outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including children with autism spectrum and developmental disorders. Through this one-time investment, health centers will build upon existing evidence-based models to pilot innovative approaches to increase access to dental services for children with NDDs, advance the skills and knowledge of their workforce to support access to services, and improve patient outcomes.

Applicants for this funding must propose project work plans that include:

• Specific evidence-based models and innovative approaches that will increase access to dental services. Projects will also improve patient outcomes for children with NDDs.

• Plans to advance the skills and knowledge of the health center workforce. Projects will also support access to dental services for children with NDDs.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quality Improvement Fund — Improving Access to Dental Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (QIF-DNDD) number:

HRSA-26-062

version:

Initial

93.224

Key dates

June 5, 2026 deadline:

July 8, 2026

August 24, 2026

September 1, 2026

See other submissions that may apply to this NOFO.

Funding details Application types: New

Expected total available funding in FY26: $50,000,000

Expected number and type of awards: 25 grants (G)

Funding per award: $2,000,000

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quality Improvement Fund — Improving Access to Dental Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (QIF-DNDD) awards depend on the appropriation of funds and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of appropriations.

QIF-DNDD is one-time funding. The full award amount will be provided in the first year.

The recipient must allocate the award funding across the entire 2-year period of performance. All awards will be up to $2,000,000.

Eligibility Who can apply Types of eligible organizations You can apply if you are a Health Center Program award recipient with an active H80 award. A Health Center Program (H80) award is funded under section330(e) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Other eligibility criteria

• At the time of application your Health Center Program scope of project must include preventive and additional dental services provided in at least one directly operated in-scope service site in your scope of project.

• You are not eligible to apply if you received any of the following:

◦ QIF-Optimizing Virtual Care (HRSA-22-097).

◦ QIF-Maternal Health (HRSA-23-027).

◦ QIF-Transitions in Care for Justice-Involved Populations (HRSA-25-005).

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.

• Does not include a project narrative.

• Does not include a project work plan.

Application limits You may submit only one application. If you submit more than one application, we will 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.

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 purpose of the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Quality Improvement Fund: Improving Access to Dental Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (QIF-DNDD) is to increase access to preventive dental and additional dental services[1] and improve dental health outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including children with autism spectrum and developmental disorders. Through this one-time investment, health centers will build upon existing evidence-based models to pilot innovative approaches to:

• Increase access to dental services for children with NDDs.

• Advance the skills and knowledge of their workforce.

• Improve patient outcomes.

Health centers awarded QIF-DNDD funds must:

• Implement specific evidence-based models and innovative approaches. These approaches will aim to increase access to dental services and improve outcomes for children with NDDs.

• Advance the skills and knowledge of the health center workforce. This will support access to dental services for children with NDDs and improve their outcomes.

Background The Health Center Program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 254b (Title III, § 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act). QIF-DNDD funds will be awarded under 42 U.S.C § 254b(d)(1) (Title III, § 330(d)(1) of the PHS Act), which authorizes supplemental awards to implement evidence-based models for increasing access to high-quality primary care services.

Key Terms The following is a list of key terms and definitions used throughout this NOFO.

• Dental services — Services provided by or under the supervision of a dentist[2].

Services may include fillings and single unit crowns, non-surgical endodontics, extractions, periodontal therapies, diagnostic x-rays and imaging, bridges, and dentures.

• Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) — A behavioral and cognitive disorder with onset during the developmental period. NDDs involve impaired or aberrant development of intellectual, motor, or social functions[3][4]. Autism spectrum https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section254b&num=0&edition=prelim disorder, sensory disorders, and other developmental disorders such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and intellectual disabilities are examples of NDDs. See Appendix C for a sample of related ICD-10 diagnostic codes.

NDDs are characterized by deficits in the development of the central nervous system.

NDDs can affect a child’s memory, language, motor function, and ability to learn, socialize, and maintain self-control[5]. Children with NDDs are at increased risk of developing oral health problems. These problems include tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, malocclusion, oral malformations, and trauma and injury to the mouth due to accidents[6]. It is often difficult for children with NDDs to participate in protective oral health behaviors. These patients and their caregivers may need help to adopt oral health strategies. Some examples include using the recommended amount of toothpaste, brushing for the recommended amount of time, cleaning between the teeth, and limiting sugar intake. These patients and their caregivers may also need help to engage with dental treatment. Some examples are x-rays, dental cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canals. Children with NDDs face challenges with dental visits due to oral hypersensitivity, anxiety, mobility problems, and a low tolerance for new procedures[7]. Innovations are needed in dental services delivery for children with NDDs to improve their dental outcomes.

The health center model of integrating comprehensive primary and dental care is a best practice for serving patients with NDDs. Health centers can use their expertise in treating families to support caregivers of patients with NDDs. They can help caregivers overcome challenges such as keeping appointments and following prevention and treatment plans. Health centers provide various patient support services. They include transportation, outreach and education, case management, care coordination, and eligibility assistance. Health centers serve all patients regardless of ability to pay. By doing so, patients can overcome financial challenges to access dental services.

QIF-DNDD projects will build knowledge about dental services delivery for this specific population. QIF-DNDD recipients will pilot and evaluate innovative approaches in their health center settings. The innovative approaches need to be informed by evidence-based models.

Program requirements and expectations All uses of QIF-DNDD funds must align with your Health Center Program scope of project. Your scope of project includes the approved sites, services, providers, service area, and target population supported (wholly or in part) under your total approved health center budget[8].

You must use QIF-DNDD funds to build upon existing evidence-based models to pilot and evaluate innovative approaches. Your approaches will be catered to health center settings. They will focus on increasing access to dental services for children with NDDs, advancing the skills and knowledge of the health center workforce, and improving dental health outcomes for children with NDDs. Your project must address access challenges, workforce needs, and patient outcomes. Your project can include activities such as patient-support services, such as case management and transportation, training for health center staff, performing minor alterations or renovations (A/R) to support the delivery of dental services for children with NDDs, and establishing new workflow options. These innovative approaches must be patient-centered, sustainable, and scalable for use with other patients with NDDs. Approval of your QIF-DNDD project and activities is limited to the 2-year period of performance.

Your proposed activities must be informed by the specific needs of your service area, community data, and your health center’s capacity for implementation. Your proposed evidence-based innovations must go beyond the implementation of best practices.

Your innovations need to be designed for the health center setting. They also must meet the needs of your population of focus. Consider tailoring approaches to meet the specific needs of children with NDDs in your service area. This could include leveraging your community partners in your projects.

Patient and community input: You must gather input from health center patients and their caregivers, community members, and community partners. Their input will help to inform the development of your proposed project. Use their input for evaluating and adapting your project as needed. Your project must include input from individuals and families whose lives are impacted by NDDs such as autism spectrum, sensory, and other developmental disorders like Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and intellectual disabilities.

Your application must include at least one letter of support from a community partner.

The community partner must work with children with NDDs, advocate for their needs, or have specialized knowledge of the health topic. Community partners have to pledge collaborative support specific to the QIF-DNDD project. Your letter(s) of support must align with your project’s goals and activities. Your letter(s) of support must document support for the QIF-DNDD project.

Communities of practice: If awarded, you must participate in collaborative learning and evaluation activities with HRSA, other QIF-DNDD award recipients, and the HRSA-funded coordination and evaluation center. You must collect and share data with HRSA and the coordination and evaluation center to support the ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of QIF-DNDD innovations in achieving your intended outcomes. You must also share data to support potential scalability and use by other health centers. We strongly encourage you to engage with a variety of relevant community members. This includes health center patients, staff, community members whose lives are impacted by NDDs, and community partners in the communities of practice.

You will use outcome measures outlined in the NOFO and those determined by HRSA post-award to assess your project throughout the period of performance. You will also propose two of your own outcome measures to track community engagement and patient/caregiver experience. HRSA will require all award recipients to report on a set of the same measures (see Reporting), which will be used to evaluate innovations for potential scaling across the Health Center Program, with assistance from the coordination and evaluation center. All measures and reporting will be used to assess your project throughout the period of performance.

Population of focus: The population of focus is children with NDDs who live within your service area. Your proposed project must address the needs of these individuals to improve their access to dental services at your health center, expand workforce capacity to serve these patients, and improve their dental health outcomes. For this NOFO, we are defining children as people under 21 years old.

Statutory authority 42 U.S.C § 254b(d)(1) (Title III, § 330(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section254b&num=0&edition=prelim

Award information 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.

• You must comply with all Health Center Program requirements as described in the Health Center Program Compliance Manual, and applicable law and regulations.

• All uses of funds must align with your H80 scope of project. Your scope of project includes the approved service sites, services, providers, service area, and target population supported (wholly or in part) by your approved health center budget.

• You must maintain your H80 award status throughout the QIF-DNDD period of performance to maintain this funding.

• You must have accounting structures and internal controls in place that provide accurate and complete information for costs associated with this award. HRSA funding and expenditures for QIF-DNDD must be tracked and documented in alignment with the specifications described in 2 CFR Part 200.

• If you receive a QIF-DNDD award, it will be a new grant award. QIF-DNDD is separate from your Health Center Program operation (H80) award. Under 2 CFR Part 200, you must document use of QIF-DNDD funds separately and distinctly from other federal awards.

• Award recipients will receive the full award amount in the first year. Award recipients must allocate the award funding across each of the 2 years.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we may:

◦ Fund more applicants from the rank order list.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://bphc.hrsa.gov/compliance/compliance-manual/introduction https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see

◦ Project Budget Information in the Application Guide [PDF].

◦ You can also see 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.

Program-specific statutory or regulatory limitations You may not spend funds for:

• Costs already paid for by any other federal awards.

• Costs not aligned with the QIF-DNDD purpose.

• Costs for dental services that are not provided at a directly-operated in-scope service site in your scope of project.

• Purchase or upgrade of an electronic health record (EHR) that is not certified by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s Health IT Certification Program.

• New construction activities, including additions or expansion.

• Major alteration or renovation (A/R) projects valued at $500,000 or greater in total federal and non-federal costs (excluding the cost of movable equipment).

• Purchase and installation of trailers and prefabricated modular units.

• Concrete or asphalt paving of new areas outside of a building.

• Facility or land purchases.

You must have policies, procedures, and financial controls in place. Anyone who receives federal funding must comply with applicable legal requirements and restrictions, including those that limit specific uses of funding.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf 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 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/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/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.healthit.gov/topic/certification-ehrs/onc-health-it-certification-program-test-method https://www.healthit.gov/topic/certification-ehrs/onc-health-it-certification-program-test-method

Under existing law, and consistent with Executive Order 13535 (75 FR 15599), you must not use federal funds to provide abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or when a physician certifies that the woman has a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. This includes all funds awarded under this notice and is consistent with past practice and long-standing requirements.

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 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 the time of award.

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

This rate is 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/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.

The non-federal share of the project budget includes all program income sources such as fees, premiums, third-party reimbursements, and payments generated from the delivery of services. The non-federal share also includes other revenue sources such as:

• State, local, or other federal grants or contracts.

• Private support, donations, or contributions.

• Income generated from fundraising.

In accordance with 42 USC § 254b (e)(5)(D), health centers must use non-grant funds, including funds in excess of those originally expected, “as permitted under this section,” and may use such funds “for such other purposes as are not specifically prohibited under this section if such use furthers the objectives of the project.”

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2021-title42/html/USCODE-2021-title42-chap6A-subchapII-partD-subparti.htm

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

Get registered 19

Find the application package 19

Application writing help 20

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist 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.

If you have already registered on Grants.gov, make sure your account is active, and your Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is approved.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Search Grants at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HRSA-26-062.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you select 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 https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will be posted on the QIF-DNDD TA webpage.

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, details will be posted on the QIF-DNDD TA webpage.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

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 22

Application contents and format 24

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

• Some of 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.

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

Make sure that you have everything you need to apply.

Narratives

Component

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Budget narrative with staff justification table Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form.

Attachments Insert each in the Attachments form in this order.

Included in page limit?

Yes

Yes

1. Project work plan No

2. Program-specific forms No

• Equipment List form (if applicable)

• Minor A/R forms (if applicable)

• H80 Grant Number form

• Form 1B: Funding Request Summary

3. Letters of support Yes

4. Summary of contracts and agreements (as applicable) Yes

5. Environmental Information and Documentation Checklist (as applicable) Yes

6. Floor plans/schematic drawings/site plan (as applicable) Yes

7. Landlord letter of consent—minor alterations/renovation (as applicable) Yes

8. Other relevant documents (as applicable) Yes

Other required forms Complete each required form in Grants.gov.

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

Component

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

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

Project Abstract Summary form

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), optional

Project/Performance Site Location(s)

Grants.gov Lobbying form

Key Contacts

Included in page limit?

No

No

No

No

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

Application page limit: 80. We will not review any pages that exceed the page limit.

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 Application Guide [PDF].

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.

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 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].

Application for Federal Assistance

(SF-424)

This form collects general information and is your application for federal assistance.

Follow the instructions in Section 3.1.1 of the Application Guide [PDF] and the form instructions in Grants.gov Forms.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family 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%3D8 https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

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.

Project narrative The project narrative is required for completeness.

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

Use the section headers and the order listed. Number your responses in each section.

This ensures reviewers can understand your proposed project.

Introduction This section is not scored but sets the expectation for the rest of your application.

1. All dental services funded by QIF-DNDD must occur at a directly-operated in-scope service site in your health center’s scope of project.

2. You have the capacity to partner with HRSA for evaluation and learning activities and to engage in a community of practice.

Need See merit review criterion 1: Need

You will base your project work plan on the information in this section. Describe the critical health needs of the children with NDDs living in your service area. Focus specifically on their dentistry needs. Describe how patient and community input informed the identification of these needs.

1. Provide data on children with NDDs living in your service area. Include the number of health center patients who are children with NDDs.

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 its money.

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

See instructions and examples.

https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

2. Describe and provide data on the dental health of children with NDDs in your service area. Include data for children with NDDs who are patients of your health center. Provide the proportion of children with NDDs who had a dental visit in the past 12 months and the proportion of children with NDDs who have an established dental treatment plan.

3. Describe challenges with accessing dental services and the unmet needs of children with NDDs in your service area that you hope to address. This can include facility-related needs like space limitations or a lack of appropriate equipment.

Describe how patient and community input informed the identification of these challenges.

4. Describe challenges with your current health center workforce that impact your capacity to address the dental health needs of children with NDDs. Include any challenges with staff recruitment and retention, training, and other workforce-related needs.

Response See merit review criterion 2: Response

This section has two parts.

Part 1: In the project work plan

1. Develop a 2-year project work plan that describes your activities. Submit

Attachment 1: Project work plan in a table format and include the following:

◦ Project name.

◦ Brief narrative overview of the proposed project. Include the evidence-based model(s) you plan to implement.

◦ Project goals.

◦ Innovative activities that you will implement to improve upon evidence-based model(s) of care. These activities will address the needs and challenges of children with NDDs.

◦ Outcome measures and targets:

▪ Proportion of children with NDDs aged 2 years and over who report having had a dental visit in the past 12 months.

▪ Proportion of children with NDDs who have had a dental visit during the period of performance who have a treatment plan established or updated.

▪ Number of dental providers and other health center staff receiving training to improve dental services for children with NDDs.

▪ Applicant choice community engagement measure.

▪ Applicant choice patient/caregiver experience measure.

2. Share baseline data for the above measures. Set realistic and achievable objective targets.

Part 2: In the project narrative

1. Discuss how your goal reflects input from health center patients and community members whose lives are impacted by NDDs. Describe how that input aligns with identified needs and challenges, organizational capacity, and partnerships.

2. Clearly describe how your project work plan will address the challenges of accessing dental care. Clearly describe how it will meet the unmet needs for children with NDDs.

3. Describe how any proposed facility changes will support your ability to improve dental health outcomes for children with NDDs.

4. Describe how your project will test innovations compared with how your health center currently supports dental services for children with NDDs.

5. Provide specific examples of how your project will build on evidence-based practices and models to adapt or test new strategies that improve dental services for children with NDDs.

6. Describe how you will ensure that health center providers and staff are trained in the unique needs of children with NDDs. For example, implementing workforce development strategies to ensure patient-centered care delivery.

7. Describe anticipated challenges to project implementation and your plan to mitigate these challenges.

8. Describe how your activities and plan are sustainable and scalable for health centers with similar qualities. This means health centers with similar communities, patient populations, or organizational characteristics.

Collaboration See merit review criterion 3: Collaboration

1. Describe any current collaboration with providers and community organizations in your service area to address the needs of children with NDDs. Describe your efforts to increase collaboration with other providers and community organizations.

These collaborations need to be within your service area during the two years of your project. Describe challenges that may occur when implementing your project as described in the Response section.

2. Describe how you plan to complement or build upon state and local efforts to improve dental health outcomes for children with NDDs. If no state or local efforts exist, indicate this.

3. In Attachment 3: Letters of support, provide at least one letter from a community partner. The community partner must work with children with NDDs, advocate for their needs, or have specialized knowledge of the health topic. Letter(s) must:

◦ Define the nature and duration of the partnership.

◦ Describe the specific ways the organizations will collaborate with you to support the target goals and activities for your project.

Impact See merit review criteria 4: Impact

1. Describe the target goals as documented in Attachment 1: Project work plan, including how:

◦ The target goals are specific, measurable, and align with identified needs, challenges, organizational capacity, and partnerships.

2. For each of the required measures in the project work plan, discuss the following:

◦ The method you will use to collect reliable data.

◦ Your plans to use the findings to evaluate outcome measures and assess performance.

◦ How you will use the findings to adapt your project activities as needed.

3. Discuss the source(s) for your selected measure for tracking community engagement and describe how it will support implementation of your proposed project.

4. Describe how you plan to collect patient/caregiver experience data.

5. Describe how you will integrate feedback to inform continuous quality improvement throughout the period of performance.

Capacity See merit review criterion 5: Capacity

1. Describe your skills, capabilities, and expertise to carry out the project. This includes your:

◦ Experience providing dental services at your health center.

◦ Experience providing comprehensive services to children with NDDs. This includes medical, dental, and patient services.

◦ Current workforce capacity to support access to dental services for children with NDDs.

2. Describe your experience designing, implementing, and evaluating clinical quality improvement efforts. This includes:

◦ Implementing targeted interventions.

◦ Using continuous feedback throughout a clinical transformation effort.

◦ Workforce training and development.

◦ Data collection and evaluation.

3. Describe your capacity to implement, monitor, and adapt the project throughout the period of performance, including:

◦ How the proposed personnel (direct hire and contracted) listed in the Budget Narrative with Staff Justification Table will successfully implement the project. Clearly describe each individual’s role.

◦ The expertise of key management staff to guide the development and implementation of your project. This includes the expertise of key management staff to provide operational and clinical oversight.

◦ Your capacity to use information gathered through communities of practice to improve strategies of innovation.

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 your capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D13 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)

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs used for the QIF-DNDD award. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement.

As you develop your budget:

• Make sure costs are reasonable, allowable, allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• Follow the restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations.

• Comply with all related HHS policies and other federal requirements.

If awarded, you will receive the full award amount in the first year of the 2-year period of performance. You have discretion on how you will allocate the award funding across each of the 2 years.

The restrictions on spending funds can be found in funding policies and limitations.

You may use up to $250,000 for one-time costs necessary to meet this program’s objectives, including:

• Equipment which includes movable items that are non-expendable, tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than 1 year and a per-unit acquisition cost that equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by the applicant for its financial statement purposes or $10,000.

• Any purchase of a mobile unit must be done within year 1 of the project.

• Up to $250,000 federal costs for 1 minor alteration or renovation (A/R) project. The total federal and non-federal cost of the A/R project must be less than $500,000.

This amount excludes the cost of movable equipment.

• Any minor alteration or renovation (A/R) must be completed at 1 in-scope service site. Minor A/R must be completed within year 1 of the project.

• How you will allocate the total budget between federal funds under this program and other funding that supports the project. Your total budget must:

◦ Include the requested federal funds.

◦ Include all non-federal funds that will support your project, as applicable.

◦ Directly relate to and support the proposed project.

◦ Comply with all related HHS policies and other federal requirements.

Provide a budget that:

• Is consistent across all documents, including the SF-424A and Budget Narrative with Staff Justification Table. If funding for minor A/R is requested, your minor A/R budget justification must align.

• Includes reasonable costs and aligns with your proposed plan to improve access to dental services for children with NDDs.

Sustainability: Describe your plan to sustain this project after the 2-year QIF-DNDD period of performance ends. Include your plans to sustain funding for any services and personnel that are part of your proposed project.

Minor A/R budget justification (if applicable) The minor A/R budget justification supports the information you provide in Section B:

Object Class Categories of the SF-424A for the Construction and Equipment lines. It includes the service site location, total QIF-DNDD funding request, total funding from other sources (if applicable), total project cost, an itemized breakdown and justification of the allowable and unallowable costs, and summary of the minor A/R project. The document must align with your Budget Narrative with Staff Justification Table, SF-424A, and Equipment List Form [.xlsx - 14KB].

See the QIF-DNDD TA webpage for a sample minor A/R budget justification.

Budget Information Form for Non- Construction Programs (SF-424A) Complete the Budget Information Form in Grants.gov. This form collects your project budget information. Use the instructions here if they contradict Section 3.1.4 of the Application Guide [PDF].

Section A – Budget summary: Under New or Revised Budget, in the Federal column, enter the Federal funding requested for the entire 2-year period of performance (up to $2,000,000). This amount must be scaled to reflect the size and scope of your proposed project.

The Federal amount refers to only the QIF-DNDD funding requested, not all federal funding that you receive. Enter other support for the QIF-DNDD project in the Non- Federal column. Leave the Estimate Obligated Funds column blank.

Section B – Budget categories: Enter an object class category (line item) budget for year 1. Include only Federal funding. The amounts for each category in the Federal and Non-Federal columns, as well as the totals, must align with the Budget Narrative.

• You may request up to $250,000 for equipment and minor A/R. If you request funds for equipment, include that amount on the equipment line.

• If you request funds for minor A/R, include that amount on the construction line.

Section C – Non-federal resources: Enter all sources of funding for year 1 except for the federal funding request.

• The total in Section C must match the Non-Federal Total in Section A.

https://bphc.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bphc/funding/equipmentlist.xlsx https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf

• When providing Non-Federal resources by funding source, include other Federal funds supporting the proposed project in the “other” category.

Section D – Forecasted cash needs: Leave this section blank.

Section E – Budget estimates of federal funds needed for balance of the project:

Leave this section blank.

Section F – Other budget information: Enter the type of indirect rate (provisional, predetermined, final, fixed, or de minimis) that will be in effect during the period of performance. If applicable, explain amounts for individual object class categories that may appear to be out of the ordinary in Direct Charges.

Budget Narrative with Staff Justification Table The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Section B: Object Class Categories of the SF-424A. It includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the costs you request. The merit review committee reviews both.

To create your budget narrative, see detailed instructions in Section 3.1.5 of the Application Guide [PDF].

See the QIF-DNDD TA webpage for a sample budget narrative.

Submit a detailed budget narrative that outlines federal and non-federal costs for each budget year of the 2-year period of performance. For year 2, highlight the changes from year 1 or clearly indicate that there are no substantive changes.

Make sure your budget narrative aligns with your minor A/R budget justification and Equipment List form if such funding is requested. See Appendix B: Equipment and Minor A/R Requirements for details.

The sum of line-item costs for each category must align with those in your SF-424A.

Your budget narrative must:

• Show that you will use the awarded funds to meet the program objectives.

• Clearly detail the proposed costs for each line item on your SF-424A, Section B, with calculations for how you estimated each cost.

• Not include ineligible costs.

• Not exceed $250,000 in minor A/R and equipment costs.

• Provide us with enough information to determine that you will use the funds awarded separately and distinctly from other Health Center Program support.

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

• Include a staff justification table attachment, as shown in section 3.1.4 of the Application Guide [PDF].

• Explain the purpose of any contracts and subawards, including how you estimated the costs. You must provide oversight of services provided through such arrangements to ensure compliance with Section 330 requirements. See Chapter 12: Contracts and Subawards in the Compliance Manual.

Attachments See Section 3.2.6 of the 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.

Attachment 1: Project work plan (Required) Does not count towards the page limit.

Develop a project work plan that outlines your proposed project. See Appendix A:

Project Work Plan Instructions for detailed instructions and refer to the QIF-DNDD TA webpage for a sample.

Attachment 2: Program-specific forms (Required) Does not count towards the page limit.

Complete all required program-specific forms as listed in the Attachments table in the application checklist. Upload all forms in one combined PDF as an attachment.

Attachment 3: Letters of support (Required) Counts towards the page limit.

Upload letters of support and other documentation that show collaboration specific to the project. See the Collaboration section for more detailed requirements. Letters of support must be addressed to the organization’s board, Project Director/Chief Executive Officer, or other appropriate key management staff.

Note: Reviewers will only consider documentation submitted with your application.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page%3D13 https://bphc.hrsa.gov/compliance/compliance-manual/chapter12…