HRSA-26-078 Final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due 07/17/2026

Bureau of Health Workforce

Division of Nursing and Public Health

Public Health Training Centers (PHTC) Program

HRSA-26-078

Table of Contents

Before You Begin

Step 1: Review the Opportunity

Basic information

Funding details

Eligibility

Program description

Award information

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Get registered

Find the application package

Application writing help

Step 3: Build Your Application

Application checklist

Application contents and format

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review

Selection process

Award notices

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Application submission and deadlines

Other submissions

Step 6: Learn What Happen After Award

Post-award requirements and administration

Reporting

Contacts and Support

Agency contacts

Help with systems

Before You Begin

Health Resources and Services Administration

Bureau of Health Workforce

Division of Nursing and Public Health

Public Health Training Centers (PHTC) Program

HRSA-26-078

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.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity

Basic information

Summary

The Public Health Training Centers (PHTC) Program aims to increase the knowledge of the public health workforce through traineeships, specialized training and professional development in partnership with state and local health departments, community-based primary care providers, and related organizations (including non-traditional partners) to address public healthcare needs.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name: Public Health Training Centers (PHTC) Program

Opportunity number: HRSA-26-078

Announcement version: Initial

Federal assistance listing: 93.516

Key dates

NOFO issue date: 06/15/2026

Informational webinar: See Join the webinar

Application deadline: 7/17/2026

Expected award date is by: 09/01/2026

Expected start date: 09/01/2026

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

Funding details

Application Types: Competing continuation, New

Expected total available funding in FY 2026: $9,100,000

Expected number and type of awards:10 CA (Cooperative Agreement)

Funding range per award: up to $910,000 per award

We plan to fund awards in four 12-month budget periods for a total four-year period of performance. The period of performance is from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2030.

Your request for years 2, 3, and 4 cannot exceed your year 1 request.

Eligibility

You can apply if you are an accredited school of public health, or another public or nonprofit private institution accredited to provide graduate or specialized training in public health.

Types of eligible organizations These types of *domestic organizations may apply if they otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.

“Domestic” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto

Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the

Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of

Palau.

Independent school districts

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

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

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

Private institutions of higher education

For profit organizations other than small businesses

Additional information on eligibility

You can apply if you are an accredited school of public health, or another public or nonprofit private institution accredited to provide graduate or specialized training in public health.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Trainee eligibility

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

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

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

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

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

Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to participate or receive PHTC support.

This program provides traineeships to graduates or students in specialized training in public health who are enrolled in health professions programs related to fields experiencing severe workforce shortages[i]. This includes, but is not limited to, the following fields:

• Maternal and child health

• Nutrition

• Toxicology

• Environmental health

• Epidemiology

• Biostatistics

In additional to offering traineeship to graduates or students in specialized training, applicants may also provide traineeship to undergraduate juniors or seniors enrolled in a health profession degree program in which there is a shortage of health professionals (such as public health, psychology, sociology, or social work).

Qualifications for principal investigator or project director

The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a senior public health professional with:

• Expertise in adult education and training

• Leadership skills

• Recognized standing within their professional field

This individual must dedicate at least 5% of their time to program activities

Completeness and responsive criteria

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.

Maintenance of effort

Federal funds must add to any existing non-federal funds for your proposed activities. If you receive an award, you will have to spend at least as much as you spent in the last fiscal year before the award. 42 U.S.C. § 295n-2(b) (section 797(b) of the Public Health Service Act) requires this. We will enforce these statutory requirements through all available mechanisms.

You must provide supporting documentation of your maintenance of effort as Attachment 5.

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.

[i] 42 U.S.C. 295b(b)(3) (Public Health Service Act Sec. 767(b)(3))

Program description

Purpose

The Public Health Training Centers (PHTC) Program aims to strengthen the public health workforce by offering:

• Student traineeships

• Field placements

• Technical assistance

• Targeted training

It supports projects that enhance preventive medicine, health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare access in rural or medically vulnerable communities.

• The goal of the PHTC Program is to increase the supply of a high-quality public health workforce for rural and medically vulnerable communities.

Background

The U.S. public health infrastructure is complex and ever evolving, requiring a strong workforce with both clinical and non-clinical expertise to address the growing demand of the public’s health care needs. This highlights the need for accessible, high-quality education and training, as well as upskilling initiatives to support the development of future public health workers.

Historically, Public Health Training Centers (PHTC), have served as resources to state and local public health agencies, working to strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure and address emerging needs. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the PHTC program provided experiential learning opportunities to 410 public health students across 288 training sites nationwide. Of these training sites, 73% were in medically vulnerable communities, 27% in primary care settings, and 25% in rural areas. In addition to experiential learning, the program provided 2,749 continuing education courses to 317,126practicing professionals.[2]

In support of the Administration’s efforts To Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) and address chronic disease, obesity, and poor nutrition, the PHTC program delivers targeted education and training to public health students and professionals. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on workforce development, the program aims to expand and retain a skilled, crisis-ready public health workforce. This workforce will promote health, wellness, and prevention initiatives to improve the quality of life for communities nationwide.

Program goal and objectives

The goal of the PHTC Program is to increase the supply of a high-quality public health workforce for rural and medically vulnerable communities. It will do this by achieving the following objectives:

Objective 1. Expand and enhance the public health workforce.

Objective 2. Increase community-based training partnerships in rural and medically vulnerable areas.

Objective 3. Provide tailored, quality training to address current and emerging public health needs including chronic disease management and improving health and nutrition.

Program requirements and expectations

Award recipients are required to participate in federally designed evaluations to assess program effectiveness and efficiency upon request.

If you are awarded funding, you must fulfill the requirements below.

Training center and training programs

• Designate a geographic area or medically vulnerable population the training center will serve, located outside of the teaching facility, that is participating in the program with the training center.

• Assess in real-time: public health issues to include the prevention and management of chronic diseases and training needs and gaps of the public health workforce of the area.

• Plan, develop, and deliver training programs to improve preventive medicine, health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare access.

Community-based training partnerships

• Establish and implement a formal arrangement with Community Based Training

(CBT) partner(s). You must include details of this allocation in the proposed line-item budget and budget justification.

• CBT partners may include state and local health departments, primary care providers, community organizations (including non-traditional partners).

Traineeships

• Provide traineeships to students in health professions fields that have a severe workforce shortage. This includes the fields of maternal and child health, nutrition, toxicology, epidemiology, environmental health, and biostatistics.

• Traineeship must provide financial support, including partial tuition, fees and applicable stipends or allowances.

• You must dedicate at least 20 percent of your overall requested budget (direct and indirect costs) as traineeships.

Field placements

• Establish or strengthen field placements for students through CBT Partnerships.

Placements must take place in a public or nonprofit private health agency or organizations. Including but not limited to non-traditional health care settings, such as mobile health units, shelters, community centers, telemedicine sites, or other locations where health services are provided outside hospitals and outpatient clinics.

• Placements must provide structured opportunities for students to apply acquired knowledge and skills in a public health practice setting.

• Placements should support the mastery of public health competencies while balancing the student’s educational needs with the needs of the community.

• Field placements must last at least three months.

• Field placements must involve a minimum of 15 students. You may give stipend support for a combination of both field placements and faculty-student collaborative projects above the minimum requirement of 15 students.

Faculty-student collaborative projects

• Involve faculty members and students in collaborative projects to enhance public health services in medically vulnerable communities.

• Projects may include research projects or community interventions identified by a governmental public health agency or other public health service entity.

• Students and faculty advisors collaborate with the agency to address specific public health issues among a specified target population. They work together to develop the methodology and approach.

• Projects can range from three to six months.

Leadership Institutes

• Establish or enhance leadership institutes that support a separate cohort of trainees using an integrated primary care and public health approach.

• Train this cohort in advanced adaptive and strategic leadership skills that underscore core public health competencies.

Evaluations

• Tracking of field placement participants for up to one year after program completion is required.

Statutory authority

42 U.S.C. § 295a (Public Health Service Act Section 766) and 42 U.S.C. § 295b (Public

Health Service Act Section 767)

Award information

Cooperative agreement terms

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

• Providing programmatic consultation for development and delivery of training and technical assistance, project data collection methods, and metrics across the projects.

• Providing ongoing input in all phases of the project to accomplish the goals of the cooperative agreement.

• Reviewing project information prior to dissemination.

• Assisting to enhance or develop a network among other funded programs, federal agencies, and external stakeholders. This network will disseminate resources, best practices, and lessons learned.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:295a%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section295a)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:295b%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section295b)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

• Providing assistance and referral in the establishment and facilitation of effective collaborative relationships with federal and state agencies, resource centers, and other

HRSA recipients that may be relevant to the project’s mission.

• Collaborating with recipients to assist in developing and implementing assessment and evaluation strategies.

• Leading the PHTC network, which includes working with recipients in planning and coordinating conference calls, webinars and meetings, working groups, learning exchanges, and communities of practice.

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

• You must carry out all required activities, including those outlined in the Program requirements and expectations.

• Programmatic oversight, including:

o Providing the agency program staff with an opportunity to review project information prior to dissemination.

o Establishing contacts that may be relevant to the project’s mission, such as federal and non-federal partners and other agency award projects.

o Working with agency program staff to identify collaborative partnerships for community-based training topics and sites.

o Working with agency program staff to implement all network activities, including but not limited to conference calls, meetings, working groups, and learning collaboratives.

• Participation in PHTC network, including:

o Participating in ongoing PHTC network conference calls, learning exchanges, and webinars with other awardees under this NOFO.

o Working with agency program staff to identify network working groups, learning exchanges, and communities of practice.

• Coordinating activities with other awardees under this NOFO.

o Participating in annual meetings.

• Evaluation activities, including:

o Collaborating with agency program staff and other recipients under this

NOFO to develop and implement assessment and evaluation strategies.

o Partnering with agency program staff to evaluate priorities and respond to constituent and field requirements.

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.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200

• 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:

o Appropriation of funds.

o Your satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives.

o A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

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

o Fund more applicants from the rank order list.

o Extend the period of performance.

o Award supplemental funding.

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see o Project Budget Information in Section 3.1.4 of the R&R Application Guide.

You can also see 2 CFRPart 200 Subpart E - General Provisions for Selected

Items of Cost.

o 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 rate higher than the Executive

Level II if the amount beyond the HHS SRL is paid with non-HHS funds. For help calculating salaries under this limit, read more at “salary rate limitation” in the R&R Application Guide.

Program-specific statutory or regulatory limitations

Additionally, these specific costs are not allowed:

• Accreditation costs like renewals or annual fees, credentialing, licensing, continuing education fees, certification exam or licensing fees, and franchise fees and expenses.

• Membership fees to organizations that directly fund lobbying activities.

• Laboratory fees.

• Food or drinks.

• Liability insurance, unemployment insurance, life insurance, taxes, fees, retirement plans, or other fringe benefits for trainees.

o Exception: Health insurance for trainees is allowed.

• Payment of temporary personnel replacement costs for the time faculty, preceptors, or other participants are away from usual worksite during involvement in project activities.

• Paid release time for project faculty.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-grants-policy-statement-april-2025-archived.pdf#page=81 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/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=16 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=16

• Construction or major renovation.

• Foreign travel.

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.

As of October 1, 2025, 2 CFR 300.414 indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8% of modified total direct costs. To calculate the (MTDC), we exclude from the direct cost base:

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

• Subawards and subcontracts exceeding $50,000.

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

Consider your indirect costs when developing your budget.

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use 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.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300/subpart-E/section-300.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Get registered

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.

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-26-078.

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

Application writing help

Visit HHS Tips for Preparing Grant Proposals.

Visit HRSA’s How to Prepare Your Application page for more guidance.

See Apply for a Grant for other help and resources.

Join the webinar

For more information about this opportunity, Visit the Bureau of Health Workforce’s open opportunities website. The webinar will be recorded.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf 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 https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/get-ready-for-grants-management/tips-for-preparing-grant-proposals/index.html https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant https://bhw.hrsa.gov/programs https://bhw.hrsa.gov/programs

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

FAQs will be posted on the Bureau of Health Workforce’s open opportunities website.

Step 3: Build Your Application

Application checklist

There are two types of forms in Grants.gov.

• Some forms allow you to upload components of your application to the form. These include components like your project narrative, budget and budget narrative, and attachments, as applicable.

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

Make sure that you have everything you need to apply.

Narratives

See the instructions for the project narrative, form, and the budget and budget narrative.

Form Included in page limit*?

◻ Research & Related Other Project Information Yes*

◻ Research & Related Budget Yes*

Attachments

See instructions for attachments.

Form Included in page limit*?

◻ 1. Accreditation Documentation Yes

◻ 2. Project Organizational Chart Yes

◻ 3. Letters of agreement with other entities Yes

◻ 4. Staffing Plan and Job Description Yes

◻ 5. Maintenance of effort documentation Yes

◻ 6. Funding preference or priority documentation Yes

◻ 7. Tables and charts Yes

◻ 8. Letters of Support Yes

◻ 9. Other relevant document Yes

◻ 10. Other relevant document Yes

◻ 11. Other relevant document Yes

◻ 12. Other relevant document Yes

◻ 13. Other relevant document Yes

◻ 14. Other relevant document Yes

◻ 15. Other relevant document Yes

Other required forms

See form instructions.

Other required forms

See form instructions.

Form Included in page limit*?

◻ SF-424 (R&R) No

◻ Project Abstract Summary Form No

◻ R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Yes*

◻ Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form No

◻ Project/Performance Site Location(s) No

◻Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) No

◻Standardized Work Plan (SWP) form No

* Unless otherwise indicated, only what you attach to a form counts toward the page limit.

The form itself does not count.

Application contents and format

This section includes guidance on each component found in the application checklist.

Application page limit: 50 pages

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 o .TXT - Text

• .WPD - Word Perfect Document

• .XLS/.XLSX - Microsoft Excel

• .VSD - Microsoft Visio

Size: 12-point font

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

Ink color: Black

Spacing: Single-spaced, including all text and tables

Alignment: Left

Headings: Bold all headings and align left.

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

Margins: 1-inch on all sides

Footer: On each page as the footer, include your organization’s name and page numbers. If a competing continuation or competing supplement, also include your 10-digit award number.

Page numbering:

• Do not number the standard OMB-approved forms.

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

• Reset the numbering for each attachment.

• Treat each attachment as a separate section.

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

Project narrative

Use the Research & Related Other Project Information form to attach the project narrative.

In the project narrative, you will describe all aspects of your project.

Use the section headers and the order as listed.

Introduction

See merit review criterion 1: Need

Briefly describe the purpose of your project and the geographic area or medically vulnerable population the training center will serve.

Need

See merit review criterion 1: Need

Use and cite demographic data whenever possible.

Describe:

• The unmet public health workforce education and training needs of the area the center will serve.

• How the center will help plan and develop training programs to meet such needs.

Include the characteristics and needs of geographic area and/or medically vulnerable populations the center plans to partner with.

• The state, local, and tribal health department’s workforce development plans in the identified geographic area.

• The training curricula modifications and enhancements you will incorporate that address the public health workforce core competencies and concepts to improve https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D36 preventative medicine, manage and prevent chronic disease, promote health, or access to quality of health care services.

• Your organization's approach to recruitment, placement, and retention of current and future public health professionals likely to practice in community-based settings in rural or medically vulnerable communities.

Approach

See merit review criterion 2: Response

In your application describe:

• How you’ll address your stated needs and meet the program requirements and expectations described in this NOFO.

• The strategies for ongoing staff training, teamwork, and information sharing. Also include strategies for outreach and collaboration efforts to involve patients, families, and communities.

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

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

In your application describe:

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

• A timeline that includes each activity and identifies who is responsible for each. As needed, identify how key stakeholders will help plan, design, and carry out all activities. The extent to which these stakeholders address the needs of the populations and communities served.

• The partnerships with CBT sites used to establish or strengthen faculty-student collaborative projects and field placements.

You will also include a more detailed work plan in your Standardized Work Plan (SWP). See

Other required forms.

Resolving challenges

See merit review criterion 2: Response

In your application discuss:

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

Performance management See merit review criteria 3: Performance management and 5: Resources and capabilities

In your application describe:

Outcomes

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

Performance measurement and reporting

See Reporting Manual for performance measure requirements and examples of reporting forms. In your application describe:

• How you will collect and report the required performance data accurately and on time.

• How you will manage and securely store data.

• Your process to track field placement participants after program completion for up to one year.

• How you will monitor and analyze performance data to support continuous quality improvement.

Program evaluation

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 your application describe your plan to evaluate the project. Include:

• The evaluation questions, methods, data to be collected, and timeline for implementation.

• The evaluation barriers and your plan to address them.

• The evaluation capacity of your organization and staff. Include experience, skills, and knowledge.

• How you will disseminate results, how you will assess whether your dissemination plan is effective, whether the results are national in scope, and the extent of potential replication.

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. In your application:

• 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 you’ll take to obtain future sources of funding.

• Determine the timing to become self-sufficient.

• 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

In your application describe:

https://grants4.hrsa.gov/WebBPMHExternal/Interface/ProgramManualhtmL.aspx?FormCode=1&IsPM=True&EHBActivityCode=UB6 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M-20-12.pdf

• Your mission, structure, and the scope of your current activities. Explain how they support your ability to carry out the program requirements. Include a project organizational chart.

• How you’ll follow the approved plan, account for federal funds, and record all costs to avoid audit findings.

• How you’ll assess the unique needs of the trainees you serve.

• A staffing plan and job descriptions for key faculty and staff in Attachment 4.

o You will also include biographical sketches for key staff using the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form. See Standard Forms.

• The organizations you will partner with to fulfill the program goals and meet the training objectives. Include key agreements and letters of support in Attachment 3 and Attachment 8.

Budget and budget narrative

See merit review criterion 6: Support requested

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

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supply in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or

$10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs used for the

HRSA activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and nonfederal funds used to satisfy any matching or cost sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable).

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

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in the Research and Related

Budget Form. The merit review committee reviews both. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

The budget narrative includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the requested costs. As you develop your budget, consider:

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

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

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

Participant and trainee support costs bookmark://_Standard_Forms/ https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=18 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=18

Student traineeship support

You must dedicate at least 20 percent of your overall requested budget (direct and indirect costs) as traineeships to individuals who are pursuing a course of study in a health professions field in which there is a severe shortage of health professionals such as epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, toxicology, nutrition, and maternal and child health.

Traineeships may also include undergraduate juniors or seniors enrolled in a health profession degree programs in disciplines with shortages.

Traineeship support can cover costs associated with tuition and fees.

Field placement stipends

Students participating in field placements may receive up to:

• If considered: $3,500 per student for undergraduate junior and senior students and post-baccalaureate certificate program.

• $5,000 per year for graduate students.

Full-time students may receive a stipend for a field placement for no more than 1 year, or 12 non-consecutive months. Part-time students may receive a stipend prorated at one-half of the fixed amount for no more than 2 years, or 24 non-consecutive months.

Field placements must involve a minimum of 15 students. You may give stipend support for a combination of both field placements and faculty-student collaborative projects above the minimum requirement of 15 students.

Stipends are used to encourage the field placements for public health students and are subsistence allowances for students to help defray living expenses and dependence allowances during the training experience, and are not provided as a condition of employment, or for tuition, fees, health insurance, or other costs associated with the training program. The stipend amounts that can be charged to the award are fixed. Award recipients may not provide stipends lower than the amount specified; however, recipients may choose to provide higher stipend amounts by including funds from non-federal sources.

In your budget narrative:

• List tuition, fees, health insurance, stipends, travel, subsistence, and other costs.

• Identify the number of participants and trainees.

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

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

Annual meeting

Include the estimated cost of two staff to travel for a two-to-three day, in-person annual meeting.

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

Attachments

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

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

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

Attachment 1: Accreditation documentation

You must attach a copy of your organization’s accreditation demonstrating that it is an accredited school of public health, or another public or nonprofit private institution accredited for the provision of graduate or specialized training in public health, that plans, develops, operates, and evaluates projects to improve preventive medicine, health promotion and disease prevention, or access to and quality of health care services in rural or medically vulnerable communities. Don’t provide a web link to the accreditation body’s website.

HRSA will not open any links included in the application.

Attachment: 2 Project organizational chart Provide a one-page diagram that shows the full project’s organizational structure. Include all aspects, not just the applicant organization.

Attachment: 3 Letters of agreement with other entities Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and others you refer to in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contracts or agreements should clearly describe the roles of subrecipients and contractors and any deliverables. It is not necessary to include the entire contents of lengthy agreements, so long as the portions you include describe the working relationship between you and the other organization. Make sure letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Attachment: 4 Staffing plan and job descriptions See Section 3.1.7 of the R&R Application Guide.

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

• Job descriptions: Limit each job description to one page. Include role, responsibilities, and qualifications. Describe your organization's timekeeping to comply with federal standards on documenting personnel costs.

• Staffing plan: You must present a plan with education and experience qualifications and justify the time requested for each position.

• Expertise needed for project staff: Academic-practice partnerships, workforce development, adult learning, evidence-based education, and technology-based learning models, particularly distance learning and emerging technologies.

• Key personnel: Must devote adequate time to achieving project objectives.

• Project Coordinator: Must be a senior health professional with skills in adult education and training management. 100% effort is required for this position.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=23

• Other key personnel: For example, key personnel like Evaluator or Instructional

Designer must demonstrate expertise in community, state, and local activities and partnerships. Staff should include individuals with experience in adult education, training, instructional design, and curriculum development.

• Salary support: You must include a detailed percentage of effort on the PHTC

Program grant and other salary sources for key personnel. (For example: Jane Doe, Training Developer: 50% PHTC Program, 20% Title 2 grant, 15% University of X, 15% NIH grant.)

Attachment: 5 Maintenance of effort documentation Include non-federal funds that support proposed activities. These include cash, in-kind, and other contributions. Do not include any federal funds. See Maintenance of Effort requirement.

Use the sample format below to provide the Maintenance of Effort documentation.

FY before application:

Actual nonfederal expenditures

First FY of award:

Estimated nonfederal expenditures

Attachment: 6 Funding preference documentation There is a statutory funding preference for accredited schools of public health. A letter documenting accreditation as a School of Public Health will be used to document eligibility for this preference. Include a statement that you are eligible for the funding preference based on being an accredited School of Public Health and state that the required documentation is in Attachment 1.

See Selection process for information about how these apply.

Attachment: 7 Tables & charts Provide tables or charts that give more details about the proposal. These might be Gantt, PERT, or flow chart.

Attachment: 8 Letters of support (as applicable) You may provide letters of support from other organizations or departments involved in the proposed project.

Letters of support can also be from individuals within your institution who hold the authority to speak for the organization or department such as a CEO or chair.

Recommenders should indicate an understanding of and commitment to the project, and what their contribution to the project will be. You should reference letters of support in the applicable section of the project narrative.

Recommenders must sign and date their letter of support.

Attachment: 9-15 Other relevant documents You may use attachments 9 through 15 to add other relevant documents.

Other required forms

You will need to complete some other forms. Upload the following forms at Grants.gov. You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and any available instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission Requirement

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

With application.

Project Abstract Summary Form With application.

Research & Related Other Project Information

With application.

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

With application.

R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form

With application.

Project/Performance Site Location(s) With application.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-

LLL)

If applicable, with the application or before award.

Standardizes Work Plan (SWP) form With application.

Form instructions In addition to the requirements for the budget narrative, project narrative, and attachments, following are instructions for each of the other forms required by this NOFO. See the application checklist for a full list of all application requirements.

SF-424 (R&R) application for federal assistance

This is your application for federal assistance. Follow the instructions in section 3.1.1 of the

R&R Application Guide. This is the application for Federal Assistance.

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.

Project abstract summary form

Complete the information in the Project Abstract Summary form. Include a short description of your proposed project. Include the needs you plan to address, the proposed services, and the population groups you plan to serve.

When writing your summary:

https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=8 https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

• Use 4,000 characters or fewer.

• Make sure it’s clear, accurate, short.

• Do not refer to other parts of the application.

• Do not include personally identifiable information (PII) in abstract form.

If you receive an award, we’ll put your project abstract on public websites and databases, including USAspending.gov

Research & related other project information

In addition to the requirements in the project narrative section, you will provide some additional information in this form.

• Complete sections 1 through 6.

• Upload a blank document in item 7: Project Summary/Abstract to avoid a cross-form error with your Project Abstract Summary Form.

• Upload your project narrative in item 8.

• Leave items 9, 10, and 11 blank.

Research & related senior/key person profile (expanded)

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

• Try to use no more than 2 pages per person.

• Do not include non-public personally identifiable information.

• If you include someone you have not hired yet, include a letter of commitment from that person with their biographical sketch.

• Upload sketches in the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form.

• Include:

o Name and title o Education and training – for each entry include Institution and location, degree and date earned, if any, and field of study.

o Section A, Personal Statement. Briefly describe why the individual’s experience and qualifications make them well-suited for their role.

o Section B, Positions and Honors. List in chronological order previous and current positions. List any honors. Include present membership on any federal government public advisory committee.

o Section C, Other Support. This section is optional. List selected ongoing and completed projects during the last three years. Begin with any projects relevant to the proposed project. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and responsibilities of the person.

o Other information. If they apply, include language fluency and experience working with populations that are culturally and linguistically different from their own.

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

R&R subaward budget attachment(s) form

You will also complete the R&R Subaward Budget Attachment Form for each subaward you propose. These include subcontracts. You will do this using the R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form.

Use the following instructions:

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

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

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

• Repeat the steps for each subaward.

If you have more than 10 subawards, you may upload the extra budget forms in the Research and Related Other Project Information form in Block 12 “Other Attachments”.

Project/performance site location(s)

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov Forms. Use the “Next Site” option rather than

“Additional Location(s)” to add more than one project/performance site location.

Disclosure of lobbying activities (SF-LLL) form

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov Forms.

Standardized work plan form

Does not count toward the page limit

In addition to the requirements in project narrative, high-level work plan, follow these instructions:

• Submit your workplan through the SWP Form. Provide a detailed work plan that demonstrates your experience or ability implementing a project of the proposed scope.

• Follow the instructions in the SWP Form.

• Select your organizational priorities that best fit the objective.

• As specified in the NOFO, program goal and objectives must be copied as stated.

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

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review

Initial Review

We will review your application to make sure that it meets eligibility criteria, including the completeness and responsiveness criteria. If your application does not meet these criteria, we will not fund it.