HRSA-26-095_FINAL_FULL.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due 07/08/2026

Bureau of Health Workforce

Division of Nursing and Public Health

Nursing Workforce Development

HRSA-26-095

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

Nursing Workforce Development

HRSA-26-095

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

Tagline: Increase the number of registered nurses from disadvantaged backgrounds through evidence-based education environments

Summary

The purpose of the Nursing Workforce Development (NWD) program is to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Nursing Workforce Development (NWD)

Opportunity number:

HRSA-26-095

Announcement version:

initial

Federal assistance listing:

93.178

Key dates

NOFO issue date:

06/05/2026

Informational webinar:

See Join the webinar _________

Application deadline:

07/08/2026

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:

New

Expected total available funding in FY:

2026: $20,000,000

Expected number and type of awards:

36 G (Grant)

Funding range per award:

$1 - $555,000

We plan to fund awards in four12-month budget periods for a total of four years. Your request for years 2 – 4 cannot exceed your Year 1 request. The period of performance is from

09/01/2026 to 08/31/2030.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations include accredited schools of nursing, nursing centers, academic health centers, and domestic public or private non-profit entities, such as state and local departments of health, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations.

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.

State governments

County governments

City or township governments

Special district governments

Independent school districts

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

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

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

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

Private institutions of higher education

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional information on eligibility

Eligible organizations include accredited schools of nursing, nursing centers, academic health centers, and domestic public or private non-profit entities entities, such as state and local departments of health, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations.

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.

Qualifications for principal investigator or project director

The proposed Project Director (PD) must be a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). Your application should indicate the time commitment and qualifications of the PD in the project narrative. HRSA recognizes only one PD per application.

Completeness and responsive criteria

We will review your application to make sure it meets these basic requirements to move forward in the competition.

We will not consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that does not meet all eligibility criteria.

• Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

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.§ 296b(b) (Section 803(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 in your Attachments.

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 Nursing Workforce Development (NWD) program is to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program uses evidence-based strategies to deliver comprehensive nursing education that supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Increase the number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who enroll in and graduate from nursing degree programs, using evidence-based strategies such as pipeline programs or comprehensive student support services.

Background

The purpose of the NWD program is accomplished by supporting diploma or associate degree registered nurses as they become baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses and preparing practicing registered nurses for advanced nursing education. The NWD program uses a comprehensive systems approach to implementing evidence-based strategies successful in supporting nursing students from enrollment through graduation.

Evidence-based recruitment strategies include, but are not limited to, pipeline programs that establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools, community organizations, and vocational programs. By providing early career exposure, financial assistance, and community mentoring, these initiatives reduce socioeconomic barriers and increase awareness of nursing as a viable career pathway among individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Instructional capacity can be strengthened through partnerships with faculty, clinical preceptors, professional nursing organizations, and community-based organizations with varied backgrounds and experiences. These approaches can promote student success, reduce structural barriers through tailored mentorship, peer, academic, and financial support, expand access to nursing education, improve retention, and advance the nursing workforce to meet the health care needs of the U.S.

population[i].

Program goal and objectives

Goal: Increase the number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who enroll in and graduate from nursing degree programs, using evidence-based strategies such as pipeline programs or comprehensive student support services.

Objective 1: Increase the number of nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are enrolled in and graduate from nursing degree programs.

Objective 2: Establish or enhance academic, social, and financial supports to increase educational success for nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Objective 3: Recruit and retain faculty and preceptors to provide student mentorship and enhance learning environments.

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 funded under this funding opportunity, you will be required to:

• Implement a comprehensive systems approach that supports the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation of students from disadvantaged background using student centered strategies that promote academic success and readiness to entering the nursing workforce.

• Provide student support services such as financial support, mentorship (professional, academic, or peer), tutoring, counseling, and/or supplemental instruction that support retention and success in nursing schools.

• Increase the recruitment and retention of faculty and preceptors with varied backgrounds and experiences to enhance learning environments in nursing education and clinical practice supporting high quality training environments that prepare students for entry into the nursing workforce.

• Establish or enhance clinical, academic, and community partnerships that:

o Support coordinated evidence-based approaches that strengthen student success from education through workforce entry.

o Provide varied clinical training and experiential learning opportunities in rural and medically vulnerable areas.

Evaluate your program’s efficacy by:

• Following the HHS Evaluation Policy and standards described in OMB Memorandum M-

20-12.

o Completing HRSA’s annual performance reporting requirements.

https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_legacy_files/200386/hhs-evaluation-policy.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M-20-12.pdf o Following up with graduates to collect post-graduation information for a minimum of 1 year after graduation.

o Participating in federally designed evaluations to assess program effectiveness and efficiency upon request.

Statutory authority

42 U.S.C § 296m (Section 821 of the Public Health Service Act)

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.

• 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.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/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

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 dues 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.

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

• Paid release time for project faculty.

• Construction or major renovation.

• Foreign travel.

Health insurance for trainees is allowed.

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.

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:

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

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

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

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

Once you register:

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

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

If you need additional information about user roles in SAM.gov, see “Get registered: SAM.gov user roles” in the R&R Application Guide.

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-26-095.

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.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

FAQs will be posted on our TA webpage after the webinar.

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.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=4 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/search-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

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.

Attachments Included in page limit*?

◻ 1. Accreditation Documentation Yes

◻ 2. Project Organizational Chart Yes

◻ 3. Agreements 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.

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: 60 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.

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

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.

• Propose an actionable framework you will use to achieve the project’s goal and objectives to increase the number of nurses from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Need

See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Describe the gaps and unmet needs that this program will address for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Discuss challenges in the recruitment and retention of nursing faculty and clinical preceptors.

• Describe the factors that impede access and success in nursing education among the population to be served.

• Describe the recruitment, enrollment, and retention challenges for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Discuss the health conditions of people in the surrounding communities to be served and the impact the project will have on the community.

• Use and cite supportive data whenever possible.

Approach

See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Explain how you will meet the program’s requirements and expectations.

• Describe the methods your project will use to effectively identify and assess educational barriers experienced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and explain how evidence-based strategies will be tailored and implemented to effectively address those identified barriers and improve outcomes.

• Include how you will recruit, retain, and support students with this grant. Include current and projected enrollment and graduate data in your response.

• Discuss your comprehensive systems approach that implements evidence-based strategies to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds from enrollment through graduation.

Include strategies for recruitment, retention, and support for faculty and preceptors to support the student population from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Describe the academic and social support strategies that will be implemented by your proposed partnerships to accomplish the goals of the project.

• Explain how your project will improve health of the identified population in the surrounding communities.

• Describes the varied clinical training and experiential learning opportunities in rural and medically vulnerable areas.

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

• Describe how you’ll achieve each of your project goals during the period of performance.

• Identify key stakeholders responsible for planning, designing, and carrying out all project activities.

• Provide a timeline that identifies each activity and the responsible stakeholder(s) for each activity.

• Identify the projected number of students who will receive support over the period of performance.

• Provide a detailed work plan in your Standardized Work Plan (SWP). See Other required forms.

Resolving challenges

See merit review criterion 2: Response

Discuss 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 address and resolve them.

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

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

• Performance Measurement and Reporting. See NWD Reporting Manual for performance measure requirements and examples of reporting forms.

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

o Detail how you will collect, and report required performance data accurately and on time.

o Describe how you will manage and securely store data.

o Describe your process to track trainees after program completion for up to 1 year after completing the program.

o Describe the capacity of the institution to track, collect, and report required performance measures on an annual basis, including but not limited to:

▪ Student outcome data, such as the number and percentage of students from disadvantaged backgrounds retained in the nursing program.

▪ Demographic descriptions of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

▪ Student financial support.

▪ Faculty demographic data.

o Describe how you will monitor and analyze performance data to support continuous quality improvement.

• Program Evaluation. The evaluation should examine processes and progress towards goal, program objectives, and expected outcomes. Evaluations must follow the HHS https://grants4.hrsa.gov/WebBPMHExternal/Interface/ProgramManualhtmL.aspx?FormCode=1&IsPM=True&EHBActivityCode=D19

Evaluation Policy, as well as the standards and best practices described in OMB

Memorandum M-20-12. Describe your plan to evaluate the project. Include:

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

o The evaluation barriers and your plan to address them.

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

o 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 to be served. Propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends. Describe:

• Key elements of your project. Examples include training methods or strategies that have been effective in improving practices.

• How you will obtain future sources of funding.

• How you will determine the timing to become self-sufficient.

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

Organizational information

See merit review criterion 5: Resources and capabilities

Briefly describe your 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.

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

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

• Describe curriculum and learning activities that clearly link health care gaps by engaging individuals, families, and communities within the applicant's target population.

• Demonstrate the institutional commitment to creating an environment that is supportive among student and faculty populations.

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

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

Attachment 8.

• Include biographical sketches for key staff using the Research & Related Senior/Key

Person Profile form. See Other required forms.

Budget and budget narrative

See merit review criterion 6: Support requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in 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 If you include participant or trainee support costs, 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.

• A minimum of 30 percent of the total annual budget must be allocated to participant/trainee support.

Preceptor costs Preceptors can be either your employee, contractor, or consultant. Preceptor costs are unique and different than trainee costs, which are for your students. Allowable preceptor costs may include:

• Stipends (other than to employees)

• Percentage (%) of salary (for employees)

• Continuing education, other trainings, and related fees

• Travel 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

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

• If the preceptor is an employee, specify those costs under Section B. Other Personnel, Section D. Travel, and Section F. Other Direct Costs.

• If the preceptor is a consultant or contractor, list those costs under Section F. Other Direct

Costs.

• Include the number of preceptors in your budget narrative.

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

Required

You must provide documentation of your nursing school’s accreditation, or provisional accreditation affiliated with the proposed project. The accreditation must be recognized by a national nurse education accrediting agency or by a state approval agency recognized by the

Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

If your accreditation or approval status cannot be verified, you will be considered nonresponsive and deemed ineligible.

You must submit documentation that:

• Demonstrates continuing accreditation or approval from the relevant accrediting/ approval body and that you are not on probation.

• Includes the name of the accrediting or authorizing body.

• Provides the date of initial accreditation approval.

• Outlines the date of the next expected accrediting or approval body review (or expiration date of current accreditation or approval).

• Provides proof of status if you have provisional accreditation.

You are responsible for verifying that the project partners maintain current accreditation or approval throughout the period of performance.

Note: Please do not provide only the web link to the accreditation body’s website. HRSA will not open any links included in the application.

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

Substantive change notification

Accredited nursing programs that modify (such as a change to a BSN-DNP program) or add a nursing specialty that requires substantive change notification to the national nursing accrediting body must include documentation of the approval of that change from the accrediting agency.

A new program of nursing that — by reason of an insufficient period of operation — is not eligible for accreditation by a state agency or recognized accrediting body at the time applications are due will be deemed accredited under the following conditions:

• The Secretary of Education finds, after consultation with the appropriate recognized State approval or accrediting body or bodies, that there is reasonable assurance that the program will meet the accreditation standards of such body or bodies prior to the beginning of the academic year, following the normal graduation date of students of the first entering class in such a program.

• You have submitted such Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the U.S. Department of

Education with your application.

Attachment 2: Project organizational chart Required

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

Attachment 3: Agreements with other entities Required.

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 all letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Note: Include these required formal agreements as Attachment 3.

Any other applicable letters of support can be included in Attachment 8

Attachment 4: Staffing plan and job descriptions Required

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.

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

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=1

Attachment 5: Maintenance of effort documentation Required

You will 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 As applicable

Provide documents that prove you qualify for a funding preference.

See Selection process for information about how these apply.

Attachment 7: Tables and charts As applicable

Provide tables or charts that give more details about the proposal. These might be Gantt, PERT, or flow charts.

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 for the document to be considered.

Attachment 9 to 15: Other relevant documents As applicable

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.

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

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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

If you have more than 10 subawards, you may upload the extra budget forms in the Research and

Related Other Project Information form in Block 12 “Other Attachments”.

Project/performance site location(s)

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

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

Disclosure of lobbying activities (SF-LLL) form

Follow the form instructions in Grants.gov Forms.

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.

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. If this is the case, we will notify your authorized official.

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

Merit review

A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. You can find more about the merit review process in the R&R application guide. The members use these criteria.

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Need 15 points

2. Response 30 points

3. Performance management 10 points

4. Impact 20 points

5. Resources and capabilities 15 points

6. Support requested 10 points https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=34

Criterion 1: Need (15 points) See the project narrative Introduction and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the purpose of the project and the populations to be served.

• Provides a plan for an actionable framework you will use to achieve the project’s goals to increase the number of nurses from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Describes the barriers to a trainee’s access to education and success in your program.

• Describes the unmet needs of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Describes the problem and its contributing factors to recruitment and retention of nursing faculty and preceptors.

• Describes the recruitment, enrollment, and retention challenges among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Explains how training will address the health conditions of the surrounding communities.

Criterion 2: Response (30 points) See the project narrative Approach, High-level work plan, and Resolving challenge sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

Approach (15 points)

• Proposes a project that responds to the program’s purpose, goal, and objectives.

• Demonstrates an effective approach to identifying and assessing educational barriers experienced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds and the strength of the proposed methods for tailoring, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based strategies designed to address identified barriers and improve student outcomes

• Provides a comprehensive systems approach that implements evidence-based strategies to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds from enrollment through graduation, including recruitment, retention, and support activities with clear current and projected enrollment and graduate targets.

• Includes strategies for recruitment, retention, and support for faculty and preceptors to support the student population from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Describes the academic and social support strategies that will be implemented by your proposed partnerships to accomplish the goals of the project

• Describes the key stakeholders’ roles, responsibilities, timeline of activities, involved in the implementation of the project.

• Describes the varied clinical training and experiential learning opportunities in rural and medically vulnerable areas.

High-Level Work Plan (10) points)

• Describes the activities you will use to achieve each of the objectives and address the needs of the population to be served.

• Explains your strategies’ ability to meet the needs of medically vulnerable communities.

Resolution of Challenges (5 points)

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

Criterion 3: Performance Management (10 points) See the project narrative Performance reporting and evaluation section.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

Evaluation 5 points:

• Proposes to use collected data for continuous quality improvement and to monitor and evaluate project results.

• Demonstrates strong and effective methods to monitor and evaluate project results.

• Describes how you will anticipate evaluation obstacles and how you propose to address them.

• Describes plans for effectively sharing project results that could be replicated by others or be national in scope.

Performance measurement 5 points:

• Presents a quality plan to collect and manage data to ensure accurate and timely performance.

• Describes your process to collect, manage, store, and track trainees after program completion for up to one year.

• Includes measures that will assess that program goals have been met and to what extent the results are because of the project.

o Include the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds recruited, retained, and graduated.

o Include the faculty demographic data.

o Include supportive services like student financial support.

Criterion 4: Impact (20 points) See the project narrative High-level work plan and Sustainability sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Demonstrates how effective the proposed project is likely to be.

• Describes the impact it is likely to have on the target populations and the nursing workforce.

• Demonstrates how effective training methods or strategies to improve nursing practice will be sustained beyond the grant period.

• Proposes a solid plan for sustaining the project beyond the federal funding, indicating a timeline to become self-sufficient.

• Describes likely challenges to be encountered in sustaining the program and describes logical approaches to resolving the challenges.

Criterion 5: Resources and capabilities (15 points) See the project narrative Organizational information and Performance reporting and evaluation sections.

The panel will review your application to determine the…