MCHB HRSA-23-112 (UR6) HRSA-23-113 (UR5) _FINAL.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Fiscal Year 2023

Maternal and Child Health Bureau Office of Epidemiology and Research

Division of Research

Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions (MH-RC- MSI) Research Centers (RCs)

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-23-112

Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions (MH-RC- MSI) Coordinating Center (CC)

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-23-113 Funding Opportunity Type(s): New

Assistance Listings Number: 93.110

Application Due Date: June 12, 2023 Ensure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and passwords are current immediately!

HRSA will not approve deadline extensions for lack of registration.

Registration in all systems may take up to 1 month to complete.

Issuance Date: April 13, 2023

Evva Assing-Murray, PhD, MA, Maura Maloney, PhD, MS Office of Epidemiology and Research Division of Research Phone: (301) 594-4113, (301) 443-1087 Email: MH-RC-MSI@hrsa.gov

See Section VII for a complete list of agency contacts.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 701(a)(2) (Title V, § 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) mailto:MH-RC-MSI@hrsa.gov

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 i

508 COMPLIANCE DISCLAIMER

Note: Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, email or call one of the HRSA staff listed in Section VII. Agency Contacts.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions (MH-RC-MSI) [hereafter referred to as the Collaborative]. The purpose of the Collaborative is to establish a multi-institutional research network that is comprised of and supports minority-serving institutions (MSIs) 1 2 to build their capacity to conduct research addressing disparities in maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health outcomes and to find community-based solutions to address these disparities and advance health equity. The Collaborative consists of Research Centers (RCs) and a Coordinating Center (CC). Appendix B provides a description of the Collaborative’s organizational structure.

This announcement includes instructions for applying to two separate awards. You may apply for HRSA-23-112 and HRSA-23-113. However, only one application will be funded if you are successful in both competitions. HRSA will determine which successful application will be funded depending on factors such as the quality and number of the applications and the availability of funds.

HRSA-23-112: MH-RC-MSI (RCs): Sixteen research award recipients will conduct applied research to fully understand and address the root causes of disparities in maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health outcomes by finding community-based solutions to advance maternal health equity.

HRSA-23-113: MH-RC-MSI (CC): One coordinating center award recipient will build the capacity of the RCs to conduct maternal health research. This center will also provide support in meeting the RCs’ project objectives, and enhancing the RCs’ productivity, 1 For the purpose of this NOFO, an MSI is defined as an institution that has a demonstrated record of or historical commitment to serving underrepresented or disadvantaged students, including but not limited to, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.

2 The MH-RC-MSI is a new program that is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 701(a)(2) (Title V, § 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) under Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS). The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328) identified SPRANS funding “to establish a research network that is comprised of and supports minority-serving institutions to study health disparities in maternal health outcomes.” The Explanatory Statement language is consistent with the FY 2023 President’s Budget, which requested funding for a research network to support minority-serving institutions and for the development of curricula to support training of health professionals to address risks associated with climate change.

https://www.hrsa.gov/

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 ii efficiency, and public health impact. The center will also collect data to measure and evaluate the Collaborative’s impact and effectiveness.

Funding Opportunity Titles:

Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions Research Centers (RCs)

Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions Coordinating Center (CC)

Funding Opportunity Numbers:

HRSA-23-112

HRSA-23-113

Due Date for Applications:

June 12, 2023

Anticipated FY 2023 Total Available Funding:

HRSA-23-112 (RCs): Up to $7,376,000

HRSA-23-113 (CC): Up to $2,350,000

Estimated Number and Type of Award(s):

HRSA-23-112 (RCs): Sixteen (16) cooperative agreements

HRSA-23-113 (CC): One (1) cooperative agreement

Estimated Annual Award Amount:

HRSA-23-112 (RCs): Up to $461,000 in year 1 and $450,000 in years 2-5 per award

HRSA-23-113 (CC): Up to $2,350,000 in year 1 and $2,230,000 in years 2-5 per award

Cost Sharing/Match Required:

No

Period of Performance:

September 30, 2023 through September 29, 2028 (5 years)

Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to public or non-profit institutions of higher learning and public or private non-profit agencies engaged in research or in programs relating to maternal and child health and/or services for children with special health care needs. See 42 CFR § 51a.3(b). Faith-based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply.

See Section III.1 of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for complete eligibility information.

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 iii

Application Guide

You (the applicant organization/agency) are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in this NOFO and in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

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

Technical Assistance HRSA has scheduled the following webinar:

Friday, April 21, 2023 2 – 3:45 p.m. ET Weblink: https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1607250330?pwd=Y3lMaERaMkJxR1dTZ3VNV3NETDFjQT09

Attendees without computer access or computer audio can use the dial-in information below

Call-In Number: 1 833 568 8864 Passcode: 44861796

In an attempt to more effectively utilize our TA webinar time, if you have questions about the NOFO, please send them prior to the webinar via email to MH-RC- MSI@hrsa.gov. We will compile and address these questions during the TA webinar.

HRSA will record the webinar and make it available approximately 2 weeks after the webinar at: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/research/pre-app-ta-webinars.asp.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1607250330?pwd=Y3lMaERaMkJxR1dTZ3VNV3NETDFjQT09 https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1607250330?pwd=Y3lMaERaMkJxR1dTZ3VNV3NETDFjQT09 mailto:MH-RC-MSI@hrsa.gov mailto:MH-RC-MSI@hrsa.gov https://mchb.hrsa.gov/research/pre-app-ta-webinars.asp

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 iv

Table of Contents

I. PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1. PURPOSE

2. BACKGROUND

II. AWARD INFORMATION

1. TYPE OF APPLICATION AND AWARD

2. SUMMARY OF FUNDING

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

2. COST SHARING/MATCHING

3. OTHER

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

i. Project Abstract

ii. Project Narrative

iii. Budget

iv. Budget Justification Narrative

v. Attachments

3. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. REVIEW CRITERIA

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

3. ASSESSMENT OF RISK

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. AWARD NOTICES

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

3. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A: PAGE LIMIT WORKSHEET

APPENDIX B: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR THE MATERNAL HEALTH RESEARCH

COLLABORATIVE FOR MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS (MSI)

APPENDIX C: RESEARCH PROGRAM APPLICATION COMPLETENESS CHECKLIST

APPENDIX D: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

APPENDIX E: KEY TERMS FOR PROJECT ABSTRACTS

APPENDIX F: GUIDANCE ON BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

APPENDIX G: RELEVANT WEBSITES

APPENDIX H: GLOSSARY

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 1

I. Program Funding Opportunity Description

1. Purpose

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under HRSA-23-112:

Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions (MH-RC-MSI) Research Centers (RCs) and HRSA-23-113: MH-RC-MSI Coordinating Center (CC).The purpose of the Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs)3 [hereafter referred to as the Collaborative] is to establish a multi-institutional research network that is comprised of and supports minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to build their capacity to conduct research addressing disparities in maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health outcomes and to find community-based solutions to address these disparities and advance health equity. The Collaborative consists of two funding announcements.

• HRSA-23-112: MH-RC-MSI (RCs) will build the capacity of MSIs to conduct maternal health disparity research.

• HRSA-23-113: MH-RC-MSI (CC) will provide technical assistance and other support to the RCs to help them build their institution’s research capacity in maternal health disparity research.

HRSA-23-112: MH-RC-MSI (RCs)

The goal of the RCs is to build the capacity for MSIs to conduct quantitative and/or qualitative maternal health research to fully understand and address the root causes of disparities in maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health outcomes, and to find community-based solutions to address these disparities and advance health equity.

The following objectives should be accomplished by the end of the period of performance:

1. Plan and implement applied maternal health disparity research studies described in the NOFO and develop community-based solutions.

2. Demonstrate increased maternal health disparity research capacity in MSIs.

3. Develop manuscripts to be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

4. Disseminate and translate research findings into practice.

3 For the purpose of this NOFO, an MSI is defined as an institution that has a demonstrated record of or historical commitment to serving underrepresented or disadvantaged students, including but not limited to, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 2

5. Submit at least one grant funding proposal external to HRSA’s Maternal and Childe Health Bureau (MCHB) at the end of the project to sustain the work beyond the funding period.

HRSA-23-113: MH-RC-MSI (CC)

The goal of HRSA-23-113 is to build the research capacity of the RCs or their partner MSI and other MSIs to conduct maternal health disparity research. The award recipient will also provide support in meeting the RCs’ project objectives. The CC will collect data to measure and evaluate the Collaborative’s impact and effectiveness, and enhance the RCs’ productivity, efficiency, and public health impact.

The following objectives should be accomplished by the end of the period of performance:

1. Develop training materials, tools, and toolkits to enhance the capacity of the RCs to conduct maternal health disparity research.

2. Convene and support a learning community of MSIs to conduct maternal health disparity research, promote scientific collaborations, and build synergy among MSIs.

3. Establish a data infrastructure to collect and share data across the RCs.

4. Increase the number of diverse, early-stage investigators from underserved communities trained in maternal health disparity research.

5. Disseminate research findings from RCs to communities, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

6. Develop strategies and tools to accelerate and translate the research into practice with a focus on addressing health disparities and equity in communities.

7. Evaluate the overall impact of the Collaborative on achieving its goal to build

MSI capacity to reduce maternal health disparities.

For more details, see Program Requirements and Expectations.

2. Background

Rationale for Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority Serving Institutions Program (MH-RC-MSI)

The MH-RC-MSI is a new program authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 701(a)(2) (Title V, § 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) under Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS). The Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328) identified SPRANS funding “to establish a research network that is comprised of and supports minority-serving institutions to study health disparities in maternal health outcomes.” The Explanatory Statement language is consistent with the FY 2023 President’s Budget, which requested funding for a research network to support minority-serving institutions and for the development of curricula to support training of health professionals to address risks associated with climate change.

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 3

HRSA/MCHB recognizes the continued and complex problems of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States.4 In order to improve maternal health, HRSA/MCHB requested investments with a specific focus on areas with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes or with racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. 6

Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Disparities

In 2020, the maternal mortality rate was 23.8 per 100,000 live births,5,6 compared to 2018 where the maternal mortality rate was 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. Despite advances in research, practice, and policy, rates of maternal deaths and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes remain high. Wide racial and ethnic disparities exist in pregnancy-related deaths and adverse childbirth outcomes. Non-Hispanic Black women and American Indian/Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes compared to their White, Asian Pacific Islander, and Hispanic counterparts.7 Risks for complications at childbirth are higher for Black (63%) and Hispanic women (32%), when compared to non-Hispanic White women.8

Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as variation in the quality of healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health.9,10 These contextual factors pose such significant barriers that they are stronger drivers of outcomes than individual factors. Research must shift from a focus on individual factors and interventions to identify and address the complex, interacting structural inequities

4 Tikkanen R, Gunga MZ, FitzGerald M, Zephyrin L. Maternal mortality and maternity care in the United States compared to 10 other developed countries. Maternal Mortality Maternity Care US Compared 10 Other Countries | Commonwealth Fund..https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/nov/maternal-mortality-maternity-care-us-compared-10-countries#:~:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%2017,%2C%20Norway%2C%20and%20New%20Zealand.

Published November 18, 2020. Accessed October 31, 2022.

5 CDC Wonder. Underlying cause of death, 2018-2020, single race, D98F942. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/saved/D158/D98F942 . Published 2022. Accessed October 31, 2022.

6CDC Wonder. Saved request problem. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/saved/D149/D98F943. Published 2022. Accessed October 31, 2022.

7 Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Pregnancy mortality surveillance system. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/pregnancy-mortality-surveillance-system.htm Published June 22, 2022. Accessed October 31, 2022.

8 Racial disparities in maternal health. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.. https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/racial-disparities-in-maternal-health#endnotes. Published May 20, 2021. Accessed October 31, 2022.

9 Racial and ethnic disparities continue in pregnancy-related deaths. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0905-racial-ethnic-disparities-pregnancy-deaths.html. Published September 6, 2019. Accessed October 31, 2022.

10 Working together to reduce Black Maternal Mortality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html. Published April 6, 2022. Accessed October 31, 2022.

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/nov/maternal-mortality-maternity-care-us-compared-10-countries#:%7E:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%2017,%2C%20Norway%2C%20and%20New%20Zealand https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/nov/maternal-mortality-maternity-care-us-compared-10-countries#:%7E:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%2017,%2C%20Norway%2C%20and%20New%20Zealand https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/nov/maternal-mortality-maternity-care-us-compared-10-countries#:%7E:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%2017,%2C%20Norway%2C%20and%20New%20Zealand https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/saved/D158/D98F942 https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/saved/D149/D98F943 https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/pregnancy-mortality-surveillance-system.htm https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/racial-disparities-in-maternal-health%23endnotes https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/racial-disparities-in-maternal-health%23endnotes

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 4

for differential outcomes.11 More research that specifically addresses the underlying causes and other disparities is needed to achieve the goals identified in the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.12

Minority Serving Institutions Research

To effectively address structural inequities and bias, research must draw on diverse perspectives, especially from those with lived experience of disparities. Health disparities investigators and scientists from high-burden and underrepresented communities often produce the best science to understand the complexity of health disparities and implement better solutions.13 Studies have shown that researchers from underserved communities/groups are more likely to conduct research in minority/underserved populations and recruit diverse study populations.14,15

Despite increasing diversity in enrollment and faculty at schools of public health, the field remains overwhelmingly non-Hispanic White, especially at the highest academic levels.16 An internal analysis of applicants to MCHB research grants between 2019 and 2021 reflected this disparity. Only 26% of applicants and 22% of grantees identified as a race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White. There is a serious shortage of MCHB-funded minority researchers who can conduct independent maternal health research with a focus on the disproportionate maternal mortality and morbidity rates in minority populations, who can bring the cultural perspectives that are essential to successfully conduct many forms of research involving minority patients and populations, and can adequately train and educate the next generation of researchers from underserved populations.17

MSIs conduct high quality programs for educating minorities and training the next generation of researchers from underserved populations. They represent a rich source of talent with appropriate cultural sensitivity and perspectives needed in maternal health research, especially to addressing maternal health disparities.13,14,15,16 Many of the

11 Etz K, Romberg A. NIDA REI: Addressing racial equity in substance use and addiction outcomes through community-engaged research (R01 clinical trial optional). National Institutes of Health.

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-23-013.html . Published August 9, 2022. Accessed October 31, 2022.

12 White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. Maternal Health Blueprint.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Maternal-Health-Blueprint.pdf. Published June 2022.

Accessed October 31, 2022.

13 https://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2020/01/22/funding-disparities-research-and-underrepresented-minority-scientists/ 14 Oh SS, Galanter J, Thakur N, et al. Diversity in clinical and biomedical research: A promise yet to be fulfilled. PLOS Medicine. 2015;12(12). doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001918 15 Castillo-Page L, Peters LN, Law M. The Diversity Research Forum - Getting to Institutional Excellence: Ensuring the Integration of Diversity in Academic Medicine. Association of American Medical Colleges.

https://store.aamc.org/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/219/ . Published 2009. Accessed October 31, 2022.

16 Goodman MS, Plepys CM, Bather JR, Kelliher RM, Healton CG. Racial/ethnic diversity in Academic Public Health:

20-Year update. Public Health Reports. 2019;135(1):74-81. doi:10.1177/0033354919887747 17 Flexible system to advance innovative research for cancer drug discovery by small businesses (flair). National Institutes of Health. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-01-091.html. Published May 7, 2001. Accessed October 31, 2022.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Maternal-Health-Blueprint.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Maternal-Health-Blueprint.pdf https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-23-013.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Maternal-Health-Blueprint.pdf https://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2020/01/22/funding-disparities-research-and-underrepresented-minority-scientists/ https://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2020/01/22/funding-disparities-research-and-underrepresented-minority-scientists/ https://store.aamc.org/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/219/ https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-01-091.html

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 5

researchers at MSIs are likely to be from minority/underserved populations, and they are likely to mentor students from minority/underserved populations. MSIs are also uniquely positioned to engage minority populations in the communities they serve in research and in the translation of research advances into culturally competent, measurable, and sustained improvements in health outcomes in the communities.16

MSIs often lack sufficient capacity to conduct and sustain cutting-edge health-related research.11 Many federal government agencies have recognized the unique contributions of MSIs in disparity research and designated resources to support MSIs to address health disparities and advance health equity through community-engaged research.18 The funded MSIs have developed unique community-based approaches to eliminate health disparities and provided mentorship to junior researchers embarking on health disparity research.19,20

About MCHB and Strategic Plan

The HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) administers programs with focus areas in maternal and women’s health, adolescent and young adult health, perinatal and infant health, child health, and children with special health care needs. To achieve its mission of improving the health and well-being of America’s mothers, children, and families, MCHB is implementing a strategic plan that includes the following four goals:

Goal 1: Assure access to high quality and equitable health services to optimize health and well-being for all MCH populations

Goal 2: Achieve health equity for MCH populations

Goal 3: Strengthen public health capacity and workforce for MCH

Goal 4: Maximize impact through leadership, partnership, and stewardship

This program addresses all four of MCHB’s goals. Goal 1 is supported by research and targeted technical support to assure access to high quality and equitable health services to optimize maternal health. Goal 2 is addressed by the development and dissemination of research findings that address social determinants of health and disparities in maternal health. The mentorship of early-stage investigators contributes to Goal 3 by strengthening the maternal and child health (MCH) workforce. Lastly, through active partnership with community-based organizations, families, and people with lived

18 Minority serving institutions (MSI) partnerships with community-based organizations (CBO). SAMHSA.

https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sp-14-005. Published August 17, 2021. Accessed October 31, 2022.

19 Henry Akintobi T, Sheikhattari P, Shaffer E, et al. Community engagement practices at research centers in U.S.

minority institutions: Priority populations and innovative approaches to advancing Health Disparities Research.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(12):6675. doi:10.3390/ijerph18126675 20 Ofili EO, Fair A, Norris K, et al. Models of interinstitutional partnerships between research intensive universities and minority serving institutions (MSI) across the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium. Clinical and Translational Science. 2013;6(6):435-443. doi:10.1111/cts.12118 https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sp-14-005

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 6

experience, this program aims to address Goal 4 by advancing the evidence base and translating research findings into practice.

To learn more about MCHB and the bureau’s strategic plan, visit Mission, Vision, and Work | MCHB.

II. Award Information

1. Type of Application and Award

Type(s) of applications sought: New

HRSA will provide funding for both HRSA-23-112 (RCs) and HRSA-23-113 (CC) in the form of a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is a financial assistance mechanism where HRSA anticipates substantial involvement with the recipient during performance of the contemplated project.

In addition to monitoring and technical assistance (TA) provided directly to award recipients, HRSA program involvement will include:

• Reviewing policies and procedures established for carrying out project activities.

• Facilitating effective communication and accountability to HRSA/MCHB regarding the project, with special attention to new program initiatives and policy development that have the potential to advance the utility of the Collaborative.

• Assisting in establishing and maintaining federal interagency and inter-organizational contacts necessary to carry out the project.

• Reviewing documents and materials (e.g., manuscripts and websites) to provide feedback on content and HRSA attribution language before they are submitted to a journal or shared with the public.

• Participating in project activities such as meetings, webinars, presentations, publications, and other forms of disseminating information regarding project results and activities.

In addition to adhering to all applicable federal regulations and public policy requirements, the cooperative agreement recipient’s responsibilities will include:

• Actively collaborating with MCHB Program Officers to conduct tasks as they relate to the goals and objectives of HRSA-23-112 and HRSA-23-113, including the activities described in Program Requirements and Expectations.

• Collaborating with the federal Project Officer when hiring new key project staff, planning/implementing new activities, and establishing relationships with federal agencies, state contacts, national organizations, or other recipients necessary for the successful completion of tasks and activities identified in the approved cooperative agreement.

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/about-us/mission-vision-work https://mchb.hrsa.gov/about-us/mission-vision-work

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 7

• Providing the federal Project Officer the opportunity to review and provide advisory input on publications, audiovisuals, and other materials produced, as well as meetings/conferences planned under the auspices of this cooperative agreement.

• Providing to HRSA an electronic copy of, or electronic access to, each product including presentations and manuals developed under this cooperative agreement.

• Assuring that all products developed or produced under this cooperative agreement are fully accessible and available free to members of the public.

• Responding in a timely manner to the federal Project Officer’s comments, questions, and requests.

• Collaborating on rapid response requests related to emerging issues to be determined by the federal Project Officer on a case-by-case basis.

2. Summary of Funding

HRSA estimates approximately $7,376,000 to be available annually to fund sixteen (16) recipients for HRSA-23-112 (RCs). You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $461,000 in year 1 and $450,000 annually in years 2-5 (reflecting direct and indirect costs).

HRSA estimates approximately $2,350,000 to be available annually to fund one (1) recipient for HRSA-23-113 (CC). You may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $2,350,000 in year 1 and $2,230,000 annually in years 2-5 (reflecting direct and indirect costs).

The period of performance is September 30, 2023 through September 29, 2028 (5 years). Funding beyond the first year is subject to the availability of appropriated funds for the Collaborative in subsequent fiscal years, satisfactory progress, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government. HRSA may reduce or take other enforcement actions regarding recipient funding levels beyond the first year if they are unable to fully succeed in achieving the goals listed in application.

All HRSA awards are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 45 CFR part 75.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility is limited to public or non-profit institutions of higher learning and public or private non-profit agencies engaged in research or in programs relating to maternal and child health and/or services for children with special health care needs. See 42 CFR § 51a.3 (b). Faith-based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 8

MSIs are especially encouraged to apply to this opportunity; non-MSI applicants are expected to partner with an MSI.

Non-profit applicants are required to submit proof of non-profit status as Attachment 4.

A foreign applicant will need to be affiliated with a U.S. entity (i.e., university, institution) with a U.S. EIN established and recognized by HRSA to be considered a public or nonprofit institution of higher learning or a public or private nonprofit agency.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

Cost sharing/matching is not required for this program.

3. Other

HRSA may not consider an application for funding if it contains any of the non-responsive criteria below:

• Exceeds the ceiling amount

• Fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.4

You may apply for HRSA-23-112 and HRSA-23-113. However, only one application will be funded if you are successful in both competitions. HRSA will determine which successful application will be funded depending on factors such as the quality and number of the applications and the availability of funds.

Multiple Applications

Multiple applications from an organization with the same Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) are allowed if the applications propose separate and distinct projects.

In an effort to diversify the HRSA/MCHB research funding portfolio with the available amount of funding and to ensure that investigators devote substantial time to funded grants, the following are additional application responsiveness criteria. All applications that do not comply with these criteria will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be considered for funding under this notice.

• A project director/principal investigator (PD/PI) cannot lead two (2) active HRSA/ MCHB/Office of Epidemiology and Research (OER)/Division of Research (DoR) projects at the same time. A project in a no-cost extension year is considered active and the PD/PI is not allowed to lead another project.

• In general, the NOFO does not specify any minimum or maximum time requirement for the PD/PI, but we recommend the PD/PI to dedicate a minimum of 20 percent effort to this cooperative agreement to justify their commitment to the project.

• A current PD/PI on another HRSA MCH research grant is allowed up to 10 percent effort as a co-investigator. If selected for funding, the recipient will need to verify that percent effort across all federally funded programs does not exceed 100 percent. The application can include co-investigators as key personnel on https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 9

the project. HRSA allows one PD/PI to be named on the cover page of the SF- 424 R&R application, who will serve as the key point of contact.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

HRSA requires you to apply electronically. HRSA encourages you to apply through Grants.gov using the SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) workspace application package associated with this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) following the directions provided at Grants.gov: HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS. If you use an alternative electronic submission, see Grants.gov: APPLICANT SYSTEM-TO-SYSTEM.

Form Alert: For the Project Abstract Summary, applicants using the SF-424 R&R Application Package are encountering a “Cross-Form Error” associated with the Project Summary/Abstract field in the “Research and Related Other Project Information” form, Box 7. To avoid the “Cross-Form Error,” you must attach a blank document in Box 7 of the “Research and Related Other Project Information” form and use the Project Abstract Summary Form in workspace to complete the Project Abstract Summary. See Section IV.2.i Project Abstract for content information.

The NOFO is also known as “Instructions” on Grants.gov. You must select “Subscribe” and provide your email address for HRSA-23-112 or HRSA-23-113 in order to receive notifications including modifications, clarifications, and/or republications of the NOFO on Grants.gov. You will also receive notifications of documents placed in the RELATED DOCUMENTS tab on Grants.gov that may affect the NOFO and your application. You are ultimately responsible for reviewing the For Applicants page for all information relevant to this NOFO.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format Requirements Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide provides general instructions for the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, and certifications. You must submit the information outlined in HRSA SF-424 R&R Application Guide in addition to the program-specific information below. You are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in this NOFO and HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide. You must submit the application in the English language and budget figures expressed in U.S. dollars (45 CFR § 75.111(a)).

See Section 8.5 of the HRSA SF-424 R&R Application Guide for the Application Completeness Checklist and to assist you in completing your application.

In addition, please refer to the Research Program Application Completeness Checklist (Appendix C) and Frequently Asked Questions (Appendix D) for additional guidance on completing your application.

https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/s2s/applicant-system-to-system.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 10

Application Page Limit The total number of pages that count toward the page limit shall be no more than 60 pages when we print them. HRSA will not review any pages that exceed the page limit.

Using the pages within the page limit, HRSA will determine eligibility using Section III.

Eligibility Information of the NOFO.

These items don’t count toward the page limit:

• Standard OMB-approved forms you find in the NOFO’s workspace application package

• Abstract (standard form (SF) "Project_Abstract Summary”)

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

• Proof of non-profit status (if it applies)

If there are other items that don’t count toward the page limit, we’ll make this clear in Section IV.2.v Attachments.

If you use an OMB-approved form that isn’t in the HRSA-23-112 and HRSA-23-113 workspace application package, it may count toward the page limit. We recommend you only use Grants.gov workspace forms related with this NOFO to avoid going over the page limit.

Applications must be complete and validated by Grants.gov under HRSA-23-112 and HRSA-23-113 before the deadline.

Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion Certification

• You certify on behalf of the applicant organization, by submission of your proposal, that neither you nor your principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency.

• Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 45 CFR § 75.371, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR parts 180 and 376, and 31 U.S.C. § 3354).

• If you are unable to attest to the statements in this certification, you must include an explanation in Attachment 8-15: Other Relevant Documents.

See Section 4.1 viii of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information on all certifications.

Program Requirements and Expectations

For HRSA-23-112, MH-RC-MSI (RCs), the RCs are expected to:

• Implement the proposed maternal health research studies.

• Develop strategies to build and sustain MSI maternal health disparity research capacity with the support of the Collaborative and the HRSA/MCHB Project Officers.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75#se45.1.75_1371

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 11

• Ensure that the MSIs supported for maternal health research capacity building will be integrally and meaningfully engaged in award activities—from development, to implementation, to sustainability—throughout the entire period of performance.

• Ensure that activities and research conducted are culturally appropriate.

• Mentor and train early-stage investigators from diverse backgrounds.

• Partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) who serve underserved communities and use community-based participatory research methods.

• Submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed scientific journals and disseminate the findings to a broader audience including researchers, MCHB, policymakers, communities, and stakeholders.

• Develop resources such as guidelines, tools, and toolkits to support the translation of research findings into practice.

• Provide a work plan and timeline that details the activities planned to achieve project objectives.

• Submit at least one grant application by the end of the period of performance to secure external funding outside of MCHB’s research grant program.

• Contribute to an evaluation of the collective impact of the Collaborative.

For HRSA-23-113, MH-RC-MSI (CC) the CC is expected to:

• Support the capacity building of the MSIs to conduct maternal health disparity research through trainings, webinars, workshops, TA, and other formats.

• Create a learning community among the MSIs (RCs), MSIs partnered with RCs, and other MSIs voluntarily participating in the Collaborative to share best practices on maternal health research and capacity building.

• Support the operational structure of the Collaborative (Appendix B).

• Foster collaboration among the RCs, HRSA/MCHB programs, and MCHB-funded research program grantees with the support of HRSA/MCHB Project Officers.

• Allocate at least 45% of the annual funds to establish and administer a program to mentor and train early-stage investigators from underserved communities to conduct maternal health disparity research.

• Create and maintain a Collaborative website.

• Develop data infrastructure by establishing data collection, analysis, and information systems to collect and share data across RCs, as appropriate.

• Provide a work plan and timeline that details the activities planned to achieve project objectives.

• Conduct an evaluation of the collective impact of the Collaborative.

• Facilitate the RCs’ translation of Collaborative research findings into practice and policy development.

• Provide the logistical support necessary to run an efficient and productive network.

• Create and disseminate curricula on the impact of climate change on maternal health disparities to health professionals, patients, families, community members, and other stakeholders.

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 12

Program-Specific Instructions In addition to application requirements and instructions in Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide (including the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, and abstract), include the following:

i. Project Abstract Use the Standard OMB-approved Project Abstract Summary Form that is included in the workspace application package. Do not upload the abstract as an attachment or it may count toward the page limit. See Form Alert in Section IV.1 Application Package.

For information required in the Project Abstract Summary Form, see Section 4.1.ix of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

Include the information requested at the top of the abstract. Because the abstract is often distributed to provide information to the public and Congress, be clear, accurate, concise, and do not refer to other parts of the application. Briefly state the principal needs and problem, goals, proposed data sets including study population(s), planned coordination, anticipated products, and plans for evaluation.

Provide the information below in the Project Abstract field:

• PROBLEM: State the needs and problems that are addressed by the project.

• GOAL(S) AND OBJECTIVES: Identify the major goal(s) and objectives for the period of performance. Typically, the goal is stated in a sentence and the objectives are presented in a numbered list.

• METHODS: Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analysis plan to accomplish the specific aims of the project.

• PRODUCTS: Describe the anticipated research products and how findings will be disseminated.

• EVALUATION: Describe the methods that will be used to assess program outcomes and demonstrate project effectiveness.

• KEY TERMS: At the end of your abstract, include the following key terms found in Appendix E to describe: (a) your project (maximum of 10 content terms), (b) targeted populations (select all that apply), and (c) age ranges (select all that apply).

NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

For both HRSA-23-112 (RCs) and HRSA 23-113 (CC):

To ensure that you fully address the review criteria, the table below provides a crosswalk between the narrative language and where each section falls within the review criteria. Any forms or attachments referenced in a narrative section may be considered during the objective review.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 13

Narrative Section Review Criteria

Background and Significance (1) Need

(2) Response HRSA 23-112 (RCs) Only

(4) Impact

Engagement and Support of Minority Serving Institutions and Communities

(1) Need

(2) Response

Methodology (2) Response

(4) Impact

Work Plan (2) Response

(4) Impact

Resolution of Challenges and Protection of Human Subjects

(2) Response

Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity

(3) Evaluative Measures

(5) Resources/Capabilities

Organizational Information (5) Resources/Capabilities

Budget Narrative (6) Support Requested

ii. Project Narrative This section provides a comprehensive description of all aspects of the proposed project. It should be succinct, self-explanatory, consistent with forms and attachments, and organized in alignment with the sections and format below so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

Successful applications will contain the information below. Please use the following section headers for the narrative:

• BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE

HRSA-23-112 corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 1: Need, 2: Response, and 4: Impact HRSA-23-113 corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 1: Need, and 4: Impact

Provide a brief introduction and overview of the proposed project. The purpose of this section is to provide a compelling explanation of your project for the reviewers to clearly understand the scientific value of the proposed project.

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 14

For both HRSA-23-112 (RCs) and HRSA-23-113 (CC)

• Define project goals and objectives. The project objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, inclusive, and equitable. Describe how the project objectives link to the goals and objectives described in the Purpose section for the RCs and CC, respectively.

• Describe the need for the project and its significance. Summarize the existing literature to show why your project objectives are important and how they will address a critical barrier or gap in the field. Please see below for specific guidance for RCs and CC.

In addition to above, HRSA-23-112 (RCs) should:

• Describe the study population(s) and their unmet health needs. Use and cite demographic and other data, as appropriate.

• Outline the maternal health disparities in your study’s population. Include the social determinants of health and health inequalities of the study population(s) you will address.

• Outline how the project will benefit the study population(s), address maternal health disparities, and add to the knowledge base.

In addition to above, HRSA-23-113 (CC) should:

• Provide an overview of the status of maternal health disparities in underserved populations and the gaps in maternal health research.

• ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS AND

COMMUNITIES

HRSA-23-112 corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 1: Need and 2:

Response HRSA-23-113 corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 1: Need and 2:

Response

For both HRSA-23-112 (RCs) and HRSA-23-113 (CC):

• Describe strategies to foster diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility in the project.

• Your experience, relationship with, and ability to engage with MSIs into the project.

• Explain your experience, relationship with, and ability to engage with and incorporate MSIs and the target population into the project.

• Describe the research capacity needs of the participating MSI(s), the barriers to building capacity, and how this funding will improve their capacity to conduct maternal health disparity research

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 15

Describe the strategies you will employ to increase research capacity of the MSI you support and to overcome organizational barriers to health disparity research.

For applicant that is not an MSI: Describe how you will support MSI(s) to increase their research capacity. This description should include the provision of an appropriate subaward, resource support, capacity building, meaningful collaboration, and strategies to engage the MSI(s).

• Applicants are expected to partner with CBOs who serve underserved communities (Appendix H) and use community-based participatory research methods. Investigators from these CBOs should be included on the research team in a significant manner. Describe:

• Community members’ roles and activities to demonstrate strong participation in the study.

• How you will engage community partners throughout the research study.

• How you know the research question addressed is prioritized by the community and reflects lived experience.

• Include letters of support from community partners in Attachment 2.

These letters should demonstrate a history of working with the scientific team, a commitment to participate, and confirmation that the research questions are key priorities for the community.

• Explain the need to build MSI research capacity to conduct maternal health research. Identify the major areas of need for capacity building.

• Describe why the proposed activities will enhance MSIs’ capacity of maternal health disparity research.

• Describe the strategies and activities for how you will engage other MSIs outside of the RCs to build broader capacity to conduct maternal health disparity research.

• METHODOLOGY

HRSA-23-112 corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 2: Response and 4:

Impact HRSA-23-113 corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 2: Response and 4:

Impact

MCHB/OER highly recommends the Methodology section be no more than 15 pages.

HRSA-23-112 & HRSA-23-113 16

For both HRSA-23-112 (RCs) and HRSA-23-113 (CC):

• Outline a dissemination plan for communicating findings and…