RFA CE-25-021 Questions and Answers_Final.pdf

RFA CE-25-021 Questions and Answers

1. Can you provide any guidance on how to view the full announcement and apply for this grant?

More information about the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) can be found here on grants.gov under the opportunity number RFA-CE-25-021. The full announcement can be found under section “Related Documents” which provides additional guidance for applying and navigating the application process. Application submissions can be accessed by pressing the red buttons to apply and/or subscribe for updates and research application portal.

2. Are the funding awards for firearm violence prevention (RFA-CE-25-021 and RFA-CE-25-030) only

R01 and K01 awards?

We encourage reviewing grants on grants.gov to see if there are any opportunities that align with your work. More specific information to determine eligibility and relevance can be found when selecting each grant opportunity number.

3. How long does the funding last? Will the grant funding cover indirect costs?

As found in the Executive Summary > Budget and Period of Performance on page 4 of the NOFO, “an applicant may request a period performance of up to three years” running from 9/30/2025 to

9/29/2028. The maximum award amount of $400,000 per year includes both direct and indirect costs.

4. Can this funding be utilized for programming as well as the evaluation of that program?

It is incumbent on the applicant to ensure the proposal meets the intent of this NOFO. Please see Section V: Application Review Information > 3. Additional Review Considerations > Budget and Period of Support on page 37 for more information on what is considered a justified and reasonable budget in relation to the proposed research. Additionally, Section I: Funding Opportunity Description > 1. Background and Purpose and 2. Approach starting on page 6 may be helpful to understand the intent and scope of NOFO. In addition, information is also found in Section 5. Responsiveness on page 21: “Examples of studies that are considered nonresponsive include, etiologic research to examine the prevalence or correlates of behavior, research to strengthen surveillance, and proposals to conduct development and feasibility testing. In addition, applications that do not propose an evaluation of a community violence prevention program, policy, or practice, as evidenced in the Research Strategy section of the Research Plan, will be considered nonresponsive and will not be forwarded for peer review.”

5. Would this idea/program fit the solicitation? Would the CDC be interested in a proposal of this sort? Examples include:

a. Research the connection between homicide and elevated pollen levels across the country.

b. Assess the feasibility and acceptability of training social workers employed at a local family court in evidence-based suicide screening and a brief intervention (safety planning) to be conducted with maltreated youth aged 8-17 involved in the child welfare system.

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/353985?ACSTrackingID=DM132193&ACSTrackingLabel=Copy+of+Copy+of+ERPO+Information+Sharing+Newsletter+-&deliveryName=DM132193

c. Testing a model for detection of non-fatal strangulation in high-risk populations in order to detect injury.

We unfortunately are not able to provide guidance or information on the appropriateness of your aims to the NOFO as it is ultimately incumbent on the applicant to demonstrate that the proposal meets the NOFO intent and objectives. Of note, you can see on page 21 of the NOFO that “Applications proposing research which is not focused on preventing community violence involving youth/young adults (ages 10-34 years), as evidenced in the Research Strategy section of the Research Plan, will be considered nonresponsive and will not be forwarded for peer review.”

We can also point you to sections of the NOFO that may address your inquiries and that can assist in developing your application:

• Section I: Funding Opportunity Description > 2. Approach to understand the objectives and intent of the NOFO

• Section III: Eligibility Information > 5. Responsiveness to review aspects of an application that would be considered responsive and unresponsive

• Section V: Application Review Information to understand the scientific review criteria

Ultimately, applicants are expected to submit proposals that evaluate the effectiveness of programs, practices, or policies to prevent community violence and reduce racial and ethnic inequities in risk for community violence, specifically among those aged 10-34 years. Proposals also must fall under at least one of the following objectives:

• Objective One: Effectiveness research to evaluate innovative approaches with the potential for immediate or near immediate benefits (i.e., within 6 months) for reducing community violence and racial/ethnic inequities in risk for community violence.

• Objective Two: Effectiveness research to evaluate innovative place-based prevention approaches for reducing community violence and racial/ethnic inequities in risk for community violence.

• Objective Three: Effectiveness research to evaluate approaches that improve the social or structural conditions that contribute to community violence and racial/ethnic inequities in risk for community violence.

6. Would interventions designed to eliminate community violence along gender identify/expression be considered responsive?

The purpose is to support effectiveness research to help expand and advance understanding of approaches to prevent community violence and to eliminate racial and ethnic inequities in risk for community violence (see page 4 of the NOFO). As found in Section I: Funding Opportunity

Description > 2. Approach > Population of Focus on page 16, “when feasible, applicants are also encouraged to use data (e.g., local/contextual or program data) to identify other populations at high risk for experiencing community violence in their jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, individuals returning home after incarceration, sex workers, and individuals experiencing homelessness who live in areas with high rates of social disadvantage.” It is incumbent on the applicant to justify how the proposed approach fits the intent and objectives of the NOFO.

We also encourage you to see Section III: Eligibility Information > 5. Responsiveness starting on page

21 to review the proposal criteria indicative of a responsive application.

7. Is it acceptable for researchers to use existing program models loosely with heavy adaptations for an entirely new population and entirely new context?

It is incumbent upon the applicant to justify how the approach is innovative and fits the scientific intent of the NOFO which is, as stated on page 10, for “evaluations of approaches that are new or previously implemented in communities but have not been rigorously evaluated for effectiveness in reducing community violence and inequities in risk for community violence.” We encourage you to review Section V: Application Review Information > 1. Criteria > Innovation on page 34 of the NOFO to understand how your proposal will be scored under this measure. Additionally, the review criteria under the Approach section on page 34 may also be helpful in determining the appropriateness of your proposal to the aims of the NOFO. The section on “Populations of Focus” on page 16 may also be helpful.

8. Can we evaluate an ongoing existing community-based violence prevention model that have been developed by community members, implemented, and sustained, but never been evaluated?

Yes, it is possible as long as it meets the intent of the NOFO. Please see Section I: Funding Opportunity Description > 2. Approach starting on page 10 of the NOFO where it states, “Applicants should propose evaluations of approaches that are new or previously implemented in communities but have not been rigorously evaluated for effectiveness in reducing community violence and inequities in risk for community violence.” Another section that may be useful to review is Section V: Application Review Information> 1. Criteria > Innovation on page 34 to make sure your proposal is appropriately justified regarding these criteria.

9. To show documentation of PI’s expertise in violence prevention, can the documentation be publications?

Yes! As stated in Section III: Eligibility Information > 5. Responsiveness starting on page 21, The SF-

424 Biographical Sketch for the PI or Co-Investigator(s) must include documentation of expertise in the area of violence prevention that is reflected in the application's research strategy section. The knowledge, experience, and expertise necessary to conduct this research and achieve proposed objectives must be documented with at least one first-authored, peer-reviewed publication as defined by the NIH National Library of Medicine in the relevant area of violence prevention, or by serving as a principal investigator on a research grant in violence, injury, or crime prevention research.

The citation of the relevant publication(s) or research experience must be clearly identified (by bold text or highlight) in the appropriate SF 424 Biographical Sketch. Applications that do not include documentation to meet this PI/co-PI requirement will be considered non-responsive and will not be forwarded for peer review.

Additionally, please review Section V: Application Review Information > 1. Criteria > Investigator on page 33 to ensure that your documentation of expertise will be deemed appropriate for this NOFO.

10. Can a nonprofit with community ties apply for this grant?

Yes, nonprofit organizations that meet certain criteria are eligible to apply. Please see Section III:

Eligibility Information > 1. Eligible Applicants on page 19 of the NOFO to determine your nonprofit eligibility for this grant. Additionally, we recommend reviewing Section IV: Application and

Submission Information starting on page 24 of the NOFO for more information on how to apply for this opportunity.