MCH and Autism Research Consortia (RC)

MCH and Autism Research Consortia (RC) is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Notice of Funding Opportunity Application due April 23, 2025 # Maternal and Child Health Research Consortium Opportunity number: HRSA-25-020 Contents Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17 Find the application package 18 Application writing help 18 Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20 Application contents and format 21 Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 32 Step 5: Submit Your Application 38 Application submission and deadlines 39 Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 43 Post-award requirements and administration 44 Appendix A: MCHB Research Program Organizational Structure 52 Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 53 If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.

gov and Grants. gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM. gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM. gov. This includes having a Unique Entity See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply Grants.

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gov See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply Apply by the application due date Applications are due by 11:59 p. m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2025.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard. Before you begin 4Jump to a step 1.

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Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts Award information 14 Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Office of Epidemiology and Research, Division of Research (OER/DoR) Supporting innovative research to improve the health and well-being of America’s mothers, children, and families.

Maternal and Child Health Federal assistance listing: 42 U.S.C. § 701(a)(2) (Title V, § 501(a)(2) of the Social Expected award date is by: See other submissions for other time frames that may The HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau Research Consortium Program (MCHB RCP) will support a national group of researchers to study maternal and child health (MCH) and improve MCH outcomes.

This program will ensure that resources are available to conduct research and share findings broadly to inform policy and practice.

The MCHB RCP contains three different investments (see Appendix A ): • Maternal and Child Health Research Consortium (MCH RC) (this competition) • Autism Research Consortium (Autism RC) (under a separate Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO); HRSA-25-021) • Research Coordinating Center (RCC) (under a separate mechanism) The MCH RC will fund up to three research centers that will conduct research on MCHB priorities that align with Title V performance measures .

The MCH RC supports both research infrastructure and research studies that will create, adapt, and share evidence-based strategies and interventions, to increase the impact and efficiency of MCHB’s research investments. We anticipate that the studies will promote health and reduce health disparities. [1] The MCH RC will align research priorities with MCHB program needs and address critical evidence gaps in MCH.

A coordinating center will support collaborations across MCHB’s research portfolio. 1. Review 2.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6Funding details Expected total available funding in FY 2025: $1,800,000 Total number and type of awards: Up to three cooperative agreement s Funding range per award: Up to $600,000 in year one, up to $800,000 in years two and We plan to fund awards in 12-month budget periods for a total of three-year period of performance from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2028.

The program and awards depend on the appropriation of funds and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of appropriations. > 1. Review 2.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7 Eligibility is limited to public or nonprofit institutions of higher learning, and public or private nonprofit 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 § • Foreign entities are not eligible to apply.

• Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO. Types of eligible organizations These types of domestic organizations (who are otherwise eligible as per the criteria above) may apply.

“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.

• Public institutions of higher education • Non-profit institutions of higher education • Private non-profit entities • State, county, city, township, and special district governments, including the District of Columbia, domestic territories, and freely associated states • Independent school districts • Native American tribal governments • Native American tribal organizations Qualifications for principal investigator or project • Only one PD/PI (Project Director/Principal Investigator) can be named on the SF-424 R&R application.

They will be the point of contact. You can include co- investigators as key personnel on the project. • Generally, a PD/PI cannot have two active HRSA/MCHB/OER/DOR awards at the ◦ If you have an award that is in a no-cost extension year, it is considered active, and the PD/PI is not allowed to receive another award unless the PD/ PI decides to step down from their role in the previously funded award.

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Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 ◦ However, if you are a current grantee of OER/DOR and your period of performance ends in 2026, you can apply for this opportunity. ◦ If you receive this award, we may ask you to relinquish the final year of your current award under certain circumstances.

• We expect the PD/PI to dedicate a minimum of 20% full time equivalent (FTE) to • If you are selected, you will need to verify that percent effort across all federally- funded awards does not exceed 100%. Completeness and responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these basic requirements to move forward in the competition.

We will not consider an application that: • Is from an organization that does not meet all eligibility criteria. • Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range . • Is submitted after the deadline .

• Is incomplete or non-responsive to the NOFO guidance. You may submit more than one application under the same Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) if each application proposes a distinct project. This means that different investigators (or research teams) from the same institution can apply for the same We will only review your last validated application for each project.

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 . We will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting .

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Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 The purpose of the Maternal and Child Health Research Consortium (MCH RC) is to establish the research infrastructure and to conduct research that addresses evidence gaps in pregnancy/postpartum and pediatric populations.

The consortium will support MCHB research priorities that align with Title V national Program goals and objectives The program goals are to research MCHB priority areas and emerging issues, and to translate [2] research into practice. The overall goal is to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities at the population level.

Research Centers funded through the MCH RC will conduct multiple research studies and build research infrastructure to facilitate the coordination and implementation of Research infrastructure includes providing resources, logistical support, and coordinating partnerships, to support research and translate research into practice.

The Research Centers will conduct single-site or multi-site research studies that address the MCH priorities listed below. In FY 2025, MCHB will fund three research centers related to priority research topics within pregnancy/postpartum or pediatric care.

HRSA will fund one to two awards in To support program goals, each research center is expected to accomplish the following objectives during the period of performance: • Work with strategic partners, including people and families with lived experience, to inform research design, implementation, dissemination, and evaluation.

• Conduct studies related to priority research topics within pregnancy/postpartum or pediatric care, focusing on reducing health disparities. • Share research findings, including at least two peer-reviewed publications per year, and other dissemination products for non-academic stakeholders and • Mentor early career investigators, especially those from underserved > 1. Review 2.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 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.

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau Research Consortium Program (MCHB RCP) creates a national group of researchers to study maternal and child health (MCH). In the past, MCHB funded research networks, single investigator innovation studies, and field- initiated research studies. The MCHB RCP merges these programs into one.

In FY 2025, this NOFO replaces the Research Network Program; including the Pregnancy-Related Care Research Network (PRCRN) and Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS).

MCH RC recipients will develop research-practice partnerships [4] with community organizations, people and families with lived experience, [5] and MCHB programs such as Healthy Start , Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV ), and Title V programs . Through these partnerships, you will identify best practices for maximizing the impact of your research. You are expected to focus on one of the following categories.

You can focus on one or more of the priority topics listed within each category: Category 1: Pregnancy and postpartum, specifically: • The 4th trimester, defined as 12 weeks following birth • Obstetric/gynecologic deserts • Maternal cardiovascular health • Implementation of clinical guidelines for maternal care Category 2: Pediatric care, specifically: • Pediatric mental health • Childhood preventive care • Strategic partnerships with health care providers and educators • Family collaborative care models • Coordinating systems of care > 1.

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Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 # Program requirements and expectations We expect each MCH RC award recipient to complete the following major activities: • Carry out single-site or multi-site MCH research studies focusing on priorities identified in this NOFO.

At least one of the studies should be an intervention study. [6] For the purpose of this NOFO, intervention studies can be efficacy, effectiveness, or implementation research.

• Ensure all research studies address the needs of underserved communities, are culturally and linguistically appropriate, and incorporate a community-based • Ensure all research studies focus on the translation and implementation of effective interventions, evidence-based practices, or guidelines as appropriate.

Research Program Infrastructure • Develop and maintain a national, interdisciplinary network of partners that will build and strengthen the evidence for effective interventions, services, supports • HRSA intends to award a Research Coordinating Center (RCC).

If awarded, the research centers will participate in activities led by the RCC, such as committees and workgroups, attending an annual meeting, and sharing publications and research findings with the RCC for broader dissemination.

• Establish an interdisciplinary governance body (e.g., Advisory Committee or Steering Committee) that meets biannually to both: ◦ Inform research studies and their design, dissemination, implementation, translation, and evaluation.

◦ Ensure that research activities are aligned with MCHB program priorities and • The governance body should have representation from each of the following ◦ MCHB programs, such as Healthy Start , MIECHV , and Title V programs . ◦ People and families with lived experience, including those from underserved ◦ Experts in implementation science. > 1.

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Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 ◦ Key partners needed for translation and implementation of interventions, such as providers, state/local programs, policy makers, and community • Collaborate with HRSA to modify the research plan to address emerging priorities based on input from stakeholders.

Dissemination, Evaluation, and Sustainability • Develop a plan to disseminate research findings and evidence-based guidelines to multiple audiences in the form of policy briefs, journal manuscripts, presentations to policy makers, and professional conferences. • Publish at least two peer-reviewed publications per year, as well as other dissemination products for non-academic audiences.

• Submit at least one grant application each year to funders outside MCHB’s research program to sustain and expand the research studies. • Mentor emerging and early career investigators, especially those from underserved communities, to build the MCH research workforce.

# Performance measurement, evaluation, # and continuous quality improvement We expect you to measure your performance, evaluate your program, and conduct continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities. See the accompanying section titled performance reporting and evaluation . • Measuring the performance of key activities and program objectives.

◦ This includes Discretionary Grants Information System (DGIS) measures on Research, Products and Publications, Health Equity and Partnerships and ◦ For more information on these measures, please see the Reporting section. • Evaluating your program. ◦ In the event HRSA funds the RCC, you are expected to participate in evaluation activities led by the RCC.

◦ You are expected to develop a preliminary, program-specific evaluation plan that includes progress towards long-term goals, including expansion of the > 1. Review 2. Get Ready 3.

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Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 evidence base in priority areas, systems-level implementation of interventions, and policy and program impact. ▪ If awarded, you can update your plan to align with the other evaluation ▪ Evaluation plans should include the measures listed in the performance measurement expectations section. • Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).

◦ You are expected to engage in CQI for your internal use to make sure you ▪ Example: Use findings from evaluation work to inform and improve your # Cooperative agreement terms Aside from monitoring and technical assistance, we also get involved in these ways: • Helping you to prioritize, plan and develop all project activities. • Meeting and communicating with you regularly.

• Participating in project activities, such as webinars, presentations, or meetings on study results and activities. • Holding you accountable to your project’s goals and objectives. • Helping you to create and maintain federal contacts both within and outside HRSA/MCHB that are needed to carry out your project.

• Reviewing all products including the methodology, analysis, results, policy implications, format, and tone prior to public dissemination. You must follow all relevant laws and policies. Your other responsibilities will include: • Developing an organizational structure to carry out all award activities.

• Collaborating with MCHB project officer(s) and engaging them as part of your • Ensuring that HRSA is identified as the funder on all products and presentations developed with award funds and including appropriate disclaimers. > 1. Review 2.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 • Submitting to MCHB project officer(s) a pre-publication draft of manuscripts and other materials produced under this cooperative agreement before publishing and sharing with the greater public. • Providing HRSA access to each product, including presentations and manuals, electronically or otherwise.

• Informing project officer(s) when hiring new project staff, planning new activities, and forming new partnerships. • Responding in a timely manner to your project officer’s comments, questions, and requests, including modifying your research plan and/or carrying out limited qualitative or quantitative analyses to address emerging issues. # Funding policies and limitations • We will only make awards if this program receives funding.

If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and • Support beyond the first budget year will depend on: ◦ Appropriation of funds. ◦ Your satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives. ◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

If we receive more funding for this program, we may: • Fund more applicants from the rank order list. • Extend the period of performance. • Award supplemental funding.

◦ Recipients may request supplemental funding during their period of performance to address needs within their scope of work. HRSA may support supplemental projects in accordance with HRSA grants policy if: ▪ Funding is available and allocable. ▪ The request is reasonable and allowable.

▪ Enough time remains in the budget period to approve the request. ▪ The activities are in line with HRSA priorities and are different from other > 1. Review 2.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 • For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see Project Budget Information in Section 3. 1.

4 of the R&R Application Guide . You can also see 45 CFR part 75, General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost . • You cannot earn profit from the federal award.

See 45 CFR 75. 400(g) . • Congress’s current appropriations act includes a salary limitation, which applies to this program.

As of January 2025, the salary rate limitation is $225,700. This limitation may be updated. See Manage Your Grant for other information on costs and financial management.

Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project and that cannot be easily separated by project. For example, this could include utilities for a building that supports multiple projects. Indirect costs are determined using one of two methods: Method 1 – Approved rate.

You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency at time of application. Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR 200.

414(f) , if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. This rate is 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 2 CFR 200.

1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely or until you negotiate a rate. If you use the de minimis rate, you must use it for all federal awards unless you negotiate a rate.

This award funds research activities and research infrastructure development; as such, it is not a traditional research project. Many of the research activities may be conducted in communities or other off-site locations other than your institution. Therefore, the “Other Sponsored Program/Activities” or “Off-Site” indirect costs rate may be most appropriate for the activities described.

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 45 CFR 75.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 1. Review 2.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts Find the application package 18 Application writing help 18 Get registered You must have an active account with SAM. gov to apply.

This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). SAM. gov registration can take several weeks.

Begin that process To register, go to SAM. gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist to find out what you’ll need When you register or update your SAM.

gov registration, you must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations . You must agree to those for grants specifically, as opposed to contracts, because the two sets of agreements are different. You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

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 . 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-25-020. # 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. 1.

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Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18 Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, join the webinar on Wednesday, February 12 at 2 p.

m. ET. You can join at Zoom Link .

If you are not able to join through your computer, you can call in: • Phone number: 833 568 8864 (Toll Free) • Meeting ID: 160 852 4291 To more effectively use this webinar, please send any questions prior to the webinar via email to MCH_RC@hrsa. gov . We will compile and address these questions during the We will record the webinar.

If you are not able to join live, you will be able to replay it FAQs can be found in Appendix B . Have questions? See Contacts and Support .

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Award Contacts > Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 19 1. Review 2. Get Ready 3.

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Award Contacts # Prepare Your Application Application contents and format 21 Application contents and Applications include five main components. This section includes guidance on each. Application page limit: 60 pages.

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using Note: Applications that focus on autism-related topics should not be submitted to the MCH Research Consortium but instead should be submitted to the Autism Research Consortium (HRSA-25-021).

Make sure you include each of these: Components Submission format Project abstract Use the Project Abstract Summary form Project narrative Use the Research & Related Other Project Information form Budget narrative Use the Research & Related Budget form Attachments Enter each in the Attachments Form Other required forms Upload using each required form You must format your narratives and attachments using our required formats for fonts, size, color, format, and margins.

See the formatting guidelines in Section 3. 2 of the R&R 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 research projects, and the target populations you plan to serve. For more information, see Section 3. 1.

2 of the R&R Application Guide . 1. Review 2.

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Submit 6. Award Contacts Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21 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.

Project activities must comply with the nondiscrimination requirements . Use the section headers and the order as listed: See merit review criterion 1: Need • Specify which research area you are applying for, as described in the Background section, meaning either pregnancy/postpartum or pediatric care. • Briefly describe the purpose of your project.

The purpose of this section is to provide a compelling explanation of your project so reviewers can easily understand the scientific value of the proposed studies. See merit review criterion 1: Need • Describe the need for the project and its public health significance.

• Summarize the existing literature to show why your project objectives are important, and how they will address a critical barrier or gap in pregnancy/ postpartum or pediatric care. • Briefly outline how the project aligns with one of the following: Healthy People MCH Block Grant National Performance Measures. See merit review criterion 2: Response We recommend no more than 12 pages for this section.

• Describe the proposed research infrastructure that will support your collaborative • Define overall project goals and objectives. ◦ The project objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, inclusive, and equitable. ◦ Describe how the project objectives link to the goals and objectives described in the Purpose section of this NOFO.

◦ Describe how you will address health disparities in your project’s goals and > 1. Review 2. Get Ready 3.

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Award Contacts > Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22 • Describe the approaches or strategies to achieve each goal and objective. ◦ Provide sufficient technical details to show the necessary steps to accomplish ◦ Give reviewers enough information to assess if your methodology is effective • Describe how you will address your stated needs and meet the program purpose , requirements and expectations described in this NOFO.

• Describe how you plan to establish a governance structure of the key stakeholders and partners listed in the program requirements and expectations , and how this will inform all stages of the research process, including planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of research activities. Include plans for recruiting members and processes for shared decision-making.

• Describe the research studies that you intend to implement during the period of performance. Include scientific rationale, specific aims, study design, and target populations. At least one study should be an intervention study.

• Provide enough detail for reviewers to evaluate the proposed research studies.

If you receive the award, the research plan will be refined in collaboration with HRSA • Describe the anticipated impact of your proposed research, including how the collection and analysis of data by demographic characteristics, including but not limited to, race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status will have an impact on reducing • Describe your plans to disseminate findings widely with diverse stakeholders, including health professionals, policymakers, family members, and the greater ◦ Specifically include plans for: ▪ Peer-reviewed publications: You are expected to publish at least two peer-reviewed publications per year.

▪ Dissemination strategies aiming to accelerate the translation of evidence to inform practice and policy at the national, state, and local levels. ▪ Other forms of communication, such as presentations to policy makers, clinicians, and other stakeholders, webinars, trainings, tools and ▪ Your collaboration with partners including the RCC, to share and translate research findings to a variety of audiences. > 1.

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Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts > Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23 See merit review criteria 2 and 4: Response and Impact • Provide a work plan and a timeline that describes the activities or steps that you will take to achieve your project’s proposed objectives.

Ensure that the program requirements and expectations are included, and that the work plan covers the entire period of performance. • Describe how you will ensure that all activities will be completed during the period • Describe your management plan. ◦ Include personnel, resources, and activities.

◦ If you will make subawards or spend funds on contracts, describe how you will communicate with subrecipients to make sure the work is consistent, timely, and of high-quality. ◦ Describe how your organization will ensure proper documentation of funds • Identify meaningful support and collaboration with key stakeholders to plan, design, and carry out all activities.

• Describe how you will collaborate with HRSA to change the research plan to address emerging priorities. • Describe how you will comply with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations for protection of human subjects ( 45 CFR part 46 ). ◦ Refer to instructions provided in the R&R Application Guide for specific instructions on preparing the human subjects section of the application.

◦ Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is not required when you submit your application but must be received before starting any activities involving ◦ All institutions that are engaged in nonexempt human subjects research as part of the project, must be covered by a Federalwide Assurance (FWA) approved by the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). > 1. Review 2.

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Award Contacts > Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24 See merit review criterion 2: Response • Discuss challenges that you may encounter while designing and carrying out the activities described in the work plan, and how you expect to resolve these ◦ Examples include but are not limited to: challenges related to data collection, collaboration with stakeholders, engaging priority populations, synthesizing, and translating findings.

Performance reporting and evaluation See merit review criteria 3 and 5: Performance reporting and evaluation and Resources and capabilities • Monitoring. Describe how you will track project-related processes, activities, and milestones, and use data to identify actual or potential challenges to carrying out your plan into place. Provide an initial list of measures (indicators, metrics) you will use to monitor progress.

• Performance Measurement . Provide your plan for measuring and tracking program goals and objectives outlined in the purpose section. The plan should include required and proposed measures outlined in the program requirements and expectations section, and plans for your timely collection and reporting of all measures.

See reporting for more information. • Program Evaluation. Describe your program evaluation plans and methods for completing the activities outlined in the program requirements and expectations ◦ Evaluations should follow the HHS Evaluation Policy , as well as the standards and best practices described in OMB Memorandum M-20-12 .

◦ Include your timeline for carrying out your evaluation activities, your anticipated evaluation barriers, and your plan to address them. ◦ The evaluation plan can be revised after you are awarded to align with the other planned evaluation activities led by the RCC. • Continuous Quality Improvement.

Describe your plans for using and incorporating information from performance measurement and evaluation to inform and improve processes and outcomes. ◦ Describe your capacity to collect and manage data in a way that allows for accurate and timely monitoring, performance