R40 Maternal and Child Health Secondary Data Analysis Research (MCH SDAR) Program

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the R40 Maternal and Child Health Secondary Data Analysis Research (MCH SDAR) Program. The R40 MCH SDAR Program supports applied MCH research that exclusively utilizes the secondary analyses of existing publicly available and accessible national databases and/or administrative records2 to improve the health and well-being of MCH populations. The program accelerates the pace of research in a cost-effective way by providing researchers with an opportunity to pose new research questions, test new hypotheses, and determine pathways and feasibility of interventions using existing data sets, rather than conducting primary data collection, which is both costly and time-consuming. Findings from the research supported by the R40 MCH SDAR Program are expected to: • Strengthen and expand topics addressed by the Title V MCH Services Block Grant National Performance Domains (see Appendix C). For more background materials on the Title V Program, see: http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/titlevgrants/index.html. By supporting research on MCH populations, the R40 MCH SDAR Program aims to inform HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s (MCHB’s) other investments and programs, see: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/maternal-child-health-initiatives; • Address HRSA MCHB’s Strategic Research Issues (see Appendix A) such as improving public health systems and infrastructure, reducing health inequalities, increasing quality of and access to care, and/or promoting the health of MCH populations; • Address Healthy People 2020 objectives that are relevant to the proposal. Proposals should connect the proposed topic with the Healthy People 2020 objectives; • Address HRSA’s clinical priorities, namely, opioid use disorder,3 mental health, telehealth, childhood obesity, and maternal mortality. Study findings will further develop the evidence base for the above clinical priority topics; and • Address emerging research topics of regional and national significance that highlight new data, knowledge, evidence, and strategies for addressing the burden of diseases that affect MCH populations. HRSA expects each R40 MCH SDAR award recipient to complete the following major activities: • Conduct applied or translational research on critical and emerging MCH issues through appropriate secondary analyses of existing national databases and/or administrative records that are aligned with research goals; • Develop and submit a dissemination plan for the distribution of research findings and products to scientific, professional, and lay audiences. Dissemination 2In this NOFO, the terms publicly available and accessible are used to refer to national datasets and/or administrative records that any researcher can access before or within the period of performance. 3 HRSA has a number of investments targeting opioid use disorder and substance use disorder across its Bureaus and Offices that you may be able to leverage. For information on HRSA-supported resources, technical assistance, and training, visit here: https://www.hrsa.gov/opioids. HRSA-20-057 2 activities include, but are not limited to, peer-reviewed articles, manuscripts, conference presentations, newsletter articles, webcasts, fact sheets, infographics, policy briefs, publically available websites, and social media posts, as appropriate; • Report study sample information with regards to diversity (i.e., race/ethnicity, gender/sex, disability, geographic location, and socioeconomic status) to HRSA; and • Develop and implement strategies to sustain and expand the scientific knowledge generated from the award.

Only domestic 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 are eligible to apply (See 42 CFR § 51a.3(b)). Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply, if they otherwise meet these eligibility criteria. You are required to submit proof of non-profit status as Attachment 5.

Sylvia Sosa, MSc

(301)443-2259