1. Where do I find application materials for the MCH Field-Initiated Innovative Research Studies (FIRST) Program?
All application materials are available through Grants.gov.
2. How can I download the complete application package for the NOFO?
You can download the application by searching for the application number HRSA-23-067 on Grants.gov:
- Click on the hyperlink for HRSA-23-067
- Click on the last blue tab entitled "PACKAGE."
- Scroll down and click on the "Preview" hyperlink under the "Actions" column.
- Select the "Download Instructions" button in the right-hand corner. This will download the application.
3. What is Grants.gov?
Grants.gov is the website that the U.S. Government uses to inform citizens of grant opportunities and provide a portal for submitting applications to government agencies. More information can be found on the Grants.gov website.
4. Is there anything that we need to do immediately to better prepare for our new grant application?
Yes, make sure that the Authorized Organization Representative at your university or institution has registered the university/organization and himself/herself in Grants.gov. In order to submit your application (new or continuation), your university and your Authorized Organization Representative MUST be registered in Grants.gov. When your Authorized Organization Representative registers in Grants.gov, he/she will receive a Credential User Name and Password which will allow that individual to submit application forms in Grants.gov.
5. What are the key take-home messages about Grants.gov?
- Make sure that the Authorized Organization Representative from your university/organization is registered in Grants.gov NOW. This process can take up to 1 month and it is better to complete it and have it out of the way before starting any grant application.
- Read the instructions on Grants.gov carefully and allow time for corrections. Enter information in fields even if it is "0" or the form will remain incomplete. Required fields are highlighted in yellow.
- There are resources available on the Grants.gov website to help you navigate this new system. Please visit Grants.gov to access these resources.
- Key information for budget preparation:
- With the HRSA SF-424 R&R, report faculty and staff time in calendar month equivalents.
- Budget details about subcontracts are described in a section of the SF-424 R&R called sub-awards.
- Detailed budgets are required for each of the 3 years in the period of performance.
6. Can I get a copy of the NOFO from last year's competition?
Past funding announcements are not shared in order to avoid confusion among potential applicants. You can find past NOFOs on Grants.gov but the criteria for the FIRST Program has changed. Follow instructions provided in this NOFO (HRSA-23-067). All applications for this competition will be reviewed and scored based on the instructions and evaluation criteria outlined in this NOFO (HRSA-23-067).
7. What types of institutions can apply?
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.
8. The NOFO notes that the grant supports "applied research." What do you mean by "applied research"?
In general, we define applied research as bringing basic research models and theories to application in practice - e.g., efficacy trials of new interventions, implementation studies, etc.
9. We are interested in applying for the MCH FIRST Program. We are wondering if our ideas would be a good fit for the program.
MCH FIRST is to advance the health and well-being of MCH populations by supporting innovative, applied, and translational intervention research studies on critical issues affecting MCH populations. Applications are expected to demonstrate alignment with: MCHB strategic research issues; HRSA MCHB Strategic Plan (PDF - 590 KB); Healthy People 2030objectives; or the Title V performance priority areas. You should highlight how your proposal aligns with the aforementioned priorities listed in this paragraph. All funding decisions are based on scientific merit as determined by an external review committee, and on availability of funds.
10. How do we align our project research questions with the national performance priority areas and outcome measures? Do we need to, first, establish our state's performance measures and community needs?
The MCHB Strategic Research Issues, MCHB Strategic Plan, Healthy People 2030, and MCH Title V Program Performance Priority Areas are used as frameworks for demonstrating the extent to which the proposed project clearly describes the unmet health needs of a maternal and child population.
11. We are trying to apply for the announced grants, but our organization does not have an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. What should we do?
According to the HRSA SF-424 R&R Application Guide, "any non-federal entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, (except a governmental department or agency unit that receives more than $35 million in direct federal funding) may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely." The HRSA SF-424 R&R Application Guide also contains information on how to negotiate the indirect cost rate.
12. How do I know what my institution's indirect cost rate is?
Your institution's indirect cost rate is negotiated by the institution with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Your sponsored program office will be able to provide further information about the indirect cost rate. 13.
We are a university that would like to partner with the recipient of the Title V Block Grant which is our state's department of health. Is the intended recipient of these awards the block grant administrator?
The recipient of the award is typically the PI's institution, which should meet eligibility criteria as given in the NOFO.
14. Is there a requirement regarding minimum or maximum effort for the PI?
The NOFO does not specify any minimum or maximum time requirement for the PD/PI, but applicant PDs/PIs should allocate and devote sufficient time to justify their commitments to the project. You must demonstrate in the proposal how the time devoted by the PD/PI meets the review criteria and how the proposed PD/PI's allocated time would potentially be sufficient for the success of the project.
Additionally, this NOFO states:
- The current PD/PI of an active HRSA/MCHB/Office of Epidemiology and Research (OER)/Division of Research (DOR) award can serve for no more than 10 percent time on a new proposal.
15. Is it possible for postdoctoral fellows to apply as PI for the MCH Research Program if they are affiliated with a university?
The NOFO does not contain language that excludes postdoctoral fellows from serving as PI on the MCH Research grants. Ultimately, the determination of who may or may not serve as PI depends on the rules of the institution.
16. Can someone who is currently a PI on another agency grant be a PI on an MCH Research grant?
Yes, a PI on another (non-HRSA/MCHB) agency's grant can be a PI on a FIRST grant; however, if selected for funding, the new recipient will need to verify that percent time across all federally funded grants does not exceed 100 percent.
17. We have more than one investigator in our institution planning to apply to this NOFO. Is more than one application per institution allowable?
Yes, multiple applications from an organization with the same Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) are allowable if the applications propose separate and distinct projects. For example, different investigators (or research teams) from the same institution can apply for the same funding opportunity.
18. Which format should we follow for the biographical sketch?
Please use the MCHB biographical sketch form (DOCX). Please note that even though the document has an OMB clearance number, it is not a standard form and your response counts against the page limit.
19. Are there page limits for the submitted application?
Yes, the total size of all uploaded files included in the page limit may not exceed 80 pages when printed by HRSA. Any pages that go over the limit will be deleted and the modified application will be sent to the review committee.
20. What counts towards the page limits?
The page limit applies to the:
- Project and budget narratives
- Attachments
- Letters of commitment and support required in application guide and the NOFO
- Biographical sketches
The page limit does not apply to the following:
- Standard OMB-approved forms (including the new Project Abstract Summary) that are included in the application package
- Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
- Proof of Non-Profit Status
Preliminary studies can be included in the Approach section of the Research Strategy, if applicable, and would be included in the recommended 12-page limit for the Methodology Section as described in the narrative. If an application exceeds required page limitations, the pages over the limit will be deleted.
21. Are there any page limitations to the narrative?
There is no page limitation to the narrative. However, MCHB/OER highly recommends the methodology section be no more than 12 pages. Methodology includes: Significance, Innovation, and Approach.
22. Does the Specific Aims section have a page limitation?
The Specific Aims section does not have a page limitation. However, this section typically runs three to five pages.
23. Where do I include the staffing plan?
The staffing plan information is included in the budget narrative attachment that should be uploaded into the budget form Box K.
24. Can I submit a proposal on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for the MCH FIRST Program competition?
The NOFO states: "Projects addressing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will not be considered for the MCH FIRST competition." A separate competition for autism research may be held, subject to the availability of funds. Please join our listserv to receive an alert whenever our NOFOs are released.
25. Where can I find information on previous awards for the MCH Research Program?
Information on current and past funded MCH Field-Initiated Research projects can be found on our website. Feel free to search our funded projects.
26. Who should I talk to if I have further questions?
For programmatic questions, the Project Officer listed in the NOFO via email.
For budget questions, the Grants Management Specialist listed in the NOFO via email.
27. Can I ask the program officer listed in the NOFO to read my proposal for their comments and suggestions?
No. Though questions are welcome throughout the open competition phase, please be aware that the point of contact/project officer has no authority to determine the validity or success of your proposal. The project officer cannot provide feedback or guidance on your draft proposal. Your proposal will be reviewed by an independent review panel comprised of experts in the field.