Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 18 086

The Supporting State Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Policy Innovation Program (HRSA 18-086) is a federal discretionary funding opportunity from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), focused on helping states design and advance new policy approaches that improve access to high-quality health care for maternal and child health populations. In practical terms, the program is meant to move beyond isolated program improvements and instead encourage state-level policy initiatives that can change how care is financed, organized, and delivered for mothers, infants, children, and related MCH groups. The overall aim is better access to quality care, with an emphasis on policy solutions that can be adopted by states and, where possible, spread across the country to create broad national impact.

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically signals that HRSA expects an active partnership with the recipient rather than a hands-off grant. Under this structure, the recipient is not only funded to carry out work but is also expected to coordinate closely with HRSA in implementing program activities, aligning efforts with federal MCH priorities, and supporting measurable progress toward access and quality improvements. The core strategy is to work through and with key national maternal and child health stakeholders who have direct influence on state policy decisions. The notice highlights stakeholder groups such as State Medicaid Directors, State and Territorial Health Officials, local, county, and state health officials, governors and their staff, and state legislators. The recipient is expected to support these groups in engaging states and state policymakers to develop and advance innovative policy initiatives, essentially acting as a connector, convener, technical assistance provider, and policy innovation catalyst.

The grant is categorized under the health activity area and is associated with CFDA number 93.110. Funding details in the announcement indicate an award ceiling of $400,000, with an expectation of making four awards. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the note that applicants should consult the additional eligibility information in the full notice for clarification, which commonly means that certain organizations beyond standard governmental applicants (such as nonprofits, associations, or other entities with relevant national reach and capacity) may apply if they meet HRSA requirements. The opportunity was created on December 18, 2017, with an original closing date of February 16, 2018, placing it in a defined historical application window, but the content provides a clear picture of the program intent and design.

A distinguishing feature of this program is its emphasis on scalable, multi-state influence. Rather than funding direct clinical services, it is structured to strengthen the policy environment that shapes MCH coverage, access pathways, and quality standards. The program envisions coordinated engagement across the policy ecosystem, bringing together Medicaid leadership, public health agencies, and elected officials so that policy ideas are not only developed but also positioned for adoption and replication. Where feasible, the goal is for the supported initiatives to extend across states nationwide, creating a shared set of policy innovations that can be adapted to different state contexts while still advancing a consistent national improvement in maternal and child health access and quality.

  • The Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supporting State Maternal and Child Health Policy Innovation Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.110.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2017.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 16, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for HRSA 18 086

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FAQs: Supporting State Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Policy Innovation Program (HRSA 18-086)

What is the Supporting State Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Policy Innovation Program (HRSA 18-086)?

It is a federal discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The program is designed to help states design and advance new policy approaches that improve access to high-quality health care for maternal and child health (MCH) populations.

What is the main goal of this program?

The overall aim is to improve access to quality care for maternal and child health populations by supporting state-level policy initiatives. The program emphasizes policy solutions that can be adopted by states and, where possible, spread across the country for broader national impact.

What types of changes does the program want to support?

The program is meant to move beyond isolated program improvements and instead support policy initiatives that can change how care is financed, organized, and delivered for mothers, infants, children, and related MCH groups.

Is this grant intended to fund direct clinical services?

No. A distinguishing feature of the program is its focus on strengthening the policy environment that shapes MCH coverage, access pathways, and quality standards, rather than paying for direct clinical service delivery.

What funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement. That typically means HRSA expects an active partnership with the recipient, including close coordination on implementing activities, aligning with federal MCH priorities, and supporting measurable progress toward improving access and quality.

What does HRSA involvement look like under a cooperative agreement?

Based on the notice description, the recipient is expected to coordinate closely with HRSA while carrying out activities, align efforts with federal maternal and child health priorities, and work toward measurable improvements related to access and quality.

Who is the program designed to work through?

The core strategy is to work through and with key national maternal and child health stakeholders who influence state policy decisions. The recipient is expected to support these stakeholder groups in engaging states and policymakers to develop and advance innovative policy initiatives.

Which stakeholder groups are specifically highlighted in the notice?

The notice highlights groups such as State Medicaid Directors, State and Territorial Health Officials, local/county/state health officials, governors and their staff, and state legislators.

What roles is the recipient expected to play?

The recipient is expected to act as a connector, convener, technical assistance provider, and policy innovation catalyst, supporting stakeholders as they engage states and policymakers on innovative policy initiatives.

What is the program's emphasis regarding scale and reach?

The program emphasizes scalable, multi-state influence. It envisions coordinated engagement across the policy ecosystem so that policy ideas are developed and positioned for adoption and replication across states, where feasible.

How does the program aim to create national impact?

By supporting policy innovations that can extend across states nationwide and be adapted to different state contexts, the program seeks to advance a more consistent national improvement in maternal and child health access and quality.

What activity area is this grant categorized under?

The opportunity is categorized under the health activity area.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.110.

What is the award ceiling for this program?

The funding details indicate an award ceiling of $400,000.

How many awards were expected?

The announcement indicates an expectation of making four awards.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The notice indicates applicants should consult the additional eligibility information in the full announcement for clarification, which commonly means certain organizations beyond standard governmental applicants (such as nonprofits, associations, or other entities with relevant national reach and capacity) may apply if they meet HRSA requirements.

When was this opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on December 18, 2017, with an original closing date of February 16, 2018.

What kinds of policy areas could be addressed under this program?

Based on the notice, the focus is on policies that affect access to high-quality care for MCH populations, including how care is financed, organized, and delivered, and how coverage, access pathways, and quality standards are shaped at the state level.

What makes this program different from smaller, single-program improvements?

It is intended to move beyond isolated program-level changes by supporting state-level policy initiatives that can reshape broader systems (financing, organization, delivery) and can be replicated across multiple states to drive wider impact.

How are states expected to be engaged through this funding?

The program envisions engaging states through influential stakeholder networks (Medicaid leadership, public health agencies, elected officials, and related groups) so that policy ideas are developed collaboratively and positioned for adoption by state policymakers.

What populations are included in "MCH populations" for this opportunity?

The notice references mothers, infants, children, and related maternal and child health groups.

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