Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System BRFSS | Apply Online

BRFSS Grant Opportunity (CDC RFA SO14-1401) FAQs

1) What is the BRFSS grant opportunity (CDC RFA SO14-1401)?

CDC RFA SO14-1401 is a CDC cooperative agreement that provides continued funding to support the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in eligible jurisdictions. It is described as a competing continuation of earlier BRFSS funding under announcement SO11-1101, with the goal of keeping BRFSS infrastructure stable and moving forward.

2) Is this an open competition for new applicants?

No. Based on the eligibility restriction in the announcement, this opportunity is not open to new organizations. It is intended for jurisdictions that were already funded under CDC RFA SO11-1101.

3) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to entities already funded under CDC RFA SO11-1101, specifically: all 50 state health departments (or their bona fide agents), the District of Columbia Department of Health, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Health.

4) What does "bona fide agent" mean in this context?

A bona fide agent is an organization applying on behalf of a state, territory, or local government entity to carry out the work. If applying as a bona fide agent, the applicant must include documentation confirming that status.

5) What documentation is required if applying as a bona fide agent?

The application must include a letter from the relevant government entity confirming the applicant's bona fide agent status, and it must be submitted as part of the application package.

6) Why is eligibility restricted to previously funded recipients?

The announcement states the restriction exists because these recipients already have the knowledge, experience, and capacity required to operate and maintain the BRFSS surveillance system.

7) What is the main purpose of this funding?

The funding supports state and territorial health agencies in maintaining and expanding population-based surveillance of health-related behaviors and conditions that influence chronic disease and injury, using the BRFSS system.

8) What is BRFSS, in practical terms?

BRFSS is a large, ongoing survey system best known for collecting population-based data through telephone interviewing. During this funding period, there is an emphasis on telephone plus multimode approaches.

9) What does the funding emphasize about data collection methods?

The opportunity emphasizes maintaining telephone interviewing while also using multimode approaches, reflecting the need to adapt as communication habits change while preserving reliable and comparable trend data over time.

10) What kinds of health topics does BRFSS surveillance cover under this opportunity?

The supported surveillance focuses on health-related behaviors and conditions that influence chronic disease and injury, including measures that help explain why chronic diseases and injuries occur and how they might be prevented.

11) Does the opportunity focus only on collecting survey data?

No. The announcement highlights support for the full data pipeline, including collection, analysis, and dissemination of BRFSS data so it can be used in practical, decision-making ways by state categorical programs and other stakeholders.

12) How are grantees expected to use BRFSS data?

BRFSS results are intended to be used to monitor trends, guide program planning, evaluate interventions, set program priorities, develop or refine policy, and target outreach or services to population groups that most need them.

13) What does the opportunity mean by making BRFSS data "actionable"?

It means BRFSS findings should support real public health decisions across multiple program areas, rather than remaining unused. The announcement emphasizes practical use for planning, evaluation, prioritization, and policy-related work.

14) Does the funding support completing previously started work?

Yes. A stated goal is to allow grantees to finish existing work that could otherwise remain incomplete due to time or funding constraints, recognizing that surveillance and analytic improvements often require multi-step efforts.

15) What are examples of the kinds of multi-step activities that may be completed with this continuation support?

The announcement references activities such as improving sampling approaches, upgrading data systems, producing reports and dashboards, and refining analytic methods that can stall if resources lapse.

16) How is this opportunity aligned with national public health priorities?

The opportunity aligns with Healthy People 2020 priorities, including Disability and Health (DH 17), Health-Related Quality of Life and Well-Being, Older Adults focus areas (OA 2 and OA 3), and Social Determinants of Health.

17) What does the Healthy People 2020 alignment signal for expected surveillance capacity?

It signals that jurisdictions are expected to maintain or strengthen surveillance capacity in ways that help measure and address health status, quality of life, aging-related concerns, and social and environmental factors that shape health outcomes.

18) What type of funding instrument is this?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically involves substantial CDC involvement beyond a standard grant.

19) What does "substantial CDC involvement" generally mean for a cooperative agreement?

As described in the opportunity overview, it often includes CDC technical assistance, guidance on surveillance standards, and collaboration on methods and performance expectations.

20) What is the total estimated funding amount for this opportunity?

The total estimated funding amount listed is $16,000,000.

21) What is the award ceiling per award?

The award ceiling is $542,000.

22) How many awards were anticipated?

CDC anticipated 52 awards, consistent with supporting all U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

23) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

24) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on December 24, 2013, created on January 21, 2014, and the closing date moved to January 29, 2014. The archive date is February 20, 2014.

25) What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA numbers listed include 93.283 and 93.988.

26) What do the listed CFDA numbers relate to?

They reflect CDC program authorities related to investigations/technical assistance and cooperative agreements supporting state-based diabetes control programs and evaluation of surveillance systems, as described in the provided information.

27) Who can be contacted for access issues with the full announcement?

For access issues, the announcement provides a CDC Program Grants Office contact: 770-488-2700 and pgotim@cdc.gov.

28) What is the overall intent behind offering this as continuation funding?

The intent is to keep the BRFSS infrastructure stable by continuing financial and programmatic support to state and territorial health agencies that already have experience and capacity, while maintaining comparable trend data and adapting methods over time.