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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network (HRSA-16-039)

1) What is the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network grant opportunity (HRSA-16-039)?

HRSA-16-039 is a cooperative agreement funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). It supports the establishment and operation of a national scientific and clinical research network focused on developmental, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of pediatric care, with a strong emphasis on improving clinical services and health outcomes for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.

2) What is the overall purpose of this cooperative agreement?

The purpose is to fund a single awardee to build and sustain a coordinated, multi-site national research infrastructure that can conduct rigorous, multi-site studies and help move evidence into routine clinical practice. The network is expected to improve access to care, quality of clinical services and treatments, and health-related outcomes for children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities.

3) Who is the federal sponsor and which HRSA bureau is involved?

The sponsor is HRSA (within HHS), and the opportunity is administered through HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB).

4) What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning the awardee is expected to coordinate regularly with HRSA/MCHB, including ongoing communication with the HRSA/MCHB Project Officer.

5) How many awards were expected under this opportunity?

The opportunity described one expected award (a single awardee).

6) When did the program begin and what does this opportunity continue?

The program originally began in 2010. HRSA-16-039 continues the work by investing in a coordinated, multi-site infrastructure designed to conduct multi-site studies and translate findings into everyday clinical practice.

7) Is this grant intended to fund individual research projects or a broader network?

The core emphasis is on building and sustaining a functioning national network rather than funding isolated individual projects. The funded entity is expected to develop and operate the network infrastructure and carry out multi-site studies aligned with a network-developed research agenda.

8) What kinds of pediatric topics and outcomes does the network focus on?

The network focuses on developmental, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of pediatric care, especially improving clinical services and health-related outcomes for children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities. The work is intended to be translational so results can be implemented in real clinical settings.

9) What is meant by a "translational" focus in this program?

Translational means studies should be designed with implementation in mind, so findings can inform care delivery, improve quality, and expand access in routine clinical practice, rather than remaining confined to academic settings.

10) What are the major categories of required work for the awardee?

The awardee is expected to carry out: (1) infrastructure development (building and maintaining the network and creating a coordinated research agenda), (2) communications (ongoing schedules among network members and regular coordination with HRSA/MCHB), and (3) network activities (research and related work that improves access, quality of services/treatments, and outcomes for children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities).

11) How does the opportunity address underserved and vulnerable populations?

A major priority is responsiveness to underserved and vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, individuals with limited English proficiency, and people who face geographic or structural barriers to services. Network research and activities are expected to consider disparities and access constraints.

12) How many multi-site research studies must the network develop and implement?

The network is required to develop and implement at least three multi-site research studies that address identified gaps and align with the network-developed research agenda.

13) Is the network expected to pursue additional studies beyond the required three?

Yes. In addition to the at-least-three required multi-site studies, the program expects the awardee to leverage external funding or use a blend of MCHB and external sources to support at least one multi-site study, reinforcing sustainability and competitiveness for broader research investment.

14) What workforce development or training expectations are included?

The network must enhance research training and mentorship for a diverse pipeline of junior or new investigators. This includes structured mentorship, innovative research experiences, and active support for manuscript development and publication.

15) What dissemination activities are required?

Dissemination is a major deliverable. The network must maintain a public-facing website to share research findings, products, and activities, and implement a dissemination plan that includes peer-reviewed publications, webinars, annual network meetings, conference presentations, and other methods to reach multiple audiences.

16) Are there publication expectations for each multi-site study?

Yes. The dissemination plan is expected to include at least two peer-reviewed publications per multi-site study.

17) Who are the intended audiences for the network's findings and products?

Stakeholders include researchers, clinicians and other providers, policymakers, educators, families, and Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs programs. The network is expected to produce outputs that these groups can use.

18) What priority research directions are highlighted in the opportunity?

Priority directions include: determining the most effective and efficient models for assessment and treatment; improving access and quality of care for ASD and developmental disabilities; testing innovative treatment models to reduce disparities in underserved communities; and optimizing outcomes across the lifespan, recognizing long-term implications of pediatric developmental and behavioral conditions.

19) How is the network structured organizationally?

The network is organized around a Network Coordinating Center (NCC) plus multiple Collaborating Research Entities/Sites (CREs). The NCC is housed at the institution of the Principal Investigator and serves as the administrative and operational hub.

20) What are the key responsibilities of the Network Coordinating Center (NCC)?

NCC responsibilities include supporting research partnerships across sites; managing operations such as meetings, multidisciplinary educational activities, and study development; guiding selection, implementation, and monitoring of studies; coordinating mentorship and training for junior investigators; overseeing dissemination to professional and public audiences; and ensuring data gathering and data quality assurance across sites.

21) Is the NCC expected to collaborate with other federal initiatives or programs?

Yes. The NCC has a required collaboration role with Autism CARES and related programs to promote information sharing and align efforts to improve the overall system of services.

22) What is the Network Steering Committee (NSC) and what does it do?

The Network Steering Committee (NSC) is the governance body responsible for major scientific decisions. It makes decisions by majority vote and establishes study designs and policies that participating CREs agree to follow, supporting standardized multi-site implementation.

23) How are Steering Committee decisions made, and how is leadership selected?

Major scientific decisions are made by majority vote. The NSC elects its Chair by majority vote from among CRE representatives.

24) How often does the Steering Committee meet?

The NSC meets monthly by phone and convenes in person at least once per year.

25) What does participation require from Collaborating Research Entities/Sites (CREs)?

CREs must agree to follow study designs and policies approved by the NSC. They are also expected to adhere to network protocols for data and regulatory compliance, including adverse event monitoring and timely reporting to the NCC, and compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or other applicable regulatory standards.

26) What data management and quality expectations are included?

The NCC is expected to facilitate data management training and data quality assurance under established protocols. The network model emphasizes consistent procedures and accountability across participating institutions.

27) What regulatory or clinical research standards apply to network activities?

CREs are required to comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or other applicable regulatory standards and to follow network policies for adverse event monitoring and timely reporting to the NCC.

28) Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

The applicant pool is described broadly in the notice as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. Within the network, participating CREs are expected to be public institutions of higher education or public/private agencies engaged in ASD and developmental disabilities research and training.

29) What institutional capabilities are expected of CRE sites?

CRE institutions must have well-qualified faculty in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, psychology, and psychiatry, and must already support a research environment that includes research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students.

30) Can the network include affiliate faculty from other disciplines?

Yes. The network can incorporate affiliate faculty from related disciplines such as nursing, neurology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, education, social work, nutrition, and public health fields including health policy and program evaluation.

31) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.877.

32) When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on February 24, 2016 (also created on February 24, 2016), and had an application closing date of April 26, 2016.

33) What does "communications" mean as a formal network responsibility?

Communications includes an ongoing communication schedule among network members and regular coordination with the HRSA/MCHB Project Officer, reflecting continuous collaboration and alignment throughout the project.

34) What kinds of activities count as "network activities" under this grant?

Network activities include conducting research and related work intended to improve access to care, quality of clinical services and treatments, and outcomes for children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities, with a focus on translating findings into practice.

35) Why does the opportunity emphasize multi-site studies?

The opportunity is designed to support rigorous studies that can be implemented consistently across multiple sites, improving generalizability, strengthening evidence, and accelerating the movement of findings into routine clinical practice through standardized protocols and shared governance.