Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OPRE YR 0204
Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OPRE YR 0204
- The Administration for Children and Families in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Head Start University Partnership Grants Buffering Children from Toxic Stress" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.600 Head Start.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 5, 2011 and posted on May 19, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 18, 2011 See link to full announcement for details. IMPORTANT NOTE Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted no later than 430 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,600,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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: Small businesses Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses.
- In addition, ACF encourages the following to apply Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, defined in 25 U.S.C. ampsect 1801(a)(4), and other institutions that qualify under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. ampsect 1801 et seq.), and the Navajo Community College, referred to in the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. ampsect 640a). Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other institutions covered under the definition of Part B institutions under 20 U.S.C. ampsect1061(2).quot Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) as defined under 20 U.S.C. ampsect 1101a(a)(5). Institutions must apply on behalf of researchers who hold a doctorate degree or equivalent in their respective fields. The Principal Investigator (PI) must conduct research as a primary professional responsibility and have published or been accepted for publication in the major peer reviewed research journals in the field, as a first author. Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, on behalf of more than one researcher, subject to the qualifications listed in this section. Though a researcher can serve as a PI on more than one application, only one of these applications may receive funding. The application must contain the original copy of a letter or letters from the Early Head Start programs certifying that they have entered into a research partnership(s) with the applicant, and a separate letter certifying that the application has been reviewed and approved by the relevant Program Policy Council. This certification of approval or pending approval by the Policy Council must also be the original letter from the official representative of the Policy Council itself. See Section IV.2 for further information. Faith based and community organizations that meet eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Early Head Start University Partnership Grants: Buffering Children from Toxic Stress is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), designed to strengthen what is known about how Early Head Start programs can protect infants and toddlers from the harmful effects of toxic stress. The core idea is to fund applied research that pairs universities or other qualified research organizations with Early Head Start programs to test promising parenting or caregiving interventions that are added on top of, and integrated with, existing Early Head Start services. The emphasis is on improving outcomes for the most vulnerable children ages birth to three by strengthening the primary caregiving relationship, since responsive, stable caregiving is viewed as a key “buffer” against stress-related developmental harm.
Projects funded under this announcement are expected to do more than deliver services; they must generate credible evidence. Grantees implement a selected parenting intervention model specifically targeted to children and families experiencing the highest levels of stress, while working in close partnership with one or more Early Head Start programs as an integral part of both planning and execution. The research design is expected to include multiple evaluation elements: first, validating that the chosen risk factors truly indicate elevated risk for toxic stress in the study population; second, conducting an implementation study to document how the intervention is delivered in the real-world Early Head Start setting (for example, fidelity, participation, feasibility, and contextual barriers); and third, running a rigorous effectiveness test to determine whether the parenting intervention improves outcomes compared with usual Early Head Start services alone. Although the announcement recognizes that many adult-child relationships can be protective, the main focus is the parent-child relationship, or the relationship with the primary caregiver (including foster parents or guardians when biological parents are not available).
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, meaning ACF is likely to have substantial involvement in overseeing or collaborating on key aspects of the work, consistent with typical cooperative agreement structures. The total estimated funding for the competition is $1.6 million, with an expected four awards, implying awards up to $400,000 each (the listed award ceiling is $400,000, and the award floor is $0). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The activity category is listed under Income Security and Social Services, and the CFDA number is 93.600 (Head Start). The opportunity was posted May 19, 2011, with an application deadline of July 18, 2011, and a specific submission cutoff time for electronic applications through Grants.gov of no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. The announcement was later archived on December 23, 2011.
Eligibility is broad across research-capable organizations, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education), small businesses, and certain for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), plus additional “others” as clarified in the full announcement. ACF specifically encourages applications from Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities and related eligible tribal higher education institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions. Faith-based and community organizations that otherwise meet eligibility requirements may also apply. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorships are not eligible.
The applicant institution must apply on behalf of a qualified researcher serving as the Principal Investigator. The PI must hold a doctorate or equivalent, conduct research as a primary professional responsibility, and have a track record of peer-reviewed publication as a first author (published or accepted) in major journals in the field. Organizations may submit multiple applications on behalf of different researchers, and a researcher may serve as PI on more than one application, but only one application per PI can ultimately be funded. A critical application requirement is documented partnership with Early Head Start: the application must include original letters from the participating Early Head Start program(s) confirming the research partnership, plus a separate original letter from the program’s Policy Council certifying that the application has been reviewed and approved (or pending approval, as allowed by the announcement) by the relevant Program Policy Council. These letters are treated as formal evidence that the Early Head Start partner is actively engaged and has provided the required governance review.
Overall, the grant opportunity is aimed at building practical, transferable knowledge about how to augment Early Head Start with evidence-informed parenting interventions for families under heavy stress, while holding projects to a high standard of evaluation. The intent is not only to help participating children and families in the short term, but also to produce findings that can guide broader Early Head Start practice and future program improvements related to toxic stress prevention and early relational health.
For full details, the announcement is identified as Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2011 ACF OPRE YR 0204, titled “Early Head Start University Partnership Grants Buffering Children from Toxic Stress,” with additional information available at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS 2011 ACF OPRE YR 0204. If there are access issues with the full announcement, the contact listed is the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the “Early Head Start University Partnership Grants: Buffering Children from Toxic Stress” opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF). It funds applied research projects that partner universities or other qualified research organizations with Early Head Start (EHS) programs to test parenting or caregiving interventions intended to help protect infants and toddlers from the harmful effects of toxic stress.
2) What is the main purpose of this grant?
The purpose is to strengthen what is known about how Early Head Start programs can buffer children ages birth to three from toxic stress. The focus is on building credible evidence about whether adding and integrating a promising parenting/caregiving intervention into existing EHS services improves outcomes for the most vulnerable children and families.
3) What does “buffering children from toxic stress” mean in this context?
In this announcement, buffering refers to strengthening responsive, stable caregiving relationships that can protect infants and toddlers from stress-related developmental harm. The opportunity emphasizes the primary caregiving relationship as a key protective factor for children experiencing high levels of stress.
4) Who is the target population for projects funded under this opportunity?
The target population is vulnerable children from birth to age three and their families who are experiencing the highest levels of stress. While the announcement recognizes that multiple adult-child relationships can be protective, the primary focus is the parent-child relationship or the relationship with the child’s primary caregiver (including foster parents or guardians when biological parents are not available).
5) What kind of project is ACF looking to fund: services, research, or both?
Both, but with a strong research requirement. Projects are expected to implement a selected parenting intervention integrated with existing EHS services and to generate credible evidence. The announcement explicitly expects projects to go beyond service delivery by including rigorous evaluation components.
6) What types of interventions are supported?
The funded project must implement a selected parenting intervention model that is added on top of, and integrated with, usual Early Head Start services. The intervention should be specifically targeted to children and families experiencing the highest levels of stress.
7) What evaluation components are expected in the research design?
The research design is expected to include multiple evaluation elements:
- Validation that the chosen risk factors truly indicate elevated risk for toxic stress in the study population.
- An implementation study documenting how the intervention is delivered in real-world EHS settings (for example, fidelity, participation, feasibility, and contextual barriers).
- A rigorous effectiveness test to determine whether the parenting intervention improves outcomes compared with usual EHS services alone.
8) What does “usual Early Head Start services alone” mean for the comparison group?
The effectiveness test is described as comparing outcomes for families receiving the added parenting intervention integrated with EHS services versus families receiving usual EHS services without the added intervention.
9) What is meant by “cooperative agreement” as the funding mechanism?
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which means ACF is likely to have substantial involvement in overseeing and/or collaborating on key aspects of the work, consistent with typical cooperative agreement structures.
10) What is the total funding available and how many awards are expected?
The total estimated funding for the competition is $1.6 million, with an expected four awards.
11) What is the maximum award amount per project?
The listed award ceiling is $400,000. With an expected four awards out of $1.6 million total, awards are implied to be up to $400,000 each.
12) Is there a minimum award amount?
The listed award floor is $0.
13) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
14) What is the CFDA number and program area for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 93.600 (Head Start). The activity category is listed under Income Security and Social Services.
15) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and official title?
The announcement is identified as Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2011 ACF OPRE YR 0204. The title is “Early Head Start University Partnership Grants Buffering Children from Toxic Stress.”
16) When was the opportunity posted, and when were applications due?
The opportunity was posted May 19, 2011. The application deadline was July 18, 2011.
17) What was the electronic submission cutoff time on the due date?
Electronic applications through Grants.gov were due no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
18) Is this opportunity still open?
No. The announcement was later archived on December 23, 2011.
19) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across research-capable organizations, including:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education)
- Small businesses
- Certain for-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Additional “others” as clarified in the full announcement
20) Are any institution types specifically encouraged to apply?
Yes. ACF specifically encourages applications from Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities and related eligible tribal higher education institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions.
21) Can faith-based or community organizations apply?
Yes. Faith-based and community organizations that otherwise meet eligibility requirements may apply.
22) Who is not eligible to apply?
Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorships are not eligible.
23) Does the applicant organization apply directly, or does the Principal Investigator apply?
The applicant institution must apply on behalf of a qualified researcher serving as the Principal Investigator (PI).
24) What qualifications are required for the Principal Investigator (PI)?
The PI must hold a doctorate or equivalent, conduct research as a primary professional responsibility, and have a track record of peer-reviewed publication as a first author (published or accepted) in major journals in the field.
25) Can an organization submit more than one application?
Yes. Organizations may submit multiple applications on behalf of different researchers.
26) Can the same researcher serve as PI on more than one application?
Yes, a researcher may serve as PI on more than one application, but only one application per PI can ultimately be funded.
27) Is a partnership with an Early Head Start program required?
Yes. A central requirement is documented partnership with one or more Early Head Start programs, and the EHS partner(s) are expected to be an integral part of both planning and execution.
28) What documentation is required to prove the Early Head Start partnership?
The application must include original letters from the participating Early Head Start program(s) confirming the research partnership.
29) Is Policy Council approval required, and how is it documented?
Yes. The application must include a separate original letter from the program’s Policy Council certifying that the application has been reviewed and approved (or is pending approval, as allowed by the announcement) by the relevant Program Policy Council.
30) Why are the Early Head Start and Policy Council letters important?
The announcement treats these letters as formal evidence that the Early Head Start partner is actively engaged and that the required governance review has occurred.
31) Where can applicants find the full announcement?
Additional information is available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS 2011 ACF OPRE YR 0204
32) Who can be contacted for help accessing the announcement or for application system issues?
If there are access issues with the full announcement, the contact listed is the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
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