Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 15 052
Apply for HRSA 15 052
- The Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.236 Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 6, 2015 and posted on Jan 7, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 10, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $6,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligible applicants include only Governor designated, State government entities. In addition to U.S. States, eligible applicants include the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Private institutions are not eligible to apply for these grant dollars. States are encouraged to work with Tribal entities to facilitate greater consultation and coordination between State and Tribal governments. Please note that both new and competing continuation applicants are eligible to apply. However, for the purposes of this competition, both types of applicants will be applying as NEW, and should note that on the application. For purposes of eligibility only, a new applicant is a State that does not currently receive funding through this grant program a competing continuation applicant is defined as a current grantee for the program whose grant is scheduled to end on August 31, 2015. If a State is a current grantee of this program with a project period that extends beyond August 31, 2015, the State is NOT eligible to apply for new funding under this funding opportunity announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities program (HRSA-15-052) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designed to help states strengthen their oral health workforce and expand access to quality dental care in areas with the greatest need. The central goal is to support state-led development and implementation of innovative workforce programs that improve oral health service delivery for underserved populations, especially in designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (Dental HPSAs) or in other underserved areas formally identified by a state governor. The emphasis is not just on adding providers, but on building new or improved models of care that make services more available, efficient, and equitable in communities where access is limited.
Eligibility is intentionally narrow. Only governor-designated state government entities may apply, such as a state office led by the state dental director or a state-run university or dental school. Private institutions cannot apply directly for these funds. Eligible jurisdictions extend beyond the 50 U.S. states to include the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and freely associated states listed in the announcement (including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau). The program also encourages states to work with Tribal entities to improve consultation and coordination between state and Tribal governments, which is relevant for states with Tribal nations and underserved Native communities.
A key expectation is visible, active state leadership. Applications must spell out how the state government will be engaged in managing and coordinating the project, including what resources the state will invest and how efforts will be coordinated at the state level. The statute also requires a significant financial commitment: recipients must provide a 40 percent non-federal match, signaling that the state is sharing responsibility and sustaining the work rather than relying solely on federal dollars. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how state laws, regulations, and policy tools can be used to address workforce gaps and improve access in Dental HPSAs.
Proposed projects must align with one or more of six required focus areas, each aimed at addressing workforce shortages and access barriers through practical delivery innovations. The focus areas include: (1) integrating oral health and primary care systems in underserved communities, which can reduce silos and increase early identification and referral; (2) supporting oral health providers practicing in advanced roles specifically designed to expand access in underserved areas, reflecting efforts to better use the full dental team; (3) using teledentistry for practice support to reach communities with limited onsite capacity; (4) community-based prevention strategies for underserved populations, including initiatives like community water fluoridation and dental sealant programs; (5) establishing or expanding oral health services and facilities in Dental HPSAs, which can include community-based dental facilities, freestanding clinics, school-linked sites, and mobile or portable clinics; and (6) providing grants or low-interest/no-interest loans to Medicaid-participating dentists to increase service capacity, such as purchasing equipment, covering shared overhead, or expanding operating hours.
HRSA expects applicants to clearly explain what makes their proposed approach innovative and how it will measurably improve both access to care and quality of care for underserved populations. The funding can also be used to reinforce the model through workforce preparation and state infrastructure. For example, states may partner with dental training institutions to ensure clinicians are trained to practice and lead within the state’s chosen service delivery model. Training can occur at multiple levels, including continuing education, and may include establishing or expanding dental residency programs, particularly in states without dental schools, with an emphasis on encouraging trainees to ultimately practice in Dental HPSAs within the state. In addition, states may use funds to expand the capacity of the state dental office to support grant activities, especially around data collection, analysis, and policy development related to oral health access and workforce needs in shortage areas.
Workforce diversity is also explicitly addressed. Because each state’s demographics differ, applicants are encouraged to recruit, train, and retain an oral health workforce that reflects the diversity of the state, including underrepresented minorities and individuals from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications should describe the current diversity of the state’s oral health workforce and present a plan for how the proposed project will help address gaps, which ties the workforce strategy to equity and community responsiveness.
From a funding and timeline standpoint, this opportunity (CFDA 93.236) projected up to 16 awards and estimated total funding of $6.7 million. Cost sharing is required due to the 40 percent match. The opportunity was posted January 7, 2015, originally due March 16, 2015, and later extended to an April 10, 2015 deadline, with the listing archived May 15, 2015. The announcement notes that both new applicants and “competing continuation†applicants could apply, but they had to submit as “NEW†for this competition. However, states already funded under this program beyond August 31, 2015 were not eligible to apply for this round of new funding.
Overall, the grant is structured to make states the drivers of change in how oral health care is delivered in shortage areas. It combines a requirement for state investment and coordination with flexibility to pursue different evidence-informed strategies, from teledentistry and integrated care to facility expansion, prevention, and targeted capacity-building for Medicaid providers, all while pushing applicants to define innovation and demonstrate real improvements for underserved communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities (HRSA-15-052)
What is the Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities program (HRSA-15-052)?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) intended to help states strengthen their oral health workforce and expand access to quality dental care in communities with the greatest need.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The central goal is to support state-led development and implementation of innovative oral health workforce programs that improve oral health service delivery for underserved populations, especially in designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (Dental HPSAs) or other underserved areas formally identified by a state governor.
Is the program focused only on increasing the number of dental providers?
No. The emphasis is not just on adding providers, but on building new or improved models of care that make services more available, efficient, and equitable in communities where access is limited.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is narrow: only governor-designated state government entities may apply. Examples include a state office led by the state dental director or a state-run university or dental school.
Can private institutions apply directly?
No. Private institutions cannot apply directly for these funds.
What jurisdictions are eligible to apply?
Eligible jurisdictions include the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories and freely associated states listed in the announcement: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
Does the program encourage collaboration with Tribal entities?
Yes. The program encourages states to work with Tribal entities to improve consultation and coordination between state and Tribal governments, which is particularly relevant for states with Tribal nations and underserved Native communities.
What level of state involvement is expected in the project?
Visible, active state leadership is a key expectation. Applications must describe how the state government will be engaged in managing and coordinating the project, what resources the state will invest, and how efforts will be coordinated at the state level.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. Recipients must provide a 40 percent non-federal match, reflecting a significant state financial commitment.
Why does the grant require a 40 percent non-federal match?
The match requirement is intended to show that the state is sharing responsibility and sustaining the work rather than relying solely on federal dollars.
How should applicants address state laws, regulations, or policy tools?
Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how state laws, regulations, and policy tools can be used to address workforce gaps and improve access in Dental HPSAs.
Do projects have to fit within specific program focus areas?
Yes. Proposed projects must align with one or more of six required focus areas that address workforce shortages and access barriers through delivery innovations.
What are the six required focus areas?
The six focus areas are: (1) integrating oral health and primary care systems in underserved communities; (2) supporting oral health providers practicing in advanced roles designed to expand access in underserved areas; (3) using teledentistry for practice support; (4) community-based prevention strategies for underserved populations (including community water fluoridation and dental sealant programs); (5) establishing or expanding oral health services and facilities in Dental HPSAs (including community-based facilities, freestanding clinics, school-linked sites, and mobile/portable clinics); and (6) providing grants or low-interest/no-interest loans to Medicaid-participating dentists to increase service capacity (such as equipment purchases, shared overhead, or expanded operating hours).
What does it mean to integrate oral health and primary care systems?
In this program context, it refers to approaches that reduce silos between oral health and primary care, which can increase early identification of oral health needs and improve referral pathways in underserved communities.
How does the grant address teledentistry?
One focus area allows the use of teledentistry for practice support to help reach communities with limited onsite capacity.
What types of prevention strategies are specifically mentioned?
The announcement specifically mentions community-based prevention strategies for underserved populations, including initiatives like community water fluoridation and dental sealant programs.
Can grant funds support new or expanded dental facilities in shortage areas?
Yes. A focus area supports establishing or expanding oral health services and facilities in Dental HPSAs, including community-based dental facilities, freestanding clinics, school-linked sites, and mobile or portable clinics.
Can the program provide financial assistance to dentists who accept Medicaid?
Yes. One focus area allows providing grants or low-interest/no-interest loans to Medicaid-participating dentists to increase service capacity, including support for purchasing equipment, covering shared overhead, or expanding operating hours.
What does HRSA mean by "innovation" in this opportunity?
Applicants are expected to clearly explain what makes their proposed approach innovative and how it will measurably improve both access to care and quality of care for underserved populations.
Can funding be used for workforce training or preparation?
Yes. Funding can support workforce preparation and reinforce the chosen model of care, including partnerships with dental training institutions so clinicians are trained to practice and lead within the state’s service delivery model.
What types of training activities are contemplated?
Training can occur at multiple levels, including continuing education. The announcement also notes the possibility of establishing or expanding dental residency programs, particularly in states without dental schools, with an emphasis on encouraging trainees to ultimately practice in Dental HPSAs within the state.
Can funds be used to strengthen the state dental office infrastructure?
Yes. States may use funds to expand the capacity of the state dental office to support grant activities, especially around data collection, analysis, and policy development related to oral health access and workforce needs in shortage areas.
How does the program address workforce diversity?
Applicants are encouraged to recruit, train, and retain an oral health workforce that reflects the diversity of the state, including underrepresented minorities and individuals from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
What must applicants include related to workforce diversity?
Applications should describe the current diversity of the state’s oral health workforce and present a plan for how the proposed project will help address gaps, tying the workforce strategy to equity and community responsiveness.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.236.
How many awards were anticipated and what was the estimated total funding?
The opportunity projected up to 16 awards with an estimated total funding of $6.7 million.
When was the opportunity posted and when was the application due?
The opportunity was posted on January 7, 2015. The original application deadline was March 16, 2015, and it was later extended to April 10, 2015.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The listing was archived on May 15, 2015.
Could both new applicants and competing continuation applicants apply?
Yes. The announcement notes that both new applicants and "competing continuation" applicants could apply, but they had to submit as "NEW" for this competition.
Were any currently funded states restricted from applying?
Yes. States already funded under this program beyond August 31, 2015 were not eligible to apply for this round of new funding.
Which underserved areas does the grant prioritize?
The grant prioritizes areas with the greatest need, especially designated Dental HPSAs, as well as other underserved areas formally identified by a state governor.
What is the overall approach HRSA is trying to promote through this grant?
The grant is structured to make states the drivers of change in how oral health care is delivered in shortage areas, combining required state investment and coordination with flexibility to pursue strategies like teledentistry, integrated care, facility expansion, prevention initiatives, and targeted capacity-building for Medicaid providers.
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