Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2015 ACF OFA FX 0951
Apply for HHS 2015 ACF OFA FX 0951
- The Administration for Children and Families OFA in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Health Profession Opportunity Grants to Serve TANF Recipients and Other Low Income Individuals" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.093 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Profession Opportunity Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 30, 2015 and posted on Mar 30, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 29, 2015 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $58,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education.
- Grants may be awarded to eligible entities as defined by 42 U.S.C. 1397g(a)(4)(A). Eligible entities are States, including each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Local Workforce Investment Boards, established under section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. sect 2832). Institutions of higher education as given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. sect 1001). Indian tribes and tribal organizations as determined by section 4 of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). Tribal colleges and universities as defined by section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. sect 1059c(b)). A sponsor of an apprenticeship program registered under the National Apprenticeship Act. (29 U.S.C. sect 50 et seq.) Community based organizations. For the purposes of this announcement, ACF defines community based organizations as private, non profit organizations that are representative of the communities, or significant segments of the communities, in which the proposed health professions education and training project is located. Faith based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement. Faith based organizations are encouraged to review the ACF Policy on Grants to Faith Based Organizations at http //www.acf.hhs.gov/acf policy on grants to faith based organizations. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2015 ACF OFA FX 0951) is a federal grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance. Its central goal is to fund demonstration projects that help people with low incomes, especially individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), get the education and job training they need to enter health care occupations that offer good wages and are either facing labor shortages or are projected to be in high demand. In practice, these projects are meant to move participants into stable career pathways in health care, not just short-term employment, and applicants are expected to show that the training they provide aligns with real hiring needs in their local or regional labor market.
A key feature of this funding is that it supports more than just classroom instruction or clinical training. Grantees may also use project funds for supportive services that remove common barriers to completion and employment, such as child care, case management, and other participant supports that are appropriate to the program design. This reflects the reality that many TANF recipients and other low-income individuals face challenges that can derail training unless wraparound supports are in place. The projects are framed as demonstrations, meaning they are intended to test and document strategies that measurably improve training completion and job placement outcomes in health care fields.
This announcement represents a new competition following the initial round of HPOG grants that began in FY 2010, when ACF awarded 32 grants for five-year project periods. Those original grants were scheduled to end on September 29, 2015. Congress extended the HPOG program through FY 2015 via the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (enacted April 1, 2014), which enabled this new competitive round. The expected project length for new awards is 60 months, structured as five 12-month budget periods. However, the announcement also signals a funding constraint: support beyond the first 12-month budget period depends on future appropriations that are not guaranteed under the existing authorizing legislation.
To be competitive, applicants need to demonstrate strong, functional partnerships with health care employers and show clear evidence of labor market demand for the occupations targeted by their training model. The expectation is not simply that training leads to a credential, but that the credential leads to hiring in occupations where employers are actively seeking workers. Applicants should be prepared to show how employers are engaged (for example, through hiring commitments, clinical placements, curriculum input, or work-based learning opportunities) and how the project will connect participants to actual jobs.
Another major requirement is participation in a rigorous federal evaluation. Grantees must be willing to take part in research activities that may include random assignment of eligible applicants into intervention and control groups. This is important because it affects program operations and recruitment: not every eligible person who applies may receive services if the evaluation design assigns them to a control group. The evaluation requirement underscores that HPOG is designed to build evidence about what works, not only to provide services.
The announcement also lays out coordination requirements tied to federal statute (42 U.S.C. 1397g(a)(2)(B)). Applicants must be eligible entities and must demonstrate they have consulted with, and will operate in coordination with, specific workforce and apprenticeship partners. These include the state TANF agency, the Local Workforce Investment Board for the service area (unless the applicant is the board), the State Workforce Investment Board established under the Workforce Investment Act, and the State Apprenticeship Agency recognized under the National Apprenticeship Act (or, if the state does not have a recognized agency, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship). This coordination requirement is meant to ensure that training efforts are integrated with TANF systems, workforce development infrastructure, and apprenticeship opportunities where relevant.
Eligibility is broad but specific. Grants may be awarded to "eligible entities" as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1397g(a)(4)(A), which includes states and U.S. territories (such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and others), Local Workforce Investment Boards, institutions of higher education, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, tribal colleges and universities, sponsors of registered apprenticeship programs, and community-based organizations. The eligible applicant list also includes various nonprofit and public entities, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, state governments, tribal governments, and public and private institutions of higher education. Faith-based organizations can apply as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements. Individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are explicitly not eligible and would be disqualified.
Funding details show a sizable national investment with multiple awards expected. ACF anticipated about 35 awards, with an estimated total funding level of $58,000,000. Individual awards were expected to range from $600,000 (floor) to $3,000,000 (ceiling). The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement in the project’s implementation and oversight compared to a standard grant. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement listed. The program is categorized under Income Security and Social Services, and it is associated with CFDA number 93.093 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Profession Opportunity Grants.
The timing for this specific announcement is also clearly defined. It was posted on March 30, 2015, with an application deadline of May 29, 2015, due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time for electronic submissions. The opportunity was archived on June 29, 2015. The administering office is ACF/OFA, and the listed help desk contact for technical access issues is appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
Finally, applicants should note an important rule for organizations considering multiple related competitions: eligible organizations may apply under both this FOA and a separate FOA focused on tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal colleges/universities (HHS 2015 ACF OFA FY 0952), but an organization can only receive funding under one of the two announcements, not both.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) opportunity?
The Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) opportunity is a federal grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA). It funds demonstration projects that help people with low incomes obtain education and job training for health care occupations that pay good wages and are experiencing labor shortages or are projected to be in high demand.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS 2015 ACF OFA FX 0951.
What is the primary goal of the program?
The central goal is to fund projects that help low-income individuals, especially people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), gain the education and job training needed to enter health care occupations with strong wage potential and strong employer demand.
Who is the program intended to serve?
The program is intended to serve people with low incomes, with a particular focus on individuals receiving TANF.
Does the program focus on short-term jobs or longer-term careers?
The projects are intended to move participants into stable career pathways in health care, not just short-term employment. Applicants are expected to align training with real hiring needs so credentials lead to actual jobs in in-demand occupations.
What kinds of training are expected under HPOG?
Training is expected to prepare participants for health care occupations that offer good wages and are facing labor shortages or are projected to be in high demand. The training model should be tied to labor market needs in the local or regional area.
Can grant funds be used for supportive services as well as training?
Yes. In addition to instruction and clinical training, grantees may use funds for supportive services that address barriers to completion and employment, such as child care, case management, and other participant supports appropriate to the program design.
Why does the announcement describe these projects as "demonstration projects"?
The projects are framed as demonstrations because they are intended to test, document, and measure strategies that improve training completion and job placement outcomes in health care fields.
How important are employer partnerships in this competition?
Employer partnerships are a major competitiveness factor. Applicants are expected to show strong, functional partnerships with health care employers and provide evidence of labor market demand for the occupations targeted by the training model.
What are examples of how employers might be engaged in a project?
The announcement indicates employer engagement could include hiring commitments, clinical placements, curriculum input, and work-based learning opportunities, along with clear connections from training to actual jobs.
Is participation in a federal evaluation required?
Yes. Grantees must be willing to participate in a rigorous federal evaluation. Research activities may include random assignment of eligible applicants into intervention and control groups.
How can the evaluation requirement affect program operations?
Because the evaluation may involve random assignment, not every eligible person who applies may receive services if they are assigned to a control group. This can affect recruitment and service delivery planning.
What coordination requirements apply to applicants?
Applicants must demonstrate that they have consulted with and will coordinate with specific workforce and apprenticeship partners identified in federal statute (42 U.S.C. 1397g(a)(2)(B)).
Which partners must applicants consult and coordinate with under the statute?
Applicants must consult with and coordinate with: (1) the state TANF agency, (2) the Local Workforce Investment Board for the service area (unless the applicant is the board), (3) the State Workforce Investment Board established under the Workforce Investment Act, and (4) the State Apprenticeship Agency recognized under the National Apprenticeship Act (or, if none exists, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship).
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants are "eligible entities" as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1397g(a)(4)(A). The announcement lists eligible entities including states and U.S. territories, Local Workforce Investment Boards, institutions of higher education, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, tribal colleges and universities, sponsors of registered apprenticeship programs, and community-based organizations. It also includes various nonprofit and public entities such as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, state governments, tribal governments, and public and private institutions of higher education.
Can faith-based organizations apply?
Yes. Faith-based organizations may apply as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements as other applicants.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are explicitly not eligible and would be disqualified.
What is the expected length of the project period?
The expected project length is 60 months, structured as five 12-month budget periods.
Is funding guaranteed for all five years?
No. The announcement notes that support beyond the first 12-month budget period depends on future appropriations, which are not guaranteed under the existing authorizing legislation.
How many awards were anticipated?
ACF anticipated about 35 awards under this announcement.
What was the estimated total funding level?
The estimated total funding level was $58,000,000.
What was the expected range for individual award amounts?
Individual awards were expected to range from $600,000 (floor) to $3,000,000 (ceiling).
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the federal agency expects substantial involvement in project implementation and oversight compared to a standard grant.
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed in the information provided.
What federal program category is this opportunity associated with?
The program is categorized under Income Security and Social Services.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.093 (Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Profession Opportunity Grants).
When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on March 30, 2015.
What was the application deadline and time zone?
The application deadline was May 29, 2015, due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time for electronic submissions.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on June 29, 2015.
Which office administers this grant competition?
The administering office is ACF/OFA (Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance).
Where can applicants get help for technical access issues?
The listed help desk contact for technical access issues is appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
How does this competition relate to the earlier round of HPOG grants?
This announcement represents a new competition following the initial round of HPOG grants that began in FY 2010, when ACF awarded 32 grants for five-year project periods scheduled to end on September 29, 2015.
What legislative action enabled this new competitive round?
Congress extended the HPOG program through FY 2015 via the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (enacted April 1, 2014), enabling this new competitive round.
Can an organization apply to both this FOA and the separate tribal-focused FOA?
Yes. Eligible organizations may apply under both this FOA (HHS 2015 ACF OFA FX 0951) and the separate FOA focused on tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal colleges/universities (HHS 2015 ACF OFA FY 0952).
If an organization applies to both FOAs, can it receive funding from both?
No. The information provided states that an organization can only receive funding under one of the two announcements, not both.
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| Health Profession Opportunity Grants for Tribes, Tribal Organizations or Tribal College or University Apply for HHS 2015 ACF OFA FY 0952 Funding Number: HHS 2015 ACF OFA FY 0952 Agency: Administration for Children and Families OFA Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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