PPHF 2016: Immunization Grants - Increasing IIS Sentinel Site Capacity for Enhanced Program Support – Financed in part by 2016 Prevention and Public Health Funds | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "PPHF 2016: Immunization Grants - Increasing IIS Sentinel Site Capacity for Enhanced Program Support - Financed in part by 2016 Prevention and Public Health Funds."

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically through NCIRD (the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is CDC-RFA-IP14-140703CONTPPHF16.

What type of award is this?

This is a continuation cooperative agreement. "Continuation" indicates it is intended to extend or continue ongoing work under an existing program, rather than start a new, broadly competed program.

What does "cooperative agreement" mean in this context?

As a cooperative agreement, the intent is not just to provide funds. It also indicates substantial CDC involvement during implementation, such as technical guidance, coordination, and performance oversight as the funded activities move forward.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The core purpose is to strengthen Immunization Information Systems (IIS) by increasing the capacity of designated IIS "sentinel sites" so they can generate higher-quality immunization data and use that data to better support immunization program operations, decision-making, and public health response.

What is an IIS (Immunization Information System)?

The opportunity is centered on Immunization Information Systems (IIS), which are systems used by immunization programs to manage and use immunization data for public health purposes. The announcement emphasizes improving IIS data quality and its use for program support.

What are "sentinel sites" in the IIS context?

Sentinel sites are generally higher-performing or strategically selected IIS jurisdictions or partners where data quality, completeness, timeliness, and interoperability can be strengthened and closely evaluated.

What kinds of improvements is this funding trying to support at sentinel sites?

Based on the description, the emphasis is on improving the quality and usefulness of IIS data so immunization programs can better support operations and public health action. Examples mentioned include more accurate vaccine coverage assessment, identifying vaccination gaps, supporting reminder/recall or outreach strategies, improving provider reporting, and strengthening infrastructure that relies on IIS data.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Health.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.733, which corresponds to immunization-related public health assistance.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility field is listed as "Others." The excerpt notes that clarification would be expected in an additional eligibility text field that is not included here. The description also indicates this phrasing typically means eligibility may be limited to a defined set of existing awardees, specific jurisdictions, or pre-identified partners already participating in the underlying IIS sentinel site initiative, rather than being broadly open to any applicant.

Is this opportunity open to new applicants or new jurisdictions?

The posting is categorized as a continuation award, and the eligibility is listed as "Others," which (as described) typically points to a limited pool such as existing awardees or pre-identified participants. The excerpt does not confirm broader eligibility for new applicants.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was created and posted on March 25, 2016.

What is the application deadline?

Both the original and current closing dates are listed as May 30, 2016.

How many awards does CDC expect to make?

The "ExpectedAwards" field is blank in the excerpt, so the summary data provided does not specify how many continuation awards were planned under this posting.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is listed as 0. The excerpt explains that this commonly means a specific maximum per-award amount was not stated in the summarized metadata or that the ceiling is determined elsewhere (for example, in the full announcement or in continuation award documents tied to prior-year budgets and approved workplans).

Where does the funding come from?

The opportunity is financed in part by 2016 Prevention and Public Health Funds (PPHF). This indicates that at least some portion of the funding comes from the Prevention and Public Health Fund, a federal funding stream intended to support prevention-oriented public health activities and capacity building.

What does "enhanced program support" refer to?

In this description, "enhanced program support" is tied to improved IIS sentinel site capacity so programs can rely on stronger data and improved system performance to guide vaccination efforts and public health action, including program operations, decision-making, and response activities.

Is CDC expected to be involved during the project period?

Yes. Because it is a cooperative agreement, the opportunity explicitly signals substantial CDC involvement, including technical guidance, coordination, and performance oversight as activities proceed.

Is this a new program or a continuation of prior work?

It is described as a continuation cooperative agreement, intended to extend or continue ongoing work under an existing program rather than launch an entirely new, open competition.