Rapid Response to Requests for Data Analysis | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Rapid Response to Requests for Data Analysis" grant opportunity?

The Rapid Response to Requests for Data Analysis opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number HRSA 09-164) was a discretionary funding announcement from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under CFDA 93.155 (Rural Health Research Centers). It was designed to support rapid, policy-relevant rural health data analysis and issue-specific rural research studies for the Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP).

Is this funding mechanism a grant or something else?

It was offered as a cooperative agreement. That means the awardee would not operate fully independently; instead, the recipient would work closely with the federal project team, particularly ORHP, to address fast-moving analytic needs and priority rural health policy questions.

What agency offered this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration), with close collaboration expected with HRSA's Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP).

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing was 93.155, Rural Health Research Centers.

What was the main purpose of the award?

The award had two core purposes: (1) provide rapid-response rural data analysis for ORHP staff, often with turnaround in less than one business day, and (2) conduct issue-specific rural research studies when requested by ORHP, typically completed within about 9 to 12 months from the request date.

What does "rapid-response rural data analysis" mean in this announcement?

It refers to an on-call analytic function to support ORHP needs quickly. Examples of work described include rapid data pulls, descriptive statistics, geographic and rural-specific breakdowns, brief interpretive summaries, and other decision-support materials used for policy development, program management, briefings, and time-sensitive inquiries.

How fast were responses expected for rapid-response requests?

The announcement indicated that many requests would require turnaround in less than one business day.

What are "issue-specific rural research studies" under this opportunity?

These are deeper, structured research projects requested by ORHP (for example, investigating rural access issues, evaluating program-related questions, or analyzing trends affecting rural providers or populations). Each study was expected to be completed in roughly 9 to 12 months from the date ORHP requested it.

How many awards were anticipated?

The announcement anticipated a single award.

What was the estimated total funding level?

The estimated total funding level was $350,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement stated that cost sharing or matching was not required.

What activity category did this opportunity fall under?

The activity category was health, reflecting the focus on rural health services, systems, and outcomes.

When was the opportunity posted?

The posted date was December 1, 2008.

What were the closing dates for applications?

The original closing date and the final closing date were both February 4, 2009.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The archive date was April 5, 2009, indicating this is a past opportunity rather than an active competition.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility included public and nonprofit entities. The announcement explicitly noted that faith-based and community-based organizations could apply.

Did the opportunity emphasize any specific capability as an eligibility expectation?

Yes. A central expectation was significant experience in quickly responding to rural data analysis requests, including the ability to meet very short turnaround times (often less than one business day).

What did applicants need to include in their applications related to rapid-response experience?

The application needed to include concrete examples of past rapid-response work, and those examples had to demonstrate rural-specific analysis (not only general health analytics).

Did the announcement reference other program requirements beyond what was stated in the summary?

Yes. The announcement pointed applicants to the current program guidance for additional requirements, indicating that expectations were partly defined by broader Rural Health Research Center program standards.

What kind of operational setup was this grant designed for?

It was designed for an organization with standing analytic infrastructure: staff able to triage incoming questions immediately, established workflows for rapid quality checks, ready access to relevant rural health datasets and definitions, and the ability to translate technical findings into usable products for policymakers.

What kind of research capacity was expected beyond rapid-response analytics?

The recipient also needed the depth to carry out more formal, issue-focused studies end-to-end within 9 to 12 months, including study design, data acquisition and management, analysis, interpretation, and reporting tailored to ORHP priorities.

What kinds of deliverables were implied for ORHP use?

The description implied deliverables such as quick data extractions, descriptive and rural/geographic breakdowns, brief interpretive summaries, and decision-support materials for briefings, program management, and policy development, plus full issue-focused study outputs produced on a 9 to 12 month timeline after ORHP requests.

How would the awardee interact with the federal government under this cooperative agreement?

The awardee would work closely with the federal project team, particularly ORHP, to meet fast-moving analytic needs and address priority research questions tied to rural health policy and programs.

Where could applicants get help accessing the full announcement?

HRSA directed interested parties to its call center via CallCenter@HRSA.GOV and phone numbers including 877-464-4772, and provided an additional information link hosted on the HRSA grants site.