Tuskegee University Apology Commemoration Activities | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Tuskegee University Apology Commemoration Activities grant opportunity?

This is a CDC discretionary funding announcement (RFA PS12-1202) offered as a cooperative agreement. It is designed to support activities connected to the legacy of the U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee, with a focus on sustaining the annual commemoration of the Presidential Apology in Tuskegee, Alabama, and using that commemoration to advance public health ethics and ethics in health care delivery.

What are the two main goals of this grant?

The grant supports two closely related efforts: (1) sustaining the annual commemoration of the Presidential Apology delivered in Tuskegee, Alabama, and (2) using that annual commemoration as an ongoing platform to promote stronger public health ethics and ethics in health care delivery.

Why is the commemoration tied to public health ethics and health care ethics?

The announcement frames the commemoration as more than a remembrance event. It is intended to be an ongoing educational and professional ethics initiative that connects historical lessons to present-day standards for ethical practice, community trust, informed consent, equitable health service delivery, and responsible communication and research practices.

What funding mechanism is being used?

The funding is offered as a cooperative agreement. This implies a partnership approach in which the CDC is expected to have substantial involvement in the project beyond simply issuing funds.

What does CDC involvement mean in a cooperative agreement for this project?

Based on the announcement language, the project is intended to work in partnership with the CDC. This reflects the cooperative agreement model, where the funder typically plays an active role in shaping, supporting, and collaborating on project activities rather than operating as a hands-off funder.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligibility is narrowly defined. The only eligible applicant is the Tuskegee University Bioethics Center.

Can other universities, nonprofits, or community organizations apply?

No. The eligibility language provided indicates that the Tuskegee University Bioethics Center is the only eligible applicant.

How many awards does CDC expect to make under this opportunity?

The CDC expected to make one award under this funding announcement.

What is the estimated total funding amount for the opportunity?

The estimated total funding amount listed is $540,000.

What is the expected funding range per award?

Individual award amounts are projected to range from a floor of $100,000 to a ceiling of $180,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the CFDA number associated with this grant?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.978: Preventive Health Services: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research, Demonstrations, and Public Information and Education.

How does this opportunity relate to sexually transmitted disease (STD) objectives?

Although the program is framed around commemoration and ethics, it is explicitly aligned with Healthy People 2020 STD objectives. The announcement cites goals that include reducing chlamydia infections among adolescents and young adults, reducing chlamydia rates among females ages 15 to 44, reducing gonorrhea rates, reducing sustained transmission of primary and secondary syphilis, and reducing congenital syphilis.

Which Healthy People 2020 STD objectives are specifically referenced?

The referenced targets include: reducing the proportion of adolescents and young adults with Chlamydia trachomatis infections (STD 1), reducing chlamydia rates among females ages 15 to 44 (STD 2), reducing gonorrhea rates (STD 6), reducing sustained transmission of primary and secondary syphilis (STD 7), and reducing congenital syphilis (STD 8).

Why would an ethics-focused project be connected to STD prevention and control?

The rationale described is that strengthening ethics in public health and health care delivery can support STD prevention and control by improving patient-centered care, reducing stigma, increasing trust in public health programs, improving screening and treatment uptake, and promoting responsible research and communication practices.

Is there a special emphasis on student training?

Yes. A key feature is ethics training and learning opportunities for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The announcement indicates the program is intended to expand real-world public health ethics exposure for HBCU students through training experiences, collaborations, events, or other learning activities.

Who is the sponsoring agency for this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When was this funding announcement posted and when did it close?

The announcement was posted on September 27, 2011. The original and current closing date listed is November 14, 2011, and the archive date is December 14, 2011.

Is this grant opportunity still open?

No. The closing date and archive date indicate it was time-limited and is no longer active.

What is the program’s geographic focus?

The commemoration is tied to the annual Presidential Apology remembrance held in Tuskegee, Alabama, which is central to the supported activities described.

What is the name/identifier of the funding announcement?

The opportunity is identified as the Tuskegee University Apology Commemoration Activities grant opportunity, CDC RFA PS12-1202.

Who should be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?

Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement were directed to contact the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (TIMS) at 770-488-2700.