FAQs for Expanding the National Approach for Chronic Disease Education and Awareness Funding | CDC

Question: We only have experience working on the state and local level. Are we eligible to apply?
Answer: Eligibility for this NOFO is unrestricted and open to all the entities described in the “Eligibility Information” section of the NOFO.

Question: Is the eligibility for this NOFO open?
Answer: Eligibility for this NOFO is open to all the entities described in the “Eligibility Information” section of the NOFO.

Question: Are applicant organizations that serve specific racial/ethnic populations eligible to apply for this grant?
Answer: Populations of focus for this NOFO include public health professionals, the general public, including people with the proposed chronic disease and their caregivers, and health care professionals as outlined on page 12 of the NOFO. This NOFO, including funding and eligibility, is not limited based on, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy) or other constitutionally protected statuses.

Question: Is a letter of intent required to apply for funding?
Answer: A letter of intent to apply for funding is requested, but not required.

Question: Where should the Letter of Intent be sent?
Answer: Please submit the Letter of Intent via email to: Stephanie Hinton, CPM, MHS, at cdawarenessgrant@cdc.gov

Question: If submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI), do you have to do the required registration first?
Answer: No, the registrations are not required prior to submitting a Letter of Intent. Required registrations must be completed prior to submission of the application. Please refer to CDC’s Grants website for more information on required registrations (completion of registration can take 3 to 14 business days).

Question: Are there guidelines for the degree of detail required in the LOI?
Answer: There are no specific guidelines for the degree of detail required. Applicants may include the chronic disease that they will be proposing.

Question: I am having technical issues with downloading the full announcement, profile registration and entering required information into www.grants.gov. Can you help?
Answer: Applicants should contact Customer Service at www.grants.gov for assistance with the application package. The www.grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. The Contact Center is available by phone at 1-800-518-4726 or by e-mail at support@grants.gov.

Question: How do I apply for this grant?
Answer: Please refer to CDC’s Grants website for more information on how to apply, including budget guidelines, system registrations, and key steps of the application process.

Question: What does NOFO mean?
Answer: NOFO is an acronym that means Notice Of Funding Opportunity.

Question: Is a resume or CV required for key personnel? What’s the page limit of the resume/CV?
Answer: Yes. Applicants must include resumes for staff assigned to the project. Submit resumes as a single PDF file and upload it as a miscellaneous attachment titled “Resumes.” There is no page limit for resumes/CVs.

Question: Is there a preferred template for the resumes/CVs (e.g., NIH Biosketch template)?
Answer: There is no preferred template for resumes or CVs.

Question: Regarding formatting requirements, is there a preferred font type (e.g., Times New Roman)? Also, can page numbers appear in the 1-inch margin?
Answer: No specific font type is required. Project Narrative should be single spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and with all pages numbered. Page numbers can be in the margin. Other PDF files listed under “Other Information” do not have font, formatting, or page restrictions.

Question: Is there a page limit for the project narrative?
Answer: Yes. For the project narrative, there is a maximum page limit of 20 pages, single spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, number all pages. This includes the work plan. Content beyond the specified page number will not be reviewed.

Question: Is there a preferred style for citations/references, and are footnotes allowable? If footnotes are not allowable, does the reference list count toward page limit?
Answer: There is no preferred style for citations/references but if you are using references, please use a consistent standard style throughout (e.g., AMA, APA). Footnotes may be used. The reference list will not count toward any page limit.

Question: Do we need letters of commitment from all collaborative partners?
Answer: Yes. A minimum of three letters of commitment must be uploaded as a single PDF file, under miscellaneous attachments, and name the file “Collaboration Letters.” Letters of commitment from key collaborators must include specific details on the role they will assume on the project (limit 10 letters). General letters of support are not recommended.

Question: We will have to hire staff if we’re funded. Do we need to provide anything in the application?
Answer: Yes. If staff positions are vacant, explain how and when those positions will be filled. Include job descriptions for positions that are to be filled. Upload them as a single file as a miscellaneous attachment titled “Job Descriptions.”

Question: Are multiple principal investigators (PIs) permitted?
Answer: There is no stipulation in the NOFO on how many PIs there are on an award; however, one PI will need to be designated as the primary PI for communication purposes between CDC and the recipient.

Question: Is a data management plan required for this NOFO?
Answer: A data management plan is not required for this NOFO.

Question: Can other countries apply for this NOFO?
Answer: This funding opportunity is limited to the United States and its territories.

Question: What are Funding Preference Deliverables?
Answer: Funding Preference Deliverables are only applicable to International Recipients and therefore do not apply to this NOFO.

Question: Is an authorization letter from the research institute a required attachment?
Answer: An authorization letter from the research institute is not a required attachment because this is a non-research funding opportunity.

Question: Does previous or current work with a CDC chronic disease program (e.g., CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program) count as a collaboration with a CDC chronic disease program funded by CDC?
Answer: Collaborations as outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity on page 10 states that applicants should describe prior experience with successful collaborations with CDC NCCDPHP’s programs and/or CDC-funded or other partner organizations on national initiatives, objectives, and goals. If applicants have not already worked with CDC, applicants should include a statement of their willingness to collaborate with CDC, and outline how. Applicants should also describe past and current collaborations related to the proposed chronic disease. Applicants should describe collaborations with other CDC programs, or CDC-funded organizations that are not chronic disease focused but are implementing similar strategies that demonstrate measurable improvements in patient outcomes and/or population health.

Question: Is Long COVID an eligible chronic condition?
Answer: The proposed chronic disease cannot be one of the following chronic diseases: Arthritis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Lupus, and chronic kidney disease, or any other chronic disease with a dedicated funding line in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Appropriations Act, as described in CDC’s FY 2023 Operating Plan. The applicant will need to consult CDC’s FY 2023 Congressional budget to determine if there is a dedicated funding line for the proposed chronic disease since the FY24 funding lines are not available. Also consult the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (NCCDPHP’s) funding lines in the NCCDPHP’s FY 2023 Operating Budget.

Question: What are reasons an application would be considered non-responsive?
Answer: CDC will consider an application nonresponsive if it meets any of the criteria below pertaining to the chronic disease, applicant eligibility, and budget requirements provided below:

1. More than a single chronic disease to focus on during the life of the grant;
2. A proposed chronic disease that does not meet the definition of a chronic disease. A chronic disease is defined broadly as a condition that lasts 1 year or more and requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living or both; or
3. Arthritis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Lupus, and Chronic Kidney Disease, or any other chronic with a dedicated funding line in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Appropriations Act, as described in CDC’s FY 2023 Operating Plan. The applicant will need to consult CDC’s FY 2023 Congressional budget to determine if there is a dedicated funding line for the proposed chronic disease since the FY24 funding lines are not available. Also consult the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (NCCDPHP’s) funding lines in the NCCDPHP’s FY 2023 Operating Budget.

Any application proposing a chronic disease that meets any of these three (3) criteria will be deemed non-responsive, and it will receive no further review.  Applicants must upload a statement that identifies their proposed chronic disease as a PDF file, under miscellaneous attachments, and name the file “Proposed Chronic Disease.”

• Recipients currently funded through CDC-RFA-DP23-0067 are not eligible to apply.
• The award ceiling for this NOFO is $400,000. CDC will consider any application requesting an award higher than this amount non-responsive, and it will receive no further review.
• The award floor for this NOFO is $300,000. CDC will consider any application requesting an award lower than this amount non-responsive, and it will receive no further review.

Question: When will applicants be notified of their award?
Answer: On or before August 29, 2024.

Question: Although matching funds are not required, is the availability of matching funds an advantage when submitting a proposal?
Answer: Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Criteria considered during the Phase II Review Process are provided in the NOFO.

Question: Are chronic diseases currently/not currently funded through CDC-RFA-DP-21-2112 and CDC-RFA-DP-23-0067 not eligible for funding?
Answer: The proposed chronic disease cannot be one of the following chronic diseases: Arthritis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Lupus, and chronic kidney disease, or any other chronic disease with a dedicated funding line in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Appropriations Act, as described in CDC’s FY 2023 Operating Plan. The applicant will need to consult CDC’s FY 2023 Congressional budget to determine if there is a dedicated funding line for the proposed chronic disease since the FY24 funding lines are not available. Also consult the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (NCCDPHP’s) funding lines in the NCCDPHP’s FY 2023 Operating Budget.

Question: Is this funding a cooperative agreement or grant?
Answer: This funding opportunity is a grant.

Question: How many awards will be made?
Answer: Up to six awards will be made.

Question: What is the average award?
Answer: Approximate average award is $325,000.

Question: Is there a limit to how much money we can apply for with this NOFO?
Answer: The award ceiling is $400,000.

Question: What are the minimum and maximum grant amounts?
Answer: The award ceiling for this NOFO is $400,000 per year and the award floor is $300,000 per year.

Question: Can one organization submit two applications focusing on different chronic conditions?
Answer: The applicant must propose a single chronic disease to focus on during the life of the grant. Applicant organizations may only submit one application. If multiple applications are submitted by the same organization, only the application with the latest time stamp will be accepted.

Question: Can more than one award be made for a specific chronic disease?
Answer: No more than one (1) award will be made per proposed chronic disease. If multiple applications are received for the proposed chronic disease and score high enough to be funded, the award will go to the applicant with the highest score.

Question: What is the expected total Period of Performance?
Answer: The total period of performance is 3 years. Please refer to page 18 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Question: What qualifies as a chronic disease?
Answer: A chronic disease is defined broadly as a condition that lasts 1 year or more and requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living or both.

Question: Can you tell me if my proposal on a particular topic is in alignment with this NOFO? Can CDC discuss proposed activities with potential applicants?
Answer: CDC cannot discuss proposed chronic diseases or proposed activities with potential applicants. The proposed chronic disease cannot be one of the following chronic diseases: Arthritis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Lupus, and chronic kidney disease, or any other chronic disease with a dedicated funding line in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Appropriations Act, as described in CDC’s FY 2023 Operating Plan. The applicant will need to consult CDC’s FY 2023 Congressional budget to determine if there is a dedicated funding line for the proposed chronic disease since the FY24 funding lines are not available. Also consult the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (NCCDPHP’s) funding lines in the NCCDPHP’s FY 2023 Operating Budget.

Question: Is there a list of chronic diseases not currently funded by CDC?
Answer: There is not a list available of chronic diseases that are not currently funded by CDC. The proposed chronic disease cannot be one of the following chronic diseases: Arthritis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Lupus, and chronic kidney disease, or any other chronic disease with a dedicated funding line in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Appropriations Act, as described in CDC’s FY 2024 Operating Plan. The applicant will need to consult CDC’s FY 2024 Operating Plan to determine if there is a dedicated funding line for the proposed chronic disease.

Question: Can more than one chronic disease be proposed?
Answer: No, the applicant must propose a single chronic disease to focus on during the NOFO period of performance.

Question: Are the recipients expected to implement all four strategies and accompanying activities during the first year of the grant or can they be implemented incrementally throughout the life of the grant?
Answer: The strategies and activities are initiated in Year 1 and conducted over the life of the award to achieve the period of performance outcomes listed in the logic model.

Question: Our organization has an idea for a different project related to a chronic disease. Can we propose that instead?
Answer: No. The funding for this project will only be awarded for activities outlined by and required in this NOFO.

Question: What is contained in a National and/or State Indicator Report?
Answer: The National and/or State Indicator report “includes the presentation of measures and evidence-based strategies about the proposed chronic disease.” Examples of measures and evidence-based strategies related to the proposed chronic disease are further described in the bulleted list of activities in section “CDC Project Description”, subsection iii, “Strategies and Activities.”

Question: Can CDC define a National and/or State Indicator Report?
Answer: A National and/or State Indicator Report is a report that “includes the presentation of measures and evidence-based strategies about the proposed chronic disease.” There is no required format for the national and/or state indicator report. Two examples of CDC national and/or state indicator reports include: 2018 State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables (https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/2018-state-indicator-report-fruits-vegetables.html) and Diabetes Report Card 2021 (https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/reports/reportcard.html).

Question: Does the application need to include a workplan for the entire period of performance or just the first year?
Answer: Applicants should provide a detailed work plan for the first year of the project and describe in the project narrative a high-level work plan for subsequent years. The total period of performance is 3 years.

Question: Is the award amount applied over 3 years or is the award amount awarded each year for 3 years?
Answer: The award amount (average award is $325,000) is awarded each year, or budget period. The budget period length is 12 months. The total period of performance is 3 years. Throughout the period of performance, CDC will continue the award based on the availability of funds, the evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

Question: Do we need to do a budget for Year 1 only or for the entire period of performance (3 years)?
Answer: Applicants should provide a Year 1 budget only (the 12-month budget period length).

Question: Our application includes a vendor that will contract with us to provide certain services. Should they submit an MOU or a commitment letter reflecting the Statement of Work?
Answer: Because the vendor will be contracted for services, their responsibilities for the program should be detailed in the scope of work (one of 6 required elements for contract approval) in the Budget Narrative. Specifics on what information needs to be included, including a description of the 6 required elements, for each contract are described in the Contractual Costs section of the CDC Budget Preparation Guidelines.

Question: Is there any special format we need to use for our budget narrative/justification?
Answer: Yes. Applicants should follow the format in CDC’s Budget Preparation Guidelines. Failure to follow CDC’s budget preparation guidelines could result in delays to starting your project, if funded.

Question: Does the award include indirect costs?
Answer: Yes. The proposed budget must include salaries and wages, fringe benefits, consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel, other categories, contractual costs, total direct costs, and total indirect costs, if applicable. Indirect costs are defined in the Glossary as “Costs that are incurred for common or joint objectives and not readily and specifically identifiable with a particular sponsored project, program, or activity; nevertheless, these costs are necessary to the operations of the organization. For example, the costs of operating and maintaining facilities, depreciation, and administrative salaries generally are considered indirect costs.”

Question: Do you know if a new round of this funding opportunity will be open again within the next three years (i.e., will there be an opportunity to apply in the next year or two)?
Answer: This particular NOFO is only available this one time for a 3-year period of performance, and funding beyond year 1 is contingent on future availability of funds. There is always the possibility that other funding may come available if our budget allows. We post all grant opportunities on www.grants.gov

Question: Is there an indirect cost allowed if we have no negotiated rate?
Answer: Applicants that have a current indirect cost rate agreement may submit the document as part of their application. Please refer to page 28 of the NOFO for more information. If there is not a current indirect cost rate agreement available, per CFR 200.414, applicants may use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate.

Question: Should the budget reflect direct and indirect or only direct costs?
Answer: The applicant should propose a budget that includes all direct and indirect costs. The award ceiling is $400,000 and the award floor is $300,000. Please refer to pages 27-28 of the NOFO for more information on budget requirements.