Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HS 24 004
The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) is soliciting applications under Funding Opportunity Number RFA HS 24 004, titled "State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Knowledge into Practice (U19)." This is a discretionary grant mechanism offered as a cooperative agreement (meaning AHRQ is expected to have substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out), and it sits within the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.226). The application closing date listed is January 7, 2025.
The core purpose of this opportunity is to establish and support State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives (referred to as "Cooperatives") that can speed up the real-world adoption of evidence into everyday care. The initiative each Cooperative proposes must be grounded in PCOR evidence, which refers to patient-centered outcomes research evidence meant to inform decisions that matter to patients and caregivers in practical settings. A defining requirement is that the initiative focus specifically on behavioral healthcare, and it must aim to improve care for medically underserved people. In other words, the program is not simply asking for research in isolation; it is asking for organized, state-based infrastructure that helps systems and frontline care settings actually implement proven, patient-centered improvements in behavioral health care for populations that face access barriers, resource constraints, or persistent inequities.
AHRQ lays out several major expectations for what a Cooperative will do. First, the Cooperative is expected to actively engage key stakeholders in the state, with particular emphasis on Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations, along with other organizations that address the health needs of medically underserved populations. This engagement is intended to be practical and implementation-oriented: identifying real barriers and facilitators to putting patient-centered, PCOR-based healthcare delivery improvements into routine practice, and then helping stakeholders address those factors. Second, the Cooperative is expected to work across multiple sectors that influence whether evidence-based improvements can be adopted and sustained, including healthcare policy and payment entities, community organizations, care delivery organizations, and research organizations that serve medically underserved people. The goal here is capacity-building: strengthening these organizations' ability to implement PCOR-based, patient-centered delivery improvements in behavioral healthcare and supporting ongoing learning so that improvements continue beyond a single rollout or project phase. Third, the Cooperative must conduct evaluations of its activities, indicating that applicants should plan to measure what they do, how well implementation proceeds, and what outcomes or process changes result, rather than treating the effort as purely technical assistance without accountability or learning. Fourth, the Cooperative must provide an overall support structure that keeps all of these activities integrated and aligned, so that stakeholder engagement, capacity-building, learning supports, and evaluation function as a coordinated system rather than disconnected workstreams.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. entities that could anchor or participate in a statewide cooperative model. Eligible applicants include state governments and a range of local governmental units (county, city/township, special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories and partners often central to serving underserved communities, such as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.
At the same time, the opportunity draws a clear line around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined in the HHS Grants Policy Statement may participate only as members of consortia or as subcontractors, meaning limited participation is possible in supporting roles, but not as the primary applicant and not as a non-U.S. organizational component of a U.S. applicant.
Overall, this funding opportunity is designed for applicants that can lead a statewide, stakeholder-driven implementation effort in behavioral healthcare for medically underserved populations, using PCOR evidence as the backbone. The emphasis is on practical adoption in real systems (especially those connected to Medicaid and managed care), building lasting implementation capacity across policy, payment, community, and care delivery partners, and evaluating and coordinating the work so that it is coherent, measurable, and sustainable.Apply for RFA HS 24 004
- The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Knowledge into Practice (U19)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.226.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity number and title?
This opportunity is Funding Opportunity Number (FON) RFA HS 24 004, titled "State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Knowledge into Practice (U19)."
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The opportunity is offered by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ).
What kind of award is this (grant type/mechanism)?
This is a discretionary grant mechanism offered as a cooperative agreement (U19). A cooperative agreement means AHRQ is expected to have substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out.
What is the CFDA number and funding category?
The opportunity is in the health funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 93.226.
What is the application closing date?
The listed application closing date is January 7, 2025.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to establish and support State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives ("Cooperatives") that accelerate real-world adoption of evidence into everyday care, specifically by implementing patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) evidence in practice.
What is a "State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperative" in this program?
In this program, a Cooperative is a state-based infrastructure and support model designed to help systems and frontline care settings implement proven, patient-centered improvements in routine practice. The intent is organized implementation support, not research in isolation.
What does "accelerate implementation of actionable knowledge into practice" mean here?
It refers to speeding up adoption of evidence-based, patient-centered improvements by identifying real-world barriers and facilitators to implementation and supporting stakeholders and organizations as they put those improvements into routine behavioral healthcare practice.
Is the initiative required to be grounded in PCOR evidence?
Yes. Each Cooperative's proposed initiative must be grounded in PCOR evidence (patient-centered outcomes research evidence) intended to inform practical decisions that matter to patients and caregivers.
Does the initiative have to focus on a specific clinical area?
Yes. A defining requirement is that the initiative focus specifically on behavioral healthcare.
Who must the initiative aim to benefit?
The initiative must aim to improve care for medically underserved people, including populations facing access barriers, resource constraints, or persistent inequities.
Is this funding meant for research projects or implementation support?
The emphasis is on organized, state-based implementation infrastructure and support to help real care settings adopt proven, patient-centered improvements. It is not framed as research in isolation.
What stakeholders are Cooperatives expected to engage?
Cooperatives are expected to actively engage key stakeholders within the state, with particular emphasis on Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations, along with other organizations that address the health needs of medically underserved populations.
Why are Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations emphasized?
The opportunity highlights these entities as especially important stakeholders for practical, implementation-oriented efforts that can drive adoption and sustainability of patient-centered, PCOR-based improvements in real-world care systems serving underserved populations.
What kinds of barriers and facilitators should the Cooperative address?
The Cooperative is expected to identify real barriers and facilitators to implementing patient-centered, PCOR-based healthcare delivery improvements in routine practice, and then help stakeholders address those factors.
What sectors is the Cooperative expected to work across?
The Cooperative is expected to work across multiple sectors that influence adoption and sustainability, including: healthcare policy and payment entities, community organizations, care delivery organizations, and research organizations that serve medically underserved people.
What does "capacity-building" mean in this opportunity?
Capacity-building refers to strengthening the ability of relevant organizations (policy/payment, community, care delivery, and research organizations serving medically underserved people) to implement PCOR-based, patient-centered delivery improvements in behavioral healthcare, and to support ongoing learning so improvements continue beyond a single project phase.
Is evaluation required as part of the Cooperative's work?
Yes. Cooperatives must conduct evaluations of their activities, which implies planning to measure what is done, how implementation proceeds, and what outcomes or process changes result.
What is meant by providing an "overall support structure"?
The Cooperative must provide an integrated support structure to keep stakeholder engagement, capacity-building, learning supports, and evaluation aligned and coordinated as one coherent system rather than disconnected workstreams.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic U.S. entities, including state governments and local governmental units (county, city/township, special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly notes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant categories.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly noted among eligible applicant categories and partners often central to serving underserved communities.
Are minority-serving institutions called out as eligible?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly notes eligible categories and partners such as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are eligible federal agencies included in eligible categories?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are explicitly noted among additional eligible applicant categories and partners.
Can for-profit entities apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.
Can a foreign component participate in any way?
Limited participation is possible. "Foreign components" (as defined in the HHS Grants Policy Statement) may participate only as members of consortia or as subcontractors, but not as the primary applicant and not as a non-U.S. organizational component of a U.S. applicant.
Does the opportunity require a statewide approach?
Yes. The opportunity is designed around establishing State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives and describes a statewide, stakeholder-driven implementation effort.
What are the key features AHRQ is looking for in proposed Cooperatives?
Key features include: (1) practical stakeholder engagement (especially Medicaid and managed care), (2) multi-sector collaboration across policy/payment, community, care delivery, and research organizations serving underserved people, (3) capacity-building for implementation and ongoing learning, (4) evaluation of activities and implementation progress, and (5) an integrated support structure that coordinates all workstreams.
What is the required focus area and target population in one sentence?
Implement PCOR-based, patient-centered improvements in behavioral healthcare with the explicit goal of improving care for medically underserved people.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Advancing Research to Understand Congenital Malformations (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Consortium for Neuroscience AD/ADRD in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA HS 24 004
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA HS 24 004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Organs-on-a-Chip in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (DOC-OoCs) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DE 25 001 Funding Number: RFA DE 25 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Organs-on-a-Chip in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (DOC-OoCs) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DE 25 002 Funding Number: RFA DE 25 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| RFI for SOPHI Apply for RFI 442 24 006 Funding Number: RFI 442 24 006 Agency: Cambodia USAID-Phnom Penh Category: Health Funding Amount: $35,000,000 |
| Emergency Department Substance Use Surveillance System Apply for EDS EDS 24 001 Funding Number: EDS EDS 24 001 Agency: Office of National Drug Control Policy Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Clinical Coordinating Center for NCCIH Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials of Mind and Body Interventions (Collaborative UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 275 Funding Number: PAR 24 275 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Coordinating Center to Support Consortium for Neuroscience Alzheimers Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 25 014 Funding Number: RFA AG 25 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Activity Apply for 72038624RFA00004 Funding Number: 72038624RFA00004 Agency: India USAID-New Delhi Category: Health Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MD 24 012 Funding Number: RFA MD 24 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| USAID Accelerator Activity Apply for 72066024RFA00006 Funding Number: 72066024RFA00006 Agency: Democratic Republic of the Congo USAID-Kinshasa Category: Health Funding Amount: $90,500,000 |
| USAID Multi Sector Nutrition in the Democractic Republic of Congo Apply for 72066024RFI00007 Funding Number: 72066024RFI00007 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET): Learning Health Care Research to Improve Mental Health Services and Outcomes (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 25 200 Funding Number: RFA MH 25 200 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Discovery and Development of Novel Therapeutics for Select Fungal Pathogens (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 24 065 Funding Number: RFA AI 24 065 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Coordinating Center (NCC) for AHRQs Healthcare Extension Service - State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvement (U54) Apply for RFA HS 24 006 Funding Number: RFA HS 24 006 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Intermediate Patient Population Expanded Access (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA NS 25 024 Funding Number: RFA NS 25 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Evaluation Center (NEC) for AHRQs Healthcare Extension Service: State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvement (U19) Apply for RFA HS 24 005 Funding Number: RFA HS 24 005 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Health Security (GHS) Activity Apply for 72039124RFA00002 Funding Number: 72039124RFA00002 Agency: Pakistan USAID-Islamabad Category: Health Funding Amount: $43,000,000 |
| Biomedical Research Facilities (C06 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 061 Funding Number: PAR 25 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Clinical Validation of a Candidate Biomarker for Neurological or Neuromuscular Disorders (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 055 Funding Number: PAR 25 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Experiences and/or Mentoring Networks through Research Education to Enhance Clinician-Scientists' Participation in NIDCDs Research (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 020 Funding Number: PAR 25 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Analytical Validation of a Candidate Biomarker for Neurological or Neuromuscular Disorders(U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 050 Funding Number: PAR 25 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA HS 24 004", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.