Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center Cooperative Agreement

The Emergency Medical Services for Children National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center Cooperative Agreement is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. This program builds upon longstanding federal efforts, dating back to 1984, to improve emergency medical care for children across the United States. The initiative consolidates and expands prior programs into a centralized coordinating center responsible for advancing pediatric readiness in both hospital emergency departments and prehospital emergency medical services systems nationwide. The primary purpose of this cooperative agreement is to enhance pediatric readiness by ensuring that emergency departments and EMS agencies have the appropriate staff, training, equipment, and protocols to provide high-quality care to children. The program aims to reduce preventable child mortality by promoting the adoption of standardized pediatric readiness guidelines and improving system-wide coordination. The awardee will be responsible for developing and updating guidelines, centralizing technical assistance, increasing public and provider awareness, and implementing data systems to measure progress in pediatric readiness across the country. Funding under this opportunity supports a wide range of allowable activities, including the development of educational resources, quality improvement collaboratives, national data systems, and public awareness campaigns. The cooperative agreement structure indicates substantial involvement from HRSA in program oversight, including collaboration on planning, approval of materials, and coordination with federal and state partners. Importantly, the funding does not support research activities, and all expenditures must comply with federal cost principles and restrictions outlined in 2 CFR Part 200. The program does not require cost sharing, although voluntary contributions, if committed, become enforceable. Eligibility is limited to domestic entities, specifically state governments and accredited schools of medicine, including both public and private institutions of higher education. Applicants must demonstrate experience in implementing pediatric readiness improvements at national or state levels. Individuals are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Additionally, applicants must comply with federal requirements regarding nondiscrimination, public safety, and lawful use of funds, and must align their proposed activities with HRSA’s strategic priorities and statutory authority. The application process is conducted through Grants.gov and requires submission of a comprehensive application package, including a project narrative, budget and budget narrative, and multiple attachments such as work plans, staffing plans, organizational charts, and agreements with partners. The application must adhere to strict formatting and page limits, with a maximum of 70 pages for the narrative components. Required forms include the SF-424, SF-424A, and other federal standard forms. Applicants are encouraged to participate in an informational webinar and must ensure proper registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. Applications are evaluated through a merit review process based on criteria including need, response, performance evaluation, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. The review process includes both an initial eligibility screening and a detailed panel review. Funding decisions consider merit scores, available funds, risk assessments, and alignment with HRSA priorities. The expected period of performance is four years, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030, with annual reporting requirements and ongoing federal oversight. The timeline for this opportunity includes a Notice of Funding Opportunity issued on June 8, 2026, and an application deadline of July 10, 2026. Awards are expected to begin July 1, 2026, aligning with the start of the performance period. Applicants must submit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. Program contacts include HRSA officials for programmatic and financial inquiries, and applicants are expected to maintain communication with HRSA throughout the award period. This opportunity represents a significant federal investment in strengthening emergency care systems for children nationwide.

Ensure alignment with all four program objectives and clearly demonstrate national-level impact and capacity to manage data systems and partnerships; emphasize measurable outcomes and strong evaluation plans