Regional Pediatric Prevention Network

The Regional Pediatric Prevention Network opportunity is offered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal funding initiative is designed to strengthen national capacity for pediatric emergency preparedness and disaster response. HRSA focuses on improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly children and families, and this program builds on prior investments in pediatric pandemic preparedness by expanding the scope to include prevention, preparedness, and response for a broad range of emergencies. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish a coordinated Regional Pediatric Prevention Network that connects children hospitals and their affiliated university pediatric partners into a unified national system. The network is intended to improve pediatric disaster readiness across local, regional, and national levels through collaboration, shared infrastructure, and research informed care practices. A central focus is placed on vulnerable pediatric populations, including children with special health care needs, those living in poverty, and those in rural, remote, or tribal communities. The network must include at least ten centers across two awards, forming a single integrated national structure. Funding under this program is substantial, with a total of twenty two million five hundred thousand dollars available in fiscal year two thousand twenty six. Two cooperative agreement awards are expected, each with a ceiling of eleven million two hundred fifty thousand dollars over a five year period. The period of performance runs from September first, two thousand twenty six through August thirty first, two thousand thirty one, divided into five twelve month budget periods. Funds must be distributed according to a strict structure, where up to five hundred thousand dollars may be retained by the primary recipient for administrative purposes, and the remaining funds must be equally distributed among participating centers. Eligibility is limited to children hospitals as defined by federal statute or their affiliated university pediatric partners. Applications must be submitted by a single institution acting as the primary recipient, which must form a collaborative network with at least four additional centers, each located in a different HHS region. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must include letters of commitment from partner institutions and demonstrate the ability to coordinate a multi site national network. There is no cost sharing requirement for this program. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive set of components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, work plan, logic model, staffing plan, and letters of commitment. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including need, response strategy, performance measurement, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. The review process includes both eligibility screening and merit based evaluation, with a total score of one hundred points across six criteria. Key dates for the opportunity include a notice of funding release on June seventeenth, two thousand twenty six, and an application deadline of July seventeenth, two thousand twenty six. Awards are expected to be announced by August fifteenth, two thousand twenty six, with project activities beginning September first, two thousand twenty six. The program is structured as a recurring federal initiative, building on prior funding cycles, and includes ongoing reporting requirements such as quarterly status updates, annual performance reports, and participation in national coordination activities. Recipients are responsible for extensive coordination activities, including governance structure development, data sharing, performance measurement, and collaboration with federal partners. The program emphasizes evidence based practices, strong financial management, and alignment with national health priorities. Contact for programmatic questions is available through the HRSA Division of Child, Adolescent, and Family Health via email, and applicants are encouraged to attend informational webinars and utilize available application guidance resources.

Align proposal with pediatric preparedness goals, demonstrate strong multi site coordination, include measurable outcomes and clear governance structure