The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Workforce Development and Training Center is a forecasted cooperative agreement opportunity offered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative aims to bolster the national MCH workforce by equipping professionals, particularly those affiliated with the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program, with the skills and tools necessary to address the diverse and evolving health needs of mothers, children, and families across the country.
The Center will serve as a central hub for training, technical assistance, and strategic workforce development tailored for MCH professionals. The focus is on strengthening capacity at the state and local levels by enhancing leadership competencies, data utilization, systems integration, equity approaches, and evidence-based practices. By doing so, HRSA intends to support improved health outcomes and advance equity through more robust and sustainable MCH workforce infrastructures nationwide.
Eligible applicants include domestic public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education, including tribal colleges and universities. Organizations must be based within the U.S. or its territories, and applicants are encouraged to review eligibility regulations under 42 CFR § 51a.3(b) for full compliance. Cost sharing or matching is not required under this opportunity, and a single cooperative agreement award is expected, with an estimated funding ceiling of $1,970,000.
The projected timeline indicates that the funding opportunity will be officially posted on March 27, 2026, with applications due electronically by May 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The anticipated award date is August 2, 2026, and the project start date is set for September 1, 2026. While no pre-application steps like Letters of Intent are required, applicants must submit their complete applications through Grants.gov.
Evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in this forecast, but selected awardees are expected to demonstrate the capacity to lead a national center and deliver scalable training and assistance to MCH professionals. HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau, particularly the Division of MCH Workforce Development, will manage the program. Prospective applicants seeking additional information may contact the Bureau via the MCHB Grants Inbox or by calling 301-443-2170.
