Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Nutrition Training Program

The Maternal and Child Health Nutrition Training Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is part of the Special Projects of Regional and National Significance portfolio and is designed to strengthen national capacity in maternal and child health by investing in workforce development. The initiative reflects a longstanding federal commitment to improving health outcomes for mothers, infants, children, and families through coordinated education, training, and service delivery systems. The primary purpose of the program is to enhance nutrition-related health outcomes by building a skilled, interdisciplinary workforce. Funded programs are expected to provide graduate-level education and training in maternal and child health nutrition while also supporting the broader public health infrastructure. This includes offering technical assistance to state Title V programs and other maternal and child health initiatives, expanding access to nutrition education pathways, and strengthening career pipelines in the field. The program emphasizes both academic preparation and applied experience to ensure trainees are equipped to address complex public health nutrition challenges. Funding supports a range of allowable activities centered on education, training, and service integration. Programs are expected to facilitate trainee placements and practicums in health centers and community-based settings to improve access to high-quality nutrition services. These experiential learning opportunities are intended to bridge academic knowledge with real-world application, particularly in underserved or high-need populations. While the funding is substantial, it is structured within defined award ranges and does not require cost sharing or matching contributions, reducing financial barriers for eligible institutions. Eligibility for the program is limited to domestic institutions of higher education, including both public and state-controlled universities as well as private nonprofit academic institutions. Individuals are explicitly excluded from applying. The definition of domestic includes all U.S. states and territories, ensuring broad national participation. This eligibility structure reflects the program’s focus on institutional capacity building and academic training rather than individual research grants or fellowships. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through electronic systems, with applications due by the specified deadline. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast, applicants should anticipate requirements typical of federal training grants, such as program narratives, training plans, budgets, and evaluation strategies. The estimated application due date is January 20, 2027, with awards anticipated by June 1, 2027, and project activities beginning July 1, 2027. This opportunity is currently in forecast status, with an estimated posting date of November 20, 2026. The program is expected to make approximately sixteen awards, with total program funding exceeding ten million dollars. Individual award amounts range from moderate to high levels, reflecting the comprehensive scope of training and service delivery expectations. The timeline indicates a structured annual cycle aligned with federal fiscal planning, suggesting the potential for recurring future opportunities, although recurrence is not explicitly stated. For additional information, applicants may contact the Maternal and Child Health Bureau within HRSA using the provided phone number. As a forecasted opportunity, prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare in advance for the formal notice of funding opportunity, which will provide detailed application instructions, evaluation criteria, and compliance requirements.