Medical Forensic Access Initiative

The Medical Forensic Access Initiative is a federal grant program administered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Office on Women’s Health. This initiative is rooted in federal public health priorities and legislative direction under the Public Health Service Act and the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The program is designed to strengthen national healthcare systems by addressing gaps in access to medical forensic examinations for women and girl survivors of sexual assault, particularly in underserved, rural, Tribal, and resource-limited communities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support practical, data-driven, and scalable projects that improve access to timely, high-quality forensic healthcare services. Applicants are expected to focus on identifying and addressing systemic barriers such as workforce shortages, geographic disparities, long wait times, and fragmented service delivery systems. Projects should contribute to measurable system-level improvements, including enhanced coordination across healthcare providers, improved data collection and reporting capabilities, and expanded access to trained forensic examiners such as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Funding under this initiative may be used for a range of allowable activities including data collection and reporting infrastructure, healthcare systems assessment and improvement, workforce development and training, telehealth-enabled forensic care models, and multidisciplinary coordination efforts. Projects must align with federal priorities and legal requirements, including restrictions on funding uses related to discrimination or unlawful activities. While cost sharing is not required, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate institutional commitment and sustainability planning beyond the federal funding period. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes public and private entities such as state and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education, and for-profit organizations including small businesses. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, relevant expertise, and the ability to collaborate with healthcare systems, public health agencies, and community-based organizations. Partnerships and coordination across sectors are strongly encouraged to enhance project impact and scalability. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include required components such as a project narrative, appendices, and a detailed budget package. The project narrative must address key elements including the statement of need, organizational capacity, program design, data collection strategy, partnerships, evaluation methods, and sustainability plans. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage review process including eligibility screening, responsiveness review, and independent merit review based on defined criteria such as program design, organizational capacity, and data evaluation strategies. The application deadline for this opportunity is July 25, 2026, with submissions required by 6:00 PM Eastern Time. A technical assistance webinar is scheduled for June 29, 2026 to support applicants. Awards are anticipated to be made by September 30, 2026, with a project period of up to 36 months, including potential continuation funding based on performance and availability of funds. This initiative is not explicitly recurring, and applicants should treat it as a competitive, single-cycle opportunity unless future announcements are issued. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact program representative Gage Dalton via email. The program emphasizes accountability, measurable outcomes, and long-term system improvements to ensure sustainable access to forensic healthcare services for women and girl survivors nationwide.

Emphasize data driven approaches measurable outcomes strong partnerships and alignment with forensic healthcare access priorities; clearly demonstrate system level impact and workforce capacity