The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) plays a crucial role in supporting community health centers across the United States. A key aspect of this support is through funding opportunities like the Service Area Competition (SAC) and Service Area Competition-Additional Area (SAC-AA) grants. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the HRSA’s two-tier application process for these essential grants, helping organizations navigate the requirements and increase their chances of securing funding.
Key Funding Details for HRSA Health Center Grants
HRSA provides funding to health centers to ensure access to primary health care services within specifically defined service areas. These service areas are determined by ZIP codes, and each comes with unique requirements concerning special populations and the types of services that must be offered.
The availability of these service areas for competition is announced in the Service Area Announcement Table (SAAT), which is regularly updated with new opportunities. It’s important to understand that each announced service area is already being served by an existing health center. The SAC grant competition arises when the current funding cycle for that health center ends. This allows new or existing health centers to apply for a SAC award to continue providing uninterrupted services to the community.
In situations where a currently funded health center cannot continue its services, HRSA may announce additional service areas through a SAC-AA. This mechanism ensures continued healthcare access even when unforeseen circumstances arise.
Eligibility for HRSA Health Center Funding
To be eligible for HRSA health center funding, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Entity Type: Applicants must be public or nonprofit private entities located within the United States or its territories. This broad category includes tribal, faith-based, and community-based organizations.
- Service Area Coverage: Applicants are required to serve the entirety of a service area as listed in the SAAT. This requirement is in place to guarantee that all individuals within these designated areas maintain access to essential primary health care services.
- Eligibility Summary Review: Prospective applicants should carefully review the Application Eligibility Summary for a detailed breakdown of all eligibility requirements.
Navigating the Two-Tier Application Process
Applying for HRSA health center funding involves a critical two-tier application process that utilizes two distinct online systems: SAM.gov and Grants.gov, followed by the HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). Understanding and properly navigating this process is essential for a successful application.
Step 1: Prerequisite Registration – SAM.gov and Grants.gov
Registration in both SAM.gov (System for Award Management) and Grants.gov is a mandatory prerequisite before you can begin your application. This initial step is crucial and should not be underestimated.
It is imperative that the information provided across SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and HRSA EHBs is consistent and identical. Due to the complexities of federal registration systems, it is strongly recommended to allow at least four weeks for the complete registration process. This buffer period helps accommodate any potential issues or delays that may arise during registration.
Step 2: Application Submission – Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs
The actual application submission is a two-part process, requiring submissions through both Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs. This two-tier system ensures comprehensive application review and management.
- Grants.gov Submission: Applicants must first submit their application through Grants.gov. This platform serves as the central portal for finding and applying for federal grants.
- HRSA EHBs Submission: Following the Grants.gov submission, applicants must then submit a parallel application through the HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). EHBs is HRSA’s specific system for managing grant applications and awards.
To monitor the progress of your application at any point during the process, you can utilize the Track Grant Application tool provided by HRSA.
Key Deadlines for SAC and SAC-AA Applications
Staying informed about application deadlines is paramount. HRSA provides clear schedules for both SAC and SAC-AA NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) releases and their corresponding deadlines.
SAC NOFO Releases and Deadlines
| Current Project Period End Date | NOFO Number | Expected NOFO Release | Grants.gov Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET) | HRSA EHBs Deadline (5 p.m. ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | HRSA-25-012 | May 28, 2024 | August 19, 2024 | August 26, 2024 |
| January 31, 2025 | HRSA-25-013 | May 30, 2024 | August 19, 2024 | August 28, 2024 |
| February 28, 2025 | HRSA-25-014 | June 27, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | September 26, 2024 |
| March 31, 2025 | HRSA-25-015 | July 25, 2024 | September 24, 2024 | October 24, 2024 |
| April 30, 2025 | HRSA-25-016 | August 15, 2024 | October 15, 2024 | November 14, 2024 |
| May 31, 2025 | HRSA-25-017 | August 29, 2024 | October 29, 2024 | December 2, 2024 |
SAC-AA NOFO Releases and Deadlines
| Project Period Start Date | NOFO Number | Expected NOFO Release | Grants.gov Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET) | HRSA EHBs Deadline (5 p.m. ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | HRSA-25-087 | June 4, 2024 | August 19, 2024 | September 4, 2024 |
Note the distinct deadlines for Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs. The Grants.gov deadline is typically later in the evening (11:59 p.m. ET), while the HRSA EHBs deadline is earlier in the afternoon (5 p.m. ET). Ensure timely submissions to both platforms before their respective deadlines.
Resources for Your HRSA Grant Application
HRSA provides a wealth of resources to support applicants throughout the application process:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Comprehensive FAQs address common queries and concerns.
- Application Guides: Detailed guides offer step-by-step instructions for completing each section of the application.
- Application Aids: Various tools and templates are available to assist in preparing a strong application.
- Health Center Program Compliance Aids: Resources to ensure your health center program aligns with HRSA compliance standards.
- Attachments and Forms: All necessary attachments and forms are readily accessible.
- Attachment 1: Service Area Map and Table: Essential for defining and visualizing the service area.
- Budget Presentation: Guidance on preparing a clear and justifiable budget.
- Program Specific Forms and Instructions: Forms and instructions tailored to specific program requirements.
Technical Assistance and Support
Navigating the HRSA application process can be complex. Technical assistance is available to help you:
- Technical Assistance Providers: HRSA funds organizations that provide direct technical assistance to health centers and applicants. Find Technical Assistance resources to connect with these providers.
Contacting HRSA for Application Support
For specific questions or issues, HRSA offers multiple points of contact:
| If you have a question about: | You can reach us at: |
|---|---|
| Your application | BPHC Contact Form – Under Funding, select Applications for Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) – Select Service Area Competition (SAC) |
| Budget | Email Joi Grymes Call 301-443-2632 |
| Grants.gov | Call 800-518-4726 (international callers, call 606-545-5035) Email Grants.gov. Self-Service Knowledge Base |
| EHBs | BPHC Contact Form Under Technical Support, select EHBs Tasks/EHBs Technical Issues Call 877-464-4772 (select option 1) 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday (except federal holidays) EHBs: Updating Your Role in Your Health Center (PDF – 301 KB) |
By understanding the HRSA two-tier application process, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and available resources, organizations can effectively prepare and submit competitive applications for SAC and SAC-AA grants, ultimately contributing to the vital mission of providing healthcare access to communities in need.
