The National Center on Child Maltreatment Fatality Data Practices and Reporting is a funding opportunity provided by the Children’s Bureau (CB) under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish a National Center focused on improving data collection and reporting on child maltreatment fatalities. The center will serve as a national resource to support states, jurisdictions, and tribal entities in developing strategies to prevent child maltreatment deaths through better data practices, cross-agency coordination, and improved reporting mechanisms.

This cooperative agreement aims to enhance data collection, reporting, and analysis to address disparities in child maltreatment fatalities. The center will focus on building knowledge and capacity, increasing cross-agency cooperation, establishing a national resource for data sharing, and evaluating training and technical assistance efforts. It will support states and other partners in using comprehensive data to identify risk factors and develop preventive interventions.

The total anticipated funding for the first budget period is $1,250,000, with an expected five-year project period consisting of one-year budget cycles. Funding for years two through five is projected to be $3,000,000 per year, subject to the availability of federal funds. Only one award will be issued under this opportunity. The funding does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions from applicants.

Eligible applicants include state governments, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, public or private agencies, and combinations of these entities. Individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible to apply. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. The application process includes multiple steps, including SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations, submission of a project narrative, budget, evaluation plan, and required standard forms.

Applications are due by May 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. There is an optional notice of intent deadline on February 17, 2025. The anticipated start date for the funded project is September 30, 2025. The application submission process must be completed electronically through Grants.gov, with limited exceptions for paper submissions under special circumstances.

Evaluation of applications will be based on several criteria, including objectives (15 points), approach (40 points), evaluation strategy (20 points), organizational capacity (20 points), and budget justification (5 points), for a total of 100 points. Risk assessments will be conducted before awarding funds to ensure financial and programmatic capability.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact Cara Kelly (Program Contact) or Telina Bennett-Reed (Grants Management Contact) at cb@grantreview.org or (888) 203-6161. Additional support is available through Grants.gov and SAM.gov.