The **Connecting Organizations and People to Empower Diabetes Prevention and Treatment (Connections)** funding opportunity, issued by the **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)** under the Department of Health and Human Services, supports research to evaluate existing Community-Clinical Linkage (CCL) and Social Connectedness programs aimed at reducing disparities in diabetes risk factors, incidence, and complications. The objective is to identify how these programs can mitigate disparities and to understand the mechanisms—such as improvements in social or environmental conditions, mental health, or self-efficacy—that lead to positive diabetes-related outcomes. The results are expected to guide the expansion of effective programs, demonstrate their ability to reduce disparities, and characterize the features and mechanisms that make them successful.

The **total program funding** is estimated at **$3,150,000**, with an **award ceiling** of **$350,000** per recipient. There is **no cost-sharing or matching requirement**, and the award floor is $0. CDC anticipates funding approximately **three awards** under this initiative. Funding will be issued as a **cooperative agreement**, which allows for significant collaboration between the CDC and award recipients. The grant opportunity focuses on health-related projects that align with the CDC’s chronic disease prevention goals.

Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations, such as state, county, city, or township governments; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; small businesses; for-profit organizations; independent school districts; and public housing authorities. This inclusive eligibility ensures that a variety of organizations with relevant experience and resources can contribute to diabetes prevention and treatment research.

Applications must be submitted electronically no later than **January 6, 2025**, at **11:59 PM ET**. Early submissions are encouraged to address any technical issues that might arise during the application process. The announcement was originally posted on **October 25, 2024**, with a final archive date of **February 5, 2025**. Interested applicants should refer to Grants.gov for submission guidelines and additional instructions. Applicants encountering issues can contact **Dr. Celeste Sanders** at **CSanders4@cdc.gov** for support.

The research funded through this opportunity will evaluate and strengthen programs that connect individuals to community and clinical resources while enhancing social networks. By assessing program effectiveness and underlying mechanisms, the CDC aims to inform future scaling of diabetes prevention and treatment interventions to reduce health disparities and improve diabetes-related outcomes.