The grant opportunity titled "Formative Research of Community-led Primary Prevention Approaches to Address Elevated Risk of Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Violence" is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This initiative aims to build the evidence base for preventing intimate partner violence (IPV), teen dating violence (TDV), and sexual violence (SV) in communities facing heightened risks. The focus is on formative research of primary prevention approaches developed and implemented with significant community input, particularly from groups disproportionately affected by IPV and SV, such as racial/ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to support the early stages of research on community-led prevention policies, programs, or practices addressing IPV and SV. This involves assessing the design, implementation, and acceptability of prevention approaches and conducting pilot studies to evaluate their initial effectiveness. The selected approaches should address social determinants of health and operate at the community or societal level. The research must incorporate both formative and implementation evaluation components using mixed methods to measure factors like feasibility, appropriateness, reach, dosage, and fidelity.

The program has an estimated total funding of $2,250,000, with a maximum award ceiling of $375,000 per project. While there is no minimum award floor, all projects must include a pilot study to assess the preliminary efficacy of the prevention approach by evaluating changes in IPV or SV outcomes. This funding supports community-based, evidence-driven strategies aimed at reducing violence and building capacity for future rigorous evaluations.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, such as public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit entities (other than small businesses), Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and others), small businesses, independent school districts, and various state and local government entities. The grant also allows unrestricted applications, subject to clarifications in Section III of the full funding announcement.

Applications must include a detailed plan outlining the proposed research, its methodology, and how it addresses the stated objectives. Proposals should highlight the community-led nature of the approach, demonstrate its alignment with the needs of at-risk populations, and include both formative and implementation evaluation activities. Evaluation criteria will focus on the significance, innovation, and feasibility of the research, as well as the potential for scaling up the prevention approach in the future.

The application deadline is December 2, 2024, and all submissions must be completed electronically by 11:59 p.m. ET on that date. Projects should aim for a comprehensive approach to addressing IPV and SV, leveraging community partnerships and evidence-based methodologies.

Additional information can be found in the full announcement, and applicants can contact Mikel Walters at ncipc_erpo@cdc.gov for further assistance.