Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Research and Evaluation Grants

This program provides federal funds for research and evaluation activities that increase knowledge about the implementation and effectiveness of projects funded through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program. MIECHV was created to support voluntary, evidence-based home visiting for pregnant women and families with young children up to kindergarten entry. The current research program will add to the evidence base and improve the implementation and effectiveness of home visiting projects implemented across different contexts and communities. Projects funded under this program include the Reflective Supervision Measurement Awards and the Tribal Early Childhood and Family Economic Wellbeing Research Center. The objectives of the Reflective Supervision Measurement Awards are to research, evaluate, and inform reflective supervision practices in early childhood home visiting programs. The objectives of the Tribal Early Childhood and Family Economic Wellbeing Research Center is to conduct relevant and actionable research, evaluation, and measurement of programs early childhood and family economic wellbeing projects in Native communities, including MIECHV.

Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity.

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity.

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process.

After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson.

While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions.

We will also consider projects that best meet the needs of the program goals (as described in the program description section) and the needs of ACF. This may mean prioritizing applications that complement or fill gaps in ACF’s current research portfolio.

ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients.

Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.