Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Research Network
🏛 Health Resources and Services Administration (HHS-HRSA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research infrastructure institutions focused on children and youth with special health care needs. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, research hospitals, and organizations with proven research capacity in pediatric health. The program supports establishment of research networks to generate evidence-based solutions and measurement tools. Activities include research infrastructure development, intervention studies, and measurement development for children with medical complexity and their families.
This is a national program supporting federally-funded research infrastructure. Applicants must demonstrate institutional research capabilities and access to populations of children with special health care needs. The research should generate solutions applicable across the lifespan and support community participation.
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Key dates
- Aug 24, 2026 Applications open
- Mar 18, 2027 Application deadline in 194 days
- Aug 2, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The purpose of this program is to improve the lives of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), including those with medical complexity (CMC) and their families, by establishing and maintaining the research infrastructure needed to generate evidence-based solutions that help them thrive across the lifespan and participate fully in their communities. This research infrastructure will be used to better understand promising approaches for interventions and measurement for CYSHCN including measures related to well-being and engagement that could be integrated into services and supports that families need.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Cooperative Agreement application (standard HRSA format)
- Research infrastructure plan
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of partnerships with CYSHCN-serving organizations
- Budget and budget narrative
- Institutional commitment letters
Program contact
- 👤 Maternal and Child Heath Bureau
- 📧 cyshcn@hrsa.gov
- 📞 301-443-5692
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.110 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$53,495,269
-
$51,517,055
-
$47,831,055
-
$37,182,998
-
$30,109,677
-
$25,419,976
-
$17,859,999
-
$16,167,482
-
$15,667,860
-
$14,010,845
Top States by Funding
- DC 8 awards $142.1M
- MA 6 awards $106.6M
- MD 8 awards $71.7M
- OH 2 awards $58.9M
- NC 3 awards $43.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.110). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $274,459,189 | |
| 2025 | $265,688,703 | |
| 2026 est. | $185,664,902 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Academic institutions, research hospitals, and organizations with demonstrated research capacity focused on children with special health care needs. You must have institutional research infrastructure and access to relevant populations.
What is the deadline and funding amount?
The deadline is March 18, 2027. The award is a fixed cooperative agreement of $1,600,000 for the funding period.
What types of research activities are supported?
This grant supports research infrastructure development, intervention studies, measurement development, and evidence generation for children and youth with special health care needs and medical complexity.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required for this cooperative agreement.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a single-award program with one funding opportunity, making it highly competitive. Strong research credentials, clear infrastructure plans, and demonstrated experience serving this population are essential.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate robust institutional research infrastructure and capacity to support a national network focused on CYSHCN.
- Include partnerships with organizations serving children with special health care needs and their families.
- Clearly articulate how your research infrastructure will generate evidence-based solutions and measurement tools.
- Align your proposal with the lifespan approach and community participation goals outlined in the program.
- Show how your network will contribute to improving health outcomes and well-being for children with medical complexity.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak institutional research infrastructure or lack of demonstrated capacity in pediatric research with special populations. Vague or overly broad research aims that don't specifically address children and youth with special health care needs. Failing to show meaningful partnership with organizations serving CYSHCN families and addressing their identified needs.
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