Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center Cooperative Agreement
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations that operate or support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems with pediatric readiness capacity. Applicants must be nonprofits, universities, state/local health departments, or other eligible institutions with expertise in emergency medicine and pediatric care. The cooperative agreement funds work to improve EMS readiness for children across participating states and regions. Activities include technical assistance, training development, quality improvement initiatives, and coordination of pediatric EMS standards.
Key dates
- Feb 17, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 15, 2026 Application deadline in 13 days
- Jun 30, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
This grant is for organizations that operate or support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems with pediatric readiness capacity. Applicants must be nonprofits, universities, state/local health departments, or other eligible institutions with expertise in emergency medicine and pediatric care. The cooperative agreement funds work to improve EMS readiness for children across participating states and regions. Activities include technical assistance, training development, quality improvement initiatives, and coordination of pediatric EMS standards.
Program description
The Emergency Medical Services for Children National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center (EMSC NPRCC) demonstration program will work to assess and expand “Pediatric Readiness” in hospital emergency departments (ED) and pre-hospital emergency medical services (EMS) systems. Because children have unique physiological, emotional, and developmental characteristics, specialized emergency care is needed. Pediatric Readiness ensures that every EMS and fire-rescue agency and ED has the pediatric-specific leadership, competencies, policies, equipment, and other resources needed to provide high-quality emergency care for children, no matter where they live, attend school, or travel in the United States.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations that operate or support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems with pediatric readiness capacity. Applicants must be nonprofits, universities, state/local health departments, or other eligible institutions with expertise in emergency medicine and pediatric care. The cooperative agreement funds work to improve EMS readiness for children across participating states and regions. Activities include technical assistance, training development, quality improvement initiatives, and coordination of pediatric EMS standards.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative and Work Plan
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capability and past performance documentation
- Letters of commitment from key state EMS partners
- Evidence of organizational fiscal capacity
Program contact
- 👤 HRSA/MCHB
- 📧 mchbguidance@hrsa.gov
- 📞 240-800-7959
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.127 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$22,300,000
-
$15,807,309
-
$5,047,072
-
$4,949,035
-
$4,899,996
-
$4,899,995
-
$4,899,503
-
$2,940,398
-
$2,794,435
-
$2,100,000
Top States by Funding
- UT 3 awards $23.3M
- TX 3 awards $18.2M
- OH 4 awards $11.0M
- NY 3 awards $9.0M
- CA 3 awards $7.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.127). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $21,176,712 | |
| 2025 | $21,146,999 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this cooperative agreement?
Nonprofits, universities, state health departments, and established EMS organizations with demonstrated pediatric emergency medicine expertise typically qualify. You must have organizational capacity to work across multiple states and coordinate with EMS systems.
What is the primary focus of this funding?
The grant supports the national coordinating center that improves pediatric readiness in EMS systems nationwide. Funding covers coordination, training, technical assistance, and implementation of evidence-based pediatric EMS standards.
What types of activities are supported?
Eligible activities include developing training curricula, providing technical assistance to states, coordinating quality improvement initiatives, and disseminating best practices for pediatric emergency care in EMS.
How competitive is this funding?
This is a highly selective cooperative agreement. Applicants need strong existing networks, demonstrated EMS expertise, and a clear plan for national impact.
What is the typical funding level?
Cooperative agreements in this program typically fund multiyear national coordination centers. Specific funding amounts vary; review the full NOFO for current estimates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Show existing relationships with state EMS offices and pediatric emergency medicine networks before applying. A strong partnership structure is essential.
- Demonstrate concrete experience managing national or multistate EMS improvement initiatives. One-state examples will not be competitive.
- Develop a detailed sustainability plan showing how the coordinating center will maintain impact beyond the grant period.
- Highlight your team's specific expertise in pediatric emergency medicine, EMS operations, and implementation science.
- Align your proposed activities directly with current national EMS readiness standards from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate the need for established multistate partnerships and broad EMS system relationships. Generic pediatric emergency care experience without specific EMS operational knowledge is insufficient. Weak coordination plans or unclear roles among partner organizations often result in rejection.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- CLOSING SOON FY27 Housing Counseling & Education (HCE) — Virginia Housing Development Authority
- ROLLING Highly Rural Transportation FO FFY 2026 — North Dakota Veterans Affairs
- OPEN 2026 JAG/SCIP Innovation — Iowa Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy
- OPEN FY27 RFP REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL COMPSCS27025 Marketing and Advertising Services — Iowa Department of Health and Human Services