Request for Proposals: The Power of Policy: Innovation to Improve Health

Request for Proposals: The Power of Policy: Innovation to Improve Health

Win up to $40,000 for your health department’s innovative policy idea!

The American Public Health Association is excited to announce a policy contest for health departments, The Power of Policy: Innovation to Improve Health. The purpose of the contest is to advance the development of innovative public health policy strategies, in particular those that aim to eliminate health inequities; and to strengthen health departments’ capacity to use policy approaches. This contest is made possible through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Public Health Improvement Initiative (NPHII), which assists health departments with increasing their capacity and identifying, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating best or promising practices in key areas, including public health policy. More information about NPHII can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ostlts/nphii/.

U.S. health departments at all levels of government (state, territorial, local, tribal,) are eligible to apply for funding, and they may apply in partnership with non-profits. Between five and eight health departments will receive awards ranging from $25,000 to $40,000 to develop, implement, and/or evaluate an innovative policy approach to a critical public health problem, with a focus on reducing health inequities and building policy capacity. Winners, along with a summary of all submitted policy ideas, will be announced through APHA meetings, publications, and social media. A non-binding e-mail of intent is due January 18, and applications are due January 31, 2012. Awards are expected to be announced by the end of February and awardees will have until October 31, 2012 to use the funding.

RFP Issue Date: December 14, 2011

Questions: Questions about this request should be submitted to Sondra Dietz at powerofpolicy@apha.org no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on January 10, 2012.

Answers will be posted on a rolling basis at http://www.apha.org/programs/cba/CBA/policycontest/ and no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on January 13, 2012.

Non-binding Email of Intent: Applicants must send an email to powerofpolicy@apha.org with the subject line “Intent to Apply” no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on January 18, 2012. The email must include the applicant organization name, a contact person at the organization, and the potential policy issue the project will address.

Submission: Proposals are due by 5 p.m. EST on January 31, 2012, and should be submitted via email to powerofpolicy@apha.org.

Any proposals received after the stated date and time will not be considered.

Anticipated Date of Award Notification: February 24, 2012

Period of Performance: February 24, 2012 – October 31, 2012