General Request for Public Policy Research Proposals The March of Dimes Office of Government Affairs uses data and findings from policy research to inform the Foundation’s advocacy efforts on behalf of pregnant women, infants and children. Our efforts include sponsoring relevant policy research as well as learning from research efforts funded by others.
Requests for proposals (RFPs) from policy researchers are in development on an ongoing basis. Interested researchers should keep watching this page for the latest RFPs. For more information about the March of Dimes policy research activities, researchers should contact Director, Public Policy Research. The Foundation seeks to fund the research of individuals or organizations/entities (“Researchers”) for projects related to public policy issues affecting health care for pregnant women, infants and children (“Projects”). Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
The availability, distribution and scope of health insurance coverage for pregnant women, infants and children.
Health care services for children with special health care needs.
Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and other public programs insuring pregnant women, infants, and children.
Federal and state policies and programs to prevent birth defects, including public and professional education and birth defects surveillance programs.
The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, Healthy Start, WIC, newborn screening, and other federal and state programs providing services to pregnant women, infants and children.
Public policy issues related to genetics, including public and professional education and health insurance and employment issues.
The relationship between health insurance coverage and the health of pregnant women, infants, and children.
How the changing health care delivery system affects health care for pregnant women, infants, and children.
Public policy issues affecting not-for-profit foundations (e.g., tax policies, requirements related to lobbying and other advocacy activities.)
Nature of Projects Considered Projects considered for funding may involve analysis of existing data, conduct of original surveys, preparation of case studies, or development of a scope of work for a large-scale study.
Scope of Funding The Foundation will fund Projects for amounts not to exceed $25,000. Foundation funding for a Project may be combined with other funding obtained by Researcher from other appropriate funding resources.
Use of Project Funds Researchers may use Foundation funding for the Project (“Project Funds”) for Project staff salaries, consultant fees, data purchase, data processing, office operations, and other direct expenses associated with the conduct of the Project. Project Funds may not be used to deliver or finance health care services, construct or renovate facilities, purchase equipment, or for any such other expenses or activities which may conflict with the Foundation’s policies or mission. Researchers may not subcontract, assign, or otherwise transfer to any third party (individual or entity/organization) the Project, or responsibilities in whole or in part therefor, without obtaining the prior written consent of the Foundation.
Who May Apply Researchers with relevant research proposals may apply for funding. Priority will be given to new Researchers who, in the two years prior to application, have completed an advanced degree in public health, public policy, economics, or other fields, or are in the process of completing such a degree. The Foundation will accept proposals from both not-for-profit and private sector Researchers. The Foundation reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to decline to review any proposal it may receive.
Proposal Process Researchers seeking funding should submit a proposal to the Foundation, which includes the following information:
A description of the proposed research project which identifies that project’s objectives, data sources, methodology and hypotheses, and include a statement as to how the research project will add to knowledge on issues important to the Foundation’s mission.
The amount of funding requested.
A detailed project budget and schedule/timetable.
Qualifications of project staff, including education, work experience, publications, and other research projects underway. Individuals seeking funding as new researchers should include professional references. If funding is sought by an organization/entity, information on the organization/entity and a contact person must be provided within on the proposal.
Other current or pending sources of funding for the project, if any.
A signed acknowledgment letter confirming Researcher’s receipt, understanding and agreement to the conditions of this request for proposals (“RFP”), inclusive of the Foundation’s Policies and Instructions for Public Policy Research Project Funding, which is incorporated into this RFP and made a part hereof (see links below).
The Foundation may respond to the Researcher’s initial proposal by approving the proposal, requesting revisions to the proposal, requesting a more detailed proposal, declining approval of the proposal, or declining to review the proposal.
Proposals will be reviewed by Foundation staff and a technical advisory committee. The disbursement of the award of Project Funds will be made by the Foundation to the Researcher through installment payments.
Timing Proposals will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis.
Foundation Contact Interested Researchers should contact: Director, Public Policy Research, Office of Government Affairs, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 1146 19th Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20036. E-mail address: ppr@marchofdimes.com.
