Human Services Funding

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides a variety of grants to support health and human services initiatives. These grants release funding to programs and organizations that work toward improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities across the country. These grants can help your agency address health disparities better and promote access to quality health care, mental health, behavioral health, and other human services.

This article provides an overview of HHS grants and discusses how to improve your chances of securing human services funding. Whether you are a health care professional, researcher, or community organization leader, understanding the HHS grant process can help you obtain the resources you need to make a meaningful impact in your field.

Types of HHS Grants

HHS grants fund various programs, including research projects, health care facilities, and community organizations. Two main categories of HHS grants for human services funding exist: discretionary and mandatory grants.

Discretionary Grants

Organizations that have submitted an application to one of the HHS agencies receive discretionary award grants. These grants are highly competitive, and the application process is often complex and time-consuming. Three well-known HHS agencies provide discretionary grants:

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary federal agency for biomedical research in the United States. It funds research projects across various fields, including basic science, clinical research, and health services research. NIH grants are highly competitive, with success rates ranging from 10%-25%. Despite the competitiveness, the NIH is a significant funding source for researchers and health care organizations. The NIH annually awards more than $32 billion in grants to support research projects nationwide.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Grants

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency responsible for protecting public health and safety. It funds various public health programs, including disease surveillance, prevention, and response. CDC grants are also highly competitive, with success rates for grant applications ranging from 8%-12% in 2021. In 2022, the CDC awarded more than $9 billion in grants to support public health initiatives to more than 5,000 organizations nationwide.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grants

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency within the HHS that funds health care services for underserved populations. It offers grants to health care facilities and organizations that serve low-income individuals, rural communities, and other underserved populations. You can review HRSA grant award data by state, county, and program area. 

Mandatory Grants

Organizations can receive mandatory grants or formula funding based on predetermined criteria. One example of a formula funding grant is Medicaid, which provides funding to states based on a formula that considers the number of low-income individuals in each state. Unlike discretionary grants, mandatory grants are not subject to a competitive application process. Instead, they rely on the state and federal government relationship to open up funds for needy citizens.

Competitive Nature of the Federal Grant Process

The federal grant process is highly competitive, with many applicants vying for limited funding. Organizations with a track record of successfully implementing similar programs or receiving grants may be more likely to receive funding. Depending on the grant category, sometimes no new awards occur, or rates are closer to 1%-4%, depending on the agency and year. Although significantly more funds were available during the COVID-19 emergency, award rates in 2022 reflect more closely to prior years before the pandemic.

How to Be Successful in the Federal Grant Process

It’s essential to submit a very detailed and structured proposal to be successful in the federal grant process. Consider the following elements to maximize your chances of becoming an HHS grant recipient for human services funding:

• Hire a seasoned grant writer with a track record of successful applications.
• Start with a clear and concise summary, including the problem you are trying to solve, your approach, and expected outcomes.
• Describe your organization’s capacity, expertise, and the resources you have available to carry out the proposed project.
• Demonstrate the projected impact of your proposal by providing specific data and evidence, such as success stories, research findings, or case studies from similar work. 
• Note what other grants you’ve already received from HHS or other agencies and list some vital impacts from the funding received.
• Develop a realistic budget outlining how you will use the grant funds to achieve your project goals and expected outcomes.
• Ensure your proposal is well-written, error-free, and tailored to the funder’s requirements and preferences.

HHS grants are vital in improving population health and human services initiatives. Although the application process is highly competitive, you can increase your chances by choosing an employee or consultant with solid grant writing skills and collaborating to create a well-developed and high-quality project plan which shows how you will make a meaningful impact in the field.

If you’re looking for an analytics program for the human services field that can provide the data you need for your grant-writing efforts, discover what Foothold Technology offers. Our human services software can assist your agency with treatment planning, client tracking, case management, and more. Contact us to learn more.