Rigorous Impact Evaluation of Programs to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and Achieve Optimal Health – AH-TP2-26-001: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Applications are due on Thursday, July 23, 2026, by 6 p.m. ET.

No. Since this is a competitive funding announcement, OPA cannot provide input regarding the content of individual grant applications and is therefore unable to answer questions specific to the content of an application.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the NOFO and should put forward the best proposal the organization can create based on application and evaluation criteria published in the announcement.

Any amendments, updates, or Q&A documents will be posted on Grants.gov for this opportunity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to subscribe to this opportunity on Grants.gov to receive automatic notifications of any updates. The opportunity can be found on Grants.gov.

Yes, the Authorized Official and Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) may be the same person. The NOFO does not indicate otherwise. As a reminder, only one PD/PI will be named on any resulting award. You should clearly identify the individual in that role in your application. You must also register an authorizing official for your organization. 

There is no restriction on an individual's eligibility to be Project Director (PD)/Principal Investigator (PI) on an application. However, we will not make an award with a PD/PI who has an active government-wide exclusion, suspension, or debarment recorded in SAM.gov.

Any public or private entity is eligible to apply.

Additional examples of eligible organizations include:

• Any public or private entity located in a State [which includes one of the 50 United States, District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, the Federated State of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau (hereafter, States)] is eligible to apply for a grant under this announcement. Faith-based organizations and American Indian/Alaska Native/Native American (AI/AN/NA) organizations are eligible to apply. Examples of eligible Organizations can be found on pages 2-3 of the NOFO.

Grants are awarded to organizations rather than individuals. An application may be submitted by an individual authorized to act/sign for an organization and to assume the obligations imposed by the grant and any additional conditions of the grant. However, the award will not go directly to an individual but to the organization which the individual represents.  

Yes. Groups may form a consortium, partnership, or other legally recognized entity for the purpose of applying for this opportunity and carrying out any awarded project. The resulting entity must exist and be legally recognized when it applies and must have an active registration in SAM.gov. We will conduct a risk assessment on the applying entity (Section G.4) prior to making any award.

Yes, an organization can submit an application to more than one NOFO. Each NOFO is different, and organizations should check the eligibility and expectations of each individual NOFO to determine whether or not to apply. HHS/OASH/GAM will deem each application submitted by an entity eligible according to the eligibility information included in the specific NOFO.

You may submit more than one application, but each application must be for a distinctly different project.

If you submit multiple applications for the same project, we will accept only the last application submitted a Grants.gov timestamp that is before the due date and time. We will disqualify all other versions of the application. See Section G.1.b for all disqualification factors.

An organization may submit more than one proposal for this funding opportunity if each of the proposals submitted by the organization is for a unique project. The NOFO does not restrict an organization or Principal Investigator (PI) to a single award, therefore, a PI may be awarded multiple cooperative agreements under this NOFO if the multiple proposals submitted are successfully awarded.

However, If you submit multiple applications for the same project, we will accept only the last application submitted a Grants.gov timestamp that is before the due date and time. We will disqualify all other versions of the application. See Section G.1.b for all disqualification factors.

Your total application (i.e., the Project Narrative plus Appendices) must not exceed 100 pages. The following items do not count toward the Project Narrative page limit: all required forms, including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL, Project Abstract Summary, and Budget Narrative (including budget tables).

Your Project Narrative must not exceed 50 pages. The following items do not count toward the Project Narrative page limit: all required forms, including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL, Project Abstract Summary, and Budget Narrative (including budget tables).

No, but the Appendices do count toward the page limit for your total application. Your total application (i.e., the Project Narrative plus Appendices) must not exceed 100 pages. The following items do not count toward the Project Narrative page limit: all required forms, including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL, Project Abstract Summary, and Budget Narrative (including budget tables).

No. The budget package — including the SF-424A and the budget narrative with tables — does not count toward the 50-page Project Narrative limit or the 100-page combined Project Narrative + Appendices limit.

No. Required standard forms and the Project Abstract Summary are excluded from the page limits.

Yes. Tables within the project narrative may be single-spaced, but the text of the project narrative itself must be double-spaced. Tables must still be easy to read.

Yes. Documents such as resumes, CVs, organizational charts, and MOUs/MOAs/LOCs may use formatting common to those document types, including single-spacing, as long as the pages are easy to read.

Do not add your own page numbers. The grants management system will automatically generate page numbers after submission.

Do not include a table of contents in your project narrative or appendices.

Acceptable formats include Adobe PDF (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), and image files (.jpg, .gif, .tif, .bmp). Excel files, compressed files (e.g., .zip, .rar), and password-protected files are not acceptable. OPA strongly recommends converting all files to PDF before submission.

No. Reviewers are not permitted to follow external links during their assessment of your application. All information relevant to the review must be contained within the page limits of the application. The only exception is a link to internal controls within the budget package.

A letter of commitment specifies the named organization's role, the resources it will provide, and the activities it will undertake in support of the project. It also describes the organization's expertise, experience, and access to the target population. A letter of support is general in nature — it expresses belief in the applicant's capability and may indicate interest in future collaboration but lacks specificity. Letters of support will not be considered during review.

Submit only letters of commitment for organizations that will play a specific role in the project.

If available at the time of submission, you should submit formal, written agreements such as MOUs, MOAs, LOC, contract, etc. for each partner (or one signed agreement with all partners) and include specific roles, responsibilities, resources, and contributions of partner(s) to the project. If applicable and available at the time of application, include in your appendices any formal, written agreements (e.g., MOUs) from the developer/purveyor/copyright holder of the intervention indicating that you have permission to use and to make any changes to materials. (Changes may include those to ensure medical accuracy, age-appropriateness, and alignment with applicable OASH priorities, for example.) Formal agreements must detail the specific role and resources that the partner will provide, or activities that the partner will assume, in support of the project. It should also describe the organization’s expertise, experience, and access to the targeted population(s).

No, unless a written exemption has been granted by the Grants Management Officer. To obtain an exemption, you must request one via email from GAM point of contact Eric West at Eric.West@hhs.gov. Your request must provide details as to why you are technologically unable to submit electronically through Grants.gov. You should submit your request at least 4 business days prior to the application deadline to ensure we can review your request at least 2 business days before the deadline. See page 32 of the NOFO for more information.

SAM.gov registration can take 2–3 weeks or longer during periods of high volume, plus an additional 24–72 hours to synchronize with Grants.gov. OPA strongly recommends beginning registration immediately and no later than 30 days before the deadline, with a target of completion at least 15 days before the deadline.

No. All award decisions, including the level of funding, if an award is made, are final and you may not appeal.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

No. OPA expects to fund awards in 12-month budget periods for a total period of performance up to 60 month(s). However, we may approve shorter periods of performance. Budget periods may vary from the estimated 12 months because of the timing of award issuance or other administrative factors.

For multi-year projects, recipients must submit a non-competing continuation (NCC) application for each budget period after the first. We anticipate offering a competing continuation for a third year for the purpose of providing funding to support selected recipients as they transition projects to sustainability. Continuation funding is contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, appropriate stewardship of federal funds, and the best interests of the government.

The NOFO defines body literacy as "the ability to understand how the body functions in a state of health, including knowledge of reproductive anatomy, physiology, and hormonal patterns, and to interpret biological signals to support informed decision-making, self-awareness, and long-term physical, mental, and reproductive well-being.” (p. 66).

Please be sure to review the Glossary (Section K.3). There you will find the definitions that federal staff and an independent review panel will use to assess all eligible applications.

The NOFO states, “Recipients are expected to incorporate sexual risk avoidance (SRA) education as a component of program delivery […] Programs should draw on SRA curricula and frameworks that provide developmentally appropriate instruction on the risks associated with adolescent sexual activity, the benefits of delay, and strategies for resisting social pressure. SRA content should complement body literacy education by reinforcing connections between sexual decision-making, hormonal health, emotional well-being, and future reproductive outcomes.” (p. 9-10)

The NOFO further states, "Applicants should incorporate sexual risk avoidance (SRA) education as a component of program delivery. This may include, but is not limited to, fostering understanding of anatomy and physiology, healthy relationships, delay of sexual initiation, and personal agency in decision-making.” (p. 46)

Since this is a competitive funding announcement, OPA cannot provide input regarding the content of individual grant applications and is therefore unable to answer questions specific to the content of an application. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the NOFO and should put forward the best proposal the organization can create based on application and evaluation criteria published in the announcement.

The NOFO states, “The TPP grant recipients should ensure transparency and respect for parental rights by providing parents or guardians advance notice of program content, materials, and activities, and offer meaningful opportunity to review such materials. Recipients should also provide a clear and accessible process for parents to opt their children out of any specific content or activities, particularly those related to sexuality, that may burden their religious exercise or conflict with sincerely held beliefs.” (p. 8)

The NOFO further states, "Ensuring transparency and upholding parental rights: The intervention incorporates clear, proactive strategies to ensure transparency with parents and guardians. Applicants should describe processes for providing advance notice about program content, materials, and activities in a manner that is accessible and understandable. Applicants should also outline a clear and accessible process that allows parents to opt their children out of any specific content, particularly those related to sexuality, that may burden their religious exercise or conflict with sincerely held beliefs. Applicants should describe how these processes will be communicated, documented, and implemented consistently across settings.” (p. 46-47)

Since this is a competitive funding announcement, OPA cannot provide input regarding the content of individual grant applications and is therefore unable to answer questions specific to the content of an application.  Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the NOFO and should put forward the best proposal the organization can create based on application and evaluation criteria published in the announcement.

We expect recipients to address limitations, bias, and possible threats to internal and external validity within their studies. Recipients should conduct their studies through a credible and neutral process, which includes, at a minimum, evaluation staff who do not have a conflict of interest and can remain independent of the intervention. We strongly encourage use of an independent, external evaluator. (p. 13)

Under Section G.2 - Merit Review Criteria (p. 27), applications will be assessed on "The extent to which the applicant clearly describes how they would conduct the study in a credible and neutral manner, including at a minimum, evaluation staff who do not have a conflict of interest and can remain independent of the intervention."

We anticipate that recipients will collect survey data at baseline, at one short-term follow-up (e.g., between 0 months-1-year post-intervention), and at one long-term follow-up (e.g., 9 months or more post-intervention). Recipients should justify any additional data points proposed beyond these three points and discuss feasibility and necessity with us after receiving the award (i.e., during the planning period). (p.12)

Studies must measure program impacts on at least one measure of sexual risk behavior or its health consequences. The eligible outcome domains are "(1) sexual activity, including initiation of sexual activity, frequency of sexual activity, and voluntary delay or abstinence; (2) number of sexual partners; (3) STIs or HIV; (4) pregnancies; (5) parental/caregiver engagement; (6) parental/caregiver-child emotional closeness; (7) sexting; (8) substance use; and (9) pornography use." (p.79) The NOFO also notes (p. 79) that "In addition to these outcomes, studies may include the following intermediate outcome domains, which support informed decision-making and long-term health: (10) body literacy and reproductive health knowledge...and (11) reproductive goals and future-oriented decision-making." However, "Measures within domains (10) and (11) are considered intermediate outcomes and are not sufficient on their own to demonstrate program effectiveness. To be eligible, studies must include at least one outcome from domains (1) through (9)." (p.79)

Appendix B of the NOFO notes, “An observer ideally should be independent from the implementation, familiar with the program model, and may be an internal or external evaluator, supervisor (program director, program coordinator), or a program partner."

All interventions proposed for evaluation under this initiative should already have compelling, positive preliminary evidence from previous research and demonstrated support from previous participants and communities. (p.2). Preliminary evidence is data from studies such as formative or implementation evaluation that suggest the innovation could have an impact on the specific behavioral outcomes of interest. (p.68)

“Age-appropriate” content assures that topics and themes are appropriate for the age group and other specific characteristics of the target audience. All program content must be suitable for the developmental stage of the intended audience and support healthy, informed decision-making, including promoting delayed sexual initiation as a behavior associated with reduced teen pregnancy.

Medically accurate materials and instruction are expected to be grounded in current, evidence-based scientific and clinical knowledge, and be within the scope of TPP statutory requirements to prevent teenage pregnancy. When materials provide information on widely prescribed medications for sexual and reproductive health, for example, the information should reference potential health risks to support minors and their parents or guardians in informed decision-making, which may include a desire to consult with their healthcare provider.

Appendix E (p.103) outlines the following key deliverables expected during the first 12 months of funding:

• Within 1 month of funding - Confirm that the project does not duplicate other programming already offered within proposed sites or communities.
• Within 6 months of funding - Have finalized formal, written agreements (memorandum of understanding/agreements, contract, etc.) with all key partners and subrecipients.
• Within 9 months of funding - Conduct a materials review to ensure that all materials delivered to study participants are medically accurate and age appropriate.
• Within 10 months of funding - Pilot-test intervention materials.
• Within 12 months of funding - Finalize intervention materials; Complete OPA-provided components checklist; Have a data collection plan; Finalize detailed evaluation design; Obtain any necessary Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals; Have all project staff trained to successfully execute the project."

Additionally, page 12 of the NOFO identifies the following deadlines beyond Year 1 of the project:

• Within 15 months of funding - Register study with an online registry such as clinicaltrials.gov.
• In the third year of funding (Year 3) - Finalize analysis plan.
• Final 6-9 months of the project period - Conduct data analysis and reporting.
• End of project period - Submit to OPA complete electronic package of the final implementation-ready intervention, including updated components checklist.

Cooperative agreements are a form of assistance that allows for substantial involvement between federal program office and the recipient during the project period.

The NOFO further specifies what that substantial programmatic involvement from OPA may include which can be found on page 16 of the NOFO.

In this NOFO, body literacy is defined as the ability to understand how the body functions in a state of health, including knowledge of reproductive anatomy, physiology, and hormonal patterns, and to interpret biological signals to support informed decision-making, self-awareness, and long-term physical, mental, and reproductive well-being.

TPP grant recipients should ensure transparency and respect for parental rights by providing parents or guardians advance notice of program content, materials, and activities, and offer meaningful opportunity to review such materials. Recipients should also provide a clear and accessible process for parents to opt their children out of any specific content or activities, particularly those related to sexuality, that may burden their religious exercise or conflict with sincerely held beliefs. These three main elements of providing advance notice of materials to parents and guardians; offering meaningful opportunity for parents and guardians to review first; and having in place a clear process for parents and guardians to opt their child out of content or activities should also be implemented for funded projects that occur outside school hours or in a non-school setting. (p. 8-9)

Per pages 9-10 of the NOFO, in addition to body literacy education, recipients are expected to “incorporate sexual risk avoidance (SRA) education as a component of program delivery. SRA education provides adolescents with clear, evidence-informed information about the health and social benefits of avoiding sexual activity during adolescence, and supports young people in developing the knowledge, skills, and motivation to make risk-avoidance decisions consistent with their long-term well-being. Programs should draw on SRA curricula and frameworks that provide developmentally appropriate instruction on the risks associated with adolescent sexual activity, the benefits of delay, and strategies for resisting social pressure. SRA content should complement body literacy education by reinforcing connections between sexual decision-making, hormonal health, emotional well-being, and future reproductive outcomes."

As of January 2026, the Executive Level II salary cap is $228,000. No award funds may be used to pay an individual's salary at a rate exceeding this amount. This applies to the recipient and all subrecipients.

Yes. Subrecipient costs are included under the Contractual object class category. You must provide a detailed budget and narrative for each named subrecipient. If subrecipients will be selected post-award, describe the nature of the work to be transferred, estimated costs, and your selection process.

Funding levels for all approved budget periods after the first are generally the same as the initial award amount and may be subject to an offset with funds unused in the previous budget period.

Applicants must provide a detailed budget for Year 1. For subsequent budget years, applicants should provide a summary narrative and line-item budget for each year beyond the first. For categories or items that differ significantly from the first budget period, a detailed justification explaining these changes should be provided.