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FAQ: Primary Care Dental Faculty Development Program

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA 21-018

Funding Amount
Eligibility
Application Process
Trainees and Training
Budget and Budget Justification

Funding Amount

  1. The Primary Care Dental Faculty Development Program is a five-year program beginning in September of 2021. It includes up to $700,000 per year to create a Primary Care Dental Faculty Development Center. One application will be funded.

Eligibility

  1. If we decide not to apply to be the Center, will we be able to apply as a sub-award at a later time? 

    HRSA encourages you to reach out to the funded Center if you decide not to pursue this application. HRSA will not be overseeing the Center’s sub-award process.

  2. Our health center is a site for an accredited Advanced Education in General Dentistry program but we are not the entity that holds the accreditation. Are we eligible to apply?

    CODA-accredited entities are eligible to apply. If you decide to move forward, you’ll need a letter of support from the entity accredited by CODA detailing their contribution to the project, if any.

  3. We are a small public health dental clinic; we have one dentist and one hygienist. We have a school-based program as well. Are we eligible to apply or do you have to be a hospital type environment?

    You do not need to be a hospital environment to be eligible to apply for this award. Refer to Page 9 of the NOFO for more information. You need to be accredited by CODA before September 1, 2021.

Application Process

  1. Is there a phone number to call to speak with someone about questions specific to our program?

    Yes. For program questions related to this NOFO, please reach out to: 

    Jennifer Holtzman
    Email: jholtzman@hrsa.gov
    Phone: (301)-945-3368

    For fiscal questions, please contact:
    Denis Nikiema
    Email: dnikiema@hrsa.gov
    Phone: (301)-443-8007

    See page 35 of the NOFO for more information.

  2. Do subawards not need to be identified with this submission and will be selected as part of a selection process that the applicant identifies in the grant?

    No. Home institutions of the faculty participants do not need to be identified in this application.

  3. Are there any benefits to mention potential subawards in the application if we have previously worked with a partner/organization that we believe would be a good fit for a subaward?

    Independent reviewers are asked to use the criteria listed in the NOFO to score the applications. You’ll need to decide if mentioning those potential subawards would strengthen your application as you develop it.

  4. What is the minimum amount of subawards the Center must work with each year?

    The Center will need to have six faculty representing six different home institutions in each cohort. One of those faculty can be from the Center.

  5. While a planning year is permitted, how much detail should be presented in the grant application on a potential faculty development curriculum/content (also understanding you just shared there must be a customized approach for faculty trainees)?

    Refer to the NOFO’s description of the Review Criteria starting on page 25 to determine how much detail you should include in your application. Independent reviewers use those criteria to guide their evaluation of applications. 

  6. Can an applicant's submission focus on both primary care training for dentists and hygienists (either as separate programs under the Center or through an Interprofessional Education approach)?

    Yes. The Center could provide faculty development for both dentists and hygienists. Refer to the NOFO's objectives and review criteria as you develop your application.

  7. Given the unpredictability of COVID-19 precautions in the future, do the "face-to-face" meetings have to be in person or can they be virtual?

    HRSA’s expectation is that these weeklong sessions will be face-to-face though we understand that there may need to be changes. You will make those decisions in collaboration with your HRSA Project Officer.

  8. Junior faculty are defined as holding the rank of instructor or assistant professor rank in the NOFO. Beyond rank, do years of faculty service matter?

    Years of faculty service are not a criterion in determining eligible trainees.

    Note: Trainees must be within 10 years of having completed a:

    • Dental hygiene program
    • Dental school
    • Dental primary care residency

    Refer to page 10 of the NOFO.

  9. How many "HRSA and related stakeholder meetings" are anticipated, and will these be in-person or virtual?

    There are no stakeholder meetings scheduled at this time.

Trainees and Training

  1. Is there a definition for “career development activities” in the context of the Trainee’s 55 percent protected time? We want to be clear on what is permissible as career development activities under this grant.

    Trainees will draft an individual career development plan with the assistance of a mentor at their home institution. 

    The Center will review and offer input to strengthen the plan. The protected time ensures trainees can successfully implement their FD plans. 

    Examples of activities/skills targeted for inclusion are listed (1-6) beginning at the bottom of page 2 of the NOFO (PDF - 505 KB).

Budget and Budget Justification

  1. Should travel be a part of the trainee sub-awards?

    No. $700,000 is available to the Center in Year 1 for startup activities and $450,000/year is sub-contracted in Years 2-5. The remaining $250,000/year in years 2-5 is available to the Center to support the travel, personnel, supply, and indirect expenses. 

  2. Can one purposely build into the Year 01 budget a carryover (that would then require a prior approval)? 

    We recommend that you do not budget for a carryover. HRSA expects that you will spend the funds budgeted for a particular year, in that year. We generally offer flexibility on an individual basis at the end of each budget period depending on the circumstance. 

  3. Is HRSA expecting specific takeaways for faculty trainees (i.e., a certificate, fellowship, etc.?)

    Trainees are expected to “have developed the ability to:

    1. Identify and leverage existing faculty development training and resources available to their home institution.

    2. Lead dental health care transformation in primary care settings such as community health centers.

    Refer to page 2 of the NOFO for more information. 

  4. I read each Trainee’s institution will be given a sub award of $75,000 and that this amount is not included in the $700,000 annual award. Is this correct?

    No. The $700,000 includes the $75,000 for each trainee sub-award in years 2-5.

  5. Please clarify if trainee salary and fringe can be paid for by this grant.

    Yes. Home institutions’ subawards of $75,000 can be used to support their faculty trainee.

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