Request for Applications (RFA) 24-10180
Increasing Vaccine Confidence Among California Communities

California​ Department of Public Health (CDPH) Immunization Branch (IZB) intends to award a total of $1.53 million in grant funds to at least 5 qualified organizations (maximum of $306,000 each) for the purpose of increasing vaccine confidence in California priority populations. At least one will be a project focused on Californians living in rural communities. The grants will be awarded in Fall 2024. Project activities and deliverables must be completed by June 30, 2025. See timeline below.

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from eligible entities (EEs) to develop and implement local projects to improve COVID-19 vaccine confidence with the overarching goal to increase vaccination rates among priority populations in California with low COVID-19 vaccination rates. Based on surveillance data, priority populations include those in underserved, hard-to-reach communities such as: rural, Latinx, Black / African American, and Native American communities; immigrants and refugees; migrant farmworkers; people with disabilities; people experiencing homelessness; and those living in zip codes located in Healthy Places Index (HPI) Quartile 1, among others. While COVID-19 is a requirement of this RFA, applicants are encouraged to include activities that also support other routine immunizations such as seasonal influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Projects must address the following RFA objectives:

• Increase the number of priority population community members who express vaccine confidence as it relates to COVID-19 (required) and RSV and/or flu (optional).
• Increase the number of priority population community members who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations (required) and RSV and/or flu (optional).

Projects should incorporate the following priorities:

• Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for the selected priority population(s).
• Integrate social, medical, educational, and support services provided to affected population(s).
• Utilize best practices and evidence-based approaches; those that have been shown to be effective within the selected priority population(s).
• Be innovative; involve the application of new ideas or promising practices that address the needs of priority populations.

Eligibility

Eligible Entities (EEs) include but are not limited to: (1) any Community-Based Organization located within any Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) in California, (2) Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other community clinics, (3) any non-profit organization located within California, and (4) Multi-County Entities (MCEs). EEs must have the capacity to fulfill the programmatic and administrative requirements of the grant and the ability to reach these hard-to-reach populations in their community. Entities may partner with other agencies or organizations to deliver any element of the proposed project, including providing vaccinations. Similarly, applicants may be administrative only and subgrant elements of the project to smaller, specialized organizations. The applicant entity assumes all responsibility for partner entities, subgrantees, and their work.

Applicant, partner, and subgrantee entities must be in good standing with CDPH, which means that the organizations may not have any prior letter of correction, written notice of breach, or inadequate performance on a current or previous contract or grant relationship with CDPH. CDPH reserves the right to request additional supporting materials to verify good standing.

Grant Award and Award Period

The award period will extend until June 30, 2025, from the grant start date.

RFA Time Schedule​​

Application Materials

Instructions needed to complete your application are included in the RFA linked below.

• 24-10180 RFA CA Communities (PDF)​: Details and application materials

The materials you must complete and submit as your application are linked and/or described below. All attachments must be submitted as individual PDFs using the following naming convention: “RFA_24-10180_Attachment_#_Applicant_Name.pdf.” For example: “RFA_24-10180_Attachment_1_ABC_Clinic_Inc​.pdf.” Applicant Name should reflect the full legal name. For example, if the licensed name of an agency is “Trinity Community Healthcare Center Inc.,” all documents must include that full name and not a shortened version such as “Trinity Health.”​

• Attachment 1: Application Checklist​ (PDF) – Identifies all application submission requirements. (Required)
• Attachment 2: Application Cover Sheet Template (PDF)– Identifies key applicant contact information and must be signed by an official authorized to enter into a grant agreement on behalf of the EE. (Required)
• Attachment 3: Project Synopsis Template (PDF) – For applicant to provide a one-page synopsis that summarizes the key elements of the project. Project Synopsis should include applicant name, total amount requested, a list of partner organizations (if applicable), and a project description which includes population and geographic region served, project activities, and how project will achieve objectives. (Required)
• Attachment 4: Budget Form Template (Word) – For applicant to provide and explain their proposed project budget and the total amount requested. (Required)
• Attachment 5: Application Narrative Template​ (PDF) – Questions that prompt applicants to describe and explain their organization and project. (Required)
• Project Workplan and Timeline – Draft a workplan and estimated project timeline and submit along with your application. (Required)
• Organization Certification – Submit evidence that your organization and if applicable, partner organization(s) is/are qualified to do business in and has a physical presence in California. Examples include: a current California Secretary of State certification, a California business license, an IRS 501(c)(3) letter showing a California address, or evidence of current insurance in California for each entity. (Required)
  
• Letters of Support – Include letters of support from project partners and/or referral entities. (Only include if applicable.)​
  

Applications must be submitted via e-mail to VaccineConfidenceRFA@cdph.ca.gov with the subject line “CA Communities RFA Application” by the deadline indicated in the RFA Time Schedule.

Questions and Troubleshooting

If you have issues accessing any of the documents, please email VaccineConfidenceRFA@cdph.ca.gov with the subject line “​CA Communities RFA Question” and we can send you the documents directly.

Please submit any questions regarding the RFA to VaccineConfidenceRFA@cdph.ca.gov with ​the subject line “CA Communities RFA Question” by the deadline identified in the RFA Time Schedule.

Please report any problems or suspected errors in the RFA as soon as possible to VaccineConfidenceRFA@cdph.ca.gov.

Resources

​RFA Frequently Asked Questions​

RFA Grants to Improve Vaccine Confidence

Underserved​ Population Brief​​