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Discretionary Grants Information System (DGIS)

We collect data to see how our programs are performing, what they are achieving, and what gaps remain. Discretionary awardees report performance information into our electronic data management system, DGIS, which resides in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHB).

What is a discretionary grant?

A grant is money, property, or direct help we award to a qualified non-federal entity (NFE). There are two types of grants:

  • Mandatory – When the law requires the grant goes to a specific entity. Example: The Title V MCH Block Grant must go to state governments.
  • Discretionary – When the grantor can decide which entities get the grant. We select the grantee based on their application.

Our discretionary grants address issues ranging from autism to emergency medical services for children to vision screenings. The State Title V MCH Block Grant is a mandatory grant for state governments.

What kind of information do awardees report?

They report a range of information from the goals of their program to the types of activities they conduct to how many people they reach.

The type of information we ask awardees to submit complements the information we gather about the State Title V MCH Program. That helps us measure the outcomes and impact between these two sets of programs.

All awardees report:

  • Financial data
  • Demographics
  • Grant impact
  • Quality improvement
  • Health equity

Depending on the type of program, awardees will report additional data. That information will be specific to other things we measure such as health insurance coverage, scientific publications, and depression screening, to name just a few.

How do we use the data in DGIS?

We analyze the data that awardees report to DGIS. This information helps us make improvements to our programs’ policies and practices and allows us to monitor grantee progress toward goals. We report on the performance of programs, separately, as well as in aggregate.

Where can I access proposed updates to DGIS forms?

The next set of updates to DGIS forms has been approved by OMB and will go live in DGIS on August 1, 2024. For a short video that provides a high-level overview of the updates, please see the video following the form links.

Access the full package of approved updated forms (PDF - 3 MB)

Basic Forms (PDF - 286 KB)
Topical Forms (PDF - 228 KB)
Activity Forms (PDF - 534 KB)
Outcome Forms (PDF - 314 KB)
Program Specific Forms (PDF - 867 KB)
Form 10 (PDF - 275 KB)

Background: In 2022, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau piloted redesigned DGIS performance measure forms to select discretionary grantees who provided an estimated time burden and general feedback for each DGIS form they pilot tested. This informed the final set of forms that underwent 60- and 30-day public comment periods via the Federal Register and subsequently received OMB approval. This nine-minute video provides a high-level overview of the redesigned performance measure forms.

Where can I access current DGIS forms?

Any DGIS report created on or after May 4, 2023, contains the updated forms as shown below. For questions, please contact your project officer.

Discretionary Grant Performance Measures (PDF - 1 MB)

To request access to historical DGIS data prior to FY2017 please contact the HRSA Contact Center:

For non-HRSA users (such as grantees):
Contact: HRSA Contact Center
Time: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
Monday – Friday
Phone: 877-Go4-HRSA/877-464-4772
Contact us: EHB Contact Center

For HRSA users (such as project officers):
Contact: DGIS Tier 2 Support
Time: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
Monday – Friday
Closed all federal holidays
Phone: 301-443-2112
Email: HRSAEHBTier2Support@hrsa.gov

Note: If you use assistive technology, you may not be able to fully access information in these files. For assistance, contact HRSA Grants and Electronic Handbooks Contact Center or call 877-464-4772 (TTY: 877-897-9910), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday (except federal holidays).

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