Submission Logistics
Where do I upload my submission?
Submissions must include a 3-5 page concept paper and a submission form, as described on the website (PDF - 322 KB). Email both documents to MCHBP4Challenge@hrsa.gov by no later than March 15, 2021 by 5:00 PM ET.
Will priority be given to applications submitted earlier than March 15?
No.
Are multiple submissions allowed?
Multiple submissions are allowed, but each one must be a unique approach, sufficiently differentiated, and in compliance with the Challenge Requirements. Only one prize may be awarded per team.
Can I compete in Phase 2 of the Challenge if I didn’t apply or win Phase 1?
No. The Challenge is structured so that Phase 2 builds upon the potential from Phase 1. Only Phase 1 winners may participate in Phase 2.
Are contestants already receiving HRSA funding eligible to apply? Are Federally Qualified Health Centers eligible?
Yes, HRSA grant recipients, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), may apply if they also meet the eligibility criteria listed on the P4 Challenge website. Grant recipients may not use Federal funds to develop COMPETES Act challenge applications for this prize competition.
Specific guidance on FQHCs: HRSA recognizes that many FQHCs are HRSA Health Center Program grant recipients, and as such, are not Federal employees or entities. Such FQHCs may participate in this competition subject to certain restrictions. First, grant recipients may not use Federal funds to develop COMPETES Act challenge applications for this prize competition. In addition, if an FQHC grant recipient wins the competition, the award needs to be treated as program income for purposes of the original grant in accordance with applicable OMB Circulars. Also, there are several specific COMPETES Act eligibility requirements with which all entities must comply in order to participate, including requirements relating to liability and insurance, as noted on the P4 website. Applicants who comply with these requirements are eligible to participate in the challenge. Further information about the requirements for participation in this COMPETES Act challenge is available on the P4 Challenge website.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Please email MCHBP4Challenge@hrsa.gov. In fairness to all potential contestants, we may post the answer to your question(s) online on this FAQ page.
Submission Requirements
Do solutions need to address both immunizations and well-visits, or one of the two?
Innovative approaches must increase access to and utilization of well-child visits and/or immunizations in a community. Submissions are not required to address both.
Will MCHB provide a universal measure for the required baseline establishment, or can teams use internal data to determine baseline and improvement?
Teams will establish their own baseline in their Phase 1 submissions. MCHB will not provide any universal measures or benchmarks. Teams must set their baseline using their own data and data available to them. In Phase 2, Teams must show improvement over time against that baseline.
Do I need to submit budget information? Are there limits to the budget, such as indirect rates?
A budget is not required for submission. Contestants are not limited to using the $10,000 prize funding in implementing their innovation in Phase 2.
Can submissions contain pictures related to the innovation?
Pictures and diagrams can be included in the concept paper, as long as the paper does not exceed the 3-5 page limit.
Are the "maximum lengths" for each section in the submission requirements mandatory or suggested?
The maximum lengths listed in the submissions requirements section are just suggestions. Teams will not be penalized if a particular section goes longer than the suggested length, as long as the entire proposal does not exceed the 5 page limit.
Would serving a specialized population in a unique clinical setting disqualify a contestant, since a goal of the Challenge is to replicate success?
No. A goal of innovation Challenges is to harness unique ideas. All applications meeting the submission requirements will be considered.
Is the P4 Challenge targeting specific age ranges and/or specific immunizations? Is there a recommended number of children contestants should aim to target to be competitive?
The goal of the P4 Challenge is to increase well-child visits and immunizations for children from birth to age 21. Teams can target age groups and/or immunizations based on who they already serve, where they feel improvement is needed, and where they have potential for the most impact.
MCHB does not recommend any specific number or population size.
Must visits and immunizations occur in a pediatric practice or could they occur in a school-based clinic or a community setting, such as a school-based health center?
As long as the concept paper reflects the integration of a primary care provider who delivers health services to children, the specific practice setting is not dictated.
Creating a Team
Can submissions come from individuals and/or organizations?
Both are acceptable. Please see the eligibility requirements listed on the website covering both individuals and organizations. The P4 Challenge is dictated by the America COMPETES Act, which states that applicants who represent a private entity shall be incorporated and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. An individual, whether participating alone or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Please note that there are tax implications for citizens who receive prize money.
What must a contestant provide to demonstrate partnership? Are partnerships required?
Submissions can include up to two pages of letters of support to demonstrate partnership, in addition to the 3-5 page concept paper. The support letters can capture multiple partnerships. Partnerships are encouraged but not required.
Are letters of support required or just encouraged?
Letters of support are not required, but are encouraged and will help verify the partnership proposed in the Phase 1 submission.
Will HRSA/MCHB help recruit partners or are contestants expected to do this?
Contestants will need to identify and engage partners on their own. If a team indicates in its concept paper that it needs technical assistance in finding a partner to implement its solution, MCHB may be able to share an applicant organization’s information to help identify a partner, but there is no guarantee that a partner will be identified. Note that partnerships are encouraged but not required.
The Challenge website states that eligible contestants, “Must be submitting on behalf of or in partnership with a primary care provider.” Does this refer to an individual or an organization?
This statement refers to any individual or any entity that delivers primary care to children.
Can one partner serve as a partnering organization on multiple unique applications?
Yes. Each proposal will be judged on its own merits and the approach unique to the community it is targeting.
After You Apply
How will winners be selected for Phase 1?
Following the Phase 1 close date, the Federal Judges will review compliant submissions according to the Phase 1 selection criteria listed on the P4 website. Successful applicants will be notified and progress to Phase 2.
What should the Phase 1 and 2 funding be used for?
The P4 Challenge is a prize competition where prizes are awarded for the best ideas and most effective solutions. Solvers who receive prize money are not required to report how they use the funds.
Do teams retain intellectual property ownership?
Each team retains title and full ownership of their submission. Contestants expressly reserve all intellectual property rights not expressly granted under the Challenge agreement. By participating in the Challenge, each contestant hereby irrevocably grants to HRSA a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license and right to reproduce, publicly perform, publicly display, and use the submission to the extent necessary to administer the Challenge, and to publicly perform and publicly display the submission, including, without limitation, for advertising and promotional purposes relating to the Challenge.