Understanding the Notice of Funding Opportunity

General structure of CDC’s NOFO

Follow the detailed instructions in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and in the application guide carefully. In general, CDC's NOFOs follow a basic structure outlined below. This structure may change depending on the project and announcement.

Part 1: Overview includes information such as:

• Type of funding mechanism, i.e. grant or cooperative agreement
• Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) title and number
• Important application dates, i.e. Pre-application deadline, application deadline, informational conference call date
• Executive summary
• Expected number of awards
• Funding information (e.g., maximum, minimum amount per award)
• Approximate award date
• Cost-sharing and/or matching requirements

Part 2: Full Text includes information such as:

• Description of funding opportunity (e.g., proposed activities, purpose, resources)
• Award information
• Description of eligible applicant types
• Application and submission information
• Application review information
• Award administration information
• Agency contact information
• Other information
• Glossary

Types of CDC funding opportunities

CDC funds research and non-research grants and cooperative agreements.

The major difference between research and non-research lies in the purpose of the activity. The purpose of research is to increase scientific knowledge. The purpose of non-research in public health is to prevent or control disease or injury and improve health, or to improve a public health program or service.

A research grant or cooperative agreement provides funding to support investigatory projects to be performed by specific organizations in their areas of expertise. Research means a "systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge" (45 CFR 46.102(d)).

A non-research grant or cooperative agreement provides funding to support the agency's programmatic needs, such as HIV prevention projects and programs for children's immunization and vaccines. The purpose of the non-research activity is to identify and control a health problem or improve a public health program or service. Intended benefits of the project are primarily or exclusively for the participants (or clients) or the participants' community; data collected are needed to assess or improve the program or service, the health of the participants or the participants' community; knowledge that is generated does not extend beyond the scope of the activity; and project activities are not experimental.

For more information, visit CDC's policy on distinguishing research and non-research grants.