NIMH Outreach Partners Solicitation Process

NIMH Seeks Proposals for Outreach Partners

NIMH is soliciting proposals for its Outreach Partnership Program from organizations in 22 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Non-profit organizations that conduct outreach focused on mental health are invited to submit proposals. Organizations with experience in mental health disparities as defined by race or ethnicity, age (e.g., children, adolescents, transitional age youth, older adults), education or income, disability status, geographic location, risk status related to sex and gender, and among other populations identified to be at-risk for health disparities such as immigrants, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI), and military service members and their families are encouraged to apply.

Applicants are selected as NIMH Outreach Partners through a competitive review process, and receive an annual award of $7,500 for one (1) year with a renewable option for two (2) subsequent years to: a) disseminate NIMH research and educational materials statewide; b) conduct science-based outreach project(s) addressing mental health disparities; and c) promote involvement in NIMH and National Institutes of Health research. Participation in the Outreach Partnership Program provides organizations with numerous opportunities to stay abreast of the latest advances in mental health research, interact with leading researchers in the field, and provide input about the mental health needs in their state. Other Program benefits include networking opportunities with state and national organizations, sponsored participation in an annual meeting, educational teleconferences, and dedicated access to NIMH publications.

Important Dates

  • June 4, 2013, 10:00 AM (ET): Solicitation posted
  • June 21, 2013: Deadline for submitting inquiries
  • July 23, 2013: Response to inquiries posted
  • August 22, 2013: Proposals due
  • End of 2013: Outreach Partner selection
  • January 2014: Outreach Partner awards announced

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations must:

  • be located and have a mailing address in one of the locations listed in the 2013 Solicitation;
  • be a non-governmental tax exempt organization and/or a state or local higher education institution, with non-profit status, under any section of the United States tax code;
  • meet the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity requirements;
  • have an active record in the System for Award Management (https://www.sam.gov/sam/), formerly referred as Central Contractor Registration;
  • demonstrate financial stability.

Questions about the Solicitation

The deadline for sending questions about this solicitation was June 21, 2013. Questions received in response to this solicitation and their responses will be posted on this webpage on July 23, 2013. To keep the process as fair as possible, NIMH will not respond to questions submitted after the June 21 deadline.

How to Apply

  • Read the full Program Solicitation. (PDF, 20 pages)
  • Review all required Proposal Questions.
  • Register or update your organization’s record in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. Have the organization’s Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) available when accessing SAM and preparing your proposal.
  • Gather the following documents:
    • Cover letter signed by an officer of the applicant organization with the authority to commit the organization to the proposal contents.
    • Copy of the letter from the Internal Revenue Service confirming the organization’s non-profit status.
    • Copy of the organization auditor’s opinion letter.
    • Copy of the organization’s Federal Equal Employment Opportunity policy.
    • Resume for the Primary Contact Person.
    • Resume for the Backup Contact Person.
    • Letter(s) of commitment from researcher(s) if a relationship is established.
  • Submit proposal online via the NIMH Outreach Partner Proposal System by August 22, 2013.

Proposals will be accepted through online submission only.

Assistance on Submitting Proposals

Archived Solicitation

Future Solicitations Planned

NIMH plans to release solicitations for Outreach Partners in the following states and regions:

  • 2014: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and New York City, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Texas Border Area, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin
  • 2015: Southern California and Central/Northern California

To be added to a list to be informed when future solicitations are released, please email NIMHPartners@mail.nih.gov.

More information about the Program
List of Current Outreach Partners