TBI Funding Opportunity Announcement

Development and Evaluation of Sports Concussion Prevention Strategies

CDC recently released funding opportunity RFA-CE-17-002: Development and Evaluation of Sports Concussion Prevention Strategies. This opportunity will provide recipients with resources and support to develop and pilot test a new intervention, or rigorously evaluate an existing intervention, in order to advance the prevention of concussions among young athletes participating in youth sports programs.

CDC’s Injury Center intends to commit approximately $3,300,000 to fund up to two applications for this FOA for a period of three years. The proposed social and behavioral interventions are expected to address one or more components of the social-ecological model, go beyond education and communication messaging, and incorporate one or more of the following types of approaches:

• Focus on decreasing aggressive or unsportsman-like play or behavior.
• Incorporate policies and rules that limit physical contact between athletes and/or sports-specific activities that place athletes at increased risk for concussion.
• Assess supervision/coaching strategies or approaches and their influence on concussion prevention.
• Change social norms related to outcomes such as concussion reporting and management.
• Address and/or incorporate peer-to-peer, parent-athlete, and/or coach-athlete influences on concussion reporting behaviors.
• Assess rule and practice changes and mechanisms for improving identification, management and follow-up of suspected concussions.
• Increase the likelihood that parents, coaches, and/or athletic trainers take immediate action to remove athletes from play when concussion is suspected, and to seek medical evaluation when necessary.

To achieve widespread changes in protecting young athletes from concussion, there needs to be a coordinated approach to improving the culture regarding concussion prevention, recognition, and response. This approach should be grounded in research and done in partnership with all who play a role in this effort.

Important Dates

• Pre-Application Teleconference Call: January 5, 2017
• Call Time: 2-3 pm EST
• Toll-Free Number: 855-644-0229
• Conference ID: 8636049#
• Letter of Intent Due Date: January 19, 2017
• Application Due Date: March 2, 2017

The funding opportunity announcement can be found at www.grants.gov. Note that amendments to the announcement focus and application dates are possible. Please check for updates on www.grants.gov.

CDC’s research and programs work to prevent Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and help people to better recognize, respond, and minimize the consequences of TBI. Working with states and other partners, CDC supports evidence-based strategies to prevent TBI and promote healthy lifestyles that can improve the quality of life for people living with TBI.