Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative for Communities and Municipalities

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) titled "Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative for Communities and Municipalities" (Solicitation Number: 2025-RFA-463), aimed at addressing the state's high infant mortality rate, which stands at 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births—significantly exceeding both the national average and the Healthy People 2030 target. The RFA, posted on December 9, 2025, offers $250,000 in federal funding through subgrants, provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to eligible entities. The initiative seeks proposals focused on data-driven, evidence-based interventions targeting primary causes of infant death such as low birthweight, congenital malformations, and sudden unexpected infant deaths, while also incorporating social determinants of health like income, insurance status, housing, and access to healthcare. Applicants must submit detailed project narratives, budgets with justifications, and demonstrate organizational and programmatic experience to address these complex health disparities. The period of performance extends from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, with financial obligations to be fully invoiced by February 1, 2027. The initiative employs a Pay for Performance funding model, incentivizing measurable improvements in infant health outcomes through activities including prenatal care access, tobacco cessation, nutrition education, and community outreach programs such as "Count the Kicks" and doula services. Compliance with federal cost principles under 2 CFR § 200 and HHS regulations ensures proper accountability for allowable costs, excluding personnel salaries for full-time staff or capital expenditures. The evaluation of proposals emphasizes organizational capacity as well as technical and programmatic merit, with an application deadline of January 8, 2026, submitted electronically via the MSDH OpenGov portal. Contract administration, reporting, and acceptance are managed by MSDH, which retains oversight and risk assessment authority, enforcing conflict of interest disclosures, audit and certification requirements, and adherence to evidence-based public health standards throughout the grant period.