The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Office on Women’s Health (OWH) is seeking innovative ways to increase breastfeeding initiation and/or continuation rates and decrease disparities among breastfeeding mothers in the United States through the HHS Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding Innovation Challenge.
Subject and Scope of Prize CompetitionThe program must demonstrate evidence-based interventions to target gaps in breastfeeding education, instruction, and/or support for breastfeeding mothers in the United States. The program will be shared with the general public.
The competition has three phases. All eligible submissions will be evaluated, and separate prizes may be awarded for each of the three phases.
Key DatesPhase 1: Identification of successful programs
Open September 30, 2020 through October 30, 2020.
Phase 1 submissions are due by October 30, 2020, 11:59 pm EST.Judging for Phase 1 will occur from October 31, 2020 through November 20, 2020.
Finalists that move into Phase 2 will be awarded by November 21, 2020.
Phase 2: Awarding plans for sustainability and replication and/or expansion
Competition occurs September 29, 2021 through October 30, 2021.
Phase 2 submissions are due by October 30, 2021, 11:59 pm EST.
Judging for Phase 2 will occur from October 31, 2021 through November 20, 2021.
Finalists that move into Phase 3 will be awarded by November 21, 2021.
Phase 3: Awarding the programs that have successfully replicated and/or expanded
Competition occurs September 29, 2022 through October 30, 2022.
Phase 3 submissions are due by October 30, 2022, 11:59 pm EST.
Judging for Phase 3 will occur from October 31, 2022 through November 20, 2022.
Finalists will be awarded by November 21, 2022.
PrizesTotal Prize Awards Available
Total Awards: $800,000 in FY20 funds.
Prize Breakdown
Phase 1 FY20 (Identification of successful programs): Up to 15 submissions may be selected to each receive a prize of up to $15,000.
Phase 2 FY21 (Awarding plans for sustainability and replication and/or expansion): The participants selected to receive a prize for Phase 1 may compete for consideration to receive a prize in Phase 2. Up to 10 submissions may be selected to each receive a prize of up to $30,000.
Phase 3 FY22 (Awarding programs that have successfully replicated and/or expanded): The participants selected to receive a prize in Phase 2 may compete for consideration to receive a prize in Phase 3. Up to 5 submissions may be selected to each receive a prize of up to $55,000.
All winners will be notified via email.
Awardees will be expected to present their program for Office on Women’s Health staff and members of the public at the end of each award phase. This presentation may be virtual or in-person and prize funds are expected to be used to facilitate this presentation.
For rules, eligibility, background and more,
go to the website.
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