Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DD 18 001
Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS) II is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding opportunity designed to continue and strengthen large, population-based case-control research aimed at understanding why birth defects and stillbirths happen. It builds on two major prior efforts: the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), which covered births from 1997 to 2011, and BD-STEPS I, which began with births in 2014 and remains ongoing. The central goal of BD-STEPS II is to identify causes and risk factors for birth defects and stillbirths using epidemiologic and genetic research methods, then translate those findings into practical public health prevention messages that can reduce risk in real-world settings.
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning awardees would be expected to work closely with CDC rather than operate entirely independently. The program is structured around two connected funding components. Component A, called BD-STEPS II Core, is the foundational piece. It is intended to support and expand the epidemiologic and genetic research capacity of the Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention (CBDRP) through continued implementation of the BD-STEPS approach. Under Component A, funded sites are expected to carry out the same basic BD-STEPS study design already used by existing grantees, with targeted emphasis on three priority areas: maternal chronic diseases and how they are treated, infectious diseases during pregnancy, and medication exposures. BD-STEPS II also adds a sharper focus on infectious causes of birth defects compared with prior work, and it introduces pilot activities to test whether validating reported medication use is feasible (for example, exploring ways to confirm medication exposure information rather than relying only on participant recall). Both new research sites and current BD-STEPS sites are encouraged to apply for this core component.
Component B, called BD-STEPS stillbirth, is an additional but related effort focused specifically on stillbirths and modifiable risk factors. The intention is to conduct a case-control study examining factors associated with stillbirth by using the BD-STEPS II Core interview and adding a follow-up interview. This would involve interviewing mothers affected by stillbirths as well as mothers of live births, allowing researchers to compare exposures and circumstances between groups in a consistent, structured way. A key requirement is that Component B is only available to applicants who submit a responsive application for Component A and are selected for Component A funding. In other words, Component B cannot stand alone; it is layered on top of the BD-STEPS II Core work. As with Component A, both new and existing BD-STEPS sites are eligible and encouraged to apply if they can meet the study and infrastructure expectations.
Administratively, the opportunity is issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is listed under Funding Opportunity Number RFA DD 18 001 with CFDA 93.073. It is categorized as discretionary health funding, open to unrestricted eligible applicants (with eligibility ultimately subject to details in the full announcement). The grant posting was created on December 21, 2017, with an original application deadline of February 20, 2018, and electronic applications due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. CDC anticipated making about six awards, with an award ceiling of $1,100,000. Overall, BD-STEPS II is positioned as a continuation and enhancement of longstanding national birth defects research infrastructure, aiming to produce clearer evidence on preventable causes and actionable public health guidance for pregnancy-related exposures linked to birth defects and stillbirths.Apply for RFA DD 18 001
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS) II" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.073.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 21, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 20, 2018 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 500 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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BD-STEPS II Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is BD-STEPS II?
Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD-STEPS) II is a CDC funding opportunity intended to continue and strengthen large, population-based case-control research to better understand why birth defects and stillbirths happen.
What is the main goal of BD-STEPS II?
The central goal is to identify causes and risk factors for birth defects and stillbirths using epidemiologic and genetic research methods, and to translate findings into practical public health prevention messages that can reduce risk in real-world settings.
What prior studies does BD-STEPS II build on?
BD-STEPS II builds on two major prior efforts: the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), which covered births from 1997 to 2011, and BD-STEPS I, which began with births in 2014 and remains ongoing.
What type of funding mechanism is this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning awardees are expected to work closely with CDC rather than operate entirely independently.
How is the BD-STEPS II program structured?
The program includes two connected funding components: Component A (BD-STEPS II Core) and Component B (BD-STEPS stillbirth).
What is Component A (BD-STEPS II Core)?
Component A is the foundational component. It is intended to support and expand the epidemiologic and genetic research capacity of the Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention (CBDRP) through continued implementation of the BD-STEPS approach.
Who is encouraged to apply for Component A?
Both new research sites and current BD-STEPS sites are encouraged to apply for Component A.
What study design is expected under Component A?
Funded sites are expected to carry out the same basic BD-STEPS study design already used by existing grantees, with emphasis on specific priority areas identified for BD-STEPS II.
What are the priority focus areas under Component A?
Component A emphasizes three priority areas: maternal chronic diseases and how they are treated, infectious diseases during pregnancy, and medication exposures.
How does BD-STEPS II differ from prior work regarding infections?
BD-STEPS II adds a sharper focus on infectious causes of birth defects compared with prior work.
Does BD-STEPS II include any new pilot activities?
Yes. BD-STEPS II introduces pilot activities to test whether validating reported medication use is feasible, such as exploring ways to confirm medication exposure information rather than relying only on participant recall.
What is Component B (BD-STEPS stillbirth)?
Component B is an additional, related effort focused specifically on stillbirths and modifiable risk factors. It is designed to conduct a case-control study examining factors associated with stillbirth.
How would the stillbirth study interviews work under Component B?
Component B would use the BD-STEPS II Core interview and add a follow-up interview, involving interviews with mothers affected by stillbirths as well as mothers of live births to compare exposures and circumstances in a consistent, structured way.
Can an applicant apply for Component B only?
No. Component B is only available to applicants who submit a responsive application for Component A and are selected for Component A funding. Component B cannot stand alone.
Who is eligible to apply for Component B?
Both new and existing BD-STEPS sites are eligible and encouraged to apply for Component B if they can meet the study and infrastructure expectations, but only if they also apply for Component A and are selected for Component A funding.
Which federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA DD 18 001.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.073.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as discretionary health funding.
Who can apply (at a high level)?
The listing indicates it is open to unrestricted eligible applicants, with eligibility ultimately subject to details in the full announcement.
When was the grant posting created?
The grant posting was created on December 21, 2017.
What was the application deadline?
The original application deadline was February 20, 2018.
What time were electronic applications due on the deadline date?
Electronic applications were due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
How many awards did CDC anticipate making?
CDC anticipated making about six awards.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is $1,100,000.
What is the broader purpose of BD-STEPS II in public health terms?
BD-STEPS II is positioned as a continuation and enhancement of longstanding national birth defects research infrastructure, aiming to produce clearer evidence on preventable causes and generate actionable public health guidance related to pregnancy exposures linked to birth defects and stillbirths.
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