Advancing Violence Epidemiology in Real-Time (AVERT)

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) integrates work funded through the previous CDC funding opportunity: Firearm Injury Surveillance Through Emergency Rooms (FASTER) (CDC-RFA-CE20-2005). This funding opportunity, Advancing Violence Epidemiology in Real-Time (AVERT) (CDC-RFA-CE23-0007), will continue work focused on increasing the comprehensiveness and timeliness of surveillance data on emergency department (ED) visits for all firearm injuries (regardless of intent), while adding new work focused on the near real-time surveillance of other violence-related injuries and mental health conditions. Applicants can apply for additional funds to implement one or both optional activities: implementation of at least one data linkage project and development of a local, multisectoral partnership for Real-Time Data to Inform Response, Engagement, Collaboration, and Tailored (REDIRECT) prevention activities. The AVERT NOFO also aims to ensure data are used to facilitate prevention and response strategies in areas and populations of greatest need. Recipients must implement two strategies: Increase the timeliness of aggregate reporting of ED visits for firearm injuries (regardless of intent), other violence-related injuries, and mental health conditions. Disseminate surveillance findings in a timely way to the public and key partners working to prevent or respond to violence. The continued support of this NOFO beyond year one is subject to the availability of funds.

Government Organizations:State governments or their bona fide agents (includes the District of Columbia)Local governments or their bona fide agentsTerritorial governments or their bona fide agents in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.Section 392(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended [42 USC § 280b-0(a)(1)]Per the program’s statutory authority, only the types of entities listed are eligible to apply: Eligible entities include state governments or their bona fide agents (includes the District of Columbia), local governments or their bona fide agents, territorial governments or their bona fide agents in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Further, eligible applicants must submit a letter of support (LOS) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from their NSSP Investigator or the staffing unit that manages the authorization process for users to access NSSP ESSENCE confirming their data eligibility and coverage. Applicants are required to submit the LOS/MOU as PDFs with their application and must name this file “Required LOS/MOU Confirming NSSP ESSENCE data eligibility and coverage.”Applications that do not meet these criteria will be considered non-responsive and will not move forward for review. Only one award will be given per state to avoid duplication of data submission efforts. States are encouraged to collaborate with local health departments within their state to increase their syndromic surveillance system coverage at the time of application.