Opportunity Information: Apply for PA EAA 17 001
The FY17 Announcement of Anticipated Availability of Funds for the Embryo Donation and/or Adoption Grant (Funding Opportunity Number PA EAA 17 001) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (CFDA 93.007). It was created to address a basic gap: even though embryo donation/adoption has become more medically successful over the last decade and can be comparable to standard IVF outcomes, public understanding and practical access still lag behind. The program frames embryo donation as the situation where individuals with unused frozen embryos agree to release them so another woman can attempt pregnancy, either through an anonymous arrangement or one where the donor and recipient know each other. The central purpose of the grant is to increase awareness of this family-building option and reduce the real-world barriers that keep infertile individuals and couples from using it.
The announcement invites applications for two broad kinds of projects, and organizations can choose one track or combine both in a single proposal. The first track is public awareness: projects meant to educate the general public and/or professional audiences about embryo donation/adoption using traditional media, advertising, and newer formats like online content and blogging. Applicants are expected to show that the people designing and delivering messaging actually understand the full embryo donation/adoption process and have experience communicating it responsibly. The notice also encourages applicants to weave in Reproductive Life Planning concepts, meaning messaging that helps people think intentionally about goals for the number and spacing of children and the resources and health planning needed to reach those goals. A major emphasis within the awareness track is correcting persistent myths seen in traditional and social media, such as misconceptions about embryo viability over time, using up-to-date medical, legal, and social science literature. Applicants are encouraged to cite evidence describing potential medical, financial, and psychological advantages of embryo adoption as an alternative path to family building, and to clearly explain their strategy for designing, targeting, and implementing the awareness campaign. The notice highlights certain professional groups where better understanding could have an outsized impact, especially attorneys and gynecology/reproductive health professionals.
The second track focuses on administrative and/or medical services for people currently involved in embryo donation/adoption or likely to become involved soon. In this funding notice, counseling is explicitly treated as a medical service. Administrative services are defined more broadly as the practical supports that help patients and couples navigate non-medical obstacles such as legal complexity, financial barriers, policy questions, and other logistical hurdles. The notice is clear that training professionals to deliver these administrative or medical services is also an eligible activity under the services track. Applicants are expected to describe, in detail, how they will assist couples through the embryo donation/adoption process and to propose service delivery approaches that measurably increase the ability of couples to donate or adopt embryos. Projects aimed at increasing the proportion of existing frozen embryos made available for donation/adoption are considered acceptable.
A repeated theme in the services track is earlier intervention. The announcement pushes applicants to "front load" counseling and information so people learn about embryo donation/adoption earlier in their infertility journey, ideally before they commit to IVF. The logic is that earlier, well-designed counseling can help individuals and couples weigh advantages and disadvantages in a more informed way and can normalize embryo donation/adoption as a realistic option rather than an afterthought. For this reason, the notice strongly encourages projects that develop new approaches within gynecologic medical practices to integrate counseling and information earlier. The program also allows for practical support models such as a call-in center that provides specific information about relevant state and federal policies and practices tied to frozen embryo transfer, which would help people move from vague interest to actionable next steps.
Because embryo donation/adoption is described as a rapidly developing field with differing professional attitudes and expectations, the notice places significant weight on training and evidence-based practice. It notes that potential donors often have limited knowledge and limited access to decision-support information, and may benefit from structured information, peer connections, and supportive networks. The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) expresses interest in helping potential donors by training professionals to provide supportive services grounded in the current and emerging evidence base. Successful applicants are expected to incorporate evidence-based information throughout training design, delivery, and evaluation, and to demonstrate real experience running and evaluating training programs. They also need to show they can train diverse groups effectively and translate research and professional standards into practical, role-appropriate instruction.
The training component can cover a wide range of audiences involved in embryo donation/adoption, including gynecologists and reproductive medicine physicians, nurses, embryologists, IVF clinic staff, embryo storage facility staff, family practice lawyers, adoption counselors, ethicists, and social workers. Training topics are expected to reflect the complexity of embryo donation/adoption, including medical, legal, psychosocial, ethical, and practical issues for both donors and recipients. The notice also signals that training should be built to match the participants skill levels and professional roles, and it anticipates that appropriate continuing education credits will be offered when relevant. Distance learning can be included, and the number and type of training offerings should be justified by a needs assessment.
The opportunity includes important compliance and fairness requirements. Any services funded under the grant must be delivered consistent with 42 CFR 59.5(a)(4), meaning services must be provided without regard to religion, race, color, national origin, handicapping condition, age, sex, number of pregnancies, or marital status. Applicants are expected to show familiarity with professionally recognized medical and legal standards related to embryo donation/adoption and to demonstrate credible experience working with donor and recipient populations. Proposed service approaches should be economically feasible, equitable, and ethically sound, and applicants are encouraged to build rigorous evaluation into the project so outcomes can be measured and learned from. Organizations already operating relevant service programs are encouraged to apply, as long as they can meet all requirements and demonstrate the capability to deliver the proposed work.
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement, and both faith-based and community-based organizations may apply if they meet eligibility rules. However, the notice draws firm boundaries around religion-related activities: grant funds cannot support inherently religious activities such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization, and any such activities must be separate in time or location and entirely voluntary. In addition, recipients of grant funds may not discriminate against current or prospective beneficiaries based on religion or religious belief, lack of belief, or refusal to participate in religious practice.
Finally, the funding notice includes strict limits related to compensation and human tissue. Grant funds cannot be used to pay for human tissues or anything that could be interpreted as compensating donors for the donation of human tissues. It also states that reimbursing an embryo donor for already accrued storage fees is not an acceptable practice under this program. In terms of basic funding parameters, the announcement was posted December 28, 2016, with an original closing date of March 28, 2017. The expected number of awards was five, with an award ceiling of $300,000 per award.Apply for PA EAA 17 001
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY17 Announcement of Anticipated Availability of Funds for Embryo Donation and/or Adoption Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.007.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 28, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 28, 2017 No Explanation. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Embryo Donation and/or Adoption Grant (FY17) - FAQs
What is the Embryo Donation and/or Adoption Grant?
This is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, listed under CFDA 93.007. The FY17 announcement is titled "Announcement of Anticipated Availability of Funds for the Embryo Donation and/or Adoption Grant" and uses Funding Opportunity Number PA EAA 17 001.
Why was this grant program created?
The program was created to address a gap between medical progress and real-world access: embryo donation/adoption has become more medically successful over the last decade (and can be comparable to standard IVF outcomes), but public understanding and practical access still lag behind. The grant aims to increase awareness and reduce barriers that keep infertile individuals and couples from using embryo donation/adoption.
How does the announcement define embryo donation/adoption?
The notice describes embryo donation as a situation where individuals with unused frozen embryos agree to release them so another woman can attempt pregnancy. This can happen through an anonymous arrangement or through an arrangement where the donor and recipient know each other.
What are the main goals of the funded projects?
The central purpose is to increase awareness of embryo donation/adoption as a family-building option and reduce real-world barriers (medical, legal, financial, logistical, and informational) that limit its use by infertile individuals and couples.
What types of projects are supported by this funding opportunity?
The announcement invites applications for two broad kinds of projects: (1) public awareness projects and (2) administrative and/or medical services projects. Applicants may choose one track or combine both tracks in a single proposal.
What is the public awareness track?
The public awareness track funds projects intended to educate the general public and/or professional audiences about embryo donation/adoption. The announcement mentions approaches including traditional media, advertising, and newer formats such as online content and blogging.
What does the announcement expect from public awareness messaging?
Applicants are expected to show that the people designing and delivering messaging understand the full embryo donation/adoption process and have experience communicating it responsibly. The notice also emphasizes correcting persistent myths in traditional and social media using current medical, legal, and social science literature.
Are applicants encouraged to include Reproductive Life Planning concepts in awareness campaigns?
Yes. The notice encourages applicants to weave in Reproductive Life Planning concepts, described as messaging that helps people think intentionally about goals for the number and spacing of children and the resources and health planning needed to reach those goals.
What kinds of myths or misconceptions is the program trying to correct?
The announcement specifically references persistent myths seen in traditional and social media, including misconceptions about embryo viability over time. Applicants are encouraged to address these myths with up-to-date evidence from medical, legal, and social science literature.
Which professional groups are highlighted as important audiences for awareness efforts?
The notice highlights attorneys and gynecology/reproductive health professionals as professional groups where better understanding could have an outsized impact.
What is the administrative and/or medical services track?
This track supports services for people currently involved in embryo donation/adoption or likely to become involved soon. In this funding notice, counseling is explicitly treated as a medical service. Administrative services include practical supports that help patients and couples navigate non-medical obstacles such as legal complexity, financial barriers, policy questions, and other logistical hurdles.
Is counseling an eligible cost or activity under this grant?
Yes. The notice explicitly treats counseling as a medical service under the services track.
Are projects that train professionals eligible under the services track?
Yes. The announcement states that training professionals to deliver administrative or medical services is an eligible activity under the services track.
What does the notice mean by "earlier intervention" or "front loading"?
The services track emphasizes earlier intervention by "front loading" counseling and information so people learn about embryo donation/adoption earlier in their infertility journey, ideally before committing to IVF. The rationale is that earlier counseling can help individuals and couples weigh advantages and disadvantages in a more informed way and normalize embryo donation/adoption as a realistic option rather than an afterthought.
Does the grant encourage integrating counseling into gynecologic practices?
Yes. The notice strongly encourages projects that develop new approaches within gynecologic medical practices to integrate counseling and information earlier.
Can a project include a call-in center or hotline-type model?
Yes. The program allows practical support models such as a call-in center that provides specific information about relevant state and federal policies and practices tied to frozen embryo transfer, intended to help people move from vague interest to actionable next steps.
Are projects that increase the proportion of existing frozen embryos made available for donation/adoption allowed?
Yes. The notice states that projects aimed at increasing the proportion of existing frozen embryos made available for donation/adoption are acceptable.
How important is evidence-based practice in this opportunity?
The notice places significant weight on training and evidence-based practice, describing embryo donation/adoption as a rapidly developing field with differing professional attitudes and expectations. Applicants are expected to incorporate evidence-based information throughout training design, delivery, and evaluation.
What does the notice say about potential embryo donors needs?
The announcement notes that potential donors often have limited knowledge and limited access to decision-support information. It suggests they may benefit from structured information, peer connections, and supportive networks, and it expresses interest in training professionals to provide supportive services grounded in current and emerging evidence.
What experience must applicants demonstrate for training components?
Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate real experience running and evaluating training programs. They must also show they can train diverse groups effectively and translate research and professional standards into practical, role-appropriate instruction.
Who can be trained under this grant?
The training component may cover a wide range of audiences involved in embryo donation/adoption, including gynecologists and reproductive medicine physicians, nurses, embryologists, IVF clinic staff, embryo storage facility staff, family practice lawyers, adoption counselors, ethicists, and social workers.
What topics should training address?
Training topics are expected to reflect the complexity of embryo donation/adoption, including medical, legal, psychosocial, ethical, and practical issues for both donors and recipients.
Does training need to be tailored to participants roles and skill levels?
Yes. The notice signals that training should be built to match participant skill levels and professional roles.
Are continuing education credits mentioned?
Yes. The announcement anticipates that appropriate continuing education credits will be offered when relevant.
Is distance learning allowed?
Yes. The notice states that distance learning can be included.
Is a needs assessment required for training plans?
The notice says the number and type of training offerings should be justified by a needs assessment.
What non-discrimination requirements apply to services funded by this grant?
Services must be delivered consistent with 42 CFR 59.5(a)(4), meaning services must be provided without regard to religion, race, color, national origin, handicapping condition, age, sex, number of pregnancies, or marital status.
What standards are applicants expected to follow?
Applicants are expected to show familiarity with professionally recognized medical and legal standards related to embryo donation/adoption and demonstrate credible experience working with donor and recipient populations.
What does the notice say about equity, feasibility, and ethics?
The announcement states that proposed service approaches should be economically feasible, equitable, and ethically sound.
Is evaluation required or encouraged?
Applicants are encouraged to build rigorous evaluation into the project so outcomes can be measured and learned from.
Can organizations that already run embryo donation/adoption service programs apply?
Yes. Organizations already operating relevant service programs are encouraged to apply, as long as they can meet all requirements and demonstrate capability to deliver the proposed work.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement. The notice also states that both faith-based and community-based organizations may apply if they meet eligibility rules.
Are faith-based organizations allowed to apply, and are there restrictions on religious activities?
Faith-based organizations may apply if they meet eligibility rules. However, the notice states grant funds cannot support inherently religious activities such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization. Any inherently religious activities must be separate in time or location and entirely voluntary.
Can grant-funded programs discriminate based on religion or religious belief?
No. The notice states recipients of grant funds may not discriminate against current or prospective beneficiaries based on religion or religious belief, lack of belief, or refusal to participate in religious practice.
Can grant funds be used to pay for human tissues or compensate embryo donors?
No. The notice includes strict limits: grant funds cannot be used to pay for human tissues or anything that could be interpreted as compensating donors for the donation of human tissues.
Can grant funds be used to reimburse embryo donors for already accrued storage fees?
No. The announcement states that reimbursing an embryo donor for already accrued storage fees is not an acceptable practice under this program.
When was this funding opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?
The announcement was posted on December 28, 2016. The original closing date was March 28, 2017.
How many awards were expected and what was the maximum award amount?
The expected number of awards was five. The award ceiling was $300,000 per award.
What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA EAA 17 001.
Which HHS office is associated with this opportunity?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, and references interest from the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) in training and supportive services grounded in evidence.
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