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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document for FY24 Rape Prevention and 

Education (RPE) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 

Table of Contents 

A. CDC Project Description ....................................................................................................................... 2 

i. Required Strategies and Activities......................................................................................................... 2 

ii. Evaluation and Performance Measurement......................................................................................... 7 

iii. Organizational Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach.................................................... 8 

iv. Application Project Description Questions .......................................................................................... 9 

B. Application and Submission Information................................................................................................ 9 

C. Budget and Travel .................................................................................................................................. 10

D. Other Information.................................................................................................................................. 12
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A. CDC Project Description 

i. Required Strategies and Activities

1. What information should be included in the background section? 

Applicants must provide a description of relevant background information that includes 

the context of the problem. 

2. What should be included in the high-level work plan? 

A detailed work plan should be submitted for the first year. A high-level plan where 

applicants estimate the work that can be completed for the remaining four years should 

be submitted for years 2-5. Each year in the annual performance report (APR) and 

continuation applications, recipients will have an opportunity to update their proposed 

work plans. 

3. Do the strategies and activities need to be detailed in the approach section since they 

will also be detailed in the work plan? 

The strategies and activities should be detailed in the work plan. However, 

recipients can include a brief overview in the approach section. 

4. What is required for work plan activities in years 2-5? 

The work plan submitted in year 1 is a living document which will be updated each year

during the annual performance report (APR). The work plan submitted with the 

application should include detailed information for activities in year 1 and summary of 

activities with an estimated timeline for years 2-5, including a description of the 

strategies and activities to be implemented. 

5. For Strategy 3, do we have 5 years to begin implementation of 1 program/policy in 

each of the focus areas? 

Recipients are required to begin implementation of a program or policy in at least one 

of the focus areas by the end of year one. Recipients are expected to have 

implemented programs or policies in each of the three focus areas by the end of year 5. 

6. The use of strategies, activities/objectives (used interchangeably), milestones, 

activities, and focus areas is a little confusing. Can you clarify with an example of a 

milestone vs. key activity vs. process measure for the workplan? 

o The term prevention strategy is used and defined as a specific program, policy, 

or practice implemented under the RPE program.

o An objective is a S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) 

statement that describes the “who,” “what,” “to what extent” and “when” 

progress is made toward achieving stated goals and how they will be achieved. 

Each objective can be process- or outcomes-oriented. 
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o A focus area is one of the strategies from the Sexual Violence Resources for 

Action that the RPE Program focuses on.

o Milestones are accomplishments that demonstrate progress toward achieving 

each objective. They are high-level but specific enough to show your 

achievement (or progress) towards the objectives and associated outcomes. 

Milestones should be reflective of clear signs that you are completing the 

objectives and associated outcomes. 

o Key activities are the major activities required to achieve the milestone. Multiple 

activities may be required to accomplish each milestone. 

o Process measures go beyond monitoring activities and outputs. They are 

focused on measuring the quality of implementation or efforts rather than 

monitoring activities or outputs. 

Example Milestones Example Key Activities Example Process Measures

First draft of state action 

plan completed

Meeting with partners to 

review existing state plan and 

identify updates needed

Level of engagement of 

partners in the state action 

plan

Data dashboard published Meeting with data owners to 

identify strategies for data 

access

Dashboard use metrics

7. Is the priority population no longer limited to 8 to 24 years?

CDC does not define specific priority populations. However, applicants should use data 

to identify the priority populations and communities to be served through the RPE 

project. Specific priority populations may vary by state. Applicants must describe in their 

applications how their NOFO activities, as well as their proposed programs or policy 

efforts, will address inequities in social and structural determinants of health to advance 

health equity. Recipients should work to reduce sexual violence perpetration and 

victimization risk factors across the entire population of focus but should place special 

emphasis on eliminating the health inequities that contribute to higher rates of violence 

victimization and perpetration.

8. Under Populations of Focus pp. 22-25 of NOFO, there is wording around using data to 

inform our selection of the Populations of Focus for the NOFO. Is the expectation that 

before the NOFO is due we would do a comprehensive scan of all available data, 

analyze what it tells us, and decide on our populations? Or whatever Populations of 
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Focus we choose, that choice should be based on the best available data we currently 

have and have already identified to support the decision? Or are you expecting us to 

do a comprehensive scan of all available data, analyze what it tells us and decide after 

the award and adjust our populations of focus at that time? 

We do not expect recipients to complete a full data scan before the NOFO application is 

submitted, but recipients should use the data they have already been collecting/monitoring as 

part of CDC-RFA-CE-19-1902 to inform their decisions on population of focus. With the Data to 

Action Strategy, there is the expectation that recipients will identify where there are gaps in 

their data and have a plan to fill those and potentially adjust their population of focus later. 

9. Are RPE programs able to support microfinancing efforts with funding? 

This strategy aims to decrease gender inequality and economic instability, which are 

both risk factors for SV, through community and societal-level programs and policies. 

Focus Area 1 includes two approaches: Strengthen Household Financial Security and 

Family-Friendly Policies. Microfinance programs are among the example programs 

under the Strengthen Household Financial Security approach. If you are considering

direct funding to recipients, contact your project officer for more information. 

10. Can we fund an agency that is doing advocacy work (i.e., advocating for tax credits)? If 

not, what are other examples of work besides writing research-based documents and 

educating stakeholders?

Federally funded lobbying, either directly or indirectly (i.e., “grassroots” lobbying), is 

prohibited by law. Funds can be given to agencies doing advocacy work if the RPE funds 

are not being used directly/indirectly for lobbying. Contact your project officer to 

discuss further. See the infographic below for examples of allowable activities using 

CDC-appropriated funding. 

State and Local Government Recipients:

Examples of Allowable Activities Using CDC-Appropriated Funding

1. Research on policy alternatives and their impact.

2. Educating the public on personal health behaviors and choices.

3. Educating the public on health issues and their public health consequences.

4. Educating the public with examples of best practices or success stories across 

states or localities.

5. Working with other agencies within the executive branch of their state or local 

governments in support of policy approaches, and on implementation of policies.

6. Working with their own state or local government’s legislative body on policy 

approaches to health issues, as part of normal and recognized executive-legislative 

relationships.

7. Participation by an agency or officer of a state, local, or tribal government in 

policymaking and administrative processes within the executive branch of that 

government.
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11. Are there any funding limitations that would prohibit RPE funding to be used to 

support unionization efforts? It’s very clear that direct lobbying is prohibited, but this 

falls more into community organizing, which seems in line with the economic support 

strategy and general purpose of RPE.

The objective of Focus Area 1 is to strengthen economic supports for women to reduce 

the risk factors associated with sexual violence victimization. The two approaches that 

have existing evidence are Strengthen Household Financial Security and Family-Friendly 

Policies. A list of approaches and examples are found on pages 15-16 of the NOFO. 

Please reach out to your project officer if you have any additional questions. 

12. Do applicants need to address all three NOFO focus areas on their prevention 

strategies?

Yes, the intent is to implement strategies across the three focus areas. However, states 

are encouraged to spread their efforts as needed within the confines of their budget, 

internal staff capacity and populations of focus.

13. Do recipients have to engage in all three NOFO focus areas simultaneously?

Recipients do not need to start implementation of all three focus areas in year 1; 

However, the expectation is that they will implement approaches in all three focus areas 

by the end of year 5. 

14. Is there any program that addresses all Sexual Violence (SV) prevention strategy focus 

areas?

No, however you can refer to Violence Prevention in Practice for more information 

about the distinctions between the focus areas. 

15. For Focus Area 3, can we suggest studying protective factors in our communities? This 

could help build evidence around social norms. Or are we absolutely required to 

implement Green Dot, Bringing in the Bystander, or Coaching Boys into Men with RPE 

funds? Can we propose alternative curriculums identified by the community?

RPE CE-0027 is a programmatic NOFO. Recipients are allowed to conduct information 

gathering activities related to protective factors in the community to inform 

development and implementation of a social norms program. You are not required to 

implement an example program listed in the NOFO. Applicants may propose alternative 

programs/policies if they meet the requirements show on page 15 of the NOFO. 

16. What's the difference between the State Action Plan due 6 months after the start date 

and the one due at the APR? 

The 6 months was an error in the NOFO. The final State Action Plan is due with the 

Annual Progress Report (APR). It is however a living document and should be updated 

each year.
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17. This year was the building year for the coalitions, and they are doing a capacity 

assessment statewide for SV data collection. How is the capacity assessment we are 

being asked to do different? 

State/territory health departments may conduct or leverage an existing capacity 

assessment. This assessment will build on the capacity assessments previously 

conducted while providing more focus on Social-Ecological Model (SEM) level activities, 

shifting work towards the outer layers, and incorporating these findings in the State 

Action Plan and Evaluation Plan.

18. If we completed a health equity capacity assessment in 2023, we will be “leveraging” 

the assessment throughout our workplan. Per the health equity capacity assessment 

requirements, should we plan to conduct an assessment every 5 years? 

The current focus is on CE-24-0027 and the plan for the next NOFO has not been 

developed.

19. Is the requirement to do a prevention capacity assessment or a health equity capacity 

assessment, or either/or, or both/and?

The requirement is to conduct - or leverage an existing - primary prevention capacity 

assessment with a focus on health equity. If a health equity capacity assessment has been 

conducted, the recipient is required to leverage the existing health equity capacity to 

enhance and expand health equity work. In addition, the recipient will need to assess other 

aspects of prevention capacity beyond health equity. Examples of how the capacity 

assessment can be used are listed on page 11 of the NOFO. We will provide more guidance 

and resources post-award. 

20. How do we access more concise information about evidence-based strategies that can 

be implemented with small amounts of money? 

CDC will provide technical assistance (TA) upon award on community and societal level 

strategies and leveraging partnerships. Applicants may also refer to the number of 

available Resources for Action (formerly called Technical Packages).

21. What was the reason for not including policy/programs that provide leadership 

opportunities for women/girls? 

The Provide Opportunities to Empower and Support Girls and Women approach was not 

included in the NOFO because it focuses on individual level prevention efforts. However, 

recipients can implement norms change programs/policies related to gender under the 

Promote Social Norms that Protect Against Violence focus area and/or 

programs/policies that address economic gender disparities under the Strengthen 

Economic Supports focus area. 
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ii. Evaluation and Performance Measurement

22. Will CDC provide suggested or recommended indicators for all the CDC required 

outcomes required in the logic model? 

CDC will provide technical assistance (TA) on the selection of indicators post awards. 

Suggested or recommended indicators also included in the NOFO can be found on the 

VetoViolence site: Violence Indicators Guide and Database VetoViolence(cdc.gov).

Recipients can include other indicators that align with the required outcomes in the 

logic model. 

23. How is the 5-page Evaluation Plan appendix different than the Evaluation and 

Performance Management Plan in the narrative? Are they to be the same? Do we just 

put see Appendix? 

The 5-page evaluation plan is the same as the plan mentioned in the narrative, these are 

not separate documents. The 5-page evaluation plan should be added in the Appendix. 

Throughout the funding period of performance, recipients will be required to submit a 

more detailed Evaluation and Performance Management Plan. 

24. Is there a format or description of what should be covered in the five-page Evaluation 

summary attachment? What is expected? At the time of application, applicants must 

provide a summary of their approach to the state/territory-level evaluation indicating 

how they plan to address evaluation and performance measurement plan requirements 

(up to 5 pages- included as an appendix to the application). See page 56 of the NOFO in 

the scoring rubric for more information on what should be addressed in the summary. 

At a minimum, the summary of the evaluation plan must include:

- A brief discussion of the problem and population(s) of focus.

- A description of the process evaluation to be conducted.

- A description of the outcome evaluation to be conducted.

- Key components of the state/territory-level evaluation and evaluation questions to 

be addressed by the evaluations. 

25. Where can I find an example of a data dissemination plan? 

An example of a data dissemination plan is embedded in the informational 

webinar slides for the data management plan (DMP): PRA IC List (reginfo.gov). 

26. When exactly are the state action plan, logic model, and final evaluation plans due? 

The State Action Plan, Logic Model, and Final Evaluation Plan are all due with recipients’ 

first Annual Progress Report (APR) which will be due approximately 120 days before the 

end of the first fiscal year. These are all living documents which should be updated at 

each subsequent APR. 
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III. Organizational Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach

27. If the State Department of Health (SHD) is working with a sub-recipient to implement 

the program, how much of the capacity should focus on the SHD versus the subrecipient?

The applicant should provide information about the roles and responsibilities of both 

the SHD and the sub-recipient in the project staffing plan. The applicant should clearly 

define the tasks that each organization will be responsible for and allocate the necessary 

capacity accordingly. The staffing plan should also address how the SHD and subrecipient will work together to achieve project outcomes and ensure effective 

communication between the two organizations. Please refer to the “Organizational 

Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach” section on page 33 of the NOFO.

28. If we are planning to put this work out to bid through a Request for Proposal (RFP) 

process, how should we approach describing sub-recipient capacity when we will not 

have these selected at the time of submission? 

Describe the applicant requirements that will be listed in the RFP to ensure subrecipients are qualified to conduct the work.

29. Would it be sufficient to partner with an organization that is working in one of these 

policies and support them in a "meaningful" way? Rather than having a program 

under the Department of Public Health (DPH)? 

Yes. Also, in your application indicate how DPH will meaningfully engage with this 

partner. 

30. Are CVs/resumes and organizational charts required?

Applicants should include CVs/resumes and organizational charts in their application. 

These documents are not part of the page limits imposed. 

31. Is funding 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) still a requirement? 

The state health department (SHD) is responsible for allocating funding for RPE FTEs. 

This is based on the individual SHD capacity. Having 1 FTE is not a requirement for this 

NOFO. However, applicants must demonstrate that they have adequate and appropriate 

organizational infrastructure and capacity at the state and territorial health department 

to lead RPE efforts and support the requirements of this cooperative agreement, 

including the proposed staffing plan to implement the program activities and achieve 

project outcomes successfully. Additionally, the applicant should describe in their 

project staffing plan who will have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as 

leadership of the project. This information is on page 33 of the NOFO.

32. What if we do not have a Tribal Sexual Assault (SA) coalition? 

As per the NOFO (on page 14), recipients of RPE funds are not required to work with 

Tribal Sexual Assault Coalitions, only strongly encouraged if there is one in your state.

33. Are there a minimum number of "formal" partnerships required? 
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No. 

iv. Application Project Description Questions

B. Application and Submission Information 

34. A clear list of all the documents required would be useful. 

 

Application requirements are listed in NOFO, starting on page 45. 

• Table of Contents (separate page; no page limit)

• Project Abstract Summary (BRIEF SUMMARY) 

• Budget Narrative (no page limit)

• Project Narrative (max 20 pages, single spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, 

number all pages). Includes:

• Background 

• Approach 

• Strategies & Activities (to include collaborations & population(s) 

of focus)

• Organizational Capacity of Applicants to Implement the Approach

• Work Plan

• Budget Narrative (no page limit)

• Evaluation Summary (max 5 pages, include as an appendix)

• Optional documents and federal forms (as appropriate) 

The Evaluation and Performance Measure plan could be referenced in the narrative; 

however, it should be included in the appendix.

35. What do we put in the application if many of these things like the state action plan, 

state evaluation plan and logic models are due months later? 

Required application sections are outlined in the NOFO. Please see the review and 

selection process section (pages 45-52) of the NOFO for what to include in your 

application. Note that within the NOFO if something uses the term “applicant”, then the 

expectation is that it will be expected in the application. If the term “recipient” is used, 

then it is something you will complete after award.

36. If no letters of support are required, will you be wanting to see the formalized 

partnership documents at any time or just take our word for it that we are partnered 

with the agencies we list? 

Letters of Support are encouraged. Your assigned project officer will be monitoring 

progress on work plan activities, including partnerships mentioned in the application. 

Recipients will also report their partners during APR period. 

37. Would CDC like Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or Letters of Support 

included in the application?
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These items are optional and not required. Letters of Support are encouraged. If an 

applicant would like to submit any of these items, please include with the application. 

38. What is the maximum number of pages for the application, the NOFO says 20 for the 

project narrative but does not give a number for the entire application? 

Because there are no page limitations to certain sections of the application, we cannot 

provide a maximum number of pages for the application. Please remember to follow 

page limitations for each section as they are all different. 

39. Is an appendix allowed and/or required? It is not included in the list of allowable 

documents, but it is mentioned in the evaluation section (says something like "max of 

5 pages for a summary of the evaluation approach, in an appendix"). 

Yes, an appendix is allowed. One of the documents in the appendix is the 5-page 

evaluation plan summary submitted along with the application. 

40. Is there a list of all the Federal forms required with submission? 

• SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs

• SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance Version 2

• SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Annual Federal Financial Report (FFR) Form (SF-425) is required and must be 

submitted 90 days after the end of the budget period through the Payment 

Management System (PMS)

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if applicable 

41. Is a letter from authorized individual required?

Please include a letter from your Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

42. Is there a letter of intent date for this NOFO?

No. We will not be requesting a letter of intent from recipients.

43. Does the Table of Contents need to be on its own page or is it appropriate to have one 

space before I start the Background section?

The Table of Contents should be a separate document. 

44. There is no scoring breakdown or specific points on the rubric in the NOFO. Will we be 

provided an updated rubric, or will our applications not be scored in this fashion? 

The applications will be reviewed but not scored. To meet application requirements, 

each section must be submitted.

C. Budget and Travel 

45. If we fall short in any of the NOFO requirements, will we not receive the grant funds, 

or will there be a period of technical assistance to measure up to these requirements? 
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This is a five-year NOFO and CDC will provide recipients with needed assistance to meet 

the requirements of the NOFO.

46. Do we need to add indirect costs to our budget? 

If requesting indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect cost-rate agreement is 

required. If the indirect costs are requested, include a copy of the current negotiated 

federal indirect cost rate agreement or a cost allocation plan approval letter for those 

recipients under such a plan.

47. Do we need to add indirect costs to our budget? 

If requesting indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect cost-rate agreement is 

required. If the indirect costs are requested, include a copy of the current negotiated 

federal indirect cost rate agreement or a cost allocation plan approval letter for those 

recipients under such a plan.

48. Where can we find our dollar amount to plan for our RPE NOFO application budget?

Funding Strategy: The funding is based on the state's population (50 states, D.C. and 

Puerto Rico) divided by the total US population, as stated in “[Violence Against Women 

Act] VAWA, (d)(3) BASELINE FUNDING FOR STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND 

PUERTO RICO”. Subject to the availability of funds, the table listed in the “Related 

Documents” tab on grants.gov. 

49. What are reverse site visits? 

Reverse Site Visits (RSV) involve each recipient coming together in one location, typically 

on CDC campus, to provide an opportunity for recipients to connect with other

recipients, CDC project and evaluation officers, and national partners. A RSV is another 

term for recipient meeting. The RSV is also in this case known as the annual recipients 

meeting and will be held in-person in California and Atlanta. The FY2024 meeting date 

has not been set. We are projecting Spring/Summer. RPE directors are required to 

attend one, but not both and they will cover the same information. Attendance for 

additional state health department RPE staff is optional. The agenda will include 

informative sessions, with plenty of time for networking and learning more about the 

technical assistance and other support available from RPE national partners. The RSV 

will also have several interactive workshops and sessions focused on topics including but 

not limited to planning, partnerships, implementation, health equity, adaptation, and 

evaluation. 

50. What are we supposed to put in travel costs? Are we to include costs to attend an inperson meeting? What if the reverse site visit is cancelled? In the past, we were told a 

budget revision was needed. 

Yes, please include all planned travel in budgets. See page 11-12 in NOFO for 

information about required travel. CDC will attempt to notify as early as possible if there 
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is a cancellation of reverse site visits. Budget revisions/redirection will be necessary if 

there are changes to the submitted budget. 

51. Should we budget separately for the National Sexual Assault Conference (NSAC) and a 

recipient meeting (reverse site visit)? If so, how many individuals should we budget 

for on the recipient meeting? 

NSAC is an optional meeting and should be budgeted for separately. The reverse site 

visit only requires the RPE Directors to attend. However, each state health department 

decides how many staff members their budget can support for travel. 

52. Will there be third party support to attend NSAC? 

Recipients are not required to attend NSAC. The CDC does not manage third party 

support. 

D. Other Information 

52. What do the yellow highlights in the NOFO mean? 

The Logic Model is highlighted.

53. Is there a format or template for this monthly email on program updates to project 

officers (POs)? There is currently no formal template for the monthly email; the 

preferred formatting should be discussed between you and your assigned PO.

54. Are project officers (POs) going to be doing site visits this coming year?

POs will contact their states/territories in advance if a site visit will be conducted this 

year. 

55. Can we have a list of all the other current/future CDC violence prevention agencies 

we’re asked to coordinate with (coalitions, tribal coalitions, etc.)? 

Please see the collaborations section on page 22 of the NOFO. 

56. What is the impact of a government shut down on our programs? Have you all been 

any information/guidance to pass along to the states if the shutdown happens, will 

there be any special instructions and/or information for recipient’s given a possible 

federal government shutdown?

As of October 30, 2023, we are currently on a continuing resolution (CR). Office of 

Financial Resources (OFR) will provide further guidance should the status change.

57. Is an “expected” item a requirement?

Yes.