Mife Coalition Issues an RFP for Small Awards

On behalf of the Coalition to Expand Access to Mifepristone in the U.S. (Mife Coalition), Gynuity is pleased to announce the availability of funds to support new or ongoing projects that aim to expand access to mifepristone in the United States. Eligible projects should address one or more of the following objectives:

• Documenting how mifepristone is over-medicalized or unduly restricted and/or the impact of unnecessary restrictions
• Expanding the provider base, including provider outreach and knowledge assessment
• Increasing access to mifepristone in some way
• Improving public information about mifepristone

Proposals that emphasize access for women of color, low-income women, rural women, and other marginalized populations are encouraged. The maximum amount awarded will be $15,000 (each project) for the duration of 12 months. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 17, 2017. For further information, please see the RFP Announcement below.

Coalition to Expand Access to Mifepristone in the U.S. (Mife Coalition)
2017 Request for Proposals
Small awards (up to $15,000 each)

Background
In the 16 years since the approval of Mifeprex in the US, multiple studies and extensive experience have confirmed the efficacy and safety of mifepristone followed by misoprostol for medical abortion. However, many women who could benefit from mifepristone still do not have access to it due to multiple barriers, including FDA distribution and provider requirements. The overall goal of the Mife Coalition is to expand access to mifepristone in the United States.

Guiding principles underpinning our work are:

• Improving access so that all eligible women residing in the US who want medical abortion have access to the gold standard for this safe, effective and legal medical service (mifepristone followed by misoprostol);
• Normalizing mifepristone so that it is treated like any other safe and highly effective medication;
• Fostering inclusivity so that our efforts reach all women living in the US, especially those who face barriers in accessing medical abortion due to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, immigration status, or geography; and,
• Working within legal and regulatory systems to effect change to maximize access for every woman.

Description
We are pleased to announce the availability of funds to support awards for projects that further the goals of the Mife Coalition. These small awards (up to $15,000 each) are intended for new projects or to supplement ongoing projects that focus on the US context and address one or more of the following objectives:

• Documenting how mifepristone is over-medicalized or unduly restricted and/or the impact of unnecessary restrictions
• Expanding the provider base, including provider outreach and knowledge assessment
• Increase access to mifepristone in some way
• Improve public information about mifepristone

Proposals that emphasize access for women of color, low-income women, rural women, and other marginalized populations are encouraged.

Eligibility
Organizations or individuals can apply; only one award will be granted per person.

Duration: 12 months

Proposal Instructions
All proposals should contain the following information:
I. Project title
II. Project category
Choose from one of the following:
- Law/regulation and public policy
- Service delivery, training and professional education
- Communications and public information
III. Contact information
- Name
- Title
- Organization (if applicable)
- Professional Address
- Email
- Telephone
IV. Project Objective(s)
V. Project Description
VI. Budget and justification

Note: When planning your budgets, please know that we will accept up to 10% indirect costs for academic institutions and up to 15% indirect costs for other non-profit organizations. Also, the award amount of $15,000 is inclusive of any indirect costs part of your project budget.

Document Formatting

• No more than two (2) pages of narrative (I-V) and one page budget and justification (VI)
• 11-point font or larger

Please also provide a CV or resume for the primary applicant and any key project personnel.

A completed PDF version of the project proposal and accompanying CV or resume(s) should be sent in an email to mifecoalition@gynuity.org

Timeline
Deadline for Proposals: April 17, 2017
Announcement of Awards: May 15, 2017

Review process:
Proposals will be reviewed by one of three subcommittees organized by topic area (Law, regulation and public policy; Service delivery, training and professional education; or Communications and public information). Subcommittees will be chaired by Mife Coalition Steering Committee members and other reviewers will include Mife Coalition members-at-large. Final selection will be by an Executive Committee composed of the Chairs for each subcommittee and additional members of the Mife Coalition Steering Committee, as needed. Reviewers will not be permitted to review proposals from their same organization.

The criteria considered during review will include:

• Relevance – How well does the proposal address a key objective in the project description?
• Originality – Does the proposal feature a novel approach or innovation?
• Feasibility – Can the work be completed relative to the project design, applicant’s qualifications, proposed budget, and timeline?
• Impact – Will the project results meaningfully translate to expanded mifepristone access?

Terms of the award
Award payments will be processed by Gynuity Health Projects. Recipients will be requested to participate in at least one interim teleconference to provide updates on progress and review successes/challenges with implementation. Following completion, recipients will share brief project reports at the next annual Mife Coalition meeting and/or with the Mife Coalition listserv, as appropriate.