Women's Initiative for Screening and Health (WISH)

The Women’s Initiative for Screening and Health (WISH) is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA focuses on improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable and underserved populations across the United States. This initiative is part of HRSA’s broader efforts under the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to advance preventive care and improve health outcomes for women throughout their lifespan. The program aligns with national public health priorities by emphasizing evidence-based preventive services and increasing awareness and implementation of clinical guidelines. The primary purpose of the WISH program is to improve women’s health outcomes by expanding access to preventive health services and strengthening the adoption of evidence-based women’s preventive service guidelines. The initiative seeks to achieve this through a coordinated, multidisciplinary coalition that includes healthcare providers, academic institutions, and patient-centered organizations. The funded entity will be responsible for reviewing and recommending updates to HRSA-supported women’s preventive service guidelines, promoting awareness and understanding of these guidelines, and increasing their integration into clinical practice settings. Funding for this opportunity is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from HRSA in program implementation and oversight. The total estimated program funding is $1,000,000, with one expected award. The award ceiling is also $1,000,000, suggesting a single grantee will receive the full funding amount. While specific allowable costs are not explicitly detailed in the forecast, funding is expected to support activities such as research review, stakeholder engagement, dissemination of guidelines, and implementation strategies that enhance preventive care delivery systems. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of organizational types. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; small and large for-profit organizations; school districts; and housing authorities. The program is restricted to domestic entities, defined as organizations operating within the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico and U.S. affiliated Pacific jurisdictions. Individuals are explicitly excluded from eligibility. The application process is expected to be conducted electronically, with submissions required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the application due date. While this is currently a forecasted opportunity, the estimated posting date is May 1, 2026, and the application deadline is projected for June 1, 2026. The same date is listed for the anticipated award announcement and project start date, indicating a rapid turnaround timeline. No cost sharing or matching requirement is specified, reducing financial barriers for applicants. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly outlined in the forecast notice; however, HRSA typically assesses applications based on factors such as organizational capacity, technical approach, alignment with program goals, and the ability to achieve measurable outcomes. Given the cooperative agreement structure, applicants should anticipate ongoing collaboration with HRSA throughout the project period. For additional information or inquiries, applicants may contact the Maternal and Child Health Bureau via email at [email protected] or by phone at 301-443-5692. This opportunity does not currently indicate recurrence, and applicants should monitor the official posting for full application requirements and detailed guidance upon release.