Advancing Surveillance of Violent Deaths Using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the leading national public health institute dedicated to the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability. The CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) manages a wide array of programs aimed at reducing violence and improving health outcomes in communities across the United States. This grant opportunity, titled "Advancing Surveillance of Violent Deaths Using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)," is part of the CDC’s long-standing effort to support and expand state and local capacity to monitor and prevent violent deaths through robust data systems. This funding opportunity builds upon two decades of work conducted through the NVDRS, a state-based surveillance system developed by the CDC in 2002. The system integrates data from death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports (including toxicology findings), and law enforcement sources to create a more comprehensive and timely picture of violent deaths occurring across the U.S. By standardizing data collection and utilizing a centralized, web-based platform, NVDRS supports jurisdictions in designing and implementing violence prevention strategies tailored to their populations. The CDC provides technical assistance and access to the system while recipients collect, analyze, and submit de-identified data, which the CDC then consolidates into a multi-state database. The aim is to inform both local interventions and national policy efforts by improving the understanding of violent death patterns. The program supports state and local governments in enhancing their surveillance capacity for violent deaths, with the overarching goal of facilitating data-driven prevention strategies. The estimated total program funding is approximately $84 million, and the CDC anticipates awarding up to 52 cooperative agreements. The awards range from $178,505 to $962,085, indicating a significant investment in strengthening surveillance infrastructure at the state, territorial, and local levels. These funds are intended to support data collection, analysis, system maintenance, and reporting activities in accordance with CDC guidelines. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, thereby lowering the barrier to participation for eligible government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments, as well as state-controlled institutions of higher education and tribal governments. Local or state governments may apply directly or through their bona fide agents. The program is inclusive of U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. These eligibility guidelines ensure that a diverse range of jurisdictions can participate in this important surveillance initiative, thereby enhancing the geographic scope and representativeness of the data collected. The application process requires submission via Grants.gov by the stated deadline of May 23, 2022. While not mandatory for eligibility, the CDC encouraged applicants to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by March 15, 2022. This step was aimed at helping the CDC estimate the number of submissions and plan accordingly for the review process. The opportunity was initially posted on March 23, 2022, and last updated on May 2, 2022. The performance period for successful applicants is expected to span multiple years, although the specific duration is not disclosed in the announcement. Due to the historical nature of the program and its systemic role in ongoing surveillance, it is reasonable to expect a recurring cycle. Applications are evaluated based on their alignment with the CDC's surveillance goals, the capacity to implement NVDRS with fidelity to CDC guidelines, and the ability to contribute meaningful data that can inform both local and national prevention strategies. For assistance or questions regarding the announcement, applicants were advised to contact Gabraelle Lane at [email protected]. Summary data from the NVDRS through 2018 are publicly accessible, reinforcing the CDC’s commitment to transparency and data sharing. Additional program information and updates are available through the CDC's violence prevention website and NVDRS portal.