Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Released

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a funding opportunity for organizations and individuals to operate as Navigators in Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFMs), including State Partnership Marketplaces (SPMs).  As they did have done over the past two years, and as they are doing now, Navigators will continue to assist consumers in various ways, including providing information about available coverage options through the Marketplace during open enrollment. 

Navigators have been an important resource for the millions of Americans who enrolled in coverage over the past two years. This funding announcement ensures this important work will continue over the next three years in states with a FFM, including during Marketplace open enrollment periods.

Key Changes

This year’s FOA creates a multi-year funding structure. The 2015 FOA expands the period of performance, or project period, from 12 months to 36 months. The multi-year grant award will have a funding period of one year and subsequent years will be funded incrementally based on funding availability. This change is designed to provide greater consistency for Navigator grantee organizations and their staff from year to year, reducing yearly start up time and providing for a more efficient use of grant funds.

In addition, the 2015 FOA places a greater emphasis on re-enrollment activities and consumers enrolled in coverage through the Marketplace. Applicants are encouraged to explain how they will assist persons seeking to re-enroll in coverage through Marketplaces and how they will assist consumers with applications for coverage available through the Marketplace and selection, including renewal of a QHP. The 2015 FOA also places a greater emphasis on working with underserved populations. This year applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a focus on rural, underserved, vulnerable, or special needs populations or communities, and a commitment to serve these populations or communities. 

Application and Award Information

HHS will award up to $67,000,000 to recipients across all service areas of FFMs (including SPMs).

Key Dates for Pre-Application Calls:

First call: Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time

• Audience URL: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1061468

• Webcast title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 4-29-15

• Audience URL: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1061470

• Webcast title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 5-6-15

• Audience URL: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1061472

• Webcast title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 5-20-15

• Audience URL: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1061473

• Webcast title: Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement Pre-Application Webinar 6-3-15

Second call: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Third call: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 from 11:00am-12:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Fourth call: Wednesday, June 3, 2015 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Letter of Intent to Apply (required) Due: June 3, 2015

Applications Due: June 15, 2015, by 1:00pm ET

Anticipated Award Date: September 2, 2015

At least $600,000 in total cooperative agreement funds will be available for each FFM (including SPM) service area. Small entities and individuals proposing to serve smaller, hard-to-reach or underserved populations are encouraged to apply, particularly by partnering with other entities and/or individuals to form a consortium which serves a larger total portion of the population. 

To see the FOA for the Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces go to Grants.gov and search for CFDA 93.332.