The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section has opened RFA A425 – Supporting Women’s Health Services (SWHS). The program provides competitive funding to improve reproductive, maternal, and infant health outcomes across North Carolina.
North Carolina local health departments may apply under Program Aim A, Increase Access to Contraceptives, and/or Program Aim B, Improve Maternal and Infant Health. Nonprofit community health centers may apply only under Program Aim A. For-profit organizations are not eligible.
A total of $3.5 million is available annually. Eligible applicants may request $50,000 to $150,000 per year. Funding is 100% North Carolina State funds. The RFA anticipates three annual award periods beginning June 1, 2027 and continuing through May 31, 2030, subject to compliance, performance, and funding availability.
Deadline and Submission
Applications are due October 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The controlling RFA does not state a time zone, so Atlas does not infer one. Applications must be submitted electronically to the delivery contact identified in the RFA. The bidder teleconference is scheduled for September 25, the optional Notice of Intent is due October 2, questions are due October 9, and the Q&A addendum is scheduled for October 16.
Allowable Focus
Local health departments may propose evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies that increase contraceptive access and/or improve maternal and infant health, including reproductive, prenatal, and postpartum access, care coordination, barrier reduction, and health-disparity reduction. Nonprofit community health centers are limited to Program Aim A and may use funds for long-acting reversible contraceptives and associated contraceptive-service costs for underserved, uninsured, or medically indigent patients.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 95/100. This is a high-fit North Carolina women’s, reproductive, maternal, and infant health opportunity with substantial statewide applicant coverage and three-year continuation potential. Atlas can support eligible applicants with application organization, narrative development, budget preparation, required forms, partner documentation, and submission readiness using the issuing agency’s current materials.
N9+ should not be forced into this opportunity. Any technology or clinical-device strategy must be grounded in the applicant’s selected evidence-based approach, the RFA’s allowable-cost rules, and verified applicant needs.