Birth defects affect about three percent of all births in the United States and are a leading cause of infant mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs; the causes of two-thirds of birth defects remain unknown. In addition, stillbirths (pregnancy loss at 20 or more weeks of gestation) are an under-evaluated public health issue. Over 20,000 pregnancies in the U.S. end in a stillbirth each year.

This notice of funding opportunity aims to advance the quality and timeliness of birth defects and stillbirth surveillance and support research on birth defects and stillbirths in the U.S. The purpose is to (1) evaluate the impact of data modernization using electronic case reporting (eCR) on birth defects data quality and timeliness; (2) conduct high quality stillbirth surveillance; and (3) utilize timely surveillance to support a case-control study to assess risk factors for birth defects and stillbirths. This supports agency goals to identify emerging threats to mothers and babies and prevent the occurrence of birth defects and stillbirths. CDC will fund three components under this NOFO. Applicants may apply for one or more components as long as the eligibility criteria for each component are met.

Three components are included to support SUCCSSBD: