new research questions, test hypotheses, and determine pathways for intervention. Existing and emerging public health challenges affecting MCH populations including children with special health care needs require timely, evidence-based responses from MCH programs, policy, and practice. Without sufficient evidence or data, it is challenging to develop interventions addressing both existing and emerging MCH issues. This program will allow us to achieve timely, evidence-based responses to these challenges. Findings from the research supported by the MCH SDAR Program are expected to: • Strengthen and expand the evidence base on topics addressed by the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant National Performance Measures (see Appendix A). For more background materials on the Title V Program, see: http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/titlevgrants/index.html. By supporting research on MCH populations, the MCH SDAR Program aims to inform HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s (MCHB’s) other investments and programs, see: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/maternal-child-health-initiatives; • Address HRSA MCHB’s Strategic Research Issues such as improving public health systems and infrastructure, reducing health inequalities, increasing quality of and access to care, addressing health disparities, improving health equity2, and/or promoting the health of MCH populations; • Address Healthy People 2030 objectives that are relevant to the application. Applications should connect the proposed topic with relevant Healthy People 2030 objectives; • Address MCHB Strategic Plan Goals; • Address health disparities facing underserved communities3 using existing data to provide evidence and strategies for improving health equity for all MCH populations regardless of race or ethnicity; and/or • Address existing and emerging research topics of regional and national significance that highlight new data, knowledge, evidence, and strategies for addressing the burden of diseases that affect MCH populations. HRSA expects each MCH SDAR award recipient to complete the following activities: • Conduct applied or translational research on critical and emerging MCH issues through secondary analyses of existing national databases and/or administrative records that are aligned with research goals; • Develop and submit a dissemination plan for the distribution of research findings and products to scientific, professional, and lay audiences. Dissemination activities include, but are not limited to, peer-reviewed articles, manuscripts, conference presentations, newsletter articles, webcasts, fact sheets, infographics, policy briefs, publically available websites, and social media posts; • Report study sample information with regard to diversity (i.e., race/ethnicity, gender/sex, disability, geographic location, and socioeconomic status) to HRSA in the Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) reports; • Develop and implement strategies to sustain and expand the scientific knowledge generated from the award; and • Present findings at the End of Project Presentation (Research Festival) to MCHB staff.