Epilepsy Incidence Among Children in the United States | RFA DP 25 038

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DP 25 038

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is soliciting one cooperative agreement application under RFA DP 25 038, titled "Epilepsy Incidence Among Children in the United States," to generate updated, more nationally generalizable estimates of how often epilepsy begins in U.S. children. The opportunity is motivated by a clear evidence gap: existing population-based pediatric epilepsy incidence studies in the U.S. tend to be limited to small samples and narrow geographic areas, while older nationwide estimates based on administrative and claims data are now dated and were constrained by incomplete or non-representative data sources. The CDC is looking for a more comprehensive, modern picture of pediatric epilepsy incidence that can better inform public health planning, resource allocation, service delivery, and prevention strategies.

The central purpose of the project is to measure epilepsy incidence (any type) among children ages 0 to 17, understand what factors are associated with becoming an incident case, and identify whether incidence differs across groups or places in ways that point to disparities. Applicants may focus on the full 0 to 17 range, and the CDC also allows narrower age ranges within 0 to 17 when justified by the epilepsy subtype or scientific approach. A key expectation is that the study population be nationally representative across age, sex, race/ethnicity, and social strata, and that the analytic sample include subgroups large enough to meaningfully examine risk factors and social determinants of health (SDOH).

The NOFO lays out three primary objectives. First, recipients must estimate epilepsy incidence among U.S. children using comprehensive nationwide dataset(s), or through a population-based approach at one or more defined levels such as national, regional, or jurisdictional. Second, recipients must identify factors that contribute to the risk of developing epilepsy and quantify how these risk factors relate to incidence. Third, recipients must assess potential disparities by stratifying incidence rates across demographic characteristics, geography, SDOH, and other relevant attributes to determine where and among whom new-onset epilepsy is most common.

Methodologically, the CDC expects a retrospective study design using large-scale data sources such as public or commercial administrative and/or claims datasets, electronic health records (EHR), and/or survey data. The application must demonstrate that the chosen dataset(s) have adequate sample size and coverage to support stable incidence estimation and stratified analyses by the risk factors and disparity dimensions of interest. If the applicant uses public or commercial claims data or survey data, the NOFO emphasizes inclusion of child populations from all U.S. states and Washington, DC, with examples including MarketScan and Medicaid. If the applicant uses EHR data, the proposal must include sufficient detail and justification to show that the EHR source can support valid incidence estimation and subgroup analyses (for example, breadth of geographic coverage, capture of diagnoses over time, and completeness of key covariates).

Risk factor selection is expected to be grounded in the scientific literature and can span child-specific factors (such as prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal exposures or conditions), more general pediatric factors (such as comorbidities and demographic characteristics), and SDOH-related variables or other relevant drivers. In addition to describing the analytic plan, applicants must propose a research team that collectively covers strong epidemiologic methods, advanced analytic capacity, and clinical expertise in pediatric epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, reflecting the practical need to translate coded health data into credible case definitions and interpretable findings.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary CDC funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning CDC will likely have substantial programmatic involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. Eligible applicants are broad and include various levels of government, public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and for-profit organizations (including small businesses). The opportunity anticipates a single award, with an award ceiling of $500,000. The original closing date listed is January 23, 2025, and the opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.068.

Overall, the NOFO is seeking a rigorous, large-scale epidemiologic study that can produce up-to-date incidence estimates for pediatric epilepsy in the U.S., clarify which risk factors are most strongly linked to new diagnoses, and map where disparities exist across populations and communities. The intended end product is not only publication-quality science, but also actionable public health intelligence that can guide planning for pediatric neurology care needs, targeted outreach or prevention strategies where feasible, and more equitable allocation of resources based on demonstrated patterns of incidence and risk.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Epilepsy Incidence Among Children in the United States" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.068.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for RFA DP 25 038

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