Health Equity Data Access Program (HEDAP)

Background
The Health Equity Data Access program (HEDAP) provides funding for three (3) “seats” in the CMS Virtual Research Data Center (VRDC). The VRDC assists researchers in gaining access to CMS restricted data for minority health research. Seats, in this context are defined as an individual user with VRDC access. The HEDAP supports specific applied research projects that relate to creative and innovative methods by using CMS data to identify, document, assess, and evaluate health disparities among Medicare and Medicaid and CHIP enrollees.

The project should enhance the capacity of the researcher to understand and utilize CMS data in future research projects. Additionally, HEDAP encourages cutting-edge proposals that explore intersectionality.

Grant Details
The Health Equity Data Access Program (HEDAP) aims to help researchers gain access to CMS data to conduct health services research focusing on racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community members, individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals residing in rural areas, and individuals adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. The program requires applicants’ research projects to align with CMS programs and policies as well as Executive Orders 13985 and 14091.

The HEDAP timeline is three (3) years, pending the availability of funds. The award only covers the cost of access to the VRDC for a three-year period. All research activities must be funded by the recipients except for the access payment granted for the Chronic Conditions Data Warehouse (CCW) data in the VRDC to ResDAC.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must hold a Doctorate or Master’s Degree in health services research, social sciences, epidemiology, medicine, law, or other related scientific/medical field. They must have a primary appointment at a not-for-profit college, university, policy institute, foundation, think tank, or state/territory/tribal agency.

Applicants must demonstrate evidence of having designed and conducted research on health disparities and health equity. Only Institutions of Higher Education are eligible to apply.

Period of Performance
The anticipated Period of Performance is 9/15/2023 – 9/14/2026. The anticipated Year 1 budget period is 9/15/2023 – 9/14/2024; Year 2 budget period is 9/15/2024 – 9/14/2025; Year 3 budget period is 9/15/2025 – 9/14/2026.

Grant Value
The total anticipated amount of federal funds available is $270,000 pending the availability of funds. Individual fixed amount awards will not exceed $90,000 each for a 36-month budget period subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance by the recipient.