OASH Community Health Programs (MAHA-Aligned)

Pregnancy and Postpartum Hypertension Control Initiative (OWH) — Seed

Supports maternal health and blood pressure monitoring initiatives for underserved pregnant and postpartum populations through community-linked innovation.

The Pregnancy and Postpartum Hypertension Control Initiative (NOFO WH-AST-25-001), administered by the HHS Office on Women's Health (OWH) under Assistance Listing 93.088, funds implementation and scaling of self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring as a standard practice during pregnancy and postpartum. The initiative builds on prior multi-agency foundational work including the CDC Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package, the OMH/HRSA National Hypertension Control Initiative, the CDC SMBP Forum, the CDC-supported National Hypertension Control Roundtable, and the HHS Federal Hypertension Control Leadership Council. Program funding totals $10 million for 18 awards at $300,000–$550,000 each, with a performance period of up to 24 months in 12-month budget periods. The FY2025 NOFO remains in forecasted status without an archive date as of May 2026.

Eligibility is broad: any private (profit or nonprofit) or public entity located in a U.S. state may apply, including faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and American Indian/Alaska Native/Native American organizations. Universities, hospitals, clinics, and health departments are all eligible. No cost-sharing is required. Non-competing continuation applications are required for the second budget period. Applicants must demonstrate that they can fully implement their SMBP projects within the first six months of the award — having delivery infrastructure, clinical partnerships, and an implementation plan in place before submitting is essential. Program contact is owhgrants@hhs.gov.

The initiative specifically targets underserved and rural communities, including maternity care deserts, to achieve equitable detection and control of hypertension, improved maternal and fetal outcomes, and reductions in admissions and morbidity from hypertension-related complications. Competitive applicants will articulate a clear geographic focus on high-burden or underserved populations, demonstrate existing clinical and community partnerships that enable rapid SMBP deployment, and present an outcome evaluation plan covering both process measures and maternal health results. The award range of $300,000–$550,000 implies a preference for applicants with defined geographic scope rather than national reach.