Sound Health Network Program (United States)

Focus Areas

• Collaborative research capacity-building: creating opportunities for the exchange of insights and information among researchers from different fields of expertise: scientific researchers (e.g., within neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and other areas of biomedical and behavioral research), health practitioners (e.g., music therapists, providers of music-based interventions in healthcare settings, and other healthcare providers), musicians, and music educators. Consultative support for, and facilitated small-group meetings of, these groups, as well as the development of translational materials (e.g., research summaries, policy briefs, fact sheets), will strengthen the quality and competitiveness of these practitioners’ research proposals to funders of music-and-health research and practice.
• Convenings: in addition to small-group meetings of the type referenced above, periodic (e.g., annual) large gatherings of researchers and practitioners across the domains of music, music therapy, neuroscience, and healthcare will create opportunities to network and showcase their work for each other and, potentially, for a wider audience.
• Communications: better promotion and distribution of publications, events, and funding opportunities concerning music, neuroscience, and health through a variety of media platforms, as well as outlets and professional development opportunities for researchers to better share their findings with the general public (e.g., organizing conference panel sessions involving such researchers and promoting their work via social media and/or through videos or podcasts).

Scope

• The purpose of this program solicitation is to select an organization (Cooperator) to build on the significant achievements of the SHN, while focusing on the approaches listed directly above.
• In brief, the Cooperator will:
  • Coordinate the SHN so that its Network Participants can share and amplify research and practice in the areas of music, music therapy, neuroscience, health and wellness, and economics. The Network Participants comprise the Program Partners (including the initial partners, but also any other partner organizations that may be incorporated into the program), relevant subject matter experts (individuals and organizations), and other related groups and/or individuals. The SHN will convene regularly to discuss research findings and consider the potential implications for the field.
  • Maintain, update, and promote the platform of relevant SHN research findings, programs, and related events, for Network Participants and the general public, respectively.
  • Produce and disseminate topical resource materials through the SHN platform or directly to Network Participants.
  • Implement a process for facilitating engagement with Network Participants and/or direct engagement with the general public through opportunities such as webinars, panel discussions, and public speaking engagements.
  • Maintain, increase, and update a directory of potential Network Participants.
  • On an ongoing basis, conduct quantitative and qualitative evaluation activities that measure success and performance of the SHN, such as metrics, about research and social media reach, as well as partner, expert, and discipline engagement.
  • Build and maintain, as well as facilitate and support, affinity groups, defined as small groups that have a common interest in a specific topic related to music and health (e.g., students, music therapists, musicians) and/or have common stakeholders (e.g., regional, state, and local arts agencies, and national arts service organizations); obtain NEA approval for the focus areas of the affinity groups; and maintain and update an inventory of the affinity groups and their members. Individual membership in affinity groups will be opt-in, and will not require approval by the NEA.
  • Provide consultative services and logistical support to Network Participants seeking to collaborate on related research projects or events, and help connect researchers to musicians, as appropriate.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan designed to disseminate information from the SHN regarding key findings, important engagements, etc. to stakeholders.
  • Establish and maintain at least one technical working group composed of representatives from Network Participants and other experts in the field or related field(s), to provide the Cooperator with broader perspectives on the SHN and additional expert knowledge on its mission and strategic planning.
  • Develop a financial strategy to increase income and revenue to ensure the long-term financial stability of the SHN.
  • Prepare and deliver a briefing to the NEA on challenges, needs, and growth areas for the SHN, with recommendations on how the work of the SHN can be sustained beyond the conclusion of the Cooperative Agreement’s period of performance.

Funding Information

• The NEA expects to award one Cooperative Agreement of up to $300,000, contingent upon the availability of funds. This Cooperative Agreement will require a cost share/match of 10% of the award amount. Cost share/matching funds cannot include additional funds from the NEA or any other federal sources.
• The NEA may renew this Cooperative Agreement up to four (4) times, subject to agency priorities, the availability of funds, Cooperator performance, and the agency’s regular review process. Subsequent award renewals may include a lower NEA award amount and an increased cost share/match percentage. The cost share/match amount may increase to 20% of the total award amount in the first renewal award; to 25% in the second renewal award; 40% in the third; and 50% in the fourth and final renewal award. The exact level of the NEA award amount and cost share/match requirement [or ratio] for the renewals will be determined by the NEA in consultation with the selected Cooperator at a later stage.
• Any project costs beyond $300,000 must be covered from sources other than the NEA. The NEA expects the Cooperator to account for income from goods and services generated through the SHN. All earned income must go back into the operating budget for the SHN. NEA should be apprised of any other sources of funds before such funds are secured, to assure compliance with federal ethics obligations and other applicable laws and regulations.

Eligibility Criteria

• U.S. institutions of higher education and nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations with their core components having a focus in healthcare research, policy, or administration may apply. To be eligible, the applicant organization must:
  • Meet the NEA’s Legal Requirements at the time of application.
  • Have submitted acceptable Final Report packages by the due date(s) for all NEA award(s) previously received.
  • An organization may submit only one proposal under this program solicitation.
  • You may apply to other NEA funding opportunities, including Grants for Arts Projects, in addition to this program solicitation. In each case, the request must be for a distinctly different project. No project costs or staff time may overlap with activities executed as part of other federal awards.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.