Reducing Infant Mortality in Communities
Reducing Infant Mortality in Communities supports North Carolina health departments and districts in delivering evidence-based services to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant deaths and racial disparities.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Due Dates: October 9, 2026, 5:00 PM (Optional Notice of Intent) | October 26, 2026, 5:00 PM (Application)
Funding Amounts: $150,000–$200,000 per award per state fiscal year for three years; $1,727,307 available annually
Summary: Supports local health departments and districts implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce infant mortality and racial disparities in birth outcomes.
Key Information: Applicants must implement two strategies, selected with community input, and establish a community partnership for each.
Description
Reducing Infant Mortality in Communities (RIMC) awards competitive three-year grants to North Carolina local health departments and districts to implement evidence-based programs that improve birth outcomes. The program is administered by NCDHHS’s Division of Public Health, Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section, Infant and Community Health Branch, with funding from HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.
RIMC addresses both overall infant mortality and disparities between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic African American births. Applicants select two of four strategies: breastfeeding support, doula services, group prenatal care, and infant safe sleep services. Community members must participate in selecting strategies, and nonprofit/community-based partners must support their delivery, including engagement of people with lived experience.
