FY26 Competitive Demonstration Grant (5)

The Ohio Commission on Minority Health is offering the FY26 Demonstration Grant under a competitive Request for Proposals, Round 5. This initiative aims to support innovative, culturally sensitive, and prevention-focused projects that address disparities in health outcomes among minority populations in Ohio. The Commission was established following recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health, which highlighted cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infant mortality, substance abuse, and violence as major contributors to excess morbidity and mortality in minority communities. The funding opportunity is contingent upon approval of Ohio’s biennial budget and seeks to implement service delivery models that can measurably impact the targeted health areas. Eligible applicants include Ohio-based community-based organizations and public entities with a valid 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must also demonstrate that at least 20% of project funding comes from sources other than the Commission. Priority will be given to programs that are culturally relevant, innovative, and focused on the prevention of targeted diseases rather than treatment. The grant specifically requires lifestyle modification components, including diet, exercise, and screenings, and mandates both clinical and non-clinical measures. Proposals that include residential services, treatment, construction, or research independent of service delivery will not be considered. The funding scope for this grant is up to $100,000 per applicant per year, with no more than one application per agency. The grant period runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with a potential second year of funding contingent on performance outcomes and fund availability. Grantees must be prepared for immediate startup activities, including staff recruitment and program implementation within the first two months of funding. Specific focus areas include cancer (breast, lung, mouth, prostate, and throat), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, substance abuse, violence, and infant mortality through a doula or doula/CHW service delivery model. Submission requirements are stringent. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted through the Minority Health Grants Management (MHGM) system. Applicants must also upload their most recent full fiscal audit and current liability insurance. No hand-delivered, faxed, mailed, or emailed applications will be accepted. The application must include a comprehensive project narrative, evaluation plan, budget, and signed forms with original or electronic signatures. The use of the MHGM system requires applicants to have an OHID account with multi-factor authentication. The evaluation criteria for the grant include service area design, innovation and impact, program design, evaluation plan robustness, and budget appropriateness. Funded projects must also participate in the Commission’s Research Evaluation Enhancement Program (REEP), submit quarterly and annual reports, and engage in Minority Health Month programming. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a method for achieving measurable behavior change among program participants and provide detailed plans for tracking clinical and non-clinical outcomes. Key dates for this grant include the application opening date of June 3, 2025, and a closing date of July 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm. Optional online technical assistance sessions are scheduled for June 11 and June 12, 2025. Questions regarding the application can be submitted via email to [email protected]. For further details, applicants are encouraged to review the full RFP, MHGM Applicant User Guide, and pre-recorded technical assistance session available on the Commission’s website.

Read the RFP carefully; review the MHGM Applicant User Guide; listen to the pre-recorded Technical Assistance session; ensure that required documents (audit and liability insurance) are uploaded despite system indicators.