Birth Equity Innovation Seed Grants

Application Period: 05/22/2026 - 06/22/2026 : 4pm

Technical Assistance: Offered : Yes; Mandatory : Yes; Date : 06/15/2026 : 11CDT; Registration link : https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m62c3c2818ab8359ac036120bab1bff6b

Apply here: https://idphgrants.com/user/home.aspx

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Application Documents

FileView.aspx

State of Illinois Uniform Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Summary Information
Awarding Agency Name Public Health
Agency Contact Sarah O'Connor (sarah.oconnor@illinois.gov)
Announcement Type Initial
Type of Assistance Instrument Grant
Funding Opportunity Number BEISG-27
Funding Opportunity Title Birth Equity Innovation Seed Grants
CSFA Number 482-00-3475
CSFA Popular Name BEISG
Anticipated Number of Awards 4
Estimated Total Program Funding $2,000,000
Award Range $0 - $200000
Source of Funding State
Cost Sharing or Matching No
Requirements
Indirect Costs Allowed Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs No
Posted Date 05/21/2026
Application Date Range 05/22/2026 - 06/22/2026 : 4pm
Grant Application Link Please select the entire address below and paste it into the browser...
https://idphgrants.com/user/home.aspx
Technical Assistance Session Offered : Yes
Mandatory : Yes
Date : 06/15/2026 : 11CDT
Registration link :
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m62c3c2818ab8359ac03
6120bab1bff6b

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Uniform Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
D
1. Awarding Ageancy Name: Illinois Department of Public Health
2. Agency Contatct: Name: Lisa Masinter
a Phone: 312/814-1884
Email: lisa.masinter@illinois.gov
F
3. Announcement Type: ☒ Initial announcement
i
☐ Modification of a previous announcement
e
4. Type of Assistance Grant
l
5. IAngsetrnucmy eOnptp: ortunity BEISG-27
d
6. NFuunmdbinegr :O pportunity Title: Birth Equity Innovation Seed Grants
7. CSFA Number: 482-00-3475
8. CSFA Popular Name: Birth Equity Innovation Seed Grants
9. CFDA Number(s): N/A
10 Number of Anticipated ≥4, scoring dependent
. Awards:
11 Estimated Total Funding $2,000,000.00
.1 2 ASivnagillea bAlwe:a rd Range: Up to $200,000
.
1 3 Funding Source: ☐ Federal or Federal pass-through
. Mark all that apply ☒ State
☐ Private / other funding
14 Is Cost Sharing or Match ☐ Yes ☒ No
. 1 5 R In e d q ir u e ir c e t d C ? o sts Allowed? ☒ Yes ☒ No
.
☐ Yes ☒ No
Restrictions on Indirect
Costs? If yes, provide the citation governing the restriction:
16 Posted Date: 5/21/2026
.
17 Application Date Range: Start Date: 5/21/2026
. Leave the 'End Date' and End Date: 6/25/2026
'End Time' empty if there is End Time: 4pm
no deadline.
18 Technical Assistance Session Offered: ☒ Yes ☐ No
. Session: Session Mandatory: ☒ Yes ☐ No
Date and time:
6/15/2026
Conference Info/Registration Link:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m62c3c2818ab8359ac0361
20bab1bff6b
Illinois Depart m e n t o f P u b l i c H e a lt h - O f f i c e o f P e r f o r m a n c e M a n a g e m e n t
P a g e 1 o f 1 1 ( U p d a ted 12/8/2025)

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Agency-specific Content for the Notice of Funding Opportunity
A. Program Description
Birth Equity Innovation Seed Grants
Illinois is an innovative leader in maternal, child, and reproductive health. It was the first state to expand
Medicaid to 12 months postpartum, as well as one of the earliest states to implement a robust maternal
mortality review committee process to inform evidence-based action at reducing maternal morbidity and
mortality. Regardless, Illinois has challenging disparities in perinatal outcomes, like many other states, including
maternal and infant mortality, where communities of color are noted to be at disproportionate risk.
Additionally, over the past decade, there has been an increasing number of hospitals closing their obstetric
units across the state. Community-based perinatal supports have been shown to reduce risk and promote
equity for populations at risk for adverse outcomes, 1,2 and in 2021, Illinois passed legislation allowing for
doulas, lactation support, home visitors, and more to receive Medicaid reimbursement. These efforts have
begun implementation in 2024.
The purpose of this grant is to support community-based organizations who are performing or planning
innovative and community-based work with the goals of reducing inequities in maternal and infant health care
and outcomes. The Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) will provide funding to organizations with
authentic ties to communities most impacted by these inequities to establish new programs or to maintain
existing programs that implement programming and policies supporting equitable access to maternal care.
Successful applicants must demonstrate a clear ability to impact birth equity in communities in the areas of
highest need. Examples of goals include, but are not limited to:
 Increasing pregnant and postpartum persons connections to doulas and other support providers.
 Engaging more support providers, including, doulas, lactation support, home visiting, Community
Health Workers (CHWs), with State-based programming, including learning collaboratives, or
coordinated reimbursement approaches.
 Engaging communities to build awareness of and connect community members with emerging birth
equity providers and services.
 Enhancing care coordination (both clinical and non-clinical)
Applicants must complete a narrative with a scope of work that includes the following content:
 Description of the need or justification for the proposed effort, including the specific
issue(s)/problem(s) to be addressed and the geographic and community target area(s)
 Detailed project description with key strategies and objectives to address the above issue(s) and serve
the noted community area(s)
 Alignment with stated priorities, goals, and values of this NOFO
 Background and the history of the organization, areas of expertise, familiarity, capacity, and years of
connection to the community area
 Expected challenges or limitations and a description of how the applicant will mitigate them
 A list of subgrantees, if any, and a description of their specific areas of expertise, as well as any subject
matter experts or other stakeholders that would be significantly advising and/or collaborating on the
strategies outlined in the application
 Evaluation plan: description of how applicant will evaluate activities to determine success
1
Safon CB, McCloskey L, Gordon SH, Cole MB, Clark J. Medicaid Reimbursement for Doula Care: Policy Considerations from a Scoping
Review. Medical Care Research and Review. 2023;0(0).
2
Van Eijk MS, Guenther GA, Jopson AD, Skillman SM, Frogner BK. Health Workforce Challenges Impact the Development of Robust Doula Services for
Underserved and Marginalized Populations in the United States. J Perinat Educ. 2022 Jul 1;31(3):133-141.
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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 Sustainability plan: description of how applicants will approach the need for ongoing financial and
technical support for activities after grant cycle ends
Applicants are required to submit a workplan delineating objective, activities, deliverables and measures using
the SMARTIE framework: Strategic, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable.
Applications should have at least three objectives in the workplan. More information about the SMARTIE
framework can be found at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ncccp/pdf/smartie-objectives-
508.pdf
All grant funds must be used for items that are necessary and reasonable for the proper and efficient
performance of the grant and may only be used for the purposes stated in the grant agreement, work
plan, and budget. Grant funds are to be used to facilitate successful engagement of organizations
with the State who are doing or planning innovative, community based, work with the objectives of
reducing inequities in access to and outcomes in maternal health care, grant fund uses may include
but not limited to:
 Activities to increase pregnant and postpartum people’s connection to doulas and other
support providers for maternal care
 Engagement of support providers (doulas/lactation support/home visiting/CHW) with State
based programming, including learning collaboratives or coordinated reimbursement
approaches.
 Engaging communities to build awareness of and connect community members with emerging birth
equity providers and services.
 Enhancement of care coordination (both clinical and non-clinical).
Supplies and equipment. Equipment is defined as an item of property that has a per unit acquisition
cost of $5,000 or more and has an expected service life of more than one year. If it is less than $5,000
it goes under supplies. Supplies means all tangible personal property other than those described in
Equipment. (e.g., A computing device is a supply if the acquisition cost is lower than the capitalization
level established by the grantee agency or the grant program, whichever is lower, regardless of the
length of its useful life.
B. Funding Information
This award is utilizing ☐ federal pass-through, ☐ state and/or ☐ private funds.
This award is utilizing ☐ federal pass-through, ☒ state and/or ☐ private funds.
This funding opportunity through The Office of Women’s Health and Family Services will be offered during
fiscal year 2027. This grant is anticipated to be for 12 months (July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027).
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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C. Eligibility Information
Regardless of the source of funding (federal pass-through or State), all grantees are required to register
with the State of Illinois through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) website,
https://gata.illinois.gov/, complete a prequalification process, and be determined "qualified" as described
in Section 7000.70. Registration and prequalification is required before an organization can apply for an
award.
The entity is "qualified" to be an awardee if it:
1. has an active UEI (Unique Identity ID) number;
2. has an active SAM.gov account;
3. has an acceptable fiscal condition;
4. is in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, if the Illinois Secretary of State
requires the entity's organization type to be registered. Governmental entities, school
districts and select religious organizations are not required to be registered with the Illinois
Secretary of State. Refer to the Illinois Secretary of State Business Services website:
http://www. cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/home.html;
5. is not on the Illinois Stop Payment List;
6. is not on the SAM.gov Exclusion List;
7. is not on the Sanctioned Party List maintained by HFS.
1. Eligible Applicants
The successful applicant must demonstrate that they have background and expertise in
perinatal/maternal health equity. Additionally, the grantee must have demonstrable ties to communities
at higher risk of adverse outcomes and/or partnerships with organizations actively engaged with the
community they are serving. The applicant must also be willing to produce reports and any other
required documentation that IDPH requests.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
$0.00
3. Indirect Cost Rate
N/A
Annually, each organization receiving an award from a State grantmaking agency is required to enter
the centralized Indirect Cost Rate System and make one of the following elections for indirect costs to
State and federal pass-through grants:
I. Federal Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA);
II. Election of the de minimis rate;
III. Election not to charge indirect costs; or
IV. Negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois.
The awardee shall make one election or negotiate a rate that all State agencies must accept unless
there are federal or State program limitations, caps or supplanting issues.
4. Other, if applicable
N/A
D. Application and Submission Information
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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1. Address to Request Application Package
Applications must be submitted via the Illinois Department of Public Health's Electronic Grants
Administration and Management System (EGrAMS), accessible at idphgrants.com.
Since high-speed internet access is not yet universally available for downloading documents or
accessing the electronic application, and applicants may have additional accessibility requirements,
applicants may request paper copies of materials by contacting:
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
The application format is provided via EGrAMS, which must be completed in its entirety. While
some of the sections in the application relate specifically to the grant program of interest, many
sections must be completed for all grant programs. Those sections include, Applicant Information,
Applicant Grant History, Scope of Work, The Work Plan, Grant Budget, Indirect Cost Information,
Miscellaneous section (W-9, resumes, job descriptions, a Risk Assessment and the Applicant
Certification). Therefore, it might be helpful for your Agency to prepare standard responses for those
sections. Please note that “Instructions” boxes appear on screens throughout the EGrAMS online
application, and it is suggested that you click on these for additional guidance and tips for completion.
3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant, unless the applicant is an individual or Federal or State awarding agency that is exempt
from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or
State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)), is required to:
i. Be registered in SAM before submitting its application. If you are not registered in SAM, this
link provides a connection for SAM registration: https://sam.gov/SAM/
ii. provide a valid UEI in its application; and
iii. continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during
which it has an active Federal, Federal pass-through or State award or an application or plan
under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency.
The State awarding agency may not make a Federal pass-through or State award to an applicant until the
applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully
complied with the requirements by the time the State awarding agency is ready to make a Federal pass-
through or State award, the State awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to
receive a Federal pass-through or State award and use that determination as a basis for making a
Federal pass-through or State award to another applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
See 17 on Page 1 of this NOFO.
6/25/2026
5. Intergovernmental Review, if applicable
N/A
6. Funding Restrictions
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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All grant funds must be used for the sole purposes set forth in the grant proposal and application
and must be used in compliance with all applicable laws. Grant funds may not be used as matching
funds for any other grant program unless specifically allowed under grant program guidelines. Use
of grant funds for prohibited purposes may result in loss of grant award and/or place the grantee at
risk for repayment of those funds used for the prohibited purpose. Regardless of the source of
funding (federal pass-through or State), all grant-funded expenses must be compliant with Cost
Principles under Subpart E of 2CFR200 unless an exception is noted in federal or State statutes or
regulations.
Allowability
Allowable – All grant funds must be used for items that are necessary and reasonable for the proper
and efficient performance of the grant and may only be used for the purposes stated in the grant
agreement, work plan, and budget. Items must comply with all applicable state and federal
regulations.
Allocable – Grant-funded costs must be chargeable or assignable to the grant in accordance with
relative benefits received. The allocation methodology should be documented and should be
consistent across funding sources for similar costs.
Reasonable – The amounts charged for any item must be reasonable. That means the nature and
amount of the expense does not exceed what a prudent person under the same circumstances
would expend; and that the items are generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the
performance of the grant.
Allowed Uses
Funding may be used for the following:
Funding may be used for the following:
All grant funds must be used for items that are necessary and reasonable for the proper and
efficient performance of the grant and may only be used for the purposes stated in your grant
agreement, work plan, and budget.
Supplies and equipment. Equipment is defined as an item of property that has a per unit
acquisition cost of $5,000 or more and has an expected service life of more than one year. If it is
less than $5,000 it goes under supplies.
Supplies means all tangible personal property other than those described in Equipment. (e.g., A
computing device is a supply if the acquisition cost is lower than the capitalization level established by
the grantee agency or the grant program, whichever is lower, regardless of the length of its useful life.
Prior Approval ONLY
With prior approval, funding may be used for the following:
Promotional items
Funding Use Prohibitions
Funding may NOT be used for the following:
Pre-award costs are not allowed.
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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Additional Funding Guidance
Source Documentation. Accounting records must be supported by such source documentation as
canceled checks, bank statements, invoices, paid bills, donor letters, time and attendance records,
activity reports, travel reports, contractual and consultant agreements, and subaward documentation.
All supporting documentation must be clearly identified with the Award and general ledger accounts
which are to be charged or credited. Records must be submitted with required financial reports for all
line-item expenditures exceeding $5000 in a reporting period.
7. Other Submission Requirements
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
SCORING CRITERIA
Description of the work proposed and
the targeted community
Need Work Plan Does the applicant provide data, 10
What data is presented that facts, and/or evidence that
demonstrate that the proposal
indicates alignment with the
supports the grant program purpose?
priorities of this NOFO? Does
the applicant provide data, facts,
and/or evidence that demonstrate
that the proposal supports the grant
Does the applicant provide a detailed
program purpose?
plan of the method to describe the
evaluation plan and how they will
measure success?
Capacity and Community Scope of Work Does the applicant describe the 5
Competence need for this effort within the
community (or communities) the
Does the applicant demonstrate its
organization serves, including the
ability to execute the grant project
specific issue/problem to be
according to project requirements?
addressed, how it will address
birth equity, and proposed
benefits for the State?
Has the applicant demonstrated
how they will explore and plan for
sustainability after the grant
period concludes?
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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Quality Work Plan Is there a detailed description of 15
Does the applicant demonstrate that the project, the deliverables that
will be achieved by the end of this
the project, in total, is well articulated
funding, how these deliverables
and in alignment with the project
align with the stated priorities,
goals?
goals, and values of the NOFO,
and any anticipated challenges
(and how the applicant
responded) to meeting those
deliverables?
Clearly Defined Scope of Work Scope of Work Does / the applicant describe the 10
Are target audiences clearly defined organizational Background,
and realistic? expertise, and capacity to ensure
success of this NOFO. Do they
explicitly describe experience
working with the proposed target
Has the organization had previous population and community
successful experience serving this engagement, as well as any
community? proposed collaborators?
Does the leadership of the
organization reflect the demographics Does the applicant explain how this
of the community? project will benefit the population to be
served including how the
activities/strategies will address health
equity?
SMARTIE Work Plan Did the applicant complete the 30
Are objectives using a SMARTIE required workplan using the
framework: Strategic, Measurable, SMARTIE framework for
Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound, objectives: Strategic, Measurable,
Inclusive, and Equitable
Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound,
Inclusive, and Equitable?
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nccc
p/pdf/smartie-objectives-508.pdf
Justifiable Budget Budget Does the budget align with the 30
Are the budget items and objectives of the grant and seem
justifications valid and appropriate reasonable and achievable?
for the grant project?
TOTAL POINTS 100
2. Review and Selection Process
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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Team Review Process
Merit-based review of applications, unless disclosed above, is conducted by one or more review teams.
Each review team will consolidate scores, and final application rankings may be adjusted to address
variability between teams.
Merit-Based Review Appeal Process
For competitive grants, only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. Evaluation scores or funding
determinations/outcomes may not be contested and will not be considered by the Department's Appeals
Review Officer.
To submit an appeal, the appealing party must:
 Submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the grant application document through
IDPH's Merit-Based Review Appeal Request Form available here:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ed4d113385de41feb38964a8005ce72b
 Appeals must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice
was published.
 Appeals must include the following information:
 The name and address of the appealing party
 Identification of the grant
 A statement of reasons for the appeal
 If applicable, documents or exhibits to support statement of reason
The IDPH Appeals Review Officer (ARO) will consider the grant-related appeals and make a
recommendation to the appropriate Deputy Director as expeditiously as possible after receiving all
relevant, requested information.
 The ARO must review the submitted Appeal Request Form for completeness and acknowledge
receipt of the appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
 The ARO will utilize an Appeal Review Tool to consider the integrity of the competitive grant
process and the impact of the recommendation.
 The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by the agency within the
time period set in the request.
 The ARO shall respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the
appealing party as to why additional time is required.
Documentation of the appeal determination shall be sent to the appealing party and must include the
following:
 Standard description of the appeal review process and criteria
 Review of the appeal
 Appeal determination
 Rationale for the determination
 In addition to providing the written determination, the grant-making office may do the
following:
 Document improvements to the evaluation process given the findings and re-review all
submitted applications.
 Document improvements to the evaluation process given the findings and implement
improvements into the following year's grant evaluation process.
 Provide written notice to the appealing party as to how the identified actions will be remedied.
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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Appeals resolutions may be deferred pending a judicial or administrative determination when actions
concerning the appeal have commenced in a court of administrative body.
3. Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates, if applicable.
N/A
Anticipated Announcement Date (if known): Click or tap to select a date.
Anticipated Program Start Date: 7/1/2026
Anticipated Program End Date: 6/30/2027
F. Award Administration Information
N/A
1. State Award Notices
07/01/2026
A Notice of State Award (NOSA) shall be issued to the finalists who have successfully completed all
grant award requirements and have been selected to receive grant funding.
The NOSA will specify the funding terms and specific conditions resulting from applicable pre-award risk
assessments.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is exempt from utilizing the standard NOSA issued on
the GATA Grantee Portal. Successful applicants will receive an email notification from EGrAMS and
must review the funding terms and specific conditions in the grant agreement and accept utilizing an
electronically signature. Both the electronic signature in EGrAMS and a physical signature on the grant
agreement must be completed by an authorized representative of the grantee organization and
submitted to IDPH.
A Notice of Denial shall be sent to the applicants not receiving awards via EGrAMS.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
N/A
All grantees receiving one or more federally-funded subawards from IDPH equal to or greater than
$30,000 must provide compensation information within EGrAMS prior to issuance of an award.
Grantees will not be able to sign grant agreements or amendment agreements until this requirement is
complete. Annual completion of this requirement is necessary for multiyear grants.
3. Reporting
Four quarterly reports and a final report will be required.
G. State Awarding Agency Contact(s)
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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Lisa Masinter, MD, MPH, MS, FACOG
Deputy Director
Office of Women’s Health and Family Services
Illinois Department of Public Health
Email: lisa.masinter@illinois.gov
Cell: 312-814-1884
H. Other Information, if applicable
N/A
Mandatory Forms -- Required for All Agencies
1. Uniform State Grant Application – Available at idphgrants.com for eligible applicants
2. New to EGrAMS, click HERE to see how to Get Started
3. Project Narrative (included in EGrAMS application)
4. Budget (included in EGrAMS application)
5. Budget Narrative (included in EGrAMS application)
Other program-specific mandatory forms:
N/A
Illinois Department of Public Health - Office of Performance Management
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