HIV / AIDS Quality of Life Program

The HIV/AIDS Quality of Life Program is a competitive grant initiative administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health to support organizations working in HIV prevention, education, care, and supportive services. The program is funded through the Quality of Life Endowment Fund, which is financed by revenue generated from a state lottery scratch-off game. These funds are appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly and directed specifically toward reducing HIV transmission and improving the quality of life for individuals living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS across Illinois. The program reflects the state’s broader public health strategy and aligns with national HIV/AIDS prevention priorities. The primary purpose of this grant is to fund high-impact HIV prevention and intervention strategies targeting populations most affected by HIV in Illinois. Funding is allocated proportionally based on epidemiological data, including risk factors, race, and ethnicity, as reported through state surveillance systems. Applicants are expected to implement evidence-based or CDC-supported interventions that demonstrate effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission. These include behavioral interventions, medication adherence programs, HIV testing and linkage to care, and harm reduction strategies such as safer injection practices. The program emphasizes integrated service delivery, including screening for related infections and connecting clients to medical and social support systems. Grant funds must be used strictly for allowable activities that align with the program’s objectives and comply with federal and state cost principles. Expenses must be necessary, reasonable, and allocable to the project. While indirect costs are permitted, they must follow approved rates or established guidelines. Certain activities require prior approval, such as marketing materials or travel, and all expenditures must be supported by detailed documentation. The program prohibits use of funds for any activity not directly related to HIV prevention or that violates regulatory standards. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligibility is limited to organizations that demonstrate experience and effectiveness in HIV-related services. Eligible applicants include local health departments and nonprofit or community-based organizations, including faith-based entities, that serve high-risk populations such as men who have sex with men, individuals impacted by poverty, and people who inject drugs. Applicants must complete state registration and prequalification requirements, including maintaining active registrations in federal systems such as SAM.gov and possessing a valid Unique Entity Identifier. Organizations must also demonstrate financial stability and compliance with state requirements to be considered qualified. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Illinois Department of Public Health’s EGrAMS system. Applicants are required to complete all sections of the application, validate the submission, and certify it through an authorized official. Required components include a project narrative, detailed budget, budget justification, and supporting documentation such as the organization’s annual operational budget. The submission deadline is June 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM CST, and applications must be fully completed and submitted within 30 days of the posting date. A non-mandatory technical assistance session is offered to support applicants during the process. Applications are evaluated through a merit-based review process conducted by IDPH staff and reviewed by a Quality of Life Board. Evaluation criteria include organizational capacity, project design, work plan quality, and budget justification, with a minimum score threshold required for funding consideration. Final award decisions incorporate both application scores and past performance. The anticipated program period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with awards expected to support one year of programming. Successful applicants will receive a formal notice of award and must comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including weekly data entry and monthly financial reporting.

Ensure proposed interventions are CDC supported and align with high impact prevention strategies; maintain strong organizational capacity documentation; submit a compliant budget under maximum limits; target high risk populations explicitly