Birth Equity Innovation Seed Grants

The Birth Equity Innovation Seed Grants program is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health through its Office of Women’s Health and Family Services. This initiative reflects the state’s broader leadership in maternal and child health policy, including early adoption of extended postpartum Medicaid coverage and the establishment of a maternal mortality review process. Despite these advancements, Illinois continues to face persistent disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly among communities of color. The program is designed to address these inequities by investing in community-based solutions that improve access to care and health outcomes. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support organizations that are implementing or planning innovative, community-based strategies to advance birth equity. The program prioritizes efforts that reduce disparities in maternal and infant health care by strengthening connections to services such as doulas, lactation consultants, home visiting programs, and community health workers. It also emphasizes improving awareness of available services, enhancing care coordination, and supporting integration with state-supported systems and reimbursement models. Funding is provided through state resources, with an estimated total program allocation of $2,000,000 and at least four awards anticipated. Individual awards may be up to $200,000 for a project period of approximately twelve months, spanning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Grant funds must be used for necessary and reasonable expenses aligned with the approved work plan and budget. Allowable uses include programmatic activities, community engagement, and support for service delivery infrastructure. Equipment and supplies are allowable within defined cost thresholds, while pre-award costs and unapproved uses are prohibited. Indirect costs are permitted without specific restrictions, though recipients must comply with statewide indirect cost rate requirements. Eligible applicants must demonstrate experience and expertise in maternal or perinatal health equity and maintain strong, authentic connections to communities disproportionately affected by adverse outcomes. Organizations must complete state prequalification requirements, including registration with the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act system, maintaining an active SAM registration, and meeting fiscal and compliance standards. Applicants are expected to collaborate with community partners where appropriate and demonstrate capacity to deliver measurable impact. The application process is conducted through the Illinois Department of Public Health’s EGrAMS system. Applicants must complete a comprehensive submission that includes organizational information, a detailed scope of work, a structured work plan using the SMARTIE framework, a budget and budget narrative, and supporting documentation such as resumes and certifications. The narrative must address community need, proposed strategies, organizational capacity, evaluation methods, and sustainability planning. A mandatory technical assistance session is scheduled during the application period to support applicants. Applications are evaluated through a merit-based review process using clearly defined scoring criteria. These include assessment of need, quality of the work plan, organizational capacity, clarity of scope, alignment with program goals, and the strength and justification of the proposed budget. The total evaluation score is based on a 100-point scale, with significant weight given to SMARTIE-aligned objectives and budget justification. Final funding decisions are subject to review team scoring and potential adjustments to ensure consistency. The application window opens on May 21, 2026 and closes on June 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Awards are expected to be announced around July 1, 2026, with funding commencing immediately thereafter. Successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award and must complete agreement execution requirements. Reporting obligations include quarterly reports and a final report. While this opportunity is not explicitly stated as recurring, it reflects an ongoing state commitment to addressing maternal health disparities through targeted innovation funding.

Align proposal strongly with SMARTIE framework; demonstrate clear community need with data; emphasize measurable outcomes and sustainability planning; ensure budget justification is detailed and realistic