Colorectal Cancer Screening

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), through its Office of Health Promotion, administers the Colorectal Cancer Screening (CCS) grant as part of its Illinois Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. This initiative is aimed at increasing colorectal cancer screening rates among adults aged 45 to 75 years, working toward a target of 73.4% by 2027 and aligning with the Healthy People 2030 objective of 74.4%. The program is informed by state-specific data and priorities from the 2022–2027 Illinois Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, as well as screening recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The CCS program is funded by general revenue from the State of Illinois and will issue one competitive project grant to a public or private not-for-profit entity. The purpose of the grant is to support evidence-based outreach, education, and navigation services that help individuals access colorectal cancer screening statewide. The funding is designed to reduce screening barriers for the eligible population and promote equitable access to preventive health services. Eligible applicants include organizations that are tax-exempt, governmental, or for-profit corporations that provide or bill for health services. Funding is not available for equipment, clinical care, or research, and cannot be used for political, religious, or lobbying purposes. Applicants must submit proposals through the IDPH's EGrAMS (Electronic Grants Administration and Management System) platform and adhere to the guidance provided in the official instructional materials. Applicants must be prequalified through the State of Illinois' Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal. The prequalification process includes maintaining an active UEI and SAM.gov registration, good fiscal condition, and standing with the Illinois Secretary of State where applicable. Applicants must not appear on exclusion or stop payment lists maintained by federal and state authorities. Applications will be evaluated based on the submitted Scope of Work, Work Plan, Budget, and Logic Model, as well as equity considerations. The anticipated announcement of awards is two weeks after the closing date. Once awarded, grantees must accept the Notice of State Award and sign a Uniform Grant Agreement. The initial program term runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Optional renewals for up to two additional years may be considered based on funding availability and grantee performance. The total funding available for FY 2026 is $750,000, with one award expected. The grantee will be required to submit monthly expenditure and program reports and maintain all records for a minimum of three years following the final expenditure report. Audit requirements follow federal and state guidelines, including those under the Single Audit Act and 2 CFR Part 200. The program is recurring, with the last competition issued in June 2022 and the current contract expiring on June 30, 2025. The next application cycle is expected in June 2026. The program’s contact is Linda Kasebier, reachable via email at [email protected] or by phone at 217-558-2640. Additional information and application access can be found via the IDPH grant portal.