Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure Patient Navigation Grant

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is offering the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure – Patient Navigation grant as part of its FY26 community grant program. Established by the 2005 Ticket for the Cure lottery legislation, the program allocates funds generated from lottery sales to support breast cancer research, education, and services for survivors. The current iteration of this grant focuses specifically on patient navigation, helping individuals access and move through breast cancer care with fewer barriers and more support. The grant provides funding to health departments and 501(c)(3) community-based organizations in Illinois to either establish or enhance patient navigation programs. These programs must prioritize equity and provide individualized guidance for patients through cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Organizations can use funds to support salaries, training, outreach, materials, client support services, and logistical assistance such as translation and transportation vouchers. Grantees are expected to track key demographic and service metrics, conduct outreach, and support care navigation through a culturally and linguistically appropriate approach. The funding amount for each awarded applicant can be up to $250,000. The total funding pool is $2.5 million, with an estimated 10 to 15 grants to be awarded. No cost sharing or matching is required. Eligible applicants must register with the State of Illinois through the GATA portal and maintain active registrations in both SAM.gov and UEI. All applicants must also submit a complete application through EGrAMS by the deadline, along with required attachments including a W-9, resumes, subcontractor agreements, and a letter of support from an IBCCP Lead Agency. The application period opens on June 5, 2025, and closes at 5:00 p.m. CST on July 7, 2025. A non-mandatory technical assistance session will be held virtually on June 17, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to attend to gain a better understanding of program requirements. Proposals will be scored on scope of work, alignment with SMARTIE principles, budget justification, and health equity integration using IDPH’s Health Equity Checklist. Selected awardees will be notified in July 2025, and the grant period will begin on July 1, 2025, ending June 30, 2026. Applicants should be detail-oriented, particularly when drafting the work plan and budget narratives, and are advised to address all evaluation criteria thoroughly. The project must demonstrate intentional efforts to reduce health disparities and inequities and include strategies aligned with social determinants of health and CLAS standards. Final awards are subject to pre-award risk assessments, and IDPH reserves the right to issue Notices of Denial for incomplete or ineligible submissions. For more information, interested applicants can contact Sarah O’Connor at sarah.oconnor@illinois.gov or 217-524-9297.