FY26 Competitive Demonstration Grant

The FY2026 Demonstration Grant offered by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health supports innovative, culturally sensitive programs aimed at reducing health disparities among Ohio's minority populations. The grant stems from a long-standing commitment to address excess morbidity and mortality rates among racial and ethnic minorities, originally established by the 1987 Governor’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health. This initiative is part of Ohio’s biennial budget for 2026–2027 and aligns with public health priorities to reduce chronic disease and improve access to preventive care. The grant focuses on prevention rather than treatment, supporting community-based and public organizations in delivering services related to the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, substance abuse, violence, and infant mortality. Programs are required to target individuals at risk, such as those who are pre-diabetic or pre-hypertensive. Projects focusing on violence or substance abuse must serve youth in grades 4 through 12, and applications addressing infant mortality must use a doula or doula/CHW service delivery model. Grant activities must include mandatory clinical and non-clinical evaluations, lifestyle modification interventions (diet, exercise, screenings), and collect detailed demographic data. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) community-based or public organizations within Ohio and must demonstrate that at least 20% of project funds come from sources other than this grant. Each applicant is limited to one proposal with a maximum award of $100,000 annually. Equipment purchases are disallowed, though leasing is permitted, and incentives are capped at 5% of the award. All grant activities must begin within 60 days of award notice, and grantees must participate in statewide Minority Health Month events and the associated kickoff in March 2026. Applications must be submitted through the Minority Health Grants Management (MHGM) system between May 5 and June 2, 2025. Required documents include a full fiscal audit by a CPA, current liability insurance, a W-9 form, signed administrative compliance documents, and various budget and evaluation forms. Applicants must use the REEP (Research Evaluation Enhancement Program) approved evaluators and follow rigorous evaluation plans that include clinical benchmarks such as A1C or BMI changes and non-clinical measures like awareness and behavioral outcomes. Evaluation of proposals will consider service area need, innovation, cultural relevance, outcome measurement capacity, and budget appropriateness. All funded applicants must meet quarterly and annual reporting requirements and demonstrate program impact through baseline and progress data. Funding for FY2027 is contingent on the successful achievement of outcomes in FY2026. Technical assistance, including recorded sessions and optional live webinars, will be made available to support applicants in navigating the MHGM system and completing the application process.