Ohio Commission on Minority Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The FY26 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Grant, issued by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, offers funding for lupus-related education and outreach initiatives across the state. The Commission, established in 1987, seeks to promote health and prevent disease among economically disadvantaged minority populations in Ohio. Since 1994, the Ohio General Assembly has provided support for lupus-related programming under the Commission’s guidance. This grant continues the state’s commitment to addressing SLE, a serious autoimmune disorder that disproportionately affects minority populations, especially young women. This grant opportunity is designed to support community-based, in-person lupus programs with a focus on patient and public education. The funding ceiling is $19,000 per applicant per year, drawn from a total pool of $118,000 for Fiscal Year 2026. Grant activities must focus on delivering optimal health support groups, patient and caregiver education, and public outreach to raise awareness of SLE. Acceptable expenditures include expenses for skilled presenters and awareness activities, but not the development of educational materials or purchase of equipment. Preference is given to proposals targeting areas of greatest need and to applicants serving diverse populations without exclusion. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) community-based agencies and public organizations located within Ohio. Applicants must demonstrate that at least 20% of the project funding comes from non-Commission sources. Agencies must be in good standing with current or prior grants, and their activities must remain local (city-based), though adjacent areas may be considered. Applicants must also adhere to various legal and administrative requirements, including submission of a signed W-9 and compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. National organizations and entities applying merely to extend existing programming are not eligible. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Minority Health Grants Management (MHGM) system between May 5, 2025, and June 2, 2025, by 11:59 PM. Hand-delivered, emailed, or faxed submissions will not be accepted. Application components include a face sheet, organization information, abstract, proposal narrative, action plan, budget, and required documents such as the Acknowledgement of Terms and administrative compliance forms. All required forms must be signed with actual or electronic signatures dated within the same calendar year. The application also includes mandatory reporting and participation requirements, including quarterly reports, participation in the 2026 Minority Health Month Kickoff, and detailed documentation of services and participant demographics. Grants will be evaluated on the basis of several criteria: service area need, cultural competency, innovation and impact, feasibility and program design, and budget appropriateness. Successful applicants must deliver at least twelve months of in-person or virtual programming with a minimum of ten group participants and conduct Lupus Awareness Month activities in May 2026. Additionally, all recipients must track and report specific metrics and outcomes, including follow-up on individuals identified via symptom checklists. The second year of funding is non-competitive but contingent upon successful performance and measurable outcomes in the first year. For technical assistance, applicants are encouraged to consult the MHGM system user guide and the pre-recorded webinar available on the Commission’s website. The primary contact for this funding opportunity is Angela Dawson, Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. The Commission’s office is located at 77 S. High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215, and can be reached by phone at 614-466-4000.