Small Grant Opportunity for Local and Tribal Public Health Agencies

The Small Grant Opportunity for Local and Tribal Public Health Agencies is a targeted funding initiative aimed at enhancing public health responses to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in the state of Washington. This program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act Grant. The grant is administered by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and aligns with the Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023–2027. This Road Map outlines 24 strategic actions to help state and local public health agencies confront the rising incidence of dementia and develop effective, evidence-based public health responses. The initiative supports the understanding that ADRD is a public health challenge, given its prevalence, economic impact, and the disproportionate burden on specific communities, including Black and African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Hispanic, and rural populations. The grant encourages local and tribal public health agencies to take an active role in awareness-building, data sharing, community engagement, and educational initiatives aimed at reducing the risk and impact of dementia. These efforts are intended to support a broader public health framework in which brain health is integrated into chronic disease prevention and wellness promotion strategies. Grant funds will support a defined set of deliverables, each with a dedicated funding amount. A total of five public or tribal public health agencies will be awarded $10,000 each. Deliverables include sharing dementia-related data provided by DOH, facilitating staff completion of an online curriculum titled “A Public Health Approach to Dementia,” attending a cohort series of five one-hour calls, and researching regional dementia-related resources. Agencies are also required to select and implement one action item from a provided list that promotes community-based dementia awareness and education. A final evaluation and narrative report summarizing the implementation and outcomes is due at the end of the grant period. The grant funds are reimbursable and must be applied solely toward activities that meet federal grant compliance standards. Allowable expenses include staff salaries or stipends, supplies, project-related local travel, community convenings, and subcontracted services necessary to complete the deliverables. Ineligible expenses include equipment purchases, construction or facility renovation, lobbying, travel not related to the project, and substitute funding for pre-existing expenses. Notably, federal rules also prohibit the use of funds for food and incentive items like gift cards. The application process is expected to open in January 2026, with submissions due by 11:59 p.m. on January 30, 2026. Two drop-in office hour sessions for applicant questions are scheduled for January 22 and January 27. Applications will be reviewed in February 2026 by a state advisory committee, and selected grantees will be notified by February 6. Contracting and funding agreements will be finalized between February and March. The proposed performance period is from April 1, 2026, through September 15, 2026. All final deliverables and evaluation reports are due by the end of the performance period. There is no stated requirement for cost sharing or matching funds. The application process appears to be straightforward and limited to the submission of responses that will be evaluated based on geographic service area, demographics of populations served, and the strength of the proposed activities. Agencies will be supported through provided tools, templates, and technical assistance via cohort calls and office hour sessions. This grant is designed to be practical, manageable, and impactful for local and tribal public health entities aiming to embed dementia awareness and prevention into their broader health promotion agendas.