The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced the Colorectal Cancer Screening (CCS) grant opportunity under the Illinois Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (ICCCP). IDPH will provide $750,000 in state funds to one public or private not-for-profit entity to lead statewide colorectal cancer (CRC) outreach and screening activities. The focus is to increase CRC screening rates among adults aged 45-75 years to 73.4% by 2027, progressing toward the Healthy People 2030 target of 74.4%. The initiative emphasizes community-clinical linkages, outreach to uninsured and underinsured populations, and subcontracting with regional partners to ensure wide coverage. This effort is rooted in Illinois-specific cancer data, statewide cancer control objectives, and recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

Eligible applicants include public and private not-for-profit or profit entities capable of providing CRC screening, diagnostic testing, outreach, and education. Applicants must register and prequalify through the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal before applying. Indirect costs are allowed, capped at 15% unless a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement is provided. No matching funds are required. Applications must be submitted through IDPH’s Electronic Grants Administration and Management System (EGrAMS) by 5 p.m. on May 30, 2025. No technical assistance session is offered for this opportunity.

Applications will be assessed based on their Scope of Work, Work Plan, Budget, and alignment with IDPH's Health Equity standards, with health equity considerations heavily weighted at 35 points out of the total score. Specific required deliverables include establishing subcontracted partnerships across Illinois, increasing CRC screening rates among underserved and high-risk populations, conducting education and outreach, monitoring subgrantees, and tracking patient follow-up. Special emphasis is placed on outreach to Black and White non-Hispanic males and Black non-Hispanic females.

The grant program officially opens on April 17, 2025, with awards anticipated to be announced by June 13, 2025, and the program beginning July 1, 2025, concluding on June 30, 2026. Applications require a detailed work plan, budget narrative, subcontractor disclosure form, personnel list, and project narrative. Awardees must report monthly progress and fiscal updates through EGrAMS, with a final report due by July 31, 2026. Contact information for questions or assistance is Linda Kasebier (Linda.Kasebier@illinois.gov, 217-558-2640).

All applicants must address health equity thoroughly, incorporate culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and focus on social determinants of health in their programs. An appeal process is available for applicants contesting procedural aspects of the merit-based review.