The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced a competitive grant opportunity under the Antimicrobial Stewardship Training and Education Program. This initiative aims to enhance the knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals regarding antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship. It aligns with state and national efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. The program's cornerstone activity is organizing the Illinois Summit on Antimicrobial Stewardship, a statewide event designed to share best practices, innovative strategies, and the latest research. The grantee will also design and implement pre- and post-intervention assessments to evaluate the program's impact and refine strategies.

This federally funded program, with an allocation of $100,000, allows for one award. The funding supports programmatic activities and permits the inclusion of indirect costs within federal guidelines. However, the grant cannot fund clinical care, research, lobbying, or general equipment purchases. The grant period is from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted via the IDPH’s EGrAMS system by January 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM CST. A mandatory technical assistance session will be held on January 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST and January 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM CST.

Eligible applicants include organizations that are registered in the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal, have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and comply with applicable federal and state requirements. Public housing and foreign entities are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to execute the project, a clear plan aligning with stewardship priorities, and collaboration with stakeholders to enhance health equity. They must submit a detailed project narrative, budget, and at least two letters of support through the EGrAMS platform.

The application will be evaluated based on criteria such as need, organizational capacity, program quality, a clearly defined scope of work, and alignment with health equity principles. The IDPH emphasizes the importance of addressing health equity by focusing on social determinants of health, incorporating culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and mitigating disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. The evaluation process also incorporates a review of applicants' ability to address these issues as outlined in the IDPH Health Equity Checklist.

Grantees are required to submit monthly performance and expenditure reports to track progress and ensure compliance with program goals. The grantee will also participate in regular calls and meetings with IDPH and the CDC to discuss activities and address challenges. For additional details or assistance, applicants may contact Abigail Newhall at Abigail.Newhall2@illinois.gov or (217) 785-2534. This grant offers an opportunity to advance public health objectives by fostering innovative practices in antimicrobial stewardship and addressing healthcare inequities.