2026 Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative: Request for Proposals
The MDH Health Equity Strategy and Innovation Division released a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI), a grant program established to address and improve the health of populations experiencing health disparities in eight priority health areas.
Interested applicants should review the following RFP for funding details and application requirements:
Timeline
RFP published: Oct. 22, 2026
Questions due: Nov. 30, 2026 (optional)
Applications due: Dec. 18, 2026
Anticipated notice of award: April 2027
Grant period begins: July 1, 2027
Questions
We request that all questions regarding this RFP be submitted through the online Question Submission Form. If you need to submit a question through an alternative format, please call 651-201-5813 for assistance.
MDH staff will strive to post all questions and answers within 10 business days on the RFP Questions and Answers page. Questions will generally be posted on Mondays.
Please submit questions no later than November 30, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m.). To ensure all applicants have access to the same information, questions submitted after this date will not be answered, nor posted to the website. MDH staff may not advise any applicants or grantees on their application or review drafts of proposals.
Required application forms
- Application Form (PDF)
- Work and Evaluation (WE) Plan Template (Word)
- Budget Template (Excel)
- Due Diligence Review Form (PDF)
- Community Health Boards and Tribal Nations do not need to submit this form as part of their application.
- Applicant Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form (PDF)
General information session
Prospective applicants are encouraged to watch the pre-recorded information session, which provides an overview of the key components of the EHDI RFP and application.
Skill-building session
Prospective applicants are encouraged to watch the pre-recorded skill building session, Making the Case for Your Project: Achieving Best Fit and Moving Upstream.
Description: Having a strong and convincing rationale is essential in any grant proposal. It conveys why your project matters, why your approach makes sense, and why it is worth the investment. To create meaningful impact, your approach, strategies, and activities must align and fit the health disparity you propose to address. The level at which you want to influence change is another important decision to make. This webinar will cover how to achieve the best fit for your project and what it takes to move it upstream.
Contact us
If you have questions or need assistance with required application materials, please send an email to ommh@state.mn.us or call 651-201-5813.
Other resources
- Visit the EHDI program website to learn more about the grant program, including topics within each priority health area (PHA).
- Work and Evaluation (WE) Plan - Breast & Cervical Cancer Example (PDF)
- Work and Evaluation (WE) Plan - Cardiovascular Disease Example (PDF)