COVID–19 Response Funding
Frequently Asked Questions

The $200 million is for planning, preparation, and response to the coronavirus, or COVID–19 outbreak.

The legislature approved $200 million for health care grants to support costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to an outbreak of COVID–19.

• The $150 million COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant will be granted through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 outbreak. The $150 million Response Fund may also be used for administering the grants and for testing or facilities to provide treatment, isolation or quarantine. Instructions for this grant process should be available by the first week of April.


• $50 million in a COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding was available to provide emergency cash flow relief to health care organizations covering their highest priority needs. This grant application process is now closed.

Yes. The legislature approved $200 million which is split into two funding streams:

• The $50 million COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding was available to provide emergency cash flow relief to health care organizations covering their highest priority needs. This grant application process is now closed.


• The $150 million COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant will be granted through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 outbreak. The $150 million Response Fund may also be used for administering the grants and for testing or facilities to provide treatment, isolation or quarantine. Instructions for this grant process should be available by the first week of April.

Email COVIDgrantinfo.MDH@state.mn.us to receive continued updates from MDH about this funding.

If you have questions about the application process, please email COVIDgrantapplication.MDH@state.mn.us.

Both funding streams are to be spent for the following purposes:

Expanded or modified operations:

• The establishment and operation of temporary sites to provide testing services, to provide treatment beds, or to isolate or quarantine affected individuals
• Temporary conversion of space for another purpose that will revert to its original use
• Development and implementation of screening and testing procedures
• Additional emergency transportation of patients
• Development and temporary information technology and systems costs to support patient triage, screening, and telemedicine activities

Staff:

• staff overtime and hiring additional staff
• staff training and orientation
• Expenses related to the isolation or quarantine of staff (these expenses must not include payment of wages for the staff being isolated or quarantined)

Supplies:

• purchasing consumable protective or treatment supplies and equipment to protect or treat staff, visitors, and patients
• purchasing replacement parts or filters for medical equipment that are necessary for the equipment's operation
• specialty cleaning supplies for facilities and equipment

Other:

• patient outreach activities
• other expenses that, in the judgment of the commissioner, cannot reasonably be expected to generate income for the recipient of the funds after the outbreak ends

You can spend the funds as soon as you receive them. Each entity that is awarded funds will sign a grant agreement that provides additional detail.

The COVID–19 Short Term Emergency Funding grant can cover costs incurred on or after March 3, for eligible activites that began on or after March 3, 2020.

Eligible applicants are the same for either funding streams. The following entities are eligible.

• Ambulance services (licensed under MS 144E)
• Health care clinics
• Pharmacies
• Health care facilities and long–term care facilities, including but not limited to:
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing facilities
  • Settings at which assisted living services or health care services are or may be provided
• Health systems

Instructions for this grant process should be available by the first week of April.

Eligible applicants are the same for either funding streams. The following entities are eligible.

• Ambulance services (licensed under MS 144E)
• Health care clinics
• Pharmacies
• Health care facilities and long–term care facilities, including but not limited to:
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing facilities
  • Settings at which assisted living services or health care services are or may be provided
• Health systems

The Short Term Emergency Funding is no longer taking applications. Grant applications will be reviewed beginning Thursday, March 26. Decisions will be made and funds will be distributed as quickly as possible.

A system can submit one application on behalf of the facilities in the system, but must make it clear how the funds are intended to be distributed. This description can be noted in the budget narrative section and in the narrative boxes by each item. The applicant should also include a facility by facility explanation in the box at the end of the application where applicants are asked to describe their priorities if full funding isn’t available at this time. Organizations that are part of a larger system should ensure that there is a clear plan for submitting applications across the system, to avoid duplicate applications.

SWIFT is the StateWide Integrated Financial Tools. All entities doing business with the State of Minnesota are required to register and obtain a Vendor ID.

Information is available through Minnesota Management and Budget at https://mn.gov/mmb/accounting/swift/vendor-resources/

If your organization doesn’t have a Vendor ID number, also called a Supplier ID, set up with the State, you can still apply for funding! However, you should apply for a Vendor/Supplier ID immediately, as processing and account validation takes some time and the ID needs to be in place at the time the grant agreement is issued. Instructions can be found at: http://mn.gov/supplier. Click on “Register for Account” then choose “Register as a Supplier” and follow the instructions in the fillable form.

If you need to look up your vendor number, please call: 651.296.2600