Request for Proposals:
IMPLICIT: Innovations for Maternal and Perinatal Care and Improvement Grant

 The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) Section seeks proposals from qualified applicants to provide oversight of implementation of the Innovations for Maternal and Perinatal Care and Improvement (IMPLICIT) model into practice. The goal of this grant is to improve birthing parent’s health care in order to prevent birth defects. Through demonstrated clinical systems changes, the IMPLICIT model addresses smoking, maternal depression, multivitamin/folic acid use, and family planning, all modifiable risk factors related to many common birth defects in Minnesota. 

Eligible Applicants

Individuals, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and health centers with clinical quality improvement experience are eligible. Individual clinics do not qualify for this grant; however, they may be recruited by the awarded applicant as implementation sites.

Grant funds are not transferrable to any other entity. Applicants that are aware of any upcoming mergers, acquisitions, or any other changes in their organization or legal standing, must disclose this information to MDH in their application, or as soon as they are aware of it. 

RFP and Application Materials

• IMPLICIT: Innovations for Maternal and Perinatal Care and Improvement RFP
• MDH Grant Agreement Sample 

Proposal Documents

• Appendix A: Application Checklist
• Appendix B: Grant Applicant Face Sheet
• Appendix C: Project Narrative
• Appendix D: Work Plan Template
• Appendix E: Budget Details and Justification
• Appendix F: Application Score Sheet
• Appendix G: Conflict of Interest Form
• Appendix H: Due Diligence Form
• Appendix I: Indirect Cost Questionnaire
• Appendix J: Background on IMPLICIT framework 

RFP Information Meeting

MDH will host a one-hour meeting (Zoom Meeting, formerly on Microsoft Teams) to assist applicants in preparing an application. All prospective applicants are encouraged to attend, but attendance is not required. Please follow this link to attend: IMPLICIT Grant RFP Program Information Session.

Application submission instructions

All applications must be submitted electronically by 4:30 p.m. (CST) on July 11, 2025 to the grant interface portal, Foundant.
 

How to access Foundant

• New Users: Please click on “Create New Account” to complete the registration process and create your logon credentials.
• Existing Users: Please enter your credentials and log in. If you forgot your password, use the “Forgot your Password?” link to the left on the logon screen to reset your password.
• Not Sure: If you think that you or someone at your organization has already registered in Foundant, do not create a new account. Please contact our MDH Maternal and Child Health staff at health.cyshn@state.mn.us for assistance.

Once in the system, click on the “apply” button located on the upper tool bar on the home page. You will be redirected to a list of open applications in the system. Then select the “Minnesota Innovations in Perinatal and Infant Health” application.

Notice of Intent

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a non-binding Notice of Intent by 4:30 P.M. CST June 20, 2025. While prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent it is not a mandatory requirement of this RFP. This means that an application may still be considered even if the applicant did not submit a Notice of Intent; likewise, an applicant is not obligated to submit an application just because they submitted a Notice of Intent.

Notices of Intent may be submitted by email to health.cyshn@state.mn.us. Please include “Notice of Intent to Apply for IMPLICIT Grant” in the subject line. In the Notice of Intent, include the following information:

• Name of main contact for application
• Individual, organization, or health center applying
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address

Acknowledgement of application receipt

Within one business day after the due date, MDH will “reply all” to the email address that submitted the application to acknowledge receipt. If you do not receive this acknowledgment email within one business day, it means MDH did not receive your application.  

Please contact the CYSHN section at health.cyshn@state.mn.us immediately after the one business day for further instructions. 

Important Dates

Funding

Questions and Answers

Applicants may email Karmen Dippmann at health.cyshn@state.mn.us for questions about the application. Please submit questions no later than June 25, 2025 at 4:30PM CST and include the subject line: IMPLICIT Grant RFP Question. All question and answers will be posted here.