MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued a Grant Funding Opportunity to identify and fund qualified entities to deliver comprehensive preventive screenings focused on the early detection of occupational illnesses to firefighters through mobile, on-site or local clinic-based services.

Firefighters have an elevated risk of several health conditions due to hazardous exposures they may encounter as part of their job. The purpose of this funding is to prevent diseases and prolong life by providing convenient, comprehensive preventive health screenings and telemedicine follow-up to active, full-time Michigan firefighters.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, private and public entities, local health departments, federally recognized tribes, a group of federally recognized Michigan tribes, an Urban Indian Health Clinic program and universities.

A total of $3.5 million is available over three years. MDHHS anticipates issuing up to two awards. 

A pre-application conference was held March 13 when MDHHS provided information about the grant program and instructions on using the EGrAMS system. Applications for the MI Firefighter Preventive Health Screening GFO must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. Thursday, April 9. The start date of the grant is July 1.

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select the “About EGrAMS” link in the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete GFO can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section within the “Public Health Administration” link and by selecting the MI Firefighters Preventive Health Screening – 2026 grant program.