Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
Related Programs
Contact Info
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
Pediatric Hearing Device Loan Program
Request for proposals
The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) section is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to administer a statewide hearing aid and instrument loan bank program to families with children newly diagnosed with hearing loss from birth to the age of ten. In 2007, the State of Minnesota approved funding for the administration of such a statewide hearing aid and instrument loan bank. See Minnesota 2007 Session Law Chapter 147 HF 1078 Art 19 Sec 4 Subd. 2.
Application materials
- Pediatric Hearing Device Loan Program request for proposals (PDF)
- Attachment B: Grant applicant face sheet (Foundant)
- Attachment C: Project narrative (Foundant)
- Attachment D: Work plan (MS Word)
- Attachment E: Budget details and justification (MS Excel)
- Attachment G: Applicant conflict of interest disclosure form
- Attachment H: Due diligence form
- Attachment I: Indirect cost questionnaire
Key dates
| Activity | Date and time |
|---|---|
| RFP Information meeting | Aug. 24, 2026 from 1 - 2 p.m. (must register in advance, see below for additional information) |
| Notice of intent deadline | Sept. 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. |
| Question submission deadline | Sept. 8, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. |
| Application deadline | Sept. 14, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. |
| Expected start date | Jan. 1, 2027 |
| Expected end date | Dec. 31, 2031 |
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants include organizations with knowledge and experience with best practices for fitting children with amplification (hearing devices) with the ability to serve families across the entire state of Minnesota.
Funding
This grant uses state funding. Funding will be allocated through a competitive process. If selected, you may only incur eligible expenditures when the grant agreement is fully executed, and the grant has reached its effective date, whichever is later.
| Funding | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Estimated amount to grant | $69,000 per year |
| Estimated number of awards | 1 |
| Estimated award maximum | $345,000 over a 5-year period |
RFP information meeting
MDH will host a one-hour RFP information meeting on Aug. 24 from 1 - 2 p.m. The meeting will be hosted virtually on Zoom. All prospective applicants are encouraged to attend, but attendance is not required. All questions and answers from the one-hour session will be posted on this webpage.
Attendees must register for the Pediatric Hearing Device Loan Program RFP Informational Meeting in advance in order to attend. If you need an accommodation (i.e. American Sign Language) to attend, please note the requested accommodation as part of registration by 4 p.m. on Aug. 18.
Application submission instructions
Notice of Intent
Applicants must submit a Notice of Intent by September 1, 2026 at 4:30p.m. If the Notice of Intent is not received by the deadline, then any application in response to this RFP will NOT be accepted and considered. Submitting a Notice of Intent does not obligate the sender to submit an application to this RFP.
The Notice of Intent must be submitted via email to health.ehdi@state.mn.us.
Application deadline
All applications must be submitted electronically by 4:30pm on September 14, 2026 to the grant interface portal, Foundant. Tutorials on how to set up accounts and apply for grant funds are available. We recommend that you set up or log into your Foundant account right away.
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 “Pediatric Hearing Device Loan Program RFP” application.
Acknowledgement of application receipt
When an application is successfully submitted, an automated email will be sent by MDH’s grant interface portal, Foundant. If you do not receive an acknowledgement email within one business day after submitting the application, it means MDH did not receive your application/documents. Please contact Darcia.Dierking@state.mn.us for further instructions.
Questions and answers
Submit any questions to health.ehdi@state.mn.us with “Pediatric Hearing Device Loan Program RFP” in the subject line. in the subject line. They will be answered in the order received and answers will be posted here within two days. Please submit questions no later than 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2026.