This page structures eligibility requirements by funder category so you can check your status quickly. If you're missing a requirement, you'll know before you invest weeks in an application.
Universal Requirements
These apply to virtually every federal and most state healthcare grants in Washington:
| Requirement | What It Is | How to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (Employer Identification Number) | IRS-issued tax ID for your organization | IRS records or your tax filings |
| SAM.gov Registration | System for Award Management — required for all federal awards | Search sam.gov for your org. Status must be “Active” |
| UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) | 12-character alphanumeric ID, replaced DUNS in April 2022 | Assigned during SAM.gov registration |
| Grants.gov Account | Required for submitting federal applications | Must have registered org + authorized AOR |
| Not Debarred or Suspended | Organization and key personnel must have no federal exclusions | Check sam.gov exclusions database |
Critical detail: SAM.gov registration must be active at the time of application submission. Expired registration = automatic disqualification. Registration takes 2–4 weeks for new entities and must be renewed annually.
Federal Funder Requirements
HRSA — Health Center Program (Section 330)
This is the most prescriptive federal healthcare grant program. Eligibility is tied to 19 program requirements defined in the Health Center Program Compliance Manual.
Eligible org types:
- Public or private nonprofit entities
- Tribal and urban Indian organizations
- Public agencies (state, local, tribal)
Key prerequisites beyond universal requirements:
- Board composition meeting Section 330 requirements (51%+ patient-majority governing board)
- Demonstrated service area need (Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Area/Population designation)
- Required scope of services (primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, lab, enabling services)
- Sliding fee discount program (no one turned away for inability to pay)
- HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) registration — a separate portal from Grants.gov
- Quality improvement/assurance plan
- Financial management systems capable of meeting Health Center Program audit requirements
For existing health centers (SAC/renewal): Must maintain compliance with all 19 program requirements and have current UDS (Uniform Data System) reporting on file.
For new applicants (NAP): Must demonstrate community need, proposed service delivery plan, governance readiness, and financial viability. Significantly more competitive than renewal.
HRSA — Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programs
Eligible org types vary by Part:
- Part A: Eligible Metropolitan Areas and Transitional Grant Areas (city/county governments)
- Part B: States (WA DOH administers; sub-awards to community organizations)
- Part C: Public and private nonprofit organizations providing early intervention services
- Part D: Public and private nonprofit organizations serving women, infants, children, and youth
Key prerequisites:
- HIV clinical and service delivery experience
- Needs assessment specific to HIV service area
- Payer of last resort documentation (Ryan White funds cannot supplant other coverage)
- Data reporting capability (Ryan White Services Report — RSR)
SAMHSA — Block Grant Sub-Awards (SABG/MHBG)
These flow through HCA's Behavioral Health Administration. You do not apply directly to SAMHSA.
Eligible org types:
- Licensed behavioral health agencies in WA
- Community-based organizations providing prevention, treatment, or recovery services
- Tribal behavioral health programs
Key prerequisites:
- WA state behavioral health agency licensure (through DOH)
- HCA/BHA provider enrollment
- Compliance with WA Administrative Code behavioral health requirements
- Cultural competency plan
- Evidence-based practice requirements (RCW 71.24)
- Data reporting capability (HCA's designated data systems)
SAMHSA — Competitive Grants (CCBHC, discretionary programs)
Eligible org types vary by program. CCBHC requires meeting specific SAMHSA certification criteria.
Key prerequisites for CCBHC:
- Provide all nine required CCBHC service categories
- 24/7 crisis services availability
- Care coordination protocols
- EHR capable of required data collection
- Sliding fee scale
- Staffing meeting CCBHC requirements
CDC — Cooperative Agreements
Most CDC healthcare-related funding flows through DOH to Local Health Jurisdictions.
Eligible org types (for direct CDC grants):
- State and local health departments
- Tribal health departments
- Public and private nonprofit organizations (for some programs)
- Academic institutions (for some programs)
Key prerequisites:
- Public health infrastructure and surveillance capability
- Data collection and reporting systems
- Institutional Review Board access (for research-oriented programs)
Washington State Agency Requirements
HCA (Health Care Authority)
For behavioral health grants and contracts:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| WA State Vendor Registration | Registered with Department of Enterprise Services (DES) — need WA UBI number, EIN, banking info |
| WEBS Registration | Must be registered in Washington Electronic Business Solution to receive RFP/RFA notifications |
| Behavioral Health Licensure | Licensed through DOH as a behavioral health agency (if providing clinical services) |
| HCA Provider Enrollment | Enrolled as a provider with HCA/Apple Health if billing Medicaid |
| Insurance | General liability, professional liability, workers' compensation per WA minimums |
| Background Checks | WA State Patrol/BCCU background checks for staff in direct service roles |
| Nondiscrimination Compliance | Executive Order 18-02, RCW 49.60 (WA Law Against Discrimination), Title VI |
| Cultural Competency Plan | Required for most BHA-funded programs |
| Data Reporting | Capability to report through HCA's designated data systems |
DOH (Department of Health)
For public health and MCH grants:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| WA State Vendor Registration | Same as HCA — DES registration required |
| WEBS Registration | Required for competitive solicitations |
| Program-Specific Licensure | Varies by program (e.g., clinical lab certification, immunization provider status) |
| Local Health Jurisdiction Status | Some DOH programs are restricted to LHJs or require LHJ partnership |
| BARS Compliance | Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System requirements for state-funded programs |
DSHS
For aging, developmental disability, and rehabilitation grants:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| WA State Vendor Registration | DES registration required |
| WEBS Registration | Required for competitive solicitations |
| Program-Specific Requirements | Vary significantly by administration (ALTSA, DDA, DVR) |
| Interlocal Agreement | Required for government-to-government partnerships (RCW 39.34) |
Foundation Requirements
Foundation eligibility is generally simpler than government grants, but each has specific restrictions.
Common Foundation Requirements
| Requirement | Typical Expectation |
|---|---|
| 501(c)(3) Status | Most foundations require IRS determination letter. Some will fund government entities or fiscal sponsorship arrangements |
| Geographic Match | Organization must serve the foundation's target geography. This is strictly enforced. |
| Program Alignment | Proposed work must match the foundation's current funding priorities |
| Financial Statements | Most recent audited financials or Form 990 |
| Board List | Current board of directors with affiliations |
| Organizational Budget | Current-year operating budget |
Foundation-Specific Eligibility Notes
Empire Health Foundation — Must serve Eastern Washington (Spokane region). Strong preference for organizations demonstrating health equity focus and community partnership. Often requires community advisory input.
Premera Blue Cross Foundation — Must operate in Premera's service area (WA and AK). Behavioral health and workforce development are current priorities. Check whether current cycle is open RFP or invitation-only.
Arcora Foundation — Oral health focus is strict. Must demonstrate oral health component or oral health integration into primary care. WA statewide.
Verdant Health Commission — Must serve South Snohomish County (Public Hospital District No. 2 boundaries). Quarterly review cycles. Very accessible to smaller community organizations.
Medina Foundation — Primarily King County / Puget Sound. Relatively modest grant sizes ($10K–$50K). Good entry point for smaller organizations.
Tribal-Specific Eligibility
Tribal health organizations in Washington have access to distinct funding tracks:
Direct IHS Funding:
- Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations
- 638 self-governance compacting or contracting
- IHS Portland Area oversight
Tribal Set-Asides in Federal Programs:
- HRSA, SAMHSA, CDC, and ACF all maintain tribal-specific funding tracks
- Separate application processes with different (often less competitive) review
- Tribal consultation requirements provide input into funding priorities
State Programs:
- WA state agencies must engage in government-to-government consultation with tribes (Centennial Accord)
- Some state grants include tribal-specific allocations or separate competitive tracks
- Tribes may be eligible for state grants either as governments or through tribally chartered nonprofit organizations
Key consideration: Tribal sovereignty, data sovereignty, and government-to-government relationships create distinct compliance frameworks. Tribal health organizations should verify whether federal or state reporting requirements conflict with tribal data governance policies.
Check Your Eligibility
Most eligibility failures come from three sources: expired registrations, wrong org type for the program, or missing a funder-specific prerequisite that wasn't caught until submission.
The fastest way to know where you stand:
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