Opportunity Overview
Wisconsin DHS’s Routine Immunizations Through Community Engagement, RICE 5.0 grant funds community-based work that increases access to routine vaccinations, strengthens local vaccinator networks, and supports culturally relevant outreach and research. Applications are open through September 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time.
Funding
Organizations may request up to $30,000 for either a pediatric or adult grant. Wisconsin DHS plans 15 total awards, including at least six pediatric and six adult grants.
Eligible Organizations and Activities
The live RICE 5.0 application lists these qualifying organization types: accredited or licensed early-childhood education centers or daycare facilities; public or private K-12 schools or districts; churches or religious groups; local or Tribal health departments; organizations or businesses employing a critical workforce; non-traditional providers or locations serving high-risk populations; IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofits; projects sponsored by a 501(c)(3); organizations or groups already providing routine vaccinations; and other partners serving underserved populations. Applicants should select all categories that apply. The September 14 DHS FAQ confirms eligible activities can include vaccine clinics, school-based immunization events, community outreach and education, reminder/recall work, training advocates, and one-on-one vaccine counseling. Allowable examples include professional service costs related to administering vaccines, vaccine storage or transportation materials, clinical vaccination supplies, stethoscopes and blood-pressure supplies used as part of vaccination clinics, and digital data loggers for vaccine storage and transport. Vaccine doses or vials are not allowable costs. Applicants should use the current RFA and templates for all final eligibility and cost decisions.
Atlas Strategic Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 91/100. This is a strong public-health opportunity for organizations with a credible vaccination-access strategy and community reach.
N9+ Direct Vendor Fit: 25/100. DHS now expressly confirms that certain clinic supplies, including stethoscopes and blood-pressure supplies used as part of vaccination clinics, are allowable. That does not establish allowability for a broader N9+ telehealth or remote-exam deployment. The $30,000 ceiling and vaccine-specific purpose still make a broad technology deployment a weak fit, and any technology cost should be included only when the RFA clearly permits it and the applicant can show a direct connection to the funded immunization workflow. Atlas does not recommend forcing an N9+ purchase into this grant.
Application Strategy
Select the pediatric or adult pathway, confirm applicant eligibility and any VFC/VFA scoring considerations, download the current RFA, budget template, and performance-measurement template from Wisconsin Public Notices, build measurable access and outreach objectives, and submit through REDCap by September 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time.
Verified source: Wisconsin Department of Health Services, RICE Grant.