Maryland Firefighter Cancer Screening Grant: What Departments Need to Know
Maryland has opened a new funding opportunity to expand access to innovative cancer screening for firefighters.
On September 21, 2026, the Maryland Department of Health issued a Request for Applications for the Maryland Volunteer and Professional Firefighters Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program. The program provides grant funding to help eligible organizations procure and administer innovative cancer screening tests that are not commonly offered during routine physical examinations or covered by insurance.
For counties, fire departments and public-safety organizations considering an application, the opportunity involves more than selecting a screening test. Applicants must develop a coordinated program addressing screening selection, implementation, clinical oversight, firefighter participation and follow-up care.
Applications are due November 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Who Can Apply?
The program can support cancer screening for both professional and volunteer firefighters.
Eligible applicants include qualifying local or state government agencies and certain nonprofit organizations. Fire departments may apply independently when they meet the RFA’s certification and documentation requirements, and volunteer firefighter associations may apply on behalf of member departments or companies. Counties and local governments may also apply on behalf of fire departments and volunteer organizations.
The RFA also encourages regional applications involving collaborating counties, fire departments, associations or fire companies.
How Much Funding Is Available?
The Maryland Department of Health anticipates making multiple awards, with total awards not to exceed $900,000 statewide.
The anticipated grant service period is March 1 through June 30, 2027.
What Can the Grant Support?
Funding is intended for innovative cancer screening tests not commonly offered during routine physical examinations or covered by insurance.
The RFA notes that screening may include laboratory tests, imaging procedures, medical procedures and genetic tests. Applicants must provide scientific and clinical evidence supporting the accuracy and reliability of the proposed technology.
The RFA’s budget form also includes purchase of services, with examples such as full-body ultrasound, phlebotomy and participant counseling services. Whether a particular service qualifies will depend on how it supports the applicant’s proposed innovative cancer-screening project and the requirements of the RFA.
The Application Requires More Than a Test
Applicants must address several program components through Forms 1–7, including:
- Innovative cancer screening test and services
- Project implementation plan
- Healthcare team
- Firefighter prioritization
- Organizational background and capacity
- Recordkeeping and reporting
The implementation plan must also identify who will recruit participants, organize screening events, administer testing and informed consent, provide post-test counseling, coordinate referrals and connections to care, and obtain aggregate information for grant reporting.
A Healthcare Team Is Required
Applicants must establish a healthcare team responsible for clinical oversight of the program.
The team has an important role in independently selecting the screening test and addressing test administration, pre- and post-test counseling, referrals for additional diagnostic evaluation or treatment, and connections to primary care when appropriate.
This distinction matters:
Cancer screening can identify a potential concern. It does not, by itself, diagnose cancer.
A well-designed program needs a defined pathway for what happens after results are received.
Which Firefighters Will Be Screened?
Applicants must explain how they will prioritize firefighters at greatest risk for cancer.
The RFA requires at least two screening criteria supported by current scientific and medical research. Applicants must also identify the number of firefighters potentially eligible for screening and the number expected to participate, including retirees.
What Will Maryland Evaluate?
The Project Narrative evaluation considers:
- Innovative cancer screening test and services
- Project implementation plan
- Healthcare team
- Firefighter prioritization
- Organizational background and capacity
- Recordkeeping and reporting
The RFA lists these criteria in descending order of importance. The Budget Narrative is evaluated for reasonable cost in relation to the proposed work, and technical and financial factors are weighted equally in the final award determination.
For applicants, the message is clear: the application needs to demonstrate not only what screening will be provided, but how the program will be implemented.
Important Dates
October 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. — Pre-Application Conference #1
November 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. — Pre-Application Conference #2
November 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST — Questions Due
November 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST — Applications Due
Attendance at the pre-application conferences is not mandatory, but the RFA encourages interested parties to attend.
Need Help With Your Grant Application?
Professional Health Services can assist eligible applicants with the development of their grant application as well as the clinical, operational and service components needed for their proposed screening program.
PHS can help organizations evaluate services, develop screening logistics, define implementation responsibilities, and provide supporting program and service information for the application.
Need PHS grant-writing assistance? Contact us by November 1.
Organizations requesting PHS assistance with grant writing and application development should contact us by November 1, 2026, allowing sufficient time to prepare ahead of Maryland’s November 20 deadline.
November 1 is PHS’s deadline for grant-writing and application-development requests. PHS can continue providing screening program, service and implementation support after that date.
Start Planning Now
The application window is short. Counties, fire departments and eligible organizations considering this opportunity should begin determining who will be screened, which technologies and services are appropriate, how the program will be implemented, and how clinical follow-up will be handled.
Contact Professional Health Services to discuss your proposed firefighter cancer screening program. If you need PHS assistance writing or developing your grant application, contact us by November 1.