Which organizations can apply?
This round is for private nonprofit health and human service providers with federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that receive Connecticut funding, including Medicaid, to serve state agency clients directly. A nonprofit’s tax status alone does not establish eligibility, and the public opportunity excludes institutions of higher education. Collaborations involving at least two eligible providers may also qualify; this is not an individual household application program.
Official sources: OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF) · State-authorized public EUNA Grants opportunity
Which expenses qualify?
OPM lists building improvements, new construction, property purchases, energy projects, safety and accessibility work, information technology, vehicles and qualifying capital equipment. A project must address provider efficiency or effectiveness, or health, safety and accessibility needs. The guidelines exclude operating salaries, utilities, ordinary maintenance and improvements to leased properties, among other costs; an eligible project category does not make every associated expense reimbursable.
Official sources: OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF)
How do the award limits and matching rules work?
Under Component 2, projects must cost at least $35,000 and requests cannot exceed $1 million; matching funds are optional, although nonstate contributions count in evaluation. Component 1 permits requests above $1 million through $3 million and requires a cash match of at least 25% of the grant award, excluding other state money and in-kind contributions. No more than one-quarter of awarded program funds may go to Component 1, and collaboration projects follow the applicable component’s funding rules.
Official sources: OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF)
Does an award solve the upfront cash requirement?
No: the program pays back eligible expenses the recipient has already paid, so an award is not an advance to finance the purchase or work. The guidelines generally prohibit grant-funded work before both parties have signed the contract, subject to explicit program exceptions. They provide a limited exception for architectural expenses after award notification, with additional limits; an award notice should not be treated as blanket approval to begin spending.
Official sources: OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF) · OPM grant conditions (PDF)
Where is the application submitted?
Applicants must register with CTsource by the application deadline, but CTsource is not where they submit the grant application. Submission goes through the state’s separate EUNA Grants management system, with registration required for new users. A complete, signed package and required attachments must reach that system by 4 p.m. Eastern on January 5, 2027; late applications are not accepted, and incomplete or ineligible packages are disqualified.
Official sources: OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF) · State-authorized public EUNA Grants opportunity
What paperwork and project limits need attention?
OPM’s instructions call for organizational eligibility documents, a self-assessment, project details and a budget, with additional requirements depending on the project. Renovation, energy, new-construction and property-acquisition applications require the program’s lien-analysis form, and facility projects have ownership and property-value requirements. An organization may submit up to three applications across Components 1 and 2; collaboration applications do not count toward that limit, and selection for Component 1 rules out a Component 2 award.
Official sources: OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF)
Are there dates before the application deadline?
The guidelines schedule a virtual bidder conference for November 13, from 10:30 a.m. to noon Eastern. Questions must be emailed to OPM.NPGrantProgramApplications@ct.gov by November 24 at 4 p.m. Eastern; written answers are scheduled for December 11 at 4 p.m. Eastern. OPM says the timetable through submission can change only through an amendment, so the Round 9 page is also the place to check for revised instructions.
Official sources: OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF) · OPM current Round 9 documents and amendments
When would successful applicants receive a contract?
The governor’s announcement anticipates spring 2027 awards, while OPM’s detailed timetable gives June 21, 2027, as a tentative award-notice target and September 21 as a tentative contract target. Those estimates do not promise an award or authorize work to begin. Selection remains subject to OPM’s review and approval, and award amounts can differ from the request. The contract sets the approved work and spending period; the guidelines normally allow one year from full execution, with extensions limited to exceptional circumstances.
Official sources: October 27 Governor’s Office announcement · OPM Round 9 program guidelines and application instructions (PDF)