One of the major ways SCI supports state policy leaders is through direct grants for coverage-related activities. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the SCI program has provided essential financial support to states as they examine coverage expansion strategies and implement expansion programs.

SCI offers primarily two types of grants: policy planning and demonstration grants.

Policy planning grants are small, fast-track grants for up to $150,000 to support states in the early stages of the planning process toward expanding coverage. Grantees have used the funds to conduct health insurance surveys, analyze private market options, model specific strategies, hold policy summits, and bring together a consortium of stakeholders.

Large demonstration grants of up to $1.5 million are awarded to states that have selected a coverage expansion mechanism and seek assistance in designing and implementing the coverage expansion programs. These grants have helped states to make substantial progress toward a sizable coverage objective, such as expanding eligibility to all children in a state or implementing public-private initiatives for the working uninsured.

In certain circumstances, SCI will provide special grants, such as implementation grants to assist in the successful implementation of a new coverage program. Maine received an implementation grant in 2003.