(1) To receive a grant, an eligible organization or practice must submit an application to the college of nursing in accordance with pilot program guidelines and procedures established by the college of nursing. At a minimum, the application must include the following information:

(a) The purpose for which the applicant will use the grant;

(b) The amount of grant money requested;

(c) The number of nurse practitioners or physician assistants willing to complete the required training;

(d) Identification of any incentives to assist nurse practitioners or physician assistants in completing the required training and becoming certified to prescribe buprenorphine;

(e) An agreement to institute policies and procedures for implementing medication-assisted treatment;

(f) A description of how the applicant will achieve improved access to medication-assisted treatment in the pilot program area;

(g) Identification of expected outcomes of care for opioid-dependent patients; and

(h) An evaluation plan.

(2) The advisory board shall review the applications received pursuant to this section and make recommendations to the college of nursing regarding grant recipients and awards. In recommending grant awards and in awarding grants, the advisory board and the college of nursing shall consider the following criteria:

(a) The eligibility of the applicants;

(b) The number of opioid-dependent patients that could be served by nurse practitioners or physician assistants working in or with a practice or organization applying for a grant;

(c) The written commitment of the applicant to implement policies and procedures for providing MAT;

(d) The written commitment of the applicant to have nurse practitioners or physician assistants participate in periodic consultations with college of nursing staff; and

(e) The written commitment of the applicant to participate in the evaluation of the pilot program.

(3) Subject to available appropriations, in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 fiscal years, the college of nursing shall award grants to applicants approved in accordance with this section and shall distribute the grant money to grant recipients within ninetydays after issuing the grant awards.