Board Grants

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Description

The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Board Grants program funds projects that advance the education and training of health professionals to improve public health. These grants support innovative, demonstration, and evaluation projects (not formal research) that align with the Foundation’s three priority areas: promoting diversity, equity, and belonging; increasing collaboration among future health professionals with an emphasis on exemplar teams; and preparing future health professionals to navigate ethical dilemmas.

Board Grants are awarded competitively three times per year following approval at one of the Foundation’s board meetings. The grants typically last from one to three years, with a budget target of no more than $100,000 annually. The application process is two-step: an initial Letter of Inquiry (accepted at any time) followed by an invited full proposal for selected projects. Applications must include detailed information about the project, budget, expected outcomes, team qualifications, and supporting documents.

The Foundation prioritizes projects that directly engage learners (medical students, residents, nursing students, and other health professions learners) and focus on the clinical learning environment. Projects should demonstrate impact beyond local benefit and have potential for generalizability, scalability, and sustainability.

Due Dates

• Requests for Applications (RFAs) for Board Grants are generally issued annually in January.
• Board Grants are awarded three times per year, typically in Summer and Fall, following board meetings.
• Letters of Inquiry for Board Grants are accepted on a rolling basis at any time.
• Researchers should sign up for the Foundation’s mailing list to receive announcements about specific deadlines and active RFAs.

Funding Amount

• Up to $100,000 per year.
• Duration of 1 to 3 years.
• Awarded three times annually after board approval.
• Budgets and award lengths may vary depending on the specific active RFA.

Eligibility

• Only tax-exempt institutions or agencies located in the United States and its territories are eligible.
• No grants are made directly to individuals.
• No support for pipeline projects, general support, endowments, equipment, construction, renovation, capital campaigns, or activities outside the U.S. and its territories.
• Projects must align with the Foundation’s priority areas and focus on health professions education.

Application Process

• Step 1: Submit a Letter of Inquiry at any time via the Foundation’s application portal.
• Step 2: Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal with detailed project information, budget, outcomes, team qualifications, and supporting documents.
• Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted online through the Foundation’s grant portal.
• The Foundation does not accept unsolicited full proposals for Board Grants.
• Applicants are encouraged to review active Requests for Applications for specific requirements.
• Reporting requirements include narrative and financial reports submitted online throughout the grant period.

Additional Information

• The Foundation emphasizes projects that demonstrate co-creation with learners and focus on the clinical learning environment.
• Evaluation criteria include relevance to priority areas, significance, timeliness, potential for spread, and sustainability.
• The Foundation also offers President’s Grants (up to $25,000, one year or less) on a rolling basis, which are separate from Board Grants.
• Reporting guidelines and application previews are available on the Foundation’s website.

External Links

• Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Home
• Apply for a Grant | Macy Foundation
• Macy Foundation Priorities
• Board Grant Reporting Guidelines (PDF)
• Privacy Policy

Contact Information