Physician Investigator Research Award Program
The Physician Investigator Research Award Program funds Michigan physicians to conduct evidence-based research on urgent health issues and health equity, supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Funder: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Due Dates: October 28, 2026 (Concept paper, Winter) | January 6, 2027 (Full application, Winter) | February 3, 2027 (Concept paper, Spring) | April 14, 2027 (Full application, Spring) | May 26, 2027 (Concept paper, Summer) | August 4, 2027 (Full application, Summer)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 per award; seed funding for pilot, feasibility, or small-scale research projects.
Summary: Supports Michigan physicians to conduct evidence-based research addressing urgent health issues, health inequities, and healthcare access, quality, or cost.
Key Information: Open only to Michigan-licensed physicians affiliated with nonprofit organizations; only one proposal per cycle per applicant.
Description
The Physician Investigator Research Award Program, offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, provides seed funding to Michigan physicians for innovative, evidence-based research projects. The program aims to address urgent health issues, reduce health inequities, and tackle challenges related to healthcare access, quality, and cost across Michigan. Funding is intended for pilot studies, feasibility studies, or small research initiatives that can generate preliminary data and have the potential to impact Michigan’s health landscape. Projects must demonstrate relevance to Michigan populations and align with the Foundation’s focus areas, such as health literacy, behavioral health, maternal and child health, and social determinants of health.
