With the goal of improving patient care in hospitals, clinics, homes, and communities, the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation supports nurse-led healthcare innovation and research. Drawing on its knowledge of the unique and important role played by nurses, the foundation believes it has valuable insights with respect to relevant modes of research and alternative models that can lead to more equitable patient-centered health care.
To that end, the foundation is accepting applications for its Emergent Innovation Program, which seeks to accelerate the development of bold, nursing-driven interventions targeting the needs of vulnerable populations, including the economically disadvantaged, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, and those experiencing homelessness. Through the program, give grants of $50,000 will be awarded in support of early stage (untested or minimal-evidence) innovations that address health and health care problems in new ways.
Priority will be given to proposals that include one or more of the following: the engagement of patients, families, caregivers, and/or community organizations; inter-professional or multidisciplinary collaboration; institutional and community partnerships; the provision of care in non-hospital settings; and measurable goals and outcomes.
The foundation believes that transformative ideas are as likely to come from small community care settings as they are from major academic research centers and thus supports innovations from a range of institutions, care settings, and practitioners (including postdocs, adjunct faculty, and interdisciplinary faculty).
Eligible candidates include organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are not classified as a private foundation; international organizations that are equivalent to a 501(c)(3) and that are submitting a project focused on the U.S.; government entities; and faith-based organizations that welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief.
Letters of Intent are due April 29. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by July 22, 2019.
See the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.