Health Impact Project Announces Call for Proposals to Bring Health Into Decisions in Non-Health Sectors

The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts, has announced a Call for Proposals for organizations seeking to conduct health impact assessments (HIAs). HIAs identify and address the health impacts of decisions in other sectors, such as planning roads, passing agriculture legislation, or siting schools.

The Call for Proposals will support two kinds of awards: HIA demonstration projects that inform a specific decision and help to build the case for the value of HIA; and HIA program grants to enable organizations with previous HIA experience to conduct HIAs and develop sustainable, self-supporting HIA programs at the local, state, or tribal level.

Demonstration Projects — The project will support up to five HIA demonstration projects designed to inform decisions on proposed local, tribal, or state policies, projects, or programs, or federal decisions that will have impacts limited to a specific state, region, or local community, such as permitting a new mine or building a new highway. Grants will be up to $75,000 and must be completed within eighteen months. Applicants need not have experience with HIA to apply. Because many of the HIAs done in the United States to date have focused on aspects of urban land use planning, proposals focused on other topics will receive preference. Additionally, high priority will be given to HIAs from geographic regions where few HIAs have been completed to date. In addition to the five projects from the nationwide search, the Health Impact Project, in cooperation with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, will support up to three demonstration projects in Minnesota.

Program Grants — The project will fund three HIA program grants to support organizations that have completed at least one prior HIA to conduct at least two HIAs, and to implement a plan that establishes the relationships, systems, and funding mechanisms needed to maintain a stable HIA program that endures beyond the conclusion of the grant period. Applicants may request grants of up to $250,000 for programs to be completed within twenty-four months. Grantees will be asked to provide a minimum of $100,000 in matching funds, either through in-kind contributions of staff time or through outside funding sources.

Grants will support government agencies, educational organizations, or nonprofit organizations.

The project will host three webinars for potential applicants on August 1, August 7, and August 15, 2012. Registration is required for all webinar attendees. Early response is encouraged, as participation will be limited.

Visit the Health Impact Project Web site for complete program guidelines, an FAQ, and webinar information and registration.

Looking for additional funders in the field of Health?
Foundation Directory Online allows you to search the entire universe of U.S. grantmakers. Target your search by field of interest, type of support, geographic focus, and more. Find the plan that's right for you»