Grants and Awards

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation grant programs seek to improve access to high-quality, high-value care by supporting innovative health care research.

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We fund progressive physical and behavioral health care projects that serve to build healthy and sustainable communities for all Michiganders.

What we fund

The BCBSM Foundation is interested in evidence-based and community-inspired solutions that improve the health of Michigan residents. We provide grants for projects focusing on the following important health areas:  

  • Health disparities
  • Physical health
  • Behavioral health
  • Substance use disorder
  • Mental health
  • Maternal-infant health
  • Health inequities
  • Social determinants of health

Each grant program detail page explains the award process for prospective grantees. Additionally, the Investigator Initiated Research Program, Physician Investigator Research Award Program, and Community Health Matching Grant Program detail pages explain the required process of submitting a concept paper.

Types of grants

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Community Health Matching Grant Program

Who's eligible: Michigan nonprofit community organizations testing or validating new approaches that address community health problems. Funds awarded must be matched by another funder. 

Grant amount: Up to $25,000 a year for two years

Deadline: Concept paper deadlines in February, June and November.

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Investigator Initiated Research Program

Who's eligible: Primary investigators with medical or doctoral-level credentials interested in finding ways to improve health and health care in Michigan.

Grant amount: Up to $75,000 per grant

Deadline: Concept paper deadlines in February, June and November.

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Physician Investigator Research Award Program

Who's eligible: Michigan physicians working on basic research pilot or feasibility projects designed to improve the quality, cost and accessibility of health care.

Grant amount: Up to $10,000 per grant

Deadline: Concept paper deadlines in February, June and November.

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Student Award Program

Who's eligible: Doctoral and medical students conducting health and medical care research at accredited Michigan universities.

Grant amount: Up to $3,000

Deadline: Jan. 31 of each year.

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Proposal Development Award

Who's eligible: Michigan nonprofit community organizations developing high quality, effective proposals that will result in innovative services to improve the health of the community.

Grant amount: Up to $3,500

Deadline: Applications are accepted year round.

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Request for Proposal Program

Who's eligible: The Foundation identifies critical health topics to be addressed by potential grantees. Depending on the topic, proposals are solicited from health care researchers or community nonprofit organizations. 

Grant amount: The amount of this award varies

Deadline: Varies. See program page for details.

Questions?

Please check the FAQs in our help section. If you don't see what you're looking for, email us your question and a member of our team will respond.

Mailing Address
BCBSM Foundation | Mail Code X101 | 600 E. Lafayette Blvd. | Detroit, MI | 48226-2998