Best Diversity Grants for Nonprofits in Missouri

NCAA Division III member colleges in Missouri can receive support to fund newly created assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation in any NCAA-sponsored sport. The National Collegiate Athletic Association provides two years of matching funds for salary, wages, and benefits to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in athletics coaching staffs.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in Missouri and nationwide seeking to expand ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles can apply for this strategic staffing grant. Funding supports full-time positions with responsibilities such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

National Library of Medicine provides Missouri diversity, equity, and inclusion professionals and organizations with virtual professional development funding to expand skills in health information access and data science. NNLM Network Member institutions and eligible individuals may use up to US $2,000 for online conferences, courses, workshops, or bringing in presenters to better serve underrepresented communities.

Missouri libraries, health organizations, and NNLM Network Member institutions seeking professional development in health information access and data science can apply for National Library of Medicine Region 3 awards of US $2,000. Funding supports conferences, workshops, expert speakers, and DEI-related training to better serve underserved, minority, and underrepresented communities.

Missouri libraries, health organizations, and NNLM network members conducting health information outreach or DEI-focused education can apply for National Library of Medicine Exhibit Awards, offering US $2,000 for exhibit or conference-based projects. Funding supports promoting NLM/NNLM health information resources, improving health literacy, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for underrepresented communities.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits. With a mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Missouri institutions and other Division II schools with support for these coaching roles.

Missouri NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion in athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant supports full-time, mid- to senior-level administrative positions focused on strategic planning, compliance, fundraising, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare, with eligibility limited to active Division II members.

Nonprofit organizations and coalitions hosting events that promote economic inclusion, racial equity, or advocacy in Missouri can seek event sponsorship funding; awards are up to US $25,000. With a mission to achieve health equity, Health Forward Foundation supports educational events, advocacy-focused gatherings, and select milestone fundraisers that advance inclusive, healthy communities.

Missouri NCAA Division II schools and multisport conference offices seeking to fund full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships focused on diversity and inclusion can apply for this grant. Through the National Collegiate Athletic Association, recipients receive US $30,000 for intern salary plus additional professional development support to increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in athletic administration.

The Pipeline Grants Competition by the Russell Sage Foundation aims to bolster early-career scholars and enhance diversity in the social sciences. It supports innovative research focusing on economic mobility and systemic inequalities in the U.S. Eligible applicants can receive up to $35,000 individually or $50,000 in teams. The foundation emphasizes methodological diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging novel data usage. Projects should align with RSF's mission to improve social conditions, prioritizing underrepresented scholars from under-resourced institutions.

Nonprofit organizations with a 5+ year track record serving Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls in computing can seek funding to recruit and retain them in college-level tech programs in Missouri and nationwide. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition supports research-backed, multi-geometry DEI initiatives that build computing skills using its gender-inclusivity framework.

Federally recognized Historically Black Colleges and Universities developing or expanding aquatic programs can receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 to fund competitive swimming or youth learn-to-swim costs. With a mission to revitalize aquatic programming, USA Swimming Foundation provides HBCUs across the U.S., including those serving Missouri communities, with support for youth water safety lessons and university-based swim clubs.

Swim lesson programs in Missouri that are approved members of the Swim Lesson Provider Network can receive more than US $1,000 to expand youth learn-to-swim opportunities. USA Swimming Foundation provides diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused swimming initiatives with support for free or reduced-cost lessons and transportation for under-served children under 19.

Missouri diversity, equity, and inclusion researchers can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support health-related research alongside DEIA-focused activities. Eligible investigators must be conducting work within NIH Institutes’ programmatic interests, contributing significantly to DEIA in the U.S. biomedical research enterprise, and have no current NIH research project grant funding.

Late-stage biomedical graduate students from diverse backgrounds in Missouri and nationwide can apply for the NIH Advancing Research Careers F99/K00 award to support dissertation completion and mentored postdoctoral research training. This two-phase program funds research aligned with participating NIH mission areas and includes structured mentoring, networking, and professional development to advance research careers.

Missouri graduate students conducting aging and aging-related health research can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support their dissertation work and help diversify the scientific workforce. This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opportunity offers up to US $142,312 for dissertation projects aligned with NIA’s priorities in aging and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

New and at-risk biomedical investigators conducting diversity-focused health or science research in Missouri can access funding through the National Institutes of Health. This R01 opportunity supports independent projects that advance workforce diversity and health-related sciences. Eligible investigators from underrepresented backgrounds may apply across multiple NIH Institutes and Centers on the listed standard and renewal deadlines.

Postdoctoral research scientists from nationally underrepresented backgrounds conducting cancer-related biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social science work in the U.S., including Missouri, can receive career development support through this NIH K22 award. The program provides three years of protected time to help recipients transition into independent, tenure-track research positions and advance diversity in cancer research careers.

Missouri clinical and translational science researchers affiliated with CTSA Program institutions can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to advance small, independent projects. Awards up to US $100,000 support pilot and feasibility studies, secondary data analysis, methodology development, and new research technologies, and may benefit diversity, equity, and inclusion–focused health initiatives.

The NIDCD invites R01 grant applications aimed at independent research projects related to the mission of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. This opportunity promotes workforce development by supporting Early Stage and New Investigators, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in health sciences. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days before the proposal deadline, allowing diverse researchers to collaborate and contribute to vital health-related studies.

The NLN-Health Carousel Foundation Nurse Educator Scholarship Award provides a $8,000 scholarship to nurses who earned their initial nursing degree outside the U.S. and are now licensed in the U.S. This award supports those pursuing advanced degrees to enhance their careers as nurse educators. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program and have completed at least one academic year by the application deadline, with funds applicable for tuition, books, and research-related expenses.

The NLN Cecelia Lou Vriheas Scholarship Award offers an $8,000 scholarship to first-generation nursing students from historically marginalized groups pursuing advanced degrees. This award aims to support those committed to becoming full-time nurse educators. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in accredited nursing programs and demonstrate academic excellence. The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, and related expenses, fostering diversity in nursing education and leadership.

The Emerging Voices Fellowship offers a five-month virtual mentorship for early-career writers from underrepresented communities, including Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and disabled individuals. This program aims to enhance their publishing skills through one-on-one mentorship, workshops, and access to industry professionals. Participants also benefit from community-building events and an honorarium. Established by PEN America, this fellowship seeks to diversify the literary landscape and is open to various genres, fostering creative growth and professional development in a supportive environment.

The T32 Training Program aims to enhance the participation of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders research. This initiative, funded by the NIH, supports institutions committed to diversity and health disparity populations. By providing training opportunities for students and postdoctoral trainees, the program seeks to foster research that improves health outcomes for these communities. Note that appointed trainees cannot lead independent clinical trials but can gain experience in trials conducted by mentors.

The Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity (GFSD) aims to increase the number of American citizens with graduate degrees in STEM fields, focusing on a diverse applicant pool. Founded in 1989, GFSD supports various disciplines, including Astronomy, Biomedical Engineering, and Physics, through partnerships with universities and employers. Each fellowship can last from two to six years, with an annual fee of $27,000, covering both expenses for fellows and operational costs for GFSD. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and meet specific academic requirements.

The NINDS Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) K99/R00 program promotes diversity by supporting new independent investigators from underrepresented backgrounds in AD/ADRD research. This award facilitates a transition from mentored postdoctoral positions to independent faculty roles, providing essential NIH research support. Applicants must propose research that does not involve leading a clinical trial but may include participation in trials led by mentors. Key deadlines for applications span from October 2024 to June 2027.

The NINDS Faculty Development Award aims to enhance diversity in neuroscience research by supporting junior faculty from underrepresented backgrounds. This award provides essential research cost support, protected research time, and mentorship for individuals holding doctoral degrees within their first three years on a faculty tenure track. It specifically encourages research proposals that do not involve independent clinical trials, while allowing participation in trials led by mentors. Key application deadlines span from October 2024 to June 2027.