Best Grants for Global Health in Puerto Rico

The Leiber & Stoller Music Scholarship, funded by The ASCAP Foundation, offers $2,500 annually for four years to high school seniors pursuing a music major. Aspiring songwriters, musicians, and vocalists are encouraged to apply. The selection process evaluates music and lyric writing, overall craftsmanship, and artistry. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or residents and meet specific criteria. The scholarship is aimed at nurturing the next generation of music creators, ensuring their educational journey is supported.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Puerto Rico aim to enhance small rural businesses through technical assistance and training. With no maximum grant amount, priority is given to smaller requests, and funds can be utilized for various projects including training, land development, and pollution control. Eligible applicants include rural public entities and nonprofits that serve communities outside urban centers. This initiative fosters economic growth and innovation in underserved areas, ensuring sustainable development for local businesses.

The Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program aims to expedite the integration of scientific discoveries into effective health interventions. By providing essential infrastructure and support to academic medical centers, the program fosters innovative research approaches that enhance translational science. The Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award under this initiative seeks to promote partnerships that accelerate the development of new treatments, ultimately improving health outcomes for diverse populations.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for innovative technologies aimed at cancer research and clinical care. This funding opportunity supports early-stage projects focused on proof-of-concept studies to assess the feasibility of new methods and tools. Applications should demonstrate significant technical innovation, targeting advancements in cancer biology, early detection, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology. Technologies may include novel analysis platforms, imaging technologies, and biospecimen processing innovations, with a focus on cancer applications.

The Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants program aims to provide safe drinking water and waste disposal services to low-income communities on Tribal lands, addressing significant health risks. Eligible applicants include federally-recognized Tribes, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Funding can be used for constructing essential water and waste systems, and while matching funds are typically required, a full grant is possible under certain conditions. Applications are accepted year-round.

The USDA Rural Development program provides essential loans and grants to improve water and waste disposal services in low-income communities, specifically targeting Colonias recognized before 1989. This initiative aims to alleviate health risks associated with inadequate access to safe drinking water and waste management. Eligible applicants include federally-recognized tribes and local governments, with funds supporting the construction of vital infrastructure to ensure community health and sustainability.

The SEARCH Grant provides essential support for very small, financially distressed rural communities by funding predevelopment feasibility studies and technical assistance for water and waste disposal projects. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes. Funds can be used for feasibility studies, design analysis, and technical help in securing financial assistance, ensuring improvements in rural infrastructure and community health.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) seeks to fund interdisciplinary research on non-addictive natural products for chronic pain management. This initiative supports the NIH HEAL Initiative by emphasizing safe, prevention-oriented strategies. Research should focus on the holistic effects of natural products across various biological systems, optimizing dosages, and identifying optimal intervention timing to enhance therapeutic outcomes. The goal is to generate foundational insights that will guide future translational research for effective pain management.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Puerto Rico provides essential funding to develop community facilities in rural areas. Eligible projects include healthcare, public safety, and educational services. Grants support up to 75% of project costs for communities with a population under 5,000 and low median household incomes. This program aims to enhance the quality of life in rural areas by funding vital services that foster community growth and support local needs.

The External Collaborative Research Grants by Boehringer Ingelheim support academic and clinical scientists in proposing research studies. These grants facilitate collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, which may provide intellectual and financial support. Applicants must assume full responsibility for their research while complying with regulatory standards. The funding should cover research costs, excluding salary support for the collaborative partner. Interested investigators must apply online for consideration.

The Sammy Cahn Award, presented by The ASCAP Foundation, honors exceptional lyric-writing talent among songwriters of original songs. Established in 1995 to commemorate Sammy Cahn's legacy, the award offers a $5,000 prize to recipients. Eligible entrants include ASCAP writer members in good standing or independent songwriters. Submissions are judged anonymously based on lyric quality and overall craft, ensuring the recognition of artistic excellence within the songwriting community.

The AASM Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, established in 2005, provides essential financial aid to AASM accredited sleep centers impacted by natural disasters. By supporting these centers, the fund ensures that medical care remains accessible to patients during crises. Past funding has assisted centers after events like Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, helping them recover and restore operations quickly. This initiative highlights the commitment to maintaining patient care in the face of adversity.

The Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) aims to boost basic and clinical research at health professional and graduate schools that have historically received limited NIH funding. By supporting small-scale research projects led by faculty, REAP fosters student engagement in significant research endeavors, enhancing their educational experience. Eligible institutions must grant advanced degrees in health professions and have received under $6 million in NIH support in four of the last seven years, promoting broader participation in the nation's biomedical research efforts.

The Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship, launched by the First Nations Development Institute and the Henry Luce Foundation, supports Native knowledge holders and makers in their transformative work. With ten fellowships of $75,000 each, this two-year program fosters growth and collaboration across diverse fields such as agriculture, climate change, and cultural revitalization. Fellows will engage in community-building through required convenings, enhancing their leadership skills and professional networks to benefit Native communities.

The Peggy Lee Songwriter Award, presented by the ASCAP Foundation, honors lyricists of original songs who exhibit a sophisticated command of language and demonstrate significant talent. This prestigious award recognizes contributions to jazz and popular music, with a prize of $2,500 shared among co-writers. Eligible entrants must be U.S. citizens or residents, at least 18 years old, and ASCAP members in good standing. This award celebrates the legacy of Peggy Lee, a pioneering figure in music.

The FY26 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Impact Award promotes significant research aimed at enhancing clinical cancer care. It requires preliminary data to ensure feasibility and emphasizes projects with a strong potential for immediate impact. This funding supports clinical trials and allows for either a single Principal Investigator or a duo of partnering PIs, ensuring that both can contribute distinct aspects of the research. Applications must be carefully coordinated to avoid withdrawal risks.

The HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) aims to support R15-eligible Principal Investigators in conducting rigorous pain research. This initiative promotes interdisciplinary partnerships and enhances the research environment for health professional trainees. Key deadlines include October 28, 2025, and October 27, 2026, for standard applications, and November 24, 2025, and November 23, 2026, for AIDS-related applications. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days prior to the due date.

The FY26 Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program's Clinical Trial Award aims to fund impactful clinical trials that address psychological health issues and traumatic brain injury (TBI). This award supports a variety of interventions, requires preliminary data, and mandates community-based participatory research approaches. It offers two research levels: one for pilot studies and early trials, and another for larger, advanced trials assessing effectiveness in relevant populations.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is inviting applications for the Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for 2027-2029. This funding opportunity supports innovative translational research aimed at improving prevention, detection, and treatment of organ-specific cancers. Eligible projects may address related cancer types from the same organ system or focus on common biological mechanisms. The program emphasizes research that translates findings into clinical applications, with the goal of achieving a human endpoint during the grant period.

The FY26 Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program (TBIPHRP) aims to support impactful health services research that connects research, practice, and policy. It emphasizes building real-world evidence for interventions and clinical guidelines tailored to specific populations. Key features include requirements for clinical trials, preliminary data, and community-based participatory research approaches. The program also offers an Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option to foster collaboration between seasoned and emerging researchers.

The DoW Peer Reviewed Cancer Clinical Trial Award supports the rapid initiation of clinical trials aimed at significantly improving cancer treatment. Projects may range from small pilot studies to large-scale phase III trials, focusing on innovative products, drugs, or devices. This award mandates the inclusion of patient advocates and prohibits animal studies, ensuring that all preclinical work is completed prior to the award start date. Regulatory applications must be submitted if required for the proposed trials.

The NCI Research Specialist Award (R50) supports clinician scientists involved in NCI-funded clinical trials. This funding opportunity encourages the development of stable research careers by providing salary support and autonomy, allowing clinician scientists to contribute to national clinical trial development and implementation. They play a critical role in sustaining the NCI clinical trials network without serving as principal investigators. This award aims to ensure continuity in cancer research careers.

The NIDCD Cooperative Agreement for Clinical Trials in Communication Disorders (U01) invites applications to support clinical trials that require FDA oversight, aim to establish efficacy, or pose significant risks. This initiative, managed by the NIH, seeks to enhance interventions for communication disorders and encourages collaboration between NIDCD Project Scientists and investigators. Proposals are due by 5 PM local time, with Letters of Intent recommended 30 days prior to the deadline.

The National Cancer Institute's PAIRS program aims to explore innovative cancer therapies by leveraging synthetic vulnerabilities that interact with tumor responses to radiation therapy. This initiative supports the development of targeted drug-radiation combinations, focusing on precision medicine to optimize treatment efficacy while minimizing harm to normal tissues. By consolidating prior funding opportunities, PAIRS encourages research that addresses context-dependent vulnerabilities, enhancing therapeutic strategies and aligning with NIH's scientific goals.

The Home Visiting Research, Improvement, Sustainability and Evaluation Center (HV-RISE) aims to enhance home visiting services for families. By leveraging research, HV-RISE supports programs in testing and implementing effective practices, thereby improving outcomes. This initiative seeks to identify and expand successful strategies, ensuring that families receive the best support possible through evidence-based home visiting services.

The BioLEAP Classroom Grants, funded by the National Anti Vivisection Society, support U.S. educators in purchasing humane alternatives to animal dissection. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for innovative learning tools like 3D models and synthetic specimens. This initiative promotes ethical education in anatomy labs, ensuring teachers have access to effective resources while fostering a compassionate approach to learning.

This research study, funded by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, aims to investigate the effects of international parental child abduction (IPCA) on both abducted children and their left-behind parents. Key objectives include identifying the psychological, developmental, and social impacts of IPCA, pinpointing supportive gaps in the U.S., and recommending effective solutions to enhance support for affected families.