Best Grants for Reproductive Health in Puerto Rico

The Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program (Rural MOMS) aims to enhance access to maternity and obstetrics care in rural areas through collaborative networks. Funded by the US HHS: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), this initiative focuses on innovative strategies to improve healthcare delivery for mothers and infants in underserved regions, ensuring that quality care is accessible where it is needed most.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in Puerto Rico conducting biomedical research, including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, can apply for NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards; awards up to US $375,000 for small-scale research projects. Eligible schools must grant baccalaureate science degrees and have limited prior NIH funding across non-health professional units.

Nonprofit and public entities providing comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services can apply for US $200,000 - US $22,000,000 to deliver Title X projects in Puerto Rico and other U.S. jurisdictions. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Office of Population Affairs supports voluntary services including counseling, education, and a broad range of family planning methods.

Veterans with service-connected infertility seeking fertility treatment at a Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) clinic can receive financial support for reproductive health needs, including in Puerto Rico. With a mission to aid wounded service members and veterans, Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VIVA Program offers fertility grants and connections to supportive resources.

Nonprofit and academic reproductive health researchers in Puerto Rico and other U.S. jurisdictions can seek funding to advance the science of abortion and contraception. Society of Family Planning Research Fund provides support to scholars of color whose work addresses institutionalized racism and promotes just, equitable family planning research and practice.

The See, Test & Treat Grant offers vital funding for cancer screening and health education programs targeting medically underserved communities. This pathologist-led initiative aims to reduce healthcare barriers, empower preventive care, and connect patients with local resources. Eligible organizations can apply for up to $50,000 over three years, fostering sustainable health improvements. The program emphasizes same-day results for screenings and culturally appropriate education, ensuring equitable access to essential healthcare services.

The SMSNA Scholars in Sexuality Research Grants Program supports junior investigators in exploring human sexuality and sexual wellness. Funded by the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, this initiative provides $5,000 to undergraduate, medical, and graduate school students. Awards are disbursed in two payments, with specific reporting requirements. This program aims to enhance research in sexual medicine and foster diversity in the field, particularly focusing on historically underserved populations.

The SMSNA Scholars in Sexuality Research Grants Program supports junior investigators in the field of human sexuality and sexual wellness. With a funding of $7,500, the program aims to attract emerging researchers and clinicians to sexual medicine. Applications are accepted from graduate students, residents, and post-doctoral fellows, with an emphasis on diverse backgrounds. The program promotes ethical research practices and requires mid-term and final progress reports to ensure accountability.

Researchers evaluating social programs and policies in areas like reproductive health, higher education, workforce training, and public finance can apply for quasi-experimental study support from Arnold Ventures; projects may include Puerto Rico. With a mission to improve lives through evidence-based policy, Arnold Ventures provides funding for rigorous causal research to inform government decision-making.

Puerto Rico reproductive health nonprofits focused on abortion access infrastructure can access funding through Women Donors Network’s Abortion Bridge Collaborative Fund. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S. that center reproductive justice and expand practical abortion care, innovation, or information-sharing may be invited to submit full proposals after completing an initial eligibility survey.

Researchers at U.S. tax-exempt organizations with terminated NIH abortion or contraception grants can apply for up to US $100,000 from the Society of Family Planning to complete or partially complete their projects. With a mission to advance reproductive health, it supports work that sustains equitable, science-informed abortion and contraception research, which may benefit reproductive health efforts in Puerto Rico.

The EMF Family Building Grants, offered by the Expect Miracles Foundation, support young adult cancer survivors in their fertility treatment and family-building efforts. These grants are designed for applicants with a clear family-building plan and financial strategy, helping bridge the gap in costs associated with fertility preservation, assisted reproductive technologies, and related services. By prioritizing those actively engaged in their journey, the foundation aims to empower survivors to pursue their dreams of family.

Puerto Rico patients with Peyronie’s disease who are underinsured and receiving treatment in the U.S. can receive up to US $5,600 to offset prescription drug copays and Medicare Part B premiums. The Healthwell Foundation supports reproductive health by helping eligible individuals cover costs for approved Peyronie’s treatments and related out-of-pocket expenses.

Research institutions and clinical organizations studying reproductive health can apply for funding to document the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of medication abortion up to 97 days. Society of Family Planning provides up to US $950,000 for rigorous U.S.-based research; Puerto Rico projects may be eligible if they contribute to this evidence base.

Organizations and researchers studying reproductive health implementation in Puerto Rico can apply for Society of Family Planning Research Fund’s Opill-focused research opportunity. Grants up to US $175,000 support projects generating actionable, evidence-based insights on cost, distribution, education, and other factors affecting over-the-counter daily oral contraceptive access across the U.S., which may benefit Puerto Rico populations.

Nonprofit organizations planning new projects in reproductive health, women’s issues, arts and culture, literacy, income inequality, or Judaism, including those serving Puerto Rico, can seek funding to maximize local impact. With a mission to empower donors, Foundation For Jewish Philanthropies provides US $2,000 - US $20,000 to fiscally viable groups reaching underserved individuals.

Pershing Square Lotus Award for Ovarian Cancer Research

The Pershing Square Foundation (PSF) has worked across sectors to catalyze innovative approaches to the most difficult problems. Talented individuals have always been at the center of our approach. We aim to support leaders who transform systems, embrace new paradigms, and have an innate drive to make an impact.

PSF has funded pioneering cancer researchers through the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance for over a decade and supported women’s health initiatives in New York City. Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), PSF aims to combine these two priority areas of women’s health and cancer to shine a light on one of the most understudied and underfunded cancers—ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, with 80% of women diagnosed at an advanced stage. Only 27% of women diagnosed during an advanced stage survive for five years. Ovarian cancer remains a disease with a poor prognosis due to limited early detection and treatment options.

PSF supports research efforts by 

• deploying capital quickly, 
• funding high-risk, high-reward ideas, 
• bringing new perspectives into a field, 
• encouraging collaboration, and 
• leveraging our vast network. We challenge our scientific partners to think creatively and across silos, to spur innovation to fight ovarian cancer.

Through the Pershing Square Lotus Award for Ovarian Cancer Research, PSF is looking for investigators who are either already working on a promising project in ovarian cancer or in another type of cancer that could have an impact on ovarian cancer. Grantees each receive $250,000 a year for three years, totaling $750,000.

Researchers who are not studying ovarian cancer are encouraged to apply and required to find a collaborator with experience in ovarian cancer research.

This award aims to 

• inspire investigators with unique expertise to apply their knowledge to ovarian cancer and 
• empower ovarian cancer researchers to pursue their boldest, most innovative ideas. Facing a disease where too few have survived to-date, PSF ultimately aims to create a culture around ovarian cancer that offers women hope, akin to the breast cancer community. PSF is passionate about changing outcomes for tens of thousands of women a year and is hopeful that future scientific discoveries will allow for more survivors who can share their stories for years to come.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on reproductive health and related social or environmental needs, including those serving Puerto Rico, can apply for support from the Anderson Rogers Foundation. The foundation prioritizes innovative projects or general operating support for small, hands-on organizations, and requires a brief letter of inquiry before inviting full proposals.

The Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation's Community Impact Fund Grants aim to enhance community well-being by supporting 501(c)(3) organizations focused on underrepresented populations. Grants range from $3,000 to $20,000 and are intended for projects in areas like disaster relief and sexual health. First-time applicants must submit a letter of intent before applying. The foundation prioritizes projects in regions where its members live and work, ensuring local engagement and impact.

The See, Test & Treat Grant offers funding for a pathologist-led cancer screening program aimed at underserved communities. With a focus on health education, the program provides vital cervical and breast cancer screenings, ensuring same-day results and follow-up care. Eligible institutions can apply for funding up to $20,000 for single-year projects or up to $50,000 over three years. This initiative addresses health disparities, empowers communities, and enhances the visibility of pathology in healthcare.

The Anna Lalor Burdick Program supports initiatives that enhance women's access to reproductive health care, contraception, and pregnancy termination. It prioritizes funding programs that provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, particularly for disadvantaged women. The program seeks innovative approaches, clear goals, and sustainable models, while emphasizing advocacy efforts. Organizations dedicated to reproductive rights in restrictive environments are encouraged to apply, as the foundation aims to empower women through informed choices.

The Emerging Scholars in Family Planning Grant, offered by the Society of Family Planning, aims to support early-career researchers in developing a family planning research portfolio. This grant provides funding for publishable scholarly research projects, including thesis or dissertation work, fostering the next generation of scholars in abortion and contraception research. By promoting diversity and inclusion, the grant seeks to build a multidisciplinary community dedicated to advancing family planning science.

The Reproductive Scientist Development Program (RSDP) aims to enhance maternal and infant health by supporting early-career researchers in obstetrics and gynecology. This program encourages applicants committed to advancing their careers in academic research. With a focus on health equity and the training of scholars, RSDP seeks to foster impactful research proposals that address critical issues such as prematurity and maternal morbidity. Funded by the March of Dimes and other organizations, it empowers diverse talent in the field.

The Herbek Humanitarian Award honors a CAP member pathologist for significant contributions to the See, Test & Treat® program, which offers free cancer screenings to underserved women. Established in 2011, it commemorates Gene N. Herbek, MD, FCAP, who pioneered this initiative for Native Americans. Nominees must have led or significantly contributed to the program, with submissions due by May 3, 2024. Self-nominations or incomplete entries will not be accepted, ensuring high standards in recognition.

The OAR Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for autistic individuals by funding community-led projects that address physical health and support services. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 are available for initiatives designed to produce practical tools and resources. Eligible applicants include family members, autistic individuals, and community organizations committed to improving the lives of those affected by autism. Projects should be innovative, publicly accessible, and focus on priority topics such as health systems and community services.

Vitamin Angels offers grants to US-based organizations dedicated to improving nutrition for pregnant women, infants, and young children. By providing prenatal multivitamins and technical support, the initiative aims to reach underserved communities facing nutritional barriers. Eligible organizations must serve at least 500 children or 100 pregnant women annually and distribute the vitamins without financial support from Vitamin Angels. This collaborative effort enhances health outcomes for vulnerable populations across the nation.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Next Gen Pregnancy Initiative Grants aim to enhance research on pregnancy outcomes, addressing issues such as preterm birth and maternal health. With an emphasis on fostering diverse scientific collaboration, the initiative supports innovative proposals from researchers across various disciplines. Each grant offers up to $500,000 over four years, encouraging groundbreaking studies that explore the biological and environmental factors affecting pregnancy. This initiative seeks to improve health outcomes through informed research and interdisciplinary partnerships.