Best Obesity Prevention Grants in North Carolina

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina working on obesity prevention, diabetes, nutrition, or oral health programs can access funding through Sun Life Financial’s Health Access grant program. U.S. charities may request US $25,000 - US $100,000 in programmatic support for prevention, education, management, and recovery services in at-risk communities.

Tribal colleges and universities running informal, community-based extension projects on agriculture, youth, economic development, healthy lifestyles, natural resources, or related topics important to Tribal communities can apply for funding, including work in North Carolina. With a mission to support Tribal communities, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers up to US $300,000 for multi-year capacity-building projects that may include obesity prevention and healthy lifestyle initiatives.

Biomedical research institutions conducting obesity-related clinical trials in North Carolina can access funding through the National Institutes of Health’s NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22). This five-year award supports postdoctoral fellows moving from NHLBI intramural training to independent extramural research careers, including work on obesity, metabolic disease, and related cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.

Biomedical research institutions and similar organizations conducting obesity-related and other biomedical studies in North Carolina can access funding to support NHLBI intramural postdoctoral fellows transitioning to independent positions. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health offers this career transition award for junior investigators moving to extramural institutions across eligible U.S. locations.

North Carolina research institutions studying obesity, bariatric surgery, and cancer mechanisms can access funding through the National Institutes of Health for investigator-initiated R01 projects. This National Cancer Institute opportunity supports studies on how bariatric surgery influences cancer risk, with awards up to US $2,500,000 and multiple standard and renewal deadlines through 2027.

Research institutions studying obesity and cancer mechanisms, including those in North Carolina, can apply for grants from the National Cancer Institute to conduct proof-of-concept studies on how bariatric surgery affects cancer risk. Awards up to US $275,000 support feasibility and exploratory development projects rather than short-term outcomes like weight loss or diabetes.

Research institutions and similar organizations evaluating obesity-related policies or programs in North Carolina can access funding through the National Institutes of Health for time-sensitive studies on health behaviors and chronic disease risk. This opportunity supports rapid-start evaluations of uncommon, scientifically compelling chances to study how new policies affect diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and weight outcomes.

Postdoctoral trainees, fellows, clinical fellows, and research associates at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health can receive up to US $20,000 to support research, education projects, or professional development that advance health, health care, or health equity. Grants from University of Wisconsin - Madison may benefit work related to obesity and related health issues beyond North Carolina.

Clinical research institutions in North Carolina studying pediatric obesity treatment can apply for National Institutes of Health funding; awards up to US $1,000,000 for clinical centers testing anti-obesity medication strategies. Projects should evaluate optimal use of AOMs in children and adolescents, including dosing, timing, adjunct lifestyle therapies, and impacts on growth, mental health, and quality of life.

Research institutions and clinical centers conducting pediatric obesity and anti-obesity medication studies in North Carolina can access funding via the National Institutes of Health to lead a Research Coordinating Center. The center will manage a multi-site consortium, standardize data and biospecimen collection, support statistical design and analysis, and coordinate collaborative clinical trials.

North Carolina institutions conducting nutrition and obesity research can access funding through National Institutes of Health to establish Nutrition Obesity Research Centers. Awards up to US $750,000 support research core services, pilot and feasibility studies, and enrichment activities that advance understanding and treatment of obesity, nutrition-related conditions, and related metabolic diseases.

Nonprofit organizations working on obesity prevention, nutrition, diabetes, or oral health access in North Carolina can apply for Sun Life Financial’s Health Access Heroes Awards; awards US $10,000 to support impactful community health programs. Individual changemakers are also recognized, with donations directed to the charity of their choice.

North Carolina research institutions and other eligible organizations conducting patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness studies on obesity and related conditions can access funding through Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Projects may compare treatments or care delivery strategies, including obesity, diabetes, pain, and urogynecological issues, with awards up to US $12,000,000 across three funding categories.

U.S.-based research institutions and clinical organizations studying obesity, diabetes, pain, or related conditions can apply for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s Broad Pragmatic Studies funding; awards support patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. North Carolina teams working on obesity prevention and treatment strategies may be eligible to compare health interventions or care delivery approaches.

Health systems, research institutions, and implementation teams working on obesity and related health conditions in North Carolina can apply to implement findings from PCORI-funded comparative effectiveness research. Grants from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute help organizations nationwide scale evidence-based interventions, using multicomponent implementation strategies and rigorous evaluation to improve health care and patient outcomes across multiple systems and populations.

Through grant-making, AIH partners with mission-aligned organizations by funding initiatives that align with our strategic objectives.

Granting Goals 

• Advance a future where healthcare and communities support whole person care, and healthy choices are accessible and effective in preventing, treating, and reversing chronic disease.
• Transform the way people are cared for in America by establishing lifestyle medicine and whole person care as integral components of the delivery of care in the US healthcare system

Focus Areas:

• Primary Care - Integration of whole person care
• Comprehensive Obesity Care - Integration of food is medicine
• Underserved Communities - Equitable delivery of whole person care

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Carolina working on cardiovascular and metabolic health, especially obesity-related stroke and vascular risk, can seek funding to improve patient access, education, and support services. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine help local and regional programs advance health equity, strengthen frontline health workforces, and address disparities in at-risk communities.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits, equivalent international organizations focusing work in the U.S., government entities, and inclusive faith-based organizations can apply for Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation’s Hillman Innovations in Care Grant; awards Up to US $500,000 for nursing-driven care models. North Carolina obesity prevention and chronic illness programs serving communities facing racism may be eligible.