Best Obesity Prevention Grants in Minnesota

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Minnesota working on obesity prevention, diabetes, nutrition, or oral health programs can apply for Sun Life Financial’s Health Access Heroes grants, offering US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programmatic support. Grants from Sun Life Financial help expand prevention, education, management, and care efforts in at-risk communities across the U.S.

Tribal colleges and universities running informal, community-based extension projects on agriculture, youth, economic development, healthy lifestyles, or related topics in Minnesota and nationwide can apply for USDA’s Tribal Colleges Extension Program – Capacity Applications. With a mission to support Tribal community priorities, USDA: National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides up to US $300,000 for a new 4-year continuation funding cycle.

Biomedical research institutions conducting obesity-related clinical trials in Minnesota and other U.S. locations can access funding through the National Institutes of Health’s NHLBI Career Transition Award. This five-year K22 program supports NHLBI intramural postdoctoral fellows as they move from mentored intramural research to independent extramural positions focused on obesity and related conditions.

Postdoctoral fellows and other doctoral-level researchers in NHLBI’s intramural program seeking to transition to junior investigator roles at extramural institutions can pursue research funding for obesity and related biomedical fields in Minnesota and nationwide. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports this career transition award for independent, non-clinical-trial projects.

Minnesota research institutions and medical centers studying obesity and bariatric surgery can access funding through the National Institutes of Health for projects on how bariatric surgery influences cancer risk. This U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services opportunity offers up to US $2,500,000 for investigator-initiated mechanistic studies, with multiple application cycles through 2027.

Research institutions studying obesity, bariatric surgery, and cancer mechanisms in Minnesota can apply for National Institutes of Health support for proof-of-concept studies. Grants from NIH help U.S. investigators explore how bariatric surgery affects cancer risk, offering up to US $275,000 for feasibility and exploratory development projects that have not yet established feasibility in the literature.

Research institutions and similar organizations studying obesity-related policies or programs in Minnesota can apply for time-sensitive funding to evaluate impacts on diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and weight outcomes. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports empirical studies that present uncommon, scientifically compelling opportunities requiring expedited review and award to inform obesity prevention efforts.

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 advance research, education, or professional development projects improving health and health equity. Grants from University of Wisconsin - Madison help address issues like obesity, diabetes, cancer, maternal and child health, and more in Wisconsin and beyond.

Clinical research institutions in Minnesota studying pediatric obesity treatment can apply for National Institutes of Health funding, with awards up to US $1,000,000, to test anti-obesity medication strategies for children and adolescents. Projects should evaluate medication use alongside lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and quality-of-life outcomes within clinical care settings.

Research institutions and clinical centers conducting pediatric obesity and anti-obesity medication studies in Minnesota and nationwide can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to serve as a Research Coordinating Center. The award supports coordination, data harmonization, statistical design, and collaboration across a consortium testing treatment strategies for children and adolescents with obesity.

Minnesota obesity and nutrition research institutions can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish Nutrition Obesity Research Centers that integrate existing programs. Awards up to US $750,000 support core research services, pilot and feasibility projects, and enrichment activities advancing understanding of nutrition, obesity, and related metabolic diseases.

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

Grants supporting organizations implementing patient-centered comparative effectiveness research to improve obesity-related care and outcomes in Minnesota and nationwide help health-focused institutions move evidence into practice. Grants from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fund multicomponent implementation projects using PCORI-generated findings across health systems, with rigorous evaluation and stakeholder engagement to enhance health care and health outcomes.

Minnesota obesity-focused research organizations can access funding through the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute to conduct patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness studies. Eligible public or private U.S. entities, and foreign organizations with clear U.S. healthcare relevance, may receive up to US $12,000,000 to compare obesity-related treatments or care delivery strategies and engage patients and stakeholders throughout the research process.

Research institutions and healthcare organizations in Minnesota 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. Projects comparing health treatments or care delivery strategies for obesity-related outcomes may be eligible within this U.S.-wide opportunity.

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 and community organizations working on hunger prevention, health, and healthy lifestyles in Minnesota can access funding through Dawn Foods Foundation. The program supports initiatives that alleviate hunger, combat childhood obesity, and improve community well-being, which may benefit obesity prevention efforts alongside related education and community vibrancy projects.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits running cardiovascular and metabolism programs can seek funding to improve patient access, education, and support services. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine help organizations addressing stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, thromboembolic disease, vascular protection, and related health disparities, which may include obesity-related cardiovascular risks.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, and equivalent organizations with nursing-driven care models addressing racism’s impact on health can apply for Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation’s Hillman Innovations in Care grants; awards Up to US $500,000 for program costs. Minnesota obesity prevention efforts that tackle inequities and chronic disease in vulnerable populations may be eligible.