Best Grants for Public Health in Washington

First- and second-year medical students conducting clinical, basic science, epidemiology, or health services research, including public health projects in Washington, can apply for the Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship. Focused on advancing medical scholarship, Alpha Omega Alpha provides US $7,000 plus limited travel reimbursement for presenting results at a national conference.

The CDC is providing supplemental funding to 34 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and organizations through the Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services initiative. Eligible recipients can apply for new project plans for FY 2027. This funding aims to align measurable outcomes with the Healthy People 2030 goals, enhancing public health services and systems in Indian Country.

Research institutions and clinical teams in Washington conducting head and neck cancer translational clinical or epidemiologic studies using emerging technologies can apply for the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Foundation’s CORE AHNS Presidential Award, with awards of US $15,000. Projects should advance oncology, otorhinolaryngology, and public health through innovative tools and data-driven approaches.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in public health or environmental science studying full-time at accredited U.S. institutions, including those from Washington, can access funding through Native Forward Scholars Fund. Awards range from US $100 - US $30,000 per year and are need-based, with eligibility verified through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Washington public health and community organizations can access funding through Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation’s Thriving Community Impact Fund for programs improving physical, mental, and social well-being, poverty and economic stability, and neighborhood environments. Eligible nonprofits, schools, and government agencies may receive US $2,500 - US $49,999 for community health impact initiatives.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies in Washington can apply for Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation’s Thriving Community Impact Fund Support Grants, awarding up to US $2,499 for community health programs. Funding may support public health initiatives in physical, mental, and social well-being, poverty and economic stability, and neighborhood or built-environment improvements, with a simple rolling application and quick decisions.

Chuckanut Health Foundation provides Washington public health and community health nonprofits with US $2,600 - US $26,000 to address critical local health needs. Funding supports community-led projects in early childhood, aging and older adults, youth mental health, the opioid epidemic, civic belonging and health equity, and health care access in Whatcom County.

Master’s-prepared public health nurse leaders in Washington can receive US $2,000 - US $4,000 to advance their education and leadership through the Judy Ziels Memorial Scholarship. Chuckanut Health Foundation supports nurses who blend clinical expertise, compassion, and systems-level thinking, with added mentorship opportunities in public health and community-rooted work.

Health systems, research institutions, and clinical teams working on public health and integrative care in Washington can seek upcoming NIH funding to improve management of co-occurring chronic pain and opioid use disorder. With a mission to advance evidence-based treatment, NIH will support implementation research, collaborative care models, and capacity-building through the HEAL IMPOWR BEACON Center initiative.

Washington public health and biomedical research organizations working on aerospace medicine, human performance, or population health can access funding through the Dept. of the Air Force’s CHEERS opportunity. This national program supports studies and analysis in areas like epidemiology, occupational and environmental health, and preventive medicine that contribute to current and future Department of Defense missions.

Master’s students in school-based health education programs at accredited U.S. or U.S. territory institutions can receive the Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship, a $1,000 award for any educational expenses. With a mission to advance health and physical education, Society of Health and Physical Educators supports future public health educators, including those studying in Washington.

Undergraduate students majoring in school-based health education at accredited U.S. or U.S. territory colleges, including those from Washington, can apply for the Bill Kane Undergraduate Scholarship, a US $1,000 award for any personal or educational use. Society of Health and Physical Educators also provides a one-year complimentary student membership to recipients.

Research institutions and investigators working on public health and health systems in Washington can apply for National Institutes of Health HEAL Initiative funding to study integrated management of chronic pain and opioid use disorder. This opportunity supports collaborative, health-system–level research on implementing and scaling effective, integrated CP/OUD care models in real-world settings.

Public health and epidemiology organizations in Washington and other eligible U.S. jurisdictions can apply for FDA’s NARMS Cooperative Agreement, awarding up to US $200,000 to strengthen antibiotic resistance surveillance in retail food specimens. Funding supports enhanced detection of drug-resistant bacteria and expansion of sampling sites within the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System.

Healthcare and public health organizations in Washington may be eligible for E S Prentiss Foundation grants supporting medical and surgical research, public health initiatives, and hospital care. Funding can back capital improvements, equipment, rare drugs, operational expenses, and programs expanding access to competent medical care, with commitments up to five years.

Public interest legal organizations addressing opioid use disorder and public health in Washington can access funding through the Equal Justice Works Opioid Crisis Response Program Fellowship. Equal Justice Works provides Washington public health efforts with two-year Attorney Fellows who deliver free civil legal aid, reduce legal barriers to treatment, and expand services in underserved OUD-affected communities nationwide.

Focused on water and waste infrastructure, USDA: Rural Development invites Washington public health and community organizations to seek support for safe drinking water and waste disposal projects in eligible Colonias. Federally recognized tribes, state and local governments, and nonprofits serving rural areas under 10,000 people may be eligible for loans or grants.

Federally recognized Tribes, eligible state or local governments, and nonprofits in Washington can obtain funding to build safe drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems in low-income Tribal communities. USDA Rural Development provides year-round loans and grants for rural areas where at least half of residents are Tribal members facing serious health risks from inadequate water or waste services.

This funding opportunity aims to address health disparities in non-communicable and chronic diseases in Latin America. The initiative encourages collaborative research that evaluates public health policies and improves health outcomes among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos. Applications are welcomed from multi-disciplinary teams, with a requirement for collaboration with Latin American institutions. Key deadlines for submission are outlined, with a focus on innovative approaches to tackling critical health issues across the region.

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.

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 ABMS Research and Education Foundation grants support innovative research aimed at enhancing healthcare quality through board certification. By encouraging collaborations among ABMS Member Boards, the program seeks original studies that inform improvements in certification processes. Proposals are reviewed based on relevance to the ABMS mission, research novelty, methods, team composition, and potential impact. Applications from diverse health organizations are welcomed, provided the principal investigator is unaffiliated with ABMS.

The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) supports small-scale research grants for institutions with limited NIH funding, emphasizing biomedical research experiences for undergraduates. Eligible institutions must award baccalaureate science degrees and have received no more than $6 million in NIH support over the past seven years. This initiative aims to enhance the research environment at these institutions, fostering student involvement in research activities.

The Translational Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Kaiser Permanente Northern California offers a two-year opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to engage in multidisciplinary research within an integrated healthcare system. The program focuses on various areas including epidemiology, outcomes research, and intervention research, providing fellows with mentorship from experienced investigators. This fellowship aims to develop essential skills in research, writing, and grant preparation, fostering a new generation of researchers dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and policy.

The Limited Competition for High Impact Specialized Innovation Programs aims to enhance clinical and translational science by funding unique capabilities and addressing critical gaps through the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program. This initiative fosters collaboration across a national network of academic medical centers, facilitating the transition of scientific discoveries into impactful health interventions. Applications are peer-reviewed, ensuring funding is directed towards the most promising proposals.

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 Limited Competition Research Education Program for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program aims to enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation's biomedical and clinical research needs. It supports educational activities that facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical health interventions. Funded by the NIH, this program invites applications from eligible organizations, and only those with meritorious proposals will be considered for funding.