Hillman Foundation – Hillman Emergent Innovation program in nursing-driven interventions

The mission of the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation is to improve the lives of all patients, families, and communities through nursing-driven innovation.

To that end, the foundation invites applications for the Hillman Emergent Innovation (HEI) program, which provides grants to accelerate the development of bold, nursing-driven interventions that will improve the health and health care of marginalized populations. These populations include BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), the economically disadvantaged, LGBTQ+ people, people experiencing homelessness, rural populations, immigrant and refugee populations, and other groups that encounter barriers to receiving quality care.

The HEI program seeks proposals for innovative, early-stage nursing-driven interventions that: challenge conventional strategies for delivering and improving care to marginalized populations in the United States; demonstrate potential as a best-in-class intervention; narrow gaps in health equity; and show potential for scalability. The program will award grants of $50,000 each over 12 to 18 months to up to five organizations. 

Additional priority consideration will be given to proposals that include one or more of the following: build trust and credibility in programs or systems of care; engagement of patients, families, caregivers, and/or community organizations; inter-professional or multidisciplinary collaboration; strong institutional and community partnerships; provision of care in non-hospital settings; and measurable goals and outcomes.

Eligible applicants include U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are not classified as private foundations; international organizations that are the equivalent of U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations that are submitting a project that focuses on serving marginalized populations within the U.S.; government entities; and faith-based organizations that welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief.

Letters of intent are due February 28, 2023, and upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by June 27, 2023.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation website.