The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on elevating health and healthcare for marginalized communities through nursing-driven innovation, offers the Hillman Innovations in Care (HIC) program. This initiative awards grants to support innovative, evidence-based, and scalable healthcare interventions led by nurses. Through the HIC program, the Foundation aims to transform care delivery and improve health outcomes by empowering nurse innovators who tackle systemic barriers and inequities in healthcare.
The 2026 Hillman Innovations in Care program will provide up to four grants of $250,000 each for projects that span a two-year period. The funding is intended for interventions that challenge conventional care models and demonstrate strong potential for widespread replicability and health equity impact. Projects must be implemented within the United States or its territories. The grants are structured with annual disbursements, the first of which will be distributed by December 31, 2026, and the second aligned with the second year of the project, which is expected to start on January 1, 2027.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, equivalent international organizations with projects focused on marginalized U.S. populations, government entities, and inclusive faith-based organizations. Individuals and discriminatory organizations are not eligible. The Foundation does not fund basic science research, capital projects, training programs, or stand-alone technology initiatives not integrated into a broader intervention.
The submission process involves multiple stages. A brief online application is required, beginning with a Letter of Intent (LOI) that must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 20, 2026. Finalists will be invited to submit a full proposal by May 1, 2026. The awards will be announced on October 20, 2026. Applicants must submit a project profile, LOI narrative, and supporting materials such as team biographies, optional letters of support, and additional evidence in a single PDF.
Allowable expenses for the grant include personnel, travel, consultants, supplies, equipment (with limited infrastructure support), and indirect costs up to 15% of direct costs. All costs must align with the total $250,000 award limit. Grantees are expected to submit annual reports, participate in updates and evaluations, and disseminate findings through academic or professional channels.
The Foundation evaluates applications based on health impact, innovation, nursing leadership, scalability, feasibility, and sustainability. Additional priority is given to projects that demonstrate trust-building, community engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration, diversity among investigators, and a clear strategy for advancing health equity. The program is competitive, receiving over 300 applications annually, and emphasizes transparency and learning for continuous improvement.
