Cancer and Environment Mini-Grants

The Cancer and Environment Mini-Grants: Building Community Capacity to Address Unusual Patterns of Cancer and Environmental Concerns program is a federally funded initiative designed to help communities across the United States build capacity to investigate and respond to potential environmental contributors to cancer. The opportunity is administered jointly by the National Center for Healthy Housing and the Children’s Environmental Health Network, with funding provided through a cooperative agreement between the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program aims to advance scientific understanding and strengthen local community response efforts where concerns exist regarding elevated cancer incidence rates and environmental hazards. The initiative provides both financial and technical assistance to selected communities. Each grantee receives a $25,000 award along with six months of structured coaching, technical assistance from subject matter experts, and opportunities for peer learning among participating communities. This bundled approach helps local organizations develop the capacity to analyze cancer and environmental data, connect with health and research professionals, and design community-driven workplans for addressing environmental health risks. Grantees also gain access to a national network of experts coordinated through CEHN and NCHH, offering guidance in environmental science, data analysis, community engagement, and public health strategy. Eligible applicants include local, regional, U.S. territorial, tribal, or state nonprofit and community-based organizations. Applicants do not need to hold formal 501(c)(3) status but must be based within the United States. For-profit entities are not eligible. The program encourages participation from communities disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards or with demonstrated concerns about cancer incidence patterns. Applicants may apply in one of two tracks: development phase for early-stage efforts or implementation phase for communities that have already established priorities and partnerships. Each proposal must clearly define community needs, planned activities, and long-term goals for environmental and cancer-related work. The grant timeline follows a defined six-month project period. Applications for the 2025 cycle were due on January 15, 2025, with award notifications issued in early February. Selected grantees began work in February with an introductory webinar and completed monthly coaching sessions through July 2025. Final reports were due to the National Center for Healthy Housing by the end of July, followed by a virtual convening of all participants in July and August 2025. Funding was disbursed in two installments: $20,000 upon contract execution and $5,000 upon receipt of required final reporting materials. Applicants were evaluated competitively based on demonstrated need, clarity of objectives, readiness to engage stakeholders, and potential for sustained impact. Reviewers from NCHH, CDC, ASTHO, CEHN, and a community representative assessed submissions using criteria that emphasized equity, community engagement, and scientific rigor. Successful grantees were expected to demonstrate progress toward long-term goals, such as improved collaboration among local agencies, enhanced access to data, and community-driven policy or systems change initiatives. The overall objective of the Cancer and Environment Mini-Grants program is to empower local communities with knowledge, technical resources, and financial support to better understand and address environmental factors that may contribute to cancer incidence, particularly in underserved or environmentally burdened areas.