Jeffress Trust Awards Program in Research Advancing Health Equity

The Jeffress Trust Awards Program in Research Advancing Health Equity is administered by Health Resources in Action (HRiA) on behalf of the Thomas F. and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust, with Bank of America, N.A., serving as trustee. Since 1981, the Trust has supported scientific research across Virginia in areas such as bioinformatics, astrophysics, drug development, and more. In 2022, the program’s mission pivoted to focus explicitly on health equity. This decision was informed by a thorough statewide health landscape assessment, highlighting the need to address systemic and structural barriers that impede health outcomes for marginalized populations. The restructured grant program reflects this direction and seeks to bolster the efforts of Virginia-based institutions to create community-led, data-informed solutions that dismantle inequities and elevate public health. The grant supports two main types of awards. First, the Partnership/Collaborative Establishment Awards offer $150,000 over two years for partnerships to build foundations and develop strategies for future health equity research. These awards allow recipients to cultivate collaborations, define research questions, and design approaches that align with community needs. Second, the Research Awards offer $600,000 over three years, exclusively to previous recipients of the Partnership Awards. These grants support established collaborations in executing comprehensive, action-oriented research projects that aim to influence systemic change and inform future policies and practices. Awardees are expected to focus on three categories of research: Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change strategies; program and practice analysis; and general research targeting structural determinants of health. Funding may be used for staff salaries, subcontractor costs, community member stipends, and project-related operating expenses. Up to 15% of direct costs may be allocated toward indirect expenses. Notably, the program encourages that a majority of the grant funds be managed by a non-academic or non-hospital partner, to promote equitable power-sharing and community engagement. However, capital expenses and clinical trials are not permitted. All awardees must engage in periodic progress reviews with HRiA, participate in biannual convenings, and ensure findings are disseminated back to affected communities through accessible formats. Eligible applicants include Virginia-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, and federally recognized tribes with territory in Virginia. The funder encourages both emerging and established partnerships and particularly supports community-based organizations as project leads. Collaborations may also include academic institutions, local governments, hospitals, and advocacy groups. However, individuals, for-profit entities, and proposals for clinical trials are ineligible. Clear roles for all partners must be described in the application, including how impacted populations will be authentically involved throughout the research process. The application deadline is February 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. The performance period for Partnership Awards runs from June 30, 2026, to June 29, 2028, while Research Awards run through June 29, 2029. An informational office hours session will be held on February 3, 2026. All proposals must be submitted via HRiA’s Award Manager portal, and applications must include a range of components, including narrative responses, budget forms, CVs, and letters of partnership. There is no pre-application requirement like an LOI, but thorough documentation is necessary for a complete submission. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as commitment to health equity, community leadership, feasibility, and the strength of partnerships. Reviewers will prioritize proposals that demonstrate long-term impact, community-driven planning and execution, and an actionable dissemination plan. Notifications of award decisions are expected in summer 2026. The program operates on a recurring basis, and the next anticipated deadline will likely fall in February 2027.

Emphasize community-led partnerships, equity-centered outcomes, and detailed milestones; address barriers and sustainability; highlight dissemination strategy.