Hillman Emergent Innovation: Serious Illness and End of Life Grant Program

The Hillman Emergent Innovation: Serious Illness and End of Life (HSEI) program is administered by The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation, whose mission centers on improving the lives of all patients, families, and communities through nursing-driven innovation. The Foundation is especially focused on elevating care for marginalized populations, working under the belief that improving care for those who face systemic inequities enhances the healthcare system as a whole. Their philanthropic efforts support bold, transformative solutions that emerge from a vibrant ecosystem of nurse innovators and their institutional and community collaborators. The HSEI program specifically funds early-stage, nursing-driven interventions that address serious illness and end-of-life care. It is designed to support projects that challenge conventional healthcare strategies and demonstrate potential to become best-in-class models. Successful proposals will show how the intervention can close health equity gaps, particularly for marginalized communities, and provide scalable solutions with long-term impact. Interventions are expected to leverage nursing's holistic approach, creativity, and proximity to patients, emphasizing compassionate and equitable care delivery. Applications that include components such as community partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, measurable outcomes, and non-hospital-based care models receive priority consideration. Special emphasis is placed on building trust in care systems, engaging patients and families, and demonstrating a clear pathway toward sustainable and replicable care delivery models. However, the Foundation explicitly excludes support for projects that are limited to white papers, basic research, infrastructure improvements, technology-only solutions not integrated with care, or work conducted outside the United States and its territories. The grant opportunity provides up to $50,000 in funding to as many as eleven organizations, with a project duration of 12 to 18 months. The Foundation retains discretion to award amounts higher than $50,000 in exceptional cases. Grantees will receive full payment by December 31, 2026, with project start dates scheduled for January 1, 2027. Funds may be allocated to personnel, travel, consultants, supplies, limited equipment costs, research, sub-grants, and indirect costs (up to 15% of direct expenses). Applicants must submit a brief online application that includes a project profile and a letter of intent (LOI). The LOI must describe the problem addressed, target population, proposed intervention, intended outcomes, and budget summary. Required supporting materials include team member bios and optionally letters of support and bibliographies. Organizations eligible to apply include U.S.-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations (excluding private foundations), government entities, and faith-based organizations that serve all individuals regardless of religious belief. International organizations are also eligible if their proposed project serves marginalized populations within the U.S. The application portal opens on January 6, 2026. An optional informational webinar will be held on January 21, 2026. Letters of intent are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 20, 2026. Finalists will be invited to submit full proposals by May 11, 2026, with full proposals due on June 18, 2026. Awards will be announced on September 22, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process early, as Foundation staff availability is limited close to deadlines. Additional resources, including FAQs and a webinar recording, are available on the Foundation’s website.