Incentive Grants Program

The Incentive Grants for Practitioner Innovation in Pharmaceutical Care is the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation’s longest running program, first launched in 1993. This program has awarded over $500,000 in funding to support more than 600 pharmacy-based projects across the United States. These projects have collectively contributed to improved health outcomes for thousands of patients. The grants are designed to support innovative patient care services, particularly those that are implemented or supported within pharmacy practices. The program is supported in part by the Community Pharmacy Foundation, which has been providing matching funds since 2004. The primary purpose of the Incentive Grants Program is to empower pharmacists, pharmacy students, and community pharmacy residents by providing them with seed funding to initiate or sustain innovative models of patient care in ambulatory or community pharmacy settings. Emphasis is placed on the development and implementation of innovative services that address meaningful patient care challenges. Eligible projects may include but are not limited to areas such as immunization practices, access to care, social determinants of health, mental and behavioral health, pharmacy workplace improvements, and chronic disease management including diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The APhA Foundation requires all funded projects to adhere to specific reporting obligations. Grant recipients must submit an interim report, a final project report, a final project expense report, and a short video summary upon completion. Funding must be used only for direct project-related costs. Overhead expenses are not allowed, and recipient salaries are not permitted. However, consultant fees, technician or administrative services, and research-related expenses may be included if they are clearly outlined in the submitted budget. There are two designated subcategories of the Incentive Grants. The “Residents and their Preceptors Incentive Grant” offers $1,000 for practice innovations within community or ambulatory settings, with preferences given to projects focusing on innovative payment models, access disparities, medication safety, and interoperability among others. The “Rothholz Family Innovation in Immunization Practices Incentive Grant” also provides $1,000 to student pharmacists and pharmacists who are designing projects aimed at enhancing vaccine confidence, increasing access to vaccines, or advancing technology and collaboration to improve immunization rates. The grant operates on an annual calendar cycle, with the 2025–2026 application period currently open. Applications must be submitted by September 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT. Grant funds are disbursed upon receipt of completed acceptance and agreement documentation. The program is not offered on a rolling basis, but it is recurring annually. All submissions must focus on innovation aligned with the Foundation's objective to design and evaluate new pharmacy practice models. For further information or assistance, applicants may contact Nicole Sandoval, Executive Fellow at the APhA Foundation, via email at nsandoval@aphanet.org. The APhA Foundation is headquartered at 2215 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037, and can be reached by phone at 202-429-7565.

Watch the 5-minute recap video for application process and funding tips