Journalism Grants FAQ's
Why is NIHCM making this support available? What type of projects are supported?
NIHCM Foundation aims to support independent, timely, and impactful health care journalism that informs efforts to improve the affordability, accessibility, and quality of health care in the US. This program includes grants for reporting projects and for journalism education programs. Funded projects should produce new insights that are relevant to policymakers, health plans, health care delivery systems, health care consumers, and/or related stakeholders. All proposals should be geared towards improving health care in the US.
Are there specific topic areas of interest?
Yes. Please see the call for applications for more details on the specific areas of interest. However, we will also review applications that fall outside the specific areas on a case-by-case basis.
How much support will be available?
NIHCM is awarding up to $460,000 for the 2026 - 2027 Health Care Journalism Grant cycle, with most individual grants awarded in the $15,000 - $30,000 range. We will be assessing the efficiency of the proposed budget relative to the expected impact and project scope.
Who is eligible to apply?
We welcome applications from journalists from national and local print, digital, and broadcast outlets, both nonprofit and for-profit news organizations, as well as freelancers (letters of interest or commitment are encouraged). Nonprofit organizations and universities are also welcome to apply. Proposals must focus on the United States to be considered.
Should I apply again after a rejection?
Yes, you are welcome to reapply for funding. Sometimes a project cannot be supported due to budget constraints or if a similar project has been selected for funding. Please apply again when you have a strong project idea that fits the criteria.
What timeframe is expected for the funded projects?
Applications will be judged on their potential to produce timely results. Projects should be published within a year of the grant being awarded.
What is the application timeline?
All applicants are required to submit an application for each of their proposed projects by October 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Applications are welcome at any time prior to that deadline. Applications must be submitted using Good Grants, NIHCM's online entry system.
NIHCM will notify grant winners in December 2026.
How do I submit an application? What information must be included?
Applications must be submitted via Good Grants, NIHCM’s online entry system, by October 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. The application requires basic information about the submitter as well as some general questions about the proposed project.
You may complete your submission in stages, if needed. The Submission Dashboard of the online entry system will show the status as "Draft" until you complete your submission.
What happens after an application is submitted?
After you submit the application, the status on your Submission Dashboard will change from "Draft" to "Submitted." A confirmation email will also be sent to the submitter confirming that the application has been submitted.
Submitters can only submit a finalized application. The system will not allow for additional revisions to be made. If you submit a draft in error or find that you need to revise the application (before the entry deadline), please contact Stryker-Ann Vosteen at svosteen@nihcm.org.
If any problems with your application are identified (e.g., an upload is illegible), someone from NIHCM will contact you to resolve the issue.
What criteria will be used to select the winning entries?
Proposals will be judged using the following criteria:
- Significance – Is the proposed topic area or project objective important and significant?
- Impact – Is the project likely to result in products or other deliverables that advance understanding of how to improve health care management by the private sector, health care affordability, and/or how rising health care prices impact quality and access?
- Qualifications of Key Personnel – Do the key personnel have the necessary experience to complete this project successfully?
- Dissemination Plans, including anticipated products or deliverables and target audience – Will the products or other deliverables be disseminated to appropriate target audiences in ways that can maximize the project’s impact? Does the project serve a unique or underserved audience?
- Timeliness – Will the project be completed in a timeframe that enables it to have sufficient impact? Is the proposed timeline realistic and feasible?
- Budget – Is the level of support requested consistent with the proposed project scope?
What types of expenses are permitted in the project budget?
NIHCM Foundation does not pay indirect costs to journalism grantee organizations. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis if your organization requires an indirect cost rate. NIHCM Foundation will consider indirect costs up to a maximum of 12 percent of direct costs.
Who should I contact with questions about the Journalism Grants?
For questions related to this initiative, please contact Cait Ellis at cellis@nihcm.org, using "JOURNALISM GRANT QUESTION" in the subject line. For technical questions about the entry system, please contact Stryker-Ann Vosteen at svosteen@nihcm.org.