Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
- Pilot Studies in Health Equity
The Office of Health Equity Research (OHER) will be soliciting grant applications again in January 2026 to support up to five health equity research pilot projects in community-identified research priority areas of: 1) safe and healthy housing, 2) prevention of mental health and substance use disorders, 3) prevention of gun violence, 4) prevention of re-incarceration, and 5) prevention and management of chronic disease. The award level is up to $40,000 for one year per award. Eligibility is strictly limited to full-time faculty at the University of Rochester.
All awards are eligible to be co-sponsored by the following University of Rochester units if they also focus on a priority area of the respective unit:
Environmental Health Sciences Center/Institute for Human Health and the Environment
Department of Orthopaedics
Department of Neurology
- Health Equity-Focused Funding Opportunities Outside URMC— A monthly updated list of available health equity research opportunities outside the University of Rochester Medical Center
- Funding Support Requests - Research investigators seeking additional financial support for research, programmatic, and professional development activities meant to facilitate the advancement of health equity. Requests will be prioritized from highest to lowest priority. Please visit the link for more details. This includes funds for conference travel, registration, and presentations; data acquisition; biostatistical support; publication costs; continuing education; and other expenses.
Funding Recipient Spotlight:
In October 2024, Nikesha J. Gilmore, PhD, received OHER funding to support students from the EmREACh program. This initiative is focused on helping undergraduate students pursue careers that combine clinical care and research. It is especially designed for those who may not have had previous structured research training or academic mentorship. Through hands-on research experiences, professional development, and guided mentorship, EmREACh opens doors to new opportunities.
With the support of OHER funding, University of Rochester graduates Anna Job ’23, Jihane Jean ’23, Helena Rajalingam ’24, and Celina Shoda ’25 and Sofiia Hryniv ’25 were able to attend and present their research at the annual International Society of Geriatric Oncology conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Their work explored important research topics to improve the care of older adults with cancer and demonstrated a strong commitment to oncological science and community engagement. These presentations were a meaningful step forward in their journeys toward medical careers. They showcased the students’ dedication, academic excellence, and passion for making a difference in both research and clinical practice.