Investigator Initiated Research Program
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Doctoral-level investigator-led research grants addressing gaps in health-related research, including studies of factors that prevent or reduce disease risk and of cause-and-effect relationships between health variables. Runs on three concept-paper/application rounds each year and is one of the few payer foundation programs that funds investigator-initiated research directly rather than by invitation.
- Indicative award
- up to $75k (total award)The program page states awards of up to $75,000 per grant, with typical awards of $50,000. No published floor, so amountMin is left null.
- Timing
- Several times a yearSeveral times a year · Jan, Feb, Apr, May, Aug, OctPublished deadline: 2026-10-28 — 75 days awayThree rounds per year. Published dates: winter 2027 concept paper Oct. 28, 2026 with applications due Jan. 6, 2027; spring 2027 concept paper Feb. 3, 2027 with applications due April 14, 2027; summer 2027 concept paper May 26, 2027 with applications due Aug. 4, 2027. All deadlines close at 11:59 p.m
- Who can apply
- Postdoctoral, Early-career faculty, Mid-career & senior, Any faculty rank
- Eligibility
- Primary investigator must hold medical or doctoral-level credentials and be based in Michigan at a nonprofit hospital, university or health care system. Employees of BCBSM or any BCBSM affiliate, and their immediate family members, are ineligible. A concept paper must be submitted and cleared before a full application is invited.
- SSWR clusters
- Topics
- health services research · disease prevention · health care access · pilot research
- Apply at
- https://www.bcbsm.com/foundation/grants/initiated-research/
- This entry
- Curated by the working group. Written 2026-08-07. The funder link has not yet been machine-checked.
Amounts and dates on this page are indicative and are maintained by people rather than scraped. Funders change ceilings, windows and eligibility without notice; confirm all details at the source above before applying.
Also on the Health shelf
- Research Project Grant (R01)National Institutes of Healthup to $250k per year · Several times a year · Feb, Jun, Oct
- Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21)National Institutes of Healthup to $275k · Several times a year · Feb, Jun, Oct
- Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual NRSA (F31)National Institutes of HealthAmount not published · Several times a year · Apr, Aug, Dec
- Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01)National Institutes of HealthAmount not published · Several times a year · Feb, Jun, Oct
- Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)National Institutes of HealthAmount not published · Several times a year · Feb, Jun, Oct
- Health services research grantsAgency for Healthcare Research and QualityAmount not published · Several times a year · Feb, Jun, Oct