Funding Amount

Up to $200,000

Deadline

March 31, 2027

356 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Collaborative Grant Program

Funder: San Antonio Medical Foundation (SAMF)

Geographic Scope: San Antonio/Bexar County based organizations

Program Status: 2026 cycle closed; 2027 cycle begins January 2027

Purpose

Established in 2016 to foster collaboration between San Antonio/Bexar County healthcare and bioscience research organizations. Supports development of new collaborative initiatives exploring innovative/novel research and patient care strengths in the region.

    Focus Areas

    Established Areas of Excellence:
  • Aging Studies
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurologic Disorders
  • Trauma/Wound Care/Regenerative Medicine

Emerging Focus Areas:

  • AI

  • Human Performance

  • Genomics
  • Broad Focus: Research that can be shown to improve the human condition

      Key Eligibility Requirements

    • Applicant Type: Not-for-profit or governmental entities only (for-profit entities cannot receive funds directly)
    • Collaboration: Must demonstrate substantive collaboration between at least two distinct organizations
    • UTSA Exception: UTSA and UTSA Health Science Center count as separate organizations only when substantive activity occurs at both campuses
    • IP Ownership: Proposals are not eligible if Intellectual Property developed during the grant period will be owned by a for-profit entity

      What Cannot Be Funded

    • Salaries/wages for faculty, doctors, researchers, or employees of the institution
    • Fringe benefits (insurance, car, pension, etc.)
    • Office equipment (computers)
    • Workspace/lab/building expenses
    • Utilities
    • Travel not related to project research

      What Can Be Funded

    • Post-doctoral students
    • Graduate students
    • Laboratory technicians
    • Interns
    • Research/clinical coordinators
    • Individuals not regular employees (including "soft money" employees)
    • Equipment and materials necessary for research

      Award Details

    • Maximum Award: $200,000
    • Grant Duration: One year
    • Performance Period: Fourth quarter of award year through end of following calendar year
    • Budget Flexibility: Selected proposals may receive lesser amounts than requested based on available funding; partial awards may require gap funding assurances
    • Unspent Funds: Automatically revert to SAMF

      Review Process

    • Reviewed by SAMF Grant Review Committee (internal and external reviewers)
    • Panel has broad expertise but may not be deep domain experts
    • Critical Note: Proposals must be written in lay terms with minimal technical jargon; reviewer panel includes limited medical professionals and PhDs
    • Reviewed on collaborative relationships, community impact, and likelihood for regional recognition—not primarily on scientific merit
    • Non-compliant proposals will be rejected without review

    Contact Information

    Karen Blanchette Director, Board and Public Relations Phone: (210) 614-3724 Email: karen@samedfoundation.org

    Richard Perez
    President, San Antonio Medical Foundation

    Mailing Address:
    P.O. Box 29736
    San Antonio, TX 78829
    Phone: 210.614.3724
    Fax: 210.614.3726

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    #### Timeline

  • Informational Breakfast: January 28 (annually)

  • Application Deadline: March 31 (by 5:00 p.m.)

  • Review/Scoring/Interviews: Mid-3rd Quarter

  • Awards Announced: Mid-3rd Quarter

  • Funding Executed & Performance Begins: Late 3rd Quarter

  • Final Report Presentations: October of following year
  • #### Required Application Components

    1. Executive Summary (400 words maximum)
    - Written in lay terms
    - Include:
    - Initiative Leader and organization
    - Other Initiative Leaders and organizations
    - Specific scientific research area(s)
    - New or expanded collaboration (describe existing collaboration if expansion)
    - Target public health issue (if applicable)
    - Innovation likely to result
    - How results will raise San Antonio's profile in healthcare/biosciences
    - Specific benefits to South Texas patient population
    - IP creation/ownership during program

    2. Project Description (concise, address in order)
    - Title of proposal
    - General background on targeted public health issue or disease of global impact
    - Description of new and unique collaborative aspects
    - Unconventional/ground-breaking approach; high-risk/high-reward elements
    - Potential for major social impact
    - Relationship to SAMF mission (improving healthcare, advancing biomedical science, enhancing community well-being)
    - Specific goals, objectives, anticipated results
    - Methods including anticipated barriers or technical difficulties
    - How value/benefit will be tracked and measured
    - Resources needed (equipment, materials, etc.) and their availability
    - IP creation/use and ownership

    3. Joint Execution Plan
    - Summary of task-level activities by each organization
    - Relationship to overall project objectives
    - Areas of interdependence
    - Coordination and handoff of interim materials and data
    - Timeline of each organization's participation
    - Mix of narrative and illustrative/graphical information
    - Scope, roles, and responsibilities within collaborative team
    - IP ownership if created

    4. Budget Summary & Justification
    - Maximum 1 page per Initiative Leader
    - Provide details for all proposed expenditures
    - Identify any other funding sources
    - Address each budget item with proposed cost
    - Convey integrated understanding of resources needed (labor, materials, equipment, etc.)

    5. Participant Biographical Information
    - Required for each Initiative Leader of collaborating entities
    - Maximum 2 pages per participant

    6. Awardee Responsibilities Agreement
    - Completed and signed by Initiative Leader
    - Must also be signed by Department Chair/Vice President of Research (or equivalent) of each organization

    #### Submission Format

  • Online submission portal

  • Application link provided on website

  • Working/draft copy available (must be submitted via online link)

  • Grant Guidelines and Awardee Responsibilities documents required for upload
  • #### Key Application Tips

  • Write for lay audience with limited medical/PhD expertise

  • Minimize technical jargon unique to field

  • Focus on collaborative relationships, community impact, and regional recognition

  • Proposals not following requirements will be rejected without review

  • Ensure clear demonstration of how participating institutions leverage strengths for foundational collaboration/alliance
  • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    science-researchcancerhealthcare

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