Collaborative Grant Program

Geographic Scope: San Antonio/Bexar County based organizations

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

Purpose

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

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