The Making a Difference Program

The Greenwall Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing the field of bioethics and integrating ethical considerations into health care, biomedical research, and public health decision-making. Through its Making a Difference in Real-World Bioethics Dilemmas program, the Foundation seeks to fund innovative research that addresses pressing ethical challenges in real-world contexts. The program reflects the Foundation’s broader mission to expand bioethics knowledge and ensure that ethical frameworks meaningfully inform policy and practice. It also emphasizes inclusivity by encouraging diverse perspectives and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research projects that contribute practical solutions to unresolved or emerging bioethics issues. These may arise in clinical care, biomedical science, public health systems, or policy environments. The Foundation prioritizes projects that go beyond theoretical exploration and instead generate actionable recommendations that can be implemented in real-world settings. While proposals may be empirical, conceptual, or normative, they must clearly demonstrate how they will address a specific bioethical dilemma and produce tangible impact. Funding supports a range of project types, including pilot or feasibility studies, mentored research collaborations, and phased projects with milestone-based continuation funding. Allowable activities include research design and execution, stakeholder engagement, dissemination of findings, and development of practical recommendations. The Foundation imposes specific financial guidelines, including a cap on investigator salaries based on a multiple of the NIH salary cap and a limitation of indirect costs to 10 percent of salary and benefits only. Projects with smaller budgets and shorter timelines are given priority consideration. Eligibility is limited to individuals affiliated with tax-exempt institutions recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service. Principal investigators must hold a doctoral-level degree such as a PhD, JD, MD, or equivalent. Research teams are expected to include individuals with relevant expertise and practical experience related to the bioethics issue being addressed. Collaboration between academic researchers and practitioners in fields such as clinical care, public health, or industry is strongly encouraged, as is engagement with community stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. The application process begins with a required Letter of Intent submitted through an online portal. Applicants must provide a project title, summary, funding request details, team composition, and a structured narrative addressing the bioethics problem, research aims, methods, dissemination plans, innovation, alignment with the Foundation’s mission, and team qualifications. Selected applicants are invited to submit full proposals, which undergo a rigorous peer review process. Evaluation criteria include the project’s alignment with the Foundation’s mission, methodological rigor, potential for real-world impact, dissemination strategy, and the qualifications of the research team. The timeline for the Fall cycle includes a Letter of Intent deadline of June 22, 2026, followed by invitations for full applications due September 8, 2026. Funding decisions are expected in late November, with projects beginning between January 1, 2027 and April 1, 2027. The program is recurring, with additional cycles anticipated annually. Inquiries regarding the program can be directed to the Foundation via email, and applicants are encouraged to review guidance materials prior to submission.

Focus on real-world impact and actionable recommendations; ensure strong stakeholder engagement and dissemination beyond academia; align clearly with foundation mission and priorities