Policy Research Award

The NIHCM Foundation Policy Research Award honors exceptional peer-reviewed research that provides valuable insights into the U.S. health care system, particularly as it relates to affordability, accessibility, and quality. Administered by the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation, this long-standing initiative has entered its 32nd annual cycle, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to advancing rigorous, policy-relevant research. The award emphasizes work that can guide decisions made by health plans, health care providers, policymakers, and related stakeholders. The Policy Research Award is open to original research articles published in peer-reviewed journals during the 2025 calendar year. This includes both print and online publication formats. Submissions must concentrate on U.S. health care and demonstrate clear relevance to issues of cost, access, or quality. Work that sheds light on the drivers and consequences of rising health care costs or proposes innovative, evidence-based solutions to these challenges is strongly encouraged. A single $20,000 prize will be awarded to the winner. Research must be original and impactful, contributing new data analysis or policy-relevant evidence that helps shape a more effective and equitable health care system. Each applicant may submit up to three articles for consideration, but the same article cannot be submitted more than once across different years. Only one submission per article is allowed across all NIHCM award categories. The selection process involves a distinguished panel of judges from academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and Harvard University, as well as health care policy experts from institutions including Guidon Partners and the University of Southern California. Submissions are judged based on the quality, originality, and novelty of the research, as well as its potential to inform health policy and practice. Applications are free to submit and are currently being accepted through January 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept proposals. All questions related to submission should be directed to Mikayla Thompson at mthompson@nihcm.org. The funder has not provided details on award notification dates or performance periods, but the consistent annual cycle suggests a recurring structure. Given the reference to the “32nd Annual” award, it is reasonable to infer that the Policy Research Award follows an annual cycle. Applicants are encouraged to follow NIHCM Foundation announcements for future updates and cycles of the award.