Jeffress Trust Awards Program in Research Advancing Health Equity

The Jeffress Trust Awards Program in Research Advancing Health Equity is an initiative of the Thomas F. and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust, managed by Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, and administered by Health Resources in Action (HRiA). This program was restructured in 2022 to focus specifically on health equity research within Virginia, evolving from its previous broader scientific focus in fields such as bioinformatics and mathematical biology. The refocused program now targets systemic barriers and root causes of health inequity, and seeks to support collaborative, action-oriented research with direct relevance to communities across Virginia. The program offers two distinct award mechanisms. The Partnership/Collaborative Establishment Awards provide $150,000 in funding over a two-year period to support the formation and development of research partnerships. These awards are designed to help collaborators define health equity problems, refine their research methodologies, and establish shared governance and responsibilities among partner organizations. The Research Awards offer $600,000 over three years, but are available only to previous recipients of the Partnership/Collaborative Establishment Awards. These grants support advanced, action-oriented research that builds upon previously established collaborative efforts, with clear application to policy, systems, and environmental changes. Funding must be used for research that addresses systemic inequities affecting health outcomes in Virginia. Specifically, supported work may include policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategy analysis, evaluations of community-based health programs, and general research into social and structural determinants of health. Research projects must be community-engaged, ideally using participatory methodologies and centering the voices of individuals with lived experience. The program explicitly encourages collaborations that aim to be community-led and that build long-term capacity for health equity work in Virginia. Eligible applicants include Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and federally recognized tribes sharing geography with Virginia. Proposals are encouraged from community-based organizations, advocacy groups, faith-based entities, academic institutions, and public health organizations. The program disallows applications from individuals, for-profit entities, and projects involving clinical trials. Awardees are expected to participate in regular check-ins with HRiA staff, submit annual reports, and attend semi-annual convenings with other grantees to foster a statewide community of practice. The application deadline for the 2025 cycle was February 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET. Awards for this cycle began on June 30, 2025. Applicants were required to submit an online application, which included a detailed proposal, budget documentation, letters of partnership, and organizational profiles. Projects funded through this program must adhere to strict guidelines regarding allowable costs and indirect expenses, and must demonstrate meaningful community engagement and a clear plan for the dissemination of findings. Although the application period has closed, the program operates on a recurring basis and future opportunities are anticipated. For inquiries, applicants were directed to contact JeffressAwards@hria.org.

Prioritize community-led design and describe how research will translate into action; include letters demonstrating community trust and role clarity.