GBT Foundation Invites SCD Care Access Programs to Try for Grants
The GBT Foundation is calling for proposals for its Access to Care Empowerment for Sickle Cell (ACE) grant program, which will provide up to $250,000 to community-based sickle cell disease (SCD) organizations to accelerate development of care access programs for SCD patients.
The ACE program, which was established this year, will award five grants of up to $50,000 for 12 months to U.S. nonprofits to support patient care initiatives, including those that focus on patient empowerment, peer-to-peer education, organizational capacity building, and healthcare navigation for patients and caregivers.
Grant proposals are being accepted through April 22 at 5 p.m. PT. Visit here to apply.
“Community-based organizations are uniquely equipped to improve access to high-quality care for people with sickle cell disease, who have suffered for far too long from disparities in care and inequitable investment in their communities,” Jung E. Choi, GBT’s chief business and strategy officer and head of patient advocacy and government affairs, said in a press release.
“We are immensely proud of the accomplishments of past grantees and eagerly await new proposals that align with the GBT Foundation’s mission to improve the health and well-being of underserved patient communities. We look forward to once again supporting these nonprofit partners in their essential work to create meaningful and sustainable change,” Choi said.
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of foundation representatives and external stakeholders who have expertise in SCD community needs and challenges.
The ACE effort is an extension of the ongoing Access to Excellent Care for Sickle Cell Patients (ACCEL) grant program, which the foundation will now lead. It funds new programs that address inequities patients face in accessing high-quality healthcare. The foundation, which was founded last year, is primarily funded by Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT).
Feedback from the SCD community led to the decision to separate funding for U.S. nonprofit programs into two programs — ACE and ACCEL. ACE is solely for community organizations while ACCEL is focused on institutions, although nonprofit organizations may also apply.
ACCEL will begin accepting applications mid-year for programs that focus on care access, transition of care from pediatric to adult, mental health, and establishing new SCD clinics. Grants will be awarded to organizations that seek to provide creative and sustainable healthcare solutions that support patients, caregivers, and the community.
ACCEL, which was established in 2019, has awarded nearly $1 million to 19 organizations, some of which have used funding to enhance provider education, create community health worker efforts, educate about the effect of COVID-19 on SCD, and enhance healthcare choices for patients who live in rural areas.
ACE applicants must be able to manage the proposed project’s goals and timeline. Only one application per organization will be considered, and while ACCEL awardees may apply, preference will be given to new initiatives. Proposed programs may expand on existing efforts, but applicants must show how the program will grow if new funds are awarded.
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