GBT Welcomes Proposals for ACCEL Grants, Aiding Sickle Cell Community

Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) has opened its grant program — the Access to Excellent Care for Sickle Cell Patients (ACCEL), now in its third year — to proposals supporting programs aiming to improve access to high-quality healthcare for people with sickle cell disease (SCD).

GBT will donate up to $500,000 through ACCEL to 10 U.S. community-based nonprofit organizations and institutions working to facilitate SCD patient care.

“This year, we are doubling our efforts to fund novel programs that address the inequities people with sickle cell disease face gaining access to high-quality, continuous healthcare, as well as meeting the unique needs during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jung Choi, chief business and strategy officer, and head of patient advocacy and government affairs at GBT, said in a press release.

In past years, GBT’s program awarded up to $250,000 to five groups serving the SCD community. Previous grant winners may reapply to the program this year; however, preference will be given to new program proposals.

Applications must be received by April 23 at 11:59 p.m. PST. More details about the program and the proposal submission process can be found here.

“We are proud of the work past grantees have accomplished and look forward to supporting more organizations that are making a difference in the lives of people with this devastating disease,” Choi added.

With this year’s doubling of funds, ACCEL’s priority areas have expanded to include educational programs that target healthcare providers and focus on the impact of race and healthcare disparities, as well as initiatives around COVID-19 vaccine awareness for SCD patients.

Other 2021 priority areas include innovative training programs and community outreach models, educational initiatives that empower SCD patients and enable them to better navigate the U.S. healthcare system, and ways of easing the transition from pediatric to adult care.

Leaders with expertise in SCD both within and outside of GBT will review the proposals received and select 10 of them — up to five institution-based programs and up to five community-based programs — based on their strength, degree of innovation, and highest potential for improving patient care. Each winning project will receive up to $50,000 during one year.

“GBT is driven by our mission to transform the lives of people living with sickle cell disease, and we recognize, now more than ever, that means increasing our support of the sickle cell community,” Choi said.