Genentech Health Equity Innovation Fund issues 2024 request for proposals

The Genentech Health Equity Innovation Fundhas issued a 2024 request for proposals. According to Genentech, structural racism exists at the root of the most stubborn inequities, impacting not only access to the foundations for health and wellbeing, but also what happens to people of color—particularly from Black, Latinx/Hispanic, Indigenous and Pacific Islander/Hawaii Native communities—when they face a potentially life-altering health crisis. Across any number of conditions Genentech’s medicines treat, significant barriers exist at every point in the care journey, causing significant harm not only to patients and communities most affected, but also to the healthcare workforce. The Genentech Health Equity Innovation Fund aims to catalyze powerful partnerships—often between health systems and communities—that have the potential to shift policies, mindsets, evidence bases, and practices to eliminate inequities in patient health outcomes.Through the 2024 Innovation Fund RFP, Genentech

aims to make groundbreaking investments that help achieve a long-term future where all patients—especially those marginalized by our healthcare system—define and attain their highest levels of health supported by a system that is accountable for delivering access to high-quality competent care; and the medical and scientific workforce is diverse, inclusive, thriving, and accountable to the needs of all patients. Proposals that are designed to measurably and sustainably close racial and ethnic inequities in health care are welcomed and encouraged.Genentech specifically seeks proposals that address inequities in patient outcomes and healthcare workforce experiences across at least one of the following therapeutic areas: neuroscience and brain health, including but not limited to multiple sclerosis; oncology, including but not limited to breast, lung, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); ophthalmology, including but not limited to diabetic macular edema; cardiovascular and metabolic disease, including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.Grants of up to $750,000 will be awarded over a flexible grant period (though generally range from 18 months to three years). Planning grants will not be funded.To be eligible, applicants must be recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt, public charity under sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a U.S. governmental organization (such as public schools, public colleges and universities, public hospitals, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments).Initial applications are due April 15, 2024. Upon review, by July 1, 2024, applicants will be notified as to whether they will be invited to submit a full application or if their application has been denied.For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Genentech website.