Investigator Initiated Research Program

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Overview

The Investigator Initiated Research Award Program from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation supports doctoral-level researchers focused on:

  • Addressing critical gaps in health-related research
  • Examining factors that may prevent or reduce risk for disease
  • Examining associations and cause and effect relationships between health variables
  • Secondary data analysis of large datasets
  • Health care cost-analysis studies
  • Robust evaluation projects and feasibility studies to test the implementation of innovative interventions to improve health outcomes

The award offers up to $75,000 per grant.

Eligibility

We accept applications from primary investigators with medical or doctoral-level credentials, developing evidence-based research, and based in hospitals, universities and health care systems.

Applicants must be based in Michigan and their organizations must be nonprofit.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan employees and their immediate family members are ineligible. Employees of any BCBSM affiliate and their immediate family members also are ineligible.

Grant application process

  1. Submit a concept paper
    The concept paper is an opportunity to provide a brief summary of your idea and the goals of your program. We accept concept papers at any time. However, if you’re targeting a specific grant deadline, the concept paper must be received at least 60 days before an application deadline.

    Concept paper (PDF) This is a fillable PDF form that can be downloaded to any device (computer, tablet, phone). Complete the form, save it, then email it to the Foundation.

  2. Feedback from a Senior Program Officer
    Senior Program Officers review concept papers throughout the year. Once your concept paper has been reviewed, a Senior Program Officer will contact you with information on the next steps.

  3. If you are invited to submit a proposal
    A Senior Program Officer will provide instructions on submitting a proposal package to meet one of our three application deadlines (January, April or August) for funding consideration at one of our three board meetings (April, July or November).

  4. External review process
    Three external grant reviewers evaluate your proposal as part of the grant review process.

  5. Decision notification
    After reviewing the application at one of our three board meetings, you will receive an email with the funding decision within 10 business days.

Grant application timelines

All deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. Applications are reviewed up to the date indicated, which is when the board meets for discussion. After the application is reviewed at our board meeting, applicants will receive an email with the funding decision within 10 business days.

Winter Schedule

Concept Paper Due

Oct. 30, 2024

Applications Accepted Until

Jan. 8, 2025

Applications Reviewed

April 16, 2025

Spring Schedule

Concept Paper Due

Feb. 5, 2025

Applications Accepted Until

April 16, 2025

Applications Reviewed

July 23, 2025

Summer Schedule

Concept Paper Due

May 28, 2025

Applications Accepted Until

August 6, 2025

Applications Reviewed

November 12, 2025

Oct. 30, 2024 Jan. 8, 2025 April 16, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025 April 16, 2025 July 23, 2025

May 28, 2025 August 6, 2025 November 12, 2025

Proposal requirements

The application process is comprehensive, so it helps to understand what's involved at the outset of applying. Here is what you will be expected to deliver if your concept paper is approved and you move onto the proposal process.

Your proposal package narrative should range between 2,000-4,500 words and include the following sections: 

  • Background
  • Hypothesis(es)
  • Significance of research
  • Innovation of research
  • Research design and methods 
  • Expected outcomes
  • Addressing health equity and social determinants of health
  • Addressing how the work is valuable to the population, increases the quality of care and improves the access to health care
  • Conclusion

Please use AMA 10th Edition or APA 7th edition citation style. Citations do not count towards the recommended word count.

Other materials you'll be expected to deliver or review, sign and submit:

  • Planned Participant Enrollment Table
  • Detailed budget and budget justification documents, including:
    • Funds requested, anticipated or provided by other sources for the same or similar project must be described in detail on an attached sheet and referenced in a cover letter.
    • The Foundation does not pay for indirect costs except for limited fringe benefits, including health, personal and/or medical benefits. The allowable fringe benefit expense may not exceed the lesser of 25 percent of the salary subtotal figure or the actual cost of the fringe benefits.
    • The Foundation does not pay for tuition expenses or continuing education units for the PI, project staff, or students.
    • The following are not supported by this funding program: computer equipment, including hardware and software; one-time use consumables, such as medical and office supplies; furnishings; and capital expenses, such as phone, rent, building insurance.
    • Conference travel is limited to $1,000.
  • Letters of support from collaborators
  • Project Timeline
  • Resume/CV of the Project Director(s) and other key personnel/staff
  • Copy of most recent Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax determination letter
  • If applicable, Letters from Co-funder(s)
  • If applicable, figures and tables

Questions?

Please check the FAQs in our help section. If you don't see what you're looking for, email us at foundation@bcbsm.com and a member of our team will respond.

Mailing Address
BCBSM Foundation | Mail Code X101 | 600 E. Lafayette Blvd. | Detroit, MI | 48226-2998