Extramural Coordinated Funding

UM Submission Instructions: The Esther Tomljanovich Strategic Initiative Grant 2025

Sponsor:	Medica Foundation
Award Title:	The Esther Tomljanovich Strategic Initiative Grant
Amount:	$200,000
UM Deadline:	03/07/2025
Sponsor Deadline:	05/02/2025
Description:	The Medica Foundation believes that the strongest solutions to equity come from the community. The goal of the Esther Tomljanovich Strategic Initiative grant is to provide the capacity to pilot culturally-responsive, community-led approaches that can lead to systemic change. Aligned with our mission, we prioritize efforts that work to advance health equity, especially for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and those living in rural communities. Although we are open to discussing any idea that can have transformative impact on health care equity, we will prioritize work that aligns with our funding areas: Maternal health: Access to prenatal and postpartum care and reproductive health services. Behavioral health: Mental and chemical health projects, especially collaborative efforts, that address system-level or community-wide impact. Criteria we consider includes: Intentional Power Sharing – the community is central to the approach of this work and is leading the solution, through intentional power sharing and co-design. Root Barriers – works to strategically remove root barriers to advancing health equity for the impacted population. Proposal Strength & Impact – the practices used are defined clearly, the proposed work is viable, and the solution will create transformational change beyond the life of the grant.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit:	TBD
Additional Requirements:	None
Sponsor Guidelines:	https://www.medicafoundation.org/apply-for-a-grant
UM Nominations Process:	The University of Minnesota Foundation and the Research and Innovation Office collaborate to forward proposals to the Medica Foundation. To be considered for application to the Medica Foundation, please download and complete this two page concept paper and email to pamjohns@umn.edu and lonelson@umn.edu no later than 4pm on 3/7. For more information, please contact Pamela Johnson at the University of Minnesota Foundation at pamjohns@umn.edu.
Peer Review Coordination:	University of Minnesota Foundation contact email
Status:	The internal deadline has passed but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
Please note:	To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.

General Information

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Column Descriptions

Sponsor: redirects you to the sponsor's main website
Title/Guidelines: redirects you to sponsor specific information regarding the opportunity which may include description, eligibility, budget instructions, forms and other requirements
Amount: Maximum dollar amount awarded.
Add’l Req: Identifies special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
UM Submission Instructions: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
# Apps: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
UM Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
Status:
- Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
- In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
- PI Selected: The PI has been selected as the official UM nominee.
- Closed: Sponsor deadline has passed and the opportunity is closed for application.

U of M Submission Instructions (Required)

This link includes summary sponsor information, specific instructions for internal submission and contact information for the university office coordinating the nomination process.

Follow the directions in the submission instructions and submit required materials by the UM deadline to the contact indicated.
Instructions vary according to the requirements of the sponsor and the university office coordinating the nomination process.

Registration (optional)

Registration is an optional but highly recommended feature. Perhaps you are looking for a wider audience for your proposal idea, or for potential collaborators to work with to create a stronger application. Registration allows applicants to share proposal ideas and post contact information.

Registration also provides information that helps the university office overseeing the nomination to determine the level of coordination needed and guide the review process.

To register (or view registrants), click on the UM Submission Instructions for a specific opportunity, then click on the Register Interest link.

Selection Process

Once the internal deadline has passed, the status will change to “In Review” and proposals will undergo review.
If there are multiple applicants, the office managing the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process.
Once review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
Nominees will be provided with a letter addressed to the sponsor from the RIO indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to “PI Selected”.

*If you have questions about the University's process related to extramural funding opportunities requiring nomination or if you have any technical issues with the site, contact collabor8@umn.edu.