In order to apply for a Biomedical Research Grant, the following criteria must be met:

• The research must focus on advancing the prevention, treatment and understanding of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or infectious diseases.
• The research institution must be a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• The institution must provide programs and services directly benefiting the residents of Bexar County and the surrounding seven counties.

We award grants to applications advancing the treatment, prevention, and understanding of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and infectious diseases.

Proposals are evaluated on:

• Originality and importance of the research.
• Likelihood that the project(s) can gain competitive funding nationally.
• Projects’ benefit to the San Antonio and South Texas community.
• Capability of the investigator(s) to complete the study.

Priority is given to:

• Junior investigators initiating pilot projects which, if funded, can be leveraged to gain additional national funding.
• Senior investigators seeking “bridge” funding to defining new directions for their laboratories.
• Laboratories encompassing teaching components, inter-institutional collaborations or scientific inquiries of particular relevance to our South Texas population.

With these Biomedical Research grants, the Area Foundation does not fund:

• Endowments
• Debt reduction
• Operating deficits
• Capital campaigns
• Individuals
• Indirect costs
• Scholarships for colleges, universities and trade schools
• Political activities, organizations, or lobbying efforts intended to influence legislation

Beginning in 2021, the process will follow this timeline:

• April 1—Area Foundation will notify two research institutions that they have been selected for the award and will request a proposal on how the funds will be utilized.
• April 2 – 30, Area Foundation will review and approve the proposals. Area Foundation may request changes to the proposal which will be reviewed on an iterative basis until the proposal is approved.
• May 1 (or upon approval of the proposal)—Grants are awarded. Payment will be for the first year of the two-year grant.
• By April 30 of the following year, the grant awardees must submit an interim follow-up report to receive the second-year payment.

If research institutions seek to be considered for the biennial Biomedical Research grants, please contact the San Antonio Area Foundation, info@saafdn.org, 210.225.2243.

• All grant seekers must create an account to access the online application. Please click here to create an account in our Grants Center. You will receive an email confirming you have created an account.
• Applications must be submitted via our online Grants Center.
• Applications to be considered as a partnering research institution may be submitted anytime.
• Applications are reviewed by Area Foundation.
• For grantees, please download and review the Media Guidelines to assist you in publicizing and referring to your grant.