Request for Proposal Now Open
Proposal Submission Deadline: April 7, 2025
About the Specialty Society Grant Program
The Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) launched the Encoding Equity Alliance in 2024, with support from the Doris Duke Foundation, to address the inappropriate use of race in clinical algorithms and guidelines across medicine. Through this funding opportunity, CMSS will provide grant awards to support projects that assess and audit current clinical guidance in need of review, update clinical guidance, assess the underlying evidence base, and implement evidence-based changes to advance care and improve patient outcomes for all.
Program Scope and Award Information
With support from the Doris Duke Foundation, CMSS will competitively award up to 10 one-year grant awards to CMSS members in collaboration with clinical research partners (individual/organizations) and affiliated clinical or research organizations to support efforts to assess the use of race in clinical algorithms and guidelines and advance more equitable and accurate approaches to research and clinical guidance.
Request for Proposals Details
Award Amount
CMSS plans to award up to 10 grants of approximately $100,000 each.
Period of Performance
The period of performance for all proposals will be July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
Alliance Engagement
In addition to implementing their proposed projects, grantees will participate in an Encoding Equity Learning Collaborative with other awardees to share and discuss barriers and facilitators to addressing race in clinical algorithms, success stories, and lessons learned.
Grantees will also participate in the Encoding Health Equity Summit on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 in Washington, DC, as well as the June 2026 Summit to present results.
Key Dates
| RFP Released | February 7, 2025 |
| Informational webinar & Q&A Sessions for bidders | February & March 2025 (Dates TBA) |
| Applications Due | April 7, 2025 |
| Notification to Applicants | May 9, 2025 |
| Public announcement of awards at the Encoding Equity Summit | June 24, 2025 |
| Awards begin | July 1, 2025 |
Applicant Information
Applicant Eligibility
CMSS member societies in collaboration with clinical research partners (individual/organization) and affiliated clinical or research organizations are encouraged to apply. Societies may only submit one proposal.
Application Review and Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed by members of the Encoding Equity Alliance Advisory Committee, which is made up of a diverse group of national experts from across the fields of medicine, research, publishing, technology, and philanthropy. The Advisory Committee will make selection recommendations to CMSS.
Application Process
Interested applicants should contact encodingequity@cmss.org to receive a copy of the complete Request for Proposals. The RFP contains a complete list of potential project activities, application questions and requirements, and criteria for consideration by the Advisory Committee.
All applications must be submitted via email to encodingequity@cmss.org by 6:00 pm ET on April 7, 2025.
Questions?
Read the full Request for Proposals before you apply. Direct any questions to encodingequity@cmss.org.
The Encoding Equity team aims to respond to all questions within two business days. However, we cannot guarantee a response within two business days before the deadline. Please plan accordingly!