The Physicians Foundation is committed to helping bring the voice of physicians to national-level conversations and debate on the issues that affect practicing physicians and their patients. The Foundation supports projects that provide physicians with the tools, skills, and learning opportunities to engage effectively in conversations around the future of healthcare by becoming leaders in their profession and representing the needs of their patients and other healthcare providers. In 2009 the Foundation established the Physicians Foundation Leadership Academy. The Academy provides a three-day intensive certificate program for physicians currently in leadership roles within their state medical society organizations.  Since 2010, the Foundation awarded grants to support new approaches and models to provide for the ongoing professional development of physicians as leaders in healthcare.

Through the grantmaking program outlined in this request for proposals, the Foundation will support innovative Physician Leadership programs.  Organizations are eligible to submit one application for a grant. Grants are available for projects up to two years in length. This grant program will not fund existing continuing medical education offerings or other clinical education. Organizations with current Physician Leadership grants from the Physicians Foundation are not eligible to apply.

The Foundation will fund new approaches and models to provide for the development of physicians as healthcare leaders. Specifically, the Foundation will fund innovative programs for physician leadership development and skills-building activities.  These programs and activities may include the development, evaluation, and implementation of new programs, curriculum, content, and program resources. Innovative leadership programs that are targeted to specific groups of physicians, such as hospital medical staffs and leadership training focused on physicians’ relationships with hospitals will also be considered.

Competitive projects will focus on the development and testing of new models for leadership and skills-building and may include steps to replicate the tested program in other geographic areas.  Projects that help organizations develop the internal capacity to provide leadership training on an ongoing basis are also eligible for support.

1. Eligibility Criteria
Applicant organizations must be:

a. Tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or educational institutions
b. Not a private foundation as defined in IRC section 509 (a)
c. Located in the United States

The foundation cannot award grants to organizations that do not fit these eligibility criteria.  Ineligible applications will not be reviewed. Organizations with current active grants from the Physicians Foundation are not eligible to apply.

2. Selection Criteria
Selection will be based on the following:

a. Alignment with priorities presented in this RFP
b. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of leadership development
c. Demonstrated expertise on leadership development issues, needs, challenges and best practices
d. Demonstrated knowledge and experience working directly with physicians
e. Presentation of a detailed plan and timeline for accomplishing the project objectives, with realistic expectations, clearly defined goals, outcomes, and assigned resources
f. Presentation of a plan for evaluation that defines desired short- and long-term outcomes and steps to collect data for measurement of progress towards those outcomes
g. Presentation of a plan to obtain Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for the leadership program
h. A well-justified budget derived from a clear and compelling understanding of resources needed to carry out the project successfully.  A budget template is available here. It is also accessible in the online application.  The project budget must include a narrative describing each line item, including new salaried positions.  If existing salaried positions are included in the budget, an explanation should be provided indicating why funding from the foundation is needed to support those positions.  Demonstration of replicability at a reasonable cost in terms of dollars and efficient use of human resources should be considered and explained.  No more than 15% of grant funds may be allocated to general administrative purposes or indirect project expenses.

3. Grant Size
Grant size will be up to $75,000 per year for two years, depending on the size and scope of the project. A limited number of grants will be made.

4. Evaluation & Monitoring
Projects should have a plan for evaluation that defines desired short- and long-term outcomes and steps to collect data for measurement of progress towards those outcomes. In addition, projects should incorporate processes for feedback and assessment of ongoing work that will allow for mid-course corrections if necessary. Evaluation plans should provide tools to assess the success of leadership training and include both short and long-term post course evaluation. Grantees are expected to meet requirements for the submission of narrative and financial reports, as well as periodic information needed for overall project performance monitoring and management. Project directors may be asked to participate in telephone or in-person meetings and give progress reports on their work.

5. Use of Grant Funds
Grant funds may be used for the following expenses: project staff salaries and benefits, consultant fees, data collection and analysis, meetings, supplies, project-related travel and other direct project expenses. According to the Foundation’s policy, grant funds may not be used for any of the following:

• Unrestricted general operating expenses
• Ongoing programs, or existing staff, unless their time is being redirected to a new project
• Payment for services of a fiscal agent
• Endowment funds
• Religious purposes
• Fundraising activities or events (e.g. annual fund drives, phone solicitations, benefit tickets)
• Capital expenditures by the grantee (e.g. repairs, equipment, etc)
• Lobbying or political activities
• Activities related to litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution
• Medical education at the undergraduate or residency training levels
• Research that is not practice-based
• Medical research or animal research
• Research and/or development of drugs or medical devices
• Any activity inconsistent with the Foundation’s status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization

6. How to Apply
To apply for a grant, register and login to the Foundation’s online application system. Proposals must be complete and submitted with all required responses and attachments in order to be considered for funding in this grant cycle. Please follow the online application instructions closely and contact the Foundation’s office if you have questions.

7. Program Contacts 
Questions about this RFP or the Foundation in general should be addressed to Danielle Belanger, Program Officer,  dbelanger@gmafoundations.com or 617-391-3073.

8. Timetable
Please submit your application through the foundation’s online system. Proposals must be received by the close of business (5:00 PM, EST) on the deadline date noted in the RFP.

RFP Release Date: January 30, 2017
Proposals Due:  March 2, 2017
Funding Decisions: April 22, 2017
Project Start Date: May 1, 2017

 

To access full RFP, please click here.