Young physicians in the Flint area who are interested in pediatrics-focused public health now may have a bit of help in getting their projects off the ground, thanks to a donated award honorarium.

In 2019, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha received the Roger Joseph Prize from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for her activism and leadership. Roger Joseph was a Harvard-trained lawyer who contracted polio and subsequently died of polio complications. However, despite his illness, he remained committed to his community and to the ideals of humanism and justice. The Prize came with a $10,000 honorarium, which Dr. Mona is donating to establish this grant opportunity.

Hanna-Attisha is a faculty member in the Hurley Pediatrics Residency Training Program and became nationally known when she presented research findings that showed elevated blood levels of lead of children who lived in areas where water in Flint, Mich., also had elevated lead levels.

Focus of grant

The Michigan State University (MSU) and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative (PPHI) seeks proposals that focus on advocacy, research, or quality improvement work in public health pediatrics in Flint, Mich. Priority areas of funding include:

• Immunizations (in honor of Roger Joseph)
• Social determinants of health
• Environmental justice
• Disparities reduction
• Public health communications

Amount of grant

The maximum funding request is $2,000 per grant. A maximum of $2,000 in grants will be awarded each academic year.

Use of grant funds

Grant funds can be requested for materials, services, training, or other approved expenses needed to conduct work.

Grant funds cannot be used for:

• Physician or resident salaries, fees, stipends or honoraria;
• Indirect costs or administrative overhead fees;
• Capital equipment (including computer hardware/software);
• Professional development; and/or
• Conference registration fees or travel expenses.

Grant processing

All expenditures, including payments for goods and services, will be processed through the PPHInitiative at MSU and must follow MSU’s business procedures. Awarded grant funds cannot be given to another organization or fiscal sponsor and are solely for the purposes reflected in the approved work plan and budget.

Who can apply?

Resident physicians and junior physician faculty conducting work in Flint, Mich. Junior physician faculty are defined as those who have completed their training within 5 years.

Application and selection process

All proposals must be submitted through this application link.

Grant application assistance and templates for the proposal, including the work plan and budget, can be obtained from Jenny LaChance by e-mail or phone (810-262-6776).

PPHI leadership plans to review grant applications quarterly (around February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1) and will award grants on a rolling grant cycle. Notification of awards will occur within two weeks of grant review and decision.

Project periods will be 1 year in duration. A final report that includes a summary of activities, outcomes, and expenses must be submitted to PPHI leadership within 30 days of project completion. A final report template will be provided.