The NIHCM Foundation Research Award is an annual recognition granted to outstanding published research that has the potential to assist managed care organizations, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders in enhancing the affordability and quality of health care in the United States. The award, now in its 31st year, seeks to spotlight impactful research on health care management, financing, delivery, organization, and affordability, with a particular focus on rising health care costs. The award is designed to honor research that generates meaningful insights applicable to private-sector health care entities and informs policy decisions.

The competition is open to research articles that have been published in peer-reviewed journals during the 2024 calendar year, either in print or online. Submissions must be directly relevant to health care in the United States and address key issues related to cost, quality, and access. Each entrant may submit up to three entries, and submissions must be received by the deadline of March 28, 2025. There is no entry fee required to participate in this award competition.

A single winner will be selected to receive a $20,000 prize. Entries will be evaluated by independent panels composed of journalists and researchers based on originality, creativity, and the potential impact of the research. The most compelling submissions will be those that contribute to a deeper understanding of health care affordability, offer new evidence on the relationship between rising health care costs and access or quality, and present insights that can lead to improved health care management.

Interested applicants can direct any inquiries to Mikayla Thompson at mthompson@nihcm.org. The NIHCM Foundation is located at 1225 19th St. NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036. Additional details, including past winners and finalists, are available on the foundation’s website.