The Community Initiative to Advance Health Equity Together Through Education and Outreach Grant Program, supported by Duke Health, Duke University School of Medicine, and Duke CTSI, is now accepting applications for its third round of Rapid Response funding. This program aims to enhance health equity by supporting community-based organizations (CBOs) in delivering health-promoting activities for historically marginalized populations. The initiative focuses on preventable and treatable chronic conditions such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease, as well as communicable diseases like influenza and COVID-19.

Eight organizations will each receive $7,000 in funding to implement programs between January and June 2025. These programs are expected to provide culturally relevant, accurate health information and promote access to services that support disease prevention and management. Projects may include community gardening, cooking classes, food distribution, walking clubs, or expanding the "food as medicine" approach. The grant encourages initiatives that foster lifestyle changes, promote early detection, and address broader socioeconomic determinants of health.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and other CBOs serving African American/Black and/or Latine populations in Durham, Wake, Orange counties, and surrounding rural communities. Proposed activities must reflect critical health needs and use community data to identify disparities such as food insecurity, unvaccinated populations, or chronic disease prevalence. While collaboration with community health workers is encouraged to maximize reach, it is not required.

The grant aims to promote partnerships that expand educational resources, improve access to community services, and encourage community-driven solutions to address health inequities. Applicants should focus on fostering healthier nutrition habits, improving disease management, and increasing vaccination and awareness efforts in underserved areas. Flexibility to adjust strategies during the grant period, with approval, is allowed to respond to changing community needs.

Key dates include the application deadline of December 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., with notifications of award decisions sent by January 17, 2025. Projects will run from January 30 to June 30, 2025, with a final progress report due by July 30, 2025. A virtual information session for prospective applicants will be held on November 15, 2024.

Interested organizations must submit their applications by the deadline and ensure their proposed initiatives align with the grant's focus on health equity and community engagement. Questions about the program can be directed to ctsi.eir@duke.edu. This funding opportunity provides a platform for organizations to address health disparities and make a meaningful impact in underserved communities through education and outreach. Eligible groups are encouraged to apply to contribute to building healthier, more equitable communities.