Grants Proposal Program
Overview
The Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine advances its charitable mission by investing in research and innovation that strengthen post-acute and long-term care (PALTC). Our grant program supports investigator-initiated projects that address critical clinical, educational, and systems-based challenges in PALTC settings and align with the vision and mission of PALTmed (Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association).
For 2026, the Foundation is offering three competitive research grant opportunities. Applicants begin with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full research proposal.
Submission Deadline for 2026 Grants
Letter of Inquiry (LOI) deadline: April 13, 2026
Full Research Proposal (by invitation): July 13, 2026
Estimated award notification: September 1, 2026
8:56 Demystifying Clinical Research in PALTC Settings, Sarah Holmes, PhD, MSW
41:24 From Bedside Observation to Quality Improvement, Research, and Health Policy, Joseph Ouslander, MD
1:38:15 Opportunities and Resources: NEXT STEPs, Debra Saliba, MD, MPH
1:58:44 Opportunities and Resources: NEXT STEPs Cari Levy, MD, PhD
2:11:03 Opportunities and Resources: LTC Data Cooperative, Stephanie Kissam, MPH
2:21:08 Working the Date, Brian E. McGarry, PT, PhD
2:50:44 Prime the Pump: PCR for UTI to Choosing Wisely; Pragmatic Clinical Research to Publication, Cari Levy, MD, PhD & Sarah Holmes, PhD, MSW
Grant Submission Process
Step 1: Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
All applicants must submit an LOI outlining the proposed project, methods, and anticipated outcomes.
Step 2: Submit a Full Research Proposal (by invitation)
Applicants selected through the LOI review process will be invited to submit a full proposal.
All LOIs and full proposals must be submitted online.
Questions may be directed to Victoria Hann, Foundation Director, at VHann@paltmed.org.
2026 Grant Opportunities
Foundation for PALTC Grant
Request for Proposals
Purpose
The intent of this grant is to generate new information and formulate improved management strategies for residents of post-acute and long-term care facilities. Specific questions of interest can include but are not limited to one of the following: a) develop new, evidence-based and actionable guidance and tools specific to PALTC; b) advance quality and improve care in post-acute and long-term care settings; c) advance training of competent clinicians in PALTC; and e) determine optimal methods of adopting and implementing Age-Friendly care in nursing homes.
Eligibility for PALTC Grant
- Conducted in long-term care setting
- Feasible to accomplish in 12 months
- Demonstrates collaboration with facility staff
- Awardee is not a recipient of another Foundation for PALTC grant award
Funding Information
- The budget is limited to $25,000 (combined direct and indirect (limited to 10% of total) costs)
- The Grant Committee of the Foundation for PALTC will evaluate submissions and make funding decisions
- Funding will not be provided until there is Investigational Review Board (IRB) approval or waiver as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (45CFR46)
Letters of Inquiry
Letters of inquiry should outline the project purpose and study objectives, planned methods to achieve the objectives, and the expected outcomes in 1-2 pages. The Foundation is interested in receiving proposals that are strategically important to PALTmed, long-term care facilities, and the residents they serve. Letters of inquiry should outline a breakdown estimate of direct costs, including equipment, and personnel. The Grant Committee evaluates Letters of Inquiry using objective criteria.
Criteria for Evaluation of Letters of Inquiry
- Project need is clearly stated;
- Project is strategically important to PALTmed and PALTC;
- Objectives are specifically stated and measurable;
- Methods (activities) are feasible within budget; and
- Applicant(s) has a high likelihood of success.
Projects that fulfill the criteria are selected and investigator(s) requested to submit full research proposals. Full research proposals are due about three (3) months after investigators are notified.
Full Research Proposal
The proposal should be typed double-spaced in Arial font 11 (approximately 6 pages). Sections in the grant proposal that should be included are:
- Project purpose (Executive Summary)
- Specific Aims and Design
- Background
- Methods and Research Plan (including data analysis)
- Timeline and Evaluation Table
- Dissemination and Next Steps
- Key Personnel
- Significance to the PALTC mission
- Budget Narrative
- References
- Appendix:
- i) Biographical sketch or curriculum vitae of primary investigator(s)
- ii) Budget – A separate template is provided for the budget submission.
Criteria for Evaluation of Full Research Proposals
- Significance of the research in LTC; Does the work align with the Foundation’s vision of fulfilling unmet educational, training, and scientific innovation?
- Investigator(s)’ capabilities and likelihood of success; Is there evidence of success in previous research activities, grant awards, and publication history? Are letters of support from collaborators, consultants and subcontractors provided and representative of strong collaborative intent?
- Innovation; Does the proposal reflect innovative thinking and solutions to identified unmet needs?
- Soundness of the approach; Is there sufficient evidence of sound methodology? Does the project reflect knowledge of the field? Are objectives clear and measurable by the evaluation criteria provided in the proposal? Are the goals and outcomes clear, realistic, and achievable?
- Environment; What is the organizational capacity to fulfill the project requirements and support the needs of the investigator(s)?
- Budget; Does the budget clearly define the resources/equipment/tools to complete the research project? If salary support is requested, are personnel roles and responsibilities clearly delineated and necessary to complete the research project? If the proposal request is for partial funding of a larger project, are the other funds secured to enable project completion?
Letters of Inquiry and Full Research Grant Applications should be submitted online.
Questions should be addressed to Victoria Hann at: VHann@paltmed.org
LOIs are now closed.
Parkinson’s Disease in Long-Term Care Residents Grant
Grant Amount: Up to $37,000
Philanthropically supported by Acadia Pharmaceuticals
Focus: Advancing Quality of Life and Care for Residents with Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
- Impact of PD on activities of daily living and quality of life
- Management of Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP)
- Age-friendly and deprescribing care models
- Facility-based strategies improving outcomes for residents with PD
Request for Proposals
Purpose
The intent of this grant is to generate new information and formulate improved management strategies for residents of post-acute and long-term care facilities. Specific questions of interest can include but are not limited to one of the following: a) develop new, evidence-based and actionable guidance and tools specific to PALTC; b) advance quality and improve care in post-acute and long-term care settings; c) advance training of competent clinicians in PALTC; d) successful models of deprescribing medications with anticholinergic properties in residents with PD and related symptoms; and e) facility models of care for residents with PD and related symptoms.
Eligibility for Parkinson’s Disease in Long-Term Care Residents Grant
- Conducted in long-term care setting
- Feasible to accomplish in 12 months
- Demonstrates collaboration with facility staff
- Awardee is not a recipient of another Foundation for PALTC grant award
Funding Information
- Acadia Pharmaceuticals. provided funding to the Foundation for PALTC to support this grant
• The budget is limited to $37,000 (combined direct and indirect (limited to 10% of total) costs)
• The Grant Committee of the Foundation for PALTC will evaluate submissions and make funding decisions independent of Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
• Funding will not be provided until there is Investigational Review Board (IRB) approval or waiver as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (45CFR46)
Letters of Inquiry
Letters of inquiry should outline the project purpose and study objectives, planned methods to achieve the objectives, and the expected outcomes in 1-2 pages. The Foundation is interested in receiving proposals that are strategically important to PALTmed, long-term care facilities, and the residents they serve. Letters of inquiry should outline a breakdown estimate of direct costs, including equipment, and personnel. The Grant Committee evaluates Letters of Inquiry using objective criteria.
Criteria for Evaluation of Letters of Inquiry
- Project need is clearly stated;
- Project is strategically important to PALTmed and PALTC;
- Objectives are specifically stated and measurable;
- Methods (activities) are feasible within budget; and
- Applicant(s) has a high likelihood of success.
Projects that fulfill the criteria are selected and investigator(s) requested to submit full research proposals. Full research proposals are due about three (3) months after investigators are notified.
Full Research Proposal
The proposal should be typed double-spaced in Arial font 11 (approximately 6 pages). Sections in the grant proposal that should be included are:
- Project purpose (Executive Summary)
- Specific Aims and Design
- Background
- Methods and Research Plan (including data analysis)
- Timeline and Evaluation Table
- Dissemination and Next Steps
- Key Personnel
- Significance to the PALTC mission
- Budget Narrative
- References
- Appendix:
- i) Biographical sketch or curriculum vitae of primary investigator(s)
- ii) Budget – A separate template is provided for the budget submission.
Please observe and comply with character limits.
Criteria for Evaluation of Full Research Proposals
- Significance of the research in LTC; Does the work align with the Foundation’s vision of fulfilling unmet educational, training, and scientific innovation?
- Investigator(s)’ capabilities and likelihood of success; Is there evidence of success in previous research activities, grant awards, and publication history? Are letters of support from collaborators, consultants and subcontractors provided and representative of strong collaborative intent?
- Innovation; Does the proposal reflect innovative thinking and solutions to identified unmet needs?
- Soundness of the approach; Is there sufficient evidence of sound methodology? Does the project reflect knowledge of the field? Are objectives clear and measurable by the evaluation criteria provided in the proposal? Are the goals and outcomes clear, realistic, and achievable?
- Environment; What is the organizational capacity to fulfill the project requirements and support the needs of the investigator(s)?
- Budget; Does the budget clearly define the resources/equipment/tools to complete the research project? If salary support is requested, are personnel roles and responsibilities clearly delineated and necessary to complete the research project? If the proposal request is for partial funding of a larger project, are the other funds secured to enable project completion?
The Grant Committee of the Foundation for PALTC will evaluate submissions and make funding decisions independent of Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
Letters of Inquiry and Full Research Grant Applications should be submitted online.
Questions should be addressed to Victoria Hann at: VHann@paltmed.org
Tardive Dyskinesia in Long-term Care Residents Grant
Grant Amount: Up to $40,000
Philanthropically supported by Neurocrine Biosciences
Focus: Improving Outcomes and Quality of Life for Residents with Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)
- Impact of TD on daily functioning and well-being
- Treatment-naïve TD characteristics in long-term care
- Age-friendly and AIMs testing-based management strategies
Request for Proposals
Purpose
The intent of this grant is to generate new information and formulate improved management strategies for residents of long-term care facilities with Tardive Dyskinesia (TD). Specific questions of interest should focus on: a) the impact of TD on daily activities of living and quality of life; or, b) characteristics of treatment naïve TD and their impact on residents of LTC facilities; or, c) management strategies for nursing home residents with TD; or d) age-friendly approaches to support nursing home residents with TD; or, e) the impact of properly conducted AIMs testing in NH residents with TD. The grant can support identification, screening, assessing impact / burden of TD, but not pharmacologic treatment or comparison of pharmacologic treatments.
Eligibility for Tardive Dyskinesia Grant
- Conducted in long-term care setting
- Feasible to accomplish in 12 months
- Demonstrates collaboration with facility staff
- Awardee is not a recipient of another Foundation for PALTC grant award
Funding Information
- Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. provided funding to the Foundation for PALTC to support this grant
- The budget is limited to $40,000 (combined direct and indirect (limited to 10% of total) costs)
- The Grant Committee of the Foundation for PALTC will evaluate submissions and make funding decisions independent of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
- fFunding will not be provided until there is Investigational Review Board (IRB) approval or waiver as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (45CFR46)
Letters of Inquiry
Letters of inquiry should outline the project purpose and study objectives, planned methods to achieve the objectives, and the expected outcomes in 1-2 pages. The Foundation is interested in receiving proposals that are strategically important to PALTmed, long-term care facilities, and the residents they serve. Letters of inquiry should outline a breakdown estimate of direct costs, including equipment, and personnel. The Grant Committee evaluates Letters of Inquiry using objective criteria.
Criteria for Evaluation of Letters of Inquiry
- Project need is clearly stated;
- Project is strategically important to PALTmed and PALTC;
- Objectives are specifically stated and measurable;
- Methods (activities) are feasible within budget; and
- Applicant(s) has a high likelihood of success.
Projects that fulfill the criteria are selected and investigator(s) requested to submit full research proposals. Full research proposals are due about three (3) months after investigators are notified.
Full Research Proposal
The proposal should be typed double-spaced in Arial font 11 (approximately 6 pages). Sections in the grant proposal that should be included are:
- Project purpose (Executive Summary)
- Specific Aims and Design
- Background
- Methods and Research Plan (including data analysis)
- Timeline and Evaluation Table
- Dissemination and Next Steps
- Key Personnel
- Significance to the PALTC mission
- Budget Narrative
- References
- Appendix:
- i) Biographical sketch or curriculum vitae of primary investigator(s)
- ii) Budget – A separate template is provided for the budget submission.
Criteria for Evaluation of Full Research Proposals
- Significance of the research in LTC; Does the work align with the Foundation’s vision of fulfilling unmet educational, training, and scientific innovation?
- Investigator(s)’ capabilities and likelihood of success; Is there evidence of success in previous research activities, grant awards, and publication history? Are letters of support from collaborators, consultants and subcontractors provided and representative of strong collaborative intent?
- Innovation; Does the proposal reflect innovative thinking and solutions to identified unmet needs?
- Soundness of the approach; Is there sufficient evidence of sound methodology? Does the project reflect knowledge of the field? Are objectives clear and measurable by the evaluation criteria provided in the proposal? Are the goals and outcomes clear, realistic, and achievable?
- Environment; What is the organizational capacity to fulfill the project requirements and support the needs of the investigator(s)?
- Budget; Does the budget clearly define the resources/equipment/tools to complete the research project? If salary support is requested, are personnel roles and responsibilities clearly delineated and necessary to complete the research project? If the proposal request is for partial funding of a larger project, are the other funds secured to enable project completion?
The Grant Committee of the Foundation for PALTC will evaluate submissions and make funding decisions independent of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
Letters of Inquiry and Full Research Grant Applications should be submitted online.
Questions should be addressed to Victoria Hann at: VHann@paltmed.org