REACH Fund
The Research for Evidence-based Action in Community Health (REACH) seed funding program supports applied research that connects data, partnerships, and innovation to advance community well-being.
The REACH Fund supports early-stage, applied research that advances understanding of social determinants of health (SDoH) in the Chattanooga region and helps communities make data-drive decisions. Funded projects generate actionable insights, strengthen partnerships and support solutions that improve health and wellbeing.
Up to $25,000 will be awarded for selected 12-month projects to pilot ideas, build collaboration, and lay the groundwork for future research or funding.
Use the following drop downs to learn more about the program.
- What is the REACH Fund?
The REACH Fund provides seed funding for early-stage, applied research that helps communities better understand and address social determinants of health (SDoH) in Chattanooga and the surrounding region.
Funded projects generate actionable insights, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and support data-informed solutions that improve health and well-being. REACH awards are designed to spark work that can grow into larger research initiatives, external funding, or sustained community collaborations.
- What kinds of projects does the REACH Fund support?
The REACH Fund supports a wide range of applied, community-engaged research, including:
- Pilot projects and innovative interventions
- Evaluation of existing programs or services
- Studies that build understanding of community needs, assets, or disparities
- Data infrastructure, system improvement, and research capacity-building
- Participatory and community-engaged research
Projects may focus on areas such as housing, education, food security, economic stability, transportation, broadband access, healthcare access, and community engagement, as well as major health issues like chronic disease, mental health, and substance use.
If your project tests an idea, builds a partnership, or generates early evidence—it’s likely a good fit.
- Who is eligible to apply?
- Lead PIs must be full-time UTC faculty or staff
- Part-time employees, adjunct faculty, students, and community partners may participate as collaborators, but may not serve as Lead PI
- Collaborations across departments, colleges, and with community partners are strongly encouraged
- Researchers from other Tennessee institutions may participate as subawardees or consultants, but not as Lead PIs
- Each applicant may serve as Lead PI on one proposal per funding cycle
- How much funding is available and what can it be used for?
- Up to $25,000 per project, including indirect costs (15%)
- 12-month project period, with an anticipated start in June
- A six-month no-cost extension may be requested if additional time is needed
Funds may be used for student wages, faculty summer salary, research supplies, data and software, travel, publication costs, community partner or consultant fees, and participant incentives. Large equipment purchases and academic-year extra service pay are not allowed.
- How do I apply?
Applications are submitted electronically through InfoReady Review and include:
- A short project narrative, including aims, significance, methods, collaboration, and potential for future growth or scale
- A project timeline and itemized budget
- CVs or short bios for key personnel
- A department head approval letter
- Letters of support from community organizations (if applicable)
The PI/project team must work with ORSP to prepare the budget well in advance of the submission deadline. Contact Ashley Ledford at [email protected] to be assigned to a Grants Specialist for support. Once the budget is approved by ORSP, the PI will submit the application in InfoReady Review.
- How will proposals be reviewed?
Proposals are reviewed by a committee convened by the Journey Health Foundation Research Center and evaluated based on:
- Feasibility of the project design, timeline, and budget
- Significance and merit of the research question
- Community relevance and potential impact
- Strength of collaboration and capacity-building
- Potential for future funding or scale
- What are the expectations for data sharing and publications?
Awardees are expected to share de-identified project data and findings with JHFRC to strengthen the region’s collective understanding of SDoH.
- Shared data may inform dashboards, reports, or collaborative analyses
- All projects must comply with IRB, HIPAA, and confidentiality requirements
- Awardees are encouraged to share findings with both community and scholarly audiences
All publications and presentations must acknowledge support from the Journey Health Foundation Research Center.
- What reporting is required if my project is funded?
Awardees are expected to provide:
- Brief interim updates around 6 and 12 months
- A final report within 30 days of project completion
- Updates on follow-on funding, publications, or community impact
JHFRC will provide reporting templates and encourages collaboration on sharing project results.
- What is the timeline for this funding cycle?
The REACH Fund follows a consistent annual timeline. For this cycle, key dates include:
- Proposal deadline: March 30, 2026 at 5:00pm EST
- Award notifications: May 1, 2026
- Project start: June 2026
- Interim report: November 2026
- Final report: May 2027
- Who can I contact with questions?
- Program questions and project fit
For questions about the REACH Fund, program goals, or whether your project is a good fit, contact Shelley Kay at [email protected] — or attend one of our optional information sessions: - Budget development and ORSP support
Applicants must work with ORSP to prepare the project budget in advance of submission. To be assigned a grants specialist, contact Ashley Ledford at [email protected]. - How to apply / application setup
Visit ORSP’s InfoReady Review page to learn how to set up an account and submit an application. - Technical assistance
For platform-related issues or submission errors, contact the InfoReady Review Help Desk.
- Program questions and project fit