Apply Now: Moderna Foundation Grant Program (United States)

The Moderna Foundation Grants provide funding to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen public health, advance STEM education and innovation, and build resilient communities. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that address systemic barriers and improve outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations.

The programme operates through a semiannual grant cycle and is open to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States and similarly organized nonprofit organizations internationally.

About the Moderna Foundation Grants

The Moderna Foundation was established to extend Moderna’s commitment to social impact and help communities address persistent inequalities and challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through its grantmaking, the Foundation supports organizations developing practical solutions in three broad areas:

• Public health and resilient health systems
• STEM education and innovation
• Community resilience and equitable opportunity

The programme is particularly relevant to nonprofit organizations working to improve access, strengthen community capacity, and address structural barriers affecting underserved populations.

Key Focus Areas

Public Health

Funding supports initiatives that contribute to stronger and more resilient health ecosystems.

Potential areas may include:

• Community health initiatives
• Health equity
• Access to healthcare and health resources
• Programs addressing disparities in health outcomes
• Community-based approaches to public health
• Strengthening health-system resilience

Organizations should demonstrate how their work can produce meaningful benefits for communities experiencing health inequalities.

STEM Education and Innovation

The Foundation also supports efforts to expand opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Relevant initiatives may include:

• STEM education programmes
• Science and technology learning
• Innovation and research initiatives
• Programs expanding access to STEM opportunities
• Activities supporting underserved students and communities
• Initiatives designed to strengthen future STEM talent

Projects that reduce barriers to participation and create broader access to STEM education may be particularly relevant.

Community Resilience

Another major focus is strengthening communities and addressing systemic barriers that limit opportunities for underserved populations.

Projects may focus on:

• Community empowerment
• Social and economic resilience
• Support for underserved communities
• Removing systemic barriers
• Local capacity building
• Equitable access to opportunities and resources
• Community-led solutions to persistent challenges

Who Is Eligible?

The Moderna Foundation Grants are intended for nonprofit organizations that meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the United States
• Similarly organized nonprofit organizations internationally
• Organizations implementing programmes aligned with the Foundation’s focus areas

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a clear organizational mission, credible implementation capacity, and measurable community impact.

Organizations should also explain how their proposed work addresses public health, STEM, community resilience, or systemic inequalities.

Funding Cycle

The Moderna Foundation operates a semiannual grant cycle, meaning grant opportunities are generally considered twice each year.

Because application requirements, deadlines, geographic priorities and funding availability may vary between cycles, prospective applicants should review the current funding opportunity before preparing a proposal.

Why It Matters

The Moderna Foundation Grants can help nonprofit organizations develop and expand initiatives that address major social challenges.

The programme is particularly significant because it connects three areas that are essential to long-term community wellbeing:

• Health: Building stronger and more equitable health systems.
• Education and innovation: Expanding access to STEM knowledge and opportunities.
• Resilience: Helping communities overcome systemic barriers and become better equipped to respond to future challenges.

For organizations serving underserved populations, demonstrating a direct connection between the proposed project and measurable improvements in equity, opportunity, health or resilience can strengthen the overall case for support.

What Types of Projects May Be a Good Fit?

Organizations considering an application should assess whether their work fits one or more of the Foundation’s priority areas.

Potentially relevant projects could include:

• Community-based public health programmes
• Health equity initiatives
• STEM education for underserved students
• Science and technology innovation programmes
• Community resilience projects
• Programmes addressing structural inequalities
• Initiatives that improve access to health or educational resources
• Projects strengthening local organizations and community capacity

The strongest proposals should clearly identify the problem being addressed, the population served, the proposed solution and the expected outcomes.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow the Foundation’s current grant application process and confirm the requirements for the relevant semiannual funding cycle.

A practical application process includes:

1. Review the current grant opportunity
   Confirm the current eligibility requirements, application window and funding priorities.
2. Check organizational eligibility
   Verify that the organization has the required nonprofit status and meets any applicable geographic or organizational requirements.
3. Identify the relevant focus area
   Explain whether the project primarily addresses public health, STEM education and innovation, community resilience, or multiple areas.
4. Define the community need
   Clearly describe the problem and explain why the target population requires support.
5. Present the proposed solution
   Explain what activities will be implemented, who will benefit and how the project will be delivered.
6. Demonstrate expected impact
   Include measurable outcomes and indicators that show how the project will improve health, education, resilience or equity.
7. Submit the application during the applicable grant cycle
   Ensure all required information and supporting materials are provided before the stated deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their proposals by keeping the project focused and demonstrating a clear connection to the Foundation’s priorities.

Consider the following:

• Clearly define the community problem.
• Explain how the project addresses an identified systemic barrier.
• Identify the underserved population that will benefit.
• Use evidence to demonstrate the need.
• Provide realistic and measurable outcomes.
• Explain how the organization can successfully deliver the project.
• Demonstrate community involvement where relevant.
• Avoid describing broad activities without explaining their expected impact.
• Ensure the proposed project directly aligns with the Foundation’s current priorities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Organizations should avoid submitting proposals that have only a general connection to the Foundation’s mission.

Common weaknesses include:

• Applying without confirming nonprofit eligibility.
• Failing to connect the project to one of the Foundation’s priority areas.
• Providing insufficient evidence of community need.
• Describing activities without measurable outcomes.
• Focusing on organizational needs rather than community impact.
• Submitting outside the applicable grant cycle.
• Assuming that eligibility in one funding cycle automatically applies to future cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Moderna Foundation Grants?

The Moderna Foundation Grants provide support to nonprofit organizations working in areas such as public health, STEM education and innovation, and community resilience.

Who can apply for Moderna Foundation funding?

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the United States and similarly organized nonprofit organizations internationally, subject to the requirements of the applicable grant cycle.

What areas does the Moderna Foundation support?

The Foundation focuses on public health, STEM education and innovation, and community resilience, with particular attention to systemic barriers and underserved populations.

How often does the Foundation accept applications?

The Foundation operates a semiannual grant cycle, with funding opportunities generally offered twice a year.

Can international nonprofits apply?

Yes. Similarly organized nonprofit organizations outside the United States may be eligible, subject to the requirements and priorities of the applicable funding opportunity.

Does a project need to focus exclusively on one priority area?

Not necessarily. A project may address multiple priority areas, but applicants should clearly explain how the proposed activities align with the Foundation’s current funding priorities.

What should applicants emphasize in their proposal?

Applicants should emphasize the community need, target population, proposed solution, organizational capacity and measurable impact, while clearly demonstrating alignment with the Foundation’s current priorities.

Conclusion

The Moderna Foundation Grants offer an opportunity for eligible nonprofit organizations to advance initiatives addressing public health, STEM education and innovation, and community resilience. Organizations serving underserved populations can consider the programme when their work directly addresses systemic barriers and demonstrates a clear, measurable path to positive community impact.

Because the Foundation operates through semiannual grant cycles, applicants should verify the current funding priorities, eligibility requirements and application deadlines before preparing and submitting a proposal.