Deadline: 20-Jul-2026

The Community Sleep Health and Public Awareness Grant supports projects that improve sleep health, increase awareness of sleep disorders, and expand access to sleep-related healthcare services. Funded by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation, the program prioritizes initiatives serving underserved populations through education, awareness campaigns, humanitarian services, and evidence-based sleep health interventions.

Organizations can apply for grants of up to $50,000 for two-year projects or up to $25,000 for one-year projects. Special consideration for 2026 is given to projects promoting safe melatonin use among children and adolescents.

What is the Community Sleep Health and Public Awareness Grant?

The Community Sleep Health and Public Awareness Grant is a funding opportunity designed to improve public understanding of sleep health and increase access to sleep disorder evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

The program supports community-based initiatives that address sleep-related health challenges through education, outreach, awareness campaigns, and healthcare access programs.

Program Goal

The grant aims to:

• Improve sleep health outcomes.
• Increase awareness of sleep disorders.
• Expand access to sleep healthcare services.
• Support underserved and disadvantaged communities.
• Promote evidence-based sleep health practices.
• Advance public education on healthy sleep habits.

About the Program

The grant is offered by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation, which invests in research, education, and community initiatives that improve sleep health worldwide.

Sleep is increasingly recognized as a critical pillar of health alongside:

• Nutrition
• Physical activity
• Mental wellbeing
• Preventive healthcare

This funding opportunity supports projects that help communities understand and address sleep-related health concerns.

Funding Available

The program offers two funding categories.

Category I

Funding Amount

• Up to $50,000

Project Duration

• Up to 2 years

Budget Coverage

Funding includes:

• Direct project costs
• Indirect costs

Category II

Funding Amount

• Up to $25,000

Project Duration

• Up to 1 year

Budget Coverage

Funding includes:

• Direct project costs
• Indirect costs

Indirect Cost Limitation

Indirect costs may not exceed:

• 8% of the total project budget

Priority Areas for Funding

1. Sleep Health Awareness Campaigns

Projects may focus on:

• Healthy sleep habits
• Sleep hygiene education
• Public health messaging
• Community outreach initiatives

2. Sleep Disorder Evaluation and Treatment

The grant supports evidence-based programs that improve:

• Sleep disorder screening
• Diagnosis services
• Clinical referrals
• Access to treatment

3. Humanitarian Sleep Health Projects

Priority is given to programs serving:

• Underserved communities
• Low-income populations
• Rural communities
• Vulnerable groups with limited healthcare access

4. Public and Patient Education

Examples include:

• Educational toolkits
• Community workshops
• Digital resources
• Patient information materials
• School-based education programs

5. Community Models of Care

Projects may develop or expand:

• Community sleep clinics
• Referral networks
• Integrated healthcare approaches
• Sleep health support programs

2026 Priority Focus: Safe Melatonin Use in Children

A special funding priority for 2026 is public education regarding:

Pediatric Melatonin Use

Projects may address:

• Appropriate use of melatonin
• Risks associated with misuse
• Parent education
• Pediatric sleep health
• Evidence-based guidance for families

The Foundation is particularly interested in initiatives that improve public understanding of safe sleep interventions for children and adolescents.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Organizations

U.S. Nonprofit Organizations

Applicants may include:

• Organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Charitable foundations
• Community-based nonprofit organizations

Canadian Nonprofit Organizations

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-governmental charitable organizations
• Nonprofit entities able to receive funding in U.S. dollars

Collaborative Applications

Individuals and for-profit organizations may participate when collaborating with an eligible nonprofit organization.

Eligible Project Types

Projects may include:

Education and Awareness

Examples:

• Public awareness campaigns
• Sleep health workshops
• Community education programs
• Digital learning resources

Humanitarian Services

Examples:

• Sleep screening events
• Mobile healthcare outreach
• Services for underserved populations
• Community sleep support initiatives

Healthcare Access Programs

Examples:

• Sleep disorder assessment programs
• Referral systems
• Community-based treatment pathways
• Early intervention services

Research Translation and Implementation

Examples:

• Applying evidence-based sleep practices
• Community implementation models
• Healthcare provider education
• Patient navigation programs

How the Grant Works

Step 1: Identify a Community Sleep Health Need

Applicants should define:

• Target population
• Existing sleep health challenges
• Expected community impact

Step 2: Develop a Project Plan

Projects should include:

• Goals and objectives
• Activities and timelines
• Evaluation measures
• Budget justification

Step 3: Demonstrate Evidence-Based Approaches

Successful proposals generally:

• Use proven interventions
• Incorporate scientific evidence
• Address measurable outcomes

Step 4: Submit an Application

Organizations may submit multiple applications provided there is no overlap in budget, scope, or scientific content.

Step 5: Implement and Report

Selected projects enter into a contractual agreement with the Foundation and carry out approved activities during the funding period.

Why This Grant Matters

Sleep disorders affect millions of people worldwide and are linked to:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Mental health conditions
• Reduced productivity
• Poor academic performance
• Lower quality of life

Many underserved populations face significant barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

This grant helps bridge those gaps by supporting community-based solutions that improve awareness, education, and access to care.

Common Application Tips

Do

• Focus on measurable community impact.
• Address a clearly defined sleep health need.
• Use evidence-based approaches.
• Include strong evaluation methods.
• Demonstrate benefits for underserved populations.

Avoid

• Submitting overlapping proposals.
• Proposing activities without measurable outcomes.
• Using unsupported interventions.
• Providing unclear budgets.
• Failing to explain community need.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum grant amount available?

Applicants may request:

• Up to $50,000 under Category I
• Up to $25,000 under Category II

2. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, qualifying Canadian nonprofit organizations, and collaborative partnerships involving eligible nonprofits.

3. Can organizations with existing AASM Foundation grants apply?

Yes. Organizations may apply for additional funding if there is no overlap between the current grant and the proposed project.

4. What types of projects are funded?

Projects related to sleep health education, public awareness, sleep disorder evaluation, treatment access, community outreach, and humanitarian sleep health services are eligible.

5. Is sleep research eligible?

The program primarily supports community-focused implementation, education, awareness, and service initiatives rather than traditional research projects.

6. What is the special priority area for 2026?

The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that educate the public about the safe use of melatonin among pediatric populations.

7. How long can funded projects last?

Projects may last:

• Up to one year under Category II
• Up to two years under Category I

Conclusion

The Community Sleep Health and Public Awareness Grant provides valuable funding for organizations working to improve sleep health education, increase awareness of sleep disorders, and expand access to evidence-based sleep care. By prioritizing underserved populations, community engagement, and practical healthcare solutions, the program helps advance healthier communities through improved sleep health and wellbeing.

For more information, visit AASM Foundation.