Deadline: 24-Aug-20
The Merck for Mothers has announced a call for proposals for the 2nd Cohort of Safer Childbirth Cities for supporting Locally Created Solutions to Improve Maternal Health and Reduce Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.
The Safer Childbirth Cities initiative aims to support community-based organizations in U.S. cities with a high burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Launched in October 2018 by Merck for Mothers, the Safer Childbirth Cities initiative is supporting community-based organizations in cities across the country to implement evidence-based interventions and innovative approaches to help them become safer – and more equitable – places to give birth.
Today, 10 cities are part of the first cohort: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Camden, NJ; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Jackson, MS; Newark, NJ; New Orleans, LA; Philadelphia, PA; and Pittsburgh, PA. Community-led coalitions in each of these cities are leading holistic approaches to support women before, during and after childbirth to help improve maternal health outcomes.
Safer Childbirth Cities seeks to be a catalyst for the focused, locally-tailored engagement needed to bring community resources together to strengthen health systems for all. With work underway for the first cohort of grantees, it is clear that strong local leadership, coordinated action and flexibility have been critical to approaching maternal health challenges and to designing promising solutions for reducing maternal health disparities.
Merck for Mothers is Merck’s $500 million initiative to create a world where no woman has to die giving life. Applying Merck’s business and scientific resources, they collaborate with partners to improve the health and well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
Funding Information
Upon review of proposals by an external expert committee, Merck for Mothers will select a limited number of applicants to receive grants of up to $1 million over 2-3 years, to be announced before the end of 2020.
Eligibility Criteria
- Merck for Mothers is only able to fund non-profit, 501c(3) organizations. Merck for Mothers cannot provide funding to city or state health departments, other government entities, hospitals or health systems. Merck for Mothers also cannot provide funding to political organizations, campaigns and activities or to organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, national origin, veteran’s status or disability.
- Funding of recipient’s activities may not constitute more than fifty percent (50%) of the recipient’s annual operating budget.
- The following activities and organizations (including partner organizations) are also not eligible for Merck for Mothers funding:
- Activities or organizations that directly influence or advance Merck’s business (commercial) or marketing interests, including purchase/influence of purchase of Merck products
- Engagement/payments of government officials and city agencies (which in many cases could include hospital employees in government-run facilities)
- Payments/incentives/benefits going to health care providers
- Purchase of computers or other durable goods. This also includes any equipment with a lifespan beyond the end date of the project
- Capital expenses, including construction and renovation of facilities or endowments
- Purchase of supplies or equipment unrelated to this project or program
- Payment of staff salaries or other costs not involved in this project or program
For more information, visit https://www.merckformothers.com/docs/Safer-Childbirth-Cities_Round-2-Call-for-proposals.pdf
