2026 Health Equity Innovation Awards

At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield the health of our communities is at the center of everything we do. Together we can confront the crisis in health disparities, embrace and address long-standing gaps in care, and work to make care more accessible and affordable.

2026 Health Equity Innovation Awards
We are excited to announce the 2026 Health Equity Innovation Awards with the focus on addressing health disparities and improving health outcomes.

Community-based organizations, located within the Health Plan regions, can make a request for funding through a competitive process available online at ExcellusBCBS.com/Community. Awards will recognize community partners that demonstrate a strong commitment to reducing health disparities and achieving measurable improvements in health outcomes. Proposals should include specific examples of how the program is innovative, such as:

Introducing a novel approach or reaching a new audience

• Integrating technology to enhance impact
• Driving organizational change
• Building meaningful collaborations and partnerships

Application rules and requirements:

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations within Excellus BCBS’s service area are eligible to apply for the Health Equity Innovation Awards. We seek proposals for innovative initiatives or projects that have demonstrated success in reducing disparities, have the potential for expansion, and include clearly defined goals for reducing health disparities and improving health equity.
2026 Health Equity Innovation Award priorities are:

• Manage chronic conditions
• Improve maternal health
• Support mental and behavioral health
• Address social determinants of health

Please note that we generally do not provide funding for ongoing operational support, maintenance, or construction of facilities, scholarships, or loans. Our focus is on health improvement initiatives, and we encourage you to align your proposals with this goal.
Submit an application:

The Health Equity Innovation Award application focuses on organization and program information, and intended impact.

The application period opens at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
A listing of all application questions is available at ExcellusBCBS.com/Community.
Review process and notification:

Applications will be reviewed by the Health Plan and decisions announced by the end of April. We will prioritize proposals that have detailed scope, goals, rationale for support, and measures.

Excellus BCBS will follow up with recipient.