The Research Advisory Council (RAC) is an innovative, joint committee composed of research leaders from Novant Health, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NH-NHRMC), the University of North Carolina Health Care System (UNC Health), and the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine (UNC SOM).
The purpose of these grants is to build research capacity and facilitate human subjects research in the Southeastern Coastal region of North Carolina. With an explicit focus on building sustainable and high impact research teams focused on southeastern coastal North Carolina health concerns and populations, “Capacity Building Grants” of up to $500k total expenditures over 2-3 years will be awarded in 2025.
A letter of intent is due June 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.
Submission Due Date
July 1, 2025
For questions regarding this program contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The RAC and its sub-committee, the Health Access Research Advisory Committee (HARAC) are focusing efforts on Promoting Health Access through Research. Projects should promote research to understand and improve relevant health challenges related to access to primary care, specialty care, community health, and optimal wellbeing. Awards will provide up to $50,000 in funding for a 12-month project period.
Cancer investigators are particularly encouraged to develop collaborative projects in response to these RFAs. Cancer investigators interested in submitting a proposal should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Submission Due Date
October 10, 2025
The Health Access Research Advisory Committee (HARAC), a joint committee composed of research leaders from Novant Health and the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine are sponsoring up to ten awards to reimburse up to $500-$1,650 to fund training for investigators, or their students/research staff, who interested in conducting or already conducting research around health access concerns in Southeastern North Carolina.
To be eligible, applicants must either be: (1) employed by Novant Health and located in the coastal region (defined as the New Hanover Region and includes Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties) OR (2) employed as faculty by the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, OR (3) a trainee or research staff (e.g., post-doc, coordinator, resident) who is DIRECTLY supervised by an individual who meets one of the above criteria. Trainees must submit a letter of support from the supervisor in question with their application.
Applicants must also demonstrate how the proposed training will support the stated health access research goal.
Submission Due Date
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until all funds have been awarded.
The Health Access Research Advisory Committee (HARAC), a joint committee composed of research leaders from Novant Health and the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, are sponsoring up to five research travel awards to reimburse up to $1,650 each for investigators interested in presenting research around health access concerns relevant to Southeastern North Carolina to an academic or community outlet.
To be eligible, applicants must be employed by either by Novant Health and located in the coastal region, defined as the New Hanover Region and includes Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties OR employed as a faculty member by the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine.
Applicants must also have a research project regarding health access in Southeastern North Carolina accepted for presentation at an academic or health conference, or community event. Eligible events may occur in any location, but the research presentation to be funded must center on Southeastern North Carolina.
The applicant, as defined above, must attend the presentation. Remaining funds may be used to cover the travel of additional research team members, including students and trainees. All costs must be listed under eligible expenses below.
Submission Due Date
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until all funds have been awarded.
For requesters with a UNC ONYEN or TraCS Connect account:
If you do not have a UNC ONYEN or TraCS Connect account, request an account first, and then return after approved to submit a request.