AHIMA Foundation's Doctoral Grant Program Guidelines

AHIMA Foundation aims to advance its research agenda by offering financial support to AHIMA members who are conducting research for their program’s final deliverable (final deliverables can include dissertations, thesis, capstone projects, etc.).

Grants are available up to $10,000. Award amounts will be determined by a review committee and will be determined based on project budget.

Program Criteria

The AHIMA Foundation Doctoral Grant Program is seeking proposals that:

1. Align with and advance the AHIMA Foundation’s Research Agenda which is rooted in Healthy People 2030 goals.
• Sample projects could include access to health services, access to health insurance, access to quality education, access to community resources, access quality health education and community health resources, etc.
2. Demonstrate the role of HI professionals/AHIMA members in advancing health equity and/or health literacy.

Application Process

Candidates should email their complete application to info@AHIMAfoundation.org, with the Subject: Application: AHIMA Foundation Doctoral Grant Program.

Applications should contain 2 PDF documents:

1. Application PDF: This document will contain all application materials and be titled LAST NAME FIRST NAME_ 2024_AHIMA Foundation_Doctoral Grant_Application
2. Proposal PDF: This should be a copy of your full dissertation proposal. This document should be titled LAST NAME FIRST NAME_2024_AHIMA Foundation_Doctoral Grant_Disseration Proposal

Once your application has been received you will receive an email confirmation within 2 business days confirming that your application has been received.

Application PDF Details:

The application PDF should include the following information in the following order:

1. Title page
   • Include your name, AHIMA member ID, organization, contact information, and dissertation title.
2. Essay questions and budget template
   1. Briefly describe your interest in health information/informatics and why you chose your dissertation project. Once completed, what do you hope to do with your research or findings? (max 1,000 characters)
   2. Describe how your dissertation project aligns with and advances AHIMA Foundation’s Research Agenda (max 1,000 characters)
   3. Explain how your project demonstrates the role of HI professionals/AHIMA members in advancing health equity and/or health literacy. (max 1,000 characters)
   4. Using the provided budget template, specify how these grant funds will be utilized. This will be used for reporting purposes. (Download Dissertation Budget Template)
3. Your contact information and CV
   • Please include any volunteer history and history with AHIMA or state level HIMA.
4. A letter written by your school confirming the following:
   • That you are a doctoral candidate in good standing.
   • That your proposal has been successfully defended/accepted by the institution.

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of AHIMA members. Reviewing both your application and dissertation proposal you will be evaluated using the following rubric: AHIMA Foundation Doctoral Grant Program Rubric.

Award Acceptance

Applicants who are awarded dissertation grants and accept the award money are required to work with AHIMA Foundation staff to disseminate their research findings through publications and presentations. Ideally, publications and presentations will be in peer-reviewed journals and venues related to the HIM profession (i.e., Perspectives, AHIMA Annual Conference, etc.). In addition, awardees are asked to consent to the communication and marketing of their research via the AHIMA Foundation and media channels as applicable and determined by AHIMA Foundation staff. However, it is recognized that the awardee and Foundation staff may need to work within the parameters of individual University requirements.

Award Distribution

Awards will be distributed directly to the candidate. Candidates will need to submit an ACH form and a W9 to the Foundation. Payment cannot be issued until these documents are received.