Regional grants

We support programs that improve health and STEM education for economically disadvantaged persons. Applications are initially pre-screened, with qualified submissions then vetted by regional grant review committees. We are particularity interested in proposals that contain these elements:

• Evidence based approaches that include a methodology for tracking and measuring improvements in STEM learning or specific health outcomes related to our focus areas.
• Clear identification of the target audience and data used to determine the primary beneficiaries (participants) are economically disadvantaged (e.g., household income, enrollment in Medicaid or SNAP benefits, census data for the neighborhood or community, etc.)
• Cost-effective and results-oriented programs, where our contributions can make a long-term measurable difference in the quality of people’s lives and serve as a catalyst for positive change.

Within the proposal, applicants will identify the portion of the grant that will be allocated to direct program costs vs. indirect costs (overhead). Applicants will also be required to submit a project budget outlining how grant funds will be allocated. Program sustainability is important to our funding decisions. If more than 50% of the program’s total budget, particularly staff salaries, would be supported by the grant request, it is vital that we clearly understand how the program can be sustained after a Boston Scientific Foundation grant has ended.

Grant amounts vary depending on the number of participants to be served, expected measurable impact, and competition from other strong applicants during any given grant cycle. The average range is $20,000-$30,000 but a limited number of larger or smaller grants may be awarded. If a partial grant could allow you to still offer the program with modifications, this should be noted within the proposal.

Applications should focus on funding needs, expenses, and program activities that will take place after the projected award date, and within the 1-year grant term. (STEM awards are announced by early July: Health awards are announced by early November.) Grant funding may not be used to reimburse activities that have already taken place prior to grant awards or to support program needs after the 1-year grant deadline. 

No, we understand that many programs support classrooms or other participants with diverse backgrounds and economic status. However, the Foundation’s mission is to improve health and STEM education for those who are economically disadvantaged, and we aim to fund programs targeted to those audiences, where the majority of beneficiaries qualify based on household income, eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits, Medicaid or other need-based assistance, census data for a particular neighborhood or community, or other relevant sources.

Our mission is to support the STEM education and health of economically disadvantaged residents who live within 60 miles of major Boston Scientific facilities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. We do not consider proposals for programs that may be hosted in one of the eligible communities if most participants are not residents of that community.

The Boston Scientific Foundation funds programs and services specifically targeting improvements in K-12 STEM education or our health focus areas (non-communicable cancer, diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal or urologic diseases and disorders). Applicants whose programs also offer other services may apply if the proposal, grant amount requested, and expected outcomes all are clearly limited to the areas aligned with our mission. We receive more applications than we can fund, and proposals that do not clearly fit with our priorities may be disqualified.

The Boston Scientific Foundation does not sponsor events or teams, including robotics teams. However, Boston Scientific corporation sponsors a very limited number of FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams each year, with priority given to teams from economically disadvantaged schools or neighborhoods near its major U.S. facilities. For more details, contact communityengagement@bsci.com.

Due to the large number of prospective applicants and our small staff size, we’re unable to meet with most organizations before they apply. We ask that you thoroughly review all guidelines, eligibility criteria and FAQs. Questions that are not addressed on our website may be sent to foundation@bsci.com. During the grant review period, our assigned regional reviewers may reach out with any clarifying questions as needed.

In addition to our small staff, the Boston Scientific Foundation relies on the due diligence of our Foundation Ambassadors, comprised of employee volunteers in key regions. These teams evaluate grant applications at a local level and make recommendations from their respective regions. Our Foundation board of directors oversees grant recommendations made by these Ambassadors.

All grant funds are paid via ACH about 1-3 weeks following the award notification email, provided the grantee has confirmed routing details per instructions.

Every Boston Scientific Foundation grantee must submit an Impact Report at the completion of the grant period—one year from the date of the award notification. The form will be added to your applicant portal following grant approval. Future proposals to the Boston Scientific Foundation will not be considered if an Impact Report is not submitted for a prior grant award, though interim reports may be accepted in some circumstances due to overlap between 1-year grant terms and subsequent application deadlines. Please contact foundation@bsci.com with any questions. 

This approach allows us to build deeper, more strategic partnerships with organizations that align most closely with our mission and values. It also ensures a more efficient and focused use of our resources.

Past grantees are part of our valued network and some will be invited to apply based on performance and alignment with current priorities. However, we deliberately aim to support a portion of new grantees each year, so a past award does not guarantee future funding or an invitation to apply.

While we do not accept unsolicited proposals, you may share a brief overview of your organization’s work and impact by completing an introductory Grant Interest Form. We review these periodically to inform future invitation cycles.

Invited organizations will receive an email with application instructions, deadlines, and access to our grant portal. Proposals are reviewed by our regional grant committees and applicants may be contacted by a member of the committee as part of the due diligence process. STEM grants are typically approved by the Foundation Board in June and Health grants are typically approved in October; applicants are notified of funding decisions soon after.