To further catalyze connections between researchers at Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University, we offer two affinity group funding mechanisms. These opportunities strengthen our scholarly community and support scientists as they self-organize around shared research interests.
Separate funding is allocated for cancer, neuroscience, women’s health, and cardiometabolic health programs, and proposals in these areas are not eligible for Research Affinity Group Funding.
Deadlines
- March 31, 2026 (Funding Awarded April 2026)
- July 31, 2026 (Funding Awarded August 2026)
- November 24, 2026 (Funding Awarded December 2026)
Team Building Funding Mechanism
This funding opportunity supports our scientists coming together through multi-team, formal and/or informal meetings to explore new collaborations and bolster novel scientific communities.
Community Building Funding Mechanism
This funding opportunity supports our scientists coming together through conferences, symposia or other large gatherings to explore new collaborations, to create joint scientific communities in research focus areas in the partnership, and to pursue large-grant mechanisms.
Team Building Funding Mechanism Awards
Repositioning the Future: A Bioengineering & Nursing Partnership to Prevent Pressure Injuries
- Sarah Beldin, M.S.N. (Henry Ford Health)
- Tamara Reid Bush, Ph.D. (MSU College of Engineering)
- Justin Scott, Ph.D. (MSU College of Engineering)
In collaboration with Beldin, Bush and Scott, this funding supported a series of clinician engagement sessions focused on advancing ICU equipment design. These sessions brought together Henry Ford Health CVICU nursing staff and MSU’s Biomechanical Design Research Lab to evaluate the Sit Sense Recliner prototype, gather structured feedback, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The initiative emphasized usability testing, resource-supported data collection, and design refinement to improve patient care and clinician workflow.
Community Building Funding Mechanism Awards
9th Annual Patient Advisor Retreat
- Paige Coyne (Henry Ford Health)
- Sara Santarosa (Henry Ford Health)
- Krista Walker, Ph.D. (MSU College of Nursing)
In collaboration with Henry Ford Health's Patient Engaged Research Center and MSU investigators, these funds supported the 9th Annual Patient Advisor Retreat. This event expanded Henry Ford’s annual Patient Advisor Retreat to bring together 150 attendees, including patient/community advisors and investigators from both institutions. The conference featured keynote and panel sessions, breakout workshops, a poster session, and collaborative activities designed to build community, disseminate findings, and generate ideas for future multi-investigator grant submissions focusing on patient and community-engaged research.
Immunology Research Symposium
- Geoffroy Laumet, Ph.D. (MSU College of Natural Science)
- Qing-Sheng Mi, Ph.D., M.D. (Henry Ford Health)
In collaboration with Mi and Laumet, the funding supported the second Immunology Research Symposium to unify Michigan’s immunology research community. Building on the success of the inaugural event, the symposium promoted interdisciplinary collaborations across fields such as neuroscience, cardiovascular health, metabolism, gastrointestinal biology, dermatology, and cancer while increasing participation from trainees and underrepresented groups. The program included a keynote speaker, networking opportunities, and trainee awards to enhance collaboration and advance translational science.
Otolaryngology Business of Medicine
- Steven Chang, M.D. (Henry Ford Health)
- Nicholas Hays, Ph.D. (MSU Broad College of Business)
In collaboration with Chang and Hays, the funding will support a one-day interdisciplinary think tank to spark new research collaborations between Henry Ford and MSU. The event will convene at least 75 participants from diverse fields for keynote remarks, structured breakout sessions, collaborative idea generation, and networking activities. Teams will pitch research concepts for future multi-investigator grant submissions, advancing partnerships in areas such as population health, health disparities, and precision health.
Questions?
Email us at AffinityFunding@hfhs.org.
Research Affinity Group Award Sponsored Event
Healthcare Delivery & Business Innovation Research Forum
May 8, 2026
