The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation is now accepting letters of intent from organizations and individuals interested in applying for the new Community Sleep Health Award. The program will support a wide range of community-based projects to address sleep health needs at the local level, especially among vulnerable and underserved populations.

The Community Sleep Health Award provides funding for one year of up to $20,000 per award, including direct and indirect costs. Applicants can submit letters of intent year-round, and select applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Awardees will be selected on a rolling basis until all budgeted funds for 2019 are committed.

“This award directly aligns with our mission to promote discoveries that advance the understanding of sleep for healthier lives,” says AASM Foundation president James Rowley, MD, in a release. “We look forward to recognizing and empowering local organizations and community leaders who are committed to improving sleep health.”

Eligible applicants include leaders of community-based organizations; physicians, advanced practice providers, and other health care providers with advanced degrees; individuals with doctoral or graduate degrees; and undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Charitable organizations with tax-exempt status (such as nonprofit patient advocacy groups) may apply in collaboration with an eligible, individual applicant. Applicants outside the United States are eligible to apply; however, payment of award funds must be accepted in US dollars.

Community-level projects and initiatives that will be considered for a Community Sleep Health Award include:

  • Development and/or dissemination of sleep health education, promotion, and awareness
  • Implementation of evidence-based screening, diagnosis, and interventions for sleep disorders
  • Training of interdisciplinary professionals and community leaders in sleep health
  • Service projects and initiatives for improving sleep health

Review criteria for letters of intent include feasibility and overall quality, responsiveness to sleep health community needs, inclusion of vulnerable or underserved populations, alignment of the project with the AASM Foundation vision and mission, potential impact and significance, and expertise of the project leaders.