Guardant Health Community Colorectal Cancer Screening Grant Program

Guardant Health, a precision oncology company specializing in blood-based cancer diagnostics, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) in support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March 2026. The initiative seeks to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, especially among underserved and under-screened populations. Guardant Health aims to address the high mortality associated with CRC by enhancing accessibility to its Shield™ blood-based screening test, an FDA-approved tool designed to offer a more convenient alternative to traditional methods like colonoscopies. The Shield test analyzes cell-free DNA from blood samples and is indicated for average-risk individuals aged 45 years or older. The Community Colorectal Cancer Screening Grant provides selected organizations with up to 100 Shield tests at no cost. These tests can be used during patient-focused screening events and awareness campaigns throughout March 2026. The program is intended to support screening uptake in community health fairs, outreach events, and educational initiatives. The tests are not for individual clinical providers or healthcare provider-owned entities but are instead reserved for nonprofit and public health organizations with community engagement experience. Eligible applicants include patient advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations involved in public health or health education, and faith-based entities. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in community health engagement and an ability to facilitate test administration through licensed healthcare providers. A critical requirement of participation is the facilitation of test orders through partnerships or arrangements with qualified clinicians, as the Shield test requires a physician order. Applications must be submitted by February 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. Selected applicants will be notified by February 20, 2026. A formal grant agreement will be issued upon approval, outlining the responsibilities and expectations of recipients. While the Shield test provides a patient-friendly CRC screening option, applicants should be aware of its clinical limitations. It does not replace colonoscopies for diagnostic purposes or surveillance in high-risk individuals and may produce false positives or negatives. Guardant Health has emphasized several selection criteria in its evaluation process: the applicant’s alignment with CRC awareness goals, ability to reach under-screened groups, capacity to execute programming within the March timeline, and compliance with clinical use requirements. Organizations must also demonstrate a plan to ensure physician oversight for all test orders. By providing these free tests and encouraging community-based outreach, Guardant Health aims to close the gap in colorectal cancer screening and reduce preventable deaths from this disease.

Align your proposal with community engagement goals and show how physician ordering will be handled.