GLMA Lesbian Health Fund Grant

The Lesbian Health Fund (LHF), a program under GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, was founded in 1992 with the specific mission to define, study, and promote awareness of health issues affecting lesbians and other sexual minority women. With over three decades of commitment, LHF remains the only research fund in the United States exclusively dedicated to improving the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ women and girls. The program functions as a critical driver of equitable, inclusive research by supporting studies that address the unique health disparities and challenges faced by this underrepresented population. The LHF grant program aims to fund rigorous scientific research that can inform health interventions, improve access to care, and guide public health strategies specifically tailored for LGBTQ+ women and girls. For the 2026 grant cycle, LHF plans to award grants in the range of $5,000 to $10,000. These grants are not meant to fund completed or in-progress research; projects must begin after funding is awarded. The program encourages submissions from a wide range of applicants, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, senior scholars, and nonprofit organizations, as long as the applicant’s organization has a U.S. tax ID. The scope of eligible research is broad, encompassing community-informed approaches, behavioral and social sciences, trauma-informed studies, and methods that explore sexual and gender minority health disparities. Special priority will be given to proposals that focus on generating pilot data for future grant applications and those that explore underrepresented subpopulations, such as adolescents, older adults, people of color, intersex individuals, rural communities, and those with disabilities or military backgrounds. Topical areas of interest include sexual and reproductive health, the effects of political climate on well-being, educational initiatives, violence prevention, and healthcare access across the lifespan. LHF particularly values intersectional approaches and research aligned with frameworks such as the Sexual and Gender Minority Health Disparities Research Framework. Proposals must be submitted by March 15, 2026. Applicants do not need to identify as LGBTQ+ women themselves but must demonstrate a career focus on LGBTQ+ women's health. Research conducted internationally is acceptable, provided the applicant is affiliated with a U.S. tax-exempt organization. While Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is not required at the time of application, it must be obtained prior to the release of funds. Applicants whose projects depend on external funding must secure those funds before LHF disburses grant money. LHF emphasizes a rigorous peer review process and encourages applicants who are not funded to revise and resubmit in future cycles, accompanied by a response letter addressing reviewers' comments. LHF also offers the opportunity to serve as a peer reviewer to support their grantmaking process. Contact for inquiries and support is available via [email protected]. Additionally, GLMA supports study recruitment efforts for funded projects through its newsletter and social media platforms, though applicants are advised not to rely solely on this method for recruitment. Grant award notifications and fund disbursements will follow the completion of the review process, though specific award dates are not detailed in the source. As the only national fund exclusively supporting research into LGBTQ+ women and girls’ health, the Lesbian Health Fund plays a pivotal role in promoting inclusivity and evidence-based strategies in healthcare research.

Investigators are encouraged to tailor proposals specifically to LGBTQ+ women and to clearly indicate when only a portion of a broader study sample is being funded.