In 1997, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed an act establishing
the Commonwealth Health Research Board to provide financial support for human
health research in the Commonwealth.
The Boards' primary responsibility is to make grants for human health research,
especially for those efforts that have the potential of maximizing human health
benefits for citizens of the Commonwealth.
The criteria for the awards are determined by the Board and include principles
articulated in statute. Grants can be made to state agencies and institutions
of higher education in Virginia and non-profit organizations that meet specific
criteria.
Following its organization, the Board established fund guidelines, reviewed
applications for funding, and made its first grants for the initiation of nine
research projects. The Board solicits proposals on an annual basis for research
funding to begin in July of each year.
Funds for the grants come from the Commonwealth Health Research Fund, which was
established with proceeds following Trigon's evolution from non-profit
organization to a for-profit company.
