CATCH Planning, Implementation and Resident Grants

CATCH Planning, Implementation, and Resident Grants support innovative community-based child health initiatives, in the United States or Canada, which include the following components: 

• Is led by a pediatrician, fellowship trainee, pediatric resident, or pediatric advance practice provider.
• Focuses on building strong community partnerships. 
• Serves those who are underserved/experience health disparities. 
• Provides access to services that lead to optimal child health and well-being. 
• Has measurable outcomes. 
• Plans for sustainability. 

 Who Is Eligible to Apply? 

• General pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric surgical subspecialists, and fellowship trainees from the United States and its territories and Canada.
• U.S. and Canadian pediatric residents (categorical or combined) in a training program AND have a definite commitment for another year of residency or chief year. 
• U.S. and Canadian pediatric advance practice providers (ie pediatric nurse practitioner) with a pediatrician as a co-applicant.
• National and chapter AAP membership must be current before grant funds can be disbursed. 

Which CATCH application is right for you?

The CATCH Call for Proposals and corresponding applications includes 3 types of grants (Planning, Implementation, and Resident) which are based on the eligibility guidelines (current level of training/practice) and the developmental stage for the community-based project for which you are applying.

• If you are an AAP fellow/fellowship trainee, review the question regarding what stage you are in developing the community-based project, which will guide you toward either the Planning Call for Proposals guidelines OR the Implementation Call for Proposals guidelines.
• If you are a resident, review the specific trainee eligibility criteria and then read the Resident Call for Proposals guidelines.
• An individual may submit only ONE application for consideration during a given application cycle.

What Do I Need to Know Before I Apply? 

• Applications have a higher chance of success when applicants read the appropriate Call for Proposals and follow its instructions diligently, and when they receive feedback & support from their Chapter CATCH Facilitator and/or District Resident Liaison.
• The CATCH application process is comprehensive and is meant to be a learning experience.  As you work on your grant proposal, reach out to Chapter CATCH Facilitators, District Resident Liaisons, and CATCH staff. They are available to provide feedback and resources to assist you, from proposal development through project implementation. Learn more about the assistance that is available.
• Preview the CATCH Application Questions Summary. This document includes fillable fields for key questions, which allows you to work off-line and share drafts for feedback and support during the application development process.  Consider uploading this form to a document-sharing platform (such as Google Docs or Sharepoint) to collaborate with your team and share drafts.
• A fiscal agent should be identified during the application process. A fiscal agent is a proxy that manages fiscal matters on behalf of another party. Review this guidance document for additional information. A letter of intent from the proposed fiscal agent must be provided as an attachment to the application.

What Is the Grant Timeline? 

• November 1, 2024 - Application System Opens
• January 21, 2025 - Application Deadline
• April 11, 2025 - New Grantees Announced
• June 1, 2025 - Projects Begin

How Do I Apply? 

• If you're interested in applying, you must first check your eligibility for a grant.  If you have an AAP account, please login. If you do not already have one, please create an account. Unsure if you have an account? Please email CATCH staff at CATCH@aap.org for assistance. 
• CATCH proposals must be submitted online. To help navigate through the on-line application process, applicants can use the corresponding tip sheets (Implementation/Planning or Resident grant applications).

Proposal Development Resources 

• Health Topics We Fund 
• Find Funded Projects  
• Use the CATCH Project planning tool resource
• Review the video series “How to Plan Community-Based Projects”
• Review the “Engaging with Community Partners” resource
• Use the SMART(IE) tip sheet to develop appropriate project objectives
• Review the “Budget Guidance Supplement” resource
• Review this tip sheet for Strategies for Sustaining Successful Community-based Programs  

What Else Should I Know? 

• Grantees will have 12 months to complete their projects. 
• At least one formal "check-in" with grantees, CATCH facilitators and AAP staff will occur during the course of the project period. 

Assistance Is Available 

Reach out to Chapter CATCH Facilitators, District Resident CATCH Liaisons and CATCH staff for assistance. They are available to provide feedback and resources to assist you, from proposal development through project implementation. 

The CATCH Planning, Implementation and Resident Grants are administered by the AAP CATCH Program and are made possible through the support of Roots & Wings Foundation with additional support from various AAP Sections and Councils and donations to the AAP Friends of Children Fund.