nib foundation seeks new Multi-Year Partners to help tackle chronic disease

nib foundation is on the lookout for ground-breaking health prevention initiatives to support through its Multi-Year Partnership program to help reduce the national burden of chronic disease, the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia*.

Expressions of interest (EOI) are now open for organisations to apply for funding support for programs that reduce exposure to lifestyle risk factors associated with chronic disease through health promotion and primary prevention.
nib foundation Executive Officer, Amy Tribe, said the foundation is seeking to partner with best practice organisations to break new ground through their innovative programs.

"We know that many of the common risk factors associated with chronic disease are preventable. That's why our focus will be on helping Australians lead healthier lives by supporting programs that encourage healthy lifestyle behaviours," Ms Tribe said.

"This may include addressing some of the well-known risks such as risky alcohol consumption, physical inactivity or obesity. We also welcome project concepts that target other lifestyle risk factors that contribute significantly to chronic ill health," she added.

From a total pool of $1.5 million, funding of $100,000 to $400,000 per year is up for grabs to develop, pilot and scale sustainable new approaches and emerging concepts for a period of up to three years.

The EOI call follows a recent strategic review of the foundation's grant strategy, which helped to develop a clear focus for the foundation's funding approach over the coming years.

"With $14.6 million in funding distributed to date, we remain dedicated to helping people and communities live healthier lives through our grants to many amazing Australians charities. However, through this refreshed funding approach, our Multi-Year Partnership program will focus on tackling the fact that far too many Australians die prematurely or live for many years with suboptimal health and wellbeing related to chronic illness," Ms Tribe said.

"Through this EOI process we look forward to finding new Multi-Year Partners with unique and compelling project concepts that will be widely accessible and encourage health promoting behaviours amongst younger Australians," she added.

The foundation's Community Grant Program in May will continue to fund practical initiatives that provide community-based solutions to improving the health and wellbeing outcomes of vulnerable youth and carers.

The foundation also remains committed to the health and wellbeing of its local community. To date, 54% of all projects funded have been either Hunter-based programs or broader projects delivered within the region.

EOIs for the Multi-Year partnership program close on 17 March, with more information about the foundation's grant programs including its new funding guidelines and application processes available from nib foundation.

*Australia's health 2016, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report, 2016