The University of California Health has announced the application cycle for The Grow Grants: 2026, making up to $3.5 million available to support innovative medical education initiatives that expand California's future physician workforce.

Funded through voter-approved California Proposition 35 (2024) and administered by UC Health, The Grow Grants support innovative approaches to medical education that prepare future doctors to care for communities in need.

Applications will be accepted from July 31 through September 15, 2026, for undergraduate and graduate medical education leaders.

The Grow Grants are intended to invest in medical education initiatives and projects with new concepts on how to expand the physician workforce and broaden access to comprehensive health care, including efforts that:

•    Increase the number of medical residents and fellows who train in high-need specialties;
•    Expand medical education in regions with physician shortages; and/or,
•    Enhance care for uninsured and Medi-Cal patients across California.

The announcement builds on the success and momentum of The Grow Grants: 2025, when UC Health awarded $3.5 million to seven initiatives selected from more than 100 highly competitive applications.

"The first year of The Grow Grants has already demonstrated what becomes possible when California invests in medical education," said Deena Shin McRae, M.D., associate vice president for Academic Health Sciences at UC Health. "Our 2025 awardees are building new partnerships, expanding training opportunities and creating pathways to better serve communities. We encourage medical education leaders across California to bring bold ideas forward as we work together to strengthen the physician workforce and improve access to care for generations to come."

Early reports from the 2025 awards are already demonstrating the program's impact across California.

One funded project, Expanding Occupational and Environmental Medicine Training in Rural Agricultural California, establishes a new partnership between UCSF and the Merced County Department of Public Health to prepare physicians for the distinct health challenges facing California's agricultural communities.

"The Grow Grant is already building a real bridge between academic medicine and public health here in the Fresno-Merced region," said Ignacio A. Santana, M.D., M.P.H., county health officer for the Merced County Department of Public Health and a community partner on the project. "This collaboration is exactly what we need to better protect our vital agricultural workforce and the families who sustain our region's economy. By integrating UCSF residents directly into our local health department operations, we can strengthen our hands-on work in disease surveillance, emergency response and environmental health assessments. I'm genuinely excited to mentor these residents on the ground in Merced County and build a healthier future together."

To learn more about the inaugural awardees and hear directly from program leaders and community partners about how the first round of funding is already supporting medical school programs and communities, visit the new webpage The Grow Grants: Making an impact.

Medical education leaders can find program information, eligibility requirements, application materials and submission instructions on The Grow Grants: 2026 webpage. All information and application materials are subject to change. For questions about the program, email GrowGrants@ucop.edu

About University of California Health

University of California Health comprises six academic health centers, 21 health professional schools and systemwide services that improve the health of patients and the University’s students, faculty and employees. All of UC’s hospitals are ranked among the best in California and its health professional schools are nationally ranked in their respective areas.
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