NEWS RELEASE
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Fuels Student Innovation with $57K in Health Grants
Teddy Lemmer
| 2 min read
DETROIT, March 18, 2026 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Foundation announced today it has awarded $57,000 in grants to 19 medical and doctoral students dedicated to improving health care in Michigan. This year, students from seven universities will receive $3,000 grants to support their research projects. These projects aim to improve health care outcomes and develop innovative solutions to health care challenges.
For more than four decades, the BCBSM Foundation’s Student Award Program has encouraged and supported Michigan’s next generation of health care leaders. By funding research projects, the program enables students to gain hands-on experience and make meaningful contributions to the health care field.
"At the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, our mission is to enhance the quality of health care, improve its value and increase access to care for the people of Michigan,” said Audrey Harvey, executive director and chief executive officer of BCBSM Foundation. “Year after year, we are increasingly impressed by the innovative projects submitted for our support. As the health care industry evolves rapidly, we are honored to help shape the future of health care by supporting the research of students from Michigan universities.”
This year, the BCBSM Foundation received 91 applications from students attending accredited universities across Michigan. A competitive selection process identified the 19 grant recipients, who were chosen based on their innovative ideas, academic excellence and potential to drive positive changes in health care.
"Our student grant awards are helping to develop future health care leaders today,” said Dr. Bruce Wolf, chair of the BCBSM Foundation Grant Committee and a board member. "Success in a competitive market requires many foundational steps and this research offers an opportunity for students to create meaningful change and establish a strong reputation."
The BCBSM Foundation congratulates the students on their awards. A full list of recipients can be found here.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MIBlueDaily.com. For more on the BCBSM Foundation, visit bcbsm.com/foundation.
