Vaccines Defend What Matters (formerly Be Wise – Immunize) is TMA’s integrated, multimedia public health education and advocacy effort to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in Texas.
At a time when the public is hearing mixed messages about the safety of vaccines, Vaccines Defend What Matters sends a strong message from trusted physician leaders that choosing to be immunized against infectious disease safeguards public health, jobs, schools, and the Texas economy.
As part of this effort, TMA Foundation (TMAF) offers grants of up to $3,500 to fund vaccination activities, educational resources, and community outreach events. County medical societies, TMA Alliance chapters, medical student chapters, and TMA member-physician practices/clinics can apply.
Eligible applicants are expected to be involved in programs or events that either directly provide vaccinations or promote vaccine education. Grants are not limited to but can fund shot clinics to vaccinate underserved and uninsured children, adolescents, and adults, events that educate the public about vaccinations, and/or outreach initiatives that address vaccine hesitancy.
Throughout 2021, applicants whose focus is in areas of greatest need will receive priority funding. These include Texas counties with low immunization rates and high rates of conscientious exemptions.
Apply for a Grant
Grant proposals (log-in for TMA Foundation grant portal required)* are accepted on or before March 1 and June 1. TMAF provides two grant application submission deadlines for the 2021 grant cycle depending on timing of funding needs. Applicants only need to apply once per grant cycle. Funding cannot be used to reimburse for previously held events or activities so applicants should apply in advance of program or event start date (if program or event is grant dependent). Grantees have up to 12 months from receipt to use all awarded funds.
| Application deadline |
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Grant notification on or before
(with funding released within 2 weeks) |
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| Sept. 1, 2021 |
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Oct. 15, 2021 |
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*If you have not previously applied for a grant, you may need to create an account. This portal is different from your TMA website login.
Questions? Email us for more information. You may also call our office at (512) 370-1664 and leave a message. There may be a delayed response time as we are working from home during the pandemic. Additional TMA Foundation Grants
THANK YOU to All Recent Grant Recipients
- Mika K. Cole, M.D., P.A. (San Antonio) – Provided COVID-19 vaccinations, and worked to combat vaccine hesitancy in underserved and non-English speaking communities in San Antonio.
- UT Southwestern TMA Medical Student Chapter (Dallas) – Increased access to the flu vaccine, and provided vaccine education to combat vaccine hesitancy through a student run clinic at Brother Bills Helping Hands in West Dallas, an underserved community.
- UNTHSC Foundation/UNT TMA Medical Student Section (Fort Worth) – Held flu shot clinics to vaccinate and educate underserved and uninsured children, adolescents, and adults in Tarrant County with a primary focus on refugee populations.
- RotaCare Free Clinic (El Paso) – Provided COVID-19, Influenza, HPV, Hep B and Tdap shot clinics as well as partnered with TTUHSC El Paso to provide patient vaccine education and outreach, and to improve health outcomes for communities in El Paso.
- Spring Branch Community Health Center (Houston) – Provided children ages 4-12 with vaccines necessary to be ready to enter school. During the event, each child received a backpack full of school supplies.
- Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine/TMA Medical Student Section (Lubbock) – Reached-out to insured and uninsured individuals who have not had access to HPV vaccines, and provided them with education as well as access to the vaccine series for protection from preventable cancer.
Vaccines Defend What Matters Information