The Connected Communities Initiative (CCI) program is a partnership between OSF HealthCare and Illinois State University aimed at developing solutions to health challenges in central communities. We are looking for new tools, techniques, and processes that remove barriers to care, enhance health and wellness education, and leverage technology to improve training and community outreach.
The program is open to all ISU faculty and clinicians of OSF HealthCare. Proposals must identify at least two co-investigators: one faculty member from ISU and one clinician at OSF HealthCare. Selected projects will receive one year of funding up to $75,000 with the option to re-apply for additional funding after the project is successfully completed.
Looking for a collaborator? We can help you find one. Click to apply for collaboration help: SM Apply - Collaboration Request
Matching for the spring of 2026 will close on February 6th, 2026.
As part of this arrangement, multidisciplinary teams made up of clinicians as well as ISU faculty and researchers will develop solutions in the following focus areas:
- Clinical and patient education
- Health care engineering
- Data science
- Cybersecurity
- Science of Length of Stay and Post-Discharge Care
For a list of required fields within the application, click here.
Other resources:
Budget with Justification Example
Blank Budget with Justification
Official Statement on Resident and Fellow Participation in IAI
Connected Communities Initiative (Spring 2026)
The Connected Communities Initiative (CCI) program is a partnership between OSF HealthCare and Illinois State University aimed at developing solutions to health challenges in central communities. We are looking for new tools, techniques, and processes that remove barriers to care, enhance health and wellness education, and leverage technology to improve training and community outreach.
The program is open to all ISU faculty and clinicians of OSF HealthCare. Proposals must identify at least two co-investigators: one faculty member from ISU and one clinician at OSF HealthCare. Selected projects will receive one year of funding up to $75,000 with the option to re-apply for additional funding after the project is successfully completed.
Looking for a collaborator? We can help you find one. Click to apply for collaboration help: SM Apply - Collaboration Request
Matching for the spring of 2026 will close on February 6th, 2026.
As part of this arrangement, multidisciplinary teams made up of clinicians as well as ISU faculty and researchers will develop solutions in the following focus areas:
- Clinical and patient education
- Health care engineering
- Data science
- Cybersecurity
- Science of Length of Stay and Post-Discharge Care
For a list of required fields within the application, click here.
Other resources:
Budget with Justification Example
Blank Budget with Justification
Official Statement on Resident and Fellow Participation in IAI