Well-Being Grants

Projects are reviewed based on alignment with well-being goals, quality of concept/idea, impact on the UW Medicine community, response to well-being data, and creativity (See defined criteria here). Your project should be based in one or more of the following:

• Community Building – strengthening connection, collaboration, gratitude, and appreciation across UW Medicine, while also fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Enhanced Workflow – streamlining processes and communication channels to make the work easier for our teams
• Culture of Well-Being – fostering authentic leadership, supportive structures, personal and professional development, and ensuring physical and psychological safety, to integrate well-being into the core of who we are and how we operate

A Grants Review Committee will review each application. The committee consists of members representing groups across UW Medicine.

Grant recipients are responsible for ensuring Well-Being Grant funds use is in compliance with UW policies but some general guidelines for the grants are as follows:

1. Funds cannot be used as salary or compensation for UW employees
2. Funds will be distributed through UW employees’ home units or departments, not to individuals
3. Food purchases are acceptable if consistent with UW policies and guidelines (purchase of alcohol is never permitted)
4. Funds should only be used toward what is specifically outlined in budget proposals

Well-Being grant funds can be used to purchase food if purchases are consistent with UW policies and guidelines, including being within current per diem rates. Grant recipients are responsible for ensuring all purchases are compliant with these policies. Note that purchase of alcohol is never permitted using Well-Being grant funds.

Well-Being grant funds cannot be used towards individual UW employees compensation or salaries. Funds may be used to pay for external contractors (speakers, instructors) as well as group or team trainings or events but should not be used for individual employee trainings. Recipients should plan to work with their individual unit’s or team’s finance personnel to handle any payment or invoice needs.

Grant recipients should plan to work with their individual unit’s or team’s finance personnel to manage purchasing and reimbursement. The Well-Being team cannot directly manage any purchasing or reimbursements.

Grant recipients have approximately one year from the date of fund transfer to complete and implement projects, including spending all grant funds. This means that projects must be complete by July 2026. 

Yes, all grant recipients are required to complete a brief Completion Report (linked here) after the project is implemented, due by July 2026. 

We are excited to share the success and impact of well-being projects across UW Medicine through Vitals and broader communication sources across the system. The required Completion Report (linked here) will have a section to opt in if you would like your story to be featured in future materials. 

Yes! We are offering community gatherings at various locations this Fall. See dates below and register to attend HERE. 

Harborview: Thursday 9/25, 7:30–8:30 AM 

UWMC – Montlake: Tuesday 9/30, 8:00–9:00 AM 

Virtual Option (for all UW Medicine and affiliated teams wanting to join virtually): Monday 10/6, 9:00–10:00 AM 

UWMC – Northwest: Wednesday 10/15, 8:00–9:00 AM 

UW School of Medicine & Local Affiliates: Monday 10/20, 8:00–9:00 AM 

Please email uwm-wellbeing@uw.edu with any financial or other questions about your grant.