FAQ: Application and Review

How do I apply? 

We encourage all grant seekers to carefully read our online information on our programs, and details regarding the application process before beginning an application.  Entry into our online application system can be found on the Apply Now page.

Please note that Letters of Inquiry and applications are only accepted online through the Aetna Foundation website.


Can I submit a National application without a Letter of Inquiry? 

This is strongly discouraged.


What are your application deadlines? 

Letters of Inquiry for the National program are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted at any time.  Submission of National proposals without a preliminary Letter of Inquiry is strongly discouraged.

Following Aetna Foundation Letter of Inquiry review, applicants will be contacted for additional information, declined or invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposal application deadlines will be provided with notification that a Letter of Inquiry has been accepted.

Full proposals will be accepted in quarterly cycles with submission closing dates of:

• February 15
• May 15
• August 15
• November 15

Note: These are the deadlines/close dates for full proposals after LOI review. Applications received after midnight Eastern Time on the close date will be reviewed in the next cycle.

Regional and Sponsorship applications also are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted at any time.

When should I expect to hear the outcome of my request? 

Award notification will be made via e-mail within 150 days after the close of an application cycle. However, for sponsorship applications, we recognize that requests to support events can be time sensitive, and we will do our best to review and respond in a timely fashion. Our sponsorship application includes a field for applicants to tell us if their event/activity is within 60 days of submission to flag time-sensitive requests.


Do you provide feedback on applications? 

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot provide feedback on each specific proposal.


What is expected of Foundation grantees? 

Grantees will be asked to show the impact of their work through:

• Measurement and evaluation
• Communication and dissemination of results
• Sharing of best practices

This includes submission of progress and financial reports, and participation in activities to disseminate work sponsored by the Aetna Foundation (such as conferences and webinars). Specific reporting deadlines and additional responsibilities will be included in the contract letter that accompanies all grant awards.


Can I apply for more than one grant in a calendar year? 

We award only one grant per calendar year to an organization, but occasionally will make exceptions for projects we solicit.


Do you accept unsolicited proposals? 

Yes, we will accept unsolicited requests. We also seek out and invite proposals to advance our program goals.