Using cancer control mini-grants to build community capacity and reach underserved populations

Background: To bridge the gap between evidence and practice, the University of Texas School of Public Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center committed funds to offer mini-grants to community-based organizations (CBOs) in Texas to implement and evaluate evidence-based approaches (EBAs) for cancer prevention and control. In 2011, two $ 3500 mini-grants were awarded. In 2012 and 2013, three $8,000 mini-grants were awarded each year. Methods: We solicited feedback from potential applicants, applicants, review panel members, community advisory groups and project partners on content and processes to suggest changes over time. Results: Improvements included recruitment of funders to increase the number and amount of mini-grants, broadening of the range of topics for EBAs, provision of information on EBAs, grant writing and individual technical assistance to potential applicants, as well as matching post-docs and junior faculty enrolled in Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) training to CBOs to help with the application and evaluation. The number and quality of applications increased over time (2011=4, 2012=14, and 2013=11) with the improvements. Funded projects addressed breast and cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccination, physical activity and nutrition in vulnerable populations, including low-income Hispanic women; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender women; and Asian minority cancer survivors. Conclusion: The mini-grant program provided a mechanism to bring funding and expertise to underserved communities, increase CBOs' capacity in using EBAs, and to involve CBPR trainees with CBOs. Not restricting EBA choices added burden of technical assistance but increased the number and variety of applications.