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Authentic community engagement is essential to understand and address the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to population health and health inequities. In this context, “community” refers to groups defined by geography, demographics (e.g., age, race, gender, etc.), or shared interests.
By actively collaborating with community members in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health initiatives, population health and health equity champions can cocreate solutions that are culturally relevant, sustainable, and responsive to local needs and strengths. This shared leadership approach not only builds trust and fosters collaboration but also ensures that organizational collaborators, including health systems, are more accountable, ultimately advancing health and well-being for all.
The AAMC Center for Health Justice is issuing a call for stories from organizations that are walking the talk on meaningful and effective community engagement. Drawing on the Centers for Disease Control’s Principles of Community Engagement, 3rd Edition (see Chapter 2); the AAMC Center for Health Justice’s Principles of Trustworthiness; and the impacts and outcomes set forth in the National Academy of Medicine’s framework for assessing meaningful community engagement, organizations will be invited to share both the process and impact of their community engagement initiatives at a webinar series in 2026. We encourage you to review all three frameworks before starting your application.
Who We Are
The AAMC Center for Health Justice was established to address the health inequities that affect communities nationwide and to ensure that all people have a fair and just opportunity to attain their full health potential. We collaborate with academic health systems, public health and community-based organizations, government and health care entities, the private sector, community leaders, and community members to improve the health of people everywhere.
Who Can Apply
Any representative from the community engagement collaborative can apply, but one of the collaborators must be an AAMC member institution (medical school, academic health system or teaching hospital, or academic society).
What to Expect
The Center will select up to five collaborations to highlight. Selected collaborations will share their stories, strategies, challenges, and successes via a webinar series launching in the spring of 2026.
Collaborations whose stories are selected will receive compensation. Prior to the webinar, those who will be telling their story will be expected to attend at least one planning meeting with Center staff.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | Application period opens |
| Monday, December 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET | Application period closes |
| Friday, January 23, 2026 | Stories selected |
| March 2026 | Stories announced |
| Spring/Summer 2026 | Webinar series presented |
How to Apply
If you are interested in telling your community engagement story, please use the link below to complete the application by December 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET.