Commonwealth Health Research Board

About CHRB In 1997, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed an act establishing the Commonwealth Health Research Board to provide financial support for human health research in the Commonwealth. The Boards' primary responsibility is to make grants for human health research, especially for those efforts that have the potential of maximizing human health benefits for citizens of the Commonwealth. The criteria for the awards are determined by the Board and include principles articulated in statute. Grants can be made to state agencies and institutions of higher education in Virginia and non-profit organizations that meet specific criteria. Following its organization, the Board established fund guidelines, reviewed applications for funding, and made its first grants for the initiation of nine research projects. The Board solicits proposals on an annual basis for research funding to begin in July of each year. Funds for the grants come from the Commonwealth Health Research Fund, which was established with proceeds following Trigon's evolution from non-profit organization to a for-profit company.