2025 CMS HEALTH EQUITY AWARD – Call for Nominations

CMS is excited to announce the Call for Nominations for the 2025 CMS Health Equity Award.

The CMS Health Equity Award recognizes organizations who have demonstrated a strong commitment to health equity by reducing disparities affecting vulnerable populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, individuals with limited English proficiency, members of rural, Tribal, and geographically isolated communities, and other individuals impacted by persistent poverty and inequality.

CMS is now accepting nominations for the 2025 CMS Health Equity Award, geared toward those working to advance health equity, reduce disparities in health care access, quality, and outcomes. Nominations are due February 18. Email your form to the CMS Office of Minority Health at OMH@cms.hhs.gov; use the subject: ATTN: CMS Health Equity Award. Questions about the award can also be submitted to this mailbox.

Please Note: The award winner will be recognized at the 2025 CMS Health Equity Conference that will take place on April 23-24, 2025. As such, the awardee is asked to participate in the free conference and be in-person to accept the award and to speak to their organization’s role in reducing disparities in health care quality, access, or health outcomes.

Visit the award webpage for more information and to download the nomination form.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• Types of eligible organizations include:
  • Public and private organizations at state, local, county, and tribal levels
  • Non-Governmental organizations, non-profits, businesses, academic organizations, and those impacting health outcomes
  • Organizations that impact health outcomes, philanthropic organizations, and tribal organizations who align themselves with or promote the CMS Framework for Health Equity and the CMS Strategic Plan’s pillar for Health Equity
• Must demonstrate that they have reduced disparities in health care quality, access, or outcomes in the communities and populations they serve.
• Must serve at least one of the following populations: racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, rural populations, and other individuals impacted by persistent poverty and inequality.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY FOR THE AWARD:

• Recognition at the CMS Health Equity Conference, including
  • Opportunity to leverage the 2025 CMS Health Equity Conference's broad reach and diverse audience in public health and health policy, both onsite and virtually.
  • Recognition from leaders in public, private, and government sectors, enhancing visibility and platform.
• Awardees featured on the CMS Office of Minority Health website, potentially accessing new audiences.
• Awardees will have opportunity to lead webinars with CMS, engaging with its partner organizations and audience.
• Spotlights on CMS’s social media platforms.
• Receive a digital badge for your website, highlighting support of the CMS Framework for Health Equity.
• Access to information, tools, and resources for promoting the initiative.

AWARD NOTIFICATION:

• Awardees notified by week of March 31, 2025.

Visit the CMS Health Equity Award webpage for more information on the criteria, eligibility, and more information on how to submit a nomination.  

CMS Office of Minority Health  |  Working to Achieve Health Equity

_{Paid for by the US Department of Health and Human Services}