Centers of Excellence (COE)

The Centers of Excellence Program provides grants to health professions schools and other public and nonprofit health or educational entities to assist schools in supporting programs of excellence in health professions education for under-represented minority individuals.

By statute, the Centers of Excellence Program awards funding to organizations to operate programs that establish, strengthen, and expand activities to enhance the academic performance of underrepresented minority students and improve information resources, clinical education, curricula related to minority health issues. Through strategic partnerships, grant recipients develop a large competitive applicant pool, establish a pipeline for health professions careers, enhance academic performance, expand the capacity of schools to recruit faculty, and provide training to students at community-based health facilities. Additionally, the Centers of Excellence Program supports faculty and student research on health issues particularly affecting underrepresented minority groups.

Eligible entities are accredited allopathic schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and graduate programs in behavioral or mental health.