Georgia State Physical Activity and
Nutrition Funding Opportunity
Applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Need support writing and/or submitting your application? Contact G-SPAN at gspanatghpc@gsu.edu by Friday, April 24, 2026.
Introduction
In Georgia , more than one-third (33%) of adults and 1 in 6 (17%) high-school aged children have obesity. Physical activity and healthy eating patterns can reduce the risk of chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. In an effort to promote healthy eating and physical activity in Georgia, the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) was awarded a five-year cooperative agreement as part of the State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Through G-SPAN, partners are working together to leverage state investments, relationships, and resources to improve the health and well-being of Georgians. G-SPAN aims to provide safe and accessible physical activity opportunities, make healthy food choices easier, improve nutrition and physical activity in early care and education settings, and support breastfeeding.
G-SPAN’s 5-year Plan Includes:
- Implementing physical activity, nutrition, early care and education, and breastfeeding policy, systems, and environmental changes that promote obesity prevention
- Incorporating the voice of communities in the adoption, implementation, and evaluation of target strategies where there is the most need
- Strengthening existing and expanding new collaborations and capacity throughout the state
- Using evidence-informed communications to improve health behaviors and reduce chronic disease conditions in key communities and populations
In support of the 5-year plan, G-SPAN is offering funds to support new or existing policy, systems, and environmental change across the initiative’s 4 priority issues:
- Physical Activity
- Nutrition
- Early Care and Education
- Breastfeeding
What is Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) Change?
According to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, PSE change includes:
- Policy: “Policies take several forms such as laws, ordinances, regulations, and rules. They can be formal or informal.” G-SPAN’s definition includes “BIG P” policies like state and local laws, as well as “small p” policies like organizational policies and procedures. For example, this could include developing workplace breastfeeding policies.
- Systems: “Systems interventions are changes that impact all areas of an organization, institution, or community—not just policies.” For example, this could include the adoption of vending guidelines in a health system to encourage employees and patients to select heathier snack options.
- Environment: “Environmental interventions involve changes to the economic, social, or physical environment.” For example, this could include installing signs promoting the use of walking trails or installing gardens in an early care and education (ECE) provider location.
What Can Funds Be Used For?
The funding opportunity can be used to support new or existing policy, systems, and environmental changes on one of G-SPAN’s 4 priority issues: physical activity, nutrition, ECE, and breastfeeding.
Each priority issue has specific strategies of focus. An applicant should ensure their funding request aligns with one of the selected strategies.
Who Can Apply?
The G-SPAN funding opportunity is open to Georgia-based organizations and businesses including:
- Community-based Organizations (CBOs)
- Faith-based Organizations (FBOs)
- Farmers and Growers
- Health clinics
- Lead Partners of Coalitions (including local health improvement coalitions, community wellness fund, etc.)
- Local Government Agencies (city planning, local public health)
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Out of School Organizations (before or after school)
- Schools and Academic Institutions (funds must be used for activities outside of school time)
- Technical Assistance Organizations
Who Cannot Apply?
- Individuals; applicants must be affiliated with an eligible organization (see “who can apply” list)
- REACH and HOP awardees (University of Georgia, Morehouse School of Medicine, DeKalb Board of Health, North Central Health District, and YMCA of Coastal Georgia /Healthy Savannah and their grantees
- State agencies in Georgia
- Organizations outside of Georgia
Restrictions
Funds cannot be used for activities that involve lobbying or advocacy as defined by state or federal laws. No funded activities will support or oppose candidates for public office.
Funds must be used for policy, systems and environmental change activities.
Funds cannot be used for K-12 school-based activities occurring during the school day. Funds can be used in out-of-school programs.
Funds cannot be used to procure food.
Funds cannot be used for fitness or exercise classes or one-time physical activity opportunities.
Funds cannot be awarded to an individual.
How to Apply
Access the online applications below
Need support writing and/or submitting your application? Contact G-SPAN by Friday, April 24, 2026 for assistance at gspanatghpc@gsu.edu.
