Chow Imagine Fund

To meet the healthcare needs of people, to democratize healthcare, we must cultivate inspiring leaders who are willing to transform the nursing profession. The Imagine Fund is an investment fo the future and a challenge to nurses to become active, visionary partners in reshaping healthcare
Marilyn P. Chow, BSN’70, MSN ’72 PhD ‘82
 

Chow Imagine Fund

Honored as a “Living Legend” by the American Academy of Nursing, UCSF alumna Marilyn P. Chow, is nationally recognized for dedicating her life to advancing nursing and patient care. Now she seeks to raise the bar even higher. With a gift to UCSF, where she is a professor of community health, Dr. Chow has established the UCSF School of Nursing Marilyn P. Chow Imagine Fund to offer nurses the opportunity to reimagine healthcare.

The UCSF Leadership Institute, in partnership with UCSF Health Department of Nursing and UCSF School of Nursing is excited to announce the call for applications to support nursing innovation through the Chow Imagine Fund. In its inaugural year of funding, the Imagine Fund will support one or more projects which advance the professional identity of nursing. In the face of COVID, nurses, especially new nurses may have lost the opportunity to truly develop their professional identity. The aim for these projects is to repair, restore and invigorate nurses to develop their professional identity, step into leadership and create spaces for innovation.

Technology-Enabled Care (2026)

Have a bold idea that could transform patient care? The UCSF Leadership Institute is now accepting proposals for the 2026 Marilyn P. Chow Imagine Fund—offering up to $20,000 to support innovative, technology-enabled solutions that advance nursing and healthcare delivery.

This year’s theme, Technology-Enabled Care, invites projects that leverage AI, digital tools, telehealth, informatics, analytics, or evidence-based practice innovations to improve access, enhance clinical workflows, and elevate patient outcomes.

Who can apply: UCSF campus and UCSF Health staff, faculty, students, and alumni who are passionate about driving clinical excellence, health equity, and meaningful change in care delivery.

Key Dates

  • Dec. 22, 2025 – Applications due

  • Jan. 15, 2026 – Award notifications

  • Feb. 1, 2026 – Project launch

  • June 30, 2026 – Project completion

  • July 2026 – Presentations at our annual Colloquium

How to apply: Submit a PDF proposal that includes an overview, project aims, plan, outcomes, and budget details. Letters of support and references encouraged.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

The Imagine Fund exists because UCSF and Marilyn P. Chow, BSN, MSN, PhD, believe in the power of nursing innovation to transform healthcare. Your idea could be the next breakthrough.