Student walking past a wellness vending machine installed on a campus funded by a state grant

Grants and Funding Opportunities for College Wellness Vending Machines

Launching a wellness vending machine program is a smart investment in student health. But for many colleges, the first question is simple: how do we pay for it? The good news is that there are multiple funding opportunities available through state programs, federal grants, and partnerships.

Potential Funding Sources

1. State Public Health Grants
Many states now offer funding specifically for harm reduction, preventive care, and student wellness initiatives. These funds can often be applied to wellness vending programs.

2. Federal Programs
Agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provide grants that support public health interventions, including student wellness and harm reduction.

3. University Health Budgets
Some schools allocate internal funds to expand wellness resources. A vending machine program may qualify as a capital improvement project for health infrastructure.

4. Nonprofit Partnerships
Public health organizations and nonprofits focused on college wellness may co-fund installations or provide grants for specific product categories, such as harm reduction tools or menstrual health supplies.

The Challenge with Grants

While grants are a powerful tool, they often require lengthy application cycles and detailed reporting. Waiting for approval can delay implementation — and in the meantime, students go without access to the health resources they need.

No Budget? No Problem.

The fastest path to student wellness doesn’t require waiting on grant cycles. With the My BIO TESTS Wellness Vending Machine Placement Program, we install, stock, and maintain vending machines at no charge to your college.

That means:

  • Immediate access: Students don’t have to wait for funding.

  • Zero upfront costs: No need to reallocate existing budgets.

  • Grant flexibility: Once funding comes through, you can apply it toward offering free or reduced-cost items inside the machine.

This approach allows your campus to launch wellness vending right away, while still taking advantage of grant dollars later to expand impact.

Call to Action: Don’t let funding delays stop student access. Contact My BIO TESTS today to explore our no-cost placement program and start your wellness vending initiative now.

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