MCAN awarded grants to its program sites through a rigorous, competitive application process - more than 160 nonprofit organizations from around the country responded to the Call for Proposals  (PDF file). The program sites all include a consortium of community and individual partners. Each targets low-income communities with a high prevalence of pediatric asthma and has potential for national replication. An independent research group will rigorously evaluate these programs; evaluation findings will play a key role in the development of comprehensive childhood asthma program models for potential national replication. The Merck Company Foundation will support this initiative with a commitment of up to $20 million from 2005 through 2009.