Kellie Gerardi x Babylist IVF Grants

For more than eight years, my family lived in the space between hope and heartbreak.

After the birth of my daughter, we faced secondary infertility, devastating pregnancy losses, and multiple rounds of IVF. It was a journey marked by waiting, uncertainty, and grief, but also by extraordinary support and resilience. When I chose to share our experience in real time on social media, I never expected millions of people to show up with encouragement, compassion, support, and unwavering belief when I struggled to find it myself.

The IVF community is built on courage, vulnerability, science, and hope. As a research astronaut, I’ve trained to navigate the unknown. Infertility required that same strength. Access to IVF ultimately changed the course of my family’s life, and no family should have to abandon their dream of growing their family simply because the financial burden of treatment is too heavy.

Partnering with Baby Quest to personally sponsor this grant is my way of paying forward the love, strength, and support that carried me through my darkest moments. This grant exists to remind another family that they are not alone, and that their hope is worth fighting for.

About Babylist

Babylist is the leading registry, e-commerce, and content platform for growing families. More than 9 million people shop with Babylist every year, making it the go-to destination for seamless purchasing, trusted guidance, and expert product recommendations for new parents and the people who love them.

What began as a universal registry has grown into a full ecosystem for new parents, including the Babylist Shop, Babylist Health, and a flagship showroom in Los Angeles. Hundreds of brands in baby and beyond partner with Babylist to engage meaningfully with families during one of life’s most important transitions.

As we build the generational brand in baby, our mission remains simple: to connect growing families with everything they need to thrive.

Kellie Gerardi, Astronaut 

(c) Photo by Steven Martine

Dates to Apply: April 13, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Baby Quest Standard Grant Eligibility Checklist

Type of treatments/procedures covered: This IVF Grant funds in-vitro fertilization and additional costs associated (medications, genetic testing, egg retrieval or donor eggs/sperm, & transfer)

Failure to conceive: Baby Quest covers the following ASRM definition of infertility – “The need for medical intervention, including, but not limited to, the use of donor gametes or donor embryos in order to achieve a successful pregnancy either as an individual or with a partner.” (ASRM, 2023).

Overall health: All applicants must demonstrate overall good physical and mental health and have no medical conditions that would pose a serious risk to themselves or, in the case of females, the child they would carry (e.g. active acute infections).

Residence: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States and must be under the care of an accredited fertility facility (of their choice) within the United States.

Living arrangements and means for child support: All applicants must maintain adequate living arrangements (must lease or own a residence) and possess the means to offer continued child support (at least one partner must maintain employment).

Means for child support: All applicants must possess the means to offer continued child support (at least one partner must maintain employment).

Health insurance: All applicants must have basic health insurance for mother and baby with sufficient prenatal coverage. (Note: we generally don’t fund those with extensive fertility insurance coverage.)

Your fertility timeline and readiness to begin treatment: Recipients must begin treatment within three months of receiving a grant. Baby Quest does not reimburse for procedures already begun. The full grant amount will be available to the recipient on June 1st and after.

Diversity: We respect and support diversity in the family-building journey. Grants are open to same-sex and heterosexual couples as well as single individuals.

DEADLINE: MAY 8, 2026 – 5pm ET

All applications must be submitted at 5PM (PST)/8PM(EST) . After this date/time, you will not be able to access your application. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make changes.

ONLINE APPLICATION INFORMATION

Dates to Apply: April 13, 2026 – May 8, 2026

NEW APPLICANTS (Kellie Gerardi  x Babylist IVF Grants Only): Application link will be available on April 13th

CONTINUING APPLICANTS (If you have already registered): Application link will be available on April 13th

Important Application Information:

All sections of the online application must be completed (17 sections). Below are several important items that are part of the process:

  • There will be TWO $15,000 IVF Grants awarded with the Kellie Gerardi x Babylist IVF Grants opportunity.
  • Application Fee: There is no application fee to apply for these grants; the $75 application fee has been waived.
  • Medical Evaluation Form: This form must be completed by your Fertility Specialist/Reproductive Endocrinologist Office. Please allow sufficient time for your provider to complete and return back to you. Upload this medical evaluation form to your online application.
  • Personal Statement: A written personal statement (maximum 1,000 words) is required as part of the application, along with a photo. An example personal story is provided for reference.
  • Signed Media Release: Baby Quest works to thoughtfully raise awareness and foster understanding around infertility and family-building journeys. As part of the application, applicants are asked to sign a media release that allows Baby Quest, if a grant is awarded, to share a recipient’s story and photo using only a first name and state. From time to time, recipients may also be invited to participate in print or television interviews, always at their comfort level.
  • Insurance Documentation: To help us fairly review each application, we ask for a copy of both sides of the applicant’s insurance card, and the partner’s card if applicable. This information allows us to better understand current coverage, and enables us to focus our support on individuals and families who have limited or no fertility insurance benefits.
  • Submission Email Confirmation: Immediately after submitting your application, you will receive an email with a submission confirmation. Please be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see it! 
  • Announcement of the Grant Recipients: The grant selections are expected to be announced the week of May 25th!

FAQS

    • How many grants will be awarded? There will be two $15,000 IVF Grants awarded.
    • When can I apply for the two grants awarded from the Kellie Gerardi x Babylist IVF grants? Apply between April 13, 2026 – May 8, 2026.
    • When will there be a final decision about the IVF grant? All announcements of the grant will be sent via email by May 25th. 
    • Is there any cost to me? No. This applicant grant cycle is free to apply. 
    • If I am selected for the IVF grant, is there a specific timeline I would need to plan for? If selected for the grant, you would need to start your procedure within three months of being selected.
    • Will my application be kept anonymous? Your application information and medical information is treated with the strictest privacy. While Baby Quest will not publicize any information related to applicants who are not selected for this grant, the ultimate beneficiary of the grant agrees to the promotion of their selection by Baby Quest, as part of our longstanding commitment to destigmatizing infertility. We will only promote with first name(s), state, and separate summary statement provided and approved by the recipient after selection.
    • Is this open to all genders? Yes! And singles, too.
    • Can I apply on behalf of a friend? Sorry, no. A medical evaluation form is required to be completed by the applicant’s reproductive/fertility specialist, so it is necessary that they apply personally.
    • Can the grant be used for IUI or egg freezing?  This grant is specific to IVF and related costs. 
    • Can the grant be used to pay for donor eggs/sperm with IVF? Yes.
    • Do I need to supply personal medical information in the grant application? How will that information be used? The application includes a HIPAA statement to sign along with a form that must be completed by your reproductive specialist. Information provided in these forms is used strictly to determine grant eligibility and is held to strict privacy standards. 
    • How will the recipient be selected? Baby Quest’s committee of women’s health advocates, medical professionals, and financial advisers will review applications to determine grant selection.
    • Where does the money go once a recipient is selected? This grant will cover costs associated with the IVF clinic, embryology lab, genetic company and similar. Baby Quest provides a credit card for covered services from the funding of the Kellie Gerardi and Babylist grants.

Kellie Gerardi x Babylist IVF Grants