The Merck Company Foundation from Elkton awarded James Madison University with a planning grant to help create a chronic illness strategies clinic Wednesday.

The $35,000 grant will fund the clinic that will operate out of JMU's health and human services building.

Care given to the clients will be in conjunction with their own primary heatlh care provider.

It's all part of Merck's goal to support education and improve health care by decreasing the rising costs associated with chronic illnesses.

The clinic is expected to open next year.