Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health

Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health welcomes proposals that are primed to influence health equity in the future. We seek ideas that address any of RWJF’s Pioneering Ideas for an Equitable Future team’s four current areas of focus described below: 1) Future of Evidence; 2) Future of Social Interaction; 3) Future of Food; and 4) Future of Work. Additionally, under Open Exploration, also described below, this call for proposals seeks ideas that might fall outside of these four focus areas but which offer unique approaches to advancing health equity and our progress toward a Culture of Health. Future of Evidence Past Pioneering Ideas for an Equitable Future projects have explored how technology is changing the capacity and speed at which academic research can occur; who has access to the tools (e.g., AI), data, and infrastructure for collaboration; and the implications for new fields of study such as cognitive neuroscience and sociogenomics. As we continue our exploration into the future of evidence, we want to better understand what guardrails may need to be in place to protect and advance equity, and what policies and practices may help safeguard the integrity of evidence, while promoting more accessible research that invites a diversity of thought. Future of Social Interaction Past Pioneering Ideas for an Equitable Future projects have explored innovative ways to foster meaningful connections in real life and how technology can enhance or hinder these connections. As we continue our exploration into the future of social interaction, a deeper understanding of emerging trends may reveal opportunities to support unique models of strong social networks and influence how technology can be designed and deployed in ways that support positive social interactions. Future of Food Past Pioneering Ideas for an Equitable Future projects have explored ways to prevent and address the effects of climate change, eliminate food waste, and transform food systems. As we continue our exploration into the future of food, we want to understand how changes to where and how food is produced, sold, shared, consumed and disposed of impacts health equity, changes our diets, and could offer potential solutions to climate change. Future of Work Past Pioneering Ideas for an Equitable Future projects have explored the implications of workplace monitoring, gig work, unstable scheduling, and diminishing access to health benefits. As we continue our exploration into the future of work, we hope to reveal how changes to the nature and structure of work may impact health and well-being and how work policies can be shaped to advance health equity. Open Exploration As RWJF pursues the ambitious vision of a Culture of Health, it is more important than ever to double down on innovation, explore new frontiers, and embrace risk. In addition to the four focus areas mentioned above, this CFP seeks applications from disruptive thinkers who have cutting edge ideas that have the potential to improve health equity and that may fall outside of these areas. We want to experiment and test out ideas and explore emerging trends that are ahead of the curve or that are at the edge of our collective imagination.