Health Equity Scholars for Action

The Health Equity Scholars for Action (HES4A) program, administered by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, seeks to address longstanding barriers in health equity research by supporting early-career scholars from historically underrepresented backgrounds in academia. Since its inception in 2021, the HES4A program has focused on empowering researchers to conduct transformative, action-oriented projects that challenge systemic inequities and structural barriers. The initiative aligns with the Foundation’s mission to promote health equity and foster a diverse academic community that reflects varied lived experiences and perspectives. The HES4A program provides up to 15 grants of up to $260,000 each, with funding designed to support up to 70 percent of the scholar’s salary for two years (capped at $75,000 annually). The remainder may be used for research and related expenses. Funds cannot be used for clinical trials of unapproved products, construction or renovation, lobbying, or duplicative activities. Grants are issued to the scholar’s home institution and are subject to RWJF’s standard funding guidelines, which include support for stipends, health insurance, research, and travel. Eligible applicants must have completed a terminal degree within the past five years and hold a full-time academic position or be on track to do so at an accredited U.S. institution. Applicants must demonstrate how they have faced systemic marginalization in the field and how HES4A participation will help overcome these barriers. The program is inclusive of individuals from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, including but not limited to first-generation college graduates, individuals from low-income communities, and people from geographically isolated areas. However, those who have received significant prior funding as a PI or have other postdoctoral fellowships are not eligible. The application process begins with a letter of intent due by November 6, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited on January 16, 2026, to submit a full proposal by March 12, 2026. Semifinalist interviews will be held in April, with final award notifications expected in May. The grant term officially begins on July 15, 2026. Optional informational sessions, including a webinar and virtual office hours, are offered in October 2025 to help prospective applicants prepare their submissions. This grant is awarded on an annual basis and supports scholars who will contribute to a growing body of evidence aimed at eliminating disparities and promoting equitable health systems. By investing in this next generation of health equity scholars, RWJF aims to build a more inclusive research landscape and catalyze systemic change that improves health and well-being for all.

RWJF prioritizes systemic equity and intersectionality; applicants should clearly articulate their lived experience of marginalization and how the program will support overcoming structural barriers.