Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a leading philanthropic institution committed to advancing health and well-being in the United States, has issued a call for proposals under its Evidence for Action (E4A) program. This program reflects RWJF’s broader commitment to health equity, emphasizing the importance of combating structural racism as a foundational barrier to equitable health outcomes. Through the E4A initiative, RWJF seeks to support research that is community-centered and action-oriented, particularly in historically marginalized racial and Indigenous communities. The goal is to develop or evaluate strategies that build community power, reshape systems, and advance racial and Indigenous health equity. The call for proposals encompasses two distinct streams of funding: Rapid Response Research and New Research Support. The Rapid Response Research component is designed for projects that have experienced disruptions in federal funding. Eligible applicants must provide documentation, such as a termination letter, verifying the loss of federal support. This stream aims to ensure continuity for high-impact research initiatives that are aligned with E4A’s equity-oriented mission. Eligible applicants include any U.S.-based organization, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and support for early to mid-career antiracist or anticolonial researchers who are not current RWJF grantees or receiving more than 25% of their salary from RWJF funds. In contrast, the New Research Support component is exclusively open to community-based organizations (CBOs) with demonstrated commitments to racial or Indigenous health equity. These CBOs may be nonprofit organizations, government agencies, tribal organizations, or for-profit entities under specific eligibility conditions. While research institutions such as universities may participate, they cannot serve as lead applicants but may act as subcontractors or consultants. This funding opportunity explicitly seeks community-led initiatives that amplify cultural knowledge and local expertise in pursuit of upstream solutions to systemic health inequities. For Rapid Response Research, awards range from $50,000 to $200,000 with a maximum duration of two years. For New Research Support, RWJF expects to fund approximately eight grants, with four grants at $250,000 and four at $500,000. These grants may extend up to three years in duration. Eligible uses of funds across both streams include staff salaries, consultant fees, participant incentives, data collection, analysis, dissemination, and community engagement processes. However, clinical trials of unapproved drugs or devices, facility construction or renovation, and lobbying or political activities are strictly prohibited. The application process varies slightly between the two streams. For Rapid Response Research, proposals were due by May 28, 2025, and applicants will be notified by the week of July 14, 2025. The grant start date is September 1, 2025. For New Research Support, letters of intent are due by July 16, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals, which are due December 17, 2025. Final award decisions will be communicated by the week of February 16, 2026, and funding will commence on April 15, 2026. Optional applicant webinars and weekly office hours are available to provide support throughout the process. All proposals must align with RWJF’s commitment to building an actionable evidence base that promotes systems-level change in laws, policies, norms, and governance structures affecting racial and Indigenous health outcomes. Interested applicants can contact the Evidence for Action National Program Office at evidenceforaction@ucsf.edu or call (4