Call for Proposals: Community-Led Systems Research to Address Systemic Racism

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Systems for Action (S4A) Research Program has announced a new funding opportunity titled “Community-Led Systems Research to Address Systemic Racism.” Released on January 15, 2025, this call for proposals seeks to support community-led pilot studies that explore and evaluate interventions designed to dismantle systemic racism. These studies should aim to align services and policies across medical, social, and public health systems in ways that advance health equity for communities disproportionately affected by structural and institutional racism. The purpose of this funding initiative is to test the feasibility of innovative community-based interventions that address racial injustice through systems alignment. The goal is not only to understand how systemic racism can be disrupted through these collaborative strategies but also to generate knowledge that prepares awardees for additional research funding from sources beyond the S4A program, which is set to conclude in December 2026. Each awarded project may receive up to $200,000 in funding to be used over a 12-month project period. Projects must be led by a community-based nonprofit organization, government agency, or tribal entity, in partnership with an experienced research team. The studies should be designed as pilot tests that demonstrate feasibility and effectiveness in addressing systemic racism within the scope of systems alignment. Eligible applicants must be organizations that serve communities impacted by systemic racism and must have an established partnership with researchers experienced in systems alignment and health equity. This partnership must be clearly outlined in the application, and the lead applicant must be a community-rooted organization. Academic institutions and research entities may serve as partners but cannot be the lead applicant. To apply, organizations must download and review the full Funding Opportunity Brochure, Proposal Narrative Template, and Budget Narrative Template from the RWJF website. Applications must be submitted through the RWJF online application portal. Submissions are due no later than Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. Applicants may attend weekly office hours hosted by the S4A team for guidance and clarification. These sessions occur through May 29, 2025, and are designed to provide real-time support. Additionally, informational webinars and FAQs are available online to assist applicants in preparing a competitive proposal. Award notifications are expected by August 22, 2025, and funded projects will begin on October 1, 2025.

Applicants are advised to begin by downloading and thoroughly reading the Funding Opportunity Brochure, which contains essential information on eligibility requirements, background on systems alignment research, and the types of questions the program is interested in funding. Additionally, applicants should download the Proposal Narrative Template and Budget Narrative Template, which provide guidance on the structure and content expected in the proposals.