Exploring Equitable Futures

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Description

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) invites proposals under the Exploring Equitable Futures initiative, aimed at funding projects that envision and improve health equity for future generations. This initiative focuses on transforming systems that perpetuate inequality, with particular attention to economic inclusion, equitable public health and healthcare systems, and healthy community conditions.

Projects should be innovative and forward-looking, exploring emerging trends and forces—such as artificial intelligence and societal trust dynamics—that influence the future of public health. RWJF encourages proposals that challenge existing knowledge frameworks and societal structures, especially those that identify and dismantle structural racism embedded in systems.

The initiative welcomes diverse perspectives from scientists, engineers, anthropologists, technologists, creatives, and community leaders. It emphasizes community-driven wisdom and seeks to reimagine the Health Science Knowledge System to produce, validate, and disseminate evidence rooted in equity and justice.

Due Dates

• Proposals accepted on a rolling basis starting February 3, 2025
• Final submission deadline: October 15, 2025, 3 p.m. ET
• Applicants can expect a response within 1 to 6 months after submission
• The call closes annually around October 15 and reopens around February 1 the following year

Funding Amount

• No fixed award amount; applicants should request the funding needed to complete their project, including direct and indirect costs
• Award duration is flexible, generally ranging from 24 to 36 months
• No set number of awards; funding is provided as grants

Eligibility

• Applicant organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (non-profits)
• Private foundations and Type III supporting organizations are not eligible
• Organizations must be based in the United States or its territories
• Teams may include both U.S. and international members

Application Process

• Applications are submitted online through the RWJF portal
• Applicants should propose projects that seed new and unconventional ideas with the potential to meaningfully advance health equity
• Proposals will be evaluated on novelty, impact potential, and engagement of community insights in shaping research
• Resources available include a sample proposal, full funding opportunity PDF, and FAQs specific to this CFP

Additional Information

• The initiative aligns with RWJF’s Generational Goals: Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing, Equitable and Accountable Public Health and Healthcare Systems, and Healthy and Equitable Community Conditions
• Projects should address one or more of RWJF’s prioritized systems and may focus on reimagining the Health Science Knowledge System
• RWJF encourages exploration of how emerging trends like AI and declining institutional trust affect health equity efforts
• The program supports visionary thinkers across disciplines to explore futures 10 to 100 years ahead

External Links

• Explore the full funding opportunity and apply
• Learn about RWJF’s Generational Goals and systems change
• Ideas for an Equitable Future program details
• Sample proposal PDF
• Full funding opportunity PDF
• General FAQs for RWJF applicants
• Program-specific FAQs for Exploring Equitable Futures

Contact Information