Research to Advance Racial and Indigenous Health Equity
Funds community-led research to address structural causes of racial and Indigenous health inequities in the U.S., supporting projects focused on systems change and rooted in affected communities.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has archived this opportunity.
Funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Due Dates: May 28, 2025 (Rapid Response brief proposal) | July 16, 2025 (New Research Support LOI) | October 1, 2025 (Rapid Response alternate deadline) | December 17, 2025 (New Research Support full proposal, by invitation)
Funding Amounts: Rapid Response: $50,000–$200,000 (up to 2 years); New Research Support: $250,000 or $500,000 (up to 3 years); ~8 awards expected
Summary: Supports community-driven, action-oriented research to address root causes of racial and Indigenous health inequities and promote systems change in the U.S.
Key Information: Two tracks: Rapid Response (for federally defunded projects) and New Research Support (for new, CBO-led research); eligibility rules differ by track.
Description
This funding opportunity from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), through its Evidence for Action (E4A) program, aims to advance racial and Indigenous health equity in the United States. The program supports two distinct tracks:
- Rapid Response Research: For projects that have lost federal funding due to administrative changes, intended to prevent research disruption and maintain momentum for action-oriented, community-centered health equity research.
- New Research Support: For new, solutions-oriented research led by community-based organizations (CBOs) with a strong track record in racial and/or Indigenous health equity work, designed to address the structural and systemic root causes of inequities.
Both tracks require research to be centered in and directly partnered with affected communities, prioritizing community knowledge, power-building, and systems change. Projects must focus on upstream solutions—such as changes to laws, policies, norms, and practices—rather than individual behavior change alone.
