Through this Call for Proposals, we will award up to $5 million in research grants to support actionable, solutions-oriented health equity research through two types of funding: 1) Rapid Response Research awards will support early- to mid-career health equity researchers whose work has been interrupted by federal funding shifts; and 2) New Research Support awards will fund community-driven research that uplifts the knowledge, expertise, and power of Indigenous and other historically marginalized communities of color to develop or test solutions that advance racial and Indigenous health equity.
Rapid Response Research
Rapid Response Research awards are exclusively available to applicants who have already received federal funding for their health equity research but have since had their funding partially or fully rescinded. Reviewers will prioritize funding projects led by early- to mid-career Indigenous, Black, Latino and other researchers of color with a track-record of conducting racial and Indigenous health equity research. We expect to award approximately $2M in Rapid Response Research grants, with awards ranging from $50k to $200k for up to 24 months.
Brief Proposals are due May 28, 2025 at 3pm EDT.
New Research Support
New Research Support awards will support research that centers community priorities and expertise to advance upstream solutions to racial and indigenous health equity. Lead applicant organizations must be community-based organizations with a strong track record of racial and/or Indigenous health equity work. We expect to award approximately $3M in New Research Support grants. There will be two funding levels, with at least 4 projects of up to $250,000 and at least 4 projects of up to $500,000 funded. Grant durations will be up to 36 months.
Letters of Intent are due July 16, 2025 at 3pm EDT.
General CFP information below. For more specifics, visit Rapid Response Research and New Research Support pages.
Informational Webinar
Join E4A & RWJF leadership for an informational applicant webinar on May 2, 2025 at 11am PT, for an overview of the Call for Proposals, insights into what reviewers are looking for, and how to apply.
Virtual Office Hours
Join E4A for drop-in virtual office hours. Held weekly, office hours will offer opportunities to ask questions about the funding opportunity - everything from what is a good fit to how to submit materials.
Rapid Response Research might be right for you if:
- You were awarded federal funding for racial or Indigenous health equity research and you are no longer able to access those funds.
- You are an early- to mid-career health equity researcher.
- You are a researcher whose background and life experiences are underrepresented on research teams.
- You are not currently receiving more than 25% of your salary from an RWJF grant.
- Your research is aligned with E4A’s mission and values.
New Research Support might be right for you if:
- Your research is action-oriented, community-centered, and focused on systems- or structural-level solutions to advance racial and Indigenous health equity.
- The lead applicant organization is a Community-Based Organization with a demonstrated history of racial and/or Indigenous health equity work
- The budget for your project (including dissemination and indirect costs) is no more than $500K.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to questions that apply generally to the Call for Proposals, regardless of type of funding. Access specific frequently asked questions for the Rapid Response Research and New Research Support awards by clicking on the appropriate link.
General CFP FAQs
Why does the Call for Proposals (CFP) focus on racial and Indigenous health equity?
The impact of settler colonialism and racism continues to be deeply ingrained within our societal systems, leading to persistent health inequities. Indigenous Peoples, Black, Latine and other people of color in the United States and its occupied territories have experienced these historical and ongoing systems of oppression through land dispossession, cultural genocide, the enslavement of Africans and their descendants, the internment of Japanese Americans, the separation of Indigenous families by sending children to boarding schools, violation of treaties discriminatory immigration policies and practices, redlining, racially restrictive covenants, exclusionary zoning, racialized police violence, and voter suppression, among other policies and practices that are embedded in the fabric of U.S. society.
At the same time, progress has been made toward health equity. And health equity research - guided by community knowledge, power, and leadership - serves as a transformational catalyst for the public good. It helps identify what works, for whom, and under what conditions to guide policies, implementation, and funding decisions that create meaningful impact to improve health and wellbeing. A healthier nation, where all Americans can thrive and grow, benefits everyone, and should serve as a unifying goal, transcending ideological divides.
To sustain and build on this progress, we must continue to invest in health equity research, to ensure that health is a right for all, rather than a privilege for a few.
How much funding is available?
A total of five million dollars will be awarded across two award types. Two million dollars will be awarded through Rapid Response Research, with individual grants up to $200,000. Three million dollars will be awarded through New Research Support, with at least four grants of up to $250,000 and at least four grants of up to $500,000.
Are applicants permitted to submit applications for both the Rapid Response Research and New Research Support awards?
Yes, applicants are permitted to submit applications to both Rapid Response Research and New Research Support. However, it is important to note that our intention with this funding opportunity is to support a large and diverse portfolio of grantees. Therefore, we ask applicants to be discerning regarding the types and amounts of funding requested.
May more than one applicant from an organization apply under the call?
Yes, more than one application from a single organization will be accepted under the Rapid Response Research and New Research Support award types. However, we are prioritizing a diverse portfolio of grants for both types of awards, including organizational diversity; so, the number of grants awarded to one organization may be a consideration when making final funding decisions.
How do I submit my application?
All applicant materials - for both types of funding - must be submitted in the RWJF Application & Review (A&R) system by the stated deadline for the relevant award type (May 28 at 3pm ET for Rapid Response Research Brief Proposals and July 16 at 3pm ET for New Research Support Letters of Intent). Late submissions will be NOT accepted. Do NOT email application materials to E4A. Only materials submitted through the A&R system will be reviewed.
What if I have trouble submitting my application?
Late submissions will not be accepted. The application system is set to automatically stop accepting submissions at the stated deadline and we are unable to override the system or accept applications outside the system. We strongly encourage all applicants to submit their completed applications well ahead of the official deadline in case of technical difficulties or other issues impacting ability to submit. If you experience technical difficulties, please reach out to the program office for assistance (evidenceforaction@ucsf.edu).
Where can I learn more about other funding opportunities from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation?
What resources are available to applicants?
There will be a webinar on May 2, 2025 (register here) during which E4A and RWJF leadership will provide an overview of the funding opportunity, share additional insights and nuance, and answer participant questions. E4A staff will also host weekly drop-in office hours on Zoom. Join a virtual conversation with our program staff.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at evidenceforaction@ucsf.edu.