RWJF Health Equity Scholars for Action Funding Program

• Be from a systematically marginalized group that has historically been underrepresented in research disciplines. The term “systematically marginalized” refers to the challenges facing individuals because of their race, ethnicity, gender expression or sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or similar factors. Eligible individuals include, but are not limited to:
  • Individuals from ethnically and racially minoritized groups underrepresented in research disciplines
  • First-generation college graduates
  • People for whom English is not a native language
  • People from low-income communities
  • LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Individuals with disabilities

These examples are intended to be illustrative, not exclusive. Applicants who do not fall within one of these categories, but who believe they meet this eligibility criterion, will have an opportunity to describe their individual circumstances as part of the online application process.

• Have completed a doctoral degree within the last five years. The degree can be in any field and is not limited to public health or health sciences.
• Be a junior faculty member in an accredited school in the U.S. or its territories (“home institution”), with a full-time academic position that could lead to tenure, or a postdoctoral fellow poised to be in such a position by the start of the grant.
• Have a home institution that agrees to administer and receive the grant. The home institution must be an accredited academic institution. Applicants from any universities classified among the R2-M3 by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Have never served as a project director or principal investigator on any grant since receiving their doctoral degree. Individuals who have been awarded grants to support predoctoral training or have received a predoctoral fellowship grant are eligible to apply. See frequently asked questions for further clarification.
• Not have received support from other post-graduate research fellowships/traineeships (e.g., NIH K award, or equivalent). Investigators are not prevented from applying to other fellowships/ traineeships while participating in the program.
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the time of application. As federal policy or laws change, we may need to consider adjustments in eligibility and grant terms.
• Not be related by blood or marriage to any Officer or Trustee of RWJF, or be a descendant of its founder, Robert Wood Johnson.
• Federal, state, tribal, and local government employees are eligible to apply unless they are considered government officials under Section 4946 of the Internal Revenue Code.

• May 4, 2021 (12–1 p.m. ET)
  Optional applicant webinar. Registration is required through this link.

• June 16, 2021 (3 p.m. ET)
  Deadline for receipt of letters of intent.

• July 21, 2021
  Invitation to select applicants to submit full proposals.

• September 1, 2021 (3 p.m. ET)
  Deadline for receipt of full proposals.

• Mid-September 2021
  Semifinalist interviews via web conference.

• Mid-October 2021
  Notification of finalists.

• December 1, 2021
  Program begins.

• Grants of $250,000 each will be awarded through this program. Funds will cover up to 70 percent of the scholar’s salary for two years (capped at $75,000 per year), with the remainder of the award to be used for research and other related expenses. See frequently asked questions for details.
• Up to 15 grants will be awarded.
• Grants will be for 24 months in duration.