Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Policy and Law Research to Build a Culture of Health

Policies for Action was created to help build the evidence base for policies that can help build a Culture of Health. The Foundation is interested in learning how national, state, or local policies can promote lifelong health and health equity for individuals, families, and communities; as well as what enabling factors promote the adoption and spread of good policies.

Scholars and other experts from any field can help the Foundation to understand how policies influence, both positively and negatively, the many potential drivers of population health, well-being, and equity. Proposals that will investigate public and private policies from a range of political ideologies and perspectives are welcome. By policies, the Foundation means not just laws and regulations at the local, state, and federal level, but also private sector practices, such as those affecting workplaces, neighborhood and community development, and family stability. Both public and private sector policies and practices can significantly impact a person’s health. These policies and practices might be related to: health care; public health; education and training; housing and community development; civil rights; transportation and planning; labor and employment; taxes and spending. Additional information on this program can be found at policiesforaction.org.

In addition to general grants, the Foundation has set aside dedicated funds to support new research on the health equity effects of state pre-emption. Pre-emption is a legal doctrine that stipulates that a higher level of government may limit or eliminate the power of a lower level of government to regulate a certain issue or in a certain domain. In the case of state pre-emption, state governments may limit or eliminate local lawmaking authorities.

Amount: A total of $2,000,000 is available ($450,000 of which is set aside for pre-emption-focused proposals). General grants will typically range up to $250,000 for a maximum funding period of 24 months. Projects that exceed the recommended budget range must provide strong justification for the proposed budget (not to exceed $350,000). For the set-aside for pre-emption research, up to three grants will be funded at up to $150,000 each.

Eligibility: Preference will be given to applicants that are either public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants must be based in the United States or its territories. Applications are welcomed from all investigators. The following are especially encouraged to apply:

• Interdisciplinary or cross-sector research teams
• Researchers from diverse backgrounds or with diverse life experiences
• Investigators from a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to architecture; business; communications; community planning; economics; education; epidemiology; health policy; law; medicine (including practitioners); political science; psychology; public policy; public administration; public health; social work; sociology; urban planning and systems engineering
• First-time applicants to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Link: https://rwjf.ws/2FmErSZ

Note: An optional applicant informational webinar will be held on May 16, 2018 (see link above to register).

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