RWJF 2026 Call for Proposals: Up to $500K for Health Equity
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Call for Proposals 2026 offers a chance for groups to win up to $500,000. This funding helps build a fairer health system in the United States. RWJF wants to fight structural racism and barriers to health equity by teaming up with communities and experts.
What the Call for Proposals Covers
RWJF focuses on projects that use ideas from outside the U.S. to improve health knowledge here at home. These projects should create strong systems for health equity, justice, and well-being. They emphasize community-led work to generate, save, and share health stories. The goal is a system that works well during crises and supports everyone.
Awards and Funding Details
RWJF plans to give out up to 15 awards. Each award can reach $500,000, but applicants should ask only for what they need. This helps fund more projects. Larger amounts might cover salaries for several people or multiple activities.
Who Can Apply
U.S.-based organizations or those in U.S. territories can apply. Teams with U.S. and international members are welcome, as long as the work targets health equity in the U.S. Projects only outside the U.S. do not qualify. International groups can apply and may get funds through the RWJF Global Ideas Fund if chosen.
RWJF welcomes leaders from all backgrounds. They especially invite project directors from groups facing threats today, such as Indigenous people, Black and Latino communities, LGBTQ+ members, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. No one is picked or passed over based on race, gender, or other protected traits.
New organizations to RWJF get priority. Groups that received RWJF money since January 1, 2021, cannot apply. This includes direct awards, contracts, or funds through fiscal sponsors. Biomedical or clinical science projects do not qualify. Fiscal sponsors can help with money management if needed.
How to Apply
Visit the RWJF application page to start. For full details, check the official RWJF funding page.
Important Dates
The deadline is April 13, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. GMT+1. Apply soon to meet this date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the RWJF Call for Proposals 2026 fund?
It funds projects that use international ideas to build health equity systems in the U.S., focusing on community-led efforts to fight structural racism and improve well-being.
Who can apply for these awards?
U.S.-based organizations or those in U.S. territories can apply, including teams with international members targeting U.S. health equity. New groups without recent RWJF funding get priority.
What is the maximum award amount?
Each award can go up to $500,000, but applicants should request only what they need to allow more projects to get funded.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is April 13, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. GMT+1, so apply soon through the official RWJF page.