Evidence for Action (E4A), a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), has released a funding opportunity titled “Research to Advance Racial and Indigenous Health Equity.” The goal is to support actionable, solutions-oriented health equity research through two types of grants: Rapid Response Research Awards and New Research Support Awards. Rapid Response Research Awards are intended for early- to mid-career researchers whose projects have been impacted by shifts in federal funding. The New Research Support Awards focus on supporting community-driven research uplifting Indigenous and historically marginalized communities of color.

The New Research Support Awards specifically require that the lead applicant be a community-based organization (CBO) with a demonstrated history in racial and Indigenous health equity work. Academic institutions cannot serve as lead applicants but can participate as subcontractors or fiscal sponsors. Funding will prioritize projects that are community-centered, focus on structural or systemic solutions, and apply equitable research practices. Applications must be action-oriented, reflecting real-world conditions and centering communities’ needs and expertise.

Key dates for this funding opportunity include a May 2, 2025, applicant webinar, weekly office hours beginning May 7, 2025, and deadlines for Rapid Response brief proposals by May 28, 2025, and New Research Support Letters of Intent (LOIs) by July 16, 2025. Notifications for full proposal invitations are expected the week of August 25, 2025, with full proposals due December 17, 2025. Final funding decisions will be communicated around February 16, 2026, and grants are anticipated to begin on April 15, 2026.

Funding amounts vary: at least four awards of up to $250,000 and at least four awards of up to $500,000 are anticipated. Projects must be completed within 36 months or less. Eligible uses of funding include research-related costs such as salaries, participant engagement, data collection, analysis, and dissemination activities. Indirect costs are capped based on the type of institution involved. Importantly, matching funds are not required, although leveraging additional resources is encouraged.

Evaluation criteria for proposals include relevance to advancing racial and Indigenous health equity, actionability of research findings, methodological rigor, equitable research practices, clear health connections, feasibility of the research plan, and the strength of the project team’s expertise. Research must take place in U.S. settings and focus on systemic solutions rather than individual behavior change. E4A strongly emphasizes partnerships that authentically share leadership and power with impacted communities throughout the research process.