Deadline: 14-May-2026
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is offering up to $500,000 in funding under its Health Equity Research for Action (HERA) program to support community-driven research addressing structural inequities. The initiative funds projects that tackle discrimination, misinformation, and systemic barriers while promoting equitable partnerships and real-world impact.
What is the HERA Funding Opportunity?
The Health Equity Research for Action (HERA) program is a research funding initiative designed to support timely, community-rooted studies that advance health equity.
It focuses on generating actionable evidence that responds to current societal challenges, including structural discrimination, misinformation, and unequal access to health resources.
Key Objectives of the Program
The program supports research that:
- Identifies root causes of structural discrimination
- Challenges harmful narratives affecting health and wellbeing
- Addresses mis- and disinformation
- Promotes equitable community-research partnerships
- Aligns with RWJF’s priority systems for health equity
- Drives systems change and real-world solutions
Understanding Key Concepts
What is Health Equity?
Health equity means ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to achieve optimal health, regardless of social, economic, or environmental conditions.
What is Community-Rooted Research?
This refers to research conducted in partnership with communities, where local knowledge, lived experiences, and priorities shape the research process and outcomes.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be an organization based in the United States or its territories
- Preference for nonprofit, tax-exempt entities
- Must demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of established community partnership
- At least one co-principal investigator must be from a community-based organization
- Teams with diverse lived experiences and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged
Individual applicants are not eligible; funding is awarded to organizations.
Funding Details
- Total Funding Pool: Up to $8 million
- Number of Grants: Approximately 20
- Grant Size: Up to $500,000 per project
- Project Duration: Up to 36 months
Applicants should align their budget with the scale and scope of the proposed research.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
Grant funds can support:
- Research staff and personnel costs
- Compensation for community and academic partners
- Data collection and analysis
- Participant engagement activities
- Dissemination and communication efforts
- Travel and meetings
- Project supplies and limited equipment
Why This Program Matters
This initiative addresses urgent gaps in health equity research by prioritizing:
- Community-led and inclusive research approaches
- Evidence-based solutions in a time of misinformation
- Policy-relevant insights that influence real systems
It ensures that research remains grounded in lived realities and contributes to long-term structural change.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Build or Demonstrate Community Partnership
Ensure you have at least two years of collaboration with a community partner.
Step 2: Define Research Focus
Align your proposal with health equity priorities, such as structural discrimination or misinformation.
Step 3: Form Research Team
Include a co-principal investigator from a community-based organization.
Step 4: Develop Proposal and Budget
Design a project with clear outcomes and align the budget accordingly.
Step 5: Submit Application
Apply through the official HERA program process via the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of genuine or long-term community partnership
- Weak alignment with health equity or systems change goals
- Overly theoretical proposals without real-world application
- Incomplete or unrealistic budgets
- Ignoring misinformation or structural drivers of inequity
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Center community voices and lived experiences
- Clearly define actionable outcomes
- Demonstrate measurable impact on systems change
- Highlight interdisciplinary collaboration
- Provide strong evidence of partnership accountability
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply for this grant?
Only organizations based in the U.S. or its territories can apply, with preference for nonprofits. - What is the maximum funding available?
Each project can receive up to $500,000. - How long can projects last?
Projects can run for up to 36 months. - Is community partnership required?
Yes, applicants must demonstrate at least two years of established partnership. - Can individuals apply?
No, funding is awarded to organizations, not individuals. - What types of research are prioritized?
Research addressing structural discrimination, misinformation, and health inequities. - What costs are covered?
Funding supports staffing, research activities, community engagement, travel, and limited equipment.
Conclusion
The HERA program by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation represents a significant opportunity to advance health equity through community-driven research. With substantial funding and a strong emphasis on real-world impact, it supports projects that challenge systemic inequities and generate actionable solutions.
Organizations with strong community partnerships and a clear focus on systems change are well-positioned to benefit from this funding opportunity.
For more information, visit RWJF.