What is the allowable indirect cost rate?

The Foundation's indirect cost rate is 12 percent. The RWJF online system for applicants contains RWJF Budget Preparation Guidelines and a complete explanation of indirect costs.

Are the indicated award amounts direct costs only or do they include direct and indirect costs?

The indicated award amounts include both direct and indirect costs.

Do I need to submit a budget?

Rapid-Response and RWJF New Connections Concept Papers

For the initial one-page concept paper, applicants should not submit a budget. Applicants will need to provide only the total amount of funding requested from RWJF.

Round 6, Rapid-Response and RWJF New Connections invited Full Proposals

Applicants will need to complete detailed budget worksheet and budget narrative documents for the full proposal. The RWJF online system for applicants contains detailed budget guidelines.

How detailed does the budget narrative need to be for the full proposal?

Applicants will need to complete a budget worksheet and narrative. The budget narrative should demonstrate that the finances are consistent with the proposal study design and RWJF guidelines, and that the project is financially feasible. If applicable, the budget narrative must include the amount and source of any in-kind support or co-funding.

What can grant funds be used for?

RWJF grant funds may be used for project staff salaries, consultant fees, data collection and analysis, dataset procurement, meetings, supplies, project-related travel, and other direct expenses, including a limited amount of equipment that is essential to the project.

In keeping with RWJF policy, grant funds may not be used to subsidize individuals for the costs of their health care, to support clinical trials of unapproved drugs or devices, to construct or renovate facilities, for lobbying, or as a substitute for funds currently being used to support similar activities.

Can I use grant funds to purchase equipment?

Grant funds may be used to purchase a limited amount of equipment that is essential to the project. Examples include computers, printers, and fax machines, purchased or leased directly for use in the project. Equipment purchases should occur early in the grant period. Proposed equipment purchases of $1,200 or more must be accompanied by a quote.

It says in the call for proposals that funds should be included for the principal investigator to participate in an annual grantee meeting. Can you provide more information?

The Healthy Eating Research program convenes grantees each year as a way to learn from each other, present research findings, network and build the field, and provide an opportunity for the Healthy Eating Research program to provide technical assistance. Grant funds should be allocated for this purpose, as described in the budget guidelines. Funds for up to two individuals to attend one grantee meeting in each year of funding should be included in the proposed budget. The 6th Annual Grantee Meeting is scheduled for February 2012.

Individuals applying for a RWJF New Connections grant through the Healthy Eating Research program should also include travel funds for the principal investigator to attend the RWJF New Connections Symposium in each year of funding.

What if I am building on to an existing grant? What kinds of information do I need to provide?

Describe in the proposal narrative the existing study, its funding level, the funding source(s) and the ways in which your proposal will leverage or supplement existing funding.

What if I am seeking additional support from other funders or I have already secured additional support from other funders?

If additional funding will be sought or required for the project you propose, please specify the source(s), amount and uses of that funding in the budget, and provide written documentation that required funds will be awarded. If you cannot provide documentation of an anticipated award, then indicate in your application materials the status of your requests to other funders. You also should indicate how critical the other funding will be to the success of the proposed project. Finalist applicants may be asked later to provide additional documentation about the status of their requests to other funders.