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What are New Connections grants?
New Connections grants are for new investigators from groups that have been historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in research disciplines supported by RWJF and who have completed their doctorate or terminal degree within seven years prior to the award date for the grant (after November 15, 2003). These grants are for individuals who are in the early stages of an independent research career. The RWJF New Connections and Healthy Eating Research programs are separate RWJF programs that have partnered to offer these funding opportunities.
What is the RWJF New Connections program?
The New Connections program is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's (RWJF) Building Human Capital portfolio which works to develop and retain a diverse, well-trained leadership and workforce in health and healthcare to meet the needs of all Americans. The Foundation’s New Connections program is designed to expand the diversity of perspectives that inform RWJF programming and introduce new researchers and scholars to the Foundation, while simultaneously building evidence relevant to advancing RWJF’s programming objectives. New Connections seeks to increase the exposure of RWJF to researchers and experts that represent historically underrepresented research communities. For more information about other grant opportunities through this RWJF program, please visit the program Web site at www.rwjf-newconnections.org.
Is this the only New Connections funding opportunity?
No. The RWJF New Connections program offers New Connections grants in other content areas. The RWJF New Connections program also offers funding opportunities for mid- to senior-level investigators, in addition to new investigators. For more information about other grant opportunities through this RWJF program, please visit the program Web site at www.rwjf-newconnections.org. In addition, the RWJF Active Living Research program offers New Connections grants in the area of childhood obesity and physical activity. For more information please visit the program Web site at www.activelivingresearch.org.
How does Healthy Eating Research define "new investigator"?
New investigators are individuals who are in the early stages of an independent research career. To be eligible for the Healthy Eating Research 2010 New Connections grants, investigators must have completed their doctorate or terminal degree within seven years prior to the award date for the grant (after November 15 2003).
How do you define "historically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups"?
RWJF defines this as individuals who are from a group that has been historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in research disciplines supported by RWJF, including researcher who are ethnic or racial minorities, first-generation college graduates and individuals from lower-income communities. Applicants who do not fall within one of these categories but who believe they are from a historically disadvantaged or underrepresented background should check “other” and explain their individual circumstances in the space available in the RWJF Grantmaking Online system.
Are women considered to be an underrepresented group?
No, women are not an underrepresented group in the research disciplines supported by RWJF's New Connections grant programs.
I'm not personally from a historically disadvantaged or underrepresented group, but I have experience and expertise with a relevant group. Am I eligible for a New Connections grant?
No. These grants are for individuals who are personally from a group that is historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in research disciplines supported by RWJF. Investigators who do not meet these criteria are invited to apply for other Healthy Eating Research funding opportunities.
I received my doctorate less than seven years ago and represent a historically disadvantaged or underrepresented group. Is it recommended that I apply through the Healthy Eating Research 2010 New Connections funding opportunity?
The choice is yours. You may apply for a Healthy Eating Research New Connections grant, or a grant through the program’s annual funding round or a Rapid-Response grant. You may apply for a grant through any or all of these three different types of funding opportunities, but the proposals must be for distinct research study ideas.
I earned my doctorate or terminal degree more than seven years ago. Am I eligible for a New Connections grant through the Healthy Eating Research program?
No. New Connections grants through the Healthy Eating Research program are only for new investigators who have earned their doctorate or terminal degree within the last seven years. Advanced career investigators from groups historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in research disciplines supported by RWJF are not eligible for New Connections grants through the Healthy Eating Research program. They should apply either through the Healthy Eating Research Round 5 or Rapid-Response funding opportunities.
Do I need a Ph.D. to be eligible for funding?
New investigators will need to have a doctorate or terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) to be eligible for funding.
Do I need to be in a faculty position to be eligible for funding?
Participation in this program is open to individuals who hold faculty or other research positions in university settings or equivalent positions in non-university settings, such as independent research organizations.
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow. Am I eligible for this funding opportunity?
Yes, postdoctoral fellows are eligible to apply as long as the postdoctoral position would allow a 25% time commitment for the New Connections grant. New Connections investigator grantees funded through the Healthy Eating Research program are required to commit a minimum of 25% FTE to the project. Postdoctoral fellows must also be in a post-doc position that will last the duration of the New Connections award.
Am I eligible for a New Connections grant through Healthy Eating Research if I have previously been funded by RWJF?
New Connections grants through Healthy Eating Research are available only to investigators who have not been previously funded by RWJF. If an investigator has received funding from RWJF as a principal investigator, he/she is not eligible for this funding opportunity. However, an applicant is still eligible to apply to this funding opportunity as a principal investigator if he/she has previously worked on a RWJF-funded research team in any capacity other than the principal investigator.
How does the Healthy Eating Research 2010 New Connections grants compare to the Healthy Eating Research Round 5 grants?
The Healthy Eating Research 2010 New Connections grants are parallel to the Healthy Eating Research Round 5 grants in terms of study topics, proposal and review timelines and grant start date. The funding opportunities are similar in that proposals to each of these funding opportunities can be on a wide range of policy and environmental changes, such as:
Target populations include children and adolescents ages 3 to 18, especially in the lower-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity.
There are some key differences between the Healthy Eating Research 2010 New Connections grants and the Healthy Eating Research Round 5 grants:
If I am selected to receive one of these grants, will I be a Healthy Eating Research grantee or a RWJF New Connections grantee?
You will be considered a grantee of both of these RWJF programs. New Connections grantees funded through Healthy Eating Research will be part of both the broader network of New Connections as well as Healthy Eating Research grantees. Grantees who receive Healthy Eating Research New Connections grants will be invited to participate in networking symposia and training opportunities organized by RWJF New Connections, which will include New Connections grantees from previous years as well as from other study topic areas, and also will participate in the annual Healthy Eating Research grantee meeting.
How many New Connections grants will Healthy Eating Research award through this funding opportunity?
Healthy Eating Research will award up to a total of two New Connections awards with the Healthy Eating Research 2010 New Connections funding opportunity.
Are these grants limited to secondary data analysis?
No. Projects may involve secondary data analysis, but this funding opportunity will also fund measurement development, epidemiologic, observational, correlational or experimental studies; cost-benefit studies; or evaluation of environmental and policy changes. Please refer to the Call for Proposals (CFP) for more information about the types of studies that are eligible for funding. Studies may be conducted as supplements to existing studies funded by RWJF, other foundations or government agencies.
What are some examples of studies that would be funded under this funding opportunity?
For types of studies and sample topics that would be funded by the Healthy Eating Research program, please see Sample Topics.
Can I apply for funding under this program to supplement an existing grant?
Yes, studies may be conducted as supplements to existing studies. Co-funding is welcome, with sources and amounts fully described in the application.
How will the mentoring program work for New Connections grantees funded through the Healthy Eating Research program?
The Healthy Eating Research program will provide New Connections grantees with structured and formal mentoring opportunities to help enhance their research skills and development as successful, competitive independent investigators. New Connections grantees will receive assistance in developing an individually tailored formal mentoring program, including access to consultants for technical assistance. The mentor and grantee initially will meet during a grantee/mentor kick-off meeting and will develop goals, an organized plan and project timeline.
Do I have to identify a mentor for my project or will the Healthy Eating Research national program office pair me with a mentor?
Applicants for Healthy Eating Research New Connections grants are required to identify a mentor in their proposal. Applicant-identified mentors should submit a letter of support with the applicant’s proposal.
How will proposals be reviewed?
All proposals will be assessed by a committee composed of RWJF staff, Healthy Eating Research national program office staff at the
How does the grant proposal process work?
Proposals must be made through the RWJF Grantmaking Online system. This solicitation has a one-stage full proposal application process.
The full proposal will include a proposal narrative of no more than 15 pages using 12-point Arial font and 1.5 line spacing, biosketches for key personnel, a budget worksheet, a detailed budget narrative and letter of support from the proposed mentor. Limited appendices (e.g., proposed survey instruments) and letters of support from collaborating entities also may be submitted as part of the full proposal stage. All materials must be submitted electronically through the RWJF Grantmaking Online system. The Grantmaking Online application site contains specific instructions regarding application materials.
Can I fax or e-mail a proposal?
No faxes, e-mails or mailed proposals will be accepted. The proposal narrative and additional required documents must be submitted online through the RWJF Grantmaking Online system.
How can I check on the status of my proposal?
Upon successful submission of your proposal, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the Grantmaking Online proposal application site. Please ensure that you have received confirmation. We expect to receive many proposals, all of which must go through the same review process. If you have a question about a specific proposal, please send an e-mail to
When will grants be awarded? When will I be notified if I have been awarded a grant or not?
Full proposals were due May 13, 2010 at 3 p.m. ET. Applicants will be notified in late-August 2010 if they have been selected as finalists, at which time final proposal documents must be submitted and a detailed budget review will begin. Grants funded under the Healthy Eating Research 2010 New Connections must begin on November 15, 2010.
How can I get more information about New Connections grants through the Healthy Eating Research program?
You may contact Laura Klein, research coordinator in the Healthy Eating Research national program office, at
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