What are RWJF New Connections grants awarded through Healthy Eating Research?

RWJF New Connections grants awarded through Healthy Eating Research are for new investigators who are from a group 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 September 1, 2004). 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 funding opportunities are currently available for RWJF New Connections grants through Healthy Eating Research?

RWJF New Connections grants awarded through Healthy Eating Research are included in the Healthy Eating Research 2001 call for proposals (CFP). Studies funded through such grants support strategic, rigorous, policy-relevant research on a wide range of policy and environmental changes, such as:

• food pricing and other economic approaches;
• child-care or preschool policies or environments;
• school and after-school policies or environments;
• food and agricultural policies;
• food and beverage reformulation;
• food and beverage advertising and marketing;
• front-of-package labeling, menu labeling, and point-of-purchase prompts;
• improved access to healthy foods or reduced access to unhealthy foods in lower-income communities;
• improved access and marketing (price, product, placement and promotion) of healthy foods and beverages in retail food stores, especially in “food deserts;” and
• assessments to “work backwards” to identify the policy and environmental determinants of observed, objectively measured reductions or reversals in childhood obesity prevalence.

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.

What is the maximum award available? How many RWJF New Connections grants will Healthy Eating Research award through this funding opportunity?

Healthy Eating Research will award up to a total of three RWJF New Connections awards through the 2011 CFP. Awards will be for 12- to 24-month grants of up to $75,000 each. Funding may not exceed $50,000 in a 12-month period.

When is the proposal deadline?

The deadline for receipt of is concept papers is March 10, 2011 at 3 p.m. ET. Please refer to the call for proposals (CFP) for a Timetable of key dates and deadlines.

How does the RWJF New Connections grant through Healthy Eating Research compare to the Healthy Eating Research Round 6 grants?

There are some key differences between the RWJF New Connections grants through Healthy Eating Research and Healthy Eating Research Round 6 grants:

The RWJF New Connections funding opportunity is for new investigators only, defined as individuals who have earned their doctorate or terminal degree within seven years prior to the award date for the grant (after September 1, 2004).

This funding opportunity aims to attract investigators from groups historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in research disciplines supported by RWJF, such as people from ethnic or racial minority groups, first-generation college graduates and individuals from lower-income communities.

Grantees funded through the RWJF New Connections funding opportunity will be paired with a Healthy Eating Research-funded mentor and will have access to consultants for technical assistance as needed.

Investigators funded through the RWJF New Connections funding opportunity will become part of both the RWJF New Connections and the RWJF Healthy Eating Research network of grantees and will be eligible to participate in all training, networking events, and technical assistance offerings through these programs. Investigators funded under Round 6 will be considered grantees of only the Healthy Eating Research program.

The RWJF New Connections funding opportunity requires a two-stage proposal application process, including an initial one-page concept paper and subsequent full proposal (if invited), whereas Round 6 grants require a one-stage, full proposal application process.

Are these grants limited to secondary data analysis?

No. Projects may involve secondary data analysis, but many other types of studies are supported as well. Please refer to the Call for Proposals (CFP) for more information about the types of studies that are eligible for funding.

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.

How do I apply for a grant?

Proposals for RWJF New Connections grants awarded through Healthy Eating Research must be submitted electronically. Visit www.rwjf.org/cfp/her and click on the “Apply” link for this solicitation. If you have not already done so, you will be required to register at MyRWJF before you begin the application process.

This funding opportunity requires a two-stage proposal application process.

Stage 1: Concept Paper

Applicants must submit: 1) a concept paper narrative of no more than one single-spaced page describing the project and 2) biosketches for key personnel.

Stage 2: Full Proposals (if invited)

Selected Stage 1 applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. 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.

The online system contains specific instructions regarding application materials.

Why do you first use the concept paper instead of accepting a full proposal from all applicants?

The concept paper method saves your time and ours. We review all of the concept papers and invite a limited number of applicants to submit a more detailed full proposal for further consideration.

Is there a standard format for the concept paper?

Yes. All applicants must submit a concept paper that follows the instructions on the concept paper narrative template provided in the RWJF online system.

What happens if I go over the one-page narrative limit for the Concept Paper Narrative?

In order to be fair to applicants who follow the application guidelines, concept paper narratives that exceed the specified page limit or that do not otherwise conform to the formatting requirements will not be reviewed.

How detailed should my budget be in the concept paper?

You should not include a budget in your concept paper. As part of the concept paper stage, applicants are required to provide only the total amount of funding requested. Applicants invited to submit a full proposal will need to provide detailed budget information via a budget worksheet and narrative.

When is the deadline for the concept paper?

The deadline for receipt of online concept papers was March 10, 2011 (3 p.m. ET).

When can I expect to be notified on the status of my concept paper?

Applicants will be contacted via e-mail on March 17, 2011and informed whether or not they are invited to submit a full proposal.

When is the full proposal deadline?

The deadline for receipt of invited online full proposals is April 28, 2011 (3 p.m. ET).

How can I check the status of my proposal?

Stage 1: Concept Paper

Upon submission of the one-page concept paper, applicants will receive an e-mail confirming receipt. On March 17, 2011 applicants will be contacted via e-mail and informed whether or not they are invited to submit a full proposal.

Stage 2: Invited Full Proposal

Upon the successful submission of your proposal, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the RWJF online system. Please ensure that you have confirmation of your proposal submission.

Note: We expect to receive many proposals. If you have a question about a specific proposal, please send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 800-578-8636. Please be sure to include the name of the applicant institution, funding mechanism, the principal investigator and contact information in your communication.

How will proposals be reviewed?

All proposals will be assessed by a committee or committees composed of RWJF staff, Healthy Eating Research national program office staff at the University of Minnesota,  senior program advisory panel members and/or other expert reviewers. All funding decisions are made by RWJF.

If I am selected for funding, when would my grant start?

Grants funded under the RWJF New Connections funding opportunity must begin on September 1, 2011.

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.

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 RWJF New Connections grants through Healthy Eating Research, investigators must have completed their doctorate or terminal degree within seven years prior to the award date for the grant.

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, such as people from ethnic or racial minority groups, 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 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 RWJF New Connections grant?

No. These grants are for individuals who are personally from a group that has been 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 RWJF New Connections funding opportunity?

The choice is yours. You may apply for a RWJF New Connections grant through Healthy Eating Research, 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 RWJF New Connections grant through the Healthy Eating Research program?

No. RWJF 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 RWJF New Connections grants through the Healthy Eating Research program. They should apply either through the Healthy Eating Research Round 6 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 RWJF New Connections grant. RWJF 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 award.

Am I eligible for a RWJF New Connections grant through Healthy Eating Research if I have previously been funded by RWJF?

RWJF New Connections grants through Healthy Eating Research are available only to investigators who have not been previously funded by RWJF as a principal investigator. 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.

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. RWJF 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 RWJF New Connections grants through Healthy Eating Research 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.

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 RWJF New Connections grantees funded through the Healthy Eating Research program?

The Healthy Eating Research program will provide RWJF New Connections grantees with structured and formal mentoring opportunities to help enhance their research skills and development as successful, competitive independent investigators. RWJF 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. Please refer to the Call for Proposals (CFP) for more information about the role of the mentor.

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 RWJF New Connections grants through Healthy Eating Research are required to identify a mentor in their proposal. Applicant-identified mentors should submit a letter of support with the applicant’s full proposal (if invited). The mentor should be selected based on expertise appropriate to the grantee's specific research project and broader career-development needs. This may include a mentor with whom the investigator is already working. Healthy Eating Research national program staff are available to provide advice and guidance to applicants on identifying an appropriate mentor for the proposed research project.

How can I get more information about RWJF 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-578-8636.