| Rapid-Response Grants |
|
What are Rapid-Response grants? How do they differ from the other grants available through Healthy Eating Research?
These grants will support time-sensitive and opportunistic studies on emerging or anticipated changes in food-related policies or environments that can only be conducted during a short window of opportunity and are needed to inform policy debates for local, state or national action. These grants can include the types of studies described in the 2010 Call for Proposals (CFP), as well as evaluations of imminent changes in food-related policies or environments (i.e., “natural experiments”), or pre-test or baseline evaluations prior to planned environmental or policy changes, or post-test evaluations when baseline data are available.
The Round 5 grant funding cycle of Healthy Eating Research involves a six-month period between full proposal submission and the start of funding. While that funding opportunity serves an important purpose, it does not address the need for timely studies on emerging or anticipated changes in food-related policies or environments. Rapid-Response grants attempt to address the specific need to support critical research that can only be conducted during a short window of opportunity. Funding for approved studies may be initiated as early as four months after invited full proposals are submitted.
My proposed study is not time-sensitive. Can I still submit a concept paper for rapid review through this funding opportunity?
No. Studies that are not urgent and time-sensitive are not eligible for funding as Rapid-Response grants. The initial one-page concept paper and subsequent full proposal (if invited) must explain why there is a limited window of opportunity to conduct the research. The one-page concept paper also should outline the relevance of the research to an immediate policy or environmental change effort and describe risks related to possible changes in the timing or nature of the natural experiment or environmental change or policy to be evaluated.
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.
What is the maximum award available through the 2010 Rapid-Response grants funding opportunity? How many grants will be awarded in 2010?
The maximum amount for a single grant is $150,000. A total of up to $900,000 will be awarded for Rapid-Response grants in 2010.
What is the maximum funding period for a rapid-response grant?
The maximum funding period for a rapid-response grant is 18 months.
How do I apply for a Rapid-Response grant?
There are two stages in the application process:
Stage 1: Concept Paper
All applicants must submit a one-page concept paper.
Stage 2: Full Proposal
Within two weeks of receipt of the concept paper, applicants will be contacted via e-mail by the Healthy Eating Research national program office and informed whether or not they are invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals consist of an executive summary, a project narrative of 15 pages (at 1.5 line spacing), budget, budget narrative and additional supporting documents. The project narrative includes: the project's significance and need for rapid review; research aims and hypotheses; detailed methods and analysis plans; communication and dissemination plans; and timeline.
All invited full proposals must be submitted only through the RWJF Grantmaking Online system at http://grantmaking.rwjf.org/herrr3. Applicants invited to submit full proposals will be given additional information about formatting requirements and instructions on preparing and submitting the full proposal.
Invited full proposals may be submitted at any time until October 15, 2010 at 3 p.m. ET. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.
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 template.
(Note: No supporting documents are allowed at the concept paper stage.)
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 our budget be in the concept paper?
You should not include a detailed budget in your concept paper. As part of the concept paper stage, applicants should state only the total amount 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?
Concept papers for proposed studies may be submitted at any time until September 1, 2010, at 3 p.m. ET.
When can I expect to be notified on the status of my concept paper?
Within two weeks of receipt of the concept paper, applicants will be contacted via e-mail by the Healthy Eating Research national program office and informed whether or not they are invited to submit a full proposal.
I've been invited to submit a full proposal for the 2010 Rapid-Response grants. Is there a preferred page count for each section of the proposal narrative?
The maximum page length for full proposal narrative is 15 pages (excluding Literature Citations and Workplan), but there is no suggested page count for each section of the narrative. Full proposals must be submitted using the full proposal narrative template found in the RWJF Grantmaking Online system.
How do I submit appendices with my full proposal (for example, copies of published articles, sample survey instruments, and letters of support)? Are they submitted online also?
Appendices must be submitted through the RWJF Grantmaking online system. Applicants invited to submit a full proposal should refer to the instructions in the Additional Documents section of the RWJF Grantmaking Online application site.
(Note: No supporting documents are allowed at the concept paper stage.)
When is the full proposal deadline?
Invited full proposals may be submitted at any time until October 15, 2010 at 3 p.m. ET. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.
How can I check the status of my proposal?
Concept Paper
Upon submission of the one-page concept paper, applicants will receive an e-mail from Healthy Eating Research confirming receipt. Within two weeks of receipt of the concept paper, applicants will be contacted via e-mail by the Healthy Eating Research national program office and informed whether or not they are invited to submit a full proposal.
Invited Full Proposal
Upon the successful submission of your proposal, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the RWJF Grantmaking Online proposal application site. 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
How will full proposals be reviewed?
All full proposals will be assessed by a committee composed of RWJF staff, Healthy Eating Research national program office staff at the
When will grants be awarded?
Initiation of funding will be tied to the full proposal submission date. Funding for approved studies will be initiated approximately four months after submission of the full proposal. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.
Who do I call if I have questions about the Rapid-Response application process?
You may contact Laura Klein, research coordinator in the Healthy Eating Research national program office, at
|