| Rapid-Response Grants |
|
What is the Rapid-Response funding opportunity? Rapid-Response grants are offered through the Healthy Eating Research 2011 call for proposals (CFP). These grants 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. Studies that are not urgent and time-sensitive are not eligible for funding as rapid-response grants. These grants can include the types of studies described in the 2011 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. Studies funded through such grants support strategic, rigorous, policy-relevant research on a wide range of policy and environmental changes, such as:
Target populations include children and adolescents ages 3 to 18 and their families, especially in lower-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity. What is the maximum award available through the 2011 Rapid-Response grants funding opportunity? How many grants will be awarded? The maximum amount for a single grant is $150,000. The maximum funding period for a rapid-response grant is 18 months. A total of up to $875,000 will be awarded for Rapid-Response grants funded through the 2011 Healthy Eating Research CFP. How do Rapid-Response grants differ from Round 6 grants available through Healthy Eating Research? Rapid-response grants have a two-stage proposal application process, including an initial one-page concept paper and a subsequent full proposal (if invited). Round 6 grants have a one-stage, full proposal application process. Please refer to the CFP for complete information. Rapid-response concept papers are accepted on a rolling basis between January 11 and August 2, 2011 (3 p.m. ET). Grants are awarded on a rolling basis. Round 6 has one fixed full proposal deadline. Please refer to the CFP for complete information. The Round 6 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. How do I apply for a grant? Proposals for rapid-response grants 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. There are two stages in the 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. Within two weeks of receipt of the concept paper, applicants will be contacted via e-mail and informed whether or not they are invited to submit a full proposal. Stage 2: Full Proposal (if invited) Selected Stage 1 applicants will be 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. 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 for only one of the following three due dates: March 31, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) July 14, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) September 29, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) Full proposals received after a due date has passed will be reviewed as part of the next sequential full proposal due date. Full proposals submitted after September 29, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) will not be reviewed. Please refer to the call for proposals (CFP) for a Timetable of key dates and deadlines. 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 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 are required to provide 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? The deadline for concept papers was August 2, 2011 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 and informed whether or not they are invited to submit a full proposal. 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 online system. Applicants invited to submit a full proposal should refer to the instructions in the Supporting Documents section of the RWJF online system. When is the full proposal deadline? Invited full proposals may be submitted for only one of the following three due dates: March 31, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) July 14, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) September 29, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) Full proposals received after a due date has passed will be reviewed as part of the next sequential full proposal due date. Full proposals submitted after September 29, 2011 (3 p.m. ET) will not be reviewed. 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. Within two weeks of receipt of the concept paper, 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 How will full proposals be reviewed? All full proposals will be assessed by a committee or committees 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 may be initiated as early as the corresponding date listed below:
Who do I contact 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 |
