The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is currently accepting applications for its 2026 funding opportunity titled “Learning from Abroad to Reimagine Health Knowledge Systems for Equity and Wellbeing.” This grant program is designed to support organizations working to strengthen a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient health knowledge system in the United States by drawing inspiration from global practices.
This initiative is part of RWJF’s broader commitment to addressing structural inequalities and advancing health equity. Through its Global Ideas for U.S. Solutions program, RWJF encourages organizations to explore how lessons from other countries can help improve health systems in the U.S., particularly for communities that have historically been marginalized or underserved.
The funding supports action-oriented projects that focus on community-driven knowledge generation, narrative change, and cross-sector collaboration. Projects are expected to center the experiences and knowledge of communities most affected by health inequities, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and grounded in lived realities.
Selected projects may explore areas such as improving trust in public health systems, addressing misinformation, integrating traditional and Indigenous knowledge systems, and fostering collaboration between sectors like public health, research, civil society, and the arts. The goal is to build a health knowledge system that is not only scientifically robust but also socially just, culturally relevant, and resilient in times of crisis.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Health inequities continue to affect millions of people in the United States, often driven by systemic barriers, misinformation, and lack of inclusive knowledge systems. This funding opportunity recognizes that solutions to these challenges can be strengthened by learning from global experiences.
By supporting projects that draw from international models, RWJF aims to foster innovation and expand the ways in which health knowledge is created, shared, and applied. This includes elevating community voices, preserving cultural knowledge, and bridging gaps between scientific research and lived experience.
The program also highlights the importance of collaboration across disciplines and sectors. By connecting researchers, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates, funded projects can create more holistic and sustainable solutions.
Ultimately, this opportunity supports the development of a health knowledge system that is equitable, trustworthy, and responsive to the needs of all communities, especially those most affected by systemic inequities.
What You’ll Gain
Organizations selected for this funding opportunity will receive significant financial and strategic support to advance their work:
- Funding: Grants of up to $500,000 per project
- Duration: Funding for projects lasting up to 36 months
- Impact: Opportunity to implement large-scale, meaningful projects that influence health equity in the United States
- Global Learning: Ability to integrate international best practices into U.S.-focused solutions
- Collaboration: Work across sectors and with global partners to strengthen project outcomes
- Visibility: Contribute to national conversations on health equity, justice, and wellbeing
This funding is particularly valuable for organizations seeking to scale innovative ideas, test new approaches, and influence systems-level change in public health and knowledge systems.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this funding opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be an organization based in the United States or its territories
- Projects must focus on improving health equity within the United States
- Teams may include international partners, but the primary applicant must meet U.S.-based eligibility requirements
- Organizations that have received funding from RWJF since January 1, 2021 are not eligible
- Projects must be action-oriented and focused on knowledge systems, not biomedical, clinical, or laboratory research
RWJF encourages applications from organizations representing diverse communities, particularly those whose work centers Indigenous, Black, Latino, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized populations.
Application Process and Deadline
The application process for this funding opportunity consists of multiple stages.
First, applicants must submit a brief proposal outlining their project idea, objectives, and approach. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal in the second stage.
To apply:
- Access the application portal through the official RWJF website
- Review the full call for proposals and eligibility requirements
- Prepare and submit a brief proposal before the deadline
- Wait for notification regarding selection for the full proposal stage
Key Dates:
- Brief proposal deadline: April 13, 2026 (3:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 p.m. CEST)
- Full proposal invitations: May 28, 2026
- Full proposal deadline: July 9, 2026
- Final decisions announced: September 21, 2026
- Grant start date: November 15, 2026
To learn more and apply, visit the official RWJF website.
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