RWJF 2026 Grants: Up to $500K for Health Equity Projects from Abroad
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) offers a chance for U.S. groups to win up to $500,000 through its RWJF 2026 Grants. These funds support projects that build fairer health systems by learning from other countries. The program, called “Learning from Abroad to Reimagine Health Knowledge Systems for Equity and Wellbeing,” helps fix gaps in health knowledge for underserved communities.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Health gaps hurt millions in the U.S. due to barriers like wrong information and weak trust in health systems. RWJF 2026 Grants push groups to use ideas from around the world to make U.S. health knowledge more fair and strong. This means centering stories from affected communities, mixing in traditional knowledge, and teaming up across fields like public health, research, and arts.
Projects aim to boost trust, fight false info, and blend science with real-life experiences. By looking abroad, teams can create systems that work for everyone, especially Black, Indigenous, Latino, LGBTQ+, and other groups hit hard by inequities.
What You’ll Gain
Winning teams get real support to make big changes. Grants reach up to $500,000 for projects up to 36 months long. This lets groups run full-scale work that shapes health equity nationwide.
You can pull in global best practices to fit U.S. needs, team up with partners from different sectors, and gain notice in health talks. It’s a strong way to grow new ideas, test fixes, and push lasting shifts in how health knowledge spreads.
Who Can Apply
U.S.-based groups or those in U.S. territories qualify. Projects must target health equity in the U.S., though global partners are okay. Skip this if your group got RWJF funds since January 1, 2021.
Focus on action projects about knowledge systems, not lab or clinical research. RWJF welcomes apps from groups serving diverse, marginalized communities.
How to Apply and Key Dates
Start with a short proposal on your idea, goals, and plan. Top picks move to a full proposal.
Go to the RWJF site for details and to submit.
Dates to note:
- Short proposal due: April 13, 2026 (3:00 p.m. ET)
- Full proposal invites: May 28, 2026
- Full proposal due: July 9, 2026
- Decisions out: September 21, 2026
- Grants start: November 15, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RWJF 2026 Grants program?
It offers up to $500,000 to U.S. groups for projects that use ideas from other countries to build fairer health knowledge systems for underserved communities.
Who can apply for these grants?
U.S.-based groups or those in U.S. territories can apply if they focus on health equity projects, but not if they received RWJF funds since January 1, 2021.
What are the key application dates?
Short proposals are due April 13, 2026; full proposals by July 9, 2026; and grants start November 15, 2026.
How do these grants help health equity?
They support projects that boost trust, fight false info, and blend global ideas with community stories to serve groups like Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities.