Policies for Action Effects of State Preemption Policies on Racial Justice and Health Equity

Introduction & Purpose

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to building a Culture of Health rooted in equity that provides every individual with a fair and just opportunity to thrive, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have. Unfortunately, some of us don’t have the same opportunities to realize our aspirations for ourselves and our families. A number of policies and legal structures place more value on some lives than others, based on race, class, gender, ZIP Code, and other factors. These structures can limit opportunities within public health, housing, education, work, safety, justice, and wealth-building.

RWJF supports research that identifies the systemic root causes of U.S. health inequities, which have strong links to structural racism and other forms of oppression. RWJF’s approach is to challenge and improve conventional methods and assumptions and source new ideas to generate evidence that can advance equity and justice for communities of color. Along with RWJF’s other signature research programs, Policies for Action (P4A) funds research that can move policy toward the goals of dismantling structural racism and injustice and promote health equity and wellbeing. Efforts to do this include funding diverse researchers and research organizations and disseminating policy research that is equity focused and actionable.

For this P4A call for proposals, the goal is to build the evidence base investigating how preemption policies at the state level may affect racial justice and health equity. Research should focus on how state-level preemption impacts local authority; apply a racial equity lens to the policy research processes and outcomes; and include community groups and/or members, especially those from historically marginalized communities, as leaders or partners in all stages of the research. Research findings are intended to inform and guide legislators; public agencies; public policy advocates; racial and other justice organizations; community organizers; and others who are developing and implementing policies to create thriving, healthy, equitable communities.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Preference will be given to applicants that are either public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private or Type III supporting organizations. The Foundation may require additional documentation.

Applicant organizations must be based in the United States or its territories.

Awards will be made to organizations, not to individuals.

We strive to support a diverse group of researchers in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, and seniority. 

Applicants who are current principal investigators or co-principal investigators of P4A grants OR who have finished their P4A funding within the past two years are not eligible to apply. (If your P4A grant was extended, the end of the extension period is considered the end of the award.) This does not prevent other researchers at the home institution of a P4A grantee from applying.

Key Dates & Deadlines

July 5, 2023 (1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. ET)
Optional applicant webinar. View the applicant webinar recording. 

August 10, 2023 (3 p.m. ET)
Deadline for receipt of letters of intent.

December 22, 2023 (3 p.m. ET)
Deadline for receipt of full proposals.

Total Awards

Type of Award: Awards funded under this opportunity will be structured as grants.

Number of Awards: Up to 6 grants will be funded.

Amount of Award: This CFP will award a combined total of $1.5 million for up to 6 grants. Each award has ranged from $30,000 to $450,000 in the past. We recommend that you request the amount of funding you will need to complete your proposed research project and to translate and disseminate the results. The size of the budget will be weighed in relation to the importance and likely contribution of the proposed research.