RWJF Sunsets Four Signature Research Programs, Pivots to Community-Led Model

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest health-focused philanthropy, announced it will wind down four signature research programs between late 2026 and early 2028 — a move that reshapes how hundreds of health equity researchers access foundation funding.

The programs slated for closure are Evidence for Action, Health Data for Action, Policies for Action, and Systems for Action. Together, these four programs funded more than 300 research grants examining how policies, data, and systems affect health and racial equity across the United States.

What the Transition Means for Current Grantees

RWJF has pledged that all existing grants remain fully funded through completion. Active projects will transfer to Foundation program officers when their home program closes, and no-cost extensions will be available. Current grantees also remain eligible for other RWJF funding opportunities during the transition.

The Foundation has named Brian Quinn (bquinn@rwjf.org) and Mona Shah (mshah@rwjf.org) as transition contacts for affected researchers.

A New Research Vision Takes Shape in 2026

RWJF plans to launch a successor initiative in 2026 that the Foundation describes as a fundamental shift in how health research is conceived. The new program will prioritize cultural and community knowledge alongside traditional academic and scientific methods — a departure from the data-driven, policy-evaluation model that defined the outgoing programs.

The Foundation states the new initiative aims to "reshape health research so it incorporates not just academic and scientific insights, but also cultural and community knowledge as equally important for making decisions."

One Action to Take Now

Health researchers and policy organizations that relied on any of these four programs should begin identifying alternative funding sources immediately. Competitive positioning for the successor program will likely favor applicants with demonstrated community partnerships and participatory research experience. Organizations tracking funding shifts like this can find deeper analysis on the Granted blog, where RWJF and foundation funding trends are covered regularly.

The clock is ticking: with closures beginning in late 2026, researchers submitting final proposals under the current programs have months, not years, to act.