Below is an outline of our process for reviewing unsolicited proposals—which we only accept in the Building Human Capital, Pioneer and Vulnerable Populations program areas.

Brief Proposal Review (Duration: Six Weeks)

Brief proposal review includes up to two rounds of review.

Initial Foundation Review All proposals undergo an initial review by RWJF's Office of Proposal Management. During this process, the Office of Proposal Management checks to see if the proposal addresses the strategic objectives of the Building Human Capital, Pioneer or Vulnerable Populations program area and falls within the guidelines of What We Fund. Program Area Review If your brief proposal fits the strategic objectives of the Building Human Capital, Pioneer or Vulnerable Populations program area, RWJF staff members working on the program area will review it as well.

Within six weeks of the Foundation's receipt of your brief proposal, you will receive one of the following:

• a request to submit a full proposal
• a request for more information
• a letter informing you that your project will not be supported at this time.

Full Proposal Review (Duration: Six Weeks)

If you are invited to submit a full proposal, you will receive a package that includes a checklist of the information you must provide, which includes a detailed budget with budget narrative.

After you have submitted a full proposal, the appropriate decision-making groups at RWJF will review it. To ensure fairness and rigor in evaluating proposals, we may send your proposal to an outside expert or experts for review.

The Decision (Duration: Four to Five Weeks)

• If at any time RWJF decides not to fund your full proposal, you will be contacted in writing or by phone.
• If RWJF decides to fund your full proposal, you will receive formal written notification. RWJF will need an additional two to three weeks for processing before your grant is released.

Due to the volume of proposals we receive, many excellent projects that meet our criteria still do not receive funding. Historically, RWJF has funded approximately 10 percent of the unsolicited proposals we have received; funded projects generally fit squarely within our strategic objectives.

The Foundation does not provide critiques of proposals submitted. If we decline a particular proposal, it is not a reflection of our opinion of the merit of your idea, nor is it a rejection of you, the grant applicant. In fact, many current grantees have had earlier proposals turned down.

Questions

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact our Office of Proposal Management via e-mail or at (877) 843-RWJF (7953), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.