New Connections Program provides research grants and career development opportunities for researchers from diverse, underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds. The program aims to expand the diversity of perspectives that inform RWJF programming and introduce new researchers to the Foundation to help address research and evaluation needs. 

This program may be right for you if: 

• You've completed a doctoral degree within the last 10 years 
• You're an early-career scholar, such as a post-doc or assistant professor
• You have not received a prior grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 
• You have a full-time appointment at a college or university (preferred but not a requirement)
• You're from a background that is historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in research disciplines.^[1]

[1] The term “historically disadvantaged” refers to the challenges facing individuals because of their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or similar factors. Eligible individuals include, but are not limited to, individuals from ethnic and racial groups historically underrepresented in research disciplines, first-generation college graduates and people from lower-income communities. These examples are intended to be illustrative, not exclusive. Applicants who do not fall within one of these categories but who believe they are from a historically disadvantaged or underrepresented background will have an opportunity to describe their individual circumstances as part of the online application process.

Preference is given to applicants with full-time appointments at colleges and universities.

• Grants of up to $50,000 each.
• Grants are 12 months in duration.

The application process consists of one phase—submission of a full proposal, which includes:

1. Applicant’s research and professional background; 
2. Personal statement; 
3. Professional statement (that details the applicant’s research goals and future research agenda); 
4. Identification of a project mentor; 
5. Proposal narrative (details provided when the program is actively accepting applications); 
6. Detailed budget and budget narrative; 
7. Letters of support; 
8. Applicant’s curriculum vitae.