Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP)

Introduction & Purpose

RWJF has been investing in leaders to create change since our inception in 1972. Most recently, we identified leadership as a core strategic approach to addressing one of the biggest barriers to health in America: structural racism. The sheer scale and complexity of the systems change needed to dismantle structural racism requires RWJF to take bold, creative steps to support leaders who are committed to addressing structural racism. Our leadership programs will equip leaders, particularly those in positions of power, with the skills and support needed to lead in transformative and equitable ways.

The Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP) offers four-year postdoctoral research awards to faculty from historically marginalized backgrounds who can achieve senior rank in academic medicine, dentistry, or nursing. We seek leaders whose background, identity, or lived experiences have positioned them to contribute to the program’s goals.

This program supports the development of faculty to enhance their influence as leaders, researchers, and advisors in supporting a Culture of Health, in which everyone has the chance to live the healthiest life possible. AMFDP applicants should be committed to: developing careers and achieving senior rank in academic medicine, dentistry, or nursing; fostering the development of succeeding classes of physicians, dentists, and nurses from historically marginalized backgrounds; and improving the health of underserved populations or working toward understanding and eliminating health disparities. 

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

To be eligible for this award, applicants must be physicians, dentists, or nurses who:

• are from historically marginalized backgrounds and are able to describe how their background, identity, or lived experiences have positioned them to contribute to the goals of the program. Examples of marginalized backgrounds include, but are not limited to, first-generation college graduates; individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds; individuals from communities of color; and individuals with disabilities. If an applicant is applying because they have a marginalized background not listed above, the applicant must clearly describe how they meet the eligibility criteria in the application form;
• are U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of application, or individuals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the time of application (changes in federal policy or law may necessitate that we consider adjustments in eligibility and grant terms);
• are completing or have completed their formal clinical training (we will give preference to those who have recently completed their formal clinical training or—in the case of nurses—their research doctorate);
• are able to spend at least 70 percent of their time engaged in research; and
• are not related by blood or marriage to any Officer or Trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, nor a descendant of its founder, Robert Wood Johnson.

Federal, state, tribal, and local government employees who are not considered government officials under Section 4946 of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply.

Physicians must be Board-eligible to apply for this program. A dental applicant must be a general dentist with a master’s degree or a PhD or have completed advanced dental education. Nurse applicants must be registered nurses with a research doctorate in nursing or a related discipline completed by the application deadline.

Detailed research plans and budgets for selected finalists must be submitted by the university, school of medicine, dentistry, nursing, or research institution with which the prospective scholar will be affiliated during the fellowship term.

The university, school, or research institution must meet the following criteria:

• be either a public entity or nonprofit organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation or nonfunctionally integrated Type III supporting organization; and be based in the United States or its territories.

Applications from basic science clinician-researchers are welcome.

Key Dates & Deadlines

March 19, 2024 (3 p.m. ET)
Deadline for receipt of completed online applications.                                         

July 10-12, 2024
Semifinalist applicant interviews with national advisory committee members in Chicago.

August 2024
Notification of finalist status.

October 2024
Finalists notified of awards.

November 2024
Grants start.

Total Awards

Number of Awards: There will be up to 10 awards in this grant cycle.

Amount of Award: Each award will be up to a maximum of $420,000. Scholars will receive annual salary support of up to $75,000, complemented by $30,000 to support research activities. As detailed above, additional awards are available this cycle through partnerships with ASH and AHA. 

Award Duration: Awards will be four years in duration.  

See the call for application for more detailed information.