1. Do I have to be on a special list maintained by RWJF or otherwise be pre-qualified to respond to a call for proposals (CFP)?
2. If we have one RWJF grant, can we apply for a different RWJF grant?
3. Do you make grants to for-profit organizations?
4. Can you share a copy of a successful proposal?
5. Do you have formal application forms?
6. What are indirect costs, and how does RWJF handle them?
7. What are your deadlines for receipt of proposals?
8. How long does it take for a proposal to be approved?
9. Are proposals reviewed by experts from outside of RWJF?
10. What is a national program?
11. My organization is local and doesn't work throughout the United States. Do I need to be a national organization to participate in a grant managed by a national program?
12. What should I submit when asked for a detailed budget?

1. Do I have to be on a special list maintained by RWJF or otherwise be pre-qualified to respond to a call for proposals (CFP)? (Answer last updated on Apr 6, 2007)
   

   No. Any organization is welcome to respond to a CFP, although prospective applicants should read the CFP carefully to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. To learn when CFPs are released, sign up for RWJF Funding Alert e-mails or add a feed of CFPs to your news reader. (Help: what are news feeds?).
   

2. If we have one RWJF grant, can we apply for a different RWJF grant?
   

   You may apply for multiple grants as long as proposals are for distinct projects.

3. Do you make grants to for-profit organizations?
   

   Yes. However, the Foundation gives preference to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and public agencies.

4. Can you share a copy of a successful proposal?
   

   We generally do not share proposals, except with outside reviewers.

5. Do you have formal application forms?
   

   If you are applying for a grant via a call for proposals (CFP), please follow the application instructions as outlined in the CFP. Due to the differences of each CFP, the application process can vary.   

6. What are indirect costs, and how does RWJF handle them?
   

   Indirect costs, or overhead, are those costs that are not easily identifiable in an economically feasible way as exclusively related to a particular project but are necessary to conduct the grant. Some examples of these costs are human resources department costs, payroll processing and accounting costs, janitorial services, utilities, property taxes, property and liability insurance, and building maintenance.

   As of July 1, 2006, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s indirect costs rate for new grants is 12 percent. This  rate only applies to new grant awards that started July 1, 2006 or later.

   The 12 percent rate applies to all line items. However, if the Purchased Services category of a budget is more than 33 percent of direct costs, then the indirect cost rate allowed on that category is 4 percent.

   Applicants with a different indirect cost rate or other questions should call RWJF at (609) 627-5845. Grantees should contact their Grants Administrators.

7. What are your deadlines for receipt of proposals?
   

   Each call for proposals has its own schedule of deadlines. Please make note of these deadlines when applying.

8. How long does it take for a proposal to be approved?
   

   For calls for proposals: If a two-step process is used, which involves submitting a brief proposal and then a full proposal, the review and approval time is about four to seven months. When only a full proposal is required, the review and approval process is about three to four months.

9. Are proposals reviewed by experts from outside of RWJF? (Answer last updated on Apr 6, 2007)
   

   In many instances, RWJF asks experts on a particular topic from outside of RWJF to review proposals. By doing so, RWJF aims to ensure we remain fair and rigorous in evaluating proposals. Often when RWJF issues calls for proposals, a group of external experts reviews the proposals.
   

10. What is a national program? (Answer last updated on Apr 6, 2007)
    

    Most grants are awarded through a call for proposals issued for a national program. National programs typically make grants to multiple project sites that are working toward a similar goal, although individual objectives of the sites may vary. The sites usually interact with an intermediary organization called a national program office—and with each other. National programs are often evaluated by an independent third-party evaluator.

    National program offices usually:

    • Manage the selection process—generally involving a national advisory committee that recommends sites for funding.
    • Monitor site performance.
    • Provide technical assistance to sites.
    • Provide field building support work.
    • Provide coordination services to sites to achieve specific purposes.

    
    Currently, RWJF supports more than 80 national programs.
    

11. My organization is local and doesn't work throughout the United States. Do I need to be a national organization to participate in a grant managed by a national program?
    

    No. While national programs manage grants awarded across the country, organizations of any size may be awarded grants through them. Please review carefully the eligibility requirements outlined in each call for proposals.

12. What should I submit when asked for a detailed budget? (Answer last updated on Aug 23, 2007)
    

    During the application process, you will be asked to submit a detailed budget. Please use the Foundation’s Budget Preparation Guidelines & Form.

back to top