Below is how RWJF reviews unsolicited proposals. Please note: RWJF only accepts unsolicited proposals in its 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. In their review, the Office of Proposal Management checks to see if the proposal addresses the strategic objectives for Building Human Capital, Pioneer or Vulnerable Populations and falls within the guidelines of what we fund. Program Area Review If your brief proposal fits the strategic objectives for Building Human Capital, Pioneer or Vulnerable Populations, the team of 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; or 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, including 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. The Foundation does not provide critiques of proposals submitted.

If we decline a particular proposal, it is not a rejection of you, the grant applicant, nor is it a reflection of our opinion of the merit of your idea. Historically, RWJF has funded approximately 10 percent of the proposals we have received, and projects funded generally fit squarely within our strategic objectives.

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, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

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