Mission-Driven: All research and evaluation grants fit squarely within RWJF’s mission and support our grantmaking priorities.

Applied Studies: RWJF strives to produce research and evaluation that both policy-makers and practitioners in the field will find useful. As a result, virtually all of our research and evaluation projects are applied initiatives. They’re designed to make specific contributions to solving health or health care problems related to the Foundation’s priorities.

Objective and Independent: Too much of the information that aims to guide health and health care decisions is advocacy-based or driven from a particular point of view. RWJF is committed to providing high-quality, objective information. We design evaluations to build the evidence base around a strategy—not to prove our ideas work. Related to its commitment to objectivity, RWJF emphasizes the integrity that flows from the independence of its researchers and evaluators. The Foundation does not interfere with the research and evaluations it funds to alter or suppress findings in any way.

Easy to Understand and Widely Shared: The rigor of our research and evaluation efforts is valuable only if our findings are easy to understand and widely shared. We commit resources to ensure that our findings are both understandable and actionable for public and private decision-makers.

For analysis and perspective about the history and structure of research and evaluation at RWJF, read an article by former vice president, Research and Evaluation, James R. Knickman, Ph.D.

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