RWJF: Health Policy Research Scholars

Overview

At the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) focuses on identifying, illuminating, and addressing barriers to health, particularly those caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination and oppression, including sexism, ableism, and prejudice based on sexual orientation. Our goal is to help improve the health of everyone in the United States by placing wellbeing at the center of every aspect of life.

Health Policy Research Scholars (HPRS) is a four-year national leadership development program for full-time doctoral students from a wide range of nonclinical, research-focused disciplines in which policy is a key lever for change. HPRS builds on RWJF’s vision of leadership as a dynamic, transformative, relational process of change aimed at repairing damage from historical and structural injustices and oppression. The program is for doctoral students who are deeply committed to research that works to advance antiracism and structural change work aligned with the health needs of the most impacted communities. HPRS supports researchers from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with lived experiences of inequity, marginalization, and oppression.
HPRS offers training in the health policy process, approaches to systems change, and how to craft an actionable research question that can inform solutions to health inequity—as well as mentorship and career and leadership coaching. HPRS is a community of eight cohorts of research leaders—drawing on both lived and professional experiences—who are advancing health equity and making impactful societal change. Up to 40 scholars will be selected for the 2025 cohort, which will be the program’s final cohort.

Are you a doctoral student who shares this vision for leadership and a future where all people have a fair and just opportunity to thrive? Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? We encourage you to explore the Health Policy Research Scholars program, highlighted in this call for applications.
 

Applicants must be starting full-time, second-year doctoral studies in a research-based program in fall 2025 at a degree-granting institution based in the United States or its territories. Applicants must remain full-time doctoral students while enrolled in HPRS;
 
Applicants must have at least three academic years remaining in their doctoral program and not expect to graduate before spring/summer 2028; 

Applicants must be from marginalized backgrounds, and be 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 minoritized populations, and individuals with disabilities.

Please review the full announcement for a complete description of eligibility and selection criteria.
 

Award Information: Number of scholars in the 2025 cohort: Up to 40
Grant funds from RWJF will include: Award funds: $30,000 per year for up to four years or until recipient completes their doctoral program (whichever is sooner).
Administrative fee: Home institutions receive an administrative fee of $1,000 per year ($4,000 in total) added to the grant amount to cover the administrative costs of managing the award.