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FAQs

Questions and answers about unsolicited proposals.

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  1. Why does the Pioneer Portfolio accept unsolicited proposals? What's so different about that portfolio?
  2. What are the chances of an unsolicited proposal receiving funding?
  3. What is the average size and duration of your grants?
  4. Do you make grants to for-profit organizations?
  5. If we have one RWJF grant, can we apply for a different RWJF grant through an unsolicited proposal to the Pioneer Portfolio?
  6. What are your deadlines for receipt of unsolicited proposals?
  7. Do you have a formal process for submitting proposals?
  8. How long does it take for a grant to be approved?
  9. What are the most common reasons why a proposal is declined?
  10. Are proposals reviewed by experts from outside RWJF?
  11. Can you share a copy of a successful proposal?
  12. What budget information should I submit?
  13. What are indirect costs, and how does RWJF handle them?
  14. Where can I view a sample Letter of Agreement for my institution or organization?

  1. Why does the Pioneer Portfolio accept unsolicited proposals? What's so different about that portfolio? (Answer last updated on Nov 5, 2011)

    The Pioneer Portfolio is eager to accelerate the trajectory of innovation by investing in visionary thinkers, supporting exploration and helping great ideas to gain momentum. Several Pioneer projects apply approaches from diverse fields such as finance, design or economics to forge new solutions to pressing health and health care challenges. In this way, Pioneer provides a distinct alternative to other Foundation program areas that focus on targeted problems or populations.

    Through this portfolio, RWJF has dedicated staff and financial resources to invest in trends and ideas with the potential for exponential change. The team works with innovators who often look at the world differently—those who reframe problems and the pathways to solutions in order to create a significantly better health and health care future for all Americans. We see possibility in unconventional approaches and remain open to untested models, new connections, risk and failure. To advance these ideas, Pioneer offers financial support, strategic counsel and opportunities to work with others who share our passion for change and our impatience with incremental gains.

  2. What are the chances of an unsolicited proposal receiving funding? (Answer last updated on Nov 4, 2011)

    Your chances depend on your proposal's alignment with the Pioneer Portfolio's strategy. RWJF's Pioneer Portfolio receives a large number of unsolicited proposals each year. Funded projects generally fit squarely within the strategic objectives of the Pioneer Portfolio.

    Note: The Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited proposals for the Childhood Obesity, Coverage, Human Capital, Public Health, Quality/Equality or Vulnerable Populations program areas.

    All proposals submitted according to the established guidelines will receive a fair, comprehensive review. The Foundation does not provide critiques of proposals submitted. Please understand that if we decline a particular proposal, it is not a reflection of our opinion regarding the merit of your idea, nor is it a rejection of you, the grant applicant. In fact, many current grantees have had earlier proposals turned down.

  3. What is the average size and duration of your grants? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    Amounts awarded and time periods vary widely and depend on the scope of the project. Over the last five years, we have made awards ranging from $1,200 to $50 million with time periods ranging from one month to five years. However, most grants are in the $100,000 to $300,000 range, and run from one to three years.

    The RWJF Annual Report contains a complete listing of grants awarded in a given year.

  4. Do you make grants to for-profit organizations? (Answer last updated on Apr 25, 2008)

    The vast majority of our funding is to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Historically, less than one percent of our funding has been to for-profit organizations, and always in instances where the institution's project is an excellent fit with our strategies and we felt they were best suited to do the work.

  5. If we have one RWJF grant, can we apply for a different RWJF grant through an unsolicited proposal to the Pioneer Portfolio? (Answer last updated on Nov 9, 2011)

    You may apply for multiple grants from RWJF, but each proposal must be for a distinct project.

  6. What are your deadlines for receipt of unsolicited proposals? (Answer last updated on Nov 4, 2011)

    There are no deadlines for submitting unsolicited proposals. The Pioneer Portfolio welcomes proposals at any time. However, please note that we only accept unsolicited proposals for our Pioneer Portfolio. All other program areas, including the Pioneer Portfolio, periodically issue calls for proposals (CFPs) for ideas from the field. The Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited proposals for the Childhood Obesity, Coverage, Human Capital, Public Health, Quality/Equality or Vulnerable Populations program areas.

  7. Do you have a formal process for submitting proposals? (Answer last updated on Nov 4, 2011)

    Yes. If you are submitting an unsolicited proposal, you must initiate the process by submitting a brief proposal. Learn how to submit an unsolicited proposal.

     

  8. How long does it take for a grant to be approved? (Answer last updated on Mar 3, 2011)

    The amount of time from receipt of proposal to award varies greatly depending on the complexity of the project; however, awards for unsolicited proposals typically take an average of three months.

  9. What are the most common reasons why a proposal is declined? (Answer last updated on Jan 28, 2009)

    There are several reasons why the Foundation may decide to decline a proposal; however, some of the most commonly declined proposals are those that:

    • do not fall within the guidelines of the types of projects that we fund
    • do not follow our general grantmaking guidelines
    • are not new or innovative
    • are more appropriately funded by another organization, either public or private
    • are not sustainable without reliance on RWJF funding
    • are not likely to generate significant long-term impact
    • are similar to projects we are already funding.

  10. Are proposals reviewed by experts from outside RWJF? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    In many instances, RWJF asks outside experts on a particular topic to review proposals. By doing so, RWJF aims to ensure that we remain fair and rigorous in evaluating full proposals.

  11. Can you share a copy of a successful proposal? (Answer last updated on Apr 23, 2008)

    No, we consider proposals the intellectual property of the applicant and do not share them outside the Foundation.

  12. What budget information should I submit? (Answer last updated on Nov 4, 2011)

    When you submit a brief proposal, you need only provide the information the form requests. If we then ask you to submit a full proposal, you will be requested to complete a form asking for a proposal narrative, budget, budget narrative and other necessary information. View a copy of budget preparation guidelines for full proposals.

  13. What are indirect costs, and how does RWJF handle them? (Answer last updated on Sep 12, 2008)

    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 increased rate only applies to new grant awards that start July 1, 2006, or later.

    Indirect costs are limited to 12 percent of total direct costs (Personnel, Other Direct Costs and Purchased Services). When Purchased Services total more than 33 percent of the RWJF portion of a budget, the Foundation limits indirect costs on the Purchased Services category to 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.

  14. Where can I view a sample Letter of Agreement for my institution or organization? (Answer last updated on Nov 4, 2011)

    Select the links below to preview a Letter of Agreement (LOA) specific to your institution/organization.

     

       

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Questions?

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact our Office of Proposal Management via email or at (877) 843-RWJF (7953), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

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