CFPs: Connecting Champions for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Health Professions

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is inviting applications from U.S.-based public entities and nonprofit organizations to serve as a national network-weaver advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) across the health professions. The initiative aims to strengthen connections among leaders, organizations, and institutions while addressing structural racism and systemic inequities in health professions education and healthcare institutions. The selected organization or consortium will help facilitate shared learning, collective action, and field-wide collaboration to advance DEIB.

About the RWJF National Network-Weaver Initiative

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is launching this initiative to support lasting progress in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the health professions. The program recognizes that meaningful change requires both diverse leadership and strong relationships among stakeholders across the health professions ecosystem. The selected grantee will serve as a national network-weaver, helping organizations and leaders work together, share knowledge, align strategies, and strengthen collective efforts to advance DEIB. How Much Funding Is Available? The program will provide a grant of up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period. The funding is intended to cover actual project costs, including: - Personnel costs. - Direct project costs. - Indirect costs. - Other eligible expenses necessary to carry out the proposed work. Consortium-based applications may also be submitted when there is a clearly identified lead organization responsible for managing the grant and coordinating the participating partners. What Will the Selected Grantee Do? The selected organization will connect and support leaders, organizations, and institutions working across the health professions ecosystem.

Core responsibilities include:

- Designing and facilitating gatherings. - Maintaining infrastructure for ongoing communication. - Supporting peer learning and shared learning. - Stewarding communities of practice. - Building relationships across sectors. - Reducing silos between organizations and stakeholders. - Strengthening trust across the field. - Supporting collective action around DEIB priorities. Narrative and Communications Support The network-weaver will also coordinate narrative and communications strategies to strengthen field-wide efforts around DEIB.

This work may include:

- Amplifying effective practices. - Countering harmful narratives. - Supporting communication among stakeholders. - Building greater alignment around DEIB priorities. - Helping share lessons and approaches across the health professions field. These activities are intended to support broader understanding and coordination around efforts to address inequities. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must meet the organizational and geographic requirements of the initiative.

Applicants must be:

- Public entities. - Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. - Based in the United States or its territories. - Capable of operating at a national level. Private foundations and certain supporting organizations are excluded from eligibility. Can Organizations Apply as a Consortium? Yes. Applicants may apply either as a single organization or as a consortium. Consortium applicants must identify a clear lead organization that can manage the grant and coordinate activities across participating partners. Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to: - Manage large and complex grants. - Coordinate multiple partners. - Operate at a national level. - Build and maintain relationships across sectors. - Manage the infrastructure required for national network-weaving activities. What Is the Purpose of the Network-Weaver Role? The network-weaver role is intended to strengthen connections across the health professions ecosystem and support coordinated action on DEIB. The initiative seeks to help stakeholders move beyond isolated efforts by creating stronger relationships, shared learning opportunities, communities of practice, and aligned strategies. Through this approach, the program aims to contribute to lasting progress in addressing structural racism and systemic inequities within health professions education and healthcare institutions. What Activities Are Supported? The grant can support activities necessary to carry out the national network-weaving role, including: - National gatherings and convenings. - Communication infrastructure. - Peer-learning activities. - Communities of practice. - Cross-sector relationship building. - Narrative and communications strategies. - Coordination among leaders and institutions. - Activities that strengthen collective action around DEIB. What Funding Cannot Be Used For Grant funds may not be used for certain activities.

Ineligible uses include:

- Clinical trials of unapproved drugs or devices. - Construction or renovation of facilities. - Lobbying activities. - Political activities. Applicants should ensure that proposed budgets and activities comply with these restrictions. Key Facts About the RWJF National Network-Weaver Grant

- Funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

- Focus: Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the health professions

- Maximum grant: $2,000,000

- Grant period: 24 months

- Geographic eligibility: United States and its territories

- Eligible applicants: Public entities and qualifying nonprofits

- Nonprofit requirement: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

- Application structure: Single organization or consortium

- Operating level: National

- Core role: National network-weaver

- Key activities: Convenings, peer learning, communities of practice, communication infrastructure, relationship building, and narrative strategies

- Indirect costs: Eligible

- Private foundations: Not eligible

- Lobbying and political activities: Not eligible

- Construction and renovation: Not eligible

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