Frequently Asked Questions - Eligibility
FAQ Categories
In general, if your proposal examines the effect of the law or legal practices on population health outcomes you would be eligible under our call. The range of public health topic areas is kept quite broad to encourage creativity and innovation. Please be clear on the parts of the law you will examine in terms of outcomes or mechanisms and the methods you will use.
Please note: Studies that focus primarily on substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco and drugs), the health care system and health care delivery and preventing childhood obesity will not be candidates for funding under this round.
Please review the language and examples in the CFP for more details.
Are there any plans for the next round of funding to allow for-profit research organizations to apply?
According to the CFP, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply in this round; however, preference is given to not-for-profit organizations and public entities. A goal of this program is to promote new partners and new collaborations.
May a graduate student submit a proposal or must the proposal be submitted by a faculty member? Are there any specific qualifications for submitting proposals that you can provide guidance on?
PHLR does not identify separate mechanisms for researchers at different stages of their careers. All proposals will be reviewed based on their merits, including the rigor of the methodology. Please check your institution's policies with regard to whether a graduate student can be a principal investigator.
Each proposal is weighed on its own merits, based on the selection criteria outlined in the CFP. PHLR allows researchers to be involved in more than one proposal, but it may be difficult to put forth their best effort on multiple projects. The program is also trying to encourage new people into the field; therefore, multiple proposals from an institution may not get funded.
Can this grant be used to do research into how public health laws have been passed, for example the role of health departments, local advocates, etc?
Yes. Studies that examine factors leading to legislation on public health issues would be eligible for funding under this program.
The CFP does not exclude studies using conventional techniques of legal research and analysis. However, the CFP is aimed at producing empirical evidence of the impact of law on public health, which will usually entail data collection or the integration of existing data with legal analysis. Study methods will likely include legal analysis, regulatory theory, qualitative methods, archival review, and a range of quantitative analyses. PHLR strongly encourages, but does not require, interdisciplinary teams that bring together experts in public health and law research to address research topics.
Must the proposal be focused on one particular law or policy or can it focus on specific type of policy?
Proposals may focus on one or more laws or policies.
How is public health law research different from public health systems and health care systems research?
While health care is an important determinant of population health, the PHLR program will focus on the nation's preventive and disease/injury control system(s), including agencies responsible for public health, environmental protection and food safety, and other agencies and actors (e.g., police departments, nongovernmental organizations) that work to improve population health outcomes.
No, grantees may propose studies that supplement current funding from other sources, as long as the budgets are clearly distinct and other sources of funding are clearly identified.
Would proposals providing legal technical assistance to local governments or public health boards on public health related laws or policies be considered?
PHLR is designed to fund research proposals, not other legal assistance. An intervention study aimed at determining one or more effects of providing legal assistance to health practitioners would be eligible for funding.
Yes, if they add to our understanding of public health law.
What kind of research credentials does RWJF expect successful applicants to have? Do researchers need to be affiliated with an academic institution?
No, that's not in our criteria and indeed, one of our goals is to encourage research proposals from public health agencies and other non-traditional research oriented entities. Successful applicants should be able to apply appropriate research methodologies and legal analysis.
I understand that data collection can be supported by RWJF funding. Does this include qualitative data, such as that obtained from state and national public records?
Yes, data collection including qualitative data can be a part of the proposed study.
Yes, there are many gaps in the public health law evidence base. Studies that have the potential to help the field by pulling together existing knowledge or identifying key issues are eligible for funding;
Would you consider the public health implications of the absence of law in a particular area and its influence on public health outcome?
Yes, studies that provide evidence pointing to the need for public health laws are eligible.
How do I determine if a proposal "primarily" focuses on childhood obesity, substance abuse, tobacco, etc? Why aren't these areas, as well as proposals primarily focusing on the health care system, covered by this program?
Childhood obesity, substance abuse and health care system research have been significantly funded through other current and recent RWJF programs. While studies that involve these topics in a partial or incidental way may be eligible for funding, we will not fund studies that solely focus on these topics.
If I am not chosen for one of the grants as part of this funding opportunity, will I still be eligible for other RWJF grants?
Yes, interested applicants may apply for other RWJF awards.
May we submit a proposal that is also being considered for funding by other organizations (government funding agency, foundation, other)?
Yes, you may submit a proposal that is under consideration for funding from another source. If awarded funding, you must disclose all funding sources to RWJF. You may receive funding from multiple sources for a single project. However, you may not use an RWJF award to fund costs covered by another funding source. You may also submit a proposal to do additional data collection or analysis to address an important health law issue as a "supplement" to a non-health-law study currently funded by another agency.
Yes, you may apply for a grant under the PHLR program if you and/or your organization has other funding from RWJF. If selected as a finalist, the applicant will need to make a strong case that he/she has the time and support necessary to accomplish the goals of both projects.
No, there is no limit, but each proposal must be submitted for a different project and would be expected to have different goals, project teams and/or deliverables.
HLR seeks proposals that are collaborative and relevant to the intersection of legal analysis and public health research. Preference will be given to applicants that are either public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants' organizations must be based in the United States or its territories at the time of the application.
