RWJF supports five major types of research.
RWJF directs a wide range of research initiatives that cut across
its program areas. Research may involve a small, ad hoc project
or a large multisite national initiative.
Here are the five main types of research projects we support:
Targeted Research: While most Foundation-sponsored
research is applied, our targeted research projects are quick strikes
that fit squarely with the current strategic directions of our
program areas. Aimed either to provide fast answers to urgent
analytic questions or to provide facts that reinforce the messages
of our
portfolios, most of these projects are small in nature (below $150,000)
and are completed on short time frames.
Research and Policy Analysis: Much of our research
falls into a broad category of research and policy analysis. This
category includes health services research, behavioral research,
some evaluative research and policy analysis. Grants in this area
span from exploratory research to broaden our knowledge about a
problem to more advanced research that seeks a better understanding
of the implications of alternative solutions to a problem. Work
on policy analysis and research typically focuses on supporting
informed decision-making rather than promoting or examining a particular
policy. For example, our Bridging
the Gap initiative focuses on the role of policy and environmental
factors in youth substance abuse.
Research-Driven Demonstrations: Research-driven
demonstrations, are projects that seek to answer a particular research
question. Unlike our other demonstrations, the research objectives
take precedence over the programmatic ones. One of our high profile
research-driven demonstrations, Cash
& Counseling, was a randomized trial designed to test
the effects of allowing disabled Medicaid beneficiaries to manage
cash allowances in lieu of receiving agency-delivered services.
Research Training: Many of our training and education
initiatives involve developing future researchers or supporting
individuals to advance understanding of health and health care
problems as they grow in their careers. For example, our Investigator
Awards in Health Policy Research program supports individuals
to think broadly about the future of health and health care.
Syntheses: Research syntheses weigh existing
evidence surrounding policy concerns and identify for decision-makers
what's known, and what's not, about these complex policy
issues. Learn more about RWJF
syntheses.