The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has launched a call for applications for the 2021 Interdisciplinary Research Leaders (IRL).

Interdisciplinary Research Leaders (IRL) is a three-year national leadership development program that aims to foster and support new interdisciplinary, action-oriented research collaborations. Achieving health equity—especially for communities of color, those in low socioeconomic positions, and Native populations—is a core value of the program.

The aim for the 2021 IRL program is to generate high-quality, community-engaged research useful for dismantling structural racism and improving health and health equity. Structural racism is manifested in policies, practices, and programs in ways that segregate populations based on race and ethnicity, and create barriers to social opportunity and upward mobility. There is an urgent need to identify solutions for eliminating and reversing the devastating effects of structural racism.

Funding Information

For the 2021 cohort, they will select up to 15 teams of three midcareer individuals each (two researchers and a community partner) from diverse disciplinary backgrounds or scientific perspectives. The applicant organization will receive up to $125,000 for each team’s specific research project, including $25,000 per year per fellow. After the fellowship begins, funds up to $15,000 per year will be available from the national program center to the community partner’s employer, sponsoring institution, or another community organization directly involved in the research project (generally limited to Section 501(c)(3) public charities and government entities). Training, collaborative opportunities, and travel expenses are also provided independent of this award.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be at least 21 years old as of September 1, 2021.
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or individual granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the time of application. As federal policy or laws change, they may need to consider adjustments in eligibility and grant terms.
• The following individuals are not eligible to apply or be part of an Interdisciplinary Research Leaders team:
• Federal, state, tribal and local government employees who are considered government officials  under Section 4946 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Individual candidates who are related by blood or marriage to any Officer  or Trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, or be a descendant of its founder, Robert Wood Johnson.
• Individuals who are receiving support from other research fellowships/traineeships; this includes NIH K award.

For more information, visit RWJF.