The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that current policies and practices fall short in supporting and facilitating families’ access to the social safety net system. Moreover, the pandemic has exacerbated the consequences of poverty, racism, and discrimination and exposed the health, economic, social, and other inequities vulnerable families experience. In the context of the pandemic, RWJF is taking steps to focus attention on and provide resources to families and communities facing the greatest strain. The Equity-Focused Policy Research (EFPR) grant program seeks to fund a body of research that illuminates strategies and policies that enhance families’ equitable access to key resources for supporting their children’s healthy development. EFPR grants are guided by a research agenda that focuses on: (1) understanding the sources of inequities in families’ access to and use of key resources; (2) identifying and testing innovations to advance equity; and (3) strategies for scaling up policies and approaches that are effective in advancing equity. The agenda addresses three policy areas as providing critical resources for families: (1) access to early care and education (ECE); (2) income supports (such as the Earned Income Tax Credit [EITC] and cash transfer programs) and income generation/replacement; and (3) nutrition supports (such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]).
Key dates:
- Brief proposals: 2/16/2021
- Full proposals: 5/11/2021
