Background
Introduction
The mission of the South Jersey Institute for Population Health (SJIPH) is to support and fund community-university partnerships that engage in research to advance health outcomes for South Jersey residents. The focus is on supporting sustainable, collaborative research partnerships between community organizations and faculty researchers from Rutgers–Camden and Rowan Universities.
Funding Goals
Projects are expected to identify the potential impact of the research on health outcomes. This includes research aimed at addressing a key determinant of health (e.g., access to care, health behaviors). Projects concerning health outcomes in rural areas are encouraged, though all proposals are welcome.
This funding cycle has two main goals:
- Promoting favorable health outcomes: SJIPH aims to promote health in our region. This includes characterizing the nature and prevalence of health outcomes throughout the region, and identifying ways to improve them (e.g., developing and testing evidence-informed health interventions, assessing and mitigating health risks).
- Strengthening university-community partnerships: Proposals will include partnerships between faculty researchers from either Rutgers–Camden or Rowan University and community-based organizations (CBOs). Partnerships with researchers from both Universities are encouraged.
Funding Tracks
Funding for cycle 4b will consist of two distinct budgeting tracks.
Track 1 - Catalyst Grants - Provide up to $25,000 to support community-based research projects for 18 months. Ideally, the project would aim to establish an infrastructure for sustaining and expanding community programs through support from larger grants.
Track 2 - Signature Grants - Provide between $50,000 to $100,000 to support larger, more impactful community-based research projects over 24 months. Ideally, the project would be built upon prior research of the partnership team.
We anticipate $300,000 in total grant funds will be distributed across the two funding tracks for this initiative.
Key differences between the two tracks are summarized as follows
| Feature | Catalyst Grant | Signature Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Amount | Up to $25,000 | $50,000–$100,000 |
| Project Scope | Pilot/Small-scale | Large-scale/Transformative |
| Ideal Applicants | Emerging projects and research programs | Clearly building on prior research projects and partnerships (must show feasibility) |
| Partnership | May have faculty from Rutgers–Camden or Rowan Universities (Rowan faculty includes members from both Glassboro and county campuses, as well as Rowan's two medical schools) | Must include faculty research partners from Rutgers–Camden and Rowan Universities (i.e., Rowan University-Glassboro, Rowan College of South Jersey, Rowan SOM, CMSRU) |
Eligibility
- Partnership teams must include a community organization with a base in at least one of the seven counties in South Jersey – Burlington, Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May.
- For Catalyst Grants (track 1), partnerships teams must include at least one faculty researcher from either university (i.e. Rowan University or Rutgers University-Camden), although preference is given to teams with both universities represented.
- For Signature Grants (track 2), partnership teams must include representatives from both Rowan and Rutgers–Camden Universities. (Note: Rowan faculty comprises members from the Glassboro and county campuses, as well as Rowan's two medical schools.)
Process
Cycle 4b Grant Funding Overview
The path to SJIPH Cycle 4b funding broadly involves: 1) submitting an LOI for review, 2) attending a half-day sandbox meeting (by invitation only), and 3) submitting a proposal. SJIPH will then 4) review the proposals to determine funding. A webinar describes the process as well.
Submitting an LOI (due by July 14th, 2025)
Prospective grantees will submit a "letter of intent" (LOI) for review by July 14th, 2025. LOIs involve answering questions about:
- The central research questions or objectives
- Information about the collaborative team
- Capacity building and sustainability
- Potential impact on health outcomes
- Budget outline
LOIs will be reviewed by reviewers and SJIPH. Applicants will be notified of the status of their LOI by August 11th, 2025. Successful LOIs will form a basis a larger research proposal (details below), and applicants will be invited to the Sandbox Event.
Sandbox Event (October 10th, 2025)
Selected LOI partnership teams will attend a "Sandbox" event at the Joint Health Sciences Building on October 10th, 2025. The Sandbox event will serve three purposes: (1) to clearly communicate to potential grantees the goals of the research funding; (2) to bring researchers with related interests and complementary skills together; and (3) to produce, during the meeting, proposal outlines that can be guided to full research proposals. The Sandbox event will provide a collaborative environment where partnership teams and research facilitators will expand upon the LOI by refining research objectives and developing an outline for a full research proposal due by November 14th, 2025. The goal is a collaborative rather than competitive environment.
The Sandbox event will be held at the Joint Health Science's Building in Camden, NJ, on October 10th, 2025 from 9:00 to 4:00 pm (coffee, lunch will be provided).
NOTE: To be eligible to apply for Catalyst or Signature grants in this funding cycle, each partnership team must have at least one member from the community organization and one from the university attend the Sandbox event.
Final Proposals (November 14th, 2025)
Final proposals will be due on November 14th, 2025 and will also be submitted through this portal. Applicants will be asked to provide more detailed responses to the same questions asked in the letter-of-intent process.
Applicants who are invited to the Sandbox Event will receive feedback on the LOI to be incorporated into the final proposal.
Funding Decisions (December 19th, 2025)
Funding decisions will be made by December 19th, 2025. Funds will be released in early 2026. For catalyst grants, the funding period is from 18 months. For signature grants the funding period is 24 months. Budgets should be planned for this timeframe. Reporting requirements will be outlined at the Sandbox Event. All funded projects will be expected to provide quarterly updates on their project progress and data.
Proposal Review
Both Catalyst and Signature Grants support projects that address health outcomes in South Jersey through strong academic-community partnerships. While Catalyst Grants fund smaller-scale, innovative projects that lay the groundwork for future initiatives, Signature Grants operate at a larger scale, supporting projects with broader reach, deeper engagement, and greater sustainability.
Proposals for both grant types will be evaluated based on:
- Central Research Questions: Alignment with RFP goals and potential impact on health outcomes.
- Collaborative Research Team: Strength and expertise of academic-community partnerships, including Rowan, Rutgers–Camden, and community representation.
- Capacity Building & Sustainability: Plans for long-term impact, skill-building, and securing future funding.
- Impact on Health Outcomes: Potential to improve health outcomes in South Jersey.
- Budget Feasibility: Alignment with project scope and funding guidelines.
1. Central research question
Application question: What is your research question(s)?
Instructions: 2,000 character limit. Briefly describe your project idea and specific research question or objectives. The proposal must identify the specific target population(s) under study and address the goals of the funding initiative as described in the Introduction Section. Also, please see sjiph.org for the overall mission of SJIPH and its overall interest areas.
Evaluation criteria: Reviewers will consider how the research will affect a population's health outcomes in South Jersey.
2.Strength of collaborative research team
Application question: Who are the key members of your partnership team and what roles will they play on your project?
Instructions: 2,000 character limit. The proposal should identify each key member of the research team, their email address, and evidence of qualifications (e.g., CVs, online information). Key members include those involved in proposal design. Secondary members (those who might be involved with project implementation) do not need to be mentioned. Teams should describe their history of working together (however long or brief) and their capacity to develop and carry out various project tasks. Students and university staff may serve as key personnel or partners. A faculty member at their institution must serve as a PI on the project.
Evaluation criteria: Catalyst grant teams must include at least one faculty member from either Rowan University or Rutgers–Camden (or both). Signature grant teams must include faculty members from both Rowan and Rutgers–Camden. All teams must include at least one community partner. Based on quality and complementarity of expertise of collaborative teams, reviewers will consider the strength of the partnership team and its capacity to complete the project in a timely fashion.
3. Capacity building and sustainability
Application question: How will your project contribute to capacity building and long-term sustainability for the community organization(s) and academic partners involved?
Instructions: 2,000 character limit. The proposal should describe how the project will enhance the capacity of the community organization(s) and/or academic team to engage in future research, program implementation, or policy work. Applicants should outline specific strategies for strengthening organizational infrastructure, skill development, knowledge-sharing, or resource-building.
Additionally, proposals should describe how the project's impact will be sustained beyond the funding period. This includes identifying potential pathways for securing future funding, such as foundations, government agencies, and state or federal grants. For smaller, clearly defined projects, applicants should explain how their results will serve as a foundation for future research, program development, or funding opportunities. Proposals should also discuss how the project could be scaled or adapted to increase its impact over time.
Evaluation criteria: Reviewers will assess how well the project builds long-term capacity for community organizations and collaborative teams. Priority will be given to proposals that include concrete plans for skill-building, resource development, and sustainable implementation beyond the grant period. Additionally, reviewers will evaluate the project's potential for securing future funding, maintaining key partnerships, and expanding its impact through scaling or integration into ongoing initiatives.
4. Potential impact on health outcome
Application question: What health outcomes or health determinants does your project aim to affect? How will this affect health outcomes among South Jersey residents?
Instructions: 2,000 character limit. Briefly describe the project’s likely impact on health outcomes as well as our deeper knowledge and understanding of the health issue?
Evaluation criteria: Reviewers will consider what measurable health outcomes or health narratives the project will produce. They will consider how health knowledge will be deepened and how this knowledge will be communicated to community and academic audiences (e.g., via presentations, workshops, publications).
5. Budget
Application question: Please upload a draft budget on the budget template listed below.
Instructions: Upload a budget for the project that takes into account allowable and non-allowable expenses.
Evaluation criteria: Does the budget fit with the scope of the proposed project? Is the budget consistent with the guidelines?
Additional Proposal Considerations
Overall Feasibility of Projects
Proposed projects will additionally be evaluated based on their feasibility – is it doable within an 18-month timeframe?
Additional SJIPH Partnership Requirements
Project Updates
Awardees must provide written quarterly progress reports to SJIPH. This report includes updates on the status of the project, the budget, projected activities, and any obstacles experienced by the project.
Training
Awardees must participate in formal training when deemed necessary by SJIPH.
Dissemination
Awardees must participate in at least one event during the cycle to disseminate the results of the project.
Budgeting
Funding for Cycle 4b will consist of two distinct budgeting tracks. The number of awards available in each track will depend on the quality and nature of the applications received and the total amounts available to support research. Final funding decisions will be based on the strength of the applications and alignment with program priorities.
This is an external award and all proper guidelines for external awards by your institution or organization should be followed, including subawards to other partners. All project teams will be required to submit a budget indicating the level of funding they are requesting. Project teams can submit a budget for both tracks, should they choose to. Projects can identify matching funds and/or include in-kind support as appropriate. Individual budget determinations will be made by the reviewing committee. Allowable expenses include: % effort for PI/Co-PI (no individual person receiving more than 20% of the grant), hourly student wages, supplies, materials, equipment. For instance, tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level or $3,000, mileage reimbursement for study-related travel, travel for students to attend professional conferences, software, data analysis/evaluation and publication subvention/fees. Non-allowable costs to include: food (except as related to human-subjects research), and equipment exceeding $3,000. Indirect costs are capped at 10% and should be included in your budgets.
Applicants should use SJIPH budget template to prepare and submit their budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
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What are the two funding tracks?
Track 1: Catalyst Grants
- Funding: Up to $25,000
- Purpose: Supports pilot or small-scale community-based research projects
- Partnership requirement: at least one faculty member from either Rowan or Rutgers-Camden universities
- Availability: Approximately 8 grants
- Goal: Establish a solid foundation for future expansion and scaling through support from larger grants
Track 2: Signature Grants
- Funding: $50,000–$100,000
- Purpose: Supports larger, more impactful community-based research projects
- Partnership requirement: at least one faculty member from both Rowan and Rutgers-Camden universities
- Availability: Approximately 2 grants
- Goal: Builds upon prior research conducted by the partnership team
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What is the difference between Catalyst and Signature grants?
- Catalyst Grants: Provide up to $25,000 to support community-based research projects for 18 months. Ideally, the project would aim to establish an infrastructure for sustaining and expanding community programs through support from larger grants.
- Signature Grants: Provide between $50,000 to $100,000 to support larger, more impactful community-based research projects over 24 months.
Key differences between the two tracks are shown in this Table:
Feature Catalyst Grant Signature Grant Funding Amount Up to $25,000 $50,000 – $100,000 Project Scope Pilot/Small-scale Large-scale/Transformative Ideal Applicants Emerging projects Established partnerships or clearly building on prior research projects (must show feasibility) Partnership May have faculty from one of the two universities (includes Rowan's medical schools and Colleges) Must include faculty research partners from Rutgers-Camden and Rowan Universities -
Who is eligible to apply for Cycle 4B funding?
- Eligibility includes partnership teams with a community organization based in one of the seven South Jersey counties (Burlington, Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May).
- Catalyst grant teams must include at least one faculty researcher either from Rowan University or Rutgers-Camden.
- Signature grant teams must include faculty researchers from both Rowan and Rutgers-Camden.
- Previous awardees may apply to Cycle 4B funding provided the prior project is satisfactorily completed and is distinct from the previous cycle's project.
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What are the main emphases of Cycle 4B funding?
Cycle 4B funding focuses on two main areas:
- Promotion of population health and its determinants: As always, SJIPH aims to promote population health and its determinants. This includes characterizing the nature and extent of health disparities and ways to address them (e.g., identifying key areas for outcome improvement, programs to improve health), as well as developing and testing new or already existing interventions designed to directly impact health.
- Strengthening university-community partnerships: Proposals will include partnerships between faculty researchers from either Rutgers-Camden or Rowan University universities and community-based organizations (CBOs). Partnerships with researchers from both universities are encouraged.
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Can one partnership team apply for both catalyst and signature grants?
Yes, project teams may submit proposals for both tracks.
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What is the funding period for the grants?
Catalyst grants have a funding period of 18 months, while Signature grants span 24 months.
Application Process
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What are the steps to apply for Cycle 4B funding?
- Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) via the submission portal by the due date
- If selected, attend the day-long Sandbox Meeting
- Submit a full proposal based on the refined research objectives
- Proposals will be reviewed, and funding decisions announced
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Do I need institutional approval for my submitting and LOI?
Yes. Work with your Institutional grants or sponsored projects office to ensure compliance with submission guidelines.
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Who may serve as the PI?
Faculty researchers from Rutgers-Camden and/or Rowan universities (Rowan faculty includes members from both Glassboro and county campuses, as well as Rowan's two medical schools). Community members may serve as co-PIs or Investigators.
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What should be included in the LOI?
The LOI should address questions about:
- central question
- collaborative team
- capacity building & sustainability
- projected health impact
- budget feasibility
See submission guidelines above.
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What happens at the Sandbox Meeting?
Selected teams will collaborate to refine their research objectives and draft an outline for their full proposal. Attendance by at least one partnership team member to remain eligible for funding.
Funding Guidelines
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What expenses are allowable under this grant?
Allowable expenses include but are not limited to:
- Salaries for PIs and Co-PIs (capped at 20% of the grant per individual)
- Incentives for respondents
- Student wages, supplies, materials, and equipment under $3,000
- Study-related mileage reimbursement
- Student conference travel, software, data analysis, evaluation, and publication fees
Applicants should access and use the SJIPH Budget Template to prepare and submit their budget.
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What expenses are not allowed?
Non-allowable expenses include food (except as related to human-subjects research), equipment exceeding $3,000, and indirect costs above the 10% cap.
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Can matching funds or in-kind support strengthen an application?
Yes, projects that identify matching funds or in-kind support are encouraged to include this information in their budget submission.
Collaboration and Partnerships
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Do partnerships with both universities receive priority?
For Catalyst grants, preference is given to teams that include faculty from both Rowan and Rutgers-Camden. For Signature grants, representation from both universities is required.
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Can students or community partners be key team members?
Yes, students and community partners can and often will serve as key members. However, a faculty member must serve as the PI, Co-PI, or Investigator.
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What evaluation criteria will be used to assess proposals?
Proposals will be evaluated on the following key areas:
- Central Research Questions: Alignment with RFP goals and potential impact on health equity.
- Collaborative Research Team: Strength and expertise of academic-community partnerships, including Rowan, Rutgers-Camden, and community representation.
- Capacity Building & Sustainability: Plans for long-term impact, skill-building, and securing future funding.
- Health Equity & Outcomes Impact: Potential to improve health determinants and equity in South Jersey.
- Budget Feasibility: Alignment with project scope and funding guidelines.
Logistics regarding your submissions
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When can I submit the LOI?
The submission window is open from May 2, 2025 until the LOI deadline June 27, 2025.
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Can I edit my submission after it has been uploaded?
Applicants may log in and make changes up to the application deadline.
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What format is acceptable for the submission?
Attachments (e.g., CVs, budget) should be provided in .pdf format.
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Will I receive confirmation of receipt after the upload?
No. However, there is a status option that users can note at the bottom of the application.
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Should we expect to receive formal, written feedback if our LOI or proposal is unsuccessful?
No, SJIPH will not be able to provide formal, written feedback for proposals.
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Are there post-award requirements that we should know about?
Yes. Awardees must provide written quarterly progress reports to SJIPH. This report should include updates on the status of the project, the budget, projected activities, and any obstacles experienced by the project. Awardees are also expected to participate in at least one event during the cycle to disseminate the results of the project.
Other Resources
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Where can I find additional resources for my application?
A webinar explaining the Cycle 4B funding process and resources for LOI and proposal preparation is being developed. Please check back for the link.
Feel free to reach out to admin@sjiph.org with any additional questions.