RWJF announces Forward Promise: Partnering with Systems to Disrupt Dehumanization

  • 2019 Call for Proposals deadline: June 6, 3 p.m. ET

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Forward Promise program aims to disrupt the cycle of dehumanization that is occurring in the lives of boys and young men of color (BYMOC) and threatens to derail their life success by creating pathways to healing, growing, and thriving. Forward Promise is looking to seed new approaches by youth-serving systems to address health and trauma that are grounded in the lived experiences and cultural values, norms, and traditions of BYMOC, and the knowledge of community organizations who work with BYMOC every day. Learnings from the Partnering with Systems to Disrupt Dehumanization grantees may be useful in advancing a greater understanding of what it means for BYMOC to heal, grow, and thrive, and provide concrete examples of the role that culturally responsive youth-serving systems play in the health of BYMOC.

Through this solicitation, Partnering with Systems to Disrupt Dehumanization will support up to seven organizations to partner with a local or regional youth-serving system to increase the understanding of issues faced by BYMOC in these systems and the historical role of dehumanization by systems; uplift the current disparities that exist in the public system; deepen knowledge of culturally responsive approaches as effective strategies for addressing trauma and promoting healing; devise a plan for working together to test approaches; and identify sustainable opportunities to change the way these systems do business and approach their work with BYMOC.

  • Up to seven awards will be made through this initiative
  • Grants up to and including $150,000 each will be awarded
  • Grant duration will be 18 months
  • Grants will begin on Oct. 15

Contact the Office of Research and Graduate Education if you are interested in pursuing this funding as soon as possible.