SJIPH announces new funding initiative – Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs

SJIPH seeks collaborative partnerships to improve health outcomes in South Jersey

On April 15, 2021, a new funding initiative was announced by the South Jersey Institute for Population Health (SJIPH) focused on improving health outcomes in the southern New Jersey region. SJIPH was recently established by the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors, in partnership with Rowan University and Rutgers University–Camden, to advance collaborative, community-engaged research that improves health and promotes health equity across southern New Jersey.

SJIPH is now accepting proposals for innovative, shared research projects between Rowan University and Rutgers University-Camden researchers and community-based organizations in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties. Grants will be made up to $20,000.

“On behalf of the Joint Board, we are extremely excited to see this first round of funding opportunities get underway and for the growth of the innovative SJIPH to really begin,” shared Dana Redd, CEO of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. “Over the lifespan of these projects we will see new collaborative partnerships formed between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and our region’s premiere academic and research institutions. It is our hope and expectation that these relationships, along with the community’s active input and participation, result in lasting contributions to public health and health equity throughout South Jersey.”

Prospective grantees must submit a brief letter of intent by May 31, 2021. Final proposals will be due Nov. 1, and funding decisions are expected to be made by Dec. 15. Projects for this initiative are expected to use a public health, population health or population medicine approach to improving health or reducing health disparities in South Jersey, as well as promoting health equity. Details on the grants process and the submission portal can be found at https://sjiph.org/.

Nationally recognized researchers from both Rowan University and Rutgers–Camden will co-lead the initiative. Nicole A. Vaughn, M.S., Ph.D. is a faculty member and research health psychologist in the Public Health and Wellness program in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Rowan University, and Sarah Allred, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers-Camden, as well as director of the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs. They will oversee an eight-member committee made up of community leaders, faculty from both institutions, and public health representatives that will assist in the review and selection process.

This funding initiative will lay the foundation for establishing a hub for research collaboration, community connection, and innovation that improves health and health equity in populations and communities across the region.