Overview
Insufficient training of healthcare workers is a significant driver of health inequities in the Latin American region. The Latin American region is prone to infectious disease outbreaks and has high burdens of chronic diseases and mental health conditions. A better-trained healthcare workforce in Latin America can help support improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention, which can lead to better access to care and health outcomes.
Many countries across the region have health investments below the levels recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), including investments in healthcare worker training. Throughout Latin America, health care is often provided by community members and nurses that can benefit from more training opportunities around issues that prioritize locally tailored approaches. Equipping healthcare workers across Latin America with new tools and competencies can help improve the quality of care and local access to care.
As medical technologies and treatments rapidly advance, continuous training can help healthcare providers stay current on innovations and evidence-based practices. A well-trained Latin American healthcare workforce can help contribute to stronger health policies, improved care management, more effective health care initiatives, and help retain healthcare workers, ultimately strengthening regional, national, and local healthcare systems.
Why this call for proposals matters to us
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe that good health is at the heart of human progress. Good health enables children to thrive, families and communities to prosper, and countries to be economically secure. Our commitment to championing global health is grounded in Our Credo values of putting people first and leading with care and courage. We use our size and scale to change lives and communities, advance care, and put better health within reach.
Johnson & Johnson is committed to continuing and expanding investments in the Latin American health workforce, which is central to strengthening primary health care and the resilience of health systems. Johnson & Johnson is investing in the next generation of healthcare providers to improve the patient experience and drive better health outcomes by championing nurses and community health workers. Through this call for proposals, Johnson & Johnson aims to support a more robust, resilient, and highly skilled Latin American health workforce to provide health care to all segments of society. This effort is a part of J&J CareCommunity, Johnson & Johnson’s global social impact platform designed to advance access to quality care through championing nurses and community health workers.
What we’re looking for
Eligible organizations are invited to submit approaches to training healthcare workers in Latin America for up to 1-year beginning in July 2025. We have a particular interest in proposals that focus on community health workers and/or nurses as defined in the table, who are working in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and/or Mexico.
We are seeking to support training that leverages in-person and/or digital methods to strengthen healthcare workers’ competencies to deliver high quality, culturally competent care.
We are interested in proposals that can reach large populations of health care workers, and proposals that engage hard-to-reach populations.
| Definition | Examples | |
| Community Health Workers | Healthcare workers who provide health education, referrals, case management, basic preventive health care and home visiting services to specific communities, and/or support and assist individuals and families with navigating health and social services systems. |
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| Nurses | Health care professionals who provide treatment, support and services for people who need nursing care because of ageing, injury, illness or other physical or mental impairment, or potential risks to health, working autonomously or in teams with medical doctors and others in the practical application of preventive and curative measures in clinical and community settings. |
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Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on their abilities to meet the following criteria:
- Operations. A legal incorporation as a not-for-profit entity with operations in at least one of the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, or Mexico.
- Population. Inclusion of community health workers and/or nurses.
- Experience and Reputation. A reputable organization with a proven track record delivering the training(s) to the healthcare workers in the countries proposed. A due diligence review is conducted as part of the application to this call for proposals.
- Approach. A clear articulation of the training purpose(s), and the modalities used for the trainings. Proposals will be evaluated on a value-for-funding approach, meaning we will assess the cost per trained healthcare worker.
- Impact. A commitment to deliver measurable trainings in calendar year 2025, even if the grant also goes into 2026.
- Reporting. A measurement and evaluation framework for the reach and efficacy of the training(s), and the capabilities to submit quarterly reporting on the number of healthcare workers reached and forecasted to be reached for the remainder of the grant.
Awards
Johnson & Johnson and the Johnson & Johnson Foundation have dedicated up to $1.5M for awards in response to this call for proposals.
Johnson & Johnson intends to provide several awards across a range of investment sizes for up to 12 months of support beginning July 1, 2025. We expect that the largest monetary awards will support proposals that aim to train the most community health workers and/or nurses in Argentina. Brazil, Colombia, and/or Mexico.
Johnson & Johnson will not provide awards that exceed 30% of the organization’s total budget.
Johnson & Johnson is interested in proposals where the award supports 100% of the proposed program.
How can award funding be utilized?
Applicants are asked to detail their intended use of funds as part of the application process and how they anticipate the funds will support training healthcare workers in Latin America. The funding must be used solely for the legitimate advancement of the approach described in the application. For the avoidance of doubt, below is a non-exhaustive list of impermissible uses of the award funding:
- Capital campaigns and infrastructure development (e.g., major office renovations, constructing new buildings, etc.).
- Lobbying, including but not limited to, grass roots lobbying.
- Provisions of healthcare services (e.g., direct patient engagement).
- Pass throughs to healthcare providers and/or government officials/employees.
- Payment towards past development activities (e.g., payment of loans).
There are no specific rates or percentages that are allowable or not allowable with regards to indirect expenses. (e.g., overhead). That said, all applications are evaluated on the proposed impact the funds will have and milestone achievements. A progress report including details about the use of funds is required quarterly and at the conclusion of the award and is expected to align with the use of funds outlined in the original proposal.
Timeline
How to apply
Johnson & Johnson has engaged Charites Aid Foundation America (CAF America) to support with the solicitation, collection and review of the concept notes and proposals.
Please submit concept notes no later than April 15, 2025.
Following a review of the concept notes, selected applications will be invited by May 1, 2025, to provide full proposals and will be given further instructions then on how to submit the full proposals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main goal of the program?
The program is designed to train as many healthcare workers in Latin America as possible, specifically community health workers and nurses, focusing on Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, with the aim to advance quality of care and access to care for local populations.
Where does the organization need to be located to apply?
Applications will be accepted globally, but the organization must be tax-exempt (equivalent to a U.S. 501(c)3 organization) and have operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and/or Mexico.
Who can I contact if I have any questions about the call for proposals or trouble submitting the concept note and/or proposal?
Please contact us at jnj@cafamerica.org.
Can current or previous grantees of Johnson & Johnson and/or the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, apply?
Yes.
What languages can the concept note and proposal be submitted in?
Concept notes can be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Proposals must be submitted in English.
How many applications can an organization submit?
Organizations may only submit one application, inclusive of parent and country offices. Subawardees may only be a part of one application.
What types of training approaches will be considered?
We are interested in learning about the applicants’ approaches to training including, but not limited to, in-person trainings, digitally-based trainings, blended learning models that combine in-person training with digital training, peer-to-peer programs, gamification techniques to boost engagement, and other approaches.
What types of training content will be considered?
We are interested in learning about the applicants’ proposed training content which can include, but is not limited to, therapeutic areas (e.g., mental health), treatment of diseases (e.g., tuberculosis), soft skills (e.g., professional and leadership competencies), technological adoptions, certifications, and other training content.
What's the most/least amount of funding I can apply for in the application?
About us
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com.
Johnson & Johnson’s Commitment to the Global Health Workforce
As healthcare advances, we believe in supporting those who shape it – healthcare professionals. J&J CareCommunity is a global social impact platform from Johnson & Johnson to advance access to quality care through championing nurses and community health workers. We do this by collaborating with those closest to the challenge to connect more people to care. Learn more at www.jnj.com/j-j-care-community.
About the Johnson & Johnson Foundation
The Johnson & Johnson Foundation is working towards creating a world without health inequities by closing the gaps between communities and the care they need. The Johnson & Johnson Foundation is a registered charitable organization that reflects the commitment of Johnson & Johnson to use its size and scale to advance equitable care and put better health within reach. Learn more at https://www.jnjfoundation.com/.