Public Health Law Research- Making the Case for Laws That Improve Health

This program seeks to build evidence for and strengthen the use of regulatory, legal, and policy solutions that improve public health. To help achieve this goal, the program is inviting applications from nonprofit research institutions for qualitative or quantitative studies related to the development, implementation, mechanisms of action, or health effects of specific laws or regulations. Studies should focus on the intersection of law and public health but may draw on a range of other disciplines, including medicine, economics, engineering, sociology, psychology, and public policy and administration. Special consideration will be given to projects that incorporate innovative approaches such as experimental designs and simulations, the use of biological measures as outcome variables, mixed qualitative-quantitative studies, and/or the application of cutting-edge econometric and time-series models. Economic analysis that demonstrates the fiscal case for and value of public health law is also encouraged. Research teams that combine legal expertise with strong research design and statistical competence are particularly encouraged. Studies that focus primarily on the healthcare system, healthcare delivery or financing, or preventing childhood obesity will not be considered. Grants of up to $150,000 for up to eighteen months will be awarded. Mapping studies — legal research that creates a multi-jurisdictional dataset of laws suitable for quantitative research — will be considered, but budgets for such projects should not exceed $50,000 or twelve months duration.