Contact:
Dennis Tartaglia
Hooshna Amaria
Robyn Finker
M Booth & Associates
212/481-7000

About Innovators Combating Substance Abuse

Innovators Combating Substance Abuse is a national program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that recognizes and rewards those who have made substantial, innovative contributions to the field of substance abuse prevention. The program addresses problems related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through education, advocacy, service delivery, policy research and policy at the local, state and national levels.

• Nominations for the Innovators awards are solicited from an anonymous panel of distinguished experts.

• Final selection is made by a national advisory committee.

• The awards recognize past accomplishment but are expected to assist with future accomplishment.

• Each award includes a grant of $300,000 in recognition of the awardees’ contributions to the field.

• Unlike a typical grantmaking process, selection is not primarily based on the projects themselves but is based mainly on what the individual has already accomplished.

• Each awardee is expected to conduct a project that advances the field over a period of up to three years.

• Up to five Innovators are selected each year.

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