Student Upward Mobility Initiative

The Student Upward Mobility Initiative (SUMI), a program of the Urban Institute, is soliciting proposals for its 2025 research grant competition. SUMI seeks to improve educational outcomes by identifying and measuring the PK–12 skills and competencies most closely linked to economic mobility, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This 2025 request for proposals is a continuation of SUMI’s broader vision to equip educators and policymakers with a set of validated, measurable mobility drivers that can inform interventions and systemic reforms in education. The primary focus of this grant cycle is to support studies examining how skills and competencies developed in late high school (grades 11–12) influence economic mobility, and how experiences and development in middle and early high school contribute to these outcomes. The initiative emphasizes understanding both individual skill acquisition and the contextual factors—such as access to coursework, systemic structures, and learning environments—that facilitate or hinder this development. There are two application tracks: Track 1 is for developing new or improved measures of relevant skills and competencies, while Track 2 is for identifying and validating those competencies as mobility drivers through research. Hybrid proposals covering both tracks are also welcome. SUMI expects to allocate up to $3 million in grants for this cycle, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, and most projects falling below $350,000. Grants may span up to 24 months in duration. Eligible expenses include research planning, data collection and analysis, staff compensation, external communications, and travel. However, grant funds may not be used to develop or implement educational programs or interventions directly. Applicants are required to include travel costs for participation in SUMI convenings in Washington, DC in 2025 and 2026. Indirect costs are permitted up to 15% of the total direct costs. Eligibility is restricted to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, including academic institutions, public agencies, and local or state government entities. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Proposals must be led by a principal investigator affiliated with an eligible organization who has research experience. All applications must be submitted via the SUMI application portal. The mandatory Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is due by October 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by January 6, 2026, with awards expected to be announced on February 9, 2026. Funded projects are scheduled to begin on March 1, 2026. The LOI is limited to three single-spaced pages and must address key components such as project summary, methodology, relevance to field, anticipated impact, and structural/system-level considerations. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a brief project idea by September 19, 2025, for optional feedback from SUMI. The full proposal requirements differ slightly depending on whether the applicant is applying for a small grant (up to $150,000) or a large grant (up to $500,000). These proposals must include detailed project descriptions, data access plans, sample characteristics, methods, and risk mitigation strategies. SUMI prioritizes research that is aligned with its goals, methodologically rigorous, and innovative. Proposals must also be feasible and actionable, with clear plans for dissemination and field impact. Projects should reflect a commitment to examining how context—such as race, place, and socioeconomic background—affects skill development and outcomes. SUMI is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and the Overdeck Family Foundation. The fiscal sponsor for SUMI is Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, which manages grant agreements and compliance requirements.

SUMI offers feedback on a one-paragraph project idea if submitted by September 19, 2025. Early feedback allows teams to revise their LOIs based on reviewer guidance.