William T. Grant Scholars Program

The William T. Grant Scholars Program, administered by the William T. Grant Foundation, is a prestigious initiative that supports the career development of promising early-career researchers. The Foundation, known for its commitment to enhancing the lives of young people in the United States, focuses its resources on two key areas: reducing inequality and improving the use of research evidence. Through this program, the Foundation aims to facilitate significant shifts in researchers’ trajectories by enabling them to gain new expertise in disciplines, methodologies, or content areas beyond their original training. This Scholars Program offers five-year awards to early-career researchers, supporting both a substantive research agenda and a mentoring plan. The research must align with one of the Foundation’s focus areas—either reducing inequality in outcomes for youth ages 5–25 or improving the use of research evidence in policies and practices affecting this demographic. Applicants are expected to propose work that is innovative, interdisciplinary, and likely to yield knowledge relevant to policy and practice. Awards are made to institutions, not individuals, with a total value of $425,000, including up to 7.5% for indirect costs. The award cannot substitute for existing institutional research support. To apply, candidates must be nominated by their institutions, with each major academic division allowed to submit only one nomination per cycle. Eligible applicants must have earned their doctoral degree within seven years of submission and must be in a career-ladder position that offers the possibility for advancement. Applicants may be based in the United States or internationally, provided the research has clear implications for U.S. youth. Strong candidates demonstrate a track record of high-quality, first-authored empirical publications and a clear plan to expand their expertise with support from senior mentors. The selection process includes a two-tier review by the Scholars Selection Committee, with finalists invited to interviews in New York City. Applications are assessed based on the quality of the proposed research, its alignment with the Foundation's focus areas, feasibility, and the applicant’s potential to become a leader in their field. Successful applicants are notified by the end of March following interviews held in February. The 2025 cycle is now closed, with the next application round expected to open in Spring 2026. Mentor and reference letters were due by June 11, 2025. While there is no fixed deadline yet for the upcoming cycle, interested applicants should prepare early. Recipients are encouraged to engage in annual meetings and workshops to enhance their professional development. Additionally, during the first three years, Scholars may apply for supplemental funding to mentor junior researchers of color, promoting inclusivity and expanding capacity in underrepresented communities. Questions may be directed to the Foundation’s general contact at info@wtgrantfdn.org.

Clearly articulate how the proposed research expands the applicant’s expertise into new disciplines or methods. Align the research with one of the Foundation’s two focus areas and demonstrate relevance to policy and practice. A cohesive mentoring plan is essential.