Research Grants on Reducing Inequality

The Research Grants on Reducing Inequality program supports studies that investigate how programs, policies, or practices can reduce disparities in academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes among young people aged 5 to 25 in the United States. Administered by the William T. Grant Foundation, this initiative emphasizes evidence-based research aimed at addressing systemic inequality along dimensions such as race, ethnicity, economic standing, immigrant status, language minority status, and sexual or gender minority status. The program funds two types of awards. Major Research Grants provide between $100,000 and $600,000 over two to three years, including up to 15% indirect costs, with higher budgets typically going to projects that involve new data collection or randomized trials. Officers’ Research Grants offer $25,000 to $50,000 over one to two years and can be used for standalone studies or extensions of larger projects. All grant-funded projects must directly test, build, or improve understanding of a specific program, policy, or practice designed to reduce inequality in measurable youth outcomes. Studies focusing primarily on the causes of inequality or solely documenting disparities are not eligible. Eligible applicants must represent tax-exempt organizations; individual applications are not accepted. Institutions historically underrepresented in research funding, such as HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, and AANAPISIs, are particularly encouraged to apply. The Foundation prioritizes inclusion and diversity among principal investigators and encourages applications led by scholars from marginalized racial or ethnic groups. Applications must propose studies with clear theories of change, rigorous methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed), and outcomes relevant to youth-serving systems such as education, justice, housing, or mental health. The application process begins with a letter of inquiry, submitted through the Foundation's online system. For major research grants, successful LOIs may lead to an invitation for a full proposal. Officers’ research grants are awarded based on the LOI alone. The upcoming deadline for both types of grants is January 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. A second submission window will be available on July 29, 2026. Applicants must ensure that institutional requirements such as sign-offs and IRS tax documentation are met before submission. Review criteria focus on alignment with program interests, the strength of the conceptual framework and research questions, methodological rigor, feasibility, and potential relevance to policy or practice. All letters of inquiry are evaluated by Foundation staff, with select applications also reviewed by youth panels. For major research grants, the timeline from LOI to final decision is 10–12 months. Award decisions for Officers’ grants are typically made within 14 weeks. The grant program is recurring on a semiannual basis, with open cycles every January and July. The next expected cycle will open in July 2026. In all cases, the Foundation remains committed to fostering learning communities, mentoring junior researchers, and promoting research that meaningfully addresses systemic barriers to equity and opportunity for young people across the United States.

Use clear, lay-accessible language; avoid jargon; proposals must show strong alignment with Foundation priorities and include a sound theory of change.