Office of Youth Programs Research Grant

The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES), through its Office of Youth Programs (OYP), has released the Office of Youth Programs Research Grant to support high-quality research into the outcomes and impacts of two major youth development programs: the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) and the Career Ready Early Scholars Program (CRESP). This initiative is designed to generate actionable data and evidence that can guide program improvements, support youth development policy, and enhance service delivery across Washington, DC. The OYP administers workforce development initiatives for District youth ages 9 to 24, providing experiences in academic enrichment, life skills, job training, and work placement. MBSYEP offers short-term summer employment for youth aged 14–24, while CRESP targets scholars aged 9–13 with career and college readiness programming. The OYP Research Grant seeks to study both programs longitudinally to understand their short-term and long-term impacts on youth, particularly in areas of employment, academic performance, and justice-system involvement. Applicants are required to address specific research questions set by DOES, including how the programs affect behavioral outcomes in the short term, how results vary across demographic groups, and how the program’s operational elements such as application and selection processes could be improved to enhance access and equity. The research must be conducted in two phases: qualitative data collection through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, followed by quantitative analysis using administrative datasets, including academic, employment, and criminal justice records. All data collected and analyzed must be submitted to DOES as part of a final comprehensive report. The grant totals $90,000 in available funding, with an anticipated single award issued. The performance period begins upon award (anticipated September 30, 2025) and runs for one year, with DOES reserving the right to renew for up to three additional option years. Grantees must provide a range of deliverables throughout the grant period, including attendance sheets, monthly reports, demographic and academic data submissions, and a finalized research report with an executive summary. All final materials are due by January 15, 2026. Eligible applicants must be post-secondary institutions (colleges or universities) authorized to operate within the District of Columbia and current on all applicable taxes and insurance. Applicants must also demonstrate extensive research experience, particularly with the target populations. Subcontracting of core work is not allowed unless explicitly approved by DOES. Applications must be submitted electronically via the DC Grants Management System by 3:00 p.m. on September 8, 2025. A virtual pre-application conference will be held on August 25, 2025. Required attachments include IRS documentation, signed assurances, financial statements, staff resumes, a budget narrative, and proof of legal and financial standing. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Contact for this opportunity is Vanessa Black at OGAGrants@dc.gov.

Attend the pre-application conference to clarify expectations; ensure that all supporting documentation, particularly tax and legal standing certificates, are updated and submitted in full. Follow exact formatting and submission instructions in the online portal.