Promoting Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility among Racially, Ethnically, and Economically Diverse Groups

The Russel Sage Foundation was established in 1907 by Mrs. Margaret Olivia Sage for “the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States.” The foundation now dedicates itself to strengthening the social sciences’ methods, data, and theoretical core to understand societal problems better and develop informed responses.

The foundation, in collaboration with the Hewlett, Spencer, and William T. Grant foundations, seeks to support innovative research on the aftermath of the 2023 Supreme Court decision striking down race-conscious college and university admissions policies. The initiative is focused on ways to promote educational attainment and economic mobility among racially, ethnically, and economically diverse groups following the court’s ruling that the declared that use of race-conscious admissions policies violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and was, therefore, unconstitutional.

The foundation is especially interested in proposals that will advance social science research on the social, political, and economic effects of the Supreme Court decision and the future of race-conscious policies more generally. Analyses that make use of newly available data or demonstrate novel uses of existing data are of particular interest. Original data collection, such as surveys, field or survey experiments, in-depth qualitative interviews, and ethnographies will also be supported. This initiative encourages methodological variety and interdisciplinary collaboration. Proposals must have well-developed conceptual frameworks and research designs.

Funds can support research assistance, data acquisition, data analysis, and investigator time. Trustee grants are capped at $200,000, including 15 percent indirect costs, over a two-year period. Presidential awards, over a two-year period, are capped at $50,000 (no indirect costs), but at $75,000 (no indirect costs) when the proposed project involves original data collection or gaining access to restricted-use data.

Letters of intent are due October 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET. LOIs must include specific information about the proposed data and research design. After peer review, about 15 percent of those who submit an LOI will receive an invitation to submit a proposal.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Russell Sage Foundation website.