2026 Research Grants on Reducing Inequality (United States)

Deadline: 29-Jul-2026

The 2026 Research Grants on Reducing Inequality program supports research that generates evidence on programs, policies, and practices designed to reduce disparities among young people aged 5 to 25 in the United States. The program funds both descriptive and intervention research that examines effective strategies for improving academic, social, behavioral, and economic outcomes across diverse youth populations.

Program Overview

The 2026 Research Grants on Reducing Inequality program seeks to advance evidence-based knowledge about how to create more equitable opportunities and outcomes for young people in the United States.

The funding opportunity supports research that builds, tests, or expands understanding of programs, policies, and practices that reduce inequality across multiple dimensions. The goal is to identify approaches that can help address disparities affecting youth and provide policymakers, educators, practitioners, and community leaders with actionable evidence.

Research must focus on young people between the ages of 5 and 25 and examine strategies that contribute to more equitable academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes.

Key Objectives

The program aims to:

Generate rigorous evidence on effective approaches to reducing inequality.
Support research that informs policy and practice.
Improve understanding of programs and interventions that promote equitable outcomes.
Expand knowledge of factors that contribute to opportunity and success for young people.
Strengthen evidence-based decision-making in education, youth development, and social policy.
Identify scalable solutions that address disparities across diverse populations.

Priority Research Areas

The program supports studies that examine inequality related to:

Race and ethnicity.
Economic standing and socioeconomic status.
Sexual and gender minority status.
Language minority status.
Immigrant origins and immigrant communities.
Academic achievement and educational attainment.
Social and emotional development.
Behavioral outcomes.
Economic opportunity and mobility.
Youth development and well-being.
Evidence-based policies and practices.

Projects should focus on understanding or evaluating strategies that actively reduce inequality rather than simply documenting disparities.

Types of Research Supported

Descriptive Research

Descriptive studies may:

Explore how programs, policies, or practices contribute to reducing inequality.
Document successful approaches and implementation strategies.
Examine patterns, trends, and outcomes related to equity initiatives.
Generate insights that can guide future interventions and policy decisions.

Intervention Research

Intervention studies are expected to:

Test specific programs, policies, or practices.
Provide causal evidence regarding effectiveness.
Measure impacts on targeted youth outcomes.
Evaluate whether interventions successfully reduce disparities.

Intervention research should use rigorous methodologies capable of demonstrating measurable effects on inequality-related outcomes.

Funding Available

Major Research Grants

Funding range:

USD 100,000 to USD 600,000.
Project duration of two to three years.
Includes up to 15 percent indirect costs.

Funding considerations:

Secondary data analysis projects are generally funded at the lower end of the range.
Studies requiring new data collection and participant recruitment may receive larger awards.
Research designs involving randomized assignment of classrooms, schools, youth programs, or similar settings are often considered for higher funding levels.

Officers’ Research Grants

Funding range:

USD 25,000 to USD 50,000.
Project duration of one to two years.
Includes up to 15 percent indirect costs.

These grants may support:

Independent research studies.
Pilot projects.
Smaller-scale investigations.
Research that complements larger ongoing projects.

Understanding Reducing Inequality Research

Reducing inequality research focuses on identifying practical and evidence-based approaches that improve opportunities and outcomes for young people who experience systemic disadvantages.

Examples may include:

Educational interventions that improve achievement among underserved students.
Policies that increase access to economic opportunities.
Youth development programs that support social and behavioral growth.
Community-based initiatives that address barriers faced by immigrant or minority populations.
Institutional practices that create more equitable outcomes across diverse groups.

The emphasis is on solutions and measurable improvements rather than solely documenting disparities.

Who is Eligible?

Applications are open to tax-exempt organizations that meet the program’s requirements.

Eligible applicants may include:

Universities and colleges.
Research institutes.
Nonprofit organizations.
Policy research centers.
Educational organizations.
Other qualified tax-exempt entities.

The program particularly encourages applications from historically underrepresented institutions, including:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
Alaska Native-Serving Institutions.
Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.
Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).

Principal Investigator Requirements

Principal Investigators (PIs) must:

Meet the eligibility requirements of their organizations.
Possess the expertise necessary to conduct the proposed research.
Demonstrate the capacity to manage and complete the project successfully.

The program encourages leadership from researchers representing diverse backgrounds, including:

Black or African American researchers.
Indigenous researchers.
Latinx researchers.
Asian American researchers.
Pacific Islander researchers.
Researchers from diverse professional and interdisciplinary backgrounds.

Beginning in 2026, each Principal Investigator may submit only one application per funding cycle.

Ineligible Activities

The program does not support:

Studies focused primarily on physical health outcomes.
Research addressing only dimensions outside the program’s priority areas.
Studies focused mainly on the causes, extent, or consequences of inequality without examining solutions.
Program implementation activities.
Fundraising initiatives.
Endowment funding.
General operating support.
Scholarships.
Non-research activities.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Persistent inequalities continue to affect educational achievement, economic mobility, social development, and long-term opportunities for millions of young people in the United States.

This funding opportunity supports research that can:

Identify effective solutions to longstanding disparities.
Improve evidence-based policymaking.
Inform educational and community interventions.
Strengthen opportunities for historically underserved populations.
Contribute to more equitable systems and institutions.

The knowledge generated through funded projects has the potential to influence policies, programs, and practices at local, state, and national levels.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

Review the program objectives and eligibility requirements.
Confirm that the proposed research focuses on reducing inequality among youth aged 5 to 25 in the United States.
Select an appropriate research design, including descriptive or intervention methodologies.
Develop a detailed research plan, methodology, and evaluation framework.
Prepare a project budget aligned with the funding category.
Ensure the Principal Investigator meets all eligibility requirements.
Gather required institutional approvals and supporting documentation.
Complete and submit the application according to program guidelines.
Retain records and monitor communications regarding the review process.

Tips for Applicants

Clearly demonstrate how the project contributes to reducing inequality.
Focus on practical solutions and measurable outcomes.
Use rigorous research methods and strong evaluation designs.
Explain how findings can inform policy or practice.
Provide a realistic budget aligned with project activities.
Highlight expertise and previous research experience.
Ensure the proposed outcomes directly affect youth aged 5 to 25.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Focusing only on documenting disparities without testing or examining solutions.
Proposing projects outside the program’s priority dimensions.
Including non-research activities in the proposal.
Weak methodological or evaluation plans.
Unclear connections between the research and inequality reduction goals.
Submitting multiple applications from the same Principal Investigator during a funding cycle.
Failing to demonstrate relevance to youth populations in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of the 2026 Research Grants on Reducing Inequality program?

The program funds research that generates evidence on programs, policies, and practices that reduce disparities and improve outcomes for young people aged 5 to 25 in the United States.

What types of research are eligible?

Both descriptive research and intervention research are eligible, provided they focus on strategies that reduce inequality and promote equitable outcomes.

How much funding is available?

Major Research Grants provide between USD 100,000 and USD 600,000, while Officers’ Research Grants provide between USD 25,000 and USD 50,000.

Who can apply?

Tax-exempt organizations, including universities, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and other eligible entities, may apply.

What age group must the research focus on?

Projects must focus on young people between the ages of 5 and 25 in the United States.

Are projects focused on physical health outcomes eligible?

No. The program does not support studies that primarily focus on physical health outcomes.

Can a Principal Investigator submit multiple applications?

No. Beginning in 2026, each Principal Investigator may submit only one application per funding cycle.

Conclusion

The 2026 Research Grants on Reducing Inequality program provides significant funding for research that advances understanding of effective strategies to reduce disparities among young people in the United States. By supporting rigorous descriptive and intervention research, the program seeks to generate evidence that informs policies, programs, and practices that create more equitable opportunities and outcomes.

For more information, visit William T. Grant Foundation.