RFAs: Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence (US)

The William T. Grant Foundation’s 2026 funding cycle prioritizes research that strengthens how evidence is used in youth-related decision-making, especially in politically polarized environments. Grants support studies that test strategies for increasing research uptake in settings such as school boards, legislatures, and advocacy coalitions.

Overview

The 2026 grant priorities center on one mission: improving the use of research evidence to benefit young people. The Foundation seeks projects that investigate how decision-makers in contentious environments adopt, interpret, and apply research findings, and how strategic interventions can improve this process.

Why This Matters

Decisions affecting youth—education policies, juvenile justice reforms, child welfare programs, or community interventions—are often shaped in polarized contexts where ideological disagreements slow or block evidence-informed choices. By funding research that tests how to strengthen evidence use, the Foundation aims to support more effective, equitable outcomes for young people nationwide.

Key Funding Priorities for 2026

1. Research Use in Politically Contested Settings

The Foundation is especially focused on studies exploring:

• How research evidence is used—or ignored—in environments with high political tension.

• Decision-making processes within bodies such as school boards, legislatures, advocacy groups, and public agencies.

• Systemic, cultural, or political barriers that prevent the use of credible research.

2. Experimental Testing of Strategies

Strong emphasis is placed on:

• Experimental or quasi-experimental designs that test interventions aimed at improving research uptake.

• Randomized trials involving schools, youth-serving agencies, or local government bodies.

• Practical strategies that support policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders in integrating evidence.

3. Demonstrating Impact on Youth Outcomes

Projects must show how enhanced research use can lead to improved decisions, policies, or program outcomes affecting young people aged roughly 5–25.

Grant Types and Funding Amounts

Major Research Grants

• Funding Range: USD 100,000–1,000,000

• Project Duration: 2–4 years

• Indirect Costs: Up to 15% allowed

• Typical Budgets:

  • Small secondary-data studies: Lower end of the range

  • New data collection: USD 300,000–600,000

  • Randomized experiments across institutions: Above USD 600,000

Officers’ Research Grants

• Funding Range: USD 25,000–50,000

• Duration: 1–2 years

• Indirect Costs: Up to 15% allowed

• Ideal for pilot studies, methodological advancements, supplements, or extensions of larger projects.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be:

• Tax-exempt organizations (non-profits, universities, research institutions)

• Not individuals (the Foundation does not directly fund individual researchers)

• Institutions with the capacity to carry out high-quality research serving youth-related policy needs

Special encouragement is given to:

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

• Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)

• Tribal Colleges and Universities

• Alaska Native- and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions

• Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISI)

What the Foundation Is Looking For

Strong proposals will:

• Use rigorous research methods suited to the political and institutional complexities of the setting

• Focus on how evidence is used in real-world decision-making

• Test interventions or strategies with potential for widespread adoption

• Produce actionable findings for policymakers and practitioners

• Prioritize equity in decision-making processes affecting marginalized or underserved youth

How to Apply

While final application materials depend on the Foundation’s official portal, the process generally involves:

1. Conceptual Preparation

• Identify a youth-serving system or politically contested environment.

• Define a research question addressing how evidence is used and why barriers exist.

• Outline an intervention, strategy, or mechanism to be tested.

2. Determine Grant Type

• Choose Major Research Grant for large-scale, rigorous, multi-year studies.

• Choose Officers’ Grant for smaller or exploratory projects.

3. Assemble the Team

• Include interdisciplinary expertise (education, political science, public policy, psychology, economics, or community partners).

• Ensure capacity for rigorous evaluation and policy communication.

4. Develop the Full Proposal

Your proposal should include:

• Background and justification

• Statement of the contested decision-making setting

• Conceptual framework

• Research design and methodology

• Data sources and collection plan

• Expected contributions and policy relevance

• Knowledge mobilization strategy

• Budget and timeline

5. Submission

Submit through the Foundation’s online system during the designated cycle dates provided on their official website.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak connection to youth outcomes: The Foundation funds only youth-centered research.

• Insufficient attention to political context: Studies must explicitly address contested or polarized decision-making settings.

• Unclear intervention: For experimental studies, vague strategies or non-testable concepts undermine competitiveness.

• Overly technical proposals: Research must produce actionable insights for decision-makers.

• Applying as an individual: Only organizations are eligible.

FAQs

1. Does the Foundation fund international organizations or international settings?
The priority is research relevant to youth in the United States. International organizations may apply only if the research directly concerns U.S. youth systems.

2. Can an individual researcher apply?
No. Grants must be submitted through a tax-exempt organization.

3. Are political advocacy projects eligible?
The Foundation supports research, not lobbying or partisan advocacy.

4. Do projects need to use an experimental design?
Not always, but experimental or quasi-experimental designs are strongly preferred, especially when testing strategies.

5. What types of youth outcomes should be measured?
Any outcome tied to education, well-being, development, safety, justice involvement, civic participation, or social equity.

6. Can new researchers or emerging scholars apply?
Yes—especially through Officers’ Research Grants or when working within an eligible institution.

7. Are institutions from underrepresented groups prioritized?
Yes. The Foundation encourages proposals from HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges, and AANAPISI institutions.

Conclusion

The William T. Grant Foundation’s 2026 funding priorities present a significant opportunity for research organizations to influence youth-related decision-making in polarized environments. By supporting rigorous, actionable studies that enhance how evidence informs policy and practice, the Foundation aims to drive long-term improvements in youth well-being, equity, and opportunity. This is a prime opportunity for institutions committed to impactful, policy-relevant research to secure substantial funding and contribute to national progress.