How the Russell Sage Foundation Grants Drive Impact

For over a century, the Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) has been a leader in American social science. As a foundation with a mission committed to improving Americans' social circumstances and living conditions, RSF provides grants for scholars addressing some of the nation's most pressing social, economic, and political issues. But behind each grant awarded is a richer story, an equity-driven one of scholarly integrity and lasting impact.

This blog provides an in-depth look at RSF’s complete spectrum of grant options, eligibility, application, and RSF’s transformative mission in advancing public-interest research. We’ll also cover how RSF’s Fluxx grants administration system simplifies the process so RSF and its applicants can focus more on results rather than bureaucracy.

A Tradition of Investing in Research That Counts

The Russell Sage Foundation is not only a grantmaker but an organization committed to advancing social science in the public interest. From its start in 1907 up until today, RSF has supported thousands of scholars in studying urgent national problems concerning inequality, labor, immigration, education, criminal justice, and so forth.

Its grantees have influenced policy, contributed to public debate, and generated knowledge that endures. RSF's mission is straightforward: support trail-blazing research in order to contribute towards a better society.

Overview of Grants by Russell Sage Foundation

RSF offers a range of grant and fellowship programs for scientists at different stages of their research careers. Here is a brief overview of major funding streams:

Core Project Grants

These are RSF’s signature funding programs, offering up to $200,000 for frontier research consistent with Foundation core program themes:

• Social, Political, and Economic Inequality
• Future of Work
• Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
• Behavioral Science for Decision Making in Context

Grants support research which goes beyond description to raise causal questions, apply robust designs, and report results with generalizability for public policy or social intervention.

Pipeline Grants

With a focus on equity and inclusion, Pipeline Grants award up to $65,000 in support for early-career scholars who are underrepresented in the social sciences. These include:

• Black, Latinx, Native/Indigenous, and Asian American scholars
• Women and nonbinary scholars
• First-generation scholars

The program is in honor of RSF President Sheldon Danziger and is intended to fund tenure-track scholars whose research is bound to include frontier scientific contributions.

Dissertation Research Grants

For Ph.D. aspirants who are “ABD” (All But Dissertation), such $15,000 awards are a much-needed boost for those undertaking original research. RSF is supportive of initiatives which:

• Sync with Foundation program areas
• Use strong empirical designs
• Demonstrate research independence

Early Career Grants in Criminal Justice

This is a research program for junior scholars on causal problems in criminal justice agencies. Awards are for research on policing, incarceration, sentencing, or reentry with direct relevance for U.S. policy.

Visiting Scholar & Researcher Fellowships

Residential fellowships allow mid-career scholars and journalists a sabbatical year at RSF in New York City. Scholars experience a vibrant intellectual setting and access to leading institutions.

Closing the Gap: Why These Grants Matter

Across all its programs, RSF addresses systematic shortcomings in support, access to opportunity, and inclusion in the social sciences.

Supporting Underrepresented Researchers

Most early-career scholars and those from underrepresented groups experience structural obstacles in receiving research funding, and particularly for research initiatives not tied to high-profile or commercially productive agendas. RSF's dedication to diversity extends beyond window dressing: it actually funds individuals representing distinctive kinds of knowledge about national problems.

Progressing Toward Evidence-Based

Whether it is criminal justice research, immigration research, or educational equity research, RSF grantees consistently produce research which impacts federal, state, and local policy. It is not research for research’s sake, it’s research for action.

Building the Research Pipeline

By sponsoring dissertation research and early-career research, RSF lays the foundation for robust longer-term academic careers founded on public-interest research. The result: a richer, more inclusive, and more policy-informed literature in social science scholarship.

Eligible for RSF Grants Are

Eligibility is program-specific; RSF prefers to support scholars with demonstrated scholarly potential, clear research plans, and applicability for the Foundation's mission.

Core Research Grant Eligibility

• Principal Investigators should hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree and should be based at a U.S. institution.
• They are promoted for teamwork but the leading applicant should meet all requirements.
• These assignments should focus primarily on U.S. populations or policy but can utilize international information for comparative purposes.
• Grants aren't given to organizations or institutions, they’re only given to individual scientists.

Dissertation Research Eligibility

• They should be Ph.D. aspirants in the U.S., at least at the ABD level but not yet defended.
• These should demonstrate autonomy relative to the dissertation advisor.
• Students attending fully funded schools are less competitive by definition due to RSF’s focus on need and access.

Pipeline Grant Eligibility

• Open to assistant professors whose PhD was awarded on or after January 1st 2014.
• Applicants should not already have had an RSF grant.
• Proposals should explain how support will help expedite publication, tenure or broader scholarly impact.

New Career in Criminal Justice Grant Eligibility

• Intended for early-career faculty in the U.S.
• Such projects should concentrate on causal issues pertaining to criminal justice reform.
• Support is permitted for research funded by external agencies; such research shall fall within a specified scope.

Driving Impact Through Funding That Matters

The Russell Sage Foundation does not only fund scholarly research, it empowers a next wave of scholars to tackle the nation's most pressing social problems with rigor, clarity, and purpose. From early-career scholars to Ph.D. candidates at the cusp of discovery, RSF programs aim at encouraging opportunity, driving equity, and fostering real-world impact.

As a social scientist committed to research in the public interest, RSF offers not only support, but partnership, counsel, and a vehicle for action.

Find information about the Russell Sage Foundation and its available funding on their website.