Building Evidence: Support for QEDs to Evaluate Social Programs and Policies
Arnold Ventures funds rigorous quasi-experimental research to generate actionable evidence on effective U.S. social policies in areas like education, Medicaid, infrastructure, and public finance.
Funder: Arnold Ventures
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Letter of Interest) | June 2027 (Full proposal, invited applicants)
Funding Amounts: Typical award range: $250,000–$750,000 (varies by project scope and duration, up to 3 years)
Summary: Supports rigorous quasi-experimental research to build actionable evidence on effective U.S. social policies in areas such as education, Medicaid, infrastructure, and public finance.
Description
Arnold Ventures seeks to advance the evidence base on effective social policies and programs by funding high-quality, causal research using quasi-experimental designs (QEDs). The initiative targets six core policy areas: Career Pathways, Contraceptive Choice and Access, Higher Education, Infrastructure, Medicaid, and Public Finance. Projects should employ robust quasi-experimental methods—such as natural experiments, regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, or instrumental variable designs—to generate actionable evidence relevant to current policy challenges. Research should clearly articulate policy relevance, contribute to existing knowledge, and outline a pathway to real-world impact.
