Building Evidence: Support for QEDs to Evaluate Social Programs and Policies
Arnold Ventures funds rigorous quasi-experimental research to build actionable evidence on effective U.S. social policies in areas like education, healthcare, and public finance.
Funder: Arnold Ventures
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027: Letter of Interest (LOI) deadline | June 2027: Full proposal deadline for invited applicants
Funding Amounts: Typical awards range from $250,000 to over $1,000,000 for multi-year projects; budgets outside this range may be considered.
Summary: Supports rigorous quasi-experimental research to build actionable evidence on effective social programs and policies in key U.S. policy areas.
Description
This grant opportunity from Arnold Ventures is designed to advance the evidence base for effective social policies and programs in the United States by funding rigorous, causal research using quasi-experimental designs (QEDs). The initiative seeks to generate actionable evidence that can inform policy decisions and improve outcomes in areas such as Career Pathways, Contraceptive Choice and Access, Higher Education, Infrastructure, Medicaid, and Public Finance. Supported studies should employ strong quasi-experimental methods—such as natural experiments, regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, or instrumental variable designs—to address pressing, policy-relevant questions. Projects must demonstrate methodological rigor, clear pathways to policy impact, and alignment with Arnold Ventures’ research priorities.
