[Russell Sage Foundation](https://www.russellsage.org)

Up to $200,000 per project (max 2 years); typical awards range from $50,000–$200,000, including up to 15% indirect costs.

Supports innovative, well-developed social science research aligned with RSF priorities, emphasizing novel data use and methodological rigor.

LOI required before full proposal; funding rate is highly competitive (approx. 6–10% of LOIs).

--- ## Description The Russell Sage Foundation’s Core Research Grants support rigorous, well-developed research projects that address key issues in social science and align with the Foundation’s research priorities. Projects should demonstrate methodological innovation, novel uses or linkages of data, and strong conceptual frameworks. RSF encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and a diversity of research methods, including field experiments, in-depth interviews, and ethnographies. Funding is available for research assistance, data acquisition, data analysis, and investigator time for research and writing. --- ## Due Dates - October 29, 2025: Letter of Inquiry deadline (BSDMC, REI, III, SCD23 cycle) – due by 2pm ET - February 18, 2026: Invited proposal deadline (corresponding to 2025-10-29 LOI) – due by 2pm ET - March 11, 2026: Letter of Inquiry deadline (SPEI, FOW, SCD23 cycle) – due by 2pm ET - June 18, 2026: Invited proposal deadline (corresponding to 2026-03-11 LOI) – due by 2pm ET - July 15, 2026: Letter of Inquiry deadline (BSDMC, REI, III, SCD23 cycle) – due by 2pm ET - October 26, 2026: Invited proposal deadline (corresponding to 2026-07-15 LOI) – due by 2pm ET - October 28, 2026: Letter of Inquiry deadline (SPEI, FOW, SCD23 cycle) – due by 2pm ET - February 22, 2027: Invited proposal deadline (corresponding to 2026-10-28 LOI) – due by 2pm ET All applications must be submitted by 2pm Eastern Time. LOIs are required before submission of a full proposal. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $200,000 per project (including up to 15% indirect costs). - Typical project duration: Up to 2 years. - Presidential grants: Up to $75,000 (for projects with special data needs or multiple assistant professor PIs); otherwise, up to $50,000. - Funding covers research assistance, data acquisition, data analysis, and investigator time; see [budget guidelines](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/core/budget) for details. --- ## Eligibility - All applicants (PIs and Co-PIs) must have a doctorate (PhD or equivalent). In rare cases, those with strong scholarly backgrounds may be considered. - No restrictions on nationality or institutional location. - Students are not eligible to apply. - Projects must focus on the United States. Comparative or international projects are considered only if data are unavailable in the US and findings are highly relevant to US social conditions. - Each LOI should cover only one research project; multiple LOIs may be submitted for different projects in the same cycle. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Inquiry (LOI):** - Required before a full proposal can be submitted. - Maximum 4 pages (single-spaced; references not counted toward limit). - Should address research questions, data, methods, sample size, preliminary findings, conceptual framework, and a brief budget outline. - Submit via the [Fluxx online portal](https://rsf.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new). New accounts must be created at least one week before the deadline. 2. **Full Proposal (by invitation only):** - Invited applicants will be notified approximately 1 month before the proposal deadline. - Maximum 10 pages (excluding references, tables/figures, and appendices). - Must include a detailed budget and justification (use the RSF budget template), CVs (max 5 pages each), and, if applicable, draft data collection instruments and IRB approval. - Proposals are peer-reviewed by multidisciplinary experts and RSF staff. 3. **Review and Notification:** - About 15% of LOIs are invited to submit full proposals. - Final funding rate is approximately 6–10% of submitted LOIs. - Funding decisions are made at Board meetings three times per year. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must have a fully developed research design, sample framework, and data access before submission. - RSF does not fund routine analyses of publicly available data unless the use is novel (e.g., unique data linkages or restricted versions). - No support for general institutional funding, scholarships, conferences (except as part of a funded project), or health/mental health outcome studies. - Co-funding is encouraged, but RSF funds must be allocated to non-duplicative budget items. --- ## External Links - [Core Research Grants Program Page](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/core) - [Research Priorities](https://www.russellsage.org/research/priorities) - [Application Requirements](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/core/requirements) - [Budget Guidelines](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/core/budget) - [Application Deadlines](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/application-deadlines) - [Grant Writing Tips & Resources](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/core-research-grants/tips) - [Fluxx Application Portal](https://rsf.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new) - [Core Grants FAQ](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/faq) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Contact | |----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [info@rsage.org](mailto:info@rsage.org) | | Program staff (application fit, feedback) | [programs@rsage.org](mailto:programs@rsage.org) | | Phone | +1 212-750-6000 | | Online contact form | [Contact RSF](https://www.russellsage.org/about/contact) | ---

Core Research Grants

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