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

February 3, 2026 (Full application deadline; 2:00 PM Eastern / 11:00 AM Pacific)

Up to $15,000 per grant; RSF expects to approve up to 20 grants.

Supports U.S.-based doctoral students conducting innovative dissertation research in the social sciences aligned with RSF’s priority areas.

--- ## Description The Russell Sage Foundation's Dissertation Research Grants program provides support for doctoral students pursuing original, high-quality dissertation research in the social sciences. Projects must address key questions relevant to RSF’s priority areas, including Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context; Future of Work; Race, Ethnicity and Immigration; Immigration and Immigrant Integration; and Social, Political, and Economic Inequality. The Foundation seeks proposals that are methodologically rigorous, make innovative use of theory and data, and contribute to its mission of improving social and living conditions in the United States. Grants are intended to cover research expenses such as data collection, analysis, and fieldwork, but not for projects solely focused on dissertation writing after data collection and analysis are complete. --- ## Due Dates - February 3, 2026: Full application deadline (applications accepted through 2:00 PM Eastern Time / 11:00 AM Pacific Time) Decisions are expected to be announced in May, with grants beginning on or after July 1. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $15,000 per dissertation project - Up to 20 grants are expected to be made in this cycle - Funds may be used for research expenses including data collection, fieldwork, analysis, and related costs - Grants are administered through the student’s university, which acts as the fiscal agent --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be enrolled doctoral students at a U.S. institution or U.S. territory who have completed all program requirements except the dissertation. - The dissertation supervisor must verify that the research is as described in the proposal and has been approved by the dissertation committee. - Only one dissertation research grant per applicant (lifetime limit); previous RSF grant recipients are ineligible. - Applicants fully funded by departmental, university, or national fellowships for the proposed grant period are unlikely to be considered; those with Teaching or Research Assistantships may still be eligible. - RSF encourages applications from scholars underrepresented in the social sciences, including but not limited to racial, ethnic, gender, sexual identity, first-generation, disciplinary, institutional, and geographic diversity. - Projects must be closely aligned with RSF’s priority research areas. --- ## Application Process 1. **Create an Account:** Register or log in to the [RSF Fluxx online application portal](https://rsf.fluxx.io/). New accounts may take up to 5 business days to approve; create accounts at least one week before the deadline. 2. **Start an Application:** Begin a new "Dissertation Research Grants" application and select the appropriate program option. 3. **Submit Required Documents:** - A concise (max 5 pages, single-spaced) research proposal - An abbreviated CV (max 5 pages) - Brief budget description and explanation of how RSF funds will be used 4. **If Invited (after positive review):** - Letter from dissertation supervisor confirming project approval - Detailed Excel budget (using RSF template) - Budget narrative and timeline - IRB approval/exemption, data access confirmation, and pre-registration proof (if applicable) 5. **Review Process:** Applications undergo internal and external review. Reviewer comments are provided. Funding decisions are final. --- ## Additional Information - Grants are administered by the applicant’s university, which serves as the fiscal agent. - Narrative and financial reports are due at the conclusion of the grant period. - Projects coauthored with faculty are eligible, but faculty coauthors cannot receive funding. - Applicants not funded may reapply in future cycles. - Some grants may be co-funded by the W.E. Upjohn Institute, The Policy Academies, or the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, depending on research topic. --- ## External Links - [Program Overview](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/dissertation) - [Application Portal (Fluxx)](https://rsf.fluxx.io/) - [Application Requirements](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/dissertation/requirements) - [Budget Guidelines](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/dissertation/budget) - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/grants/dissertation/terms) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/faq) - [Upcoming Deadlines](https://www.russellsage.org/apply/application-deadlines) - [Contact Page](https://www.russellsage.org/about/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |--------------|------------------------------------------| | Email | info@rsage.org | | Phone | +1 212-750-6000 | | Mailing Addr | 112 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA | | Web Contact | [Contact Form](https://www.russellsage.org/about/contact) | | Program Email| programs@rsage.org (for eligibility questions) | ---

Dissertation Research Grants - Russell Sage Foundation

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