North America Social Policy Research Initiative (SPRI)
North America Social Policy Research Initiative (SPRI) supports researchers conducting randomized evaluations of US social programs and policies to identify what works and inform efforts to reduce poverty.
Funder: Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab
Due Dates: January 12, 2027, 5 p.m. ET (Current cycle proposals) | June 8, 2027 (Next cycle proposals)
Funding Amounts: Travel/development: up to $5,000; pilots: up to $50,000; full projects: typically $150,000–$250,000, maximum $400,000; pilot, full, and add-on awards: up to three years
Summary: Supports randomized evaluations of US social programs and policies that generate rigorous evidence to reduce poverty.
Key Information: Restricted to eligible J-PAL network researchers, qualifying graduate students, and 2026 ARTEMIS participants (pilot funding only).
Description
J-PAL North America’s Social Policy Research Initiative (SPRI) supports randomized impact evaluations of innovative social programs and policies, helping identify which policies work best and why. Its semiannual requests for proposals support research contributing to J-PAL’s mission of reducing poverty through evidence-informed policy. Areas include education, climate, energy and the environment, housing and homelessness, labor, consumer finance, and government efficiency.
SPRI particularly welcomes research aligned with its Researching Racial Equity priorities. Proposals should explain their relevance to pressing public policy issues and economically marginalized populations, including people living in poverty, people at risk of falling into poverty, and racial or ethnic groups economically marginalized through structural racism. Crime and health proposals may fit better with J-PAL North America’s dedicated initiatives.
