[Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation](https://www.kauffman.org)

August 2026 (Letter of Interest) | October 2026 (Full Proposal)

At least $150,000 per year; typically multi-year awards; one round annually.

Supports research that advances understanding and solutions for equitable economic mobility and opportunity, emphasizing systemic barriers and actionable impact, with a focus on the Kansas City region.

--- ## Description The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Research Grants program funds innovative projects that deepen understanding of equitable economic mobility and increase opportunity, particularly through the lens of the Foundation’s strategic priorities: college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship. The program welcomes proposals that investigate and address systemic barriers to mobility—such as those related to race, gender, and geography—and encourages research that translates findings into practical tools, resources, or policy recommendations. While research with direct relevance to the Kansas City region is prioritized, projects with broader applicability are also considered, provided they can demonstrate relevance or transferability of findings to Kansas City. The Foundation values a wide range of methodologies and disciplines, including quantitative, qualitative, participatory, and mixed-methods approaches. Community-engaged research, data integration, and dissemination strategies that maximize impact are especially encouraged. --- ## Due Dates - August 2026 (anticipated): Letter of Interest (LOI) deadline - October 2026 (anticipated): Full proposal deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Minimum award: $150,000 per year - Typical duration: multi-year (project-dependent) - Frequency: Once annually - Indirect costs: Allowed, per Foundation policy Awards are sized to support research at a scale that can drive meaningful impact. --- ## Eligibility - Open to a range of organizations, including: - 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations - Colleges and universities - Think tanks, policy, or research institutions - For-profit and other types of organizations (with restrictions; see below) - Projects must: - Address at least one of the Foundation’s strategic priorities: college access and completion, workforce and career development, or entrepreneurship - Demonstrate potential impact on the Kansas City region, either directly or through transferable insights - Request at least $150,000 per year in funding - Not eligible: - Individuals (no direct scholarships) - Requests to fund starting a business or patent expenses - Bricks and mortar (buildings/housing), endowments, loans, or seed capital for private business - Political, lobbying, or religious activities - Medical/health-focused projects - Institutions that discriminate For organizations outside the Kansas City region, applicants must show a connection to or impact on the region. --- ## Application Process The grant uses a two-stage application process: 1. **Letter of Interest (LOI):** - Submit an LOI via the [Kauffman grants portal](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/#eligibility). - LOI should be no more than two pages and address: project aims, significance, relevance to Kansas City, methodology, timeline, budget, and team expertise. - See the [LOI process details](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/project-research-grants-process/) and [application preview (PDF)](https://www.kauffman.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/kauffman_research-grants_application-preview_july2025_for-reference-only.pdf) for specifics. 2. **Full Proposal (by invitation):** - Selected applicants will be invited to submit a detailed full proposal. - Full proposals require expanded narratives, detailed budgets, dissemination plans, and supporting documents. **Review:** Proposals are peer-reviewed by Foundation staff and external experts, with emphasis on alignment to strategic priorities, methodological rigor, and potential for actionable impact. --- ## Additional Information - Research outside Kansas City must articulate relevance or transferability to the region. - Only one grant award per organization at a time is typical. - Indirect cost rates apply; see [indirect cost policy](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/indirect-cost-rate/). - Webinars and office hours are available for applicant support ([details](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/webinars/)). - Community-engaged research is highly valued and should include partnership and compensation plans for engaged work. - Grantees work closely with the Foundation’s Research, Learning, and Evaluation team throughout the grant period. --- ## External Links - [Program Page: Research Grants](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/research/) - [Eligibility Quiz & Application Portal](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/#eligibility) - [Letters of Interest Process](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/project-research-grants-process/) - [FAQs](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/faqs/) - [Indirect Cost Policy](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/indirect-cost-rate/) - [Application Preview (PDF)](https://www.kauffman.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/kauffman_research-grants_application-preview_july2025_for-reference-only.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Method | |----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [Contact Form](https://www.kauffman.org/contact/) | | Phone | 816-932-1000 | | Grantee Help Desk | [Grantee Help Desk Form](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/faqs/#grantee-help-desk) | | Webinars/Support | [Webinars & Office Hours](https://www.kauffman.org/funding/grants/webinars/) |

Research Grants - Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

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