Social, Political, and Economic Inequality
Funds research on the causes and consequences of social, political, and economic inequalities in the U.S., focusing on their effects on mobility, opportunity, and civic participation.
Funder: Russell Sage Foundation
Due Dates: March 11, 2026: LOI deadline | June 18, 2026: Invited full proposal deadline | October 28, 2026: LOI deadline | February 22, 2027: Invited full proposal deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to $200,000 per project (including indirect costs); typical duration is up to 2 years.
Summary: Supports research on the causes and consequences of social, political, and economic inequalities in the U.S. and their effects on mobility, opportunity, and civic participation.
Key Information: Only PhD holders (or equivalent) may apply; students are not eligible.
Description
The Russell Sage Foundation’s Social, Political, and Economic Inequality program funds innovative social science research to investigate the causes and consequences of inequalities in the United States. The program encourages projects that examine how disparities in income, wealth, education, political participation, and other domains impact individuals and communities, with a particular focus on mobility, opportunity, and civic engagement. Research may address economic, racial, ethnic, gender, immigration, or other status-based inequalities and their implications for social and economic outcomes.
The Foundation seeks proposals that advance understanding of:
- Economic wellbeing, opportunity, and intergenerational mobility
- The impact of policy and policymaking on inequality
- Political institutions, polarization, and the democratic process
- Neighborhoods, geographic mobility, and community effects
- Criminal justice, incarceration, and legal system impacts
- Psychological, cultural, and educational consequences of inequality
Projects should have fully developed research designs and, where relevant, demonstrate novel use of data or original data collection.
