The Russell Sage Foundation’s program on the Future of Work supports innovative research focused on understanding the changing nature of jobs for low- and moderately paid workers and the consequences for these workers and their families in the U.S. The program seeks investigator-initiated proposals that explore the impact of changes in employer practices, labor market dynamics, and public policies on employment, earnings, and job quality. Projects should examine the role of market and non-market forces in shaping workers' well-being, with a particular emphasis on the effects of these changes on low-income workers.

The foundation encourages projects that make use of new data or employ novel methodologies with a well-developed conceptual framework and rigorous research design. RSF supports original data collection in cases where projects align with program priorities, including survey and field experiments as well as qualitative studies. Methodological diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration are also encouraged. The Foundation does not prioritize studies related to health outcomes or educational processes but is interested in research on educational inequalities.

Research topics of interest include how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and automation, affect employment, job skills, and worker productivity. The program also seeks to understand changes in labor force participation and turnover since the COVID-19 pandemic, including how remote work and new employer practices have impacted workers. Other research areas focus on the role of labor market institutions and policies in shaping employment outcomes and wage dynamics, as well as the effects of nonstandard work arrangements and changes in employer practices on job stability and career progression for workers. Additionally, RSF is interested in the effectiveness of workforce development programs and policies that improve job mobility and retraining in response to technological changes.

Funding can be used for various research needs, including data collection, analysis, and investigator time. Trustee Grants are capped at $200,000 over a two-year period (including up to 15% for indirect costs). Presidential Awards are capped at $50,000 (with no indirect costs), though projects with specific needs, such as qualitative research or restricted-use data access, may request up to $75,000.

Before submitting a full proposal, applicants must first submit a four-page Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to ensure alignment with RSF’s priorities. All applications are processed through RSF's online system, Fluxx. For more information, potential applicants can contact Aixa Cintrón-Vélez, the Program Director, at programs@rsage.org.