The William T. Grant Foundation's Research Grants on Reducing Inequality program supports studies that build, test, or increase understanding of programs, policies, or practices aimed at reducing inequality in academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes for young people ages 5 to 25 in the United States. The Foundation’s primary interest is in research that addresses disparities along dimensions such as race, ethnicity, economic standing, sexual or gender minority status, language minority status, and immigrant origins. It prioritizes studies that contribute to actionable knowledge and that have practical implications for organizations, institutions, or systems.

The program funds both descriptive and intervention studies that illuminate how programs, policies, or practices function to reduce inequality. It also supports projects that improve measurement techniques relevant to inequality. However, studies focused solely on documenting the causes or consequences of inequality without an applied intervention focus are not eligible. Applications must articulate a specific inequality, provide theoretical and empirical rationale for the proposed intervention, and clearly define the population impacted. Applicants are expected to propose rigorous, methodologically sound research designs and to explain how their work will inform broader practices or policies.

There are two types of grants offered under this program. Major Research Grants range from $100,000 to $600,000 over two to three years and include up to 15 percent in indirect costs. These grants are typically for more comprehensive studies involving new data collection or experimental designs. Officers’ Research Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 over one to two years and are suitable for smaller-scale or stand-alone studies, including those that build on existing projects. Officers’ grants are decided based on the merit of the letter of inquiry alone, while major grants require a successful letter of inquiry before being invited to submit a full proposal.

The next deadline for submission of letters of inquiry for both grant types is May 7, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST. Other 2025 deadlines include January 8 and August 6. The open date for the May cycle is March 7, 2025. All applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online portal, and unsolicited full proposals will not be accepted. Only tax-exempt organizations are eligible to apply, and the Foundation does not provide funding for general operations, program implementation, tuition, or capital expenses.

The Foundation encourages applications from organizations traditionally underrepresented in the research funding landscape, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges, and AANAPISIs. It values diversity within research teams and seeks to support projects led by researchers from underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds. Applications should demonstrate a strong research design, methodological rigor, and a well-qualified team, with clear plans for collaboration, mentorship, and dissemination of findings.

For more information or specific inquiries, applicants can contact the Foundation at info@wtgrantfdn.org or visit their office at 60 E. 42nd Street, 43rd Floor, New York, NY 10165.