The Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) and the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Initiative on Immigration and Immigrant Integration supports innovative research that explores the effects of race, citizenship, legal status, politics, political culture, and public policy on immigrants in the United States. This initiative is part of RSF’s broader Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration Program and focuses on understanding how these factors shape the experiences and outcomes of immigrants, as well as U.S.-born individuals across different racial and ethnic groups and generations. The aim is to promote research that strengthens theoretical and empirical knowledge on immigrant integration and the role of various social, economic, and political forces in shaping these outcomes.

The initiative has been funding immigration research for over 25 years, significantly contributing to the field of immigrant integration, intergenerational mobility, and political incorporation. Prior research has shown that immigrants and their children experience positive outcomes over time, with second and later generations achieving similar levels of integration as U.S.-born citizens in areas such as education, income, and language proficiency. However, challenges remain, particularly around legal status, race, and political barriers, which can hinder full integration. The program is particularly interested in studies that examine how social and political institutions influence immigrant progress, the impact of federal policy changes, and the resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S.

This initiative encourages proposals that focus on legal status, naturalization, civic engagement, ethnic identity, and the role of race and religion in immigrant integration. Specific areas of interest include how legal status affects economic and social outcomes, the effects of deportation policies, and the criminalization of undocumented status. It also invites research on factors influencing naturalization rates, the role of civic institutions in fostering engagement, and how mixed-race or pan-ethnic identities affect integration outcomes. Additionally, the initiative is interested in studying the ongoing disparities in integration among different racial groups, particularly Black immigrants and Muslim communities, and how discrimination and prejudice shape their experiences.

The program supports research that utilizes both public and private data sources, including government administrative data, specialized surveys, and social media, to explore these topics. Researchers are encouraged to address data limitations that hinder comprehensive analyses of immigrant integration, such as difficulties in measuring variables like legal status or generation. Proposals that creatively use administrative data or develop new data collection methods, such as field experiments or in-depth interviews, are particularly welcome.

Funding is available through two types of grants. Trustee Grants offer up to $200,000 over two years, including 15 percent for indirect costs, and support activities such as data analysis, research assistance, and investigator time. Presidential Awards provide up to $50,000 for general research projects and up to $75,000 for projects involving special data collection. Proposals should demonstrate well-developed research designs, clear research questions, and specified analytical models.

The foundation encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and methodological diversity, with the goal of advancing the understanding of immigrant integration in a way that informs public policy and addresses current social and political challenges facing immigrants in the U.S. Interested researchers should consult the initiative's upcoming deadlines for submission and ensure that their proposals align with the initiative's objectives and funding priorities.