The Russell Sage Foundation (RSF), in partnership with the Criminal Justice program at Arnold Ventures (AV), has launched its inaugural annual grants competition titled "Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System" (CRCJ). This initiative is focused on fostering early-career scholars who are committed to conducting rigorous causal research on various components of the criminal justice system. The areas of interest include police practices, court procedures, jails, prisons, probation, parole, and immigration detention.

This grant program seeks proposals that employ causal research designs capable of reliably isolating the treatment effects of a specific policy, practice, or intervention. Preferred methodologies include difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, and randomized controlled trials. Mixed methods proposals will also be considered, provided a causal research design is central to the study. The overarching goal is to build a strong pipeline of researchers equipped to address critical questions in criminal justice through high-quality empirical evidence.

Funding is intended to support research that aligns with the initiative’s focus on identifying the impact of specific changes or interventions within the criminal justice system. Though detailed award amounts are not listed in the overview, applicants should consult the grant writing guidelines for comprehensive funding specifications and expectations.

Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to early-career scholars. Detailed information about eligibility requirements is available through RSF’s website. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that their proposal fits within the thematic and methodological expectations set by the foundation and its partner, Arnold Ventures.

To apply, scholars must submit a proposal through the foundation’s designated application portal. RSF provides detailed guidance on application requirements, including a set of grant writing guidelines and a frequently asked questions section specific to the CRCJ grant. These resources are highly recommended for all applicants to understand the foundation’s expectations and to prepare a competitive submission.

The next deadline for proposal submissions is 2:00 PM Eastern Time on April 3, 2025. This is the only currently announced deadline for the CRCJ program. Applicants should plan accordingly and monitor RSF’s official website for updates or additional cycles in the future.