Subject: Youth Development, Research, Inequality, Disadvantaged Youth
Deadline: Aug. 4, 2015
“We are focused on youth ages 5 to 25 in the United States. We fund research that increases our understanding of:
• programs, policies, and practices that reduce inequality in youth outcomes; and
• the use of research evidence in policy and practice.
We seek research that builds stronger theory and empirical evidence in these two areas. We intend for the research we support to inform change. While we do not expect that any one study will create that change, the research should contribute to a body of useful knowledge to improve the lives of young people.
To propose research on reducing inequality, applicants should clearly identify the dimension of inequality (e.g., race, ethnicity, economic standing, and/or immigrant origins), and make a case for its importance. Applicants should specify the youth outcome(s) to be studied (e.g., academic, social, behavioral, and/or economic), and show that the outcomes are currently unequal. Strong proposals will establish a clear link between a particular dimension of inequality and specific youth outcomes. Most studies will provide direct evidence of impact on youth outcomes, but we will consider studies that examine intermediate outcomes shown in other work to reduce inequality in youth development.
Applicants should also include a compelling case for how the study is relevant to reducing inequality, not just to furthering an understanding of inequality as a problem. Inequality may be reduced by implementing a program, policy, or practice that helps disadvantaged students more than others, or by applying a universally beneficial approach in a compensatory way so that it especially helps the youth who need it most. Studies may address a key dilemma that practitioners or policymakers face in addressing unequal youth outcomes, or challenge assumptions that underlie current approaches.”
Funder: The William T. Grant Foundation
Eligibility: “Applicant must employed at a tax-exempt organization. Funds must primarily support research activities, not intervention or service costs. The research project must have compelling relevance for programs, policies, and practices affecting youth ages 5-25 in the U.S.”
Amount: $100,000 – $600,000.
Contact: Link.
