This program supports research to build, test, or increase understanding of programs, policies, or practices to reduce inequality in the academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes of young people ages 5-25 in the United States.
Our research interests center on studies that examine ways to reduce inequality in youth outcomes. We welcome descriptive studies that clarify mechanisms for reducing inequality or elucidate how or why a specific program, policy, or practice operates to reduce inequality. We also welcome intervention studies that examine attempts to reduce inequality. Finally, we welcome studies that improve the measurement of inequality in ways that can enhance the work of researchers, practitioners, or policymakers.
Major Research Grants
- $100,000 to $600,000 over 2-3 years, including up to 15% indirect costs.Projects involving secondary data analysis are typically at the lower end of the budget range, whereas projects involving new data collection and sample recruitment can be at the higher end. Proposals to launch experiments in which settings (e.g., classrooms, schools, youth programs) are randomly assigned to conditions sometimes have higher awards.
- 2025 application deadlines for major research grants are: January 8, May 7, and August 6 at 3:00 PM ET.
Officers’ Research Grants
- $25,000–$50,000 over 1-2 years, including up to 15% indirect costs. Studies may be stand-alone projects or may build off larger projects. The budget should be appropriate for the activities proposed.
- 2025 application deadlines for Officers’ research grants are: January 8 and August 6 at 3:00 PM ET.
Before approaching the funder or submitting an application:
- Prospective applicants from Duke University – contact Angela Crews in the Office of Foundation Relations, University Development at 919-681-0468 or angela.crews@duke.edu.
- Prospective applicants from Duke Medicine – contact Anita Shirley in Foundation Relations and Corporate Giving, Duke Medicine Development and Alumni Affairs at 919-385-3117 or anita.shirley@duke.edu
- The Foundation makes grants only to tax-exempt organizations. We do not make grants to individuals.
- The Foundation defers to the applying organization’s criteria for who is eligible to act as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on a grant. In general, we expect that all investigators will have the experience and skills to carry out the proposed work.