Call for Letters of Inquiry for Timely or COVID-19-Related Social Science Research
Application Deadline: May 21st, 2020 (2 PM EST)

The Russell Sage Foundation was established in 1907 for “the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States.” It dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, and theoretical core of the social sciences in order to better understand societal problems and develop informed responses.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, RSF is accepting letters of inquiry that satisfy the following criteria: a) the research is so timely and time-sensitive that the project must start before April 1, 2021; or, b) the research analyzes social, political, economic, or psychological disruptions resulting from the coronavirus crisis that affect social and living conditions in the United States.

All LOIs must focus on issues related to the foundation’s core program areas and special initiatives: Behavioral Economics; Decision-Making and Human Behavior in Context; Future of Work; Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration; Social, Political, and Economic Inequality.

Any LOIs submitted for this call must include an appendix of one or two pages that explains why the proposed research meets either or both criteria. This appendix does not count against the usual 4 page limit for LOIs.

The deadline for LOIs is Thursday, May 21st, 2020 at 2 PM EST. More detailed guidelines on our programs can be found here: https://www.russellsage.org/application-requirements. Potential applicants are encouraged to email programs@rsage.org for any questions.