Application Deadlines
Core Programs and Special Initiatives
Funding Guidelines for March 11, 2026 Deadline
RSF will only accept letters of inquiry (LOIs) under its core programs for Social, Political and Economic Inequality (SPEI), the Future of Work (FOW) and its special initiative Implications of the 2023 Supreme Court Decision to Ban Race-Conscious Admissions at Colleges and Universities for Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility (SCD23).
The Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context (BSDMC) and Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration (REI) and its special initiative on Immigration and Immigrant Integration (III) programs are not accepting applications.
LOIs must include specific information about the proposed data and research design. After peer review, about 15% of those who submit an LOI will receive an invitation to submit a proposal. If you are unsure about the foundation's expectations, we strongly recommend that you review the grant writing guidelines on our website and also view an instructional webinar.
*ALL applications (LOIs & Proposals) are due by 2pm ET/11am PT
| Letter of Inquiry Deadline | Invited Proposal Deadline | Funding Decision | Grant Start Date (on/after) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 2025 (BSDMC, REI, III, SCD23) | Jun 17, 2025 | Nov 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 |
| July 16, 2025 (SPEI, FOW, SCD23) | Oct 27, 2025 | Mar 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| Oct 29, 2025 (BSDMC, REI, III, SCD23) | Feb 18, 2026 | Jun 2026 | Sept 1, 2026 |
| Mar 11, 2026 (SPEI, FOW, SCD23) | Jun 18, 2026 | Nov 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 |
| July 15, 2026 (BSDMC, REI, III) | Oct 26, 2026 | Mar 2027 | May 1, 2027 |
Visiting Scholars
| Year in residence | Application deadline | DECISION |
|---|---|---|
| September 2027 – June 2028 | June 25, 2026 (2pm ET) | December 2026 |
Visiting Researchers
| For Residency Between | Application deadline | DECISION |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 - June 2027 | May 5, 2026 (2pm ET) | June 2026 |
The next deadline is Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 2pm ET.
Note: Applicants can apply for either the Sheldon Danziger Pipeline Grants Competition or the October LOI deadline, but not both.
The next deadline is April 1, 2026 at 2PM ET.
The Foundation’s grantmaking prioritizes its core programs and special initiatives.
RSF funds only social science research that seeks to “improve social and living conditions in the US.”
RSF has three funding cycles per year and only considers proposals that are invited following review of an initial letter of inquiry.
RSF employs a rigorous multi-disciplinary review process. Please review our tips for grant seekers.
We have provided examples of successful Letters of Intent and Proposals.