Frequently Asked Questions

RSF funds specific investigator-initiated research projects that align with its research priorities and further its mission. We are particularly interested in analyses that make use of newly available data or demonstrate novel uses of existing data, to answer emerging or long-standing questions of interest in the foundation’s program areas and special initiatives. We also support original data collection, including field and survey experiments, in-depth qualitative interviews, and ethnographies.

RSF does not consider submissions that solely make routine use of publicly-available data, such as the Current Population Survey, American Community Survey, Panel Study of Income Dynamics, National Longitudinal survey of Youth, etc. Only novel uses of these data sets, particularly ones that link publicly-available data to new data sets or ones that use the restricted versions of these data will be considered.

RSF priorities do not include analyses of health or mental health outcomes or health behaviors as these are priorities for other funders. For the same reason, RSF seldom supports studies focused on educational processes or curricular issues. RSF does, however, support research that examines the causes and consequences of inequalities in student achievement or educational attainment.

We do not make general support grants to other institutions; only specific research project grants that further our declared program goals are permitted. We do not give scholarships or other types of grants for support of college funding. We do not fund residential fellowships elsewhere.

We do not support projects where the proposed research has already been circulated as a working paper or submitted for publication.

We do not typically provide support for conferences and workshops independent of a specific project and affiliated grant. In some rare cases, we will consider providing partial support for a specific research conference that furthers the goals of the foundation. Open-ended conferences will not be considered.

Please see the budget guidelines page.

Typically, no. In line with the RSF's mandate, all projects must focus on the U.S. In exceptional cases, RSF may consider comparative projects or projects analyzing data collected outside the U.S. (e.g., experimental data, survey data, etc.) if the researcher can demonstrate that the data needed for the project is not available, nor obtainable, in the U.S., and that the analysis has strong relevance to improving social and living conditions in the United States.

Yes, please refer to our current deadlines for the latest information. Our deadlines are strict due to the large volume of applications that we receive. Please be sure to submit before the specific time, which is generally 2pm Eastern Time/11am Pacific Time. Any applications submitted after the cut-off time will automatically be deferred to the next round of applications.

All applications must be submitted directly by an eligible principal investigator (PI) or co-PI of the proposed project. The account must be in the name of the applicant. For example, university administration staff or a student may not submit on behalf of faculty. If the person submitting the application is not eligible to apply, the foundation will not consider the application. Grants administrators may occasionally be granted access to the record.

The foundation’s limited budget means that it can only fund a small number of projects each year. All applications go through a rigorous peer-review process. Because the foundation receives many more high-quality proposals than it can fund, it is frequently unable to support worthy projects in its priority areas.

Based on recent funding cycles, the funding rate for our core research grants is around 8-9%. The funding rate for our early-career grants tends to be a little higher: about 12-15% for the pipeline and dissertation grants. Our visiting scholar fellowship program has about a 20% acceptance rate.

All applications that are sent out for external review will receive reviewer comments on their application whether funded or not. Applications that do not make it past the initial internal screen will not receive comments due to the large volume of applications we receive. The most common reasons for applications being declined at the initial screen are that the application: (1) is not perceived to be well-aligned with the Foundation’s funding priorities; (2) lacks sufficient detail on the research design, data, and methods to allow reviewers to assess the viability of the project; or (3) is poorly framed or written. Applicants who do not receive comments may email programs@rsage.org to request feedback from the initial screen.

An applicant may revise an application and submit during a subsequent funding round. However, the application will be processed as a new submission.

Yes. If a draft application is not electronically submitted by the next applicable deadline, the application will automatically be withdrawn and you will need to restart the process.

If you have questions about the application, budget, or process in general, email us at programs@rsage.org and one of our program staff will respond. Applicants are also encouraged to reach out to program staff in advance to inquire about the fit of their proposed project with current funding priorities.

All applicants for core research grants (both PIs and Co-PIs) must have a doctorate. In rare circumstances, RSF may consider applications from scholars who do not hold a doctorate but can demonstrate a strong career background that establishes their ability to conduct high-level, peer-reviewed scholarly research. Students may not be applicants. Core research grants have no restrictions on nationality or institution location.

Yes. Applications for core grants must be preceded by a 4-page letter of inquiry to determine whether our present interests and funds permit consideration of a proposal. We do not consider unsolicited proposals.

Please see our application requirements for core grants.

No. RSF does not require a full budget at the time of submitting the LOI. An applicant may include one to two sentences with brief details on the proposed budget in the LOI. If the LOI is invited to submit a full proposal, a full budget will be required for the proposal submission.

Please see our budget guidelines for core grants.

Each project or experiment proposed in the LOI should include as much information as possible in the space provided in terms of data to be used and why it is appropriate for answering the questions posed, sample sizes and power analyses (where relevant), key explanatory variables and how they are measured, the primary analyses to be performed, major strengths and limitation of the approach and design, etc. The investigator should also consider whether the projects/experiments differ enough so that separate LOIs should be submitted. In most cases however, investigators would have a higher chance of success if they submitted separate LOIs. The primary reason for this is that including more than one project/experiment in an LOI means that there is typically insufficient information on any one on which to base a determination about whether to invite a full proposal. Our experience is that most LOIs that describe multiple projects/experiments in one LOI do not provide sufficient detail about any one project/experiment.

Yes, you may submit multiple letters of inquiry (for different projects) for the same funding cycle. You do not need to submit the same LOI to different research priorities as your application will be evaluated across all of our research priorities, regardless of which you apply under. If your project aligns with a research priority that is not being considered in a particular cycle, the LOI will be held until the next cycle.

Applicants will be notified by email as soon as a decision has been made. Decisions may be made at different stages of the review process. We aim to send out decisions no later than 1 month before the corresponding proposal deadline.

The foundation employs a rigorous review process, even for letters of inquiry. LOIs can be reviewed by foundation program staff, external reviewers from multiple disciplines with substantive expertise in the project’s topic area and/or methodology, one of the foundation’s standing Advisory Committees, or some combination of these.

Applications that are sent out for external review will receive reviewer comments on their application whether funded or not. Applications that do not make it past the initial internal screen will not receive comments due to the large volume of applications we receive. The most common reasons for applications being declined at the initial screen are that the application: (1) is not perceived to be well-aligned with the Foundation’s funding priorities; (2) lacks sufficient detail on the research design, data, and methods to allow reviewers to assess the viability of the project; or (3) is poorly framed or written. Applicants who do not receive comments may email programs@rsage.org to request feedback from the initial screen.

No, you do not need to include the draft instrument at the LOI stage. However, you do need to confirm that you have or will have a draft instrument ready to include with your proposal, if invited. Your LOI must include a discussion of the proposed instrument as part of the research design section. You may include example questions if it helps to illustrate your research design. Core grants do not support the development of the instrument as part of the proposed project.

You are expected to submit your proposal by the deadline for which you are invited. However, you may request a deferral to a subsequent deadline if you need more time to prepare your proposal. Deferrals must be requested as soon as possible and at least 2 weeks before the proposal deadline. If you do not submit your proposal and you have not requested a deferral, your application will be considered withdrawn and you will need to restart the application process by submitting a new letter of inquiry.

In rare circumstances, the foundation may make decisions about proposals with budgets below $75,000 outside of its regular funding cycles if the proposed project is time constrained due to external factors. A special request must be made to the foundation outlining the reasons for the time-constraint, which we will evaluate on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware that only external factors affecting your proposed project, such as the implementation of a law or an election cycle, for example, qualify as valid time constraints. Whether the foundation can accommodate your request is also subject to the availability of time and funds. Please note that the review process still takes 4-6 weeks on average from the date of the proposal’s submission.

As with letters of inquiry, invited proposals can be reviewed by foundation program staff, external reviewers from multiple disciplines with substantive expertise in the project’s topic area and/or methodology, one of the foundation’s standing Advisory Committees, or some combination of these. Proposals with budgets greater than $75,000 that receive positive reviews in the first stages of the review process will undergo a final review by the Board of Trustees.

Please see our application requirements for core grants.

Co-funding is encouraged as long as RSF is made aware of existing and/or potential co-funding and requested RSF funds are allocated to budget items that are not covered by other funders. We require that you inform us of your current funding for the proposed research and any pending proposals. We can then confer with the other funding source(s) to avoid duplication.

Assistant Professor, Adjunct Assistant Professors and Lecturers who have not received an RSF research grant previously (not including Dissertation Research Grants) are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet these requirements as of the submission deadline. There are no limitations on the disciplinary background of the researcher. The Foundation encourages applications from scholars who are traditionally underrepresented in the scientific disciplines and RSF’s application pool. There are no restrictions on nationality or institution location.

Post-docs are not eligible to be PIs, but can be included on and receive funding on a grant as research assistants.

Full professors and associate professors, and professors who have previously received RSF funding are eligible to be co-PIs on projects, but cannot receive funding.

No, pipeline grant applications do not require an initial letter of inquiry.

No. Applicants may only submit one Pipeline Grant proposal per cycle.

No. Applicants may apply for either a Core Research Grant or a Pipeline Grant at the fall deadlines, but not both.

Please see our application requirements pipeline grants.

Please see our budget guidelines for pipeline grants. Note that a budget is not required at the time of submission. The budget will be finalized with the grantee, their university's research office, and RSF after the approval of the grant. A budget template will be shared with PIs after approval.

We anticipate decisions by early March.

RSF will pair grantees with mentors working in the same field and provide an honorarium for the mentors. The PIs suggest potential mentors, our reviewers and advisory committee suggest potential mentors, and RSF facilitates a match.

While each mentor/mentee relationship is different, RSF expects the mentorship to be both for the project and for the PIs. There should be semi regular check-ins to discuss the project, questions on navigating academia, etc.

Applicants must be tenure-track assistant professors at a college or university in the U.S. by August 1 of the application year. Applicants who have received prior RSF funding are eligible to apply, however we especially encourage applicants who have not previously received RSF support. The program prioritizes disciplinary diversity and encourages applications from scholars who are underrepresented in the social sciences, and/or employed at under-resourced universities. There are no restrictions on nationality.

Post-doctoral fellows are not eligible to be PIs or co-PIs but can be included on and receive funding as research assistants on a grant if an assistant professor is the PI.

Associate professors are eligible to be co-PIs on projects but cannot receive salary support. Full professors cannot be co-PIs.

No, Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System applications do not require an initial letter of inquiry.

Please see our application requirements for Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System grants.

Please see our budget guidelines. Note that a budget is not required at the time of submission. The budget will be finalized with the PI and their university's research office after approval of the grant. A budget template will be shared with PIs after approval.

We anticipate decisions by mid-Summer.

RSF will pair grantees with mentors working in the same field and provide an honorarium for the mentors. The PIs suggest potential mentors, our reviewers and advisory committee suggest potential mentors, and RSF facilitates a match.

While each mentor/mentee relationship is different, RSF expects the mentorship to be both for the project and for the PIs. There should be semi regular check-ins to discuss the project, questions on navigating academia, etc.

Applicants must be doctoral students who have completed all program requirements except the dissertation. Before funds are released (not necessary at the time of application), an applicant whose proposal is selected for a grant must have their dissertation supervisor document that the dissertation research (a) is the same research that was described in the DRG grant application and (b) has been approved by the dissertation committee. If your discipline, department, or institution does not use this process to approve dissertation proposals, please email programs@rsage.org to see if you or your project is at the appropriate stage for RSF support. These grants will support all aspects of dissertation research (data collection, data preparation, data analysis, and writing), but they are not intended for students who have completed data collection and propose to spend the entire grant period finishing the dissertation.

There is a lifetime limit of one dissertation research grant per applicant. RSF encourages applications from scholars who are traditionally underrepresented in the social sciences and its application pool, as we seek to promote diversity broadly, including (but not limited to), racial, ethnic, gender or sexual identity or orientation, first generation, disciplinary, institutional, and geographic.

Eligibility is limited to students at institutions based in the United States. There are no restrictions on nationality.

Yes. An applicant may apply for the Dissertation Research Grants ahead of the official approval. If approved for funding, we will require proof of approval prior to releasing any funds.

No, dissertation research grant applications do not require an initial letter of inquiry.

Please see our application requirements for dissertation grants.

Please see our budget guidelines. Note that a budget is not required at the time of submission. The budget will be finalized with the PI and their university's research office after approval of the grant. A budget template will be shared with PIs after approval.

Completed applications will be reviewed, and decisions announced within approximately three months of the application deadline.

All applicants must have a Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree, or a career background that establishes their ability to conduct high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarly research. Applicants must be at least two years beyond the Ph.D. at the application deadline.

Individuals are allowed a maximum of two visits to RSF as a Visiting Scholar. A former visiting scholar may apply for a second fellowship that would begin no earlier than seven years after their first visit. However, because of the limited number of scholars selected each year and the high-quality of the applications, first-time applicants, all else equal, receive priority.

Please see our guidelines, application requirements and selection criteria.

No. Letters of inquiry are not required.

No. RSF does not accept letters of recommendation or other supporting materials. It selects external reviewers with substantive expertise who consider the individual’s demonstrated record of research accomplishment and the merit of the proposed project.

Yes. Each working group member must submit their own application, although working group applications include the same project proposal. In cases where individuals plan to carry out research independent of the working group during residence, working group members should also briefly describe that research in their proposal.

Individuals are allowed a maximum of two visits to RSF as a Visiting Scholar. A former visiting scholar may apply for a second fellowship that would begin no earlier than seven years after their first visit. However, because of the limited number of scholars selected each year and the high-quality of the applications, first-time applicants, all else equal, receive priority.

Yes. The Foundation encourages applications from early-career scholars who are at least two years beyond the Ph.D. at the time of application. RSF makes a special effort to ensure that each Visiting Scholar class has a mix of both junior and senior fellows.

No. The type of publication (e.g., journal articles, book manuscript) to be produced during the residency is up to the investigator and is not considered as part of the selection decision. However, RSF does publish books and if a book is proposed, RSF reserves the right to publish.

The Foundation makes every effort to notify applicants as soon as possible. Final decisions are made at the Foundation’s November Board meeting and applicants are typically notified of the decisions by mid-December.

Please see here for fellowship details.

The 10-month Visiting Scholar fellowship runs from September 1 to June 30; selected scholars are expected to spend their whole fellowship term at the Foundation. The Foundation also welcomes applications for half-year visits, either the 5-month period from September through January, or February through June.

RSF’s fellowship supports the preparation and analysis of data and writing up results of scholars who are in residence, promotes interdisciplinary dialogue among social scientists, journalists and RSF staff, and fosters professional research collaborations. Fellows often remark on the professional benefits of daily lunch discussions, weekly seminars, and informal socializing with an interdisciplinary cohort. Scholars are encouraged to form small writing and discussion groups which meet over lunch or in conference rooms.

To foster engagement and community building, RSF expects that scholars actively engage with their class and the RSF staff by attending weekly seminars, being available for discussion at lunch, and interacting with journalists, visiting researchers, and Margaret Olivia Sage scholars.

Scholars are expected to spend at least 75% of their fellowship period at work at RSF’s offices. Limited travel for scholarly purposes is naturally anticipated, but scholars should not plan extended trips (more than one week) when the foundation is open. If you have questions about this policy, please let us know. Absence for more than a quarter of the fellowship year, including time away for academic pursuits and vacation, may lead to review and possible reduction of the award.

No. Scholars must spend their fellowship period in residence at RSF – the fellowship provides scholars with extensive time to prepare and analyze data and write up the results of their research. It is not intended as an opportunity to carry out fieldwork or engage in new or continuing data collection.

Yes. Because this is a residential fellowship in which the Foundation invests significant time and resources and is one of the preeminent programs of its kind within the social science community, scholars must be in residence for a minimum of 75% of the Foundation’s working days during the scholar year.

From the time a scholar accepts the fellowship, they may not apply for a foundation grant that will be considered for funding by the Board while they are in residence. Applications that are submitted for a deadline before accepting the fellowship are eligible for consideration. Likewise, fellows may apply towards the end of their fellowship as long as the application is considered for funding after the fellowship period ends.

No. If an applicant is selected as a Visiting Scholar, Foundation policy does not generally allow the applicant to defer their visit. If the applicant is not able to come for the fellowship year for which they are selected, they will need to reapply for a subsequent fellowship year. However, we will consider exceptional circumstances.

Effective September 1, 2024, all RSF Visiting Scholars residing in the Foundation’s apartments at The Royale will be required to adhere to the Douglas Elliman Pet Policy. There is a (2) pet limit with a weight limit of 30lbs and height of 20" as well as breed restrictions. Pets are not limited to cat and dogs, but RSF may place restrictions on other animals. Other pets that are in the caged animal category come with a reasonable quantity limitation. Pet fees that may occur will come from the Royale's Managing Agent if a pet is outside of the parameters listed in the policy. Fees can be charged by RSF during the Apartment Condition Process (end of the stay) and will be charged against scholars’ rental deposit for any damage caused by the pet/s to the apartment during the residency.

Visiting Researchers must be several years beyond the PhD and have a publications record and current research project that is relevant to the Foundation’s program areas. Priority will be given to RSF-sponsored grantees and scholars who are seeking to complete existing work, although we welcome applications from scholars carrying out innovative work related to our current program areas.

Please see our application requirements for visiting researchers.

No. Letters of inquiry are not required.

No. RSF does not accept letters of recommendation or other supporting materials. It selects external reviewers with substantive expertise who consider the individual’s demonstrated record of research accomplishment and the merit of the proposed project.

Selected applicants are typically contacted within 45 days of the application deadline; acceptances cannot be deferred.

Visiting Researcher positions do not come with any Foundation financial support and are available for visits up to five months, between September 1 and June 30, as space permits. In rare circumstances, visits up to ten months may be considered. However, researchers interested in a full-year fellowship to complete a book or other major project that would necessitate a longer stay should consider applying to the Foundation’s Visiting Scholars Program.

Visiting Researchers are provided with an office at the Foundation, computers and software, and library access. Applicants who reside outside of the greater New York City area may be provided with a partially-subsidized apartment near RSF, if available.

We allow visits up to five months, between September 1 and June 30, as space permits. In rare circumstances, visits up to ten months may be considered. However, researchers interested in a full-year fellowship to complete a book or other major project that would necessitate a longer stay should consider applying to the Foundation’s Visiting Scholars Program.

RSF’s fellowships support the research and writing of individuals who are in residence at the foundation. Through these programs, RSF seeks to promote interdisciplinary dialogue among social scientists, journalists and the foundation staff and foster professional research collaborations. Fellows often remark on the professional benefits of daily lunch discussions, weekly seminars, and informal socializing with an interdisciplinary cohort. To foster this engagement and community building, RSF expects that Visiting Researchers will actively engage with their class and the RSF staff by attending all weekly seminars, being available for discussion at lunch, and interacting with other scholars and journalists in residence.

Fellows are expected to spend at least 75% of their fellowship period at work at the Foundation’s offices. Limited travel for scholarly purposes is naturally anticipated, but extended trips (more than one week) are not allowed during periods when the foundation is open. If you have any questions about this policy, please let us know.