Application Deadlines
The Fluxx application portal will open two months ahead of a deadline.
Core Programs and Special Initiatives
Funding Guidelines for July 15, 2026 Deadline
RSF will only accept letters of inquiry (LOIs) under its core programs for Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context (BSDMC) and Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration (REI) and its special initiatives on Immigration and Immigrant Integration (III) and Implications of the 2023 Supreme Court Decision to Ban Conscious Admissions at Colleges and Universities for Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility (SCD23).
The programs for Social, Political and Economic Inequality (SPEI) and the Future of Work (FOW) 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2025, 2pm ET (BSDMC, REI, III, SCD23) | Feb 18, 2026, 2pm ET | Jun 2026 | Sept 1, 2026 |
| Mar 11, 2026, 2pm ET (SPEI, FOW, SCD23) | Jun 18, 2026, 2pm ET | Nov 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 |
| July 15, 2026, 2pm ET (BSDMC, REI, III, SCD23) | Oct 26, 2026, 2pm ET | Mar 2027 | May 1, 2027 |
| Oct 28, 2026, 2pm ET (SPEI, FOW, SCD23) | Feb 22, 2027, 2pm ET | Jun 2027 | Sep 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.
There are currently no upcoming webinars.
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.