Institutional Challenge Grant 2026

The grant challenges research institutions to change policies, incentives, and practices so that sustained partnerships with public agencies or nonprofit organisations can produce and use relevant research evidence.

William T. Grant Foundation lists this opportunity for University-based research institutes, schools, and centers, Social Sciences and Policy, United States. Applicants should use the official call page to confirm final requirements before submitting.

The Foundation makes grants only to tax-exempt organisations and does not make grants to individuals.

Eligible applicants are university-based research institutes, schools, or centers. Research organisations and think tanks outside the academy are not eligible.

The partnership must include an eligible public agency or nonprofit organisation serving young people ages 5 to 25 in the United States.

Eligible principal investigators should be leaders at the research institution with influence, access to institutional resources, and the capacity to cultivate trusted relationships with public agency or nonprofit leaders.

Grow an existing institutional partnership with a public agency or nonprofit organisation.

Pursue a joint research agenda to reduce inequality in youth outcomes in areas such as education, justice, child welfare, foster care, mental health, immigration, or workforce development.

Create institutional change that values research-practice partnerships and reduces structural, motivational, and financial barriers to collaborative work.

Build the capacity of both researchers and partner agencies or organisations to produce, interpret, and use rigorous research evidence.

At least two awards will be made. Each provides USD 650,000 over three years, including up to USD 60,000 for planning, support for mid-career fellowships, partnership research and use activities, institutional change work, and indirect costs up to 15 percent of total direct costs.

Application deadline: Application deadline: Sep 9, 2026.

Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.

Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.

Use the official William T. Grant Foundation programme page and application system. The next deadline is 9 September 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EST.

Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.