2026 Call for Concept Papers

Overview

The Sociological Initiatives Foundation supports social change by linking research to social action.  It funds research projects that investigate laws, policies, institutions, regulations, and normative practices that may limit equality in the U.S.  It prioritizes projects that address racism, xenophobia, classism, gender bias, exploitation, or the violation of human rights and freedoms.  It also supports research that furthers language learning and behavior and its intersection with social and policy questions.

The Foundation supports research that focuses on improving services and systems and increasing positive social and physical conditions through:

• Policy development
• Placement and shaping of the policy agenda
• Policy adoption or implementation
• Policy blocking
• Increasing advocacy capacity and political influence
• Shaping public sentiment
• Addressing challenges related to language and literacy

Language issues include literacy, language loss and maintenance, language policy, language and national security, bilingualism, language and gender, language and law, language disabilities, language and health, language and education, different language cultures, and second language acquisition.

In the context of social and racial inequality dating back centuries, the Foundation supports projects that address institutional rather than individual or behavioral change.  It seeks to fund research and initiatives that provide insight into sociological and linguistic issues that can help specific groups and or communities expand opportunities and challenge injustices.

We look for projects with an explicit research design and a concrete connection to public or community impact. It is not enough to write a report or add a focus group to a social change project. The research should build an organization or constituency’s potential to expand public knowledge, impact policy, and create social change.

Some examples of desired applicants are:

• community-led academic partnerships
• advocacy or community groups that conduct research that can withstand challenges in academic and policy arenas
• academics allied with a constituency through their research
  • represent the work of a lone academic without an ongoing partnership with a community organization
  • do not demonstrate the capacity or intent to carry out bona fide research, as indicated by either a past track record or a credentialed researcher partner
  • are led by government/municipal agencies,
  • result only in reports, publications, websites, gatherings, films, theatrical productions, concerts, conferences, or the like that are not part of a larger explicit social change strategy
  • only evaluate existing programs.  Program evaluation is not a priority.
  • request funds for operating support or capital grants

Generally, the Foundation will not consider proposals that:

Award: Grant sizes normally range from $15 to $20,000.

See past grants awarded by this sponsor.

Read more about sponsor’s mission.

Deadlines:

• Short concept applications are due August 14th
• Full proposals are invited in November
• Grants are disbursed in February.

Our analysis of past grant recipients has shown that projects typically take two years, so applicants should think in terms of such a timeline.

What if I am not sure if our research project fits the Foundation guidelines? Call us and ask. We like to hear about your work and are eager to help.
Contact: Prentice Zinn, Administrator
V 617-391-3091; e-mail [email protected]