Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System Grant

The Russell Sage Foundation (RSF), in collaboration with Arnold Ventures (AV), is offering its second annual grants competition for early-career scholars through its program titled "Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System." This initiative is designed to foster the development of a new generation of researchers focused on the systematic analysis of criminal justice policies and practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, policing, judicial procedures, incarceration, probation, parole, and immigration detention. The funders aim to support research that employs rigorous causal inference methodologies to evaluate the effects of specific interventions or policies within the justice system. To be eligible, applicants must be tenure-track assistant professors at U.S. colleges or universities at the start of the grant period. RSF encourages proposals from scholars who have not previously received RSF funding, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds and those affiliated with under-resourced institutions. The application deadline is April 1, 2026, with funding for selected proposals beginning on October 1, 2026. Projects are expected to last one year, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000, including up to 15% for indirect costs. Funding may be used for principal investigator salary (up to two months), research assistance, travel, data-related costs, subject incentives, and other research-related expenses. Proposals must be grounded in a causal research framework that can robustly identify the treatment effects of interventions or policies. Accepted methodologies include difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, and randomized controlled trials. Mixed methods designs are eligible if causal identification remains central to the research. Applications must outline research questions, hypotheses, methodologies, data sources, analytical strategies, timelines, and budget summaries within a 10-page limit. Applicants are also required to submit a condensed CV of no more than five pages. The program’s areas of interest span numerous topics central to the criminal justice system, including sentencing, reentry outcomes, community supervision, social policies influencing justice involvement, and alternative-to-incarceration strategies. Additional focus areas include the downstream effects of economic and environmental interventions on criminal behavior, disparities in justice outcomes by race and ethnicity, and decision-making processes of justice system actors. RSF also invites studies on emerging technologies such as predictive analytics and their influence on institutional practices. Each funded researcher will be paired with a senior mentor in the field to help guide the research process. Grantees will be required to present their preliminary findings at a dedicated conference in either Fall 2027 or Winter 2028. This conference aims to facilitate scholarly dialogue, refine project outcomes, and establish a network of early career and established researchers engaged in empirical criminal justice research. Travel and lodging costs for conference participation will be covered by RSF. All applications must be submitted through RSF’s Fluxx portal. Applicants should select “Apply for an Early Career Grant (Sheldon Danziger Pipeline or CRCJS)” and choose “Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System” as the application type. Additional guidance, sample proposals, and a grant writing instructional video are available via the RSF website. RSF places a strong emphasis on transparency, rigor, and equity in the review and selection process.

Use a strong causal design like RCT or regression discontinuity. Clearly state the treatment effect being isolated. Highlight relevance to policy and equity.