Avail Now William T Grant Scholars Program 2026, The William T. Grant Scholars Program is designed to advance the careers of early-stage researchers with strong potential. It provides funding for five-year research and mentoring plans aimed at building expertise in new disciplines, methods, and subject areas.

Applicants should demonstrate a solid record of high-quality research and a willingness to make meaningful shifts in their research direction. Recognizing that early-career scholars often lack support to take thoughtful risks, the program also offers structured mentorship and access to a collaborative academic community.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.

Last Date of Submission: 30^th June 2026

 Focus Area for Avail Now William T Grant Scholars Program 2026

Reducing Inequality

This focus supports research on programs, policies, and practices aimed at improving academic, social, behavioral, and economic outcomes for young people (ages 5–25) in the United States. It prioritizes addressing disparities linked to race, ethnicity, economic status, LGBTQ+ identity, language background, and immigration status.

Research Interests

The program encourages studies that explore effective ways to reduce inequality in youth outcomes. This includes both descriptive research that explains how and why certain approaches work, and intervention-based studies that test strategies for reducing disparities.

There is a strong emphasis on research that tackles systemic issues—particularly structural inequality and racism—that shape unequal opportunities for young people. Proposals from diverse disciplines and methods are welcomed, especially those focusing on youth-serving systems such as education, justice, housing, child welfare, and mental health.

Focus Area: Improving the Use of Research Evidence

This focus area supports research on strategies that enhance how research evidence is used to benefit young people (ages 5–25) in the United States. It encourages studies that strengthen both theoretical and practical understanding of how policymakers, agency leaders, managers, community organizations, and other decision-makers can better apply research in youth-serving systems.

Although we know some conditions that encourage research use, there is still a need for proven strategies. Key questions include how to build supportive systems and infrastructure, what incentives promote evidence use, and how applying research ultimately improves youth outcomes.

Research Interests

The program prioritizes studies that improve the relevance, application, and impact of research evidence. This includes impact studies testing strategies to increase research use and its effects on youth outcomes, descriptive studies exploring key mechanisms and conditions, and measurement studies focused on developing reliable ways to assess research use.

Awards for Avail Now William T Grant Scholars Program 2026

Award recipients are designated as William T. Grant Scholars. Each year, four to six Scholars are selected.

Each Scholar receives exactly $425,000 over five years, including up to 7.5% indirect costs.

Awards begin July 1 of the award year and are made to the applicant’s institution.

The award must not replace the institution’s current support of the applicant’s research.

Eligibility Criteria for Avail Now William T Grant Scholars Program 2026

Eligible Organizations

Grants are awarded only to tax-exempt organizations, not individuals. Institutions underrepresented among grantees—such as HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other minority-serving institutions—are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be nominated by their institution (one nominee per division each year) and can belong to any discipline. They should have received their doctorate within the last seven years (or completed medical residency within that timeframe). Candidates must hold career-track positions with clear research advancement pathways; the award cannot be used for postdoctoral roles. International applicants are eligible if their research focuses on youth in the United States.

The program encourages diversity and welcomes applications from researchers of varied backgrounds.

Selection Criteria for Avail Now William T Grant Scholars Program 2026

1. Applicant

• Demonstrates strong potential and a solid record of high-quality, first-authored research.
• Shows ability to conduct and communicate impactful research.
• Seeks to significantly expand expertise in new disciplines, methods, or subject areas through the award.

2. Research Plan

• Aligns with the Foundation’s focus areas (reducing inequality or improving research use).
• Is theoretically sound, methodologically rigorous, and relevant to policy or practice.
• Clearly outlines research design, methods, and feasibility.
• Demonstrates coherence, appropriate sampling, and strong analytical planning (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
• Expands the applicant’s expertise in meaningful ways.

3. Mentoring Plan

• Includes 1–2 mentors (recommended) for the initial two years.
• Mentors must have relevant expertise and a strong mentoring track record.
• Plan should clearly define goals, activities, and interaction frequency to support skill development.
• Mentorship should add significant value beyond existing professional relationships.

4. Institutional Support

• The institution must formally nominate the applicant and provide necessary resources for the five-year research plan.
• At least 50% of the applicant’s time should be dedicated to research.

How to apply?

Application Review Process

Applications are first screened by Foundation staff to assess alignment with research focus areas and key criteria. Shortlisted applications are then reviewed in detail by the Scholars Selection Committee, with each receiving evaluations from two members.

Around 10 finalists are invited for interviews in New York City in February 2027, after additional review by external experts. Following the interviews, 4–6 scholars are selected and recommended to the Board of Trustees, with final decisions announced by the end of March 2027.

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