Horowitz Foundation Opens Applications for 2026–2027 Social Policy Research Grants ·2027 Social Policy Research Grants

The Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy is accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Grant Programme, inviting emerging researchers to submit innovative projects that address pressing social policy issues at the local or global level.

The grant programme supports high-quality research that advances understanding of important policy challenges while generating evidence that can inform public policy, social programmes, and decision-making. Applications will remain open until 1 December 2026.

About the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy

The Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy is committed to supporting outstanding social science research with practical policy relevance. Through its annual grant programme, the Foundation helps emerging scholars undertake research that contributes to addressing contemporary social issues and improving public policy.

The Foundation welcomes projects from across the social sciences, provided they demonstrate a clear connection to social policy and have the potential to produce meaningful societal impact.

Purpose of the Grant

The programme is designed to support research projects that explore significant social policy challenges affecting communities, governments, and institutions.

Eligible proposals may focus on either:

• Global social policy issues.

• National or local policy challenges.

The Foundation encourages research that combines academic excellence with practical relevance and offers recommendations that can contribute to evidence-based policymaking.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are reviewed by the Foundation’s Trustees through a competitive assessment process.

Rather than assigning fixed weight to individual criteria, proposals are evaluated based on their overall quality and potential contribution.

Reviewers will consider several factors, including:

• The significance of the social policy issue being addressed.

• The originality and innovation of the proposed research.

• The feasibility of successfully completing the project.

• The practical applicability of the research findings.

• The strength and appropriateness of the proposed methodology.

• Evidence that the project is theoretically informed and/or supported by rich empirical research.

• The quality and relevance of the proposed recommendations.

Successful proposals are expected to demonstrate both academic rigour and practical value for policymakers, practitioners, and communities.

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

The Foundation encourages applicants to submit projects that clearly demonstrate:

• A well-defined research problem.

• Strong policy relevance.

• A sound research design.

• Clear theoretical or empirical foundations.

• Innovative thinking.

• Practical recommendations that can inform policy or practice.

Projects should show how the research findings could contribute to improving existing policies or addressing important societal challenges.

Learn from Previous Grant Recipients

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review projects supported in previous funding cycles to better understand the types of research the Foundation has funded.

Examining previously funded projects can provide useful insight into the Foundation’s priorities and the characteristics of competitive proposals.

Application Deadline

Researchers wishing to apply for the 2026–2027 Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy Grant must submit their completed applications by:

• Application deadline: 1 December 2026

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for developing a competitive submission.

Supporting Evidence-Based Social Policy Research

The Horowitz Foundation continues to invest in innovative social science research that addresses complex policy challenges facing societies worldwide. By supporting projects with strong theoretical foundations, rigorous methodologies, and practical policy applications, the Foundation helps researchers generate evidence that can contribute to more effective public policies and improved social outcomes at both local and global levels.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.