Best Social Science Research Grants in New York

With a mission to support innovative social impact, early-stage nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations in New York and globally can receive up to US $300,000 from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation for scalable solutions benefiting underserved communities. Eligible ventures should be post-pilot, impact-measured, and positioned to reach at least 10,000 people within five years.

Universities, research libraries, museums, and other humanistic or performing arts nonprofits conducting humanities and social science-related projects in New York may be eligible for funding to advance scholarship, artistic creativity, and access to cultural resources. The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation supports history, literature, philosophy, performing arts, and library initiatives, including technology that improves access to humanities research.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

Researchers whose published work advances prevention or arrest of multiple sclerosis can apply for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Ralph I. Straus Award, open internationally and including New York. This major biomedical research prize recognizes scientists whose findings significantly contribute to conquering multiple sclerosis; interested individuals must contact the Society’s Research Programs team for full criteria.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Nonprofits, researchers, farmers, and other agricultural partners in New York and the broader Northeast can seek reimbursement-based grants of US $50,000 - US $250,000 to strengthen farming and food systems through social science research and education. Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education funds community-rooted projects addressing marketing, production, sustainability, climate, and related social science challenges.

Early-career cancer researchers at academic institutions in the New York area can receive US $750,000 over three years for innovative oncology projects. With a mission to accelerate cures, Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance provides funding plus networking, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities that may benefit New York social science researchers working at the intersection of health and society.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding in New York can apply for flexible project support. With a mission to foster positive change, Dudley T Dougherty Foundation provides charitable groups with funding that may benefit social science research connected to community and environmental issues.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

Political science and social science scholars in the U.S. researching political polarization can receive US $200,000 for one- to two-year humanities or social science projects, including work based in New York. Carnegie Corporation of New York supports nominated PhD-holders and senior professionals producing major studies or books on polarization and social cohesion.

Recent PhD recipients in the humanities or social sciences focusing on Buddhist studies can receive up to US $75,000 for one-year professional roles at cultural institutions, including in New York. Grants from American Council of Learned Societies place scholars in museums, libraries, and publications to interpret and present Buddhist traditions to broader publics.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

New York social science researchers and partners studying fisheries and offshore wind interactions can access funding via the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Awards up to US $400,000 support social, cultural, historical, and economic research on fishing community resilience and economies in the U.S. Northeast.

New York graduate students of Polish descent pursuing full-time master’s or Ph.D. studies can access tuition scholarships through the Kosciuszko Foundation, with awards ranging from US $1,000 - US $12,000. Funding supports study at U.S. colleges and universities or English schools of medicine in Poland across all fields, including social sciences.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

New York City and Northeastern New Jersey 501(c)(3) organizations piloting or expanding social welfare, education, or health programs can access funding through the Frances & Edwin Cummings Memorial Fund. Support covers new program development, staffing, capacity building, and consulting, which may benefit social science research components embedded in youth-focused or community-serving initiatives.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Russell Sage Foundation

One of the oldest American foundations, the Russell Sage Foundation, was established by Mrs. Margaret Olivia Sage in 1907 for “the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States.” In its early years, the foundation undertook major projects in low-income housing, urban planning, social work, and labor reform. The foundation now dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, and theories of the social sciences to diagnose social problems and improve social policies. It also funds researchers at other institutions and supports programs intended to develop new generations of social scientists.

What We Do

The Russell Sage Foundation is an operating foundation directly involved in the conduct and dissemination of social science research. In its effort to improve the social effectiveness of social research, the foundation

• Invites individual scholars and collaborative groups working in areas of foundation interest to participate in the foundation’s Visiting Scholar Program to pursue their research and writing projects;
• Provides support for scholars at other institutions to pursue research projects that advance the Foundation’s research programs;
• Ensures widespread access to the research that the foundation supports through its own book and journal publishing program;
• Sponsors special seminars and working groups aimed at developing new topics in social science;
• Participates in the planning of each study or program as an active partner and reserves the right to publish any resulting manuscripts;
• Collaborates with other foundations, granting agencies and academic institutions in studies of social problems.

Visiting Researchers Program

On an occasional basis, the Foundation has one or two available office spaces and considers applications for short-term residential fellowships from scholars who are conducting research relevant to the Foundation’s priority areas. These positions do not come with any Foundation financial support and are available for visits up to five months, between September 1 and June 30, as space permits. In rare circumstances, visits up to ten months may be considered. 

Visiting Researchers are provided with an office at the foundation, a computer and software, access to research materials including online journals and databases.

The Visiting Researcher award does not provide any salary or other financial support. Visiting Researchers who reside outside the greater New York City area are provided with a partially subsidized apartment near the Foundation offices if available.

Proposals should outline the basics of the project to be carried out while in residence, how the project is relevant to RSF's program areas, how the residency and interactions with the Foundation's Visiting Scholars and staff would be beneficial to the project, and the expected outcome of the work. The letter should also specify the time period for which the applicant would like to be in residence.

Research Priorities

RSF supports high-quality innovative research under four core research priorities:

• Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context;
• Future of Work;
• Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration; and
• Social, Political, and Economic Inequality.

In addition, it supports research under the following time-limited co-funded research priorities:

• Immigration and Immigrant Integration;
• Implications of the 2023 Supreme Court Decision to Ban Race-Conscious Admissions at Colleges and Universities for Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility; and
• Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System.

Visiting Researcher programs consider investigator-initiated projects across all RSF research priorities. 

Graduate psychology students conducting research on self-identity and academic achievement, especially for K–8 children, can apply for support from the American Psychological Foundation. This US $7,500 Kenneth B. and Mamie P. Clark Fund award may benefit social science researchers in New York whose work engages children’s mental health, educational equity, and racial justice.

Early career psychologists conducting social science research on self-identity and academic achievement, especially among K–8 children, can receive US $8,500 in funding, including those based in New York. American Psychological Foundation’s Kenneth B. and Mamie P. Clark Fund supports research and demonstration projects grounded in the Clarks’ work on race, identity, and education.

Russell Sage Foundation provides New York social science researchers with residential visiting scholar fellowships supporting data analysis and writing projects. Ph.D.-level scholars at least two years post-degree can receive US $75,000 - US $150,000 in salary support, office space, research resources, and housing subsidies while working on social, economic, political, and behavioral science topics.

Psychology researchers and practitioners whose work addresses social issues through industrial-organizational psychology can receive US $5,000 and recognition for impactful, publicly visible research. With a mission to improve workers’ lives, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Foundation provides New York social science researchers with the Raymond A. Katzell Award for research that benefits organizations and society.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Scholars, journalists, creative writers, translators, and visual artists conducting humanities or social science research that relies on the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building collections can apply for nine-month Cullman Center Fellowships, with awards of US $90,000. Grants from New York Public Library support top-quality projects that may include political and broader social science research in New York.