Best Public Policy Grants in Texas

Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in Texas running civic education, public policy, or democracy-focused programs can apply for the Sumners Foundation Grant to support direct programming costs. Hatton W Sumners Foundation funds initiatives like civic engagement activities, teacher training on founding documents, and youth or leadership programs on American democratic self-government.

Texas 501(c)(3) public charities and public entities serving Texans can apply for Meadows Foundation grants to support programs and projects in areas like civic and public affairs, civic leadership, and public systems. Organizations working on public policy-related initiatives in Texas, including capacity-building and community infrastructure, may be competitive, with proposals accepted once every 12 months.

With a mission to help build stronger communities, Vulcan Materials Company Foundation provides Texas public charities and government units with funding for education, STEM learning, and environmental stewardship. Organizations in Texas communities where Vulcan operates, especially those partnering with public schools or advancing science, engineering, or environmental understanding, may be competitive applicants, including programs touching public policy on sustainability and development.

Nonprofit public charities serving adults with workforce development or small business support programs in Texas can seek more than US $15,000 to advance economic mobility and entrepreneurship. With a mission to strengthen adult career pathways and diverse small businesses, Truist Foundation provides U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations with project-focused funding rather than general operating support.

The Margaret Traub and Phyllis Dicker LGBT+ Graduate Fellowship, offered by the Harvard Kennedy School, supports students committed to issues affecting the LGBT+ community. This fellowship emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in public policy and leadership, aligning with Harvard's mission to foster a just and prosperous society. It is accessible to both U.S. and international students, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and merit-based funding.

Focused on public policy education, Harvard Kennedy School invites Texas and other U.S. students to apply for Kennedy Fellowships and Presidential Scholarships supporting graduate study in public policy and related fields. Awards are based on both merit and financial need, with some funding tied to area of study or region.

Prospective or current MPP students focused on public policy and international affairs can apply for Harvard Kennedy School’s John Berger Fellowship, supporting graduates of Harvard College. Eligible students intending careers in U.S. or international institutions may benefit, including those from Texas planning to work on public policy and international issues.

Texas graduate students pursuing public policy, science, or technology studies can access funding through Harvard Kennedy School’s Charles Edison Fund Fellowship to support advanced education and research. This fellowship helps extend the scope and impact of the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program for both U.S. and international students focused on public problem-solving.

Nonprofits and educational institutions working on food system public policy, farmed animal protection, or food systems transformation in Texas and beyond can apply for grants of US $2,500 - US $10,000. Grants from Stray Dog Institute help 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups advance sustainable agriculture, justice, and supply-side, systems-focused advocacy and research.

Muslim undergraduate and graduate students in film, television, acting, or theater who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 for their studies. Focused on media and public policy impact, Islamic Scholarship Fund invites Texas students and others nationwide to apply for support that advances positive American Muslim representation.

Texas law students in the Muslim community interning with state or federal judges can access funding through the Islamic Scholarship Fund’s Judicial Internship Scholarship. This U.S.-wide program provides a US $3,000 stipend for 1L and 2L students in unpaid, 8-week judicial internships, helping build skills for public interest and public policy law careers.

Texas law and public policy students committed to improving access to justice for Muslims in America can access funding through the Islamic Scholarship Fund. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients enrolled full-time (or working full-time in an ISF-supported field and studying part-time) as seniors or 1L–3L students may receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 scholarships.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities and research institutions working on pollinator health, sustainable agriculture, and related public policy in Texas can seek funding for research, advocacy, and education projects. One Hive Foundation provides up to US $75,000 for initiatives linking science, policy, and community engagement, including work replicated across the U.S. and Canada.

Nonprofit and academic institutions working on U.S.-Japan public policy and related exchanges in Texas can apply for support to run research, education, public affairs, and exchange programs. The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission funds institutional projects in arts and culture, education and public affairs, exchanges and scholarship, and global challenges that deepen U.S.-Japan understanding.

Nonprofit organizations working on early childhood development, preschool education, literacy, or policy advocacy can apply for funding up to US $20,000 to support children ages 0–5. Grants from Ohio Children’s Foundation help Texas public policy and early learning initiatives that serve at-risk children and families, including innovative pilots and established programs focused on school readiness.

Public policy PhD scientists across the U.S., including Texas, can apply for a one-year Congressional science fellowship to work on Capitol Hill using expertise in agronomy, crop, soil, or related fields. Grants from Crop Science Society of America help fellows engage directly with federal policy through congressional staff placements and structured policy orientations.

Researchers and research institutions conducting quasi-experimental evaluations of social programs and policies in Texas can seek support for rigorous causal studies from Arnold Ventures. With a mission to improve lives through evidence-based policy, Arnold Ventures provides funding for work in areas like public policy, higher education, workforce training, infrastructure, and reproductive health across the U.S.

Researchers and research institutions conducting randomized controlled trials of social programs can seek funding to evaluate public policy and governance initiatives, including work in Texas. Focused on rigorous RCTs, Arnold Ventures supports studies that build strong evidence on what works to address major social challenges and inform policy decisions across the U.S.

Graduate students in Earth system sciences attending North American universities can receive US $40,000 plus research visits and professional development to pursue atmospheric and Earth system science projects. Grants from University Corporation for Atmospheric Research help students, including those focused on public policy, explore science–society intersections that may inform policy-relevant work in Texas and beyond.

The Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Scholarship at Harvard Kennedy School is designed for alumni of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute. This scholarship aims to support both U.S. and international students by considering merit and financial need. Harvard Kennedy School is committed to fostering leadership and public policy expertise, making a significant impact on global societal issues. Recipients must have participated in the PPIA program to be eligible for this limited funding.

The Robert C. Seamans, Jr. Fellowship in Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School supports students excelling in research and management at the intersection of technology and public policy. This fellowship fosters future leadership in these critical areas, ensuring a commitment to addressing pressing public challenges. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, as the program is designed to promote inclusivity and recognizes the importance of varied perspectives in policy-making.

The Scott and Isabelle Black Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School supports students in two-year degree programs focused on addressing societal issues such as homelessness, poverty, and education. Awarded based on merit and financial need, this fellowship aims to cultivate future leaders in government and nonprofit sectors. It encourages studies that explore the causes and solutions to problems affecting vulnerable populations, ensuring that graduates are equipped to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

The HKS American Service Fellowship provides full scholarships and stipends for mid-career public service leaders to pursue a one-year Mid-Career Master in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School. Targeting U.S. military veterans, public employees, and alumni of service programs, this fellowship emphasizes skill development and community impact. Participants learn from esteemed faculty and engage with a network of changemakers, equipping themselves to address pressing societal challenges and enhance their leadership capabilities.

The Native Forward Scholars Fund Internship Assistance Program empowers Native students by providing financial support for internships in non-STEM fields. This initiative breaks down financial barriers, enabling students to gain practical experience in areas like public policy, education, and cultural preservation. Through this program, students enhance their skills while contributing positively to their Tribal communities. The funding covers essential costs such as travel and living expenses, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial assistance.

The Municipal Workforce Learning Lab, initiated by the National League of Cities in partnership with the American Institutes for Research, aims to tackle workforce challenges faced by city governments. The program seeks three cities to engage in an 8-month action planning process focused on recruiting, training, and retaining skilled workers. Participants will receive free coaching and technical assistance, helping them enhance their workforce policies and potentially serve as national models for effective local government employment strategies.

Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change.

To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to better understand the root causes of problems and strengthen the evidence base on what works to solve them. Using this evidence, we advocate for policy reforms at all levels of government and help build durable, bipartisan coalitions for lasting change.

Causal Research on the Impacts of Cell Phone Policies in K-12 Schools

The Opportunity

Smartphones are nearly universal among children and adolescents in the United States: 95% of teens reported having access to a smartphone, giving them regular exposure to social media, gaming, and video streaming platforms. While smartphones can support learning and social connection, emerging evidence suggests that using phones during school may also interfere with important educational goals, including student engagement, attendance, and academic performance.

In response, more than 30 states have passed laws restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools in recent years. These policies vary widely, ranging from “bell-to-bell” policies to classroom-level bans on phones only during instructional time. Despite the rapid adoption of these policies, rigorous evidence on academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts remains limited. In the absence of strong research, federal and state policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, lack the information needed to make informed decisions that effectively support student success. Building a robust evidence base is critical for shaping policies and practices that improve learning and well-being in both the short- and long-term.

This RFP seeks to address these gaps by supporting rigorous, causal research on the academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts of cell phone policies in K-12 schools in the United States. We seek studies that generate actionable insights for policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, who are deciding whether and how to implement or refine such policies. This RFP will support both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs) that can credibly estimate causal effects. While we are open to a range of research questions, we highlight 2 areas of particular interest below.

What are the overall impacts of policies restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on student-level outcomes, including academic achievement and attainment (e.g., standardized test scores, graduation rates), behaviors (e.g., engagement, attendance, disciplinary actions), and/or mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness)?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on school-level outcomes, including school safety (e.g., reported incidents), school climate (e.g., bullying, social connections), and administrative factors (e.g., costs, logistics, communications with parents)?

• Do initial impacts persist, fade, or grow as schools refine their practices over time?

What factors explain variation in the impacts of cell phone policies?

• Which students, schools, and districts are most impacted by cell phone policies?

• Which policy design features (e.g., what devices are banned, when devices are banned, how devices are stored/locked) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• Which implementation strategies (e.g., training and supports for school staff, consistent approaches for enforcement) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• How do the resource and operational implications of different policy approaches (e.g., costs, staff time, infrastructure needs) influence their effectiveness? How do these factors affect the scalability and sustainability of effective approaches?

Transportation Research and Policy

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through evidence-based solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice.

The Infrastructure team has been investing in efforts to build better, faster, and lower-cost infrastructure with a focus on housing, energy, and transportation. For transportation, we are investing in policymaking and research that tackles the inefficiencies that make U.S. transportation infrastructure so difficult and expensive to build. 

Purpose

Transportation policy represents an avenue for improving the systems moving people, goods, and services. The Infrastructure team is seeking proposals evaluating the effectiveness and/or benefits of existing transportation or transportation-adjacent policies on outcomes for communities in the United States.

Eligible Projects and Topic Areas of Interest

This Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to bolster the knowledge base of potentially effective policies, programs, and interventions by funding efforts that align with key AV Infrastructure policy areas.

AV is primarily focused on traditional surface transportation — road and public transit — but is open to proposals in aviation, maritime, passenger and freight rail, trucking, and more.

We seek proposals for: 1) research, expanded data sets, or analysis; 2) administrative or legislative policy reforms at the federal, state, or local level; or 3) models of effective implementation including proposals for implementing agencies to partner with researchers or program evaluators to conduct baseline and post-intervention research on implementation effectiveness that will advance the knowledge base and provide illustrative examples within, but not limited to, the following topic areas:

• Transportation Capital Investment Reform. Evaluating how capital funding is prioritized and selected at the federal, state, or regional level, including discretionary grant programs and formula-based funding. What reforms could ensure projects deliver higher public returns?

• Cost Estimation, Oversight, and Accountability. Why do major transportation projects frequently exceed budgets and timelines, and how can we identify strategies to improve transparency, cost realism, and performance oversight?

• Access in Mobility Outcomes. Measuring how current transportation investments affect access to jobs, services, and economic opportunities for workers and families, and what policy changes could improve access.

• Performance-Based Project Selection. How can public agencies shift from current, politically driven allocations to datadriven, performance-based decision-making on capital project selections?

• Institutional Barriers to Reform. What organizational, legal, or procedural hurdles prevent DOTs and MPOs from adopting better practices (e.g., outcome-based planning, integrated land use/transportation policy)?

• Permitting and Permit Reform. How do current local, state, and federal permitting practices affect project cost, quality, timeline, and other concerns?

• Intergovernmental Dynamics. How do federal, state, and local funding structures and requirements enable or constrain effective transportation investment? What governance structures would improve outcomes when it comes to transportation planning and project delivery?

• Data Sets and Root Causes of High Delivery Costs. Expanded data sets on unit costs and/or research illuminating the root causes of why transportation and transit projects cost so much and take so long to deliver. What policy and practice changes could manage project delivery risks and improve the likelihood that projects will be delivered on s chedule and on budget?

• Domestic Content. How do Buy America and domestic content requirements affect the cost, speed, innovation, and effectiveness of transportation infrastructure projects?

• Procurement Process. How do current procurement practices affect project cost, quality, innovation, and accountability — and what policy and regulatory reforms could improve outcomes?

• Other. AV also welcomes innovative proposals on other transportation issues that align with our mission.

These research, policy development, and implementation proposals can be relevant to federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation or federal administrative changes; state reforms to Departments of Transportation; and/or local-level reforms relevant either to regional transportation agencies, transit agencies, or municipal governments.