Research Grant

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private philanthropic organization focused on advancing equitable economic mobility in the United States. Its research grant program is designed to support high-quality, field-initiated research that aligns with the Foundation’s strategic priorities, including college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship. These priorities are framed within a broader commitment to understanding and dismantling systemic barriers that limit economic opportunity, particularly those shaped by race, class, and geography. The Foundation’s long-term vision emphasizes generating actionable insights that contribute to systems-level change and improved public understanding of economic mobility. The purpose of the Research Grants program is to fund rigorous, innovative research projects that deepen knowledge about equitable economic mobility and inform policy, practice, and public discourse. Applicants are encouraged to propose research questions that are already central to their work and that expand or challenge existing frameworks. The Foundation does not prescribe specific methodologies or topics, allowing for diverse disciplinary approaches, including participatory research, multi-method designs, and cross-sector collaborations. Projects must clearly define their theoretical grounding, research questions, and operational definitions of key concepts such as inequity and mobility. Funding is provided at a minimum level of 150000 dollars per year, with projects potentially spanning multiple years depending on scope and design. Funds are intended to support research activities and cannot be used for ineligible expenses such as starting a business, patent-related costs, construction, endowments, loans, political activities, or direct funding to individuals. The Foundation prioritizes proposals that demonstrate feasibility, strong alignment between research design and objectives, and the capacity to produce both immediate and long-term outcomes. Grantees are also expected to engage in dissemination and knowledge translation efforts, working collaboratively with Foundation staff to maximize impact. Eligibility is structured around organizational and project-level criteria. Applicants must propose research that advances equitable economic mobility and meets a minimum funding threshold of 150000 dollars annually. Projects must generate insights relevant to the Kansas City region, although the research itself does not need to be conducted there. Applicants must also confirm that their funding request does not fall into prohibited categories such as private business funding, lobbying, or religious activities. The program is designed for organizations capable of conducting large-scale, impactful research, including academic institutions, nonprofits, and other research entities. The application process follows a single-submission model in which applicants submit a full proposal through an online portal. This proposal then undergoes a phased review process. Initial screening is conducted by the Foundation’s Research, Learning, and Evaluation team along with Impact Officers. Selected applications advance to a second phase involving peer academic review and additional internal evaluation. Proposals are assessed based on criteria such as alignment with program goals, methodological rigor, relevance to Kansas City, feasibility, dissemination plans, and the expertise of the research team. The timeline for this funding opportunity operates on an annual cycle. Applications are typically solicited in the summer, with the application portal opening during that period and closing after a defined submission window. Funding decisions are communicated in the winter, and awards are subsequently made. The program is recurring, with the next application cycle expected in summer 2027. The Foundation also provides preparatory resources such as eligibility quizzes and application previews to help applicants assess fit and prepare competitive submissions. In addition to funding, the Foundation emphasizes collaboration and ongoing engagement with grantees. Awardees are expected to participate in communities of practice, share findings, and contribute to broader dissemination efforts. They may also advise Foundation staff and community partners on best practices within their areas of expertise. This collaborative approach ensures that funded research not only advances academic knowledge but also informs real-world strategies for improving economic mobility outcomes.

Strong alignment between research questions and methods improves competitiveness; clearly demonstrate Kansas City relevance; include strong dissemination and impact plans