How has social science research furthered efforts to reduce inequality, and what is the potential for future research that explicitly aims to do so? These are the questions at the heart of a new collection of Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, edited by Adam Gamoran, titled “Sociology’s Role in Responding to Inequality.”

We are proud to announce five new research grants, including four to support studies on reducing inequality in youth outcomes and one to support a study on improving the use of research evidence. Approved at the Foundation’s March Board meeting, these grants will build theory and empirical evidence in our two focus areas.

Part of a new program, these grants provide up to $60,000 in unrestricted general operating support over three years, with the express purpose of strengthening the infrastructure of promising organizations that provide direct services to young people ages 5 to 25 in New York City.

To kick off the fifth annual Institutional Challenge Grant competition this spring, Senior Program Officer Lauren Supplee hosted a webinar to discuss the background and goals of the program, as well as the award, the application, and the review process. Supplee and Foundation President Adam Gamoran also answered questions from attendees and share practical advice on how to prepare a competitive proposal.

Launched in 1982, the Scholars Program supports the professional development of promising researchers in the social, behavioral, and health sciences who have received their terminal degrees within the past seven years. To date, the program has sponsored more than 197 talented researchers.

What does it mean to study race, and how does the conceptualization of racial inequality undergird research on responses to inequality more broadly?