The William T. Grant Foundation is very pleased to announce the finalists for its 2023 Institutional Challenge Grant competition. The Institutional Challenge Grant encourages research institutions to build long-term research-practice partnerships with public agencies or nonprofit organizations to reduce inequality in youth outcomes. To do so, research institutions will need to shift their policies and practices to value collaborative research. The program aims to bring research, policy, and practice communities together in ways that advance the use of research evidence and reduce inequality in youth outcomes.
“We are thrilled with the quality and range of the proposals that we received this year. As we emerge from the pandemic, expanding opportunity for young people is more critical than ever,” said Senior Program Officer Jenny Irons. “We are also excited about the number of research institutions around the nation that are forging community partnerships to address inequality among young people. This year’s proposals include partnerships that will examine programs, policies, or practices that seek to reduce racial and economic disparities in K-12 educational outcomes; improve college enrollment, attendance, and completion among youth of color and youth from low-income families; divert youth from the juvenile justice system; and advance economic mobility for youth from low-income families and youth who are disconnected from education and employment.”
As we emerge from the pandemic, expanding opportunity for young people is more critical than ever
The winning partnerships will be announced at the end of March 2023. This announcement will include details about the partnerships’ research agendas to reduce inequality, as well as the research institutions’ proposed changes in policies and practices to ensure a robust and sustained partnership. The selected institutions will receive $650,000 over three years, with the opportunity to apply for a two-year continuation grant to solidify the partnership and institutional changes. The Institutional Challenge Grant is aligned with the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to connect research, policy, and practice. This year, the Bezos Family Foundation, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and the Spencer Foundation are partnering with the William T. Grant Foundation to support the Institutional Challenge Grant program.
2023 Institutional Challenge Grant Finalists
Ben Allen, University of Virginia
Daphne Keiser, Albemarle County Public Schools
Bridging Institutions to Close Youth Opportunity Gaps
Sean Corcoran, Vanderbilt University
Matthew Nelson, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
Disrupting Inequalities Along the Path to College and Career: A Partnership between Metro Nashville Public Schools and Vanderbilt University
Shelby Cosner, University of Illinois at Chicago
Devin McFarland Swartley, Chicago Board of Education; Allison Tingwall, Chicago Public Schools
C2 Principal Preparation
Gary Henry, University of Delaware
Monica Minor Gant, Delaware Department of Education
The Delaware Early Literacy Research-Practice Partnership – A Catalyst for Educational Equality
Becky Pettit, University of Texas at Austin
Courtney Robinson, The Excellence and Advancement Foundation
Restoring Justice and Reimaging Research: Building Community to Disrupt the Cycle of Violence and Enhance Research-Practice Partnerships
Clifton Tanabe, University of Texas at El Paso
Veronica Vijil, Fabens Independent School District; Jeannie Meza-Chavez, San Elizario Independent School District; Rosa Vega-Barrio, Tornillo Independent School District
Addressing Youth Inequalities of Access to Post-Secondary Opportunities through Student Led Assets-Based Research: A Collaboration of the Paso del Norte Partnership for Education Research and Three Rural School Districts on the US-Mexico Border
Ruth López Turley, Rice University
Jessica Davison and Amanda McMillian, United Way of Greater Houston
Partnering for Youth: Improving Youth Economic Resilience and Financial Stability in Greater Houston
Learn more about the Institutional Challenge Grant program.
