Research Grants

Stone Research Grants

Stone Research Grants support studies of the patterns, causes, and consequences of inequality. Proposals for studies of wealth accumulation and income inequality are particularly welcome. Stone Research Grants may be used to buy data, purchase equipment, hire research assistants, or conduct research travel and field work (not conference travel). Most grants will not exceed $5,000, but proposals of up to $25,000 will be considered.

Eligibility
Harvard scholars proposing research related to the Stone Program’s core research focus (wealth distribution, inequality, and social policy) are eligible for Stone Research Grants. Scholars earlier in their careers – including graduate students, post-docs, and tenure-track faculty – are especially encouraged to apply. Eligibility is limited to faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students enrolled in doctoral programs at Harvard University.

Proposal Evaluation
A committee of Stone Program faculty will select the most competitive projects that best fit the Stone Program’s mission.

How to Apply
Applicants should send a summary of their intended or ongoing research project (no more than two pages, single spaced), a detailed budget of the research expenses to be covered by the research grant (no more than one page, single spaced), and a CV to inequality@hks.harvard.edu. Please combine these items into a single PDF.

Deadlines
The next deadline to submit a research grant proposal is Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Terms
Recipients are required to acknowledge the support of the Stone Program in any publications resulting from the research supported by the grant. Receipts also must submit a brief progress report upon Stone Program request, no earlier than one year after award disbursement. Research grants are intended to support research expenses and may not be used as a stipend. Recipients will not be considered for future support unless and until these terms are fulfilled.

Conference Travel Grants

Stone PhD Scholars and Stone Program Postdoctoral Fellows are eligible to apply for grants to support travel to conferences where they will present research. Grants can be used to support transportation, lodging, and food expenses. Grants will not exceed $1,000 and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply for a conference travel grant, send (1) a short description of both the conference and the research that you will present (no more than one page), (2) evidence that you will be listed in the conference program, (3) an approximate travel expense budget, and (4) your CV, combined into a single PDF document, to inequality@hks.harvard.edu.