The William T. Grant Foundation has announced a Request for Proposals to support research that increases understanding of how to improve supports and opportunities for young people (8-25) through effective interventions.

"The Foundation recognizes that there are a large number of publicly- and privately-initiated attempts to intervene and improve programs, organizations, and systems that affect youth. It also believes there is very little high-quality research and theorizing about why and how various intervention approaches lead to improved supports and opportunities for young people under varying conditions."

A range of grant awards are available ($10,000 - $450,000 inclusive of direct and indirect costs). Smaller awards will support research reviews, conceptual papers, and smaller research studies meant to advance the goals of this RFP. Larger awards will support larger-scale original research, and mid-range awards are likely to involve secondary analyses of existing datasets or relatively more ambitious reviews.

Applications will be accepted through the Foundation's website until September 30, 2002. Visit the W.T. Grant Foundation web site for more information http://www.wtgrantfoundation.org.

The Research and Policy Affinity Group of NYEC, which is comprised of representatives from a significant number of the research organizations within the NYEC membership, is planning to respond to this RFP as a consortium. As the convener of the Affinity Group, NYEC would serve as the consortium's lead organization. The scope of work to be outlined in the Affinity Group's proposal would enable each of the research organizations to identify, explore and distill the relevant research in a distinct area of practice, with the intent of informing both policy and practice.

W.T. Grant is interested in funding two types of projects:
-- Papers critically reviewing and synthesizing theory and empirical studies.
-- Studies of interventions focused on organizational improvement, systems improvement, and/or youth sustained participation and engagement in experiences that are productive for individual development.

NYEC's application will be under the first category of projects.

If you have any questions about the Research and Policy Affinity Group's proposal, would like more information about the effort, or would like to become part of the Affinity Group, contact David Brown at 202/659-1064 or db@nyec.org. For more information on NYEC Member Affinity Groups or to become part of an Affinity Group, visit http://www.nyec.org/Members_Only_
Subweb/AffinityGroup/affinity_groups.htm