You probably don’t realize that the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy offers targeted grants specifically for PhD candidates worldwide who have approved dissertation proposals, aiming to remove financial barriers to innovative research with a direct social policy impact. By focusing on feasibility, originality, and methodology, these grants incentivize scholarship that can influence contemporary social issues. But understanding how you can position your project to meet these precise criteria could significantly affect your chances of award success.
Key Takeaways
- The Horowitz Foundation awards $10,000 grants ($7,500 upfront, $2,500 upon completion) to PhD or DrPH candidates for dissertation research in social policy worldwide.
- Eligibility requires a defended dissertation proposal or approval, current doctoral candidacy, and no citizenship or residency restrictions.
- Grants support research that addresses contemporary social science issues with practical social policy applications on local or global levels.
- Special awards provide additional funding for outstanding or innovative projects, including the $5,000 Irving Louis Horowitz Award for the overall best project.
- The application deadline is December 1 annually, requiring a 750-word project description, CV, and referee recommendations, all submitted in English via the foundation’s portal.
Meet the Foundation
Although the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy emerged as a small-scale initiative in 1997, its impact on the advancement of social science research is anything but modest. Founded by Irving Louis Horowitz, a distinguished sociologist, and his wife, Mary Curtis Horowitz, it quickly formalized as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1998.
The foundation’s history reflects a clear mission statement: to support research in major social science fields by providing small grants to PhD candidates for dissertation-level projects. This targeted approach addresses financial barriers and promotes innovative scholarship in social policy.
Board of Trustees
The Horowitz Foundation’s Board of Trustees plays a critical role in steering the organization’s mission by combining academic expertise and leadership from diverse prestigious institutions. Their trustee contributions improve the foundation’s capacity to address contemporary social science issues through sound governance and strategic oversight.
Board diversity guarantees a broad spectrum of perspectives informs decision-making, strengthening their impact.
Key features include:
- Leadership from individuals such as Ayse Akincigil (Chairman, Rutgers University) and Ray C. Rist (Vice Chairman, The World Bank)
- Legacy contributions from founding chairman Irving Louis Horowitz and Mary Curtis Horowitz, former President of Transaction Publishers
- Authority to grant special monetary awards that recognize exceptional research beyond routine funding
Grant Eligibility and Application Requirements
You must be a current PhD or DrPH candidate, actively working on your dissertation with your proposal approved by your department, to qualify for the Horowitz Foundation grant.
The foundation welcomes applicants from any country and university, and U.S. citizenship or residency isn’t required.
To apply, submit a 750-word project description, your CV, and referee contact details through the online portal by the December 1 deadline.
Eligibility Criteria
Who qualifies for the Horowitz Foundation Grants for Social Policy? To meet the grant application eligibility requirements, you must be a current PhD or DrPH candidate actively working on your dissertation and not yet have earned your PhD.
Your dissertation proposal must be defended or approved by your department before applying. The grants are open globally, with no requirement for U.S. citizenship or residency.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- Being a current doctoral candidate without a completed PhD
- Having an approved or defended dissertation proposal
- Submitting a complete application in English
Since 2023, you can apply only once, but previous applicants before 2023 remain eligible.
Application Requirements
Since all application materials must be submitted in English by the December 1st deadline, you should guarantee your application is complete and meets all specified requirements. A solid application strategy hinges on documenting your defended dissertation proposal and ensuring your referee contacts are accurate to optimize funding opportunities. Remember, only one application per candidate post-2023 is allowed. Candidates worldwide are welcome, and holding a PhD makes you ineligible.
| Requirement | Details | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Language | English only | Avoids disqualification |
| Dissertation Status | Proposal defended or approved | Eligibility confirmation |
| Application Frequency | Single submission post-2023 | Maximize your funding chances |
| Citizenship | Not required | Global accessibility |
Grant Amounts and Award Conditions
Key funding conditions include:
- Grants are non-renewable and must be completed within five years from award announcement.
- Special awards provide additional funding: $5,000 for the Irving Louis Horowitz Award and $3,000 for the Trustees Award.
- Proposal submission and referee recommendations must be finalized by December 1, 11:59 pm EST.
These conditions promote accountability and impactful research outcomes.
Evaluation Criteria and Special Awards
Although no single evaluation criterion is assigned greater importance, the Horowitz Foundation’s Trustees rigorously assess applications on feasibility, applicability, originality, and methodology, supplemented by letters of recommendation, to determine overall merit.
The evaluation process is analytical and evidence-based, ensuring only the strongest proposals advance. Award selection highlights exceptional research, with special recognition like the Irving Louis Horowitz Award ($5,000) for the most outstanding project and the Trustees Award ($3,000) for innovative methodology.
These honors, chosen at the Trustees’ discretion, underscore extraordinary contributions to social policy research.
Application Timeline and Submission Process
After the Trustees have reviewed your proposal’s feasibility, applicability, and originality, you’re responsible for carefully steering the application and submission process to bring your research into consideration at the right time.
- Submit your application by December 1, 11:59 PM EST, ensuring all sections are complete for your application checklist.
- Upload your CV, provide referee contacts, and confirm they submit recommendations by the deadline—this is a key submission tip.
- Double-check your project description, personal details, and supporting documents before clicking “Review & Submit” to avoid incomplete applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Current Faculty Members Apply for a Horowitz Foundation Grant?
You cannot apply for a Horowitz Foundation grant as a current faculty member because grant eligibility requires applicants to be PhD candidates who have not yet earned their doctorate and are actively working on their dissertation.
Are There Restrictions on the Use of the Grant Funds?
You can’t just spend Horowitz Foundation grant money however you want—there are clear grant allocation rules and funding limitations ensuring funds exclusively support your approved research project. Misuse risks disqualification or demand for repayment. Follow guidelines strictly.
Is It Possible to Reapply if Not Awarded on the First Attempt?
Yes, you can reapply. The reapplication process is open to previous applicants, and many successful awardees were not selected on their first attempt, showing persistence pays off in this competitive, evidence-based grant cycle.
How Are Recipients Expected to Report Project Progress After Receiving the Grant?
After receiving the grant, you must formally acknowledge the Foundation’s support in any resulting publications and submit those publication details for grant evaluation; however, ongoing progress reporting is not explicitly required by the Foundation.
Can Projects From Interdisciplinary Fields Outside Traditional Social Sciences Qualify?
You may worry the Horowitz Foundation restricts eligibility to only classic social sciences, but its grants openly welcome project diversity—including research from newer, interdisciplinary fields like evaluation research—so long as your work advances social policy and addresses contemporary issues, regardless of disciplinary label.
Conclusion
You know what they say, “the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago; the second best time is now.” By applying to the Horowitz Foundation Grants for Social Policy, you seize the opportunity to break financial barriers and advance innovative, policy-relevant research at the dissertation stage. With rigorous evaluation based on feasibility, originality, and methodology, you position your work to make a significant impact on social sciences and gain recognition through special awards. Don’t miss the December 1 deadline to grow your scholarly influence.