Community Action Research Initiative Grants

Scholarship Sponsored by American Sociological Association

Introduction
The American Sociological Association (ASA) invites proposals for the Community Action Research Initiative (CARI) grants. These awards support projects that use sociological knowledge and methods to address problems identified by community groups. Applicants must intend to collaborate with a community organization or community action effort and either hold a PhD in sociology or be enrolled in a sociology PhD program.

Who should apply
Proposals are welcome from people working in universities, research centers, nonprofit and private organizations, and government agencies. Graduate students may apply, but CARI funds may not be used to support dissertation research. You do not have to be an ASA member to submit an application, but membership is required to receive funding. All ASA members must adhere to the ASA Code of Ethics. If human subjects review is applicable, grantees must provide appropriate IRB approval. Grants cover up to $3,000 in direct costs; funds may not be spent on institutional overhead, attendance at scholarly meetings, or the principal investigator’s salary.

How to apply
Applications are submitted online through Foundant, ASA’s grants platform. If you have previously applied for an ASA grant, sign in with your existing credentials. New applicants must create a Foundant account and complete the registration form, including a valid email address. After registering, confirm your account by checking for the confirmation email and clicking the required box. Make sure your spam filters allow emails from the system. Video guidance on creating an account is available online.

What a complete application must include
- Contact details: name(s) of principal investigator(s), current institution/organization, mailing address, and email address
- Project title
- Project description (500-word maximum): goals, approach for meeting those goals, and the sociological connection to a policy issue
- Description of the partner community organization or action initiative (500-word maximum): description of the organization and how the proposed project relates to its mission
- Expected tangible outcomes and dissemination plan (500-word maximum): anticipated products or impacts and how findings will be shared (dissemination may occur after the grant period)
- One-page letter of support from the community partner organization
- Curriculum vitae for each principal investigator
- Detailed project budget and timeline

Important dates
- Applications open: April 9, 2026
- Application deadline: August 28, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. ET
- Award notifications: by December 31, 2026

If you have questions about the application process or required materials, consult the ASA grants webpage or contact the ASA grants office.