The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is accepting research proposals to explore how housing matters to children, families, and communities.

Grant proposals are invited for the second round of research awards under the foundation’s $25 million How Housing Matters to Communities and Families initiative. The initiative is based on the premise that stable, affordable housing may be an essential platform that promotes positive outcomes in education, employment, and physical health by helping to ensure a greater return from other social and public investments.

In the 2010 competition, the foundation seeks to expand further the body of empirical evidence on the difference that living in decent and affordable housing makes in the lives of children, their families, and communities, with a special emphasis on how such evidence can be put to use by decision-makers to strengthen policies and programs.

This year, in order to maximize the impact that funded research will have on policy, the foundation requires that every applicant clearly identify the specific policy audience or level of government that will be able to utilize the research to improve or enhance a specific policy intervention and improve outcomes being studied.

Applicants must be affiliated with a nonprofit entity. U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, as are studies by non-U.S.-based researchers and that deal with non-U.S.-based housing-family and community linkages as long as they meet all program guidelines. Units of government are also eligible to apply for a grant as long as such entities are permitted by their applicable law to receive a grant. Previous award winners are eligible to apply.

Proposals will be assessed based on criteria including importance of the research problem, its potential to inform policy, and the quality of the research design.

Information about the 2010 competition is available at the MacArthur Foundation Web site. Initial submissions are due to the foundation by March 22, 2010.

Contact: Link to Complete RFP

Related posts:

1. TD Charitable Foundation Offers Grants to Support Capital Improvements for Affordable Housing
2. Ford Foundation Seeks Proposals on Sexuality, Health, and Rights Among Youth in United States
3. Honor the Earth Seeks Funding Proposals for Building Resilience in Indigenous Communities Initiative
4. Paso del Norte Health Foundation Seeks Smoke Free Initiative Grant Proposals
5. Archstone Foundation Announces Supportive Communities for Aging Request for Proposals

Posted in Funding RFPs