Retirement & Disability Research Funding Opportunities

For undergraduate students only

• Social Insurance Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

  University of Wisconsin-Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center partnering with Howard University and San Diego State University

  A 4-week, in-person program that provides undergraduates with an introduction to social insurance, social safety net policies, and related research. Participants receive a $3,000 stipend.

  Annual application period: February–March

• Undergraduate Fellowship (UMass Boston students only)

  Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

  Full-time paid summer research assistantships in a variety of disciplines that combines hands-on research experience with one-on-one mentoring from senior center researchers.

  Annual application period: October–January

For undergraduate students or masters candidates

• Summer Research Internship Program

  New York Retirement & Disability Research Center

  Paid summer research training and assistantship that combines in-depth seminars and workshops led by senior faculty members at the center with individualized mentoring to help gain practical, hands-on research experience.

  Annual application period: March–May

• Undergraduate & Masters Summer Research Fellowship Program

  University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retirement and Disability Research Consortium

  Introduces participants to Social Security Administration (SSA) programs and provides mentorship on research projects.

  Annual application period: April–May

For graduate students (masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral) through junior-level faculty

• Extramural Mentored Fellowships

  University of Wisconsin-Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center partnering with the Institute for Research on Poverty

  $45,000 stipend (up to 3) for non-tenured junior faculty, post-doctoral researchers, or those in dissertator status to support poverty research related to retirement and disability policies and programs.

  Annual application period: December–February

• Junior Scholar Intensive Training (JSIT)

  University of Wisconsin-Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center partnering with Howard University

  Provides training and mentoring to develop research ideas and initial research proposals relevant to SSA. Workshop-completed proposals may be eligible for small grants or other support. Training, course materials, travel, lodging, meals and incidentals will be covered for successful applicants. Participants are eligible to apply for a $6,000 research award after the workshop.

  Annual application period: November–February

• Masters & Doctoral Student Research Grant Program

  University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retirement and Disability Research Consortium

  Provides grant support and mentoring to conduct research on retirement and disability issues.

  Annual application period: November–December

For doctoral candidates

• Dissertation Fellowship Program

  Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

  $28,000 fellowship (up to 3) for doctoral candidates writing dissertations on retirement and disability topics.

  Annual application period: October–January

• Doctoral Student Mentored Pilot Studies Program

  University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retirement and Disability Research Consortium

  Grant support and mentoring for doctoral students to conduct pilot studies and/or write academic papers on retirement and disability issues.

  Annual application period: November–December

• Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Program

  National Bureau of Economic Research

  $27,927 stipend (up to 2) for full-time PhD candidates to conduct retirement- and disability-relevant research; also provides limited funds for tuition, health insurance, research expenses, and travel.

  Annual application period: October–December

For junior scholars (recent PhD recipients)

• Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program

  National Bureau of Economic Research

  $90,000 stipend (up to 2) for new PhDs and early career researchers to conduct retirement and disability research; also covers health insurance and provides limited funds for research expenses and travel.

  Annual application period: October–December

• Small Grant Program

  University of Wisconsin-Madison Retirement and Disability Research Center partnering with the Institute for Research on Poverty

  Up to $45,000 grants to support poverty research related to retirement and disability policies and programs.

  Annual application period: December–February

• Steven H. Sandell Grant Program

  Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

  $50,000 grants (up to 3) to pursue cutting-edge projects on retirement and disability issues

  Annual application period: October–January