The CSBS Small Grant Program supports ambitious and innovative research that will advance social and behavioral science to solve societal problems related to at least one of CSBS’s three grand challenges. Given that solutions to most societal problems require an integration of diverse conceptual and methodological approaches, the program prioritizes interdisciplinary research.

Research proposed for the Small Grant Program must be guided by social and behavioral science theory and evidence. The Small Grant Program supports the development and evaluation of ideas and applications that produce innovative, generalizable knowledge with the potential for significant impact. Projects can be oriented toward elucidating fundamental phenomena (i.e., basic research) or practical solutions (i.e., applied research). Regardless, projects should show promise for external funding.

The CSBS Small Grant Program supports:

• The collection and analysis of new data to advance social and behavioral science to address societal problems
• Compilation and/or analysis of data already collected at the local, state, national, or global level to advance social and behavioral science to address societal problems
• The development and testing of novel methodological approaches that advance social and behavioral science
• The development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions or publicly engaged programming based in social and behavioral science

The CSBS Small Grant Program does NOT support: 

• Reviews of theory and/or research, including meta-analyses and AI-assisted reviews
• Development and/or delivery of public engagement programming without a significant evaluation of its effectiveness 
• Development of apps or other technology without a significant evaluation of their effectiveness 
• Development and/or delivery of training programs (e.g., for undergraduate or graduate students), unless such programs are the focus of the research

Awards range from $5,000 to $30,000 with a project performance period of 18 months.

Timeline

Full proposals to the Small Grant Program are accepted in the fall with an October 15 deadline and in the spring with a March 15 deadline. Prior to submitting a full proposal for either of these deadlines, a pre-proposal must be submitted and approved by August 15 for the fall cycle and January 15 for the spring cycle. Portals for submission of proposals open one month before each deadline.

Key Considerations

CSBS Small Grants are open to tenure-track faculty (PI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• Submissions will be reviewed based on (a) the significance of their contribution, (b) their methodological and analytical strength, and (c) their promise for external funding.
• Interdisciplinary approaches are given priority, as they often lead to the most groundbreaking work
• Small Grants must broadly address issues relevant to at least one of the CSBS three grand challenges: (1) inequity and poverty, (2) social and behavioral health, and (3) the digital revolution.

Not sure whether your research fits into one of our grand challenge areas? Reach out to one of our Research Development Managers or email us at CSBScience@illinois.edu.