Published: 2026/01/22 21:19:29
Pew Research Center Announces $3,000 Grants for Research Utilizing Global Religious Futures Datasets
The Pew Research Center, in collaboration with the John Templeton Foundation, is offering research grants to scholars interested in analyzing recently released datasets from the Global Religious Futures (GRF) project. This initiative aims to encourage innovative research into religion and spirituality worldwide, with a focus on studies suitable for presentation at social science conferences in 2026 and subsequent publication in academic journals.
Grant Details and Eligibility
Up to 19 researchers will receive $3,000 each to develop publications based on data from the GRF project. the primary dataset available for analysis is the Spring 2024 Survey, which encompasses measures of religious belief and practice across 35 countries. Notably, comparable data was also collected in 2023 and 2024 specifically for the United States, offering researchers opportunities for cross-national comparisons. Researchers are also encouraged to integrate these datasets with other data sources, including other datasets produced by the Pew Research Center.
The chance is open to researchers at all career stages, including doctoral students, and welcomes both individual and collaborative applications.In the case of joint proposals, the $3,000 grant will be divided equally among the co-authors.
Application Process and Timeline
Interested researchers must submit proposals via email to rkielty2@pewresearch.org by 5:30 PM EST on Monday, March 2, 2026. The application requires two PDF attachments:
- CV: A curriculum vitae (named YOURNAME_CV.pdf).
- Research Proposal: A detailed proposal (named YOURNAME_GRFproposal.pdf) including:
The research proposal should not exceed 1,500 words and must clearly articulate the research question(s), the methodology for utilizing the GRF dataset(s), and the potential contribution to existing knowledge. Applicants should also include a statement (up to 250 words) outlining their expertise and available resources. Optionally, researchers may indicate their preferred conference and publication outlet.
Applicants will be notified of their selection by March 31, 2026. Successful applicants will be required to submit a draft paper of at least 3,000 words by August 2026 to receive full compensation.
Selection Criteria and Expectations
The Pew Research Center will prioritize proposals demonstrating the potential to considerably advance scholarly understanding of religion and spirituality. Applications that showcase familiarity with existing Pew Research Center studies and related research will be favorably considered. The Center seeks to fund a diverse range of research questions, avoiding multiple studies focused on the same narrow topic.
Researchers are expected to conduct their research independently, even though limited technical advice might potentially be available from Pew Research Center staff.The Center emphasizes that researchers will retain full intellectual property rights to their final publications. It is vital to note that the Pew Research Center may independently pursue research using the same datasets, and applicants acknowledge this possibility.
Resources and Contact Facts
For questions regarding this opportunity,researchers can contact Conrad hackett,Pew Research center associate Director of Research and Senior Demographer,at chackett@pewresearch.org.
This grant program represents a valuable opportunity for researchers to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on global religious trends and to leverage high-quality data from a leading research institution.
