The Labor Research and Action Network (LRAN) brings together workers’ rights advocates, academics, and students with the shared goal of building workplace and economic power for workers in the United States. One of the organization’s key objectives is to help develop the next generation of labor scholars while linking these academics to labor activists.

LRAN is pleased to announce a competition for seed grants ranging from $1,000-$3,000 for graduate students, untenured faculty, and labor activists for research on U.S. labor-focused projects, broadly defined. Proposals will be judged based on their overall quality, but projects directly relevant to workers and worker rights organizations will be prioritized. In addition, LRAN encourages collaboration between academics and worker centers, unions, and community groups. These collaborations are a plus factor in the judging. Graduate student applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program, including those awarding academic or professional degrees.

Furthermore, we encourage activists not connected to an academic institution to apply. If you need support with your project proposal, please reach out to us. Students in all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should submit a single PDF that includes the following information:

1- A brief project proposal (no more than five pages, double-spaced), including information about whether IRB approval is required and, if needed, where the applicant is in the IRB process. Please, ensure you address the following:

A)  State the problem you are trying to address.

B)  Indicate your research question.

C)  Explain the significance of the study.

D)  Identify the data, data collection methods, and data analysis plan.

2- A detailed budget that explains how seed funds will be used. LRAN grant money may not be used for overhead, tuition, or fees at the applicant’s university. Funds will be disbursed as reimbursement for budgeted research expenses.

3- For graduate students, a letter signing off on the proposal from the student’s academic advisor. For labor activists, a letter recommending the proposal from a colleague or collaborator.

4- C.V. or resume

5- If the proposed project collaborates with a union or other worker organization, please add the name, email, and phone number of the applicant’s contact at the organization.

Winners will be required to provide status reports on the state of their research projects six months and one year after receiving their awards.

Completed applications should be sent to lrangrants@jwj.org in a single PDF with “LRAN New Scholars Research Grant” in the subject line. Grantees will receive a travel stipend of up to $500 to report their research proposal at the 2023 LRAN Conference. The application deadline is November 18, with winners announced by December 16, 2022.

For more information on LRAN, see https://www.lranetwork.org/