2026 Progress of Ideas Grant
The Progress and Poverty Institute is currently accepting applications for Progress of Ideas Grants. Applications will be accepted through Monday, April 6 2026 at 8:00pm Eastern.
If you have any questions about the grant program, please email grants@progressandpovertyinstitute.org
FAQ's
Program Application Process
Program Eligibility
No, grants will only be awarded to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) organizations by the Internal Revenue Service.
Yes, country of interest and study context are not determining factors for these grants.
Yes, however, the same proposal may not be submitted for multiple requests for applications in a given cycle.
Yes. If there is an open grant, it must be demonstrated that there is no budgetary and/or scientific overlap between the open grant and the new project. If there is, the applicant must indicate their plan to close the open grant in the event the new application is selected for funding (e.g. relinquish the current grant or complete the current grant to start the new grant).
Yes, during an open application period, a grant application may be resubmitted.
Yes, other sources of revenue for the project must be indicated on the project budget form.
Completing and Submitting Program Applications
Applicants must fill out the online application form. Mailed/emailed applications are not accepted.
The current application period closes on April 6, 2026 8:00 PM Eastern. There will be no extensions for the application period.
10% of the total grant award can be applied to indirect costs.
Please email grants@progressandpovertyinstitute.org with any questions about submitting applications.
The application should be submitted through the university’s foundation.
We recognize that applicants may use tools such as AI to help brainstorm ideas, clarify language, or assist with translation. These tools can support the application process, especially for non-native English speakers or those seeking to improve clarity. However, all submitted content must ultimately reflect your own original work, ideas, and voice. The use of AI or translation tools should be limited to supportive functions – not to generate full responses or replace your personal input. Applications that appear to be heavily or entirely AI-generated, or that do not demonstrate authentic, individual engagement with the application questions, may be subject to further review. Our application will ask whether and how you used AI tools.
Grant Notification and Contracting
Notifications will be sent to applicants informing them of the grant decision by May 12, 2026.
You can start your proposed project upon execution of a grant agreement between PPI and your institution.
Post-Award Process
The period of your grant begins upon execution of the grant agreement between PPI and your institution. The duration is up to two years, as specified in your proposal and codified in the grant agreement.
The first payment is contingent upon execution of the grant agreement, final payment will be made upon provision of deliverables.
Yes, any funds not used by the PI for the purpose of the project must be returned to PPI. PPI reserves the right to audit any institution that received grant funding. The sponsoring institution is required to retain all records and reports related to the grant contract for a period of three years from the date of the end of the contract term.
Extensions
Yes, a one-time extension, which shall not exceed 12 months, may be requested if additional time beyond the established expiration date of the grant is required to assure adequate completion of the research project. Additional extensions will not be permitted.
Extension requests must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the end period of the grant. The following information is needed as part of the extension request:
- – A letter signed by the PI and authorized organization representative. The letter must include justification for the request, including progress to date, and the length of extension requested.
- – A progress report.
- – Detailed expense reports of funds received to date from your institution’s accounting/finance department.
Reporting Requirements
Deliverables are considered overdue if they are two weeks late from the original due date. A delinquency notice will be sent by PPI to the PI and the organization’s authorized representative, indicating a final deadline for deliverables. PPI will withhold any pending grant payments until deliverables are received, and grant recipient will not be eligible to apply for any other PPI funding opportunities until all terms of the original grant agreement are fulfilled.
If extenuating circumstances will prevent a grant recipient from submitting deliverables by the deadline set in the delinquency notice, the grant recipient and grant administrator must notify PPI in writing and request an extension. PPI will review and accept/decline the request. If declined, the grant recipient must submit the outstanding deliverables within two weeks of notification. If deliverables are not received PPI will proceed with closing the grant.
Funding Acknowledgement
PPI funding can be acknowledged as follows: “This research/project/program was made possible by a Progress of Ideas grant from the Progress and Poverty Institute.”
Transfers
You must contact the Program Manager at PPI to make them aware of your intention to transfer to a new institution. An outline of the procedure is below:
- – A formal request from the PI to move the grant to the new institution must be sent to PPI.
- – The grant must be closed with the current institution. This will necessitate a “final” report including an accounting of grant money spent to date. Any unspent funds will be returned to PPI.
- – A new proposal for the balance of the grant will need to be submitted through the new institution and reviewed and approved by PPI prior to executing a grant agreement with the new institution.
Please note that transfer of the grant to a new institution is not guaranteed.
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