Search our database of 1,200+ summaries of randomized evaluations conducted by our affiliates in 98 countries. To browse key policy recommendations from a subset of these evaluations, visit the Policy Publications tab above.

Displaying 185-192 of 319

The Impact of Improved Communication on Cal-Grant Take-Up Rates in the United States

Elizabeth Linos
Vikash Reddy
Jesse Rothstein
Researchers evaluated the impact of simplified award letters and different framing and messaging on students’ decision-making in their college selection process and uptake of financial aid. Researchers found that notification letters containing simplified and behaviorally informed language increased...

The (Null) Impact of Tax Credit Information on College Enrollment in Texas

Peter Bergman
Jeffrey Denning
Dayanand Manoli
Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to test the impact of a large, information-only intervention about tax credits and financial aid for college on college application and enrollment. Information about tax credits did not influence reenrollment, reapplication, or enrollment, even for...
Introducing irrigation to central Kenya

Encouraging Adoption of Rainwater Harvesting Tanks Through Collateralized Loans in Kenya

Michael Kremer
Tavneet Suri
In partnership with Nyala Dairy Cooperative, researchers evaluated the impact of offering asset collateralized loans for rainwater harvesting tanks on both credit access for dairy farmers and profitability for the lender. Using the tanks as loan collateral led to higher take-up of loans by farmers...
Scarecrow in green field with palm trees

Microfinance to Increase Agricultural Technology Adoption among Rural Farmers in India

Erica Field
Rohini Pande
Christopher Robert
Researchers evaluated the expansion of a rural financial services provider in Tamil Nadu, India in order to understand how access to financial services, information, and exposure to risk affect technology adoption and well-being among farming households.
J-PAL logo

Using Social Networks to Spread Word-of-Mouth Information Campaigns in Rural India

Abhijit Banerjee
Arun Chandrasekhar
Esther Duflo
Matthew Jackson
J-PAL logo

Can Mobile Phones Improve Take-up and Delivery of Maternal Cash Transfer Programs in India?

Giorgia Barboni
Erica Field
Charity Troyer Moore
Rohini Pande
Natalia Rigol
Simone Schaner
Researchers are conducting a randomized evaluation to test whether a phone-based information service can increase take-up of India’s maternity cash transfer programs, and whether phone-based feedback can improve local-level program functioning and child health. Research ongoing; Results forthcoming.
Tax forms for the Earned Income Credit.

Increasing Take-Up of the Earned Income Tax Credit

Across six randomized evaluations, researchers studied the impact of low-cost, low-touch informational interventions, or “nudges,” on take-up of the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in California. None of the interventions had an impact on EITC take-up, suggesting that information...
A young man in a hooded sweatshirt using machinery

Branchless Banking Agents’ Profile, Limitations, and Potential for Agent Network Expansion and Improvement”

Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation in East Java, Indonesia to investigate the impact of the level and transparency of financial incentives on the take-up of these new banking services. They found that larger incentives caused an increase in take-up, but only when the incentives were not...