May 2026 North America Newsletter
A central component of J-PAL North America’s work is catalyzing promising new research. Through our semi-annual Requests for Proposals, we provide the resources researchers and practitioners need to launch randomized evaluations of high-impact projects across multiple sectors. Reflecting on my experiences as a researcher who has applied to countless RFPs throughout my career, and as the co-chair of the J-PAL North America Social Policy Research Initiative, it’s clear that J-PAL North America’s approach to research funding is designed with researchers—and our mission—in mind.
Across our RFPs, we aim to support ambitious projects that bring innovative approaches to pressing social policy challenges and expand opportunities for early-career researchers by accepting submissions from PhD candidates who work with J-PAL affiliated professors. We’ve also designed our RFPs to reduce unnecessary burden on applicants, requesting only what is essential to assess project feasibility and alignment with J-PAL’s mission. Proposals are reviewed by expert committees with deep knowledge of the relevant literature, community-engaged research practices, and randomized evaluation methods.
Historically, J-PAL North America’s funding has supported landmark studies in the region, including research on housing vouchers, summer youth employment programs, tutoring, the impact of having a doctor of the same race, quantifying racial discrimination in the labor market, and more.
In our most recent RFP round, J-PAL North America funded eleven projects across four different funding opportunities: a Special Topic RFP for climate-focused proposals, the Initiative for Effective US Crime Policy, the Health Care Delivery Initiative, and the Social Policy Research Initiative. I was particularly excited to see strong proposals from early-career scholars submitting to J-PAL for the first time, and I am proud that J-PAL North America chose to fund some of this work. I encourage you to read more about the funded projects in the newsletter below.
Sincerely,
Matt Notowidigdo
Co-Scientific Director, J-PAL North America
Catalyzing ambitious research: J-PAL North America’s new funded research projects
J-PAL North America regularly hosts RFPs for researchers in our network to submit proposals for research projects aligned with our mission to reduce poverty through scientific evidence. We are excited to share newly funded projects across four RFPs: a Special Topic RFP for climate-focused proposals, the Initiative for Effective US Crime Policy, the Health Care Delivery Initiative, and our Social Policy Research Initiative. Visit the links to learn about the research questions these projects seek to answer.
New publication: The impact of Emergency Financial Assistance on housing stability in the United States
Housing instability, which can encompass difficulty paying rent, frequent moves, overcrowding, and eviction, impacts the health and well-being of millions of US households. Eviction, in particular, has been found to reduce earnings and lead to higher rates of homelessness and hospitalization. One-time and short-term emergency financial assistance (EFA) programs, sometimes referred to as emergency rental assistance, have emerged as a key strategy for preventing evictions and supporting both renters and landlords. A new J-PAL North America policy brief synthesizes results from evaluations of EFA programs in the United States, finding that EFA averts evictions and episodes of homelessness under typical housing market conditions. Read the brief »
Register now: From line items to impact – incorporating evidence into local budgeting
On June 2, join the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities at Notre Dame, J-PAL North America, and public sector evidence leader Carrie S. Cihak for an upcoming EVIDENCE MATTERS webinar on how local governments can make evidence a regular part of their budgeting processes. In a conversation moderated by Results for America, you’ll hear practical advice from local government leaders in San Diego County and the District of Columbia about how to get started and how to sustain momentum over time—building the internal capacity, cross-departmental partnerships, and political will needed to make evidence-informed budgeting a lasting part of how governments operate. Register now »
Featured Evaluation Summary
The effect of behavioral interventions on health insurance enrollment in Massachusetts
Many individuals who are eligible for subsidized health insurance options in Massachusetts through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) do not enroll in coverage. A J-PAL North America-funded randomized evaluation estimated the impact of mailed reminder letters and a streamlined enrollment letter, where individuals were able to check a box and return the letter to enroll, on subsequent insurance coverage. Read the results »
Featured Research Resource
Assessing viability and building relationships
Whether you work in government, program implementation, or research, building strong partnerships is key to conducting successful evaluations. Early discussions between stakeholders interested in randomized evaluations serve to gather enough information to assess the practical and statistical feasibility of a randomized evaluation while also establishing strong working relationships. This J-PAL research resource provides guidelines for researchers leading early discussions with program implementers who have expressed interest in a randomized evaluation and with whom a partnership seems potentially viable.