Each year, the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies seeks proposals for policy-oriented research on aspects of labor directly relevant to policy makers in Washington State. Grants are available to University of Washington faculty, both full-time and lecturer, as well as UW graduate students who are sponsored by a faculty member.

Up to $15,000 is available for this grant. The full amount is sufficient to cover the salary and benefits cost of a quarterly R.A. appointment. Funding includes a tuition waiver for graduate employees. Proposals requesting funding for student salaries will be given priority consideration over others.

Topically, priority will go to work that examines:

• Race and/or gender as they pertain to labor and workforce issues.

• Immediate and longterm impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers in Washington State

• Aspects of labor force employment, wages, conditions (including health and pension benefits), and/or unionization.

• Local policies to ameliorate the impacts of trade, outsourcing, off-shoring subcontracting, automation, or technology.

• Policies of unions and professional organizations to expand or preserve marketable skills and quality production.

• Problems facing contingent, casual or gig workers, and employment-related aspects of poverty and/or discrimination.

• Historical work that has direct impact upon contemporary policy.

• International case studies and/or comparative research relevant to Washington State.

Selection of the Washington State Labor Research grant recipients will be made by the Standing Committee of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies and presented at the Bridges Center's annual awards celebration.

Priority is given to proposals by University of Washington faculty, both full-time and lecturer.

University of Washington graduate students may also apply if their project is sponsored by a faculty member.

• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

Required materials:

1. A proposal with maximum length 1500 words exclusive of timeline. Proposals must accomplish the following: 

   • Indicate the significance of the investigation to Washington State.

   • Summarize the state of current research and debate.

   • Explain the method of investigation and progress (if any) to date.

   • Include a timeline that demonstrates the capacity to finalize a report within two years.

2. A separate budget detailing how the requested funds would be spent.

3. A Curriculum Vitae for all of the project's investigators.

4. For UW Graduate Students Only: A brief letter of support from the UW faculty member sponsoring your project.

5. Be sure to include contact information, including email, mailing addresses, and phone number.

Please submit applications electronically to Rachel Erstad, Research Coordinator of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, at rerstad@uw.edu.