Knowledge Sharing & Awareness Raising Grants

The Retirement Research Foundation (RRF) offers Professional Education & Training Grants aimed at enhancing the skills of professionals serving older adults (60+). The foundation focuses on projects with significant national or regional impact, particularly those addressing the needs of historically marginalized groups, including people of color and LGBTQ individuals. RRF seeks to foster a well-trained workforce capable of meeting the increasing demands of an aging population, thereby improving the quality of life for older Americans.

New for 2026: To gauge and confirm your project’s eligibility, applicants are now required to take a brief eligibility quiz. Once completed, your team will be granted access to RRF’s Letter of Inquiry application. There is no limit on the number of submissions.
RRF funds knowledge sharing and awareness-raising projects that convey meaningful information, shape narratives, and drive positive change related to one of our five priority areas: age equity, caregiving, economic security, housing, and social connection.
Of particular interest are projects that:
Establish or expand focused learning communities to educate professionals in the field of aging and aging-related fieldsDisseminate models, tools, and strategies that improve quality of life for older adults and their caregiversBuild awareness campaigns to inform and engage diverse stakeholders in meaningful solutionsEngage and educate journalists, the media, and non-traditional partners on aging issues to reach large numbers of the general public

Eligibility

Knowledge Sharing Grants are provided to nonprofit organizations that are:Proposing a project that conveys critical information, educates professionals, or drives positive change on aging issues through journalism, learning communities, media, and dissemination.Proposing a project that will have national reach across the U.S. or regional reach within the state of Illinois.

Ineligibility

RRF does not fund:
Projects that are not intentionally focused on older people, age 60 and aboveProjects outside of the United StatesGrants to individualsProjects based in institutional settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation, assisted living, skilled care facilities, and other healthcare settingsLobbyingGeneral operating expenses or support for ongoing programs without significant changes in strategy or focusBiomedical research, basic theory development for social science research, or research and development for new technologyConstruction of facilities, capital improvements, or computer equipmentConferences, publications, or production of films and videos unless they are integral components of a larger projectDissertation research, tuition expenses, or education programs for undergraduate or graduate studentsEndowments, capital campaigns, or fundraising eventsPrivate foundationsFinancial deficits