Participants
3K
Surveys
300
Compliance
23%
Member qualitative sub-sample
155
Statistics
Who we are
OpenResearch is an independent
lab committed to innovative research for the benefit of all.
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We’re rethinking research.
Our non-profit lab champions scientific freedom for those who choose to explore open-ended questions without conclusions. Seeking nuanced outcomes through a balance of rigorous research and human experience.
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Insights shouldn’t be kept inside.
Life’s biggest questions deserve answers that can be shared outside the world of academia.
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Randomized Control Trial (RCT) is the way to understand new social policies.
Our approach
By comparing a group of people who received a Unconditional cash to an otherwise identical group of people who did not, we can isolate and quantify its effects.
We randomly selected individuals across two US states. Roughly one third received $1,000 a month for three years. The rest received $50 a month for three years and served as a control group for comparison.
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Research as a public good
At OpenResearch, we strive to share our findings with the world at large. Not just academia.
We use clear language and multiple mediums to reach as many people as we can. When our work is complete, we publicly share our datasets to benefit the work of our peers
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Key research phases
We completed research at the beginning, middle, and end of the three year program.
All participants were emailed the same monthly surveys and rotating app activities. To study the effects on children, cognition, employment, financial health, physical and mental health, intrahousehold dynamics, material hardship, mobility, politics, social behaviors, and time use.
In addition, we conducted in-depth interviews with a subset of participants.
In five rounds of open-ended questions, we documented their experiences, decision-making, and constraints to help find solutions.
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Focus on Impact
We tackle the pivotal issues that affect all people. Drawing on the strengths of traditional academic research with the operational experiences of Silicon Valley’s startup community.
Research for all
We focus on research with real-world impact on everyone’s life. In addition, we openly share our datasets and learnings to benefit the entire research community.
Within the bigger picture
We are fiercely independent. Providing scientific freedom to those with questions, not conclusions. Balancing quantitative rigor with human experiences. Partnering with individuals, non-profits, and academia for comprehensive, nuanced outcomes.
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OpenResearch’s Guaranteed Unconditional cash Project is
anything but basic.
It’s the most comprehensive study of its kind in US history. Potentially defining a new social contract for the 21st century.
Unconditional cash Project
We’re giving 3000 people in two states monthly cash payments for three years.
Approximately one-third will receive $1000 a month. Two-thirds will get $50. How will this affect their lives?
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We investigate society and technology’s most complex questions as a public good.
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The US in 2024
Extreme poverty has increased. The middle class is shrinking. Incomes are more unpredictable.
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Help fund OpenResearch
We believe research is a public good. Our work stands to benefit everyone. Everyone’s help is greatly appreciated.
Questions
In addition to our own questions, we’d love to hear yours. Please reach out to ask us anything.
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It's time for a new approach.
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At the time of enrollment:
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There are more questions than answers about unconditional cash. How might social spending affect the future of work? Can it alleviate poverty? End it completely?
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What will the experts say?
Leaders in economics, public health, and criminal justice are tracking how individuals in the study are spending their time and money.
What will the tests say?
Additional research is being done to monitor the payments’ effects on participants’ mental and physical health, as well as their children and social networks.
What will the bottom line say?
How does a basic level of economic security impact one’s ability to cope (or thrive) in the midst of volatility and uncertainty?
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1 dataset = 1000 insights into barriers, choices, and experiences
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External Data Sources
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National Student Clearinghouse Educational Records
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National Voter Records
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Credit Card and Bank Account Transaction Data
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Geospatial Neighborhood Quality Data
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Administrative data
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Kelly Blue Book Car Valuations
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LabCorp Collected Biomarker Data
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Experian Credit Scores
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Social Security and Benefit Receipt Records
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Our core team prioritizes impact-orientation, balancing curiosity with rigor.
Research and operational specialists support our work.
Team
Findings from the OpenResearch team
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Timeline
Jan 2016
Study initially proposed
May 2016
Elizabeth Rhodes joins OpenResearch
Sep 2016 – Sep 2018
Feasibility Studies
Aug 2019 – Mar 2020
In-person enrollment and survey
Nov 2019
Monthly surveys and app activities begin.
Mar 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic
Enrollment efforts pause.
Apr 2020 – Oct 2020
Telephone enrollment and survey
Jul 2020 – Dec 2020
First round of qualitative interviews
Oct 2020
Randomization
Nov 2020
Three year unconditional cash transfer program begins.
May 2021 – Jul 2021
Second round of qualitative interviews
Nov 2021 – Feb 2022
Third round of qualitative interviews
Apr 2022 – Jul 2022
Enumerated midline survey
Sep 2022 – Feb 2023
Fourth round of qualitative interviews
Apr 2023 – Jul 2023
Enumerated endline survey
Aug 2023 – Jan 2024
Fifth round of qualitative interviews
Oct 2023
Monthly unconditional cash transfers end.
Oct 2023 – Feb 2024
Collection of health measures
Dec 2023
Monthly surveys end.
Jan 2024
Quarterly surveys begin
Aug 2024 – Dec 2024
Sixth round of qualitative interviews
Mar 2020
US Government passes CARES Act and provides first round of stimulus checks.
Sep 2020
CDC places a moratorium on mortgage foreclosure and tenant evictions.
Dec 2020
US Government passes second round of stimulus checks and COVID-19 relief bills.
Mar 2021
COVID-19 vaccines available to general public in Texas
Mar 2021
US Government passes the American Rescue Plan Act.
Apr 2021
COVID-19 vaccines available to general public in Illinois
Apr 2021
Additional SNAP benefits go into effect.
May 2021
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ends.
May 2021
Texas moratorium on evictions ends.
Sep 2021
Enhanced unemployment benefits end.
Dec 2021
Illinois moratorium on evictions ends.
Dec 2021
Expanded child tax credit ends.
Apr 2023
States are now allowed to terminate Medicaid coverage, a process that was previously halted by the CARES Act.
Jul 2023
Rent relief program ends in Texas.
Sep 2023
Several remaining American Rescue Plan Act Provisions expire.
Apr 2020
Unemployment rate reaches 14.8%, more than four times higher than it was in February 2020.
Jan 2021
Unemployment rate is 6.4% at the start of 2021.
Apr 2021
First significant spike in inflation is observed, from 2.6% in March to 4.2% in April.
Dec 2021
By the end of 2021, inflation has tripled since the start of the year, reaching 7.5%
Jan 2022
Due to soaring inflation, mortgage and interest rates begin their first of many increases.
Jan 2022
Unemployment rate falls below 5% by January 2022.
Jul 2022
Inflation reached 9.1% in June 2022, marking the highest rate in over forty years.
Jan 2023
By the end of the year, interest rates have increased four-fold, and mortgage rates have doubled.
Timeline
Study initially proposed
Elizabeth Rhodes joins OpenResearch
Feasibility Studies
Feasibility Studies
In-person enrollment and survey
Monthly surveys and app activities begin.
Enrollment efforts pause.
COVID-19 Pandemic
US Government passes CARES Act and provides first round of stimulus checks.
In-person enrollment and survey
Telephone enrollment and survey
Unemployment rate reaches 14.8%, more than four times higher than it was in February 2020.
First round of qualitative interviews
CDC places a moratorium on mortgage foreclosure and tenant evictions.
Randomization
Telephone enrollment and survey
Three year unconditional cash transfer program begins.
US Government passes second round of stimulus checks and COVID-19 relief bills.
First round of qualitative interviews
Unemployment rate is 6.4% at the start of 2021.
COVID-19 vaccines available to general public in Texas
US Government passes the American Rescue Plan Act.
First significant spike in inflation is observed, from 2.6% in March to 4.2% in April.
COVID-19 vaccines available to general public in Illinois
Additional SNAP benefits go into effect.
Second round of qualitative interviews
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ends.
Texas moratorium on evictions ends.
Second round of qualitative interviews
Enhanced unemployment benefits end.
Third round of qualitative interviews
Illinois moratorium on evictions ends.
Expanded child tax credit ends.
By the end of 2021, inflation has tripled since the start of the year, reaching 7.5%
Due to soaring inflation, mortgage and interest rates begin their first of many increases.
Unemployment rate falls below 5% by January 2022.
Third round of qualitative interviews
Enumerated midline survey
Inflation reached 9.1% in June 2022, marking the highest rate in over forty years.
Enumerated midline survey
Fourth round of qualitative interviews
By the end of the year, interest rates have increased four-fold, and mortgage rates have doubled.
Fourth round of qualitative interviews
Enumerated endline survey
States are now allowed to terminate Medicaid coverage, a process that was previously halted by the CARES Act.
Rent relief program ends in Texas.
Enumerated endline survey
Fifth round of qualitative interviews
Several remaining American Rescue Plan Act Provisions expire.
Monthly unconditional cash transfers end.
Collection of health measures
Monthly surveys end.
Quarterly surveys begin
Fifth round of qualitative interviews
Collection of health measures
Sixth round of qualitative interviews
Featured Timeline