About

The Spencer Foundation has announced its Research Grants on Education for scholars to undertake ambitious studies that advance understanding and improve educational practice and policy.

Beginning in 2026, the program will shift to a single annual funding cycle while increasing the number of projects supported. Grants range from $125,000 to $500,000 and fund research lasting one to five years. Applicants are encouraged to request the budget that genuinely fits the scope of their work rather than simply applying for the highest tier.

This is a fully field-initiated program, allowing researchers to propose topics, methods and designs of their choosing. The aim is to support rigorous, thoughtful and well-designed projects that address meaningful questions within education. The program welcomes work that explores learning across the lifespan and in diverse settings, from classrooms to workplaces, homes, communities and recreational spaces. Strong proposals will demonstrate depth of inquiry, intellectual ambition and the potential to contribute lasting knowledge to the field.

Applications are welcomed from a wide range of disciplines, including education, sociology, anthropology, psychology, law, economics, philosophy, history, neuroscience and related fields. The program also values methodological diversity, supporting quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographic, design-based, participatory and historical research. Projects that engage multiple data sources, span extended periods of time or involve collaboration with practitioners or community members are encouraged. Multidisciplinary and multigenerational research teams are also welcomed.

Researchers are expected to articulate how their findings may influence practice, inform policy or contribute to broader public understanding. Successful proposals should thoughtfully consider the long-term impact and dissemination of their work.

Eligibility

To be eligible, principal investigators and co-investigators must hold a doctoral degree and be affiliated with a nonprofit or public institution capable of administering the grant. Projects must focus on education research and cannot include program development, evaluations, technology creation or other non-research activities. Proposals may be submitted from anywhere in the world but must be written in English with budgets in U.S. dollars. Projects may not exceed five years, and applicants may only have one active Spencer research grant at a time.

With its commitment to high-quality, original research and its substantial funding tiers, this program offers scholars a major opportunity to deepen knowledge and contribute to the future of education on a global scale.

Post Date: December 11, 2025