Funder: National Academy of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $30,000 in two installments; one academic year full-time or up to two years part-time
Summary: Supports doctoral dissertation writing that advances understanding and improvement of formal or informal education.
Key Information: Applicants must be doctoral candidates at a graduate school within the United States; U.S. citizenship is not required.
Description
The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship, administered by the National Academy of Education, encourages emerging scholars across disciplines and professional fields to pursue research relevant to improving education. It supports dissertations bringing innovative and insightful approaches to the history, theory, analysis, or application of education. Education is defined broadly, encompassing formal and informal learning, school and non-school settings, early childhood through adulthood, and contexts within and outside the United States.
The fellowship supports dissertation writing rather than data collection or coursework, reducing the need for significant employment while fellows complete their research. Alongside financial support, fellows participate in two professional development retreats led by Academy members and other distinguished scholars. Each fellow also selects an Academy member or another esteemed scholar as a mentor for the academic year.
