[Spencer Foundation](https://www.spencer.org)

February 2026 (Intent to Apply) | April 2026 (Full Proposal)

Up to $75,000 total for projects up to 5 years; no indirect costs allowed.

Supports research projects aimed at understanding and disrupting racial inequality in education across diverse contexts and methods.

--- ## Description The Spencer Foundation's Racial Equity Research Grants program funds education research projects that seek to understand and actively disrupt racial inequities in education. The program encourages innovative studies that move beyond documenting disparities to reimagining educational structures and opportunities, spanning a broad range of educational levels, settings, and methodologies. Projects may address any education-related topic, discipline, or context (including those outside formal institutions), provided they contribute to new forms of equitable education and address persistent racial inequalities. --- ## Due Dates - February 2026 (anticipated): Letter of Intent / Intent to Apply deadline - April 2026 (anticipated): Full proposal deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $75,000 total per project - Project duration: Up to 5 years - No indirect costs allowed for this program --- ## Eligibility - **Project Focus:** Must be academic research addressing racial inequality in education; projects outside education or non-research activities (e.g., program evaluations, curriculum development, professional development, scholarships, capital projects) are not eligible. - **Principal Investigator (PI) Requirements:** PI and any Co-PIs must have an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field. Graduate students may participate but cannot serve as PI or Co-PI. - **Institutional Affiliation:** PI must be affiliated with a non-profit or public/governmental organization willing to serve as the administering organization (e.g., university, college, school district, research facility, 501(c)(3) nonprofit). Grants are not awarded directly to individuals. - **Geography:** Proposals are accepted from both U.S. and international organizations. All materials must be in English and budgets in U.S. dollars. - **Multiple Submissions:** PIs/Co-PIs may only have one active Spencer research grant at a time and may not submit more than one proposal across Spencer’s research grant programs simultaneously (excludes Vision Grants, which have separate rules). - **Organization Submissions:** Organizations may submit multiple proposals if projects and research teams are distinct. --- ## Application Process - Submit an Intent to Apply (Letter of Intent) by the anticipated February deadline. - If invited, submit a full proposal by the anticipated April deadline. - Proposals are field-initiated—no restrictions on research topic, design, or method, but must align with the program’s aims. - Propose a project start date at least 7–8 months after the full proposal deadline to accommodate the review and award process. - All applications must be submitted in English and budgets in U.S. dollars. - The administering organization must review and sign off on the proposal (except at the Intent to Apply stage). --- ## Additional Information - Less than 10% of submissions are funded; resubmissions are allowed but not given special consideration. - No preference for research team size, methodology, or project geography. - In-kind giving or cost sharing is not required but may be included. - Review the [Spencer Foundation policy on the use of generative AI](https://www.spencer.org/resources/policy-on-the-use-of-generative-ai-at-the-spencer-foundation) before applying. --- ## External Links - [Racial Equity Research Grants Program Page](https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/racial-equity-special-research-grants) - [Applicant Information and Policies](https://www.spencer.org/resources/Applicant-Information-and-Policies) - [Spencer Foundation Home](https://www.spencer.org) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |--------------------------|--------------------------| | Program Questions | racial-equity@spencer.org | | General Inquiries | info@spencer.org | | Phone | +1 312-337-7000 | | Contact Form | [Spencer Contact Page](https://www.spencer.org/contact) |

Racial Equity Research Grants - Spencer Foundation

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