Research Grants on Education: Large
The Spencer Foundation's Large Research Grants fund rigorous, multidisciplinary research projects that advance foundational knowledge and address critical questions in education across diverse contexts.
Funder: Spencer Foundation
Due Dates: July 7, 2026: Full Proposal (by invitation), 12:00 PM Noon Central Time (North America)
Funding Amounts: $125,000–$500,000 per project | Project duration: 1–5 years | 15% indirect cost allowed
Summary: Supports rigorous, field-initiated research projects that advance foundational knowledge and address critical questions in education.
Key Information: Full proposals are by invitation only after a preproposal review; only one application cycle per year.
Description
The Large Research Grants on Education Program from the Spencer Foundation funds ambitious, technically sound research projects that seek to improve education in its broadest sense. The program is field-initiated, welcoming proposals from diverse topics, disciplines, and methodological perspectives in both U.S. and international contexts. Projects may investigate learning across various settings—such as classrooms, workplaces, and communities—and can employ a wide range of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnography, participatory, and historical research. Proposals from multidisciplinary and multigenerational teams are encouraged, as are thoughtful plans for disseminating findings to influence educational practice, policy, and public understanding.
