Research Grants on Education: Large
The Spencer Foundation's Large Research Grants on Education fund ambitious, multidisciplinary research that advances understanding of education across diverse topics, methods, and settings.
Funder: Spencer Foundation
Due Dates: July 7, 2026: Full Proposal (by invitation) deadline
Funding Amounts: $125,000–$500,000 per grant | Project duration: 1–5 years | 15% indirect costs allowed
Summary: Supports ambitious, multidisciplinary research projects that advance knowledge and address key questions in education across diverse topics, methods, and settings.
Key Information: Full proposals are by invitation only after a preproposal review.
Description
The Large Research Grants on Education Program, offered by the Spencer Foundation, funds rigorous and innovative research projects that aim to improve education broadly conceived. This field-initiated program welcomes proposals from diverse disciplinary and methodological perspectives, including but not limited to anthropology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, law, economics, history, and neuroscience. Projects may be U.S.-based or international, and learning is recognized as occurring across various settings and life stages—from classrooms to communities and beyond.
The program encourages multidisciplinary and multigenerational research teams, creative and open-minded scholarship, and projects that thoughtfully address the dissemination and potential impact of findings in practice, policy, or public discourse. Proposals may utilize a range of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographies, and design-based research.
