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

April 15, 2026: Full Proposal Deadline (12:00 noon Central time/North America)

Up to $50,000 per project (1–5 years); up to $10,000 additional for course release (max $60,000 total).

Supports rigorous, field-initiated education research projects across disciplines and methods, open to scholars globally.

--- ## Description The Small Research Grants on Education Program provides funding for innovative, rigorous research projects that aim to improve education broadly conceived. The program is field-initiated, welcoming proposals across a wide range of topics, disciplines, and methodologies—including but not limited to education, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, law, economics, history, and neuroscience. Projects may use quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographies, computational modeling, or design-based research, among others. The program seeks to support work that fosters creative and open-minded scholarship, engages in deep inquiry, and has the potential for lasting impact on educational discourse and practice. Both U.S. and international scholars at all career stages are eligible to apply. --- ## Due Dates - April 15, 2026: Full Proposal Deadline (12:00 noon Central time/North America) --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $50,000 per project (project duration: 1–5 years) - Optional: Up to $10,000 additional for a course release (for eligible PIs/Co-PIs with a course load of 6+ per academic year), for a total possible budget of $60,000 - No indirect costs allowed for awards of $75,000 or less --- ## Eligibility - Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs must have an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field. - Graduate students may participate but cannot be named as PI or Co-PI. - The PI must be affiliated with a non-profit or public/governmental organization willing to administer the grant (e.g., university, college, research organization, school district, 501(c)(3) non-profit, or equivalent international status). - The Spencer Foundation does not award grants directly to individuals. - International applicants are eligible; proposals must be submitted in English and budgets in U.S. dollars. - PIs/Co-PIs may only hold one active Spencer research grant at a time and may not submit more than one research proposal to Spencer simultaneously (with some exceptions for Vision Grants). - Projects must be research-focused and related to education; non-research activities (e.g., program evaluations without significant research, curriculum development without research, scholarships, capital projects, or software development) are not eligible. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted through the [Spencer Foundation online portal](https://spencer.smartsimple.us/). - Required components include: - Project personnel details (PI, Co-PIs, research team) - Proposal summary (title, dates, research questions, 200-word summary) - Detailed budget and justification (with narrative for each expense) - Proposal narrative (max 1800 words; double-spaced, 12-point font; APA style preferred) - Reference list (not counted in word limit) - Project timeline (max 1 page, PDF) - Project team description (max 250 words, PDF) - Optional: Supplemental Course Release documentation (for eligible PIs/Co-PIs) - Applicants must acknowledge and agree to the Spencer Foundation's [policy on the use of generative AI](https://www.spencer.org/resources/policy-on-the-use-of-generative-ai-at-the-spencer-foundation). - Proposals must be reviewed and signed by an authorized representative of the administering organization before submission. --- ## Additional Information - No indirect costs are allowed on grants of $75,000 or less. - The project start date should be at least 8 months after the proposal deadline. - Only one research proposal per PI/Co-PI may be under review at Spencer at any one time (except Vision Grants). - For international organizations without U.S. IRS non-profit determination, an Equivalency Determination certificate will be required if awarded. - For detailed application instructions and FAQs, see the [program guidelines PDF](https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/small-research-grant.pdf) and the [Applicant Information and Policies](https://www.spencer.org/resources/Applicant-Information-and-Policies). --- ## External Links - [Spencer Foundation Small Research Grants Program Page](https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/small-research-grant) - [Online Application Portal](https://spencer.smartsimple.us/) - [Full Program Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/small-research-grant.pdf) - [Applicant Information and Policies](https://www.spencer.org/resources/Applicant-Information-and-Policies) - [Spencer Foundation AI Policy](https://www.spencer.org/resources/policy-on-the-use-of-generative-ai-at-the-spencer-foundation) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [info@spencer.org](mailto:info@spencer.org) | | Program Contact | [smallgrants@spencer.org](mailto:smallgrants@spencer.org) | | Phone | +1 312-337-7000 | | Contact Page | [https://www.spencer.org/contact](https://www.spencer.org/contact) | ---

Research Grants on Education: Small

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