Research Grants on Education: Small
Supports rigorous, innovative research projects that advance foundational knowledge and address critical questions in education across diverse contexts and disciplines.
Funder: Spencer Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 | March 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per project (up to 5 years); eligible scholars may request an additional $10,000 for course release (max $60,000 total).
Summary: Supports innovative, rigorous research projects that advance foundational knowledge and address critical questions in education across diverse contexts and disciplines.
Key Information: Program accepts applications twice per year; no indirect costs allowed for grants of $50,000 or less.
Description
The Small Research Grants on Education Program funds field-initiated, high-quality education research projects from diverse disciplinary and methodological perspectives. The program aims to support intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that addresses pressing and compelling questions in education, broadly conceived. Projects may focus on learning in classrooms, workplaces, families, communities, or other settings, and can employ a wide range of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographies, computational modeling, design-based research, and participatory approaches. The program is open to scholars at all career stages and encourages proposals that engage deeply with research questions and, where appropriate, collaborate with practitioners or community members.
