Research-Practice Partnerships: Collaborative Research for Educational Change
Funds collaborative research partnerships between education researchers and practitioners to advance equity and drive systemic educational change.
Funder: Spencer Foundation
Due Dates: July 10, 2026: Pre-Proposal Deadline (by 12:00 PM Noon Central) | October 28, 2026: Full Proposal (by invitation) Deadline (by 12:00 PM Noon Central)
Funding Amounts: Up to $400,000 total for up to 3 years; indirect costs capped at 15% of direct costs.
Summary: Funds collaborative, equity-focused research partnerships between researchers and education practitioners to drive systemic educational change.
Key Information: Preproposal required; only invited applicants may submit a full proposal.
Description
This program supports research projects developed through collaborative, participatory partnerships between researchers and practitioners or policymakers in education. Emphasizing long-term, trust-based relationships, the grant seeks to address pressing issues of educational practice and policy, with a central focus on advancing equity and disrupting the reproduction of educational inequities. Funding can support a wide range of research activities, infrastructure development, outreach, communications, relationship-building, and capacity development within partnerships. Proposals should specify partnership governance, history, and the shared development of work, and are encouraged from diverse contexts, including higher education, policy, rural, international, and community-based partnerships.
