Call for Grant Applications – Large Research Grants on Education Program
Application Deadline:
January 14, 2025
About Organisation
The Spencer Foundation is a leading institution dedicated to advancing education research and enhancing educational outcomes globally. It supports projects that are rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and methodologically diverse, aimed at addressing critical questions and opportunities in education. Since its inception, the foundation has emphasized fostering innovative scholarship that spans a wide array of disciplines, including anthropology, psychology, sociology, and neuroscience. By encouraging creative, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary research, the Spencer Foundation seeks to build foundational knowledge that informs educational practice, policy, and public discourse. The organization is committed to equity, inclusivity, and the ethical conduct of research, supporting initiatives across various educational contexts, both within traditional classrooms and in broader societal settings. Scholars at all career stages, from diverse fields and geographic regions, are encouraged to contribute to its mission of transforming education through impactful research.
About the Grant
The Large Research Grants on Education Program is designed to support substantial education research projects that aim to address pressing educational challenges and opportunities. Grants range from $125,000 to $500,000 and can fund projects lasting up to five years. The program adopts a “field-initiated” approach, allowing applicants to propose topics, designs, and methodologies that align with their expertise and interests. Projects may include diverse research methods, such as qualitative studies, quantitative analyses, mixed-methods, and design-based research, fostering innovative and comprehensive investigations.
The program emphasizes the importance of producing research that not only contributes to academic discourse but also has practical implications for policy, practice, and public understanding. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects with well-constructed budgets that align with their research goals rather than targeting the maximum funding tier. The grant also values collaborative and multidisciplinary teams and welcomes proposals from both domestic and international researchers.
Who can Apply?
The Large Research Grants on Education Program is open to academic researchers affiliated with non-profit organizations, public institutions, or government entities. Eligible applicants must have earned a doctorate in an academic or professional discipline relevant to education research or possess equivalent experience in the field. While graduate students can participate as research team members, they cannot serve as Principal Investigators (PIs) or Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs).
Institutions eligible to administer the grant include universities, research facilities, school districts, and non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (or equivalent international status). Proposals must focus on education research and exclude activities like curriculum development, program evaluations, or scholarships. Submissions are accepted worldwide but must be written in English, with budgets proposed in U.S. Dollars.
Applicants must adhere to restrictions, including a limit of one active Spencer Foundation grant per PI or Co-PI at a time. Additionally, only one proposal per applicant can be under review across the foundation’s programs during a single cycle.
How to Apply?
Begin by submitting an online Intent to Apply form. Once approved, you will gain access to the Full Proposal application. Prepare necessary documents, including a proposal narrative, budget, project timeline, and team details, and upload them to the portal.
Application Deadline
The final date for submitting an Intent to Apply is January 14, 2025.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
