Call for Grant Applications –
Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) Grants Program
Application Deadline:
October 31, 2024
About Organisation
The Spencer Foundation is a leading national funder dedicated to advancing educational research. Established in 1971, the foundation supports initiatives that foster learning and help transform lives through a deeper understanding of education. As the only national foundation solely focused on funding education research, Spencer seeks to generate meaningful insights that address key issues in education. The foundation encourages innovative and collaborative projects that build knowledge, improve educational practices, and promote equity and opportunity in education for learners of all ages. Spencer’s mission is to enhance education through rigorous research, supporting both scholars and practitioners in various educational settings. By funding research-practice partnerships, it seeks to generate knowledge that addresses complex problems in education while fostering long-term collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and educators. Spencer’s investments in research contribute to improving the educational landscape for students, educators, communities, and institutions worldwide.
About the Grant
The Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) Grants Program is designed to fund collaborative education research projects with budgets up to $400,000 over three years. The program aims to support partnerships between researchers and practitioners to address pressing problems of practice and policy within education. RPPs promote the integration of diverse expertise and perspectives to generate new knowledge and foster educational improvements. These partnerships are expected to engage in long-term collaboration, exploring key challenges in education through a rigorous and inclusive approach. The program particularly emphasizes research that tackles issues of inequality in education, seeking to disrupt the reproduction of inequities across dimensions such as race, class, gender, language, and geography. Projects may include a variety of activities beyond research, such as capacity development, communication, outreach, and infrastructure building. Proposals that involve community-based organizations, higher education institutions, rural locations, or partnerships outside the United States are especially encouraged.
Who can Apply?
The Research-Practice Partnership Grant Program is open to collaborative partnerships between academic researchers and education practitioners. Proposals must focus on research activities and initiatives that support the collaborative nature of the partnership. Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs must have an earned doctorate or demonstrate significant professional experience relevant to the project. While graduate students can be part of the research team, they cannot serve as PIs or Co-PIs. PIs must be affiliated with a non-profit organization or public institution that can serve as the administering organization for the grant. This could include universities, school districts, research facilities, or other educational institutions with non-profit status. The foundation does not award grants directly to individuals. The partnerships may involve a wide range of practitioners, including policymakers, teachers, and community-based educators. Proposals are welcome from both U.S. and international applicants, with all submissions required in English and budgets submitted in U.S. dollars.
How to Apply?
To apply for the Research-Practice Partnership Grant, submit your proposal and required documents through the Spencer Foundation’s online application system. All proposals must be submitted in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars. Ensure your submission highlights the collaborative nature of the partnership, research plans, and governance structure. The deadline for submission is October 31, 2024, at 12:00 pm Central Time.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit your proposal is October 31, 2024, at 12:00 pm (noon) Central Time.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
