The Spencer Foundation is now accepting applications for the Small Research Grants on Education Program, designed to support innovative and impactful education research worldwide. With awards of up to $50,000 for projects lasting one to five years, this program aims to strengthen the understanding and improvement of education in all its forms.

About the Small Research Grants on Education Program

The Small Research Grants on Education is a field-initiated program, meaning applicants can propose research on any topic, method, or location relevant to education. The foundation seeks to fund rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research addressing critical questions and challenges in education today.

The program supports studies across diverse settings—from classrooms and universities to communities, workplaces, and informal learning environments. It encourages creative, open-minded, and cross-disciplinary approaches that expand educational knowledge and practice.

Funding and Support

Successful applicants will receive:

• Up to $50,000 in total funding
• Project duration: One to five years
• Optional supplemental funds for course release
• Two application cycles per year
• Areas of Research

The Spencer Foundation welcomes proposals from a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Education
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Economics
• History
• Philosophy
• Neuroscience
• Law

Projects may adopt quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographic, design-based, or participatory approaches. The foundation encourages work that builds new knowledge, fosters collaboration, and explores innovative perspectives in education research.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Small Research Grants on Education:

• The Principal Investigator (PI) must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent).
• The PI must be affiliated with a non-profit organization or public/governmental institution, such as a university, research institute, or school district.
• Projects must focus on education; proposals for program evaluation, training, or software development without a research component are not eligible.
• Applications are open to both U.S. and international researchers.
• All proposals must be submitted in English and budgets in U.S. dollars.
• Program Restrictions
• Budgets are capped at $50,000 and may not include indirect costs.
• Projects cannot exceed five years in duration.
• Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs may hold only one active Spencer Foundation research grant at a time.
• PIs and Co-PIs may not submit more than one proposal simultaneously across different Spencer programs.

Application Timeline

All proposals must be submitted via the Spencer Foundation’s online application portal. Applicants will be notified after review and selection by the foundation’s committee.

The Small Research Grants on Education Program is an exceptional opportunity for early-career and established scholars to explore pressing educational questions and contribute to transformative research worldwide. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and methodological diversity, the Spencer Foundation continues its mission to advance educational research that informs policy and practice.

Full Proposal Deadline: December 15, 2025, 12:00 p.m. (noon) Central Time

Apply here: Application

For more information: Spencer Foundation

For more opportunities: Opportunities for Youth