🔍
☰
Spencer Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Small Research Grants on Education Program 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
The Small Research Grants on Education Program is designed to support high-quality education research that contributes directly to improving educational theory, policy, and practice.The program prioritizes studies that are intellectually ambitious, methodologically rigorous, and technically sound. It encourages innovative research ideas that respond to the most urgent and compelling challenges in education today.
Funding education research projects with total budgets of up to USD 50,000
Principal Investigator (PI) Requirements
To be eligible as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator, applicants must:
Hold an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field
Be affiliated with an eligible non-profit or public/governmental organization
Graduate students may participate as members of the research team but cannot serve as PIs or Co-PIs.
Eligible Institutions
The PI’s institution must be capable of administering the grant and have recognized non-profit or public status.
Eligible organizations include:
Non-profit or public colleges and universities
School districts
Research institutions and research facilities
Public or governmental organizations
Other organizations with recognized non-profit status
Grants are not awarded directly to individuals.
Geographic Scope and Language Requirements
The program accepts applications from both U.S.-based and international researchers.
All applications must meet the following requirements:
Proposals must be submitted in English
Budgets must be prepared and submitted in U.S. dollars
This global eligibility allows researchers worldwide to contribute to advancing education research.
Develop a clearly defined education research question grounded in existing literature
Design a rigorous and methodologically sound research plan
Confirm eligibility of the PI, research team, and administering institution
Prepare a detailed budget not exceeding USD 50,000
Ensure the proposed timeline falls within one to five years
Submit the complete application in English during an open application cycle
Apply for Spencer Foundation Small Research Grants on Education Program
