The Small Research Grants on Education program, offered by the Spencer Foundation, is designed to support research projects aimed at improving education through rigorous and intellectually ambitious studies. These grants are flexible in terms of topics and methodologies, with a focus on fostering research that can address the most pressing and compelling issues in education.
Program Overview
- Grant Size: The Spencer Foundation offers grants of up to $50,000 for research projects.
- Duration: Projects can last from one to five years.
- Application Timeline: Proposals are accepted three times a year, with specific deadlines for submission.
Key Features
The Spencer Foundation’s Small Research Grants program is field-initiated, meaning proposals are not limited to specific topics, methodologies, or geographic areas. The aim is to encourage researchers to explore the most critical and timely questions in education, regardless of disciplinary or methodological boundaries. The program welcomes proposals across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including:
- Education, sociology, economics, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, law, history, neuroscience, and more.
- A diverse range of research methodologies, such as quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnography, computational modeling, design-based research, and participatory methods.
- Research that addresses educational issues from various life-course stages, from early childhood to adult education, and in various contexts, including schools, workplaces, communities, and beyond.
Eligibility
- Principal Investigators (PIs): Must have an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field.
- Co-PIs: Must also meet the same qualifications as PIs.
- Graduate Students: While graduate students may be part of the research team, they cannot serve as the PI or Co-PI.
- Administering Organization: Proposals must be submitted by a non-profit or public/governmental institution, such as a university, research facility, or nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status (or equivalent outside of the U.S.). Grants are not awarded directly to individuals.
Restrictions
- Budget Limit: Grants are capped at $50,000, and indirect costs are not allowed under Spencer’s policy.
- Duration: The project duration cannot exceed five years.
- Multiple Proposals: PIs and Co-PIs may only have one active research grant from the Spencer Foundation at a time.
- Grant Proposals: PIs and Co-PIs may not submit more than one research proposal to the Spencer Foundation at the same time, including in programs such as the Large Grants Program, Racial Equity Research Grants, and Research-Practice Partnership Program.
- Supplemental Funds: Researchers may request supplemental funds for a course release if necessary.
Application Process
The application process for the Small Research Grants on Education program begins with a full proposal submission. No preliminary or intent-to-apply form is required. Applicants should follow the guidelines below:
Step 1 – Registration
If you are a first-time applicant, you need to create a profile on the Spencer Foundation’s online portal at spencer.smartsimple.us. Once registered, you can complete your application. If someone else (e.g., an administrative assistant) is helping you with the submission, you must first create your profile and then share your login details with them.
Step 2 – Profile Setup
After logging in, complete your My Profile page, including uploading your current CV (limit: 10 pages). If you have Co-PIs, they must also register and complete their profiles for inclusion on the application.
Step 3 – Proposal Preparation
Once your profile is complete, go to the Workbench and click the “Apply” button for the Small Research Grants on Education program. Your draft application can be saved, allowing you to return and edit it later.
Application Components
- Project Personnel: Include the PI and any Co-PIs, along with their contact details. You will also need to confirm that no PI or Co-PI has another proposal under review with the Spencer Foundation.
- Proposal Summary: Provide information such as the project title, research questions, project dates, and a 200-word summary of the proposed research.
- Budget and Budget Justification:
- Submit a detailed budget broken down into categories such as salaries, benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, and more.
- Provide a budget narrative to explain each budget item.
- If subcontracts are involved, you must complete a separate budget form for each subcontractor.
Deadline for April 2025 Cycle
- Application Opens: February 21, 2025
- Full Proposal Deadline: April 16, 2025, by 12:00 pm Central time
Review Process
Once submitted, applications are reviewed based on their:
- Research quality: The clarity, rigor, and feasibility of the proposed study.
- Relevance to education: The significance of the research in advancing the field of education.
- Impact potential: The ability of the research to contribute to educational improvement or policy.
- Methodological diversity: The use of various research methods that best address the research questions.
Conclusion
The Spencer Foundation Small Research Grants on Education program offers an exciting opportunity for education researchers to explore compelling questions, test innovative ideas, and contribute to the development of foundational knowledge that can shape the future of education. If your research project seeks to make a meaningful impact in education, this grant could provide the necessary support for a successful endeavor.
How to Apply
Visit the Spencer Foundation website or the online portal to begin the application process and check the specific deadlines for each funding cycle. Be sure to follow all guidelines closely, and submit a complete and compelling proposal by the deadline to increase your chances of receiving funding for your research project.
