Apply Now: Spencer Foundation Vision Grants for Equity-Centered Education Research
Vision Grants
Spencer Foundation
Funding Opportunity: Planning for Transformative Research in Education Systems
The Spencer Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Vision Grants program, designed to support the collaborative planning of large-scale, interdisciplinary research projects aimed at transforming education systems for greater equity. This funding initiative reflects the Foundation’s core belief: that effective, ambitious, and equity-centered research must be grounded in the real-world challenges and opportunities facing education systems today.
Key Dates for 2025
- Applications Open: June 4, 2025
- Intent to Apply Form Deadline: August 13, 2025, by 12:00 PM (Noon, Central/Chicago Time)
- Full Proposal Deadline: September 17, 2025, by 12:00 PM (Noon, Central/Chicago Time)
Purpose of the Vision Grants Program
Vision Grants are intended to create space for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and community collaborators to thoughtfully design research that aims to transform education systems toward equity. The grant supports the planning phase of innovative and interdisciplinary research projects—offering teams 6 to 12 months to collaboratively conceptualize and design a proposal for a large-scale research effort. Each grant is awarded at $75,000 total.
Unlike traditional research funding that seeks fully developed study proposals, the Vision Grants program supports the early-stage development of complex research ideas. This includes identifying a compelling research topic, refining methodological approaches, cultivating strategic collaborations, and building plans for future impact.
Objectives of the Vision Grant
The overarching goal of the Vision Grants program is to spark the development of research that is:
- Ambitious and Transformative: Focused on making meaningful changes in education systems, not just incremental improvements.
- Equity-Driven: Grounded in a commitment to justice and inclusion within and across educational contexts.
- Collaborative and Inclusive: Designed in partnership with practitioners, communities, and policymakers from the earliest stages.
- Interdisciplinary and Methodologically Diverse: Leveraging a range of research traditions and disciplines to shape systemic understanding and change.
This initiative provides the time, resources, and structure needed for teams to ask bold questions and begin laying the groundwork for impactful studies.
Proposal Expectations
Vision Grant proposals must clearly articulate the following elements:
- Research Focus
Applicants must describe a clear research topic and initial thinking around its scope and methodological direction. While a fully developed research plan is not required, the proposal should demonstrate thoughtful engagement with the problem space. - Systems Change and Impact Strategy
Proposals must specify the education system(s) the team seeks to impact, along with the “levers” they believe are necessary for driving change. These could include policy, practice, funding mechanisms, governance, curriculum, or assessment systems. The proposal should outline how the research, once complete, could influence or transform these systems. - Collaboration Process
A detailed plan for inclusive and equitable collaboration is required. Proposals should reflect on how diverse stakeholders—including researchers, practitioners, and community members—will be involved in the co-development of the research design and the ongoing project vision. - Team Composition
The application must describe the core planning team and any additional collaborators who will contribute to the project’s development. The team should demonstrate interdisciplinary strength, a commitment to equity, and the capacity to develop a full research plan by the end of the grant period.
Connection to the Transformative Research Grant (TRG)
While Vision Grants are valuable as standalone awards, they also serve as the first step toward applying for the Foundation’s Transformative Research Grant (TRG). TRG awards, valued at $3.5 million, support the implementation of large-scale, equity-driven research efforts. Only recipients of a Vision Grant are eligible to apply for TRG funding, underscoring the importance of the planning phase in building scalable and impactful projects.
About the Spencer Foundation
The Spencer Foundation has supported high-quality education research since its founding. The Foundation believes that research can contribute to solutions for deep and systemic inequities in education, both in the U.S. and internationally. Through programs like the Vision Grants, the Foundation emphasizes long-term thinking, interdisciplinary methods, and inclusive partnerships as essential to systemic transformation. For more information about Spencer Foundation funding opportunities visit here.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the awarding organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
