Spencer Foundation Racial Equity Research Grants

Grant Overview

Reimagining Educational Equity Through Research

Donor: Spencer Foundation

About: The Spencer Foundation’s Racial Equity Research Grants program provides crucial funding for researchers committed to addressing racial inequality in education systems across all levels. With awards of up to $75,000 for projects spanning 1-5 years, this grant supports innovative research aimed at disrupting patterns of educational inequality and reimagining equitable educational models.

At a time when racial inequality remains one of the most pressing issues across educational systems globally, this program creates space for rigorous, intellectually ambitious scholarship that goes beyond merely documenting existing inequalities. Instead, the foundation seeks research that actively contributes to dismantling structural racism in education while envisioning and creating more just and equitable alternatives.

The program welcomes methodologically diverse approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, ethnographic, design-based, participatory, and historical research. Applications are encouraged from scholars at various career stages and from multiple disciplines. For the current funding cycle, the foundation particularly welcomes proposals focusing on innovative measurement and assessment approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) implications, and research addressing political challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-12 and higher education.

This field-initiated grant doesn’t restrict applicants to specific research topics, disciplines, designs, or methodologies. Instead, the foundation encourages researchers to identify the most compelling and necessary areas of inquiry. Potential focus areas include instructional innovations, addressing racial and geographic disparities, supporting children and families, informal learning environments, assessment methodologies, climate change equity issues, social-emotional learning, educator development, digital learning, policy impacts, and intersections between housing, health, and education.

Recognizing the complex nature of racial inequality in education, the Spencer Foundation welcomes studies examining various contexts, from early childhood through higher education, across schools, families, and communities worldwide. The foundation particularly values research that centers on the experiences of marginalized communities, including Black, Latine/x, AAPI, and Indigenous populations, as well as research focusing on intersectional identities and contexts.

Need assistance securing this grant? Grantaura’s team of experienced grant professionals can help with every aspect of your application, from conducting preliminary research to crafting a compelling proposal that aligns with the foundation’s priorities. Our comprehensive services include development of supporting documents, application review, and submission support to maximize your chances of success.

Focus: education research, racial inequality, equity, K-12 education, higher education, innovative measurement, assessment, artificial intelligence, diversity, inclusion, educational systems, policy reform, strengths-based approaches, methodological innovation

Region: United States, International

Eligibility:
– Principal Investigators must have an earned doctorate in an academic discipline or professional field
– PIs must be affiliated with a non-profit organization or public institution willing to serve as the administering organization
– Graduate students may be part of the research team but cannot be named as PI or Co-PI
– Applications accepted from U.S. and international researchers (must be submitted in English)
– Proposed budgets cannot exceed $75,000 total
– Projects cannot exceed 5 years in duration
– PIs and Co-PIs may not submit more than one application per deadline
– PIs or Co-PIs cannot have two projects under review in different programs simultaneously

Benefits:
– Funding up to $75,000 for projects ranging from 1-5 years
– Field-initiated research allowing scholars to pursue important questions without topical constraints
– Opportunity to contribute to understanding and addressing racial inequality in education
– Support for methodologically diverse research approaches
– Platform to influence educational policy and practice toward greater equity

Deadline: May 2025 (Intent to Apply form), June 2025 (Full Proposal)

Terms:
– MonetaryGrant – A grant of money awarded to a recipient, typically for a specific purpose or project.
– Principal Investigator (PI) – The primary individual responsible for the preparation, conduct, and administration of a research grant.
– Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) – An individual who shares the responsibility for the project with the Principal Investigator.
– Field-initiated – Research that is not constrained by pre-determined topics or approaches, allowing scholars to identify and pursue important questions in their field.
– Strengths-based approach – A perspective that affirms and builds upon the knowledge, resources, goals, capacities, and interests of individuals, families, and communities.
– Deficit-oriented approach – A perspective that focuses on problems, shortcomings, or limitations rather than strengths and assets.
– Institutional Review Board (IRB) – A committee that reviews and monitors research involving human subjects to ensure ethical standards are met.
– Administering organization – The institution that receives and manages grant funds on behalf of the researcher.