Closed
Source verified July 6, 2026
Racial Equity Research Grants
Research funding for racial equity in education
Latest source updateLast Update: July 6, 2026Latest change: The Racial Equity Research Grants page now shows the 2026 application window and program contact details, while the core funding and eligibility language appears unchanged.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 6, 2026
Latest change: The Racial Equity Research Grants page now shows the 2026 application window and program contact details, while the core funding and eligibility language appears unchanged.
Racial Equity Research Grants deadlines and contact updated
The Racial Equity Research Grants page now shows a 2026 application window with Applications Open on March 16, 2026 and a Full Proposal Deadline of July 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM Noon Central Time/North America. It also now displays the program contact Jenn Anstadt and racial-equity@spencer.org; the funding limit remains up to $75,000 for projects ranging from one to five years, and the core scope/eligibility language appears unchanged. The Applicant Information and Policies page also shows a small process update, including a new note that organizations not already in Spencer’s database must request addition at least 3 business days before a deadline and updated sign-off language covering Intent to Apply forms and preproposals.
Funding available
$ 75,000
Deadline
July 1, 2026
Opened March 16, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Racial Equity Research Grants support education research projects led by nonprofit or public administering organizations, with budgets up to $75,000 and project durations of one to five years. The program funds research on racial inequality in education, including work to understand and disrupt inequality and reimagine educational equity.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Conduct research and development activities
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Education research focused on racial equity and inequality
- Studies that examine ways to disrupt inequality in education
- Research across early childhood, higher education, schools, families, and communities
- Projects using qualitative, mixed-methods, or quantitative approaches
Documents Needed
- Intent to Apply form
- Proposal signed by an authorized representative of the administering organization
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Nonprofit organizations
- Public or governmental institutions
- Universities and colleges
- School districts
- Research organizations and nonprofit research facilities
Who is not eligible
- Individuals applying in their own name
- Graduate students as PI or Co-PI
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for project staff
- Consultant and advisor fees
- Travel and dissemination costs
- Equipment, software, and supplies
- Participant stipends, communication, transcription, and subcontract costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Indirect costs on grants of $75,000 or less
- Institutional infrastructure costs such as office rent and administrative overhead
- Government-approved overhead rates
Eligible geographic areas
- The United States
- International locations
Selection criteria
- Rigor and technical soundness of the research
- Intellectual ambition and originality of the proposal
- Relevance to pressing questions in racial equity in education
- Clear significance and expected contribution to educational equity
- Fit with the program’s priority areas and broad methodological openness
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit Intent to Apply
- Complete the Intent to Apply form in the online portal.
- Submit it by the published deadline.
- Step 2: Access Full Proposal
- After submission, full proposal access is unlocked automatically in the portal.
- Step 3: Complete Application Materials
- Fill in the proposal sections and upload required supporting documents.
- Review and acknowledge the AI policy disclosure during submission.
- Step 4: Submit Full Proposal
- Submit the completed application through the Spencer online portal.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications begin with an Intent to Apply review.
- Once the form is submitted, eligible applicants gain access to the full proposal portal.
- Applicants must acknowledge the Spencer Foundation’s AI policy in the submission process.
- Submitted proposals are reviewed through the Foundation’s online application system.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted once a year.
- An Intent to Apply form is required before a full proposal can be submitted for certain programs.
- If an organization is not in Spencer’s database, a request to add it must be received at least 3 business days before a deadline.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Racial Equity Research Grants Program
What is the Racial Equity Research Grants?
Racial Equity Research Grants support education research projects led by nonprofit or public administering organizations, with budgets up to $75,000 and project durations of one to five years. The program funds research on racial inequality in education, including work to understand and disrupt inequality and reimagine educational equity.
How much funding can be received?
Racial Equity Research Grants Funds up to $75,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was July 1, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Racial Equity Research Grants program?
To be eligible for the Racial Equity Research Grants program, you must:
PI must be affiliated with a nonprofit or public institution.
PI must have a doctorate or relevant research experience.
Proposal must be in English and U.S. dollars.
What expenses are eligible under Racial Equity Research Grants?
Education research focused on racial equity and inequality
Studies that examine ways to disrupt inequality in education
Research across early childhood, higher education, schools, families, and communities
Projects using qualitative, mixed-methods, or quantitative approaches
Who can I contact for more information about the Racial Equity Research Grants?
You can contact The Spencer Foundation by email at racial-equity@spencer.org or by phone at none.
Where is the Racial Equity Research Grants available?
The Racial Equity Research Grants program is available across Canada.