Open
Research Grants on Education: Large
Supports rigorous education research projects for educational improvement
Last Update: March 18, 2026
Funding available
$ 125,000 - $ 500,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The Large Research Grants on Education Program funds rigorous, field-initiated research projects that aim to improve education outcomes. Funding ranges from $125,000 to $500,000 across three tiers for projects lasting one to five years.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 125,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Other Education
- Research
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
- International
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Field-initiated education research projects addressing pressing questions in education
- Research across any discipline, design, method, or geographic location
- Research contributing to the improvement of education broadly conceived
- Dissemination of findings to impact policy, practice, or public discourse
Documents Needed
- Preproposal PDF with narrative (1250 words max), references, team description, timeline, and budget
- Project summary (200 words) with title, duration, and research question
- Current CV (10-page limit) uploaded to profile
- For full proposals: narrative (5000 words max), detailed budget, project timeline, and team description
- AI policy acknowledgment and agreement
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Universities
- Colleges
- Research organizations
- School districts
- 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- International organizations (with equivalency determination)
Who is not eligible
- Individual applicants without organizational affiliation
- For-profit companies and businesses
- Organizations without nonprofit determination
- PIs currently holding another active Spencer research grant
- Applicants with pending Spencer research proposals (must wait for decision)
Eligible expenses
- Personnel salaries and benefits (PI, Co-PI, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, research assistants)
- Travel for project work and conference dissemination
- Equipment and software
- Project expenses including supplies, participant stipends, transcription, and communication costs
- Subcontracts and consultant fees
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Office rent and institutional infrastructure costs
- Grants and contracts office expenses
- Institutional and departmental administrative expenses
- Institutional information technology expenses
- Accounting and legal services
Eligible geographic areas
- United States (primary focus)
- International organizations accepted (with equivalency determination for funding)
- Canada (grants made only occasionally)
Processing and Agreement
- Preproposals are reviewed to determine invitation to full proposal stage.
- All applicants receive light feedback on their preproposal.
- Applicants are notified if invited to submit a full proposal.
- Full proposals undergo peer review by field experts.
- Funding agreement required before disbursement of awarded funds.
Additional information
- Preproposals are reviewed once a year; all applicants receive feedback.
- Research grants may include 15% indirect costs for budgets over $75,000.
- Projects can run from one to five years in duration.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Research Grants on Education: Large Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Research Grants on Education: Large. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Research Grants on Education: Large?
The Large Research Grants on Education Program funds rigorous, field-initiated research projects that aim to improve education outcomes. Funding ranges from $125,000 to $500,000 across three tiers for projects lasting one to five years.
How much funding can be received?
Research Grants on Education: Large Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Research Grants on Education: Large program?
To be eligible for the Research Grants on Education: Large program, you must:
PI must have an earned doctorate
Submitted by nonprofit organization
No concurrent Spencer research grant applications
What expenses are eligible under Research Grants on Education: Large?
Field-initiated education research projects addressing pressing questions in education
Research across any discipline, design, method, or geographic location
Research contributing to the improvement of education broadly conceived
Dissemination of findings to impact policy, practice, or public discourse
Who can I contact for more information about the Research Grants on Education: Large?
You can contact The Spencer Foundation by email at largegrants@spencer.org.
Where is the Research Grants on Education: Large available?
The Research Grants on Education: Large program is available across Canada.
Is the Research Grants on Education: Large a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Research Grants on Education: Large is a Grant and Funding
More programs like this
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)Min $10,000,000
Mitacs Accelerate$7,500-$15,000
ISED — Artificial intelligence (AI)Max $2,300,000
ECO Canada — Student Work Placement ProgramMax $5,00050%
Active Transportation FundMax $50,000,000
