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Source verified July 9, 2026
Research Grants on Education: Large
Supports education research projects
Latest source updateLast Update: July 9, 2026Latest change: The Large Research Grants on Education page now shows the application cycle as closed and adds a program contact email, while related applicant guidance was updated on a separate policies page.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 9, 2026
Latest change: The Large Research Grants on Education page now shows the application cycle as closed and adds a program contact email, while related applicant guidance was updated on a separate policies page.
Large Grants status and contact update
The Research Grants on Education: Large page now shows an Application Deadlines section with Applications Open marked Now closed, and it also lists the program contact as Maricelle Garcia at largegrants@spencer.org. A related Applicant Information and Policies page was also updated with new application guidance, including a requirement for organizations not already in Spencer’s database to request addition at least 3 business days before a deadline and expanded sign-off guidance that references Intent to Apply forms and preproposals.
Funding available
$ 125,000 - $ 500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Administering organizations with a non-profit determination from the IRS, such as universities, colleges, research organizations, school districts, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Large Research Grants on Education program supports field-initiated education research projects for administering organizations, with budgets from $125,000 to $500,000. It is designed to advance rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research that improves education broadly conceived through work on pressing questions and compelling opportunities.
/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 : 500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 125,000 $
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
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
Target groups
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Education research projects that contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived.
Documents Needed
- One preproposal PDF containing the narrative, references, team description, timeline, and budget.
- A proposal narrative PDF for invited full proposals.
- A project timeline PDF for invited full proposals.
- A project team PDF for invited full proposals.
- A 1-page explanation of how the proposal was revised for resubmissions.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Administering organizations with a non-profit determination from the IRS, such as universities, colleges, research organizations, school districts, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
- Organizations outside the United States.
Who is not eligible
- Individuals cannot apply directly.
- PIs and Co-PIs may not submit more than one application, including preproposals, to the Spencer Foundation at a time.
- PIs and Co-PIs are restricted from holding more than one active research grant from the Spencer Foundation at a time.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, benefits, and other collaborator costs.
- Travel, equipment and software, project expenses, other costs, and subcontracts.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Institutional infrastructure costs, including office rent, grants and contracts office expenses, institutional and departmental administrative expenses, institutional and departmental information technology expenses, and accounting and legal services.
- Indirect costs on grant awards of $75,000 or less.
- Government-approved overhead rates on research grants.
- Indirect costs on non-research grants such as fellowships or training grants.
Selection criteria
- Projects are evaluated within each funding tier.
How to apply
- Create one PDF file with all preproposal components.
- Include the PI’s last name and the project title at the top of the first page.
- Name the file with the PI’s last name and the request ID number; if this is a resubmission, prefix the file name with Resubmission.
- Upload the PDF to SmartSimple.
- Respond to all required prompts that are part of the application.
- Click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
Processing and Agreement
- Preproposals are reviewed first.
- Everyone who submits a preproposal receives light feedback.
- You will be notified if you are invited to submit a full proposal.
- If invited, you will have access to the full proposal application on your Workbench.
- Applicants and grantees must disclose the use of generative AI in letters of intent, pre-proposals, full proposals, and progress reports.
Additional information
- Preproposals are accepted once a year, and starting in 2026 Large Grants will move to a single cycle per year.
- If your organization is not already 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 Research Grants on Education: Large Program
What is the Research Grants on Education: Large?
The Large Research Grants on Education program supports field-initiated education research projects for administering organizations, with budgets from $125,000 to $500,000. It is designed to advance rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research that improves education broadly conceived through work on pressing questions and compelling opportunities.
How much funding can be received?
Research Grants on Education: Large Funds up to $500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Research Grants on Education: Large program?
To be eligible for the Research Grants on Education: Large program, you must:
The project must support the improvement of education.
The proposal must be field-initiated.
The proposed project duration must be one to five years.
What expenses are eligible under Research Grants on Education: Large?
Education research projects that contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived.
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 or by phone at none.
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