Open
Research Grants on Education: Large
Supports education research to improve learning
Last Update: March 18, 2026
Funding available
$ 125,000 - $ 500,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The program supports rigorous education research aimed at improving education, broadly conceived. Funding ranges from $125,000 to $500,000 for projects lasting one to five years.
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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
- Research aimed at improving education broadly conceived
- Rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research
Documents Needed
- Preproposal PDF with the required narrative, references, team description, timeline, and budget
- Project summary with title, estimated duration, budget tier, research questions, and a short summary
- Current CVs for the principal investigator and co-principal investigators
- AI policy acknowledgment within the online application
- Full proposal materials if invited
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Universities
- Colleges
- Research organizations
- School districts
- 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- International organizations
Who is not eligible
- Individual applicants without an administering organization
- For-profit companies and businesses
- Organizations without nonprofit determination
- PIs and Co-PIs with more than one Spencer application under consideration
Eligible expenses
- Personnel salaries and benefits
- Travel, equipment, and software
- Project expenses and other direct costs
- Subcontracts and collaborator costs
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
- Canada
- International organizations outside the United States
Processing and Agreement
- Preproposals are reviewed first.
- Applicants receive light feedback on submitted preproposals.
- Some applicants are invited to submit a full proposal.
- Applications must comply with the Spencer AI policy and disclosure rules.
Additional information
- All applicants receive light feedback on their preproposal.
- Starting in 2026, the program moves to one annual large-grant cycle.
- Applicants must acknowledge the Spencer Foundation AI policy when submitting through the online portal.
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 program supports rigorous education research aimed at improving education, broadly conceived. Funding ranges from $125,000 to $500,000 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 hold an earned doctorate
Submitted by a nonprofit organization
Only one active Spencer application at a time
What expenses are eligible under Research Grants on Education: Large?
Field-initiated education research projects
Research aimed at improving education broadly conceived
Rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research
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