Spencer Foundation - Vision Grants

Vision Grants are research planning grants to bring together a team, for 12 to 18 months, to collaboratively develop ambitious, large-scale research projects focused on transforming educational systems toward greater equity. This program takes as its core that the development of these kinds of research projects requires time, space, and thoughtfulness to incubate and plan. Proposals to the Vision Grant program must be for planning research projects that study education and/or learning, broadly conceived, though they will more than likely include scholars and partners in other sectors and fields. See the Funders page for more details and previously funded projects.

Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs must have doctorate in an academic discipline or terminal degree in a professional field. While graduate students may be part of the research team, they may not be named the PI or Co-PI on the proposal.

The PI must be affiliated with a non-profit organization or public/governmental institution that is willing to serve as the administering organization if the grant is awarded. Examples include non-profit private or public colleges, universities, school districts, and research facilities. The Spencer Foundation does not award grants directly to individuals.

PIs and Co-PIs may apply for a Vision Grant if they have another active research grant from the Spencer Foundation or if they have another Spencer grant proposal in review.

Proposals are accepted from the U.S. and internationally.

PIs and Co-PIs may not be part of more than one Vision Grant proposal (funded and/or in review).

Education

Salaries (PI, Co-PI, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Graduate Student, Researcher, Undergraduate Researcher, Other Research Staff, Other Staff, Supplemental PI Course Release, Supplemental Co-PI Course Release)
Benefits (PI Benefits, Co-PI Benefits, Researcher Benefits, Other Staff Benefits, Tuition/Fees, Supplemental Course Release Benefits)
Other Collaborator (Collaborators from Partner Groups, Consultants, Advisors)
Travel (Project Travel)
Equipment and Software (Equipment, Software)
Project Expenses (Supplies, Communication, Transcription)
Learning and Professional Development (Trainings, Team Building and Co-Learning Opportunities)
Other (other costs not associated with the line items above)

Step 1: Submit an Intent to Apply Form (Deadline: 12 August 2026)
The Intent to Apply is not more than 200 words and has no impact on proposal review. It is a mechanism to assist Spencer’s internal planning and program management. However, the Intent to Apply is required to submit a proposal to the Vision Grants program

Step 2: Prepare and Submit a Full Proposal (Deadline: 16 September 2026)
The Vision Grants full proposal must be submitted through an online application form. See the Funder's page for details and the Online Application Portal.