Spencer Foundation: Research-Practice Partnerships: Collaborative Research for Educational Change
Sponsor’s Website
Visit the Spencer Foundation website for more information on the Research-Practice Partnerships: Collaborative Research for Educational Change.
Internal Contacts
- Katie Harriman: katie.harriman@carleton.ca
- Heloise Emdon: heloise.emdon@carleton.ca
Potential applicants are also encouraged to discuss this opportunity with their Faculty Research Facilitator.
Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Faculty deadline | Consult your Faculty Research Facilitator |
| Internal cuResearch Approval Form | July 3, 2026 |
| Submission of pre-proposal (mandatory) | July 10, 2026 by 12:00 p.m. (CT) |
| Submission of application to the Spencer Foundation (by invitation) | October 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (CT), or 1:00 p.m. (ET) |
Overview
The Research-Practice Partnerships program supports education research conducted through collaborative partnerships between researchers and practitioners or policymakers.
It is designed to foster long-term, participatory collaborations that address pressing problems of educational practice or policy. These partnerships bring together diverse expertise to co-develop research questions and generate actionable knowledge that can improve education across a range of settings, including schools, postsecondary institutions, community organizations and other learning environments.
Funded projects are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of the processes, practices and policies that support improved educational outcomes for learners, educators, families and communities.
Value and Duration
Up to $400,000 USD total per project for up to three years.
Eligibility
Proposals must be based on existing partnerships between academic researchers and education practitioners or policymakers.
Partnerships may include a wide range of stakeholders, such as school systems, universities, community-based organizations and policy bodies.
Principal investigators (PI) and co-PIs may only hold one active research grant from the Spencer Foundation, as well as only submit one research proposal, at a time.
Special Considerations
The Spencer Foundation emphasizes equitable, mutually beneficial partnerships that engage both researchers and practitioners in all phases of the work. Projects should demonstrate strong collaborative structures and a clear plan for generating and sharing knowledge that informs practice and policy.
Submitting Your Application
- Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database cuResearch. Consult the user’s manual for guidance.
- Submit an external application to the Spencer Foundation through their online portal.