Spencer Foundation – Research-Practice Partnerships: Collaborative Research for Educational Change
Sponsor’s Website
Spencer Foundation – Research-Practice Partnerships: Collaborative Research for Educational Change
Internal Contacts
Potential applicants are encouraged to consult with their Faculty Research Facilitator and OVPRII Contacts Katie Harriman and Heloise Emdon.
Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Faculty Deadline | Consult your Faculty Research Facilitator |
| OVPRII Approval Form Deadline | July 3, 2026 |
| Pre-Proposal Deadline | July 10, 2026, 12:00 PM CT |
| Full Proposal (by invitation) | October 28, 2026, 12:00 PM CT (1:00 ET) |
Description
The Research-Practice Partnerships (RPP) Grants Program supports education research conducted through collaborative partnerships between researchers and practitioners or policymakers.
The program 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.
Funding Value
Up to $400,000 USD total per project for up to 3 years.
Eligibility Criteria
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.
PIs and Co-PIs may only hold one active research grant from the Spencer Foundation at a time and may only submit one research proposal at a time.
How to Apply
This application process consists of two phases:
- Pre-proposal (Mandatory)
- Full Application, by invitation only
Pre-proposals and full applications are submitted through the Spencer Foundation online portal.
Additional Information
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
- Log in to cuResearch and submit an internal Carleton Approval Form. Consult the cuResearch user’s manual for guidance.
- Submit an external application to the Spencer Foundation – Research-Practice Partnerships: Collaborative Research for Educational Change by following their submission guidelines.