The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early career scholars working in critical areas of education research.
Donor Name: National Academy of Education
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Fellowship
Deadline: 11/13/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Through professional development, funding, and mentorship from senior scholars, the fellowship enhances the career and research opportunities of the fellow.
As a highly competitive initiative, this fellowship annually identifies and supports 25 of the most exceptional researchers conducting postdoctoral studies relevant to education.
This non-residential fellowship supports scholars who promise to make significant contributions to the field of education and advances the careers of the recipients. Scholars may conduct their research at their home institution or at another research site that they have arranged. The fellowship comprises three key components:
- Fellows receive $70,000 for one academic year, distributed in two installments.
- Fellows participate in three professional development retreats facilitated by NAEd members and other distinguished scholars. These retreats offer general and specialized discussions to enhance the fellows’ research capabilities and academic growth.
- Fellows choose an NAEd member or another esteemed scholar as a mentor, providing guidance and support throughout the academic year.
Funding Priority
The research topic must focus primarily on education, but the fellowship welcomes postdocs from any academic discipline or professional field. Fellowship recipients have included individuals from anthropology, architecture, art history, communications, economics, education, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, political science, psychology, public health, religion, and sociology. The fellowship does not limit eligibility to these fields. Candidates should demonstrate their interest in conducting education research long term.
Eligibility Criteria
To receive the fellowship, applicants must:
- Have received their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024. These dates are accurate for the upcoming application cycle. If you will complete your doctorate this year (2025), you are eligible to apply next year.
- Not hold tenure status at the time of the application deadline.
- Have a demonstrated record of research experience in education and the project must be in education research.
- Submit an individual application as will not accept group applications.
For more information, visit NAE.
