The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early-career scholars who are making significant scholarly contributions to education research. It provides funding, professional development, and mentorship from senior scholars to enhance the careers and research opportunities of selected fellows.
Each year, this highly competitive fellowship identifies and supports 25 of the most exceptional researchers conducting postdoctoral work relevant to education. Prepare for this prestigious scholarship. For more BS, MS,Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
Career Stage
Postdoctoral
Key Dates:
- Earliest Start Date: September 1, 2027
- Application Opens: August 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: Fall 2026 (5:00 pm ET)
- Duration of Award: Varies (generally two years)
Contact:
Email: info@naeducation.org
The Award:
This is a non-residential fellowship. Scholars can conduct their research at their home institution or at another research site they arrange.
The fellowship includes three main components:
- Fellows receive $70,000 for one academic year, distributed in two installments.
- Fellows participate in three professional development retreats led by NAEd members and distinguished scholars. These retreats focus on enhancing research capabilities and academic growth through general and specialized discussions.
- Fellows select an NAEd member or another esteemed scholar as a mentor for guidance throughout the academic year.
Also Check: Humboldt Research Fellowship (Postdoctoral Research in Germany)
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Have received their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025 (for the 2027 application cycle).
- If you will complete your doctorate in 2026, 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, with the proposed project focused on education research.
- Submit an individual application (group applications are not accepted).
Also Check: KWI International Fellowships 2027 in Germany
Funding Priority:
The research must focus primarily on education. The fellowship welcomes applicants from any academic discipline or professional field.
Past fellows have come from fields such as anthropology, architecture, art history, communications, economics, education, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, political science, psychology, public health, religion, and sociology.
Candidates should show a clear interest in conducting education research long term.
Also Check: EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships in Europe (Fully Funded)
Application Review Process:
The review takes place in four stages:
- Staff screen all applications for completeness and fit (research must focus on education).
- The selection committee reviews applications in February. Each application is read by two committee members. Approximately 50-60 semifinalists are selected. All applicants receive notification of their status.
- Two senior scholars in the applicant’s discipline review the semifinalist applications and provide feedback.
- The selection committee makes final decisions in April, selecting 25 fellows. All remaining applicants are notified.
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Application Components:
Submit the following through the online portal:
Background Information
- Demographic data
- Education history
- Employment history
- List of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships received or applied for
- List of honors and awards received
- List of publications and presentations
- Information about completion of pre-dissertation requirements
- Language proficiency
Career Statement
Describe what led you to your current role and interest in this project. Include your future professional plans and how this research contributes to your long-term goals.
Abstract
Provide a single-spaced paragraph that summarizes the project’s substantive focus, research design, and contribution to education.
Project Description
- Maximum 10 double-spaced pages
- One-inch margins
- Minimum 11-point Times New Roman font
- Include page numbers and your full name + email as a running header
In the narrative, cover the project goals, contribution to the field, significance to education, theoretical grounding, relevant literature, research methods, data analysis, and interpretation. Show how this project fits into your larger body of work.
Write for both specialists and generalists.
Append a single-spaced bibliography (maximum 2 pages). Upload the narrative and bibliography as one document (maximum 12 pages total).
You may add technical appendices (charts, tables, etc.), but include all essential information in the main narrative.
Example of Past Research
Submit an example of previous research (maximum 20 double-spaced pages) that demonstrates your ability as a researcher. This can be a book chapter, article, or other work (published or unpublished).
Important formatting note: Reformatting is required for published journal articles (they must be double-spaced, 11-point Times New Roman, 20 pages or less). You may submit an excerpt with a link to the full document if needed.
Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Upload a current CV or resume. Do not use acronyms. Include these sections:
- Education beyond high school (most recent first)
- Employment (most recent first)
- Awards or fellowships received
- Publications and research relevant to education
Repeat Applicants Only: Project Summary
Provide the title and a one-paragraph summary of any previous proposal(s).
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters are required. Recommenders submit them directly online. Request letters early, as they share the same deadline. Only three letters will be accepted per applicant.
Also Check: ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships (ETH Fellows) in Switzerland
Resources:
The Spencer Foundation published three how-to guides applicants may find beneficial while working on their proposals.
- Writing Successful Research Grant Proposals
- Communicating Your Qualitative Research Design
- A Guide to Quantitative Proposals
Overall, a strong proposal presents a well-grounded and convincing argument for the proposed research. Fellowships are won on the strength of their innovative and important ideas and the extent to which the proposed methods further these ideas. These guides should not be thought of as definitive checklists for crafting a successful proposal, but rather, they offer helpful guidance for writing field-initiated research grant proposals and designing strong quantitative and qualitative methods.
In addition to the guides, applicants may find the Social Science Research Council’s “On the Art of Writing Proposals” beneficial.
Also Check: FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Brazil (Fully Funded)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
When is the notification of awards?
Semifinalists are notified in May.
Is there an example of a successful application from previous years?
The NAEd does not make previous applications publicly available.
Can I reapply if a previous application was turned down?
Yes. You may reapply for the fellowship if eligible, and re applicants must submit a completely new application.
Will I receive feedback on my application?
Yes. All applicants receive feedback on their application by July.
Can I apply if I did not graduate from a department or school of education?
Yes. You can come from any academic field, as long as your research centrally relates to education and shows promise of contributing to its history, theory, or practice.
How broadly does the NAEd/Spencer Foundation define education?
Their definition is intentionally broad, covering formal and non formal education, U.S. and non U.S. contexts, early childhood through adulthood, and both school and non school settings.
What if an applicant is unsure if or how their research topic relates to education?
Applicants are encouraged to review past grant listings to understand the range of supported topics, though these are not the only acceptable subjects. It is the applicant’s responsibility to clearly explain the connection between their research and the improvement of education.
Are non U.S. citizens eligible to apply?
Yes. Non U.S. and non residential citizens are eligible to apply for the postdoctoral fellowship.
Can I accept other awards for my research project?
No. Fellows cannot receive other concurrent funding for the same project during their fellowship, and cannot hold a separate Spencer Foundation grant at the same time.
Do I need to be affiliated with an institution?
No, institutional affiliation is not required to apply.
Is the award made to the institution or to me?
The fellow decides whether the award is self administered or institutionally administered if selected.
What does the award cover and how should I use the funding?
The fellowship replaces your regular salary rather than supplementing it, since fellows are expected to take leave from teaching and administrative duties to focus fully on their research. It also covers other research related expenses, though it does not fund institutional overhead such as office rent or administrative costs. Any unused funds must be returned at the end of the fellowship.
In what style or format should we submit documents?
The NAEd accepts all major formatting and writing styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago.
Final Tips for a Strong Application
A successful proposal presents a well-grounded, innovative, and important research idea supported by strong methods. Clearly explain the connection between your work and the improvement of education.
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