2027 NAEd/Spencer Fellowships Offer Up to $80,000 for Education Researchers Worldwide
The 2027 NAEd/Spencer Fellowships are now accepting applications from emerging and early-career researchers conducting research related to education. Offered by the National Academy of Education (NAEd), the fellowship programmes provide substantial financial support, professional development and access to experienced scholars.
Two opportunities are available for the 2027 cycle: the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship and the NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship. Together, they provide funding opportunities for doctoral researchers and recently graduated scholars working on education-related research anywhere in the world.
The application deadline for both fellowships is October 8, 2026.
2027 NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship
The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship is designed for promising doctoral researchers whose dissertation projects have the potential to make meaningful contributions to education research.
Selected fellows will receive a $30,000 award to support their dissertation research, with up to 35 scholars expected to be selected for the 2027 cohort.
Research can address formal or informal education anywhere in the world. This broad scope makes the fellowship potentially relevant to researchers examining education from different disciplinary, geographical and methodological perspectives.
In addition to financial support, Dissertation Fellows receive professional development opportunities, including retreats and mentorship from members of the National Academy of Education and other established scholars.
Apply: NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship – Official Information
NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early-career researchers who have recently completed a qualifying doctoral research degree.
Successful applicants can receive $80,000 for one academic year of research or $40,000 per year for two contiguous years. Research is undertaken on a half-time basis.
The 2027 programme plans to support 20 postdoctoral fellows.
Applicants must have had their PhD, EdD or equivalent research degree conferred between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025 to be eligible for this year’s competition.
The fellowship is non-residential, allowing researchers to conduct their work from their existing locations while benefiting from professional development and mentoring opportunities.
Apply: NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship – Official Information
What Do the Fellowships Offer?
The NAEd/Spencer programmes provide more than research funding. Fellows become part of a scholarly network and gain opportunities to strengthen their professional and academic development.
Key benefits include:
- $30,000 for Dissertation Fellowship recipients
- Up to $80,000 for Postdoctoral Fellowship recipients
- Professional development retreats
- Mentorship from established scholars
- Opportunities to expand academic networks
- Support for independent education research
- International scope for relevant research
- Opportunities to develop research with implications for education policy and practice
For researchers at the dissertation or early postdoctoral stage, these benefits can provide valuable resources and time to develop research that contributes to broader discussions about education.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowships are open to researchers working across a broad range of disciplines, provided their research is relevant to education.
The Dissertation Fellowship is intended for emerging scholars undertaking dissertation research that can offer fresh and constructive perspectives on education.
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended for early-career researchers who have recently completed their doctoral research degree and are developing their independent research careers.
Researchers do not necessarily need to come from a traditional education department. Projects that examine education through other academic disciplines or interdisciplinary approaches may also be relevant.
Potential research areas can include:
- Education policy
- Learning and teaching
- Educational systems
- Education equity and access
- Social development
- Education reform
- History and theory of education
- Other education-related research
Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements before preparing their applications.
A Valuable Opportunity for Global Researchers
One of the notable features of the NAEd/Spencer Fellowships is their international scope. The Dissertation Fellowship supports research addressing formal or informal education anywhere in the world.
This creates an opportunity for scholars whose work focuses on education systems and communities beyond the United States.
For researchers in the Global South, the fellowships may be particularly relevant where locally grounded research addresses questions around access to education, quality, equity, learning outcomes, educational policy and social development.
The funding can provide researchers with greater capacity to dedicate time to their projects while benefiting from professional connections and mentorship.
Why Education Research Matters
Education research plays an important role in understanding how educational systems can become more effective, inclusive and equitable.
Researchers can help identify barriers to learning, evaluate policies and programmes, examine educational inequalities and generate evidence that informs decision-making.
By supporting emerging scholars, the NAEd/Spencer Fellowships aim to contribute to the development of the next generation of education researchers. The combination of funding, mentorship and professional development can help fellows strengthen both their current research and longer-term academic careers.
Application Deadline
Applicants interested in either programme should note the important date:
Application deadline: October 8, 2026
Prospective applicants should begin preparing their research proposals and supporting documents well before the deadline, particularly because competitive fellowship applications can require significant preparation.
Applicants should verify all eligibility requirements, application instructions and funding conditions through the official National Academy of Education resources before submitting an application.
How to Apply
Applications and detailed information for both programmes are available through the National Academy of Education’s official fellowship pages:
Dissertation Fellowship: Learn more and apply for the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Learn more and apply for the NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
Key Fellowship Details
| Fellowship | Funding | Number of Fellows | Target Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship | $30,000 | Up to 35 | Doctoral researchers |
| NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship | $80,000 for 1 year or $40,000/year for 2 years | 20 | Early-career researchers |
Application deadline: October 8, 2026
Research scope: Worldwide
Fields: Education and related disciplines
Final Thoughts
The 2027 NAEd/Spencer Fellowships represent a significant opportunity for doctoral candidates and early-career researchers seeking financial support to advance education research.
With awards of up to $80,000, combined with mentorship, professional development and academic networking, the programmes can provide valuable support for researchers developing independent research careers.
Researchers interested in education policy, learning, teaching, educational systems, equity, social development and related fields should review the eligibility requirements and consider applying before the October 8, 2026 deadline.
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