Spencer Foundation Vision Grants 2025 – $75K for Education Equity Research Planning

Are you a researcher, educator, or policy advocate with bold ideas to transform education systems for equity? The Spencer Foundation’s 2025 Vision Grants program is now accepting applications—and this is your chance to help shape the future of education.

What is the Vision Grants Program?

The Spencer Foundation understands that meaningful education reform requires intentional planning, inclusive collaboration, and cross-disciplinary innovation. That’s why it offers Vision Grants of up to $75,000 for teams to spend 6–12 months developing ambitious, large-scale research projects designed to dismantle inequities and transform systems.

This isn’t a grant for finished projects. It’s a space to imagine what research could be—when it’s co-created with communities, educators, policymakers, and scholars. And importantly, a Vision Grant is your gateway to the $3.5 million Transformative Research Grant that follows.

Spencer Foundation Vision Grants 2025 – $75K

Who Should Apply?

Interdisciplinary research teams

Scholars working with school districts, community orgs, or policy partners

Collaborators designing systemic change with equity at the center

Key Focus Areas:

System-level change

Equity-driven levers for transformation

Planning time, not polished research

Important Deadlines:

Intent to Apply: August 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM CDT

Full Proposal: September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM CDT

Start your application today and bring visionary research to life.
📧 Contact: [email protected]
🌐 Learn more: spencer.org/vision-grants

(FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of the Spencer Foundation Vision Grants?
Vision Grants fund the planning of ambitious, interdisciplinary research projects aimed at transforming education systems for equity. These grants support teams in developing proposals over 6–12 months.

2. Who is eligible to apply?
Research teams that include scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and/or community members. U.S.-based and international applicants are welcome.

3. What’s the funding amount?
Each grant provides up to $75,000 USD.

4. Is a completed research proposal required?
No. The Vision Grant is specifically for planning and collaboration. A fully developed research plan is not expected at the proposal stage.

5. Can I apply alone or do I need a team?
While individuals may submit proposals, team-based approaches are strongly encouraged to foster interdisciplinary and collaborative design.

6. What systems and levers are expected to be addressed?
Applicants must define the education system they aim to transform (e.g., school districts, higher ed, early childhood) and the levers of change they plan to engage (e.g., policy, pedagogy, funding structures).

7. Is this a prerequisite for other grants?
Yes. The Vision Grant is a required first step for applying to the Spencer Foundation’s Transformative Research Grant ($3.5 million).

8. What are the key deadlines?

• Intent to Apply: August 13, 2025, by 12:00 PM (Central Time)

• Full Proposal: September 17, 2025, by 12:00 PM (Central Time)

9. How do I apply?
Visit www.spencer.org/vision-grants to access guidelines and the application portal.

10. Who can I contact for questions?
Reach out to Jasmine Knetl at: [email protected]