Spencer Foundation grants are awarded for investigation into ways in which education, broadly conceived, can be improved around the world. Its Major Research Grants Program supports research projects requiring more than $35,000. Research projects may vary widely, ranging from medium-sized studies that can be completed within a year by an individual researcher to more extensive collaborative studies that last several years. Because the Foundation does not accept fully developed proposals unless it has requested them, applicants seeking research support from the Major Research Grants Program are asked to submit a brief preliminary proposal. Preliminary proposals should be no more than 1,500 words in length. Preliminary proposals are welcome at any time and will be responded to with in one month of receipt.

The Foundation's Small Research Grants Program supports short-term research projects (two years or less) that require no more than $35,000 to complete. It offers a unique opportunity for scholars and practitioners in a broad range of institutions who are interested in educational research to obtain support for their work. The program is appropriate for modest-sized research projects, exploratory studies, specific phases of larger investigations, and projects that arise in response to unusual opportunities. The Small Research Grants Program encourages researchers with diverse perspectives to develop ideas and approaches that extend the conventional boundaries of a research question, area, or method. The program supports individual efforts as well as collaborations. There are no deadlines for this program. A preliminary proposal is not required. Proposals for support from the Small Research Grants Program should be in the form of a statement with attachments. For detailed information and program application guidelines, please access the Foundation's website.

URL: http://www.spencer.org

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The National Science Foundation Teacher Professional Continuum (TPC) program supports the full continuum of teacher professional development from recruitment, preparation, and induction, through the life-long development and retention of K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers. A major focus of TPC is the synthesis and further advancement of a compelling body of research that will both inform and strengthen STEM teacher effectiveness and classroom instruction. In addressing the full continuum, the TPC program solicits proposals in the following three categories:

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) "Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth" grant category supports projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts consistent with national, state, or local arts education standards. It supports projects that provide participatory learning and engagement of students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Projects may take place in school-based or community-based settings. The NEA also supports projects that recognize and cultivate best practices and exemplary research that explores the effect of arts learning on the cognitive and social development of children and youth. "Learning in the Arts" grants focus on children and youth in the general age range of 4 years through age 18, and support opportunities both in school and outside the regular school day and year. Under this category, applicants may request a grant amount from $5,000 to $150,000; however, most awards will range from $10,000 to $100,000. Please note that, in the past few years, over half the grants NEA has awarded (under all categories) have been for amounts less than $25,000.