NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship, administered by the National Academy of Education (NAEd) and funded by the Spencer Foundation, supports early-career scholars engaged in education research. This non-residential fellowship is designed to strengthen the scholarly and professional trajectories of researchers through funding, mentorship, and participation in professional development retreats. The program annually selects approximately 25 fellows, each of whom demonstrates exceptional potential to contribute meaningfully to the field of education. It provides a unique opportunity for postdoctoral scholars to enhance their research in a supportive and resource-rich environment, guided by senior mentors and connected to a national network of education researchers. Each fellow receives a $70,000 stipend for one academic year. The funding is distributed in two installments and is intended to serve as a salary replacement and to support direct research-related expenses. Fellows are expected to be on leave from full-time teaching and administrative duties during the fellowship period. The award cannot be used for institutional overhead or indirect costs and cannot be held concurrently with other research awards, including those from the Spencer Foundation. In addition to the financial support, fellows attend three professional development retreats facilitated by members of the NAEd and other senior scholars. These gatherings are designed to promote both general and specialized discussions to support the academic and professional growth of the fellows. The application process is structured in four stages. First, staff conduct an initial review of applications for completeness and relevance to education research. Applications that pass this screening are reviewed in February by committee members, who select 50-60 semifinalists. These semifinalists’ materials are then reviewed by two senior scholars in their discipline, who provide feedback for the final selection stage. In April, the selection committee identifies 25 finalists. Applicants receive feedback on their submissions in July, regardless of outcome. Eligible applicants must have received their doctorate (PhD, EdD, or equivalent) between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024. Applicants completing their degrees in 2025 may apply in the following year. Applicants must not hold tenure status at the time of the application deadline and must submit applications individually. The proposed project must be primarily focused on education research, but scholars from any discipline may apply, including anthropology, communications, economics, history, sociology, and others, as long as the research demonstrates relevance to education. The application requires several components submitted through an online portal. These include demographic, education, and employment history; lists of previous fellowships, awards, publications, and presentations; a career statement; an abstract and a detailed project description with supporting bibliography; a writing sample of up to 20 double-spaced pages; and a curriculum vitae. Reapplicants must also submit summaries of prior submissions. Three letters of recommendation are required and must be submitted online by the same deadline as the applicant’s materials. Applicants are encouraged to notify their recommenders in advance to ensure timely submission. The application for the 2026 award cycle opens on July 1, 2025, and closes on November 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. There is no pre-application requirement. The earliest possible start date for fellowship funding is September 1, 2026. The fellowship is awarded on an annual basis, and the next expected cycle will reopen in July 2026. For additional information, applicants can contact info@naeducation.org.

Applicants are encouraged to review guidance documents from the Spencer Foundation and the Social Science Research Council for proposal writing tips.