Racial Equity Research Grants Programme

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    Spencer Foundation

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), invites eligible researchers and institutions to apply for the Racial Equity Research Grants Programme offered by the Spencer Foundation. This programme supports innovative education research aimed at advancing racial equity and informing transformative policy and practice.

Programme Overview
The Racial Equity Research Grants Programme funds field-initiated research that seeks to understand, challenge, and reduce racial inequalities in education systems globally. The programme encourages diverse methodological approaches and supports projects that generate evidence-based insights capable of influencing educational policy, practice, and broader social change.

Key Details

  • Funder: Spencer Foundation

  • Funding Type: Research Grant

  • Maximum Funding: Up to USD 75,000

  • Project Duration: 1 to 5 years

  • Intent to Apply Deadline: 4 May 2026

  • Full Proposal Deadline: 1 July 2026

Eligibility

  • Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs must hold a doctoral degree

  • Applicants must be affiliated with a non-profit organisation or public institution (e.g., universities, research institutes, NGOs)

  • Proposals are open to international applicants, but must be submitted in English

  • Projects must have a strong research component focused on education and racial equity

Funding Scope

The grant supports research projects that:

  • Advance understanding of racial inequalities in education

  • Generate evidence-based insights to inform policy and practice

  • Explore innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to equity

  • Address issues across diverse learning contexts (schools, higher education, communities)

  • Contribute to systemic change and inclusive education outcomes

Priority Areas

Applicants are encouraged to explore:

  • Youth and educator mental health and wellbeing

  • Community-based and innovative workforce development approaches

  • Intersections of quantitative methods and racial equity research

Scope Limitations

The programme does not fund:

  • Projects without a clear research component (e.g., standalone training, curriculum development, or program implementation)

  • Non-education-focused studies

Strategic Focus

  • Advancing equity and justice in education systems

  • Supporting rigorous, high-impact research

  • Informing policy, practice, and social transformation

How to Apply
Applicants must first submit an Intent to Apply, after which they will gain access to the full proposal application. Detailed guidelines and submission instructions are available via the official website:
https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/racial-equity-special-research-grants

Applicants are expected to present clear research questions, robust methodology, and strong theoretical grounding, demonstrating the potential to contribute meaningful knowledge and drive equitable change in education systems globally.