The National Academy of Education (NAEd) has opened applications for the 2027 NAEd/Spencer Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowships, providing substantial funding and professional development opportunities for researchers conducting education-related research.
The fellowships are designed to support emerging and early-career scholars whose research can contribute fresh perspectives to the history, theory or practice of education.
Applications are open to researchers working across a wide range of disciplines, with opportunities available for both doctoral candidates and researchers who have recently completed their PhDs or equivalent degrees.
Applications for both fellowship programmes close on October 8, 2026.
2027 NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship
The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship is designed to support promising scholars undertaking dissertation research relevant to improving education.
The fellowship provides a $30,000 award to selected scholars whose dissertations demonstrate the potential to make meaningful contributions to education research. The programme is open to research addressing formal or informal education anywhere in the world.
Up to 35 scholars will be selected for the 2027 fellowship cohort.
In addition to financial support, fellows will have access to professional development opportunities designed to strengthen their academic and research careers. Fellows will participate in professional development retreats and receive mentorship from members of the National Academy of Education and other established scholars in their respective fields.
The fellowship is intended to identify and support talented emerging researchers whose work can introduce new ideas and constructive perspectives to education scholarship.
NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship provides financial support to early-career researchers working in important areas of educational scholarship.
Successful fellows can receive $80,000 for one academic year of research or $40,000 per year for two contiguous years, with the research undertaken on a half-time basis.
The fellowship is non-residential, giving researchers flexibility to conduct their work from their existing locations while benefiting from the programme’s professional development and mentoring opportunities.
The 2027 programme will support 20 early-career researchers.
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.
Applications are encouraged from researchers across disciplines, reflecting the fellowship’s broad approach to education research.
What the NAEd/Spencer Fellowships Offer
The 2027 fellowships provide more than financial assistance. Successful applicants will become part of a scholarly network and gain opportunities to strengthen their research and professional development.
Key benefits include:
- Up to $30,000 for Dissertation Fellowship recipients.
- Up to $80,000 for Postdoctoral Fellowship recipients.
- Professional development retreats.
- Mentorship from NAEd members and senior scholars.
- Opportunities to develop academic and research networks.
- Support for research addressing important questions in education.
- International scope for research relevant to education anywhere in the world.
The fellowships are particularly valuable for researchers seeking to strengthen their academic profile while producing research with potential implications for education policy, practice and scholarship.
Who Should Apply?
The Dissertation Fellowship is aimed at emerging scholars whose dissertation research is relevant to the improvement of education. Applicants should have a research project capable of providing fresh and constructive perspectives on education.
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended for early-career scholars who have recently completed a qualifying research degree and are pursuing research in critical areas of educational scholarship.
The programme welcomes applications from multiple academic disciplines, meaning prospective applicants do not necessarily need to come from traditional education departments. Researchers whose work intersects with education and related fields may also find the fellowships relevant.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the official eligibility criteria and application requirements before submitting their applications.
Application Deadline
The deadline for both the 2027 NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship and the 2027 NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship is:
October 8, 2026
Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their materials well ahead of the deadline, particularly because competitive research fellowships typically require substantial preparation of research proposals, academic documents and supporting materials.
How to Apply
Applications and detailed eligibility information are available through the official National Academy of Education 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
Why This Opportunity Matters
The NAEd/Spencer Fellowships provide an important opportunity for researchers whose work seeks to address pressing questions surrounding education. Through funding, mentorship and professional development, the programmes aim to strengthen the next generation of education scholars.
For doctoral researchers, the $30,000 Dissertation Fellowship can provide valuable support during the dissertation stage. Meanwhile, recently graduated researchers can pursue independent research through the Postdoctoral Fellowship, with funding of up to $80,000.
Researchers interested in education policy, educational systems, learning, teaching, social development and related areas are encouraged to examine the fellowship requirements and determine whether their research aligns with the programme.
Opportunity: 2027 NAEd/Spencer Fellowships
Dissertation Fellowship: $30,000
Postdoctoral Fellowship: $80,000 for one year or $40,000 per year for two years
Dissertation Fellows: 35
Postdoctoral Fellows: 20
Application deadline: October 8, 2026
Research location: Worldwide
Fields: Education and related disciplines
