Funding

Partial / Stipend

Program dates

Sep 1, 2027

Fellowship•Remote

NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship

National Academy of Education and Spencer Foundation

Application Deadline

October 8, 2026

Official Page

The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship supports education-related dissertation writing across academic disciplines. The National Academy of Education awards it in partnership with the Spencer Foundation.

Each year, 35 doctoral candidates receive protected writing time, mentoring, and professional development. Projects may examine formal or informal education in U.S. or international settings.

Benefits & funding

  • Fellows receive $30,000 in two installments.
  • Tenure may be one year full-time or up to two years part-time.
  • The fellowship includes two professional development retreats and a mentor chosen by the fellow.
  • Funds may cover living costs, insurance, research expenses, books, conferences, tuition, or fees.
  • External fellowships generally cannot be held concurrently; NAEd approval is required case by case for other awards.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be doctoral candidates at a graduate school in the United States; U.S. citizenship is not required.
  • All pre-dissertation requirements must be complete by June 1, 2027.
  • The dissertation must focus primarily on education, and applications must be individual.
  • The work plan must show completion within one year full-time or up to two years part-time.
  • Funding supports dissertation writing, not data collection or coursework.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

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  • Education required

    PhD Enrolled

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Application process

  1. 1
    Prepare the personal statement, work plan, abstract, dissertation narrative and bibliography, and graduate transcript.
  2. 2
    Name two recommenders: the dissertation chair and another faculty member; both letters are due with the application, with no extensions.
  3. 3
    Submit one individual application through the online portal by October 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline at 5:00 p.m. ET

    Oct 8, 2026

  2. Earliest program start

    Sep 1, 2027

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