<p><span>Supports basic research on all forms of human social organization -- societies, institutions, groups and demography -- and processes of individual and institutional change. The Program encourages theoretically focused empirical investigations aimed at improving the explanation of fundamental social processes.
<p><span>Through the grant program on Statistical and Research Methodology in Education (Methods), the Institute supports research to advance education research methods and statistical analyses. The long-term outcome of this research program will be a wide range of methodological and statistical products that will better enable education scientists to conduct rigorous education research.
<p><span>The purpose of the SBIR program is to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of small business in meeting Department research and development needs, increase the commercial potential of Department supported research results, and improve the return on investment from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the Nation. Phase I is to determine, insofar as possible, the scientific or technical merit of ideas submitted under the SBIR program.
<p><span>Supports basic science in the domain of human language, encompassing investigations of the grammatical properties of individual human languages, and of natural language in general. Research areas include syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics, and phonology.
<p><span>Eligible funding area: Education – Providing afterschool enrichment, tutoring or vocational training for low income individuals and families in the United States.</span></p>
<p>In keeping with the Spencer Foundation’s mission, this program aims to fund academic work that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived. <br>Historically, the work we have funded through these grants has spanned, a range of topics and disciplines, including education, psychology, sociology, economics, history, and anthropology, and they employ a wide range of research methods.
<p>Trustees have identified K-12 education in the U.S. as their primary area of interest and fund projects that directly support building global perspectives in teachers and students. Proposals funded will advance the field or impact significant numbers of students. The foundation is interested in supporting activities that have other sources of funding and can demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period. There are two relevant tracks to apply to: (a) Internationalizing Teacher Preparation and (b) Innovations in International Education.
<p><span>The purpose of the Networks program is to focus resources and attention on education problems or issues that are high priority for the nation and to create both a structure and process for researchers who are working on these issues to share ideas, build new knowledge, and strengthen their research and dissemination capacity.
<p><span>The program is designed to support rigorous evaluations of special education interventions (broadly defined as practices, programs, and policies) that state or local education agencies expect to produce meaningful improvements in student education outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with or at risk for disability within a short period (for example, within a single semester or academic year). These evaluations are to be conducted for $250,000 or less and completed within 2 years.
<p><span>The training programs aim to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant special education and early intervention research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners. In FY 2017, grants will be made under one topic: Early Career Development and Mentoring. </span></p>
<p><span>The ultimate aim of this program is to help launch independent research careers focused on infants, toddlers, children, and youth with or at risk for disabilities.