NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027, United States

Applications are now open for the NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027. This prestigious, fully funded fellowship supports early-career scholars conducting high-quality research in education. The program awards $80,000 for one academic year to approximately 20 exceptional postdoctoral researchers. It is open to scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines, as long as their proposed project focuses primarily on education. .You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Postdoctoral
• Host Country: United States
• Application Deadline: October 8, 2026 (5:00 PM ET)
• Application Opens: Will open soon
• Duration: One academic year
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Application Fee: None
• Open For: All nationalities

What This Scholarship Offers:

Fellows receive comprehensive support that goes far beyond financial assistance:

• Financial Support: $80,000 stipend for one academic year, distributed in two installments. This serves as salary replacement and covers research-related expenses.
• Professional Development: Participation in three specialized retreats facilitated by National Academy of Education (NAEd) members and distinguished scholars. These retreats help strengthen research skills, academic writing, and career advancement.
• Mentorship: Personalized guidance from a chosen NAEd member or senior scholar throughout the fellowship year.
• Career Advancement: Opportunity to focus full-time on research without teaching or administrative duties, build a strong publication record, expand professional networks, and position yourself as a leader in education research.
• Flexibility: Conduct your research at your preferred location while gaining national recognition through the fellowship.

Also Check: PhD, Postdoc & Professor positions at the University of Freiburg, Germany.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have received their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025.
• Not hold tenure status at the time of application.
• Demonstrate a record of research experience in education.
• Propose a project that primarily focuses on education research (broadly defined).
• Submit an individual application (group applications are not accepted).

Also Check: Technical University of Denmark PhD and Postdoc Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Funding Priority:

• The research project must primarily focus on education, broadly defined.
• Education includes formal and non-formal settings, across all ages and contexts (early childhood through adult education, school and non-school settings).
• Applicants from any academic or professional field are welcome.
• The fellowship especially values scholars with a demonstrated long-term interest in conducting education research.
• Past fellows have come from diverse disciplines including anthropology, architecture, art history, communications, economics, education, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, political science, psychology, public health, religion, sociology, and many others.

Also Check: Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR) Australia

Application Components:

Submit the following documents through the online application portal:

• Background Information:
  Demographics
  education historye
  mployment history
  scholarships/fellowships received
  honors and awards
  publications and presentations
  language proficiency.
• Career Statement
  Describe what led you to your current role,
  your interest in the proposed project
  how it contributes to your long-term professional goals.
• Abstract
  One single-spaced paragraph summarizing the substantive focus
  research design
  contribution of the project to education.
• Project Description
  Maximum 10 double-spaced pages (11-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins).
  Must include:
  goals of the project,
  significance to the field,
  theoretical grounding,
  relevant literature,
  research methods,
  data analysis
  how the project fits into your larger body of work.
  Attach a maximum 2-page single-spaced bibliography.
  Total upload limit: 12 pages.
  Technical appendices (charts, tables, questionnaires, etc.) are allowed but optional.
• Example of Past Research
  Maximum 20 double-spaced pages.
  Can be a book chapter
  article
  other research work (published or unpublished
  Reformatting is required for published journal articles (double-spaced, 11-point font
  Excerpts are acceptable with a link to the full document.
• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
  Current CV including education
  employment
  awards
  publications.
  Do not use acronyms.
• Repeat Applicants Only
  Provide the title and a one-paragraph summary of your previous proposal(s).
• Letters of Recommendation
  Three letters submitted online by your recommenders.
  Request letters early as they share the same deadline.

Also Check: Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR) Australia

Fields Available:

The fellowship supports education research across many disciplines. Eligible fields include:

• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Art History
• Communications
• Economics
• Education
• History
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Religion
• Sociology

And many other fields, as long as the research contributes to the understanding, improvement, or practice of education.

Also Check: Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR) Australia

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Can I reapply if not selected?
  Yes, if you remain eligible. Submit a new application.
• Do I need an education degree?
  No. Scholars from any field are welcome if the research focuses on education.
• Is the fellowship open to international applicants?
  Yes, non-U.S. citizens are eligible.
• Will I get feedback?
  Yes. All applicants receive feedback by July.
• Are there examples of successful applications?
  No. The NAEd does not share previous applications.

How to Apply:

1. Visit the official NAEd/Spencer website when applications open on August 1, 2026.
2. Create an account on the online application portal.
3. Prepare and upload the required documents:
   • Background information
   • Career statement
   • Project abstract
   • Detailed project description (max 10 pages)
   • Example of past research (max 20 pages)
   • Curriculum Vitae
   • Three letters of recommendation (requested through the system)
4. Submit your complete application by October 8, 2026 (5:00 PM ET).

Also Check: PhD, Postdoc & Professor positions at the University of Freiburg, Germany.