The Spencer Foundation Research-Practice Partnerships (RPP) Grants Program is designed to support long-term, highly collaborative education research projects that engage in participatory partnerships. This program specifically funds projects co-developed by academic researchers and front-line education practitioners, school districts, or policymakers. The goal is to support iterative, dual-benefit research that directly solves local operational challenges, improves pedagogical practices, and disrupts systemic educational inequities while simultaneously contributing to global scholarly discourse.

Eligibility

The program welcomes international institutional applications with specific team rules:
- Geographic Inclusivity: Proposals are fully accepted from both U.S. and international institutions. Universities, public education departments, and non-profit research groups in Kazakhstan and Central Asia are eligible to apply.
- Partnership Framework: Applications must prove a clear, balanced partnership between an eligible research entity (administering university/NII) and a practice/policy entity (such as a regional school district, university network, or education ministry).
- Personnel Requirements: The Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PIs must possess an earned doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) or equivalent professional research experience.
- Standards: All proposals must be drafted in English, and line-item budgets must be stated in U.S. Dollars (USD).

Priority Focus Elements
- Long-Term Infrastructure for Research-Practice Collaboration
- Equity-Centered Innovations Reforming Local Learning Systems
- Capacity Building and Professional Training for Educators and Administrators
- Data-Driven Strategies Informing Regional Educational Policy Changes