Spencer Foundation Steers New Funding Toward AI and Education Research

The Spencer Foundation has launched a cross-cutting initiative to fund research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and education, directing dedicated resources through its existing grant programs to support work on how AI shapes learning, teaching, and educational equity.

The initiative, which grew out of a Spring 2024 convening, does not create a standalone grant program. Instead, it channels additional designated funds through the foundation's Vision Grant Program and Racial Equity Program, while welcoming AI-focused proposals across its full portfolio — including Small Research Grants (up to $50,000), Large Research Grants ($125,000 to $500,000), and the Research-Practice Partnership Program.

Four Research Priorities

The foundation has identified four focus areas it wants researchers to pursue:

• AI and Learning: How AI tools can be culturally relevant, aligned with learning science, and effective across PK-12 and higher education settings
• AI Policy: Implementation and regulation of AI at local, state, federal, and international levels
• AI Ethics and Justice: Fairness, data sovereignty, privacy, algorithmic bias, and impacts on underserved communities
• Educational Research Transformation: How AI changes research methodology and what counts as valid evidence

The foundation expects to award roughly 10 Vision Grants per cycle, plus several additional grants specifically targeting AI and education intersections.

Why This Matters for Education Researchers

Spencer's move reflects a broader shift in philanthropic funding toward understanding AI's role in education before policy solidifies. Unlike federal programs that tend to fund AI tool development, Spencer's initiative prioritizes understanding the consequences of AI adoption — particularly for marginalized students and communities.

For 2026, the foundation is consolidating to a single annual cycle for Large Research Grants while funding more proposals than in previous years. Small Research Grants continue on a rolling basis. Researchers should consult Spencer's application deadlines page for current submission windows.

Next Steps for Applicants

Education researchers with AI-adjacent projects should frame proposals around Spencer's four priority areas and apply through existing programs rather than waiting for a separate call. More analysis of AI-related grant funding trends is available on the Granted blog.