Federal Foundation Assistance Monitor

(MINORITIES) Spencer Focuses on Education

(Deadline: Rolling) The Chicago-based Spencer Foundation provides funding for research and programs that offer new insights into education, how classroom instruction is conducted and ways to close the achievement gap for minority students.

The foundation funds grants that range from $5,000 to slightly more than $400,000. The foundation's programs seek to support innovative ways to address the systematic and creative training of education researchers and to promote a deeper understanding of educational practices.

The foundation has supported a range of programs in the past. In 2005, the foundation gave $25,000 to the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network in New York City for a study on Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual & Trangendered families. Also in 2005, the foundation gave $30,000 to Harvard U. for a program which looked at ways to close the K-12 schools racial achievement gap.

For proposals up to $40,000, a funding decision will be made on the basis of the initial proposal—see the Web site for details. For request of more than $40,000, the initial proposal will be used to decide whether to invite an expanded proposal.

Insider's Tip: The foundation has launched a new education initiative. It seeks to support scholars of moral and political philosophy who have consistently done excellent work on educational issues; those who may have not worked extensively education issues in the past and new scholars just entering the field.

Info: www.spencer.org or 312/337-7000

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