NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025

The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early career scholars working in critical areas of education research. Through professional development, funding, and mentorship from senior scholars, the fellowship enhances the career and research opportunities of the fellow.

As a highly competitive initiative, this fellowship annually identifies and supports 25 of the most exceptional researchers conducting postdoctoral studies relevant to education.

• Table of Content
• About National Academy of Education (NAEd)
• NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Requirements for NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

This non-residential fellowship supports scholars who promise to make significant contributions to the field of education and advances the careers of the recipients. Scholars may conduct their research at their home institution or at another research site that they have arranged. The fellowship comprises three key components:

1. Fellows receive $70,000 for one academic year, distributed in two installments.
2. Fellows participate in three professional development retreats facilitated by NAEd members and other distinguished scholars. These retreats offer general and specialized discussions to enhance the fellows’ research capabilities and academic growth.
3. Fellows choose an NAEd member or another esteemed scholar as a mentor, providing guidance and support throughout the academic year.

Requirements for NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Qualification

To receive the fellowship, applicants must:

1. Have received their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024. These dates are accurate for the upcoming application cycle. If you will complete your doctorate this year (2025), you are eligible to apply next year.
2. Not hold tenure status at the time of the application deadline.
3. Have a demonstrated record of research experience in education and the project must be in education research.
4. Submit an individual application as we will not accept group applications.

Interview date, Process and Venue for NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

Review occurs in four stages:

1. Staff screen applications for completness and fit (i.e., research focuses on education).
2. The selection committee reviews the applications in February. Each application is reviewed by two committee members. The committee then chooses approximately 50-60 semifinalists. All applicants are notified of their status after this review. 
3. Two senior scholars in the applicants’ discipline evaluate the application and provide feedback to the selection committee. 
4. The selection committee reviews the semifinalist applications in April. The committee then chooses 25 finalists. All remaining applicants are notified of their status after this review.

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars' Program at ALCHE 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit NAEd Fellowship webpage