For the 2027 competition, 35 doctoral candidates will be selected, with each recipient receiving a $30,000 fellowship award for one academic year. Fellows will also have access to mentorship and professional development opportunities through the National Academy of Education.

Applications for the 2027 fellowship must be submitted by October 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

About the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship

Completing a doctoral dissertation can be demanding, particularly when students have to balance research, writing, and other financial or academic responsibilities. The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship is designed to provide doctoral candidates with financial support during this important stage of their academic careers.

The fellowship supports research that can contribute to a better understanding of education, and applicants may come from a variety of academic disciplines, rather than only from education departments.

Research may examine education through areas such as history, psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science, public health, philosophy, and other relevant fields.

The important point is that education must be central to the proposed dissertation research.

NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive a range of support during their fellowship year.

$30,000 Award

Each selected fellow receives $30,000 for one academic year. The award is paid in two installments and is intended to support the fellow while they work toward completing their dissertation.

The funding may be used for eligible expenses connected with the fellowship period, including living expenses and certain research, educational, and professional costs.

Mentorship

Fellows have the opportunity to work with an NAEd member or another senior scholar who serves as a mentor. This provides fellows with an opportunity to receive academic guidance as they complete their research and prepare for their future careers.

Professional Development

Fellows also participate in two professional development retreats organised with NAEd members and other experienced scholars. These activities allow fellows to discuss their research, build professional relationships and develop skills that can be useful in academic and research careers.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is intended for doctoral candidates who are in the dissertation stage of their programme.

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled as doctoral candidates at a graduate school in the United States.
• Complete all pre-dissertation requirements by June 1, 2027.
• Have an approved dissertation proposal by the required deadline.
• Have a dissertation focused centrally on education.
• Be able to complete the dissertation within the proposed fellowship period.

Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens. International students may apply as long as they meet the programme’s requirements and are doctoral candidates at a graduate school in the United States.

Which Fields Are Eligible?

One of the interesting features of the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship is its interdisciplinary approach.

Applicants can come from disciplines including:

• Education
• Economics
• Anthropology
• Sociology
• Psychology
• History
• Philosophy
• Political science
• Linguistics
• Public health
• Communications
• Literature
• Architecture
• Religion
• Art history

This list is not exhaustive, and applicants from other disciplines may also be considered if their dissertation research has a clear and central connection to education.

What Type of Research Is Supported?

The fellowship is intended for research that contributes to the understanding of formal or informal education, and a successful proposal should demonstrate why the research matters and how it can contribute to knowledge about education.

Moreover, the fellowship is specifically focused on supporting the writing and completion stage of the dissertation. It is not designed primarily to finance coursework or the collection of dissertation data.

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship normally provides support for one academic year. However, applicants may propose a fellowship period lasting longer if necessary. The official programme allows fellowship periods of between nine and 24 months, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and proposed dissertation timeline.

The earliest possible fellowship start date for the 2027 competition is September 1, 2027.

Application Materials

Applicants should be prepared to provide several pieces of information as part of the online application.

These include:

• Academic and personal background information
• Education history
• Employment history
• Scholarships and fellowships
• Honors and awards
• Publications and presentations
• Information about the dissertation
• A personal statement
• A dissertation work plan
• A proposed timeline for completing the dissertation

The dissertation work plan is particularly important because applicants need to demonstrate how they intend to use the fellowship period to complete their dissertation.

Personal Statement

The personal statement allows applicants to explain their academic background and research interests. Applicants should explain how their previous educational experiences have prepared them for their dissertation research and discuss their plans for their career after completing the doctorate.

The statement should also make clear how the applicant’s future work may continue to contribute to research related to education.

Dissertation Work Plan

Applicants must provide a clear plan for completing their dissertation.

The work plan should outline the major stages that remain and provide a realistic timeline for completing them.

For example, an applicant may identify milestones such as:

• Completing remaining analysis
• Writing individual dissertation chapters
• Revising completed chapters
• Completing the full dissertation draft
• Defending the dissertation

The exact timeline will depend on the applicant’s research and university requirements.

How to Apply for the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship 2027

Applications are submitted online through the National Academy of Education’s application system, and here are the steps to apply

• Visit the official NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship webpage.
• Read the eligibility requirements for the 2027 competition.
• Prepare your academic and professional information.
• Prepare your personal statement.
• Develop your dissertation work plan and completion timeline.
• Gather the information required for the application.
• Complete the online application form.
• Review all sections before submitting.
• Submit the application before 5:00 p.m. ET on October 8, 2026.

Meanwhile, applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their application in case they encounter technical problems.

NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship 2027 – Official Page

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship?

It is a dissertation fellowship offered by the National Academy of Education in partnership with the Spencer Foundation for doctoral candidates conducting education-related research.

How much does the fellowship provide?

Successful applicants receive $30,000 for one academic year.

How many fellows will be selected?

The 2027 programme plans to select 35 doctoral candidates.

Do I have to study education to apply?

No, the fellowship is interdisciplinary. Students from other fields may apply if education is central to their dissertation research.

Can international students apply?

Yes, international students can apply, but they must be doctoral candidates at a graduate school in the United States.

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