Deadline: 10-Jul-2026
The Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) Grants Program supports collaborative education research projects that bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to address real-world educational challenges and improve learning outcomes. Grants of up to USD 400,000 are available for projects lasting up to three years that generate actionable knowledge, strengthen educational systems, and promote long-term educational improvement.
Program Overview
The Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) Grants Program funds collaborative research initiatives designed to connect academic research with educational practice and policy. The program encourages sustained partnerships that generate evidence-based solutions to educational challenges while building stronger relationships between researchers and practitioners.
The goal is to support meaningful educational change through research that is relevant, actionable, and responsive to the needs of learners, educators, institutions, and communities.
Funding Information
- Maximum grant amount: USD 400,000
- Indirect costs allowed: Up to 15% of the total budget
- Project duration: Up to 3 years
- Budget format: Must be submitted in U.S. dollars
- Applications accepted from: Organizations and partnerships worldwide
- Submission language: English
Key Focus Areas
The program supports research and partnership activities related to:
- Collaborative and participatory research partnerships
- Educational improvement and innovation
- Research-practice collaboration
- Policy-relevant educational research
- Educational equity and inclusion
- Capacity building and professional development
- Research infrastructure development
- Community engagement and outreach
- Knowledge generation and dissemination
- Long-term systemic educational change
- Relationship building among stakeholders
Types of Partnerships Supported
The program supports existing partnerships between researchers and education practitioners or policymakers.
Potential partners may include:
- School districts
- Universities and colleges
- State and regional education agencies
- Community-based organizations
- Museums and cultural institutions
- Informal learning organizations
- Families and caregiver networks
- Education policymakers
- Workforce development organizations
- Parks and community learning centers
Supported partnership models include:
- Research-practice partnerships
- Design-based research collaborations
- Networked improvement communities
- Community-based research partnerships
- Place-based educational alliances
- Cross-sector educational collaborations
Eligible Research Activities
Research must be the central component of every funded project.
Examples of eligible activities include:
- Curriculum evaluation studies
- Participatory research involving students and families
- Classroom-based design research
- Policy implementation studies
- Community needs assessments
- Program effectiveness evaluations
- Educational equity research
- Descriptive studies of learner outcomes
- Mixed-methods educational research
- Longitudinal educational studies
The program welcomes qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, participatory, and innovative research approaches.
Why This Program Matters
Research often remains disconnected from educational practice. The RPP Grants Program addresses this gap by supporting partnerships that ensure research findings are directly relevant to practitioners and policymakers.
Benefits include:
- Improved educational decision-making
- Stronger evidence-based policies
- Better learner outcomes
- Increased collaboration between sectors
- Greater educational equity
- Sustainable improvements in educational systems
- Enhanced research utilization in practice
By supporting long-term partnerships, the program helps create lasting educational impact beyond individual research projects.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Universities
- Colleges
- Research institutions
- School districts
- Educational nonprofits
- Community-based organizations
- Other nonprofit organizations involved in education
Eligibility requirements include:
- Principal Investigator (PI) must hold an earned doctorate or possess equivalent professional expertise relevant to the project.
- Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) must also possess appropriate academic or professional qualifications.
- Graduate students may participate as team members but cannot serve as PI or Co-PI.
- The PI must be affiliated with a nonprofit organization or public/government institution capable of administering grant funds.
- At least one Co-PI should represent the practitioner or policy partner organization involved in the collaboration.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
Competitive proposals typically demonstrate:
- A well-established partnership
- Clearly defined educational challenges
- Strong practitioner involvement
- Meaningful stakeholder participation
- Rigorous research design
- Practical relevance of findings
- Clear plans for knowledge dissemination
- Potential for long-term educational impact
- Commitment to equity and inclusion
- Sustainable collaboration beyond the grant period
How to Apply
Step 1: Build or Strengthen a Partnership
Establish a collaborative relationship between researchers and practitioners or policymakers with shared goals and responsibilities.
Step 2: Define the Research Problem
Identify a significant educational challenge, opportunity, or policy question that requires investigation.
Step 3: Develop the Research Design
Prepare a detailed research plan that outlines:
- Research questions
- Methodology
- Data collection strategy
- Analysis approach
- Expected outcomes
Step 4: Create a Partnership Plan
Describe how partners will collaborate throughout the project and how findings will be used in practice.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Develop a detailed budget in U.S. dollars, including direct and indirect costs.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Complete and submit the proposal in English through the designated application process.
Eligible Project Settings
Projects may be conducted in a wide variety of learning environments, including:
- Schools
- Universities
- Community centers
- Museums
- Parks
- Libraries
- Workforce training environments
- Informal learning spaces
- Virtual learning environments
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak collaboration between researchers and practitioners
- Research questions that lack practical relevance
- Insufficient stakeholder engagement
- Unclear plans for using research findings
- Overly ambitious project scope
- Poorly developed research methodology
- Lack of educational impact strategy
- Limited evidence of partnership commitment
- Incomplete budgets or proposal documentation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Research-Practice Partnership?
A Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) is a long-term collaboration between researchers and education practitioners or policymakers that uses research to address real-world educational challenges.
How much funding is available?
Projects may receive up to USD 400,000, including indirect costs of up to 15%.
How long can projects last?
Projects can run for a maximum of three years.
Can organizations outside the United States apply?
Yes. Applications are accepted from organizations and partnerships worldwide.
Can graduate students serve as Principal Investigators?
No. Graduate students may participate in project teams but cannot serve as PI or Co-PI.
Is research required?
Yes. Research activities must form the core component of every funded project.
What types of organizations are eligible?
Eligible organizations include universities, colleges, school districts, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other educational entities capable of administering grant funds.
Conclusion
The Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) Grants Program provides significant funding for collaborative education research that bridges the gap between research, practice, and policy. By supporting partnerships among researchers, educators, community organizations, and policymakers, the program helps generate actionable knowledge, improve educational systems, promote equity, and create lasting positive change for learners and communities worldwide.
For more information, visit The Spencer Foundation.
