The National Academy of Education
The National Academy of Education (NAEd) is a private foundation based in Washington, DC. Founded in 1965, it advances education research to improve policy and practice, conducts studies on pressing education issues, and administers fellowships for education scholars.
The National Academy of Education at a glance
In short: The National Academy of Education gave $3.1M across 114 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,130,590
- +11.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 114
- +4.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,461
- +6.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $12,643,314
- -29.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (14% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The National Academy of Education
- How to Apply
-
Fellowship guidelines and application forms are available on NAEd’s website. The filing directs applicants to that site for submission deadlines. The postdoctoral fellowship is non-residential, and applications from all disciplines are encouraged.
- Review Cycle
- The fellowship page lists October 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Deadline
- The fellowship page lists October 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: National Academy Of Education
Mailing address: 500 Fifth St Nw, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 334-2341
Website: https://naeducation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The National Academy of Education
Who The National Academy of Education funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Regents of New Mexico State Univers ($57K). Together the top 2 received $113K.
Organizations only. It also paid 112 grants to individuals ($3,017,472), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
573 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 528 grants of 573 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The dissertation fellowship description allows research relevant to education improvement anywhere in the world. The postdoctoral fellowship is non-residential, with fellows conducting research at their home institution or another arranged site. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to California (14%), Pennsylvania (10%), New York (10%), Illinois (7%), and Arizona (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 114 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The National Academy of Education gives
- Giving grew 34% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2021) to $3.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 114 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 48 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $2,027,472 |
| Regents of New Mexico State Univers Las Cruces, NM | EMERG | $56,559 |
| University of Denveralvarez-Varga D Denver, CO | EMERG | $56,559 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports 114 grants. The 2023 and 2022 filings report 109 and 129 grants, respectively.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,643,314 | $320,717 | $6,503,549 | $3,130,590 | 114 | $5,788,964 | $88,408 |
| 2023 | $17,963,995 | $14,544,857 | $5,032,438 | $2,800,000 | 109 | $5,168,172 | $60,716 |
| 2022 | $8,445,836 | $542,106 | $4,639,972 | $3,326,250 | 129 | $5,116,913 | $68,783 |
| 2021 | $13,224,387 | $700,923 | $3,966,236 | $2,343,750 | 105 | $3,573,811 | $38,845 |
| 2020 | $16,062,236 | $12,523,777 | $4,671,990 | $2,822,500 | 116 | — | $27,058 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NAEd’s mission is to advance high-quality research to improve education policy and practice. Its work includes studies of education issues and professional development programs for the next generation of education scholars.
The NAEd/Spencer fellowships support dissertation research and postdoctoral research relevant to improving education. The EMERG program focuses on equitable mathematical experiences for African-American, Latine, and Indigenous students and students from communities experiencing inter-generational poverty. NAEd’s 2024 filing also describes a study intended to inform stakeholders about teacher preparation programs and the policy supports needed to recruit, retain, and distribute a well-qualified teacher workforce.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, NAEd reported 114 grants totaling $3,130,590. Grant amounts ranged from $13,750 to $70,000, with a median of $27,500. The largest awards included $70,000 each to Elise Castillo, Meseret Hailu, an individual recipient Mumma, Karina Salazar, and Julissa Ventura for “2023 POSTDOCTORAL.” Other listed awards of $56,559 were designated “EMERG,” including grants to Susana Beltran-Grimm, Yeh Cathery, Salvador Huitzilopochtli, Christopher Leatherwood, an individual recipient Ruiz, and New Mexico State University Regents.
NAEd administers the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowships in partnership with the Spencer Foundation. The website describes dissertation fellowships of $30,000 and postdoctoral fellowships of $80,000; its 2024 filing describes postdoctoral awards of $70,000 for one academic year or $35,000 per year over two contiguous years. The filing states that postdoctoral applicants must have received a PhD, EdD, or equivalent research doctorate within two to five years. The dissertation fellowship supports doctoral candidates with education research and includes a stipend, mentorship, and professional development retreats.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carol D. Lee as president, Pamela Grossman as vice president, James Spillane as secretary/treasurer, Alfredo J. Artiles as president-elect and director, and Gregory White as executive director. Directors listed include Deborah Loewenberg Ball, Megan Bang, Megan Franke, Vivian Gadsden, and Sylvia Hurtado.
The National Academy of Education is led by Gregory White, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gregory White
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$117K (2020) → $154K (2024)
Carol D. Lee
President
President-Elect → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alfredo J. Artiles
President Elect & Director
Director → President Elect & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Bang
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Franke
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vivian Gadsden
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Loewenberg Ball
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sylvia Hurtado
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Spillane
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Grossman
Vice President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Lois M. Weis (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: William F. Tate IV (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Deborah Stipek (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Gloria Ladson-Billings (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: James Anderson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kris D. Gutierrez (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Adam Gamoran (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Helen Ladd (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert E. Floden (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Annemarie Sullivan Palincsar (2020) — Director
- Former: Hilda Borko (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $154K, to Gregory White (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The National Academy of Education
How much does The National Academy of Education give each year?
The National Academy of Education gave $3.1M across 114 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.8M across 109 grants.
What is The National Academy of Education's typical grant size?
The National Academy of Education's median grant in 2024 was $27,500, and its average grant was $27,461, across 114 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The National Academy of Education give grants?
The National Academy of Education's top state is California, with 14% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (10%) and New York (10%).
Does The National Academy of Education give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 114 grants with a stated purpose on The National Academy of Education's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2024 Dissertation" (34 grants), "2023 Dissertation" (30 grants) and "2023 Postdoctoral" (22 grants).
How large is The National Academy of Education?
The National Academy of Education reported $12.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $321K.
What does The National Academy of Education fund?
NAEd’s mission is to advance high-quality research to improve education policy and practice. Its work includes studies of education issues and professional development programs for the next generation of education scholars. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The National Academy of Education?
Fellowship guidelines and application forms are available on NAEd’s website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The National Academy of Education's EIN?
The National Academy of Education's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0415802. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The National Academy of Education's focus areas in our free grants database
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