Call for Proposals: Research & Policy Grant for Early Career Researchers Now Open (€20,000 per project for a 12-month research period)
Closing Date: 31 March 2026
Call for Proposals: Research & Policy Grant for Early Career Researchers Now Open (€20,000 per project for a 12-month research period)
Research & Policy Grant for Early Career Researchers Now Open
IEA with the European Commission, has launched a new Research & Policy Grant for early career researchers. The grant supports policy-relevant research using IEA data (including TIMSS, PIRLS, ICCS and ICILS) and aims to strengthen links between educational research and policy in Europe. Successful projects will receive €20,000 for 12 months, plus access to training and expert support.
Overview
International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) together with the European Commission has launched a new Research and Policy Grant for Early Career Researchers, opening its first call for applications. The grant, funded by the European Commission (DG EAC) and coordinated by IEA, is designed to support high-quality, policy-relevant secondary analyses using IEA’s international large-scale assessment data, including studies such as TIMSS, PIRLS, ICCS, and ICILS. It aims to strengthen research capacity and foster closer links between educational research and policy at the European level.
This inaugural call for proposals marks the start of a regular grant scheme, with future calls planned on a recurring basis. Successful applicants will receive €20,000 per project for a 12-month research period, along with access to IEA training opportunities and expert support. The grant is targeted at early career researchers and focuses on key policy themes such as foundational skills, equity and inclusion, digital well-being, and democratic values. More information can be found at the link below.
The Research & Policy (R&P) Grant for Early Career Researchers provides financial support and expert guidance to promising researchers working with IEA international large-scale assessment (ILSA) data. The program aims to strengthen capacity building, foster international collaboration, and generate research that informs education policy related to basic skills development across Europe. Funded projects focus on secondary analyses of IEA studies such as TIMSS, PIRLS, ICCS, and ICILS, and address key EU education priorities.
What does the grant offer?
- €20,000 grant per project (paid as a lump sum to the researcher or their institution)
- 12-month research period
- Priority access to IEA training in Hamburg (summer 2026)
- Methodological and thematic expert support from IEA and DG EAC
- Opportunities for policy dialogue and dissemination at European level
Research Topics
Proposals must focus on one of the following thematic areas:
- Foundational skills in primary education (Grade 4)
Reading, mathematics, and science outcomes and their determinants - Digital well-being and social media
ICT use, digital skills, engagement, and student well-being - Equity and social inclusion
Socio-economic, migration, language, and geographic disparities - Democratic values and citizenship
Civic knowledge, democratic attitudes, and student participation
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria, including:
- PhD candidates or researchers who obtained their first doctoral degree within the last five years
(or master’s degree holders with limited additional research experience) - Demonstrated capacity to conduct quantitative secondary analyses of IEA data
- A clearly defined research project with EU policy relevance
- Support from at least one senior researcher or policy expert (supervisor)
- Proficiency in English
Researchers of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Full call details can be found in the PDF document here.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted electronically via the IEA Grant Platform.
Required documents include:
- Research proposal (structured according to the call guidelines)
- CV of the applicant
- Proof of degree or doctoral enrolment
- Letter of support from supervisor
- Letter of support from host institution (if applicable)
Full call details can be found in thePDF document here.
For questions or clarifications, please contact: [email protected]
Click Here To Apply
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