The Research & Policy (R&P) Grant for Early Career Researchers is now open for applications. This prestigious annual grant is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).
The grant is designed to support early-career researchers in conducting quality secondary analyses using data from major international studies, such as ICILS (International Computer and Information Literacy Study), TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study), and ICCS (International Civic and Citizenship Education Study).
Interested researchers can submit their applications by 31 March 2026.
| Grant | Research & Policy Grant for Early Career Researchers Call for Proposals—2025 Edition |
| Research Duration | 12-month |
| Last Date | 31 March 2026 |
| Grant Amount | €20,000 grant per project |
Eligibility
The grant is open to the PhD pursuing Candidates or applicants who have obtained their PhD within the last 5 years, or
Master’s degree holders with less than 10 years of research experience.
Research Topics
Proposals must align with one of the following four thematic areas:
1. Foundational Skills in Primary Education (Grade 4)
- Reading, mathematics, and science outcomes
- Learning dispositions, home resources, and teaching practices
2. Digital Well-being and Social Media
- ICT use, digital skills, engagement, and student well-being
- Healthy digital habits in line with EU Digital Education priorities
3. Equity and Social Inclusion
- Socio-economic, migration, language, disability, and geographic disparities
- Systems achieving both high performance and equity
4. Democratic Values and Citizenship
- Civic knowledge, democratic attitudes, trust, and participation
- School practices that strengthen democratic engagement
How to apply?
Applications must be submitted electronically via the IEA Grant Platform.
Required documents include:
- Research proposal
- CV of the applicant
- Proof of degree or doctoral enrolment
- Letter of support from supervisor
- Letter of support from host institution (if applicable)
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Call Opens | 3 February 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 31 March 2026 (23:59 CET) |
| Notification of Results | By 15 June 2026 |
| IEA Training (Hamburg) | Summer 2026 |
| Project Completion | By 30 June 2027 |
| End of Embargo Period | 31 October 2027 |
Official Notification: https://www.iea.nl/sites/default/files/2026-02/RPGrant-call%202026_0.pdf