CPM Research Funding
Exploratory Research Award
Up to $50,000 for university and research-organization teams studying secondary math curriculum, teaching, learning and professional development.
Update · 2026 cycle
Exploratory grants are paused for 2026
CPM will not fund Exploratory or Rapid Response grants in 2026. The guidelines below stay here for reference.
CPM research funding
Exploratory research in mathematics education
CPM funds independent research that builds theory, develops methodological tools and establishes knowledge in secondary math education: curriculum, teaching, learning and professional development. Proposals come from universities and research organizations, not individuals.
What CPM wants to fund
CPM’s research interests
Research that serves the wider math education community and improves theory and practice. Every funded proposal must fit CPM’s mission, offer insight into secondary math teaching and learning, and be likely to produce publishable results.
Curricular materials
How curriculum design affects student learning and teacher practice. Studies must use the most recent CPM materials, student or teacher editions.
Teaching and professional learning
Instructional change, virtual coaching, professional learning design and teacher development tools. Studies producing video cases for teacher education are especially welcome.
Student learning
How technology supports learning, how students develop productive dispositions, anti-racist practices in 6–12 math, and support for students with negative histories with math.
Example research topics
Research questions don’t need to focus only on CPM, but every proposal must show how CPM materials or professional learning are involved.
- Teacher learning through virtual coaching or professional learning events
- Tools that support teacher learning and instructional change
- Supports for students with long-term negative relationships with school math
- Effective uses of technology for learning particular topics
- Community math activities, like family math nights, that educate parents
- Anti-racist practices for 6–12 math education and professional learning
Every funded project needs at least one practical deliverable, such as a framework, teacher observation tool, survey or set of design principles. Proposals that compare curricula or reflect a deficit view of teachers won’t be considered.
Proposal requirements
What your submission must include
Proposals that don’t meet these requirements will be disqualified.
Eligibility
Applicant requirements
- From a university or research organization, not an individual
- One Principal Investigator (PI) with a doctorate in math education or an equivalent field
- Up to two co-PIs, who may be at other institutions
- All PIs and co-PIs certified for human-subjects research
- IRB approval before research begins, if awarded
Narrative
Proposal narrative
- 10 pages max: single-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins
- Research questions, theoretical framework, research design, deliverables, timeline and dissemination plan
- Up to 5 pages of appendices for tools or protocols
- References, a 1-page bio per investigator and a 1-page title page
Finances
Budget requirements
- Up to $50,000 including indirect costs, capped at 10%
- Budget table and justification tied clearly to research goals
- PI travel to the CPM Teacher Conference the year after the project ends
- Other conference travel limited to $2,000 a year
- CPM textbooks can be budgeted, or an eBook license is provided free
Submit all materials as one PDF through the Submit a proposal button.
How proposals are evaluated
Review criteria
Sub-committees of university scholars, both established and early career, review proposals alongside CPM teacher leaders and staff. The review is rigorous and looks at:
- 01Alignment with CPM’s mission
- 02Relevance to CPM, whether or not the project is set in a CPM context
- 03Improvements in educational practice for participants
- 04Benefits to stakeholders beyond the research context
- 05Clear and significant research questions
- 06Coherence and detail within and across sections
- 07Feasibility within the timeline and budget
- 08A plan for disseminating findings
- 09Qualifications of the PI and project team
- 10Appropriateness of the budget
Review process
Reviewers assess each area in detail, including how each section supports the overall research goal and how the research will add to existing scholarship.
CPM may choose not to select an awardee if proposals are of insufficient quality, not of interest to CPM, or if circumstances make funding against CPM’s best interests.
Won’t be considered
Proposals that compare curricula (for example, “Do students in CPM classrooms outperform students in other classrooms?”), since such questions don’t produce findings that improve math education broadly.
Proposals that reflect a deficit perspective of teachers.
If you’re awarded funding
Award conditions
Start and end dates are agreed between awardees and CPM, and funds are released once dates are confirmed. Every awardee commits to:
Teacher Conference presentation
The PI presents in person at the annual CPM Teacher Conference (California, usually February) the year after the project ends. Budget for it, and email slides to CPM a month ahead.
Progress reports
Due every January 15 and July 15, covering status, challenges and any changes to the approved plan. Awardees also join a session to share research and network.
No duplicate funding
Awardees can’t accept another grant, fellowship or award that funds the same part of the project.
IRB approval
All PIs and co-PIs must be certified for human-subjects research and show IRB approval before research begins.
Deliverables for CPM
CPM may use all project deliverables to support teachers and students who use CPM materials and professional learning.
Use the CPM progress report template for your January and July submissions.
Progress report templateReady to apply
Submit your proposal
Submit all materials as one PDF by June 1 at 11:59 pm PST. Late proposals won’t be accepted. New to CPM? Reach out first: the research team can share what you need to know about CPM curriculum, professional learning, coaching and classroom implementation.
Questions? Ask the research team
Choose “Research grants and the Exploratory Award” as your topic and we’ll reply by email.