The application deadline for the TIRF Kathleen M. Bailey Teacher-Research Award (i.e., TIRF Bailey Award) will remain open for several more weeks. Individuals interested in submitting a proposal should do so by the June 1, 2026 deadline.

The TIRF Bailey Award program supports English language teachers in conducting research that advances understanding of teaching and learning. To be eligible for the TIRF Bailey Award, applicants must be practicing teachers of English as a second/foreign/additional language, and may include dual-language immersion teachers in two-way programs with English learners. The award is open to teachers of English worldwide. Teachers can be working with learners of any age, language background, nationality, or proficiency level in both academic and non-academic programs. In addition, TIRF welcomes proposals from teachers at all levels of instruction who have varying degrees of teaching experience. There are no restrictions on citizenship.

Recipients of the TIRF Bailey Award will receive $1,000 and will have an opportunity to receive mentoring services from the Foundation. TIRF Bailey Award funding may be spent on actual costs for carrying out the research or on expenses for professional development, such as registration fees for conferences, hotel accommodations, and transportation. Joint proposals from a team of two or more teachers are allowed.

New this year to the 2026 TIRF Bailey Award is the elimination of two TIRF Research Topics under which colleagues may apply. Please note that TIRF will no longer consider proposals related to its Research Topics on (1) Language Teacher Education and (2) Language Planning and Policy for the TIRF Bailey Award.

To download the call for proposals and to learn more about eligibility concerns, encouraged research topics, past recipients, characteristics of successful proposals, and more, please click here. The proposal deadline is Monday, June 1, 2026.