NCER Grant Competitions Seek to Increase Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships and Diversify the Research Profession
March 31, 2016
NCER Grant Competitions Seek to Increase Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships and Diversify the Research Profession
New Research Network will focus on Elementary Science Teaching
The National Center for Education Research (NCER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has released funding announcements for four of its Fiscal Year (FY 2017) research grant competitions. The grants support a wide range of research and training to identify and understand challenges in education, develop and test solutions, and provide opportunities that strengthen and diversify the education research field. Four Requests for Applications are being released today:
- Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice (CFDA 84.305N);
- Partnerships and Collaborations Focused on Problems of Practice or Policy (CFDA 84.305H);
- Low-Cost, Short Duration Evaluation of Education Interventions (CFDA 84.305L); and
- Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences (CFDA 84.305B).
More information is available on the IES Funding Opportunities website. The website also has information about NCER grant competitions announced earlier this week and grant competitions from the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).
Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice
Research networks are designed to develop reliable information and useful tools around high-priority education issues. NCER is seeking applications for two networks in FY 2017, including a new research network that will focus on elementary science teaching.
The Exploring Science Teaching in Elementary School Classrooms Network (Science Teaching Network) will conduct research on teaching in elementary school classrooms to identify and measure teaching actions that improve science and other education outcomes, with a particular focus on students from low-income families or groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in science courses and professions. The network will also develop guidance, training, and supports that will improve elementary school science teaching and learning.
The Scalable Strategies to Support College Completion Network (College Completion Network) will evaluate the impact and cost of strategies designed to increase degree attainment among students attending open- and broad-access institutions. This network began in FY 2016 with two research teams and will expand in FY 2017.
Partnerships and Collaborations Focused on Problems of Practice or Policy
IES is committed to building partnerships between researchers and practitioners who work in the field. This grant program will sponsor programs in two areas. The Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships in Education Research program brings research institutions together with state or local education agencies that have identified a high-priority education issue or problem. These partnerships carry out initial research on that issue and develop a plan for future research.
The Evaluation of State and Local Education Programs and Policies program supports efforts to determine the impact of local or state efforts to improve education. The grants will allow for the evaluation of fully-developed programs and policies that the local or state education agency identifies as priorities. The results of these evaluations are not only useful to the state or district that is involved, but also to other states or districts that are using similar programs or policies.
Low-Cost, Short Duration Evaluation of Education Interventions
The Low-Cost, Short-Duration Evaluation of Education Interventions program is designed to support rigorous evaluations of education interventions that state or local education agencies expect to produce meaningful improvements in student outcomes in a single academic year, and that can be evaluated using administrative data. Projects will be conducted by research institutions and education agencies working together over a 2-year period.
Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences
IES seeks to improve the education research field by providing opportunities and training for researchers at different stages of their careers. Applicants can compete for Research Training Programs in Education Sciences grants in three training areas:
- Pathways to the Education Sciences Research Training Program;
- Postdoctoral Research Training in the Education Sciences; and
- Methods Training for Education Researchers.
Through these programs, IES seeks to fund the training and mentoring of individuals from diverse backgrounds in order to foster their success in education research careers and meet the field’s need for highly-trained researchers. The Institute is particularly interested in applications for research training that will help state and local education agencies build their capacity to use evidence, as envisioned by the 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Media Contact: Dana Tofig, Communications Director, Institute of Education Sciences, 202-245-8235, dana.tofig@ed.gov