IES Announces Grants to Diversify Education Research Field
June 6, 2016
IES Announces Grants to Diversify Education Research Field
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is awarding more than $4.2 million in grants to four universities to create training programs that will help develop a more diverse field of highly qualified education researchers.
These are the first grants awarded under the new IES Pathways to the Education Sciences Research Training Program. The Pathways program was launched in 2015 to increase the number of students who are prepared to pursue doctoral study in the education sciences, including those who are racial and ethnic minorities, first-generation college students, economically disadvantaged, veterans, and students with disabilities.
"The goal of the Pathways training program is to create a pipeline of education researchers who will bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to the field," said Thomas Brock, Commissioner of the National Center for Education Research, the IES center that administers the Pathways program. "This is particularly important given the need for trustworthy, reliable evidence to help our nation's schools improve. We look forward to learning from this first set of grantees and continuing to support efforts to diversify and strengthen the education sciences."
The Pathways training program grant competition requires the participation of a Minority Serving Institution, which is defined as a college or university that serves a significant percentage of students who are from racial or ethnic minority groups. Three of the awardees are partnering or collaborating with other institutions on their program.
Participating students will gain hands-on education research experience through a research apprenticeship under the supervision of faculty mentors. Participants also will develop their knowledge of research methods and will receive assistance in career development. Those who complete a Pathways training program should be prepared to enter a doctoral program in which they can pursue a future career in education research.
IES currently is accepting applications for the next round of Pathways training grants as part of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 competition.
2016 Pathways to the Education Science Research Training Program Grantees
The University of Arizona, with its partner Minority Serving Institution, University of Arizona South, will use its $1,073,276 grant to begin the Access, Wellness, and Relational Determinants of School Success (AWARDSS) training program. The program will be open to upper-level undergraduate students, recent graduates, and master's students from University of Arizona and University of Arizona South, as well as recent graduates from other universities who now live in southern Arizona. Over five years, AWARDSS will offer up to 48 students one-year fellowships during which the fellows will receive training in education research, conduct research with faculty mentors, develop their writing skills, and receive assistance in applying to doctoral programs.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU), with partner institutions Duke University and University of North Carolina, Wilmington, will launch the new Research Institute for Scholars of Equity (RISE) with its $1,116,985 grant. The new program will be open to up to 60 upper-level undergraduate students and will focus its work on inequities in American education, especially for African American and Hispanic students. As part of the year-long RISE training program, participants will receive training in education research, conduct research with peers and faculty mentors, and receive assistance in applying to doctoral programs. RISE also includes an eight-week summer research institute. Collaborating institutions include University of Pittsburgh, University of South Carolina, University of New Mexico, and the New School for Social Research.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will use its $1,116,895 grant to offer up to 48 one-year fellowships in its Educational Research Training Program. The program will accept students already enrolled at USTA as well as those enrolled at Alamo Colleges, a local network of community colleges.. Fellows will receive training in education research, conduct research with faculty mentors, and receive assistance in applying to doctoral study programs. The program includes participation in summer research institutes. Collaborating institutions include ETS, Stanford University, and St. Philip's College.
California State University, Sacramento (also known as Sacramento State University) will use its $895,326 grant to offer up to 60 one-year fellowships under the theme "Pathways: Successful Transitions To and Through Higher Education." The fellowships will be open to upper-level undergraduate and master's level students who are preparing for doctoral study. As part of the year-long training program, participants will receive training in education research, conduct research with faculty mentors, and receive assistance in applying to doctoral programs. Fellows will also participate in a summer research apprenticeship at a policy research center or with their faculty mentor.
Media Contact: Dana Tofig, Communications Director, Institute of Education Sciences, 202-245-8235, dana.tofig@ed.gov