Predoctoral Training Program in Causal Inference in Education Policy Research at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan established its predoctoral training program in causal inference in education policy research (CIEPR) to train doctoral students to conduct causal research on the effects of education policies on student outcomes and to convey research findings to policymakers and practitioners. CIEPR primarily included faculty and students from the school of education, the Ford School of Public Policy, the departments of economics and sociology.

Over the course of the grant, CIEPR offered fellowships to social science doctoral students. Most fellows that entered the training program after 1 year of doctoral study received 4-year fellowships, while fellows that entered the training program after 2 years of doctoral study received 2- or 3-year fellowships. All fellowships included tuition and benefits, a $30,000 stipend, and a small research fund. Fellow stipends, tuition, and research funds were in large part covered by the IES training grant, while any remaining tuition, fees, and benefits were supported by a cost-share agreement with the University of Michigan.

CIEPR fellows participated in an interdisciplinary core curriculum consisting of coursework in advanced quantitative methodology (5 course requirements); causal inference (2 course requirement); and education policy, institutions, and practice (1 course requirement). Fellows also participated in ongoing research apprenticeships with faculty mentors, including a 1-year apprenticeship in which fellows conduct research in partnership with education practitioners or policymakers. The training program also includes an interdisciplinary research colloquium and weekly research seminar.

The total costs of the training program were approximately $4.7 million. In addition to the approximate $3.5 million in support from IES, the University of Michigan contributed approximately $1.22 million to support stipends, tuition, and benefits during the award period.