Dissertation Grant Instructions
Dissertation Grant Instructions
 
AERA Dissertation Grant Submission Instructions
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The application deadline for AERA Dissertation Grant applications was Thursday, January 15, 2015. AERA is no longer accepting applications. 



Please read the AERA Dissertation Grant Call for Proposals and these instructions carefully before starting the online submission process. All information must be entered and uploaded electronically by the deadline. Late applications and supporting materials will not be accepted. All uploaded documents must be submitted as .pdf files. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit proposals in advance of the deadline.

You may complete your application in one sitting, or you may save your work and return to it later. However, documents that have been uploaded into "browse" boxes will not be saved from one session to another. When all information has been entered and you click the "Submit Proposal" button, your information will be transmitted to AERA and you will receive an email notification that your application has been received.

The AERA Dissertation Grant proposal includes the following components:

Applicant information

Applicant enters name, contact information, and background information. 

Proposal and supporting documents

Enter the proposal title, amount of funding requested, start and end dates of project, data set(s) used (e.g., ECLS-K, ELS:2002, IPEDS, CCD, AddHealth, etc.) Proposals must include the analysis of at least one nationally or internationally representative data set supported by NCES, NSF, or other U.S. federal agency (such as Labor, Census, NIH, etc.)

Research abstract

Enter the abstract of your proposed research project (250 words maximum). You may cut and paste the abstract or type it into the text box.

Contribution to the field

Briefly describe the potential contributions this research will make to the field of education (200 words maximum). You may cut and paste or type into the text box.

Proposal

The proposal is one uploaded document that must be submitted in PDF. Proposals must be self-contained within the specified page limitations. Internet Web site addresses (URLs) may not be used to provide information necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation to view the Internet sites. 

The Dissertation Grant proposal must include the following 7 components in one PDF document. Proposals should be organized in the order listed, and page limitations must be observed. Please include your last name and first initial in the uploaded document's name (example, Doe_J_proposal.pdf).

  1. The proposal narrative should be no more than four pages in length, single-spaced, in 12 point type with 1" margins. Approximately two pages should be devoted to the problem statement/policy issue, theoretical framework, review of current literature, and research questions. The remaining two pages should include the methodology, contributions to policy, and dissemination plan. The methodology section should describe the proposed data set and criteria for selecting the data file, sample (e.g., groups used, exclusions to sample, and estimated sample sizes), the selection of variables and rationale for using them, and analytic techniques. Applicants must present a clear and well thought out model that identifies the selected variables and specifies the analysis to be done. The brief dissemination plan should include the intended audience and relevant journals where the research findings might be submitted for publication and professional meetings where the findings might be presented. (4 pages maximum)
  2. The conceptual model(s) that outline the framework or design of the study. (2 pages maximum)
  3. The statistical model(s) or formulas, appropriately defined, that are connected to the conceptual model. (2 pages maximum)
  4. Variables list. A categorized one or two-page list of the variables from the NCES, NSF, or other data set(s) that will be used in this research project. (2 pages maximum)
  5. Reference list. A list of all references included in the text or in the models. Use complete citations, including titles and all authors. (no page limit)
  6. Budget. There is no specific template for the budget. It may be a simple 2-column format or a more complex spreadsheet. Note that institutions may not charge overhead on AERA Dissertation Grants. (1 page maximum)
  7. Applicant's curriculum vitae (CV). (2 pages maximum)

Letter(s) of Recommendation

Enter the name and institutional affiliation of the applicant's faculty advisor(s) who will write letters of recommendation. The letters must be sent separately, either electronically or in hard copy. One substantive letter of support is required from the applicant's primary faculty dissertation advisor that includes an indication of the applicant's current progress toward the degree and expected date of completion, and of the student's potential for success in his or her anticipated career path. If the applicant is from a discipline other than education, a second letter of support from a faculty advisor who has an education research background is also required. Although this second letter should focus mainly on the applicant's qualifications, research experience and potential, it should also include a brief paragraph on the advisor's own education research experience. An exception to the second letter requirement will be made if the applicant's primary faculty dissertation advisor is very experienced in education research. In that case, one letter from the primary faculty dissertation advisor is required, and it should include a brief paragraph on the advisor's own education research experience.

Letters may be sent electronically to the AERA Grants Program Manager at grantsprogram@aera.net or in hard copy but must be received by the deadline. Note that applicants are responsible for ensuring their letters of recommendation are received by the deadline. You are encouraged to ask your advisors early for letters. If you wish to send the Letter(s) of recommendation in hard copy, they may be sent in the mail to:

AERA Grants Program
1430 K Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005

Hard copy letters must be received by the deadline. The letter should be on institutional letterhead with signature in a sealed envelope with the advisor's signature over the seal.

If you have questions or technical problems, or if you do not receive a confirmation message with the proposal submission date and ID number, please contact grantsprogram@aera.net.

Click here to apply for an AERA Dissertation Grant or visit the AERA Grants Program Website at http://www.aera.net/grantsprogram