AERA Research Engagement and Development with Youth (READY)

Call for Applications

Deadline Extended: December 19, 2024

Introduction

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) invites applications for the Research Engagement and Development with Youth (READY) Program being held as part of the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will take place in Denver, Colorado from April 23-27. The AERA READY Program will be held on April 23-25 (the first three days of the Annual Meeting).

This program is designed to showcase the work of high school youth who are using research tools to answer critical questions about education. It also aims to cultivate youth researchers’ knowledge of and interest in the field of education research. Research Engagement and Development with Youth builds upon AERA’s commitment to advancing the field by encouraging and supporting systematic inquiry and evidence-based analysis related to education and to engaging youth in ways that have the potential to shape and expand the next generation of talent in education research.

Teams of youth researchers that are selected to participate in this program will present their work in a high profile, featured poster session held at the Annual Meeting. In addition, successful applicants will take part in a mini-workshop to discuss their ongoing projects and potential opportunities for continuing to pursue research engagements. The mini-workshop will provide opportunities for the youth researchers to network with peers as well as accomplished education researchers. Program activities will also include attending a selected set of Annual Meeting sessions and events.

Program Details

AERA will competitively select up to 5 teams (each with 4 to 6 youth researchers) to participate in the READY program.

The program is designed for high school students who are currently working with an education researcher(s) on the researcher’s study or are being advised by a researcher on their own independent or team project. Applications will be advanced by the education researcher who will a) provide an overview of their work with the youth researchers, b) set forth information about the project(s) and the youth being proposed to constitute a team, and c) describe any partnership with a high school(s) or other organization(s) that supports the team’s work. High School teachers or education researchers in other settings or organizations who are guiding high school students in research are also eligible and encouraged to apply.

The READY Program will offer youth (working with education researchers) an opportunity to (1) present their work to a broad audience of attendees at the AERA Annual Meeting, (2) participate in a mini-workshop for students and the education researchers leading the teams, (3) network with other youth who share an interest in using research to address important questions related to education and learning, and (4) become better acquainted with education research and the work of education researchers through engagement with professionals in the field.

Application Overview

AERA seeks applications for the AERA Research Engagement and Development with Youth (READY) Program from education researchers who are currently engaging with youth in research. Eligible READY applications must include a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 high school students who are already engaged in research. All applications must be submitted through the online portal as set forth below.

All topics related broadly to education, teaching, and learning in formal or informal settings are eligible for inclusion in the READY Program. Research projects may range widely on such topics such as children and youth, schools and communities, schools and schooling, curriculum and instruction, student achievement, educational leadership, educational opportunity, school climate, education policy. Proposals for poster presentations may include innovative data displays, videos, or multi-media exhibits that communicate youth perspectives on education research and policy issues.

Up to 5 youth research teams will be selected to participate in the READY Program. Research teams selected to participate will receive partial funding support to attend the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting in Denver and present their work at a featured poster session at the conference (using electronic poster boards).

Application Details

Dates:

The Research Engagement and Development with Youth Program activities will take place Wednesday, April 23 – Friday, April 25, during the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting in Denver. Led by the education researcher(s) advancing the application, team participants need to arrive early enough on Thursday to begin program activities at 1:30 p.m. (MDT). The program will conclude on Friday morning in sufficient time for participants to return home that day.

Eligibility:

Education researchers advancing proposals must be AERA members at the time of application and need to register for the 2025 AERA Annual Meeting. Applications are encouraged from AERA members to constitute and bring youth research teams.

All participating youth researchers must be:

• High school students (grades 9-12) at the time of application
• Enrolled in high school at the time of the Annual Meeting

Research teams must be supervised/sponsored by at least one adult who has parental/guardian permission to chaperone the team to Denver. If the education researcher(s) is not the authorized chaperone for the team, including traveling with them to and from the conference in Denver, an additional chaperone must be specified in the application.

The READY Program is open to all youth research teams that meet these eligibility requirements, however, priority will be given to outstanding applications from teams the Denver region.

Underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.

Award:

Awards will include up to $1,000 to offset the cost of travel to the Annual Meeting for student research team members (6 students maximum). AERA will provide:

• Complimentary Annual Meeting registration for each student team member;
• Two nights’ lodging for each student team member;
• A registration waiver for one chaperone (if the chaperone is not the team leader/education researcher);
• Two nights’ lodging for one chaperone (if the chaperone is not the team leader/education researcher).

Travel, registration, and lodging costs for the education researcher(s) are not covered by this award.

Application Requirements

Education Researcher(s) should complete the AERA Research Engagement and Development with Youth Online Application no later than Thursday, December 19, 2024.

In addition to completing the online application form, all READY Program applicants must submit a document that includes the following:

• Student research project synopsis of no more than 500 words describing the following elements (one statement for each project):

1. Study objectives or purposes
2. Perspective(s) or theoretical framework
3. Research methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry
4. Data source(s)
5. Key features or preliminary results
6. Conclusions, summaries, and implications

Note: If the student research is part of a larger research project, please provide a synopsis of the student’s research work that they can present and discuss as their engagement in research.

• A statement from the education researcher(s) that (1) sets forth an overview of their work with high school youth on research, (2) describes whether this work involves a partnership with a high school(s) or other organization(s) and (3) specifies the projects and the youth being proposed to constitute a team.

Team Background Statement

Youth team member brief bios (50 word maximum per student) that include student name, grade (year in school), topics or areas of interest in education research, relevant activities, or experience

Curriculum vitae for each research team leader(s) (limited to 2 pages) that includes:

• Employment history
• Relevant research activities, publications, or presentations
• Relevant professional affiliations and/or membershipsPartnering or Sponsoring Organization Information

If the education researcher(s) is engaged in a partnership or sponsorship with a high school or other organization or if the education researcher is employed by a high school or other organization, please provide:

• Brief description of the sponsoring high school or community organization
• Statement from high school or other sponsoring organization indicating support for their youth researchers’ participating in the AERA READY Program

Team Chaperone(s)

Include the name(s) of the team’s adult chaperone(s) with the submitted team information. If the education researcher(s) is serving in that role, they should be listed as a chaperone as well.

Parental Permission

Signed parental/guardian permission must be submitted in January 2025, for all participating teams.

Where to Apply

AERA will only accept online application materials through the AERA READY online application portal. To apply, log in to your AERA account here. On the “My AERA” page, scroll down to the 2025 Annual Meeting and click "Submit a READY Program Application." All submitters need a “My AERA” user profile with a username and password to submit. AERA membership is not required to create a profile. However, education researchers who are submitting a READY application must be current AERA members at the time the application is submitted in order for their team to be eligible for the program.

All application materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Thursday, December 19, 2024. All eligible applications will be reviewed by a committee of education researchers.

About AERA

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. Founded in 1916, AERA advances knowledge about education, encourages scholarly inquiry related to education, and promotes the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.

Direct questions about the READY Program to Lori Diane Hill, Associate Executive Director, at edresearch@aera.net.