December  2020

AERA has reached out to members and other friends of education research to urge end-of-year giving tied to broadening inclusion in the field and supporting public service by education researchers. AERA’s request is focused on vital sets of activities supported through the AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship Fund and the AERA Second Century Fund.

“This year our community has endured overwhelming uncertainty and in some cases significant personal and professional loss,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “Among researchers across career stages, we have witnessed a growing need for the kind of professional engagement and development opportunities that support the advancement of individual researchers and of the field as a whole, and the broader communities in which we live and work.”

“Contributions large and small can make a difference in helping us achieve these goals,” Levine said.

AERA dues are essential to the continuing operations of the association, including programmatic emphases. Donations and grants are essential to AERA initiatives that are major in scope, purpose, and visibility.

• For nearly three decades, the Minority Dissertation Fellowship Fund has aimed to build capacity, diversity, and inclusion in the field by providing financial support and professional development opportunities to outstanding graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. Donations will help support an increase in the size of the awards that Minority Dissertation Fellows receive. Donate now
   
• The Second Century Fund, established in 2016 to commemorate AERA’s 100th anniversary, supports association programmatic activities. All donations this year will be used to support the AERA Education Research Service Projects (ERSP) program. Just this past September, 28 education researchers received rapid-response grants to address needs related to COVID-19 and systemic racism in local communities. Donate now

Primarily through an email campaign, the association is seeking contributions to these two dedicated funds. AERA encourages all members and other friends to invest in the next generation of a broad, diverse, and engaged scholarly community.