Call for Applications: 2026 AERA Research Engagement and Development with Youth Program

[Mathematics Education Researchers (MER) community]

 

  

AERA Research Engagement and Development with Youth (READY)

  

Call for Applications

  

Application Deadline: October 29, 2025

  

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) invites applications for the Research Engagement and Development with Youth (READY) Program. This program will bring teams of talented high school students engaged in education research to the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California to present their work, network with peers, and cultivate their interest in the field.

  

The AERA READY Program will be held on April 8-10 (the first three days of the Annual Meeting). The READY Program will offer youth researchers an opportunity to:

  

• Present their work in multiple modalities, including a high profile, featured poster session 
• Attend selected Annual Meeting sessions and events 
• Participate in a mini workshop that provides a forum for students to: 
  • Engage with accomplished graduate student, early career, and senior scholars in the field 
  • Receive guidance and feedback on their research projects 
  • Network with other youth who share an interest in using research to address important questions related to education. 
  • Expand their knowledge of the field of education research and the work of education researchers. 

The program is open to teams of 4 to 6 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. Education researchers are invited to submit an application on behalf of their research team. High school teachers or education researchers in non-university settings or organizations, who are guiding high school students in research, are also eligible and encouraged to apply. 

  

AERA will competitively select up to five youth research teams to participate in the READY Program. Research teams selected to participate will receive an award that includes partial funding support to attend the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. 

  

To learn more about the AERA READY Program, access the Call for Applications or visit our website. 

  

If you have questions about the READY program, contact Lori Diane Hill, AERA Associate Executive Director, at edres...@aera.net and include “READY” in the subject line.