SEF Research Fellows Program at Education Justice in the American South

Southern Education Foundation

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Description

The Southern Education Foundation (SEF) is now inviting applications for its highly regarded Research Fellows Program, a competitive initiative created to support early- to mid-career scholars who are committed to advancing education justice and equity through impactful research. This program is designed for researchers who seek to connect scholarly inquiry with real-world policy and practice, offering a meaningful pathway to influence educational outcomes at a regional and national level. With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, SEF has been a leading voice in promoting equity and excellence in education across the American South, with a sustained focus on improving opportunities for Black students and students from low-income backgrounds. The Research Fellows Program builds on this mission by providing fellows with the institutional support, intellectual environment, and public platform needed to conduct rigorous, policy-relevant research. Through this fellowship, scholars are empowered to generate evidence that informs decision-making, shapes public discourse, and contributes to systemic change in education systems facing some of the most persistent and complex challenges today. 

Responsibilities

Research Focus

The Research Fellows Program prioritizes scholars whose work is aimed at driving systemic and sustainable change in education policy and practice across the Southern United States. Research agendas should align closely with SEF’s mission and typically address one or more of the following focus areas:

1. Racial Equity in Education: Examining structural and institutional barriers that contribute to racial disparities in educational access, resources, achievement, and outcomes, particularly for Black students and historically marginalized communities.
2. School Funding Fairness: Analyzing inequities in education finance systems, including state and local funding formulas, resource allocation, and their impact on school quality and student success.
3. Early Childhood Education Access and Quality: Investigating policies and programs that expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities, with attention to affordability, workforce quality, and long-term developmental outcomes.
4. Postsecondary Access and Student Success: Exploring pathways to college enrollment, persistence, and completion, especially for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students in the South.
5. Workforce Development in the Southern United States: Studying education-to-workforce pipelines, credentialing systems, and labor market alignment to improve economic mobility and employment outcomes for Southern communities. 

Fellowship Value and Benefits

The SEF Research Fellows Program provides a comprehensive set of benefits that extend well beyond funding, equipping Fellows to maximize the reach, relevance, and real-world impact of their work:

• Research Support: Fellows receive institutional backing to design, conduct, and disseminate rigorous, policy-relevant research aligned with SEF’s long-standing mission of advancing education equity and justice in the Southern United States.
• Policy Impact and Translation: The program emphasizes transforming academic research into actionable insights, supporting Fellows in connecting their findings directly to education policy debates, reform efforts, and practical implementation.
• Professional Networking: Fellows become part of a selective cohort of scholars and gain access to SEF’s extensive network of policymakers, education leaders, advocates, funders, and practitioners working across the South.
• Professional Development: The fellowship offers opportunities to present research to diverse audiences, refine policy-focused communication skills, and receive mentorship on translating scholarly work into influence at the systems and policy level.
• Visibility and Thought Leadership: Fellows benefit from increased visibility through SEF publications, events, and convenings, helping position them as emerging or established thought leaders in education equity research. 

Check also: 

Fully Funded Gratitude Network Fellowship - Leadership for Social Entrepreneurs 

Qualification

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the SEF Research Fellows Program, applicants should meet the following expanded eligibility requirements:

1. Career Stage: Applicants must be early- to mid-career scholars. This typically includes Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, postdoctoral researchers, or researchers working in policy institutes, non-profit organizations, or think tanks with a demonstrated research profile.
2. Research Alignment: Candidates must show a clear commitment to education justice and equity through their prior work or a well-defined research agenda. This may include published research, ongoing projects, or a strong proposal addressing systemic inequities in education.
3. Geographic Relevance: While applicants may be based anywhere in the United States or internationally, their research must be substantively focused on issues affecting the American South, particularly those impacting historically marginalized communities.
4. Scholarly Rigor: Applicants should demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, high-quality research using appropriate qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches relevant to education policy and practice.
5. Commitment to Collaboration: Fellows must be willing to actively engage with the SEF research team and other cohort members, participate in meetings or convenings, and contribute constructively to a collaborative research environment.
6. Policy and Practice Orientation: A demonstrated interest in translating research findings into policy-relevant insights or practical recommendations is highly valued, aligning with SEF’s mission to influence real-world educational outcomes. 

Application Procedure

Candidates interested in using their research to advance education equity and social change should follow the expanded application process outlined below:

• Review the SEF Mission and Priorities: Begin by carefully reviewing the Southern Education Foundation’s mission, historical focus, and current research priorities. Applicants should ensure their proposed research aligns clearly with SEF’s long-standing commitment to education justice, particularly in the American South.
• Access the Official Application Portal: Visit the official SEF application portal using the link provided in the fellowship announcement. The portal contains detailed instructions, eligibility notes, deadlines, and submission guidelines that must be followed precisely.
• Prepare Required Application Materials: Assemble all required documents in advance. These typically include: (a) A current Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting academic training, research experience, publications, and policy engagement. (b) A statement of interest or research proposal outlining your research agenda, its relevance to education equity, and its potential policy or practical impact. (c) Writing samples (such as published articles, working papers, or policy briefs) that demonstrate research quality and analytical rigor.
• Complete the Online Application Form: Carefully fill out the online application, ensuring all sections are completed accurately, and all required documents are uploaded in the specified format.
• Submit Before the Deadline: Finalize and submit the application before the stated deadline. Late or incomplete applications are typically not considered, so applicants are advised to submit well in advance to avoid technical issues. 

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