Join our team

Supporting rigorous research and training the next generation of education scholars
Meet our team

The University of Michigan seeks candidates to become active members of the Education Policy Initiative. Our research group brings together a interdisciplinary set of scholars focused on the generation and dissemination of high-quality education policy research. The initiative disseminates best practices in education reform to local, state, and national policymakers and trains graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to conduct cutting-edge research in education. We work with education agencies and nonprofits to answer questions about the students, teachers, and families they serve, the problems they seek to address and the effectiveness of their programs.

Training program application process

  • Admissions

    We are not currently accepting applications for the EPI Fellows Program.  Please check back next winter 2027.

    The Education Policy Initiative (EPI) at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy is offering an EPI Fellows program to students interested in learning to evaluate educational policies and practices spanning early childhood to the labor market. The program builds on the University of Michigan's strengths in education policy and social sciences. It also contributes to the University's emphasis on interdisciplinary research and programs that make critical contributions to society.

    We are actively seeking U-M doctoral students with diverse backgrounds and life experiences who are interested in using data, quantitative, and qualitative methods and tools to answer questions related to education policy. Doctoral students across the social sciences at U-M are welcome to apply. The program seeks to build a community of fellows that honors and learns from the unique experiences and perspectives brought by each of its students. The EPI Fellows program builds from the strengths of our IES Predoctoral Fellows program. 

    Eligibility

    Students must be enrolled full-time in a U-M doctoral program in the social sciences. Renewal of funding in subsequent years is conditional on meeting annual training program requirements.

    Selection Criteria

    The main criteria for selection is a passion for education policy and an interest in learning the methods of policy evaluation. Admissions decisions will be based on the candidates' demonstrated interest in the content of the training program, academic performance, and faculty recommendations. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend CIERS to evaluate their personal interest in the training program and, if interested, demonstrate this interest to program staff. While successful candidates generally have a basic familiarity with statistics and data analysis, prospective fellows need not already be experts; the purpose of the fellowship is to train students in these skills. A fellowship committee will review applications and select the fellows.

    Offers of fellowships will typically be made in the spring of candidates' first or second year of doctoral studies. Students typically enter the training program in their second or third year of doctoral studies. This fellowship is open to both U.S. citizens and international students.

    Benefits

    Fellows supported by the program receive a small annual research allowance to support their research, conference attendance, or professional development in their first year of $1,000.  Funding may continue beyond the first year but is not guaranteed. Fellows will receive mentorship, hone their presentation skills, participate in community-building events, attend writing retreats, and connect with EPI alumni to grow their networks.

    Graduates of the IES Predoctoral Fellowship program have gone on to successful careers in academia and other research organizations; some now serve in leadership positions within local and state education agencies. We expect the same will be the case for our EPI Fellows.

    Courses

    Required coursework will provide formal training in quantitative methods and contextual knowledge about education policy, institutions and practice. Students will select courses based on their research interests and in consultation with the program director; many courses will satisfy both degree and training program requirements. The sequence of required courses includes:

    Two courses in Quantitative Methods required:
    Two (2) courses in statistics beyond the introductory level.

    One course in Causal Inference in Education Policy Research:
    Education 712 / Public Policy 712 - Causal Inference in Education Policy Research I: ​Preschool, ​Elementary and Secondary​
    Education 714 / Public Policy 713 - Causal Inference in Education Policy Research II: Postsecondary​

    ​These causal inference courses introduce students to education research that employs causal methods, and provides institutional, historical and theoretical context for the questions addressed in this research. Each course will focus, not just on identifying average causal effects, but also on determining the mechanisms by which effects were obtained, measuring intervention fidelity, and detecting heterogeneity in treatment effects. Economics students can choose either 712 or 713. Students from other disciplines should take 712, though exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For all students, we recommend taking both courses.

    One course in Education Policy, Institutions or Practice

    EPI Fellows: Course Pathways for Economics PhD Students
    EPI Fellows: Course Pathways for Education PhD Students
    EPI Fellows: Course Pathways for Sociology PhD Students

    For more information, please email [email protected]. Please contact us with questions about your interest in the program, fit with your current studies, and other opportunities to get involved.

    We are not currently accepting applications for a postdoctoral position. 

Job Opportunities

Research Assistant - Tuition Incentive Program