Education, Technology, and Opportunity RFP

Note: This RFP is currently closed. If you have any questions, please contact J-PAL North America Senior Research and Policy Manager Daniela Gomez Trevino at [email protected]

Overview

The Education Technology Request for Proposals (RFP) solicits proposals from J-PAL affiliates, J-PAL post-docs, and invited researchers for pilot studies and full randomized evaluations that aim to generate valuable insights about the impacts of technology on education and learning.

Types of Proposals

Full Research Projects: Full research projects are typically awarded between $150,000 and $250,000 with a maximum award size of $400,000. Researchers must propose a clear and well-developed research question including detailed randomization design and power calculations according to relevant minimum detectable effect sizes.

Pilot Studies: Pilot studies are eligible for up to $50,000 in funding. However, if researchers apply to receive short-term research management (STReaM), pilot studies are eligible for funding of up to $75,000. Researchers should seek to answer a particular research question; however, the design and implementation require further testing and piloting. Random assignment does not necessarily need to occur during a pilot study. Proposals should explain how the pilot will lead to a randomized evaluation in the future.

Travel/Proposal Development Grants: Travel/proposal development grants are eligible for funding up to $5,000. These grants are to be used for early stage activities with the goal of launching a randomized evaluation in North America. Application materials can be found here: Travel/Proposal Development Grant Application.
For time-sensitive research projects, J-PAL North America also accepts off-cycle proposals. We encourage pilot studies and travel proposals facing time constraints to apply before the deadline. Decisions on these applications are typically made in about two weeks. The bar for approving full proposals off-cycle will be higher to ensure only the most time-sensitive ones are submitted.

FAQ

Who may apply?

For all proposals, the pool of eligible applicants includes J-PAL affiliates, J-PAL post-docs, and invited researchers. For travel/proposal development grants and pilots, the pool of eligible applicants is extended to include graduate students who have a J-PAL affiliate on their thesis committee, or who are supervised by an affiliate if a student is pre-thesis. All proposals may include collaborators outside of this network, but the principal investigator (PI) must be an eligible applicant.

Eligible applicants can submit a maximum of three proposals per 12-month period, per initiative. Note: PI and co-PI status are counted towards this limit.

Who will review submissions?

The Review Board is composed of J-PAL North America Co-Scientific Director Lawrence Katz, J-PAL Education Sector Co-Chair Phil Oreopoulos, and J-PAL affiliate David Deming. Each proposal will be peer reviewed by one member of the Review Board and two researchers and/or policy experts not on the Review Board. The Review Board will meet to agree on final funding decisions.