Wisconsin-Spencer Doctoral Research Program (DRP)
Anchored by funds from the Spencer Foundation and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School, the School of Education offers a program designed to provide extra opportunities and support for doctoral students who are preparing for careers in educational research. This program is intended to strengthen and supplement, not to supplant, the training that students receive in their departments. In addition to regular departmental work, participant’s work with diverse faculty, apprentice research projects, participate in common seminars, and present their own research. All participants are eligible for funds to cover limited professional expenses such as travel to a professional meeting or computer software. In addition, some students receive fellowship support for four years: two year from the Spencer Foundation or the Graduate School and two additional years from their home departments.
Application Procedure
The Doctoral Research Program is open to all students in the School of Education who are currently in their first or second year of doctoral work. Thus, students enter the program in the second or third year of graduate student. Either a student or advisor may initiate an application for admission to the DRP, but both must be involved in the application process. After reviewing the description of the DRP and determining whether it matches the student’s needs, and applicant and his/her advisor prepare a statement of the student’s reasons for wanting to join the program, anticipated professional directions, and an initial program plan that lays out anticipated courses and research experiences for at least one year, preferably two. The application is then submitted to the student’s home department. Departments rank their applicants and submit their rankings along with their applications to the DRP.
Application Deadline
Early January by announcement