Grants

The Council for the Advancement of Higher Education Programs (CAHEP) has a mission to enrich the teaching and learning experiences of students and faculty in the Association's constituent Higher Education Programs within North America and around the world. The mission is also to facilitate exchange among program coordinators/directors, faculty, students, and other interested members of the Association - both internally and externally.

Research Grant

The CAHEP Research Grant will provide $400 in support of a research study about higher education graduate preparation programs including, but not limited to, topics such as the organization, administration, delivery, and outcomes of graduate higher education programs; pipelines to graduate programs; teaching and learning within programs; and graduate student and faculty experiences, such as recruitment, socialization, mentorship, retention, and success. The annual grant will provide funds to support research expenses. The CAHEP Awards Committee will support scholarship that advances the field of higher education’s understanding of programs that prepare higher education scholars, practitioners, and leaders, broadly defined. 

Applicants will be notified about the status of their application prior to the annual conference. The award will be announced at the CAHEP Business Meeting at the annual conference.

We encourage the recipient to aubmit a proposal about the project and associated results to the CAHEP pre-conference or the main ASHE conference at the next available opportunity (within one to two years of receiving the grant). Proposals submitted to the CAHEP pre-conference will receive priority consideration for acceptance as a Featured Session.

To qualify for this grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE.

• Conducting a research project concerning higher education graduate preparation programs including, but not limited to, topics such as the organization, administration, delivery, and outcomes of graduate higher education programs; pipelines to graduate programs; teaching and learning within programs; and graduate student and faculty experiences, such as recruitment, socialization, mentorship, retention, and success.

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Study

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and and significance, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study advances the field of higher education’s understanding of the experiences of minoritized individuals and communities within higher education, up to 100 words

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your  MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application

Dr. Caroline Turner, the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation Professor Emerita at Arizona State University served as CEP Chair in 2013 and became the first CEP Chair to serve as ASHE President in 2015.  Throughout her distinguished career, she worked tirelessly to mentor, support and usher in numerous scholars and practitioners in the field of higher education. Dr. Caroline Turner’s accolades include being the 2009 recipient of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Scholars of Color in Education Distinguished Career Contribution Award and the 2009 AERA Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Lifetime Scholarship, the 2008 Recipient of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) Council on Ethnic Participation Mildred Garcia Award for Exemplary Scholarship, and the 2008 recipient of the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award.

Dr. Darin M. L. Stewart served as CEP Chair in 2014–-016 and later became the second CEP Chair to serve as ASHE President in 2021. Throughout his ongoing career, he has focused tirelessly on the researching and improving the institutional systems and structures that affect the experiences, growth, development, and success of racially minoritized and queer and trans students in historically white postsecondary institutions. Dr. Stewart has also received numerous awards for teaching, research, and service, including being named a 2022 Senior Scholar Diplomate and receiving the 2021 Contribution to Knowledge Award from ACPA-College Student Educators International.  In 2025, he was recognized as a member of the inaugural class of ASHE Fellows.

Research Grant

The CEP Turner/Stewart Graduate Student and Early Career Scholars Professional Development Grant will provide $250 in support for a graduate student completing a dissertation study or an early career scholar who is completing a study about minoritized populations within higher education. 

We highly encourage research project grant awardees to submit a proposal about the project and associated results to the CEP pre-conference or the main ASHE conference at the next available opportunity (within one to two years of receiving the grant).

To qualify for this grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE and CEP.

• A graduate student or early career member (within 3 years of graduation) at the time of application.

• Conducting a research project which advances the field of higher education’s understanding of the experiences of minoritized individuals and communities within higher education

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• Your Expected Graduation Date

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Study

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and and significance, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study advances the field of higher education’s understanding of the experiences of minoritized individuals and communities within higher education, up to 100 words

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your  MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application

Dr. Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher is a champion and leading expert in equitable participation, transfer policies, minoritized student populations, and racial equity within postsecondary pathways. Her distinguished leadership within the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) includes serving as Board President during its 50th Anniversary year in 2025. Deeply committed to the study of community colleges, she serves as the Executive Director of the Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) and previously directed the Office for Community College Research and Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. To support early-career scholars and foster critical inquiry into community colleges, Dr. Zamani-Gallaher has established this endowed grant to provide vital research funding.

Research Grant

Through the support of Dr. Zamani-Gallaher, the Community College Research Grant will provide $250 in research support to an early-career scholar for a study that enhances policy and practice within community college contexts and/or postsecondary education pathways. 

To qualify for this grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE.

• An early career scholar (within 3 years of graduation) at the time of application.

• Conducting a research project concerning community colleges

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Study

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and and significance, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study aligns with scholarly inquiry and research concerning community colleges (up to 100 words)

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application

Dr. jeni hart is the Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Studies at the University of Missouri, as well as a Professor of Higher Education in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA). She has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to higher education through her scholarship on faculty work, gender and feminisms, and campus climate. Her research focuses on how organizational structures shape the experiences of faculty, particularly women and feminist scholars. Prior to her faculty appointment, she served for nine years as a student affairs educator across multiple colleges and universities. Her leadership extends beyond her institution, as she served as ASHE President in 2024 and has contributed to the field through her editorial work with the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education and the NASPA Journal about Women in Higher Education .

Research Grant

Through the support of Dr. hart and inspired by the 2024 Presidential Theme “I Am A Scholar,” the Community Impact Dissertation Grant will provide $500 in dissertation support for a doctoral student whose career aspirations extend beyond faculty/academia. 

To qualify for the grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE.

• A graduate student at the time of application who has defended their proposal and/or received IRB approval for their dissertation study.

• A scholar with career aspirations beyond academia. This must be described in the researcher bio.

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• Your Expected Graduation Date

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words, including the scholar's career aspirations beyond academia.

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Dissertation

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and and significance, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study supports the applicant’s career aspirations,, up to 100 words

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application

Dr. Kristen Renn is Professor of Higher, Adult, & Lifelong Education at Michigan State University, has been a member of the Association since 1997, served as ASHE president in 2018-2019, where she led and guided us through a strategic planning process as we prepared for our 50th Anniversary, and is one of the leading researchers of LGBTQ issues in higher education.

Dr. Melissa McDaniels is Associate Executive Director & Associate Scientist at the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) in the Wisconsin Center for Educational Research (WCER) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has over twenty-five years of experience as a researcher, policy-maker, and leader in the service of inclusive and equitable institutional practices that support the professional development of academics of all career stages, and has been a member of the Association since 2003.

Research Grant

The Drs. Kristen Renn & Melissa McDaniels Dissertation Research Grant will provide $500 in dissertation support for a doctoral student whose dissertation focuses on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in higher education or mentorship in higher education.

To qualify for this grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE.

• A graduate student at the time of application who has defended their proposal and/or received IRB approval for their dissertation study.

• Conducting dissertation research on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in higher education or mentorship in higher education

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• Your Expected Graduation Date

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Dissertation

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and and significance, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study aligns with one or more areas central to the grant, specifically sexual orientation and/or gender identity in higher education and/or mentorship in higher education, up to 100 words

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application

Drs. Helen (Lena) S. and Alexander (Sandy) W. Astin were foundational figures in the field of higher education research. As co-founders of the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA, their pioneering work illuminated the impact of college environments on student and faculty development, values, civic engagement, leadership, and spirituality. Their shared commitment to equity, student development, and the transformative potential of higher education continues to inspire generations of researchers and practitioners. To honor their extraordinary legacy, colleagues, mentees, friends, and family—led by Dr. Linda Sax—have established this grant to support the next generation of higher education scholars.

Make a Donation to this Grant Fund

Research Grant

The Drs. Helen (Lena) S. and Alexander (Sandy) W. Astin Doctoral Student Research Grant will provide $500 to support dissertation research that aligns with the core pillars of the Astins’ scholarly legacy, focusing on how higher education environments shape the lives of those within them. 

To qualify for the grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE.

• A graduate student at the time of application who has defended their proposal and/or received IRB approval for their dissertation study.

• Conducting dissertation research  aligned with one or more areas central to the Astins ' legacy, including:

  • Assessment of College Impact
  • Student and Faculty Development
  • Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education
  • Leadership and Civic Engagement
  • Spirituality and Sense of Purpose in Education

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• Your Expected Graduation Date

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Dissertation

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and and significance, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study aligns with the with one or more areas central to the Astins' legacy, including: (up to100 words):

  • Assessment of College Impact

  • Student and Faculty Development

  • Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education

  • Leadership and Civic Engagement

  • Spirituality and Sense of Purpose in Education

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your  MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application

 Dr. Sharon LaVonne Fries-Britt has made extraordinary and enduring contributions to the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) and the broader field of higher education through her leadership, scholarship, and service. Her profound body of work has shaped deep understandings of equity, identity, excellence, belonging, and the experiences of historically marginalized students and scholars. A dedicated mentor and winner of the 2011 ASHE Mentoring Award, Dr. Fries-Britt has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to cultivating inclusive scholarly communities and advancing pathways for future researchers. In 2025, she was recognized as a member of the inaugural class of ASHE Fellows. To honor her exceptional legacy, colleagues, mentees, friends, and family members have joined together to provide generous contributions to establish this enduring grant.
Make a Donation to this Grant Fund

Mentoring Enhancement Grant

Funded by a community of donors honoring Dr. Fries-Britt's legacy, the Dr. Sharon LaVonne Fries-Britt Mentoring Enhancement Grant will provide $250 in funding grant supports the cultivation of inclusive scholarly communities, mentorship, and advancing pathways for future generations of higher education researchers and leaders. The grant will provide an award of $250.

To qualify for this grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE

• Conducting a research study OR engaging in a project that explicitly focuses on mentorship, cultivating inclusive scholarly communities, and advancing pathways for future generations of higher education researchers and leaders.

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Study or Project

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and significance for a research project OR a description of the mentorship project including a brief explanation of the mentor's philosophy or a theoretical framework that guides the approach, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study or project contributes toward cultivating inclusive mentorship practices and research that advance the full range of talent and perspectives in the field of higher education (up to 100 words)

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application

Recognizing that persistent structural barriers continue to produce inequitable outcomes and exclusionary cultures in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) fields, this grant affirms the vital role of early-career scholars in driving systemic transformation. Through the generous contributions of ASHE members Dr. Travis York and Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, this initiative seeks to amplify research and praxis aimed at reshaping institutions, policies, and cultures in service of equity in STEMM.

Research Grant

Through the support of Dr. Travis York and Dr. Lorelle Espinosa, the Transforming STEMM Futures Grant will provide $500 in support for an graduate student completing a dissertation study or scholar within 10 years post-terminal degree completing a study that focuses on overcoming structural barriers and fostering equity within STEMM fields in higher education. 

To qualify for this grant, an applicant must be:

• A current member of ASHE.

• A graduate student at the time of application who has defended their proposal and/or received IRB approval for their dissertation study OR a scholar within 10 years post-terminal degree.

• Conducting a research project centrally aligned with one or more of the following areas of focus:

  • Systemic Transformation: Reshaping institutional policies and cultures to serve equity.
  • Structural Barriers: Addressing the root causes of inequitable outcomes in STEMM.
  • Inclusive Excellence: Driving forward research and praxis that fosters a just and inclusive scholarly future.
  • Organizational Diversity: Advancing inclusion within Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

Application Materials

A completed application, submitted through the link below, will include the following:

• Your Expected Graduation Date

• A Masked Researcher Bio, up to 100 words

• Agreement to ASHE Policies: Applicants will be required to review and agree to uphold various policies of ASHE including membership policies, ethics policies, conflict of interest policies, and diversity policies.

• Title of Study

• The research question or purpose, design/methods, and and significance, up to 300 words

• A description of how the study aligns with the with one or more of the following areas of focus, including (up to 100 words)

  • Systemic Transformation: Reshaping institutional policies and cultures to serve equity.

  • Structural Barriers: Addressing the root causes of inequitable outcomes in STEMM.

  • Inclusive Excellence: Driving forward research and praxis that fosters a just and inclusive scholarly future.

  • Organizational Diversity: Advancing inclusion within Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

• A masked budget that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses

• A narrative that indicates the applicant's need for funding, up to 150 words.

You will submit your application through the ASHE Submissions Portal. Prior to doing so, please ensure you have a current membership and that your membership profile is updated through your MemberCompass . Your membership information will auto-populate in the ASHE Submission Portal based on what is provided in your MemberCompass.

All submitted materials must be masked, meaning there is no identifying information.

Submit an Application