An intensive five-day Training Institute to prepare the next generation of CTE researchers.

The CTE Research Network 2.0 is committed to supporting the development of the next generation of researchers who will contribute to the growing evidence base on effective career and technical education. Applications for the 2026 Training Institute were due March 26, 2026.

The training is designed to build the capacity of researchers to plan and conduct high-quality studies of CTE programs, practices, and policies. Participants learn from experienced CTE researchers and experts in research methodology. A small class size of people allows for regular interaction with instructors and relationship-building.

Training topics include CTE research exemplars, lectures on research designs in the context of typical CTE programs, and data labs for participants to apply the statistical concepts presented. In addition, guest speakers explore topics such as research partnerships, and how to get your CTE project funded.

Specific topics include:

Introduction to CTE policies and theories
Introduction to applied research
Overview of CTE research
High-quality descriptive research for CTE
Communicating evidence to inform program improvements
Randomized controlled trials for CTE research
Regression discontinuity designs, with data lab
Difference-in-differences designs, with data lab

Each day includes one or more instructor-led whole group presentations as well as time for small groups of students to work together on assignments and share out with the whole group. Some small group assignments include data analyses with designated time for an instructor to work directly with each small group to review and discuss their analyses. A combination of whole-group presentations, small group activities, and assignments during the day make for an engaging week of learning and working together.

A list of reading assignments will be shared prior to the training. The training will begin the morning of Monday, June 22, and end midday on Friday, June 26.

Shaun M. Dougherty, Ed.D.
Co-Principal Investigator, CTE Research Network
Professor of Education & Policy
Boston College

Megan Austin, Ph.D.
Principal Researcher
American Institutes for Research

Thomas Goldring, Ph.D.
Director of Research
Georgia Policy Labs, Georgia State University

Daniel Kreisman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics and Director of CTEx
Georgia State University

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the Training Institute, applicants must:

Have at least some training in quantitative research methods (e.g., linear regression).
Have experience using Stata and/or R for statistical analysis.
Work in academia (faculty or graduate student) or at an organization that conducts education research (e.g., an applied research organization or state or local agency).
Have a demonstrated interest in CTE evaluation research.

A doctoral degree or enrollment in a doctoral program is preferred but not required.

In reviewing applications, we will prioritize early-career researchers who demonstrate potential to benefit from the training and to conduct CTE evaluation research.

Application process

Time to complete application: 30 minutes

All application materials must be submitted by the application deadline. To complete your application, you will need to provide the following information:

Curriculum vitae or résumé (PDF, DOC, or DOCx; sent via email to: cteresearchnetwork@air.org)
Education level
Research interests and projects
Employment information
Statistical software experience

Application deadline: March 26, 2026

All applicants will be notified regarding their acceptance via email by May 5, 2026.

Cost

There is no cost to attend the 2026 CTE Research Training Institute. Those who are selected to attend and who fully participate will receive a Certificate of Training from the Institute of Education Sciences upon successful completion of the training.

Location and course materials

The Training Institute will take place online using video conferencing software. All materials will be provided, and participants will have opportunities to engage with presenters and other attendees. More details about the Training Institute, including an agenda, will be provided upon acceptance.

Questions?

For inquiries, including questions about the application process, please contact:

Reanin McRoberts
Project Specialist
American Institutes for Research
cteresearchnetwork@air.org
(202) 403-5022