RISER Application

Founded by co-PIs Stephanie M. Curenton, Ph.D., of Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development and Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D., of the Department of Public Policy (starting Fall 2024 will be in Department of Maternal and Child Health at the Gillings School of Global Public Health) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the RISER Network is a collaboration between senior, mid-level, and early career scholars conducting applied child development research focused on the positive development of Black children (spanning prenatal to age 8). Areas of interest include but are not limited to, childcare and early education program/classroom quality, early care and education workforce development, family economic support and stability, health and wellbeing, academic engagement and achievement, and socioemotional development.

One goal of the RISER Network is to mentor future generations of scholars across an inter-generational network of racially and ethnically diverse scholars that serve as RISER Mentors (senior, mid-career scholars) and RISER Mentees (undergraduate students, master’s students, pre-doctoral students, post-docs). RISER operates with a cultural value akin to a “village” through a multi-generational (senior, mid-career, and junior scholars) approach. The Network seeks to be a supportive, joyful, and healing space while facilitating scholarship, professional growth, and learning experiences that celebrate the agency and resistance of Black children, families, and communities. RISER Mentees will receive support from RISER Mentors and, at the end of the fellowship period, will have at least one co-authored publication or presentation with their mentors.

(Please see here for a list of Network Scholars who previously served as RISER Mentors.)

Scholars, research scientists, post docs, doctoral students and those in master's or undergraduate programs, employed or enrolled full-time in psychology, education, public health, public policy, economics, sociology, child development or other relevant fields are eligible to apply.

Students from underrepresented racial groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mentor Applicants:

Senior scholars (Associate or Full professors/Senior Research Scientists), Mid-career scholars (Tenured/Associate Professors/Research Scientists), or Junior scholars (Assistant Professors/Research Associates) who are interested in mentoring future generations of scholars by working collaboratively on asset-based, equity-centered research that will inform policy and practice efforts focused on advancing racial equity and justice in health and education for African American/Black children, prenatal to age 8.

Scholars interested in becoming a RISER Mentor must have a current project for mentees to collaborate on that will lead to publication, presentation, etc.

Mentee Applicants:

Undergraduate students, Master’s students, Pre-doctoral students, and Post-doctoral Scholars who are interested in learning more about asset-based, equity-centered research that will inform policy and practice efforts focused on advancing racial equity and justice in health and education for African American/Black children, prenatal to age 8.

Complete the Qualtrics application

One PDF attachment with the following:

• Curriculum Vitae

• Cover letter stating why you are interested in being a RISER Mentor, your research interests, and prior research experience

• A piece of work that you are proud of (i.e., academic paper, artistic writing, infographic, policy brief, social media campaign, published article, OpEd, etc.)

• Names and contact information for three references

Complete the Qualtrics application

One PDF attachment with the following:

• Curriculum Vitae

• Cover letter stating why you are interested in being a RISER Mentee, your research interests, and prior research experience

• A piece of work that you are proud of (i.e., academic paper, artistic writing, infographic, policy brief, social media campaign, published article, OpEd, etc.)

• Names and contact information for three references

• Eight to ten RISER Mentors will be selected for the Fellowship.

• Eight to ten RISER Mentees will be selected for the Fellowship.

• Stipends for Mentors and Mentees will be distributed in half-amounts. The first payment will be by December 31, 2024. The remaining half will be awarded by December 31, 2025.

• Evaluation criteria include prior experience with a strong professional and personal commitment to working with Black families and children (Mentors), a record of promise for research in early childhood -- prenatal to age 8 (Mentees).

• Additional criteria evaluated are writing ability and strong references.

• The Fellowship is designed to provide 17-months (August 2024 – December 2025) of support, mentoring, and networking opportunities for early career scholars of color.

• The Fellowship will begin August 2024, and will conclude December 2025.

• Fellowship activities will occur remotely and will not require any travel.

• Application due date: March 15, 2024

For any further questions regarding the RISER Network Fellowship opportunities, please contact ceed@bu.org