NAGAP Resources

Research Grant
Support Your Research

The NAGAP Graduate Education Research Grant

NAGAP, The Association for Graduate Enrollment Management, offers the Graduate Education Research Grant to encourage and support exploration of topics specific to graduate education and the field of graduate enrollment management (GEM). Topic areas include (but are not limited to) alumni outreach, student retention, campus support services, underrepresented student experiences, diversity and inclusion, faculty advising, technology, leadership, financial aid, internationalization, holistic admissions, recruitment, etc.

Want to learn more about the Grant?

The Awards

Past Winners

Eligibility Requirements

Selection Criteria & Process

Expectations

Review Policy

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2025–2026 Research Grant Application – CLOSED for new applications

How to Apply
NAGAP GEM Grant

The Awards

Gold

  • $2,500 issued directly to the individual researcher
  • Recognition at the 2025 GEM Summit in San Francisco, CA
  • Complimentary Summit registration, $500 travel stipend, two nights hotel in 2026
  • Research summary in NAGAP’s Perspectives
  • One year complimentary NAGAP membership

Silver

  • $1,000 to support your research
  • Recognition at the 2025 GEM Summit in San Francisco, CA
  • Complimentary 2026 Summit registration and presentation slot
  • Research summary in Perspectives
  • One year complimentary NAGAP membership
2024–25 Grant Winners

Graduate Research Grant Winners

Gold: Laura Look

University of North Dakota
“Exploring Mentoring Expectations: A Quantitative Analysis of Faculty and Student Perspectives”

Laura Look

Silver: Nicole Hall

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
“A social science approach to GEM: Leveraging GIS in complex admissions markets”

Nicole Hall

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled graduate/professional student OR post-doc/professional in GEM
  • Complete project by March 15, 2026, original work
  • No group applications
  • Past winners and certain NAGAP leaders ineligible

Selection Criteria & Process

  • Originality & quality of research design
  • Contribution to GEM knowledge
  • Potential as GEM Summit presentation
  • Strength of budget & timeline
  • Applicant’s research record
  • Quality of recommendation letters

Recipients selected before April 2025 GEM Summit; notification in March 2025; funds disbursed after July 1, 2025.

Expectations

Recipients present at the 2026 GEM Summit; conduct research ethically; NAGAP may publish findings.

Review Policy

Reviewers recuse themselves from applications presenting conflicts of interest; only impartial reviewers score those.

Proposal, Budget & Timeline

  • Title of proposed research project
  • An abstract (max 100 words)
  • Your background and interest in the topic
  • Research plan and methodology
  • Budget & funding statement
  • Timeline (complete by March 15, 2026)
  • Appendix with key references

Supporting Documents

  • Updated resume/CV
  • Letter(s) of recommendation
  • Unofficial transcript

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled graduate student or post-doctoral professional
  • Research completed by March 15, 2026
  • No group applications
  • Previous winners and certain NAGAP leaders are ineligible

Selection Criteria & Process

  • Quality and originality of proposal
  • Contribution to GEM field
  • Presentation potential at GEM Summit
  • Strength of budget & timeline
  • Applicant’s track record
  • Recommendation letters

Winners announced before April 2025 GEM Summit; funds disbursed after July 1, 2025.

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