RISE Workshop Series

Schedule and Overview of 2026-27 Sessions

Grant Writing for Educational Research Funding

Introduces faculty and researchers to the fundamentals of competitive grant proposal development for educational research. This workshop provides an overview of sponsor priorities, common funding mechanisms, and the key components of proposals that result in funded projects. Participants will learn how to interpret Requests for Proposals (RFPs), identify sponsor requirements, and develop responsive project narratives that align with funder expectations. The session also highlights practical strategies for planning proposals, avoiding common pitfalls, and leveraging institutional resources throughout the proposal development process. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a stronger foundation for pursuing external educational research funding opportunities with confidence.

Using Artificial Intelligence in Educational Research

Explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in educational research and proposal development. This workshop examines ethical considerations surrounding AI use while demonstrating practical applications for literature synthesis, research design, and scholarly productivity. Participants will explore examples of AI-supported classroom interventions and discuss emerging funding opportunities for AI-focused education research. The session also provides guidance for developing proposals that are competitive in review processes, meaning they are more likely to be selected for funding, while thoughtfully integrating AI into research questions, methodologies, and broader impacts. By the end of the workshop, attendees will better understand how to responsibly leverage AI to strengthen both their educational research and grant applications.

Co-Designing Sustainable Research Partnerships with Rural Communities

Introduces researchers to strategies for developing collaborative and sustainable partnerships with rural schools and communities. This workshop explores principles of community-engaged research, including co-designing projects with local stakeholders, building trust through long-term collaboration, and identifying funding opportunities that support rural education initiatives. Participants will learn how to demonstrate meaningful community impact while aligning research objectives with the priorities of rural partners and funding agencies. The session also highlights examples of collaborations that have resulted in externally funded projects and lessons learned from ongoing partnerships. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have practical strategies for establishing and sustaining impactful rural research collaborations.

Connecting Education Research to Workforce Development Funding Opportunities

Examines the growing intersection of education research and workforce development to help researchers identify new sources of external funding. This workshop introduces participants to federal, state, and foundation funding opportunities that support workforce readiness, career pathways, STEM education, adult learning, teacher preparation, and partnerships with industry and community organizations. Participants will learn how to align education research agendas with workforce priorities, develop compelling broader impacts, and build cross-sector collaborations that strengthen funding competitiveness. The session also highlights strategies for framing research to address regional and national workforce challenges while advancing educational outcomes. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how to position their research for workforce-focused funding opportunities and develop proposals with broader societal and economic impact.

Past Sessions

Navigating the Federal Funding Landscape

• Speakers/Panelists: Fernando Valle; Rona Pogrund; COE Grants Office rep; Heather Stocker
• Date/Time: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – 12:00-1:30pm
• Location: Education 257 or online
• Slides (requires eRaider login)

Introduces researchers to the evolving opportunities and priorities across federal agencies that support education and related fields. This workshop provides an overview of major funders, highlights recent shifts in their missions, and explores what these changes mean for education research. Participants will learn strategies for aligning their scholarly goals with emerging federal priorities to increase competitiveness and impact. The session also highlights practical tools and institutional supports available for grant-seeking at Texas Tech University. By the end, attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to position their work within a changing federal funding ecosystem.

University Research Support Essentials: Working with ORS, ORDC, & Accounting Services

• Speakers: Representatives from ORS, ORDC, & Accounting Services
• Date/Time: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – 2:00-4:00pm
• Location: Education 152 or online
• Video (requires eRaider login)

This session introduces College of Education faculty and researchers to the key university-level offices that provide support across the research lifecycle at Texas Tech University. Representatives from the Office of Research Services, the Office of Research Development & Communication, and Accounting Services will share an overview of their roles, resources, and how they partner with faculty to advance research success. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how to engage these offices in areas such as budgeting, proposal development, compliance, and award management. The session also offers an opportunity to meet staff, ask questions, and strengthen connections with the people and services that make research possible.

Research & Funding 101: Building a Productive & Impactful Research Pathway

• Speakers/Panelists: Jessica Gottlieb; Gina Childers; COE Grants Team rep; Heather Stocker
• Date/Time: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 12:00-1:30pm
• Location: Education 253 or online
• Video (requires eRaider login)

This RISE workshop is designed to help faculty, graduate students, and researchers connect their research goals, productivity practices, and dissemination strategies into a cohesive plan for scholarly growth. Participants will leave with three concrete tools: a Research Agenda Map to clarify long-term goals and align with funder priorities, a Weekly Writing Schedule to support sustainable productivity, and a Dissemination Plan to expand the reach and influence of their work. Through guided discussion and hands-on activities, this session provides a structured pathway for strengthening research identity, building effective habits, and amplifying scholarly impact.

Budgeting and Justification Best Practices

• Speakers: Cory Blackwell; Olivia Martinez; COE Grants Team rep; Heather Stocker
• Date/Time: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 – 12:00-1:30pm
• Location: Education 253 or online
• Video (requires eRaider login)

Managing grants effectively begins long before a project is funded. This RISE workshop offers a practical introduction to budget planning, compliance requirements, and the roles of pre- and post-award offices. Participants will learn how to align project goals with funder expectations, navigate institutional processes, and collaborate effectively with grants office staff. By the end of the session, attendees will draft a budget skeleton they can adapt for future proposals, gaining confidence in both the financial and administrative dimensions of research support.

Turning Funders into Funding; or, How to Find and Win Grants

• Speakers/Panelists: Heather Greenhalgh-Spencer; Jacob Kirksey; Jennifer Hamrick; Jason Lee; Heather Stocker
• Date/Time: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – 12:00-1:30pm
• Location: Education 253 or online
• Video (requires eRaider login)

This interactive RISE workshop integrates three skills for research success: identifying the right funders, navigating Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and refining competitive proposals. Participants will begin by exploring federal, state, and foundation opportunities in education and related fields, with guided strategies for matching their research agendas to funder priorities. Together, we will then break down a real RFP to interpret funder language, uncover expectations, and highlight criteria for strong submissions. Building on these insights, participants will draft an outline of their own proposal and take part in a mock review panel, where peers provide structured feedback using reviewer criteria. By the end of the session, each participant will leave with a tailored list of 3–5 target funding opportunities, a completed Annotated RFP Summary, a strengthened proposal outline, and practical insights into how reviewers evaluate submissions.

Using AI as a Research Tool: Ethical Use & Practical Applications

• Speakers/Panelists: Lisa Low; Merve Basdogan
• Date/Time: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:30pm
• Location: Education 253 or Teams/Online
• Video

Introduces researchers to practical and responsible ways to use artificial intelligence as a research tool. Participants will learn where AI can meaningfully support the research lifecycle from idea development and literature synthesis to methods support and writing while also understanding its limitations, ethical considerations, and expectations for transparency. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with concrete strategies for integrating AI into their research workflows in ways that enhance efficiency, rigor, and scholarly judgment rather than replace it.