Help us support the next generation of engaged scholars who will conduct innovative research!

A key strategy of the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families (FMI) is training the next generation of engaged scholars who will conduct innovative research to improve the lives of children, youth, and families. A critical activity to support this goal is providing funding for students to conduct research.

FMI has helped many Family Studies and Human Development (FSHD) doctoral students to conduct dissertation studies. Each school year, we receive dissertation applications from students who need help funding their research proposals. Students can use the money for research costs or professional development related to the proposed dissertation project. Previously funded projects have included studies investigating the experiences of youth with incarcerated parents, racial health disparities, early signs of Autism, coming out processes for sexual minority youth, family racial socialization, and home-school connections in early childhood.

With your help, we can continue to support the next generation of scholars and community leaders. These funds have helped students raise the caliber of their dissertation research and gain valuable hands-on research skills to ultimately advance their careers. Gifts will facilitate sustaining this impact and help us expand our student research support to include undergraduate students. Funding undergraduate research projects has the potential to build a pipeline of students committed and prepared to pursue graduate research to improve the lives of children, youth and families. Undergraduate student researchers will gain key research skills and experience under the mentorship of FSHD faculty.

Statement from Sei Kim, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Teachers College, Columbia University

The FMI Dissertation Award that I received in March of 2020 truly propelled my dissertation research. As I had planned to recruit both parent and youth data for my study, the financial support from FMI was even more crucial for me to advertise the study to boost the number of participants. Personally, it was a rewarding and encouraging experience as a Ph.D. candidate, as the award also meant that my department believed in my research. This support was everything, especially as an international student. I am sure it would mean the same for all graduate students who are in their dissertation stages.”

About FMI

The Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families serves as a hub for family and youth-focused research across the University of Arizona. We bridge research and practice by building innovative teams of scientists committed to tackling the most pressing issues facing families today, partnering to put our research into the hands of families, community members and practitioners who are on the front lines of building family and youth resilience, and educating the next generation of scholars and community leaders. We use research to improve the lives of vulnerable children, youth, and families.

If you have any questions, please contact Alvin Nguyen at alvinn@email.arizona.edu.