The NASPA Foundation supports the discovery of new knowledge through research and innovation in the field of student affairs. This is achieved through a continued commitment to funding selected grant proposals.

The Foundation invites proposals from all members of the profession, encompassing all aspects of the field of student affairs. Although there are many worth and exciting areas of research, the Foundation is especially interested in supporting research that addresses the following topics:

  • Civic Engagement

During the last two decades, great emphasis has been placed on the value of civic engagement for students in American higher education. The Foundation invites proposals that focus on determining outcomes associated with civic engagement activities by students. What do they learn? How do they learn it? What are the outcomes for such programs? What needs to be improved, modified, or changed?

  • Diversity, Multiculturalism, Global Education

These terms are familiar and part of the student affairs lexicon, but there is much that we still do not know about these aspects of higher education. What are the outcomes related to diversity initiatives, multicultural programs, and global education opportunities for our students? What is learned? How do such experiences shape the educational outcomes for individuals and groups of students? What must be changed, supported, assessed, or developed?

  • Gender Issues

In addition to general issues related to diversity, multicultural programs, and global education, the Foundation has a specific interest in issues surrounding the growth and development of both men and women students. There is a particular interest in the effects of the changing gender balance on both higher education and the profession, and issues with specific emphasis on learning outcomes, leadership development for both men and women, and the unique issues faced by men and women of color on campuses across the nation. Such data will assist practitioners in developing new and effective programs that promote understanding and awareness of gender differences and their influence on educational outcomes.

  • Standards and Ethics

A great deal of time and effort has been placed throughout the profession on the development of standards to judge the quality and effectiveness of programs and services in student affairs. Increased emphasis has been placed on the implementation of ethical standards within the profession. How will these influence student affairs practice? What is known about the use of ethical standards in the field, and how does this knowledge influence policy and practice in divisions of student affairs? Such data will assist practitioners in understanding both the intended and unintended consequences of the use of professional standards and ethical statements in professional practice.

  • Outcomes

What do we do – and why? Why does it take so many of us to reach our goals? What would be different in the growth, learning, and development of students if student affairs practitioners and programs were not a part of the educational experience of students in American higher education? Data will help practitioners to understand the influence of student affairs programs and services on the institutions, the organizations, and the students that are part of higher education.

Check out the following link for more specific information Grant Proposal Information and Guidelines.

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