The American Council on Education’s Research Associate Program provides individuals with an opportunity to gain real-world experience in developing and conducting research that informs institutional policy and practice from within a leading national higher education association.
Working with ACE’s research team, research associates (RAs) assist in the conceptual development of research projects; conduct background research, literature reviews, and landscape analyses that inform the research team's portfolio and other work carried out by ACE; draft internal memos; and support the execution and management of ACE's major research studies.
During their year at ACE, associates explore potential career paths and broaden their knowledge in key areas such as higher education leadership, translating research to practice, survey design and research methods, and more. Many research associates have gone on to positions as university faculty and staff and as researchers at both national associations and research firms.