NCES Data Institute

About the Institute

For decades, the NCES Data Institute: Using Federal Datasets to Support Research on Postsecondary Education (commonly “the Institute”) offered an immersive learning experience for researchers and practitioners in higher education. It was designed to deepen understanding of NCES datasets such as IPEDS, promote rigorous research methods, and foster collaboration across institutions.

Participants typically included:

• Graduate students
• Early- to mid-career institutional research (IR) professionals
• Faculty
• Staff of state and federal education agencies
• Personnel from higher education associations and nonprofits

Eligibility required affiliation with a U.S. postsecondary institution, state or federal agency, or U.S.-based nonprofit engaged in higher education work.

Program Format & Components

The Institute combined structured coursework, hands-on project work, and an in-person convening to integrate learning across modes:

1. 5-week online course – Participants received an intensive introduction to NCES datasets and research methodologies, reinforced through exercises and application.
2. 18-week group capstone project – Teams formed research questions, explored literature, identified and analyzed relevant NCES/public-use data, wrote summaries, and developed presentations.
3. 3-day in-person meeting (Washington, D.C.) – Project teams presented their findings, received feedback from NCES and peer participants, and refined dissemination plans.

Impact & Outcomes

Throughout its run, the NCES Data Institute:

• Empowered scholars and IR professionals with stronger quantitative and methodological skills
• Fostered new collaborations across institutions
• Produced research outputs showcased in webinars, published reports, and conference presentations
• Expanded awareness and use of federal higher education data in analyses and policy work

Many past participants have credited the Institute with catalyzing career paths in higher education research, enhancing data literacy, and advancing institution-level policy work.

Transition & Current Training

With the conclusion of NCES-funded support, the Institute is not currently accepting applications or conducting sessions. For up-to-date training opportunities using NCES and IPEDS data, please visit the AIR IPEDS Training Center.

If you have inquiries about the Institute’s legacy or archived materials, contact us at air@airweb.org.