Research in Cognition and Mathematics Education

Overview The Research in Cognition and Mathematics Education (RCME) program trains pre-doctoral students to contribute to advances in research, theory, and practice in K-12 mathematics education. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences, the program is a joint, interdisciplinary effort of U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Education, Graduate Group in Science and Mathematics Education, and Department of Psychology. The program awards fellowships and research support to Ph.D. students (click here to view the Graduate School of Education prospective students page). RCME fellows develop knowledge and analytical skills in three fields: Mathematics Education, Cognitive Sciences, and Research Methods (both qualitative and quantitative). The program leverages training to advance educational research and practice through inquiry on: (a) learning and teaching in hard-to-learn, hard-to-teach mathematical domains; (b) reducing achievement gaps; (c) curriculum, assessment, and professional development for current and prospective mathematics teachers; and (d) decision-oriented research methods appropriate for studies at the intersection of the cognitive sciences and educational practice in mathematics. RCME fellowships are multi-year and include three strands of activities - 20 hours per week apprenticeship in participating faculty's research groups, a graduate seminar course strand, and participation in colloquia and workshops linked to training objects. Fellows also can apply for research funds to support their own lines of inquiry, and for funds to attend professional meetings. The fellowship also covers up to $10,500 in education fees to the University. Fellows receive three years of fellowship funding (up to $30,000 per year), one year of University funding, with the possibilities of additional years of support through graduate student research assistantships on faculty research projects. Only U.S. citizens or green card holders are eligible to receive funding from the RCME program.