RCDC Roots and Wings Session I: Funding and Political Realities: Navigating Uncertainty as an Early Career Scholar

Equity-focused research faces unprecedented challenges as federal funding reductions target equity-related research initiatives. This is a moment that calls for an understanding of how the historical role of federal funding has shaped social work science, while critically examines the current funding landscape and discussing strategic responses for advancing equity-focused research in our field. This crisis also invites institutional leadership and strategic responses from senior faculty and administrators, while also requiring clear pathways for early-career faculty, junior faculty, and doctoral students entering the job market to navigate and succeed in this transformed funding landscape. This roundtable convenes experienced researchers, deans, and academic leaders to examine high-level institutional strategies for sustaining equity scholarship through diversified funding approaches. The session will focus on funding landscapes, institutional policy, and leadership strategies that create opportunities across career stages. Specifically, the roundtable will:

• Highlight how historical context regarding federal funding shape past, present and future research and directions. • Analyze emerging funding alternatives beyond federal sources, including foundation partnerships, industry collaborations, and international funding opportunities, with guidance on how doctoral students and early-career researchers can access and navigate these funding streams. • Examine institutional investment strategies for supporting equity-focused research through internal funding mechanisms, seed grants, and mentorship programs that equip doctoral students in the job market and early-career scholars with practical skills for funding success. • Explore administrative leadership roles in advocating with funding agencies while creating clear institutional pathways and resources that help doctoral students and junior faculty develop competitive funding portfolios and navigate application processes. • Discuss senior faculty collaborative models for building research consortiums and mentorship networks that actively include and provide funding opportunities, co-PI experiences, and strategic guidance for doctoral students transitioning to faculty roles and emerging scholars in equity research.