PIF
Paid in Full Study Doctoral Research Project
IRB Pending
Black male Power Four athletes
NIL Research · Power Four Athletes

Your Voice.
Your Value.
Your Story.

A proposed doctoral research project exploring the cognitive and emotional experiences of Black male Division I Power Four student-athletes participating in Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) activities.

Check My Eligibility & Join the Waitlist → Voluntary & Confidential
P4
Power Four Conferences
NIL
Name Image & Likeness
100%
Voluntary & Private
About the Study

Why This Research Matters

The NIL era has fundamentally transformed collegiate athletics — creating financial opportunities previously unavailable. Yet very little research examines how these opportunities are actually experienced by the athletes themselves, especially those at the intersection of race, sport, and wealth.

01 / Mind
Cognitive Experience
How do you think about money, branding, and your identity as an athlete-entrepreneur? This study explores the mindset behind NIL decisions.
02 / Emotion
Emotional Landscape
What does it feel like to build financial independence while navigating academics, athletics, and public scrutiny simultaneously?
03 / Identity
Racial Identity & NIL
How does your racial identity shape the way you approach NIL opportunities — and how others perceive your participation in them?
Join the Waitlist

Be First In Line.
Get Notified When We Launch.

Proposal Phase · IRB Approval Pending

The Paid in Full (PIF) Study is currently in its proposal phase. We are building a notification list of eligible athletes who want to be among the first contacted when this study receives full IRB approval and officially launches.

No research data is being collected at this stage. Joining the waitlist simply means you'll receive a notification when the study is ready to begin — with no obligation to participate.

Eligibility Criteria
Check My Eligibility & Join the Waitlist → No data collected at this stage
Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes, completely. Participation in the PIF Study is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time, without penalty or consequence. Your eligibility, scholarship, or athletic standing will not be affected in any way by choosing to participate or decline.
Your privacy is a top priority. All data collected during the study will be de-identified before analysis — meaning your name and identifying information will be separated from your responses. No personally identifiable information will be used in any published research.
The full study protocol is still being finalized. It is anticipated that participation will involve a confidential interview focused on your personal experiences with NIL — your thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Estimated time commitment and format will be communicated clearly before you agree to participate.
No. Your participation is private. This research is independent of any athletic program or institution. Your coaches, athletic department, and university will not be notified of your participation.
The study is currently in the proposal phase and is pending IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval. Once approval is granted, waitlist members will be notified directly. No specific timeline can be promised at this stage.
No research data is being collected at this stage. The waitlist is for notification purposes only. Joining does not constitute participation in the study and does not obligate you to anything.
This research is being conducted by Dakotah Carter, a doctoral candidate in Psychology (Cognition and Instruction) at Grand Canyon University. This study is proposed as part of doctoral dissertation research and will be conducted under faculty supervision with full IRB oversight.
The Researcher

About the Principal
Investigator

DC
Dakotah Carter
Doctoral Candidate · Psychology, Cognition & Instruction · Grand Canyon University
Dakotah Carter is a doctoral candidate in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Instruction at Grand Canyon University. Her research sits at the intersection of sport psychology, racial identity, and financial decision-making in collegiate athletics. The PIF Study is proposed as part of her dissertation research, examining how Black male Power Four athletes cognitively and emotionally navigate the NIL era.