NRMERA was established in 1982 to serve as a vehicle for dissemination of research conducted by faculty and graduate students of colleges and universities in the northern Rocky Mountain geographic area. Faculty at the University of Wyoming conceived the idea of an organization that would provide for this type of dissemination in a supportive/collegial environment. After contacting individuals from institutions in the constituent states, Wyoming hosted the first organizational conference in Jackson, WY.
From this early beginning, the organization has grown to over 150 members from the constituent states as well as across the United States. In 1986, NRMERA became an area SIG (Special Interest Group) of AERA (American Educational Research Association). In October of 1994, the Constitution and Bylaws were approved by the constituent states.
Every fall, NRMERA holds its annual conference. The conference rotates between the constituent states on a bi-annual schedule with Jackson, WY serving as the conference home base during the odd-numbered years. The rotation follows a specific schedule: South Dakota/North Dakota (2004), Idaho (2006), Nebraska/Nevada (2008), Wyoming (2009), Montana (2010), and Wyoming (2011).