July 13, 2026

Here are recent publications from NAECR researchers:

Patterns in Parents' School Readiness Beliefs and Connections to School Entry Timing

Alexandra Daro*, Buffett Early Childhood Institute

Early Childhood Coaching Effectiveness Across Key Content Areas: Exploring the Contributions of School, Teacher, and Child Characteristics

Rachel Schachter, Educational Psychology, University of Illinois-Chicago

Lisa Knoche*, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools

Shayne Piasta, Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University

Hope Sparks Lancaster, Boys Town National Research Hospital

 * Denotes NAECR Researcher

** Denotes NAECR Student Researcher

Would you like to see your work featured here? Contact us at naecr@unl.edu

NAECR can assist you in finding research partners for your funding applications and staff in CYFS are available to assist with your proposal development for these or other funding opportunities.

Please contact Lisa Knoche if you are interested in building a collaborative team, need assistance with proposal development or would like to discuss funding opportunities for your research.

Internal funding opportunities by campus:

UNK

UNL

UNMC

UNO

LEGO Foundation Fellowship

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global research fellowship for early- and mid-career researchers whose work can strengthen understanding of how children thrive across diverse contexts.

The program provides flexible support over a three-year period for researchers pursuing ambitious, rigorous and practically relevant work. They are looking for fellows with strong research potential, clear ideas for the next phase of their work and a commitment to building evidence that can inform action for children.

Award budget: $300,000

Proposal due date: July 31, 2026

Learn more.

DHHS Promise Neighborhoods

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced its Promise Neighborhoods grant program.

This opportunity improves the academic and developmental outcomes of children and youth living in the most distressed communities of the U.S., including ensuring school readiness, high school graduation and access to a community-based continuum of high-quality services.

Proposal due date: Aug. 6, 2026

Learn more.

New! Society for Research in Child Development

2027 Biennial Meeting

Call for Proposals

April 8-10, 2027

Atlanta, Georgia

SRCD's primary goal is to promote the understanding of child development through research and dissemination. The theme for the 2027 biennial meeting is "Prioritizing Children: Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact in Developmental Science."

Meeting attendees include professionals and graduate students in psychology, human development, family studies, education, public policy, sociology, social work, psychiatry, pediatrics and public health.

Proposal due date: Sept. 3, 2026

Learn more.

American Educational Research Association 2027 Annual Meeting

Call for Proposals

April 14-18, 2027

Toronto, Canada

AERA is now accepting proposals for its 2027 annual meeting. The theme is “Transcending Borders and Boundaries in Education Research: Toward a Beloved Global Community.”

Proposal deadline: July 24, 2026

Learn more.

UNK-Community Early Childhood Conference

Sept. 18-19, 2026

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, Nebraska

Registration is now open for the 2026 UNK-Community Early Childhood Conference. Conference presenters will share knowledge, resources and teaching strategies related to social emotional development, high quality interactions, and outdoor play.

Learn more.

No events are scheduled at this time.

Connecting Research and Policy

Learn more and sign up for alerts about legislation relevant to early childhood researchers.

First Five Nebraska

Voices for Children

Nebraska Legislative Calendar

NAECR Student Researchers

Students involved in early childhood research at the University of Nebraska can access a number of resources through NAECR.

Early childhood courses

NAECR student researchers

Faculty input form for research opportunities

Find a Researcher

Find and collaborate with other early childhood researchers across the NU system.

Early childhood researchers

NAECR News archives available

Access past issues of NAECR News.

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families & Schools

College of Education and Human Sciences

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