Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research

Jan. 26, 2026

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In preparation for the eighth biennial CYFS Early Childhood Research Summit, we are soliciting research presentations and poster proposals from

University of Nebraska faculty and graduate students. 

CALL FOR FACULTY RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS 

Faculty in the University of Nebraska system who are interested in presenting at the summit are invited to submit research proposals for the concurrent research sessions or the discovery showcase. Visit the proposal site to learn more. Selected presentations will represent a range of early childhood issues and topics. CYFS research affiliates, NAECR researchers and NAECR student researchers are encouraged to apply; participation of members from the practice or policy community as co-presenters is encouraged and welcomed.


CALL FOR GRADUATE STUDENT POSTERS

Graduate students from the University of Nebraska system are invited to submit poster proposals for presentation at the discovery showcase, provided at least one faculty member serves as a co-author. Faculty are encouraged to pass along this email to any graduate students who may be interested in this opportunity.

Presentation and poster proposals are due

on or before Feb. 23, 2026.


To learn more and submit a proposal, please click one of the buttons below.


Contact Sommer Fousek with any questions at sfousek2@unl.edu



NAECR Knowledge: Where Should Your Data Live? Choosing a Public Repository


What factors should you consider when selecting a data repository? 


The spring NAECR Knowledge event features Dr. Amanda Prokasky, senior research specialist at the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics & Psychometrics (MAP Academy), who will discuss repository selection and offer guidance for multiple points of the research cycle. 


There will be time for questions and discussion following the presentation.



The event is free, but registration is required.

Presentation Details


NAECR Knowledge: Where Should Your Data Live?

Choosing a Public Repository


Monday, March 9, 2026

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CDT

Virtual via Zoom


A Zoom link will be distributed to registrants prior to the event.



Here are recent publications from NAECR researchers:


Harnessing Artificial Intelligence For Just-In-Time AAC Design For Children With Cortical Visual Impairment: A Call For Development and Dialogue

Jamie Boster, Department of Speech Pathology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Kevin Pitt*, Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Yvette Shen, Department of Design, Ohio State University

 

Beyond Trial Counts: Considerations For Measuring Play And Engagement During Early Intervention For Autistic Children

Tracy Raulston, Clinic for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Support, Texas State University

Ciara Ousley*, Special Education & Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Emily Hinton, Action Behavior Centers

Andrea Ramirez, Action Behavior Centers


 * 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.

Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood


The Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood is an incubator of promising research and development projects that appear likely to improve the welfare of young children, from infancy through 7 years, in the United States.


Funding is provided in the areas of early childhood welfare, early childhood education and play and parenting education.


Letter of inquiry due date: Jan. 31, 2026



Learn more.

Spencer Foundation: Large Research Grants on Education


The Large Research Grants on Education Program supports rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education and contributes to the improvement of education, broadly conceived.


Award budget: $125,000 – $500,000

Letter of Intent due date: Feb. 24, 2026

Proposal due date: June 23, 2026



Learn more.

Brady Education Foundation


The Brady Education Foundation seeks to improve educational outcomes for children, including those living in low-income communities. The Foundation supports research projects that have the potential to inform how to improve educational outcomes for children from birth through age 18.


It is specifically focused on supporting research that is consistent with a strength-based perspective and has the potential to inform future educational research, practice, major philanthropic giving and/or public policy.


Letter of intent due date: March 1, 2026



Learn more.

2026 Lincoln Early Childhood Conference


March 21, 2026

Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A

Lincoln, Nebraska


The Lincoln Early Childhood Conference aims to inspire and equip early childhood educators with the tools, strategies, and confidence to thrive personally and professionally.


Speaker Dr. Alexa Yunes-Koch will present the keynote, "Understand the Brain. Manage Stress. Change Behavior."


Sessions will include topics of child behavior challenges, disciplinary alternatives, effective conflict resolution, child and adult well-being and adult stress.


Learn more.

2026 CYFS Early Childhood Research Summit


Call for Proposals

 

April 28, 2026

Nebraska Innovation Campus

Lincoln, Nebraska

 

In preparation for the eighth biennial CYFS Early Childhood Research Summit, we are soliciting research presentations and poster proposals from University of Nebraska faculty and graduate students. 


CALL FOR FACULTY RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS 

Faculty in the University of Nebraska system who are interested in presenting at the summit are invited to submit research proposals for the concurrent research sessions or the discovery showcase. Visit the proposal site to learn more. Selected presentations will represent a range of early childhood issues and topics. CYFS research affiliates, NAECR researchers and NAECR student researchers are encouraged to apply; participation of members from the practice or policy community as co-presenters is encouraged and welcomed.


CALL FOR GRADUATE STUDENT POSTERS

Graduate students from the University of Nebraska system are invited to submit poster proposals for presentation at the discovery showcase, provided at least one faculty member serves as a co-author. Faculty are encouraged to pass along this email to any graduate students who may be interested in this opportunity.


Presentation and poster proposals due date: Feb. 23, 2026.


Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Conference


Call for Proposals

 

July 29 – Aug. 1, 2026

Washington, DC


The SNEB annual conference brings together professionals from universities, schools, government agencies, cooperative extension, the food industry and service organizations to learn about the latest nutrition education and research.


The 2026 conference theme, "Flourishing Through Change: Centering Purpose, Connection, and Community," explores individual, relational and community work as they relate to changes in nutrition and food systems environments.


Proposal due date: March 1, 2026


Learn more.

New! NAECR Knowledge: Where Should Your Data Live?

Choosing a Public Repository


Monday, March 9, 2026

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CDT

Virtual via Zoom


What factors should you consider when selecting a data repository? 


The spring NAECR Knowledge event features Dr. Amanda Prokasky, senior research specialist at the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics & Psychometrics (MAP Academy), who will discuss repository selection and offer guidance for multiple points of the research cycle. 


There will be time for questions and discussion following the presentation.



The event is free, but registration is required.

Is there an upcoming conference you want to publicize? A new publication you would like to share? Let us know!
Connecting Research and Policy

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



NAECR Student Researchers

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



Find a Researcher

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

NAECR News archives available

Access past issues of NAECR News.
NAECR News will be shared twice a month to inform the early childhood research community across the NU system.

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

College of Education and Human Sciences

60 Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE 68588-0235 US

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