Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research | | |
NAECR Knowledge event focuses on AI in research | The fall NAECR Knowledge event featured Guy Trainin, professor of education in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education at UNL, who shared practical ways to use AI tools in research to boost productivity and streamline tasks. | | | | |
NAECR Networking: University of Nebraska
Early Childhood Research
Nov. 18, 2025
Noon – 1 p.m. CST
Virtual
This event will highlight the latest early childhood research across the University of Nebraska system. Participants will have time for questions and discussion with presenters.
Presenters include:
The event is free, but registration is required.
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Register now for 2025-26 NAECR Spark Series:
Using AI in early childhood research
NAECR has launched a new learning series for early childhood researchers who want to explore emerging topics together — starting with artificial intelligence (AI) in early childhood research.
Group members will meet three times this academic year for informal, idea-rich conversations where you can share what you’re trying, learn from peers, brainstorm possibilities and spark collaborations. This is a space to explore and connect.
Conversations will be 90-minutes and virtual.
The Learning Series will be limited to the first five eligible applicants. Eligible applicants are NAECR researchers who are current NU faculty or NU administrative research personnel. Each academic year will feature a new topic and new members.
Interested? Sign up below.
Contact Sommer Fousek with questions at sfousek2@unl.edu.
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Here are recent publications from NAECR researchers:
Comparing Clinician-Measured, Marker-Based, and Markerless Leg Length and Margin of Stability Measures in Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy
David Kingston*, Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Stephanie Mace, Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
How are Early Head Start Teachers' Professional Development Experiences Associated with their Work-Related Stress and Qualities of Teacher-Child Interactions?
Claire Vallotton, Human Development & Family Studies, Michigan State University
HyeonJin Yoon*, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Holly Brophy-Herb, Human Development & Family Studies, Michigan State University
Lisa Knoche*, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Jayden Nord, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Ann Stacks, Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University
* Denotes NAECR Researcher
** Denotes NAECR Student Researcher
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Would you like to see your work featured here? Contact us at naecr@unl.edu
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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.
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New! Student Funding: Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Student Fellowship
The Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Fellowship program supports graduate research projects and scholarships in child psychology. Program goals include nurturing excellent young scholars for careers in areas of psychology (child-clinical, pediatric, school, educational, developmental psychopathology) and supporting scholarly work contributing to the advancement of knowledge.
Award budget: 5 fellowships of $20,800
Proposal due date: Nov. 26, 2025
Learn more.
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Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants on Education Program
The Small Research Grants on Education Program supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets up to $50,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.
This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method or a location.
The goal is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Proposal due date: Dec. 15, 2025
Learn more.
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New! Zero to Three Learn Conference
Call for Proposals
Oct. 27-29, 2026
Portland, Oregon
The Zero to Three Learn Conference brings together educators, mental health leaders, researchers, advocates, and policymakers to share knowledge that makes a difference for babies, toddlers and families.
Available session formats include poster presentations, baby talks, lecture sessions, synergy circles and issue intensives.
Proposal due date: Dec. 12, 2025
Learn more.
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AMCHP 2026 Annual Conference Session & Poster Proposals
Call for Proposals
March 7-10, 2026
Washington, DC
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs Conference aims to highlight maternal and child health programs’ impact at all levels on women, children and families, and to provide participants with tools and resources to develop, enhance and sustain vital MCH programs and services.
The conference theme this year is “The Power of Connection,” a recognition of the shared journey that profound connections play in shaping a healthier future for mothers, children and families.
Proposal due date: This Friday, Oct. 31, 2025
Learn more.
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Administration for Children and Families'
National Research Conference on Early Childhood
Call for Proposals
June 22-24, 2026
Arlington, Virginia
NRCEC 2026 will present the latest research surrounding Head Start, child care, home visiting, child welfare, special education, pre-kindergarten, early elementary and other early childhood programs.
Proposal due date: Nov. 3, 2025
Learn more.
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Society for Prevention Research; New Horizons in Prevention Science: Multilevel Interventions for Systemic Challenges
Call for Proposals
May 26-29, 2026
Washington, DC
Each year, SPR selects three special themes designed to highlight specific areas of research relevant to prevention science and the overall conference theme.
The SPR Conference committee encourages basic, epidemiological, etiological, intervention, and dissemination and implementation research submissions across these special themes.
This year’s themes center on multilevel interventions for systemic challenges, and include: 1) Social Determinants of Health; 2) Methodological Considerations; and 3) Implementation and Dissemination.
Proposal due date: Nov. 7, 2025
Learn more.
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Maternal Child Health Summit
Nov. 20, 2025
Lincoln, Nebraska
The second annual Maternal Child Health Summit is focused on improving perinatal outcomes in Nebraska.
Session topics include federal and state policy changes that impact mothers and babies, innovative programs to support Nebraska families, maternal and early childhood mental health, trends in Nebraska data, reducing infant mortality and more.
Learn more.
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Minority Health Disparities Initiative Health Equity Conference
Call for Proposals
Feb. 20, 2026
Lincoln, Nebraska
The Minority Health Disparities Initiative is accepting proposals for the 2026 Health Equity Conference poster session. The session aims to highlight various health equity research projects through brief presentations, allowing for more personal conversation and discussion.
Proposals are welcomed from faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, government organizations, and community members or organizations.
Proposal due date: Dec. 5, 2025
Learn more.
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NAECR 10-year Anniversary Open House
This Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025
8:30 – 10 a.m. CDT
CPEH 227
Join us to celebrate 10 years of engaging in, generating and supporting interdisciplinary research to benefit children age 8 and younger.
Refreshments will be available.
The event is free, but registration is required.
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NAECR Networking: University of Nebraska
Early Childhood Research
Nov. 18, 2025
Noon – 1 p.m. CST
Virtual
This event will highlight the latest early childhood research across the University of Nebraska system. Participants will have time for questions and discussion with presenters.
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.
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NAECR Student Researchers
Students involved in early childhood research at the University of Nebraska can access a number of resources through NAECR.
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Find a Researcher
Find and collaborate with other early childhood researchers across the NU system.
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NAECR News archives available
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NAECR News will be shared twice a month to inform the early childhood research community across the NU system.
If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email us using the button above.
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