Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research
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Sarah Zuckerman,
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Sarah Zuckerman is an assistant professor in the educational administration department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her research uses qualitative methods to investigate state-level educational policy implementation and school-community partnerships, particularly in the context of rural communities.
Sarah's recent research combines organizational change theory with concepts from political science to understand how individuals, groups and organizations mobilize and develop shared understandings that shape action at the school, community and state policy levels.
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Are there any new research projects or activities you are starting on now?
"I'm currently working with members of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute to study the processes of collaboration in the Early Workforce Commission."
Why is early childhood research important?
"Early childhood research is important because high‐quality early childhood care and education provide high levels of return on public investment. Additionally, research on the gap between research and practice, and research and policymaking, can help us ensure more children have access to high‐quality care and education."
How can effective collaborations enhance the research enterprise?
"Providing high‐quality care and education in early childhood is challenging due to the fractured nature of policies and regulations that cover these settings from birth to age 8. Collaboration helps us develop policies that minimize unintended consequences. Understanding collaboration itself is important to support these processes."
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The NAECR Networking series continues
Wednesday, May 1
.
How can researchers and community partners work together to advance early childhood research and practice?
University of Nebraska researchers will present on their latest work in the early childhood field. A panel of community partners will also share their perspectives on early childhood research, working with researchers and translating research into practice.
The event w
ill be from
2 to 4 p.m.
in the
Nebraska Union’s Colonial A Room
, and will conclude with time for networking and making connections.
Those who cannot attend in person may participate via Zoom.
Participants in the event will include:
Community Research Partners Panel
:
- Jill Beckenhauer, building administrator and special education director, Cozad Public Schools
- Melody Hobson, administrator, Office of Early Childhood Nebraska Department of Education
- Stephanie Knust, director, Dodge County Head Start
- Karla Lester, pediatrician, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
- Patty Smith, principal, Central Elementary School in Fairbury
Research Presenters
:
- Amy Napoli, assistant professor and early childhood extension specialist, UNL
- Sarah Zuckerman, assistant professor, UNL
- Yingying Wang, assistant professor, UNL
- Marc Goodrich, assistant professor, UNL
- Matt Carlson, research assistant professor, Center on Children, Families & the Law
NAECR Networking and NAECR Knowledge are an ongoing series of networking and training events designed to enhance early childhood research across the NU system.
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FYRE Program seeking faculty mentors
The First Year Research Experience Program (FYRE) is seeking faculty mentors who are interested in developing projects and opportunities for first-year students and who are committed to student success through high-impact learning practices like undergraduate research. There is
no financial commitment required from the faculty mentor
or department. The Office of Undergraduate Research will provide funding for the program.
Eligible students will be invited to view all the job descriptions, and will complete their own application and provide a ranked list of jobs in which they are interested.
Faculty will receive the application information for all students who have chosen their job and must provide a ranked list of candidates. The Director of Undergraduate Research makes the final placements.
If you are interested in serving as a FYRE mentor and having a funded undergraduate researcher on your project in 2019-20, please submit a job description by
Wednesday, May 1
.
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Here are recent publications from NAECR researchers:
Ann Anderson-Berry, Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Would you like to see your work featured here? Contact us at
naecr@unl.edu
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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 discussing funding opportunities for your research.
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New!
State of Nebraska Market Rate Survey — RFP for Contractual Services
The State of Nebraska has issued an RFP for a contractor to conduct a study of market rate prices for childcare in Nebraska, referred to as the Market Rate Survey.
Proposals are due
May 16, 2019
.
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New!
Foundation for Child Development Young Scholars Program
The Foundation for Child Development is accepting proposals for its 2020 Young Scholars Program, which supports scholarship for early career researchers.
The program funds implementation research that is policy- and practice-relevant, and that examines the preparation, competency, compensation, well-being and ongoing professional learning of the early care and education workforce.
Research awards are up to $225,000 for primary research and up to $180,000 for secondary data analysis.
Letters of Intent are due
June 10, 2019
.
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New!
Student funding
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation: Child Care Policy Research Partnership Grants
OPRE is soliciting applications for four-year cooperative agreements that will be conducted through partnerships among CCDF Lead Agencies in states, territories or tribes, and researchers from institutions of higher education, research organizations and other eligible organizations.
Grantees will be expected to pursue research questions of national and state relevance intended to add to our knowledge about the efficacy of child care subsidy policies and quality improvement initiatives that support employment and self-sufficiency outcomes for parents, increase low-income families' access to high-quality child care programs, and promote positive learning and school readiness outcomes for children.
The award budget is $100,000 to $400,000 per budget period.
Proposals are due
June 14, 2019
.
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New!
Student funding
Patrice L. Engle Dissertation Grant for Global Early Child Development
The Patrice L. Engle Dissertation Grant provides support for junior scholars interested in a career in global early child development who are from, or doing research in, low- or middle-income countries.
The grant includes $5,000 to support dissertation research and a two-year student membership to SRCD.
Proposals are due
June 30, 2019
.
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Student funding
2019 Student and Early Career Council Dissertation Research Funding Awards
The 11th annual Student Early Career Committee of the Society for Research in Child Development is accepting applications for graduate student dissertation research funding.
Up to 10 non-renewable awards of up to $2,000 will be awarded for research proposals that merit special recognition and display strong potential to contribute to the field of child development.
Applicants must be graduate students in a field related to child development, and must be SRCD student members at the time of the application.
Proposals are due
May 1, 2019
.
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NIH Refinement and Testing of Interventions to Sustain ADHD Treatment
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to encourage pilot studies to assess the preliminary effectiveness of augmented or modified interventions designed to promote enhanced and sustained improvement in ADHD symptoms and functional impairments across settings and transitions in children, adolescents and young adults.
The funding agency encourages applicants to contact the Program Contact listed in the RFA early in the application process to discuss the match between their application concept and the priorities outlined in the funding opportunity announcement.
NIMH intends to commit $1.4 million in direct costs in fiscal year 2020 to fund 5-6 awards.
Proposals are due
May 1, 2019
, and
Nov. 15, 2019
.
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NIH Secondary Data Analysis to Examine Long-Term and/or Potential Cross-Over Effects of Prevention Interventions: What are the Benefits for Preventing Mental Health Disorders?
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to encourage research to integrate/harmonize existing data sets from preventive intervention trials implemented early in life to:
1) examine risk and protective factors relevant to later mental health outcomes in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood; and
2) determine whether preventive interventions delivered earlier in life have long-term effects, and/or cross-over effects (e.g., unanticipated beneficial effects), on important mental health outcomes, including serious mental illness (e.g., depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and behaviors, and psychosis behaviors).
NIMH intends to commit $3 million to fund 4-6 awards and NCCIH intends to commit $500,000 to fund 1 award.
Proposals are due
May 2, 2019
, and
Jan. 2, 2020
.
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NIH: Reducing Health Disparities among Minority and Underserved Children
This NIH initiative encourages research that targets the reduction of health disparities among children, including a focus on ethnic and racial minority children and populations of underserved children.
Specific targeted areas of research include bio-behavioral studies that incorporate multiple factors that influence child health disparities (biological, lifestyle factors, environmental, social, economic, cultural and family influences); studies that target the specific health promotion needs of children with a known illness and/or disability; and studies that test and evaluate the comparative effectiveness of health promotion interventions conducted in traditional and nontraditional settings.
Proposals are due
May 7, 2020
.
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Student funding
OPRE Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Head Start Graduate Student Research Grants
The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation has opened competition for Head Start Graduate Student Research Grants to support dissertation research by advanced graduate students who are working in partnership with Head Start programs and with faculty mentors.
Competitive applications will demonstrate a collaborative partnership with their program partners and pursue research questions that directly inform local, state or federal policy relevant to multiple early care and education practices.
Six awards are expected; total funding available is $150,000.
Proposals are due
May 8, 2019
.
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Student funding
OPRE Early Care and Education Research Scholars: Child Care Research Scholars
The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation is soliciting applications for Child Care Research Scholars grants to support dissertation research on child care policy issues.
These grants are meant to build capacity in the research field to focus research on questions that have direct implications for child care policy decision-making and program administration, and to foster mentoring relationships between faculty members and high-quality doctoral students.
Six awards are expected; total funding available is $150,000.
Proposals are due
May 9, 2019
.
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Spencer Foundation Grants
The Spencer Foundation supports high-quality, innovative research on education by providing funding for education-focused research projects, research training fellowships and additional field-building initiatives.
Spencer Research Awards Program
Award budget: $525,000-$1,000,000
Project duration: Up to 5 years
Proposals are due
May 22, 2019
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Research-Practice Partnership Grants Program
Award budget: Up to $400,000
Project duration: Up to 3 years
Proposals are due
May 24, 2019
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Large Research Grants on Education Program
Award budget: $125,000-$500,000
Project duration: 1-5 years
Proposals are due
June 20, 2019
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Small Research Grants Program
Award budget: Up to $50,000
Project duration: 1-5 years
Proposals are due
July 1, 2019
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William T. Grant Foundation Scholars Program
The William T. Grant Scholars Program supports career development for promising early career researchers. The program funds five-year research and mentoring plans that significantly expand researchers' expertise in new disciplines, methods and content areas.
Applicants should have a track record of conducting high-quality research and an interest in pursuing a significant shift in their trajectories as researchers.
Proposals are due
July 2, 2019
.
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New!
2019 American Psychological Association Conference
Aug. 8-11, 2019
Chicago, Illinois
Scientists, educators, practitioners and applied psychologists attend the American Psychological Association conference to explore the most compelling issues in the discipline.
Early bird registration pricing is available until
May 15, 2019
.
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Nebraska Healthy Kids Summit
April 23-24, 2019
Nebraska Inovation Campus
Lincoln, Nebraska
The Nebraska Healthy Kids Summit promotes healthy eating and active living in Nebraska communities. This event connects stakeholders to explore research, practice and advocacy approaches, leading to a joint call to action promoting healthy eating and active living for children and families in Nebraska communities.
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Cognitive Development Society
Oct. 17-19, 2019
Louisville, Kentucky
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
The Cognitive Development Society aims to provide a unified voice for the wide range of scholars, practitioners, and others who are interested in change and continuity in the intellectual processes that support mental life.
Proposals are due
July 2, 2019
.
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New!
"No Small Matter" Film Screening and Discussion
May 2, 2019
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, UNL
"
No Small Matter" is a documentary film that explores early childhood education and lays out the evidence for the importance of the first five years.
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New!
Toddler CLASS Observation Training
May 16-17, 2019
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Prem S. Paul Research Center at Whittier School
Room 136
Participants will learn how development affects classroom interactions and the link between effective teacher-child interactions as it relates to learning. Training includes an overview of the CLASS measure and its uses, and will prepare participants to assess teaching quality based on the CLASS system.
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New!
Pediatric Research Seminars
May 17, 2019
Noon – 1 p.m.
Children's Hospital – Glow Auditorium
The UNMC Department of Pediatrics and the Child Health Research Institute sponsor Pediatric Research Seminars on the third Friday of each month. The location of the seminars alternates between UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.
Researchers may also attend via Zoom.
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Pre-K CLASS Observation Training
April 29-30, 2019
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Prem S. Paul Research Center at Whittier School
Room 136
Participants will learn how development affects classroom interactions and the link between effective teacher-child interactions as it relates to learning. Training includes an overview of the CLASS measure and its uses, and will prepare participants to assess teaching quality based on the CLASS system.
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NAECR Networking: Connecting with Community Research Partners
May 1, 2019
Nebraska Union, Colonial A
2 – 4 p.m.
How can researchers and community partners work together to advance early childhood research and practice?
Join us for the next NAECR Networking event, where University of Nebraska researchers will present on their latest work in the early childhood field. A panel of community partners will also share their perspectives on early childhood research, working with researchers and translating research into practice.
The event will conclude with time for networking and making connections.
Participants may also attend the first part of the event via Zoom
.
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Is there an upcoming conference you want to publicize? A new publication you would like to share? Let us know!
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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.
Post-doc Opportunities:
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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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