LEVANTE 2026 Call for Proposals: Up to $1M Funding for Child Learning Research

The Jacobs Foundation has opened the LEVANTE 2026 Call for Proposals, a chance for researchers around the world to secure up to $1 million in funding. This program supports studies on how children learn and grow in different settings. With a total pot of $6 million, it targets projects that can shape education for kids aged 3 to 12.

What is LEVANTE?

LEVANTE stands for Learning Variability Network Exchange. It is a key project from the Jacobs Foundation that links researchers from many countries. The goal is to study differences in how children learn and develop.

The program looks at three main areas. First, it examines individual variability, or how each child learns in their own way. Second, it explores group differences across communities. Third, it checks how environments, cultures, and systems affect learning. LEVANTE has built one of the first open datasets on child development from various cultures. This helps researchers find patterns to improve schools everywhere.

Overview of the 2026 Call for Proposals

This call marks a big step forward for LEVANTE’s global network. It offers $6 million in total funding, with up to $1 million per project. The application window runs from April 13 to June 10, 2026.

The money goes to projects that use strong data methods to understand learning over time and in different places. Researchers can apply from anywhere, but the focus is on fresh ideas with real impact.

Research Focus Areas

LEVANTE wants proposals on children’s learning and development for kids aged 3 to 12. The core themes include three areas.

First, understanding learning variability means studying why children learn differently and what drives those differences. Second, longitudinal development studies track kids over time to see how learning changes. Third, environmental and contextual influences cover things like family income, pollution, or changes in schools and laws.

These themes help build knowledge that applies to real-world education.

Priority Research Approaches

The call favors projects with advanced methods. Causal research designs test what causes learning changes. Dense data collection gathers info often to spot short-term and long-term patterns.

Developmental trajectory analysis follows how skills grow in children. Using rich environmental data adds details like local conditions to the models. These approaches make results more reliable and useful.

Special Focus: Underrepresented Regions

LEVANTE aims to include more voices from around the world. It gives priority to projects from areas with less research so far. This includes diverse cultures and economies.

By doing this, the program ensures studies reflect global child experiences. It leads to fairer ways to help education in all places.

Funding Benefits

Winning projects get more than just money. Up to $1 million covers research costs. Teams join a worldwide network of experts.

They can add data to LEVANTE’s open dataset. This boosts their work’s reach. Plus, findings can shape education policies and help careers grow.

Expansion of the LEVANTE Network

The network keeps growing. The 2025 cohort added sites in new countries. These include Bern University of Teacher Education in Switzerland, GRADE in Peru, and Harvard University in the USA.

Other spots are Kintampo Health Research Centre in Ghana, Monash University in Australia, Public Health Foundation of India, Sapienza University of Rome in Italy, and Universidad de los Andes in Colombia. This spread supports better teamwork and shared knowledge.

Why You Should Apply

This call is a top chance for researchers. You can get major funding, connect with top experts, and build key datasets. Your work could change how schools support kids worldwide.

It also advances your career through visibility. If your study fits the themes and methods, it is worth the effort.

Application Process

Start by checking eligibility and guidelines on the LEVANTE site. Write a clear proposal that matches the priorities. Submit it online through the official platform.

Make sure to highlight your methods and global fit. The deadline is June 10, 2026. Late entries will not count. Visit the Jacobs Foundation page for full details and to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions