This grant supports implementation research examining the early care and education workforce, including workforce preparation, competency, compensation, well-being, and ongoing professional learning. Research should be policy- and practice-relevant, focusing on strengthening the workforce, professionalizing the field, and improving teacher preparation with attention to higher education institutions. Priority populations include children affected by poverty, discrimination, and diverse backgrounds.
Eligible applicants must have received their doctoral degrees between 2013 and 2021 (MDs between 2010 and 2021). Applicants must be affiliated with a nonprofit or public American college/university with a minimum $2.5M budget and a three-year track record of multiyear research projects.
