The Learning Variability Network Exchange (LEVANTE) brings together researchers from around the world aiming to capture the richness and diversity of child development and learning.
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Home » LEVANTE opens first call for proposals
August 12, 2024
The Jacobs Foundation has launched the call for proposals for The Learning Variability Network Exchange (LEVANTE), offering up to CHF 4 million in funding to research learning variability and its impact at the individual, group, and contextual levels.
The Jacobs Foundation is excited to announce the 2024 Call for Proposals for its latest flagship initiative, the Learning Variability Network Exchange (LEVANTE). This global project aims to discover how individual differences, group dynamics, and contextual factors influence children’s learning and development across various cultures and environments.
Building on the Jacobs Foundation Research Agenda, LEVANTE was conceptualised in 2023 with the aim to become the first cross-cultural, multidisciplinary open dataset focused on capturing the rich diversity of child development. By dedicating up to CHF 4 million in research funding, the Jacobs Foundation seeks to expand the understanding of learning variability and its impact on educational outcomes globally. The initiative aligns with the Jacobs Foundation’s goal of fostering scientific excellence and building a global network of researchers dedicated to child and youth development, with a particular emphasis on learning variability. It also aims to promote long-term collaboration among researchers and with the Foundation itself.
The LEVANTE initiative aims to gather longitudinal data on common measures of learning variability, encompassing individual, group, and contextual dimensions. This comprehensive approach is designed to provide invaluable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers, enabling them to tailor educational practices to better support diverse learning needs. Simon Sommer, Co-CEO of the Jacobs Foundation, emphasized the global impact and ambition of the initiative, stating:
“LEVANTE will set new standards in the endeavour to understand children’s learning and development. Not just in the western world, but globally. I hope that innovative research groups from all over the world will participate in this RFP and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity!” Simon Sommer, Co-CEO Jacobs Foundation
“LEVANTE will set new standards in the endeavour to understand children’s learning and development. Not just in the western world, but globally. I hope that innovative research groups from all over the world will participate in this RFP and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity!”
Simon Sommer, Co-CEO Jacobs Foundation
Eligible applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent degree obtained a minimum of 5 years prior to the application deadline, have a strong research background in learning variability, and be affiliated with a research institution. Proposals should focus on typically developing children aged 2-12 and address variability in learning at the individual, group, or contextual levels. Researchers from around the globe are encouraged to submit proposals for the LEVANTE initiative. The Foundation has a particular interest in projects from Colombia, Ghana, Switzerland, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The application process is structured in three stages: an initial application due by October 6, 2024, followed by an extended proposal, and an interview for shortlisted candidates. Funding is available for both small projects (up to CHF 400,000) and large projects (up to CHF 700,000), with a minimum project duration of three years.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a global effort aimed at enhancing our understanding of educational practices and learning variability. For more information on eligibility, submission guidelines, and selection criteria, please visit the call for proposals page.
Apply now and become a part of the LEVANTE network!