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Open Call for Proposals 2026

The Jacobs Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 Call for Proposals for its LEVANTE framework. The Jacobs Foundation is devoting up to USD 6 million to support project proposals to become part of the LEVANTE network.

Apply here

Apply here

Deadline for submission: June 10, 2026.

Background and Rationale 

Overview

1. Embracing and understanding variability in learning across the three dimensions described in the Jacobs Foundation Research Agenda: within-subject, within-group, and contextual variability. 

2. Focus on typically developing children within the age range 3-12 years   

3. Use of LEVANTE core measures, which are currently available in English, Spanish and German and being adapted to French, Dutch, Arabic, Hebrew, Kannada, Daccani, and Tamil. Sites may propose plans for further adaptation. 

High level objectives of this Call 

More details

• Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)  

• Quasi-experimental designs (e.g., regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables)  

• Natural experiments leveraging exogenous environmental variation. Examples of relevant sources of variation include: 

• Environmental exposures (e.g., pollution, climate events)  

• Neighborhood and socio-economic conditions  

• Policy changes or institutional reforms  

• Administrative or geospatial datasets  

• Intensive longitudinal designs capturing within-child variability over time, including via repeated administration of the LEVANTE measures or integration of other measures  

• Measurement approaches linking short-term dynamics to long-term outcomes  

• Rich environmental data collection, with examples including:  

• Wearables and actigraphy  

• Neuroimaging or psychophysiology measurement (e.g., behavioral, EEG, fMRI, eye-tracking, etc.), 

• Genetic data 

• Classroom or school observations  

• Home environment observations  

• Qualitative or mixed-method approaches  

• Have obtained a PhD or equivalent degree at least 5 years (excluding career breaks) prior to the application deadline;  

• Be employed by and be part of a research lab at an institution of higher education or research institute; 

• Be conducting high-quality research in the area of variability of learning and development; 

• Be committed to engaging with and contributing to the activities of both LEVANTE and the Jacobs Foundation.  

• Scientific quality of methods and data 

• Publication record and experience on similar collaborative projects 

• Feasibility of the proposed project  

• Availability of resources and capacity of the lab 

• Innovativeness, uniqueness, and value proposition of the proposed project  

• Geographic localization of the proposed project and demographic representativeness of the sample  

• Conceptual alignment and integration of planned project with the LEVANTE framework  

• Collaboration and/or multidisciplinary character of the proposed project 

• Inclusion of young scholars in the team  

• Inclusion of additional measures with no/limited additional funding request  

• Sampling, recruitment, and administration must follow the guidelines. 

• All age appropriate LEVANTE Core Assessment Measures must be administered to children, caregivers, and (where appropriate) teachers. There is some flexibility in grouping and style of administration as specified above.  

• Data on core LEVANTE measures must be collected using the LEVANTE infrastructure tools. Any potential customization must be discussed, approved, and implemented by the Data Coordinating Center and must include a budget for such customizations.  

• Proposals should administer the complete LEVANTE Core Assessment Measures in one of the available languages (see Internationalization guidance)), or should have a plan for working with the Data Coordinating Center to translate/adapt the measures to other languages. 

• Proposals must comply with the LEVANTE Ethics, Privacy and Data Use Policies and all data from these measures must be covered under the LEVANTE Data Submission Agreement 

• Proposals must be submitted in English. Proposal submitted in other languages will not be reviewed.   

• Scientific merits of the articulated research questions 

• Alignment of the proposed project to the LEVANTE Key Scientific Aims. 

• Feasibility of the study 

• Site has the resources and expertise necessary to carry out the proposed data collection. 

• Proposals from low-resource contexts might want to budget for capacity building to ensure study feasibility. 

• Sample Characteristics 

• Diversity of population being sampled, with the goal of collecting data from a broad set of cultural and linguistic contexts. 

• Representativeness of the sample within the particular context of recruitment (e.g., representativeness of a particular local or national community). 

• Sample size – larger samples add greater value to the dataset and will be preferred all else being equal. 

• Value of additional measures 

• Previously collected or planned collection of data that enhance the value of the core LEVANTE measures, including other measure types, and prior or subsequent longitudinal tracking. 

• Sharing feasibility and policies for additional data 

• Resulting dataset will be shared in a manner that facilitates easy harmonization with LEVANTE core measure data. 

• Coordination opportunities beyond the LEVANTE measures 

• The effort is co-supported through another study or initiative. 

• the follow up of an existing, deeply characterized cohort as participants enter the school age window relevant to the LEVANTE battery.  

• efficient, high value data collection (potentially over multiple waves) that leverages prior investments without requiring the full suite of analyses or infrastructure envisioned in larger awards 

• a narrow, well-defined scope, focused on a single cohort or site 

• Collection of LEVANTE measures in new samples 

• Addition of LEVANTE measures to ongoing or planned studies 

• Supplementation of LEVANTE data collection with other measure types  

• Collection of LEVANTE measures in new samples of greater size or with specific population characteristics of interest that require greater resource expenditure 

• General Information: You will be asked to submit general information about yourself, your team and your background. 

• Application Form: Submit details of your study, including the project description, geographical focus, and target population age range. 

• Upload your CV and a list of publications. 

• Extended Proposal Form: Submit in depth description of your study. 

• Timeline. 

• Budget.