Jacobs Foundation LEVANTE 2026 Call: Up to $1M for Global Child Learning Research

The Jacobs Foundation has opened the LEVANTE 2026 Call for Proposals. This program offers up to $1 million per project from a $6 million pool. It supports research on how children learn and develop around the world.

What is LEVANTE?

LEVANTE stands for Learning Variability Network Exchange. It is a key project by the Jacobs Foundation. The goal is to connect researchers from different countries to study child learning.

The program looks at three main areas. First, it examines differences in how individual children learn. Second, it studies variations across groups and communities. Third, it checks how environments, cultures, and systems affect learning.

LEVANTE has built one of the first open datasets on child development from multiple cultures. This helps researchers find patterns to improve education everywhere.

Overview of the 2026 Call

This call expands LEVANTE’s work to more parts of the world. The total funding is $6 million. Each project can get up to $1 million.

Applications are open from April 13 to June 10, 2026. The funding backs new research that tracks learning over time and in different places.

Target Population and Research Themes

The research targets children ages 3 to 12. Proposals should focus on core themes.

One theme is understanding learning variability. This means studying why children learn in different ways and what drives those differences.

Another is longitudinal studies. These track how children grow and learn over months or years.

The third covers environmental influences. Researchers can explore effects from family income, pollution, or changes in schools and policies.

Preferred Research Methods

LEVANTE wants strong, data-based methods. Causal designs help show cause-and-effect in learning.

Dense data collection gathers information often to spot short-term and long-term changes. Developmental trajectory analysis follows how skills build over time.

Projects should also use rich environmental data. This includes details on surroundings to build better learning models.

Focus on Underrepresented Areas

The call gives priority to projects from regions with less research. It seeks work in diverse cultures and economies.

This helps make sure results apply to children everywhere, not just a few places.

What Funding Provides

Selected teams get up to $1 million. This covers research costs.

Projects join a global network of researchers. They can add data to the open dataset.

The work gains visibility. It can shape education policies around the world.

Network Growth

LEVANTE added new sites in the 2025 group. These include Bern University of Teacher Education in Switzerland, GRADE in Peru, Harvard University in the USA, and others in Ghana, Australia, India, Italy, and Colombia.

This growth builds stronger teamwork across borders.

Reasons to Apply

Researchers can secure major funding. They join top experts worldwide.

The program lets teams build shared datasets. It offers a chance to affect education and boost careers.

How to Apply

Check eligibility and guidelines first. Write a clear proposal that matches LEVANTE’s goals.

Submit on the official LEVANTE website.

The deadline is June 10, 2026. Late entries will not count. Visit the Jacobs Foundation site for details and to start your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the LEVANTE program?

LEVANTE stands for Learning Variability Network Exchange, a Jacobs Foundation project that connects researchers worldwide to study how children learn and develop differently across cultures and environments.

How much funding is available in the 2026 call?

The call offers a total of $6 million, with up to $1 million per selected project to support research costs.

What ages of children does the research target?

The research focuses on children ages 3 to 12, exploring learning variability, longitudinal growth, and environmental influences.

When is the application deadline for LEVANTE 2026?

Applications are open from April 13 to June 10, 2026; submit via the official LEVANTE website after checking eligibility and guidelines.