Each year the Foundation for Child Development provides research grants to eligible scholars through its Young Scholars Program (YSP). Currently, YSP supports policy and practice-relevant research that focuses on strengthening the early care and education (ECE) workforce to enhance the quality of early learning experiences for young children. All proposed research should focus on the ways in which the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of the ECE workforce can support young children’s growth and development across the birth through age eight continuum. While all applications are welcome, YSP encourages scholars who are from historically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups themselves to apply, including those who are first-generation college graduates and those from low-income communities.

Holly Schindler is an Assistant Professor in the areas of Early Childhood and Family Studies and Educational Psychology at the University of Washington. She is also a member of the 2016 Young Scholars cohort and shares her experience as a scholar below:

The Foundation for Child Development Young Scholars Program is unique in its support of both applicants and scholars and evidences a commitment to “developing the next generation of researchers whose work has the potential to make an impact on the well-being of children and their families.”  At the application stage, I greatly appreciated how the webinars clearly outlined the application process and suggested helpful strategies for developing a strong application. Now, entering the second year of my funded project, “Filming Interactions to Nurture Development: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Strength-Based Video-Coaching Program for Mexican American Fathers”, I feel fortunate to be a part of a network of scholars focused on similar topics and questions. Through this support and the award, the Young Scholars Program has allowed me to launch into an area of study that I care deeply about and that has the potential to impact early care and education. 

Carola Oliva-Olson is an Assistant Professor in the area of Early Childhood Studies at California State University Channel Islands. She is another member of the 2016 Young Scholars cohort and shares her experience as a scholar below:

Receiving this award provided much more than sound research experience. It allowed me to collaborate in various national efforts with policymakers, seasoned researchers, advocates and practitioners in the field of early care and education to work on behalf of children who are dual language learners. Participating in these activities strengthened my research study with Migrant and Regional Head Start preschool dual language learners and supported the advancement of my academic career by promoting my scholarship work.

The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is Monday, June 5th, 2017 at 3:00pm EST. To learn more about the Young Scholars Program and to apply, click here.

If you have any questions please contact Naomie Macena at ysp@fcd-us.org .