The LEarning VAriability NeTwork Exchange (LEVANTE)
The LEVANTE initiative funds global research collecting standardized, cross-cultural data on learning variability in children aged 3–12, using innovative methods to build an open, multidisciplinary dataset.
Funder: Jacobs Foundation
Due Dates: June 10, 2026 (Initial application, Stage 1) | September 25, 2026 (Extended proposal, Stage 2)
Funding Amounts: Up to USD 6 million total; individual projects may request up to USD 250,000 (regular, 2–3 yrs), USD 600,000 (large, 4 yrs), or USD 1 million (infrastructure, 4 yrs).
Summary: Funds international research projects studying variability in children's learning and development (ages 3–12) using standardized, cross-cultural data collection.
Key Information: Special encouragement and support for Global South researchers; proposals must use LEVANTE core measures and comply with data sharing policies.
Description
The LEarning VAriability NeTwork Exchange (LEVANTE) is a flagship initiative of the Jacobs Foundation, in partnership with Stanford University, designed to advance scientific understanding of how children’s learning varies across individuals, groups, and cultural contexts. LEVANTE aims to build a global network of research teams who will collect and share longitudinal data on children aged 3–12, using standardized cognitive, emotional, social, and environmental measures. The resulting LEVANTE Data Archive will be the first cross-cultural, multidisciplinary open dataset on child development and learning.
The 2026 Call for Proposals seeks projects that employ innovative, high-resolution measurement approaches, enable causal inference, and address variability in learning at the individual, group, and contextual levels. The initiative especially welcomes proposals from underrepresented regions and encourages Global South participation. All funded projects are expected to contribute to the LEVANTE network, adhere to its methodological standards, and share data according to LEVANTE policies.
