Jumpstart, a national nonprofit early education organization, provides small grants up to a maximum of US$5,000 for promising research that addresses significant questions on the processes and impact of Jumpstart for early reading development and social-emotional development. The intent of such grants is to provide researchers with the opportunity to develop important perspectives on the influence of Jumpstart in the lives of young children who live in low-income and high-stress communities. Up to three grants will be awarded each year. Funded studies may be carried out using any research method or approach as long as the focus of the project is on examining the Jumpstart program. Priority will be given to applications that use rigorous research designs and methodologies.
Jumpstart is currently serving over 10,000 preschool-age children each year in over 300 preschools, Head Start programs, and child care centers. Jumpstart volunteers are community members ages 25 to 75 (5%) or college and university students (95%) at over 60 higher education institutions. The volunteers operate two 2-hour Jumpstart supplemental educational intervention sessions each week that focus on early language, literacy, and social skills. The curriculum is designed to help children develop the alphabetic principle and engage in rich language and literacy activities.
Applications must be submitted by April 2, 2010. For further information and the application form, visit the Jumpstart webpage.