New Grant Opportunity: Improving How We Measure Children’s Language Development
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a grant program to support research on measuring children’s language development. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
What is the goal?
- To develop new and better ways to assess children’s language skills.
- To broaden our understanding of the environments that support healthy language development in children.
- To create culturally appropriate and reliable tools that can be used by researchers and clinicians.
What kind of research is encouraged?
- Community-engaged research: This means involving the community in the research process to ensure the tools and approaches being developed are relevant and useful.
- Strengths-focused approaches: This means focusing on what helps children develop language skills, rather than just identifying weaknesses.
Who can apply?
A wide range of organizations are eligible, including:
- Universities (public and private)
- Non-profit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- Tribal governments (both federally recognized and others)
- Government agencies (federal, state, and local)
- Small businesses
- For-profit organizations
- And many other types of organizations (see the announcement for details)
Key Details
- Grant Program: Advancement and Innovation in Measurement of Language Development and Predictors (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Application Deadline: September 7, 2027 (This is an ongoing program, so there is no yearly deadline)
- Award Ceiling: $275,000
What’s Next?
For full details about the program, refer to the official announcement here. This will provide information on:
- Specific research priorities
- Requirements for submitting a proposal
- Evaluation criteria for applications
- How to contact NIH with questions
Important Note:
While the grant is offered by a U.S. government agency, the research itself can be conducted anywhere in the world.
New NIH Grant Opportunity: Better Tools to Measure Children’s Language Skills
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching a grant program to improve how we assess children’s language development. This initiative aims to create more effective tools and approaches for researchers and clinicians. Here’s a deeper look:
What are they looking for?
- New assessment methods: The NIH wants to fund research that develops innovative ways to measure children’s language abilities. This could involve new types of tests, observational methods, or technology-based approaches.
- Focus on strengths: The program emphasizes a “strengths-focused” approach. This means researchers should develop tools that identify not just weaknesses, but also the factors that help children develop strong language skills.
- Culturally responsive tools: The NIH recognizes the importance of considering cultural and linguistic diversity. Funded research should develop tools that are appropriate for children from various backgrounds.
- Community engagement: The program encourages “community-engaged research”. This means involving parents, educators, and other community members in the research process to ensure the developed tools are relevant and useful in real-world settings.
What are the benefits of this program?
- Improved understanding of language development: By creating better assessment tools, researchers can gain deeper insights into how children learn and use language.
- Earlier identification of potential problems: More accurate assessments can help identify children who may be experiencing language delays or disorders at an earlier stage, allowing for earlier intervention.
- Better support for children: Effective tools can help educators, therapists, and other professionals tailor their support to address each child’s specific needs.
Who can apply?
A wide range of organizations are eligible, including:
- Universities (public and private)
- Non-profit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status)
- Tribal governments (federally recognized and others)
- Government agencies (federal, state, and local)
- Small businesses
- For-profit organizations
- And many other types of organizations (see the announcement for details)
Key Details
- Grant Program: Advancement and Innovation in Measurement of Language Development and Predictors (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (September 7, 2027 is the next deadline, but applications are accepted throughout the year)
- Award Ceiling: $275,000
What’s Next?
For full details and application instructions, refer to the official announcement: here. This will provide information on:
- Specific research priorities (e.g., assessing specific language skills, targeting specific age groups)
- Evaluation criteria for proposals (e.g., research methodology, qualifications of the research team, community engagement plan)
- How to contact NIH with questions
Important Note:
While the grant is offered by a U.S. government agency, the research itself can be conducted anywhere in the world. This program is open to international researchers and institutions.