LEVANTE – The Learning Variability Network Exchange

LEVANTE is a pioneering funding initiative by the Jacobs Foundation aimed at establishing global, cross-border, and interdisciplinary data collections on variability in child learning. The goal is to build an open LEVANTE Data Archive containing multidimensional measurements (cognitive, emotional, social, and environmental factors) of children aged 3–12 years across different cultures and contexts. By creating the first cross-country open data set, the science of learning will be advanced and an international network of researchers established. This infrastructure promotes evidence-based educational strategies that account for the diversity of individual learning processes and strengthens the exchange between scientists, policymakers, and practitioners.

Multidisciplinary projects at universities and research institutions are supported, provided the applicants have been active for at least five years post-PhD and demonstrate high-quality research outcomes on learning variability. Eligible teams must submit their applications in English and provide a detailed project and budget plan. Fundable expenses include personnel and operational costs, data infrastructure, travel expenses, and measurement technology. The Jacobs Foundation provides up to USD 1,000,000 per project, with the maximum funding amount depending on the scope and innovativeness of the proposed projects. The first funding phase (Initial Application) runs from April 13 to June 10, 2026. Selection is based on scientific quality, alignment with LEVANTE objectives, feasibility, innovation potential, as well as inter- and transdisciplinary networking.