Investigating effective early childhood development programs
Official title: Synthesizing, Interpreting, and Extrapolating Interventions to Foster Human Development
Funded at National Bureau of Economic Research · NIH-11009516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how successful early childhood programs help kids grow and learn, especially for those who might need a little extra support, so we can find out what works best for their future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Bureau of Economic Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $620,218 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD103666-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the early childhood age range or who do not come from disadvantaged backgrounds may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the impact of successful early childhood development programs on children's growth and skills. By analyzing data from influential programs like the Perry Preschool Program and the Abecedarian Project, the research aims to identify what makes these interventions effective. It employs various empirical strategies to assess how these programs benefit disadvantaged children over time, including long-term follow-ups into adulthood. The goal is to provide insights that can improve future early childhood interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective early childhood programs that significantly enhance the development of disadvantaged children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on early childhood interventions has shown success in improving developmental outcomes, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
National Bureau of Economic Research
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heckman, James J — National Bureau of Economic Research
- Study coordinator: Heckman, James J
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.