Funding to support research focusing on the professional development of early years workforce for a flourishing early years sector both in the UK and worldwide.
Applications are invited within one or more of the following areas:
- Professional development and retention of practitioners in the early years
- Communication, talk and celebrating additional languages – professional development in supporting language diversity in the early years
- Mathematics professional development for the early years
- Professional learning communities and team work in the early years
Applicants are encouraged to identify audiences beyond teacher educators such as training teachers and policymakers to maximise its impact and contribution to debates.
The key output is a final report of between 2,000-3,000 words to be published by BERA. Recipients of the funding are also expected to write at least one BERA Blog on the subject of their research and are strongly encouraged to submit their work to present at the BERA Conference.
ELIGIBILITY
Educational researchers in any context, or at any career stage, are invited to apply.
All applicants must be a current individual member of BERA and where possible, teams of researchers should include an early career researcher.
VALUE
The value of each individual award is up to £5,000 and BERA normally budgets for funding of up to three projects. In addition to the £5,000 award, if they are presenting their research at the BERA conference, the recipient will be able to claim back the cost of conference registration.
KEY DATES
Non-mandatory enquiries meeting: 29 April 2026 (https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/387815247664752?p=kaVIVKZc7hK2nWbWq0 – passcode: q2Ka2Sk3)
Deadline: 15 May 2026
Further details including how to apply and criteria for assessment can be found on the opportunity webpage.