Lillian Jacobey Baur Early Childhood Award

Overview

The Lillian Jacobey Baur Early Childhood Award supports research in early childhood education, socialization, and therapy. Recipients will receive up to two years of doctoral GRA support. The GRA must partner with a faculty mentor(s) whose research seeks to generate new knowledge of the physical, social and/or cognitive development of children, pre-natal to up to 6 years old.

Call for Nominations

Departments and programs are invited to submit one proposal for a doctoral Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) position funded by the Lillian Jacobey Baur Early Childhood Endowment.  This fund supports research in early childhood education, socialization, and therapy. A successful proposal will receive up to two years of doctoral GRA support.  The GRA must partner with a faculty mentor(s) whose research seeks to generate new knowledge of the physical, social and/or cognitive development of children, pre-natal to up to 6 years old. 

The award provides funding for a .50 FTE GRA appointment with an academic year (9 month) a salary of $19,594 for up to 2 years, plus tuition for up to 15 credit hours per semester (Each year the GRA may also request up to $1,500 for research support activities.   Examples of research support may include data collection expenses, purchasing materials and equipment in support of the research project, traveling to meetings and other universities, or to support seminars and workshops for practitioners.

Criteria for Funding:

The fundamental criterion for funding is the support of a doctoral Graduate Research Assistant for research concerned with early childhood education, socialization and/or therapy.

The proposal should address the following:

1. The dissertation proposal – Clearly describe the proposed project, the significance of the research, the methods and feasibility, its alignment with university priorities, and its impact on issues of early childhood education, socialization and/or therapy.
2. Impact for the student – Explain how the GRA will enhance your doctoral education and ensure timely completion of the degree.
3. Monitoring – Describe how the department will mentor and track  your progress 

Eligibility:

Proposals for this doctoral GRA funding will be accepted from departments and programs within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the School of Education. The recipient must be interested in pursuing research and associated activities concerned with early childhood education, socialization and/or therapy. Your dissertation proposal does not have to be officially approved at the point of nomination, as this award is intended to provide the opportunity to develop and finish the dissertation in a timely manner.

Application Process:

Proposals (no longer than 5 pages) will be considered by the Baur Early Childhood Committee, whose members are appointed by the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and will include a member appointed by the Dean of the School of Education. Funding decisions will be made soon after the deadline.

***Each proposal should be accompanied by 1) a copy of your Curriculum Vitae, and 2) an endorsement from the faculty mentor and chair/director.****

Submit proposal by e-mail (pdf) to the College Office of Graduate Affairs (coga@ku.edu) by 5 pm on Friday, April 11, 2025. 

If you have questions or need more information, please email coga@ku.edu or call 785-864-4201.