The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services has recently published a discretionary research funding announcement titled "Early Head Start University Partnership Grants: Buffering Children from Toxic Stress."  The full announcement is available online at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2011-ACF-OPRE-YR-0204.

These grants will fund research to implement promising parenting interventions that augment ongoing Early Head Start services in order to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable infants and toddlers.  Results from this research will help build a cumulative knowledge base regarding the role Early Head Start can play in promoting parenting practices that buffer children from toxic stress. 

Eligible applicants include public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education, non-profit institutions with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, and small businesses. Letters of intent are due June 20, 2011 and applications are due July 18, 2011. Applicants may apply for project periods up to five years and will be awarded up to $400,000 per year.

The following web-site provides extensive information about Early Head Start, as well as a directory of Early Head Start locations. http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hslc_grantee_directory.

If you have questions regarding this announcement, please email the OPRE Head Start Research Grant Review Team at toxicstress@icfi.com or call 1-877-301-8193.