The Equity in Early Education (E3) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Stanford University represents a pioneering initiative dedicated to preparing the next generation of scholars to lead equitable transformations in early childhood care and education (ECCE).
Hosted by the Stanford Center on Early Childhood (SCEC) and funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) under grant number R305B220018, this fellowship aims to cultivate a community of emerging researchers who are deeply committed to dismantling systemic racial and economic inequities affecting young children and their families.
Through a blend of rigorous academic training, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the E3 Fellowship provides scholars with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed to conduct research that is not only scientifically sound but also socially responsive and policy-relevant.
Over a two-year period, fellows will work closely with world-renowned faculty mentors across the Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) and the Stanford School of Medicine, gaining hands-on experience in collaborative research-practice partnerships that connect scientific inquiry with real-world change.
The early years of life represent a critical period of human development — shaping the cognitive, emotional, and social foundations upon which lifelong outcomes are built. Yet, persistent disparities in access to high-quality early education and care continue to reinforce cycles of racial, social, and economic inequality.
The E3 Fellowship recognizes that traditional research approaches alone are insufficient to address these structural inequities. Building equitable early childhood systems requires scholars who can integrate multiple disciplines, partner with communities, and translate evidence into actionable practice.
By training scholars to conduct research that is equity-focused, interdisciplinary, and responsive to community needs, the program seeks to establish a new model of research leadership — one grounded in collaboration, innovation, and social justice.
The E3 Fellowship is built around three guiding principles:
Fellows are trained to conceptualize and pursue research questions that center systemic equity as both a process and an outcome. The fellowship encourages scholars to investigate how structural racism, poverty, and policy frameworks shape developmental trajectories — and to identify pathways toward equitable reform.
Recognizing that early childhood development exists at the intersection of multiple systems — including education, health, economics, and family dynamics — the program draws from diverse theoretical and methodological traditions. Fellows engage in cross-disciplinary training, integrating insights from developmental psychology, sociology, education policy, data science, and public health.
E3 Fellows are expected to co-create research with educators, families, policymakers, and community partners. This participatory approach ensures that scientific knowledge reflects the lived realities of those most affected by inequities — and that research findings are translated into practical, sustainable solutions.
The E3 Fellowship spans two years, offering comprehensive academic and professional development opportunities tailored to each fellow’s background and goals.
Fellows receive close mentorship from four core faculty members within the Stanford Graduate School of Education, as well as two affiliated faculty members from the Stanford School of Medicine. Together, this team provides a dynamic, interdisciplinary learning environment that integrates educational, psychological, and medical perspectives on child development.
Core Faculty Mentors
Affiliated Faculty
These mentors guide fellows in designing, implementing, and disseminating cutting-edge research projects, providing individualized feedback and career development support.
A defining feature of the E3 Fellowship is its emphasis on collaboration with community organizations and education systems. Fellows work on active faculty-led projects embedded within long-standing partnerships that bridge research and practice.
Through these collaborations, fellows gain experience in:
This structure ensures that fellows’ research contributes directly to the development of effective and equitable practices in early childhood education.
Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in ongoing studies that address key questions such as:
Each fellow’s project is designed to contribute to a broader understanding of how systems can be restructured to promote justice, inclusion, and opportunity for all young learners.
Beyond research, the E3 Fellowship emphasizes comprehensive professional training to prepare scholars for impactful academic and policy-oriented careers.
Fellows participate in specialized workshops, seminars, and courses aimed at strengthening their research competencies. These include:
The fellowship also trains scholars to communicate their findings beyond academia — including policymakers, educators, and the public. Fellows receive support in:
Through mentorship and networking opportunities, fellows learn effective strategies for:
The E3 Fellowship seeks outstanding scholars whose research and lived experiences demonstrate a commitment to advancing equity in early childhood systems.
Applicants must:
The program welcomes diverse applicants, including those who:
The E3 Fellowship values applicants who are curious, collaborative, and committed to bridging theory and practice in pursuit of educational justice.
E3 Fellows receive:
In addition, fellows join a growing network of scholars and alumni dedicated to advancing equitable early learning systems across the nation.
The Equity in Early Education Fellowship is more than a training opportunity — it is a national investment in the future of inclusive, evidence-driven education systems.
By supporting researchers who work at the intersection of science, community, and justice, the program contributes to:
Ultimately, the E3 Fellowship reflects Stanford University’s enduring mission: to advance knowledge that benefits humanity through discovery, collaboration, and service.
The program is housed at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, part of the Stanford Graduate School of Education. The Center serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting research, innovation, and policy engagement that enhance the lives of young children and their families.
Address:
Stanford Center on Early Childhood
520 Galvez Mall, CERAS 407
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305, United States
Contact:
Call: (650) 724-4678
Email:earlychildhood@stanford.edu
Fellows will work in close connection with the Graduate School of Education, the School of Medicine, and other research initiatives across campus, benefitting from the university’s vibrant intellectual ecosystem.
Applications are typically accepted once per year, with fellowship terms lasting two years. Candidates must have completed their doctoral degree before the start of the program.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the official application portal and prepare the following materials:
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview with program faculty.
Selection committees assess applicants based on:
The inaugural E3 Fellows represent a diverse and dynamic group of emerging scholars whose work embodies the program’s mission to bridge research and social change. Their projects span areas such as:
Through their contributions, the E3 Fellowship continues to expand the boundaries of what is possible in early education research.
The Equity in Early Education (E3) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University stands as a model for how higher education institutions can integrate scientific excellence with social responsibility.
By investing in scholars who are both methodologically rigorous and community-oriented, the program seeks to transform how the United States understands and supports its youngest learners.
E3 Fellows emerge not only as researchers but as changemakers — ready to design and lead the next generation of equitable, evidence-based policies and practices that ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
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