Background: The multidisciplinary Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities was established to advance the vision of George and Betsy Sherman, who aimed to improve learning experiences and outcomes for young children in Baltimore City. As part of this mission, it established the Doctoral Student Research Award. This award aimed to expand knowledge about policies and practices that enhance the learning of young children, aged three through eight, in urban communities such as Baltimore. Research topics of interest included, but were not limited to:
1. Evaluation of new or existing school-based and out-of-school time learning interventions;
2. school, teacher, family, and community factors associated with academic growth, socio-
emotional well-being and/or positive behavioral outcomes for young children; and
3. the impact of school policies on family and community engagement in students’ learning
processes and outcomes.
The competition was open to all doctoral students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) who were eligible to submit applications for external support. Proposals for the Doctoral Student Research Award may have been made by individuals or by collaborative groups. Co-investigators may have included individuals not affiliated with UMBC.