The Foundation Center for Research endeavors to add to and improve the body of knowledge relating to learning environments and best practices of educational facility planning. The Foundation seeks out, identifies and fosters research, projects and other works that impact the environment where students learn and expand the collection of data and best practices through stewardship of an endowment of funds and services. Donations may be designated for the Foundation Center for Research.

In order to create healthy, safe, high performance and sustainable learning environments that enhance student performance and community vitality, we must determine what we know, and commit to finding the answers to what we do not know regarding the impact of school facilities on student achievement and the communities they serve. We then can apply that knowledge, gained through meaningful research, to persist in strengthening our mission and goal of improving the places Where Children Learn™.

The CEFPI Foundation & Charitable Trust invites research proposals dealing with issues concerning Where Children Learn™. The emphasis of each proposal shall be on the impact of variables in the physical environments on student behavior, attitudes and learning outcomes; and/or the physical environment's influence on teacher behavior, attitudes and performance. The Foundation encourages research partnerships with businesses and associations.

The CEFPI Foundation & Charitable Trust invites research proposals dealing with issues concerning "Where Children Learn™". The Foundation will consider multiple proposals and may fund up to three (3) submissions this year. One award will be reserved for students completing a Master's or Doctoral thesis/dissertation. Proposals should be delivered electronically in MS Word format no later than April 15, 2009 to sarat@cefpi.org. The awards for the year 2009 are anticipated to be made on or about May 18, 2009.

Foundation Research Grants

Prototypical School Designs: Can Prototypes be Used Successfully?
Laura Wernick, AIA, REFP, HMFH Architects

Educational Facilities Planning: A Systems Model
Frederick Withum III, South Middleton School District (Thesis/DissertationCategory)

Evaluating Changes in Student, Staff and Parent Outcomes Following Extensive Renovations
Christina Lighthall, Wake County Public School System

Investment in School Infrastructure as a Critical Educational Capacity Issues: A National Study
Faith Crampton, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Impact of Technology Facilties on Student Achievement in Georgia Schools
Dr. Tak Cheung Chan, Georgia Southern University

Architectural Patterns for Integration of Alternative Pedagogical Models & Learning Technologies
Sara Elmasry, Virginia Tech (Thesis/Dissertation Category)

The Relationship Between Condition of School Buildings and Student Attitude and Performance
Dr. Glen Earthman, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Anticipated completion date: Spring 2008

Pre-Programming: Evaluation of Workspace Alternatives in Scholl Environments
Carlos A. Nome, Texas A&M University (Thesis/Dissertation Category)
Anticipated completion date: Spring 2009