The Reading Research Program（阅耕计划）, formerly known as the iRead Foundation's Children's Reading Research Funding Project, is a grant-based initiative aimed at supporting academic research in children's reading. Since 2012, iRead Foundation has provided support for children's reading research projects. In 2023, this initiative was officially renamed the "Reading Research Program" (阅耕计划). The program is dedicated to funding basic and theoretical research in children's reading.This effort is designed to lay a solid foundation for the diverse development of the children's reading research field.

Starting in 2024, with a new visual identity, the Reading Research Program has expanded its scope of funding. In addition to continuing its support for major projects led by senior scholars in the field of children's reading research, this year the program has explicitly targeted young scholars as a key demographic for funding. The program aims to support emerging academic talent with potential and passion for research, helping them grow and develop, while also fostering the construction of research infrastructure in the field of children's reading to achieve diverse growth.

Funding Categories

1. Established Scholars: Scholars who have been engaged in children's reading research for a long time and have achieved significant results in the field, with no age restrictions.

2. Young Scholars: This category includes young scholars in the field of children's reading research, frontline educators in children's reading, as well as doctoral and master's students currently enrolled in universities.

Funding Scope

The research focus should be on topics related to the reading of children aged 0-12, with the research outcomes addressing gaps in either international or domestic contexts.

Research Focus Areas

1. Fundamental Theoretical Research on Children's Reading: This includes exploring the basic principles and theories underlying children's reading.

2. Translating Academic Research into Practical Applications: Research that focuses on converting academic findings and literature related to children's reading into practical, application-oriented guidance.

3. Policy and Advocacy-Oriented Research: Studies that aim to influence and advocate for governmental, policy, and social change regarding children's reading.

Applicants are expected to propose specific research topics within these areas.

Special Note: This program is a research funding initiative aimed at supporting the development of academic research in children's reading. It strives to maximize the independence of academic research, hence, it does not commission specific topics. All research outcomes and related intellectual property belong to the researchers.

Application Email: apply@iread.org.cn