Looking back on 2025: Five impactful moments that shaped the year 

2025 was a defining year for the Jacobs Foundation. Together with partners across research, government, and philanthropy, we advanced evidence-based approaches to strengthen learning systems and expand opportunities for children worldwide. 

From launching SCALE in Ghana and welcoming new LEVANTE research sites to celebrating the Beyond 1 Billion milestone, this year underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term commitment. As we look ahead to 2026, we remain focused on generating and applying evidence that supports every child’s learning and development. 

1. Announcing SCALE 

In May, the Foundation marked a major milestone with the launch of the System Change Architecture for Learning Excellence (SCALE), a national partnership designed to strengthen Ghana’s education system. Co-created with the Ministry of Education and supported by philanthropic, cocoa-sector, and multilateral partners, SCALE mobilizes USD 118.8 million to extend proven approaches from the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) to more than 15,000 schools. 

2. LEVANTE welcomes first cohort of participating sites to global research network 

In 2025, the Jacobs Foundation welcomed the first cohort of new participating sites to the Learning Variability Network Exchange (LEVANTE). Selected from 182 applications worldwide, six leading research institutions have joined the four original pilot sites to form a ten-site global network dedicated to understanding how children learn and develop across diverse contexts.  

Through harmonized data collection and shared methodologies, the network is building a collaborative evidence base to inform more inclusive, adaptive education systems. This milestone reflects growing global momentum for research that recognizes and responds to the complexity of children’s learning variability. 

3. Beyond 1 Billion 

This year, the Jacobs Foundation surpassed CHF 1 billion in philanthropic giving. For 36 years, the Foundation has partnered with researchers, governments, and practitioners to generate and apply evidence, strengthen learning systems, and champion opportunities for all children. As international education financing faces new pressures, this milestone underlines the vital role of strategic, flexible philanthropy. 

4. Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize ceremony 

In November, the Jacobs Foundation awarded Professor Hirokazu Yoshikawa the 2025 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions to early childhood development. A leading scholar at NYU Steinhardt and co-founder of Global TIES for Children, Professor Yoshikawa’s research has shaped global understanding of how early parenting, education, and social policies can reduce inequality and strengthen lifelong learning. 

5. Presenting the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship 

In November, the Foundation opened applications for the 2027–2029 Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship, marking the first call since the program’s rebrand and new partnership with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). The collaboration brings together two global leaders in research and innovation to support early- and mid-career scholars whose work advances how children and youth learn and develop across contexts. 

The Fellowship provides three years of flexible institutional funding and access to a vibrant international research community. This year also saw the introduction of the 2026–2028 cohort, whose interdisciplinary work reflects a shared commitment to bridging evidence, policy, and practice. Applications for the next cohort remain open to researchers worldwide until 2 February 2026.