About Us

A Four-Campus Institute

At the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, we harness the interdisciplinary resources and research of the four University of Nebraska campuses to apply the best of what is known about the benefits of early care and education in Nebraska and across the nation.

Vision

Our vision is that Nebraska will become the best place in the nation to be a baby.

Mission

Our mission is to transform the lives of young children by improving their learning and development.

Our Priorities

Everything we do is guided by an unwavering commitment to address two of the most important and longstanding challenges in the field of early childhood—the need to close opportunity gaps among young children birth through age 8 and to elevate the early childhood workforce.

Closing the Opportunity Gap

We know from more than 60 years of early childhood research what quality early care and education looks like and how it benefits children throughout their lifetime. We work to translate this knowledge into practice to close opportunity gaps for young children in terms of their economic and wellbeing outcomes—because all children deserve the opportunity to succeed.

Elevating the Early Childhood Workforce

We know that early childhood professionals play an essential role in ensuring the health and vitality of our children, families, and communities—and they need to be well to do well. We seek to improve the skills and well-being of those working with children from birth through Grade 3 by ensuring they have the professional support they need and the respect they deserve.

To learn more about the evolution of the Buffett Institute and our recent accomplishments, click the buttons below.

Our History Annual Report

Our People

We represent a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Institute Staff

We represent a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise.

We have established endowed community chairs on all four University of Nebraska campuses.

Community Chairs

We have established endowed community chairs on all four University of Nebraska campuses.

We award 1-year fellowships worth up to $25,000 to University of Nebraska doctoral students.

Graduate Scholars

We award 1-year fellowships worth up to $25,000 to University of Nebraska doctoral students.

Our Board of Advisors is a distinguished panel of national experts in early childhood.

Board of Advisors

Our Board of Advisors is a distinguished panel of national experts in early childhood.

staff representing varied backgrounds and areas of expertise in early childhood development, care, and education

endowed community chairs established on the University of Nebraska campuses

graduate scholars from UNL, UNMC, and UNO supported since 2016