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• Submit Your Proposals for NCFR 2026
• Seeking Half-Day Workshop Proposals
• Submit NCFR Grant Proposals
• Proposal Reviewers Needed
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2026 NCFR Annual Conference | Minneapolis | Nov. 18-21
April 1st Proposal Deadline
Families at the Nexus of Law and Policy
Bring your research, teaching, and practice to the forefront of how law and policy shape families—and how Family Science can shape law and policy in return. This year's theme is Families at the Nexus of Law and Policy: The Intended and Unintended Consequences of Legislating Families and Relationships. Read more.
New for 2026: Submit a proposal for a half-day workshop on Saturday at the conference. Learn more.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your expertise, strengthen your professional leadership, and connect with colleagues across the transdisciplinary Family Science community.
Submit your proposals by April 1, 2026.
SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSALS |
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2026 NCFR Annual Conference | Minneapolis | Nov. 18-21
TCRM Workshop Accepting Proposals
Proposals Due by April 27, 2026
The Theory Construction and Research Methodology (TCRM) Workshop is now accepting proposals for its annual preconference workshop held onsite at the NCFR Annual Conference.
TCRM offers a unique opportunity for scholars—and ALL are welcome, whether you are an undergraduate student, graduate student, new professional, etc.
Working papers on family theory and research methodology are reviewed, discussed, and strengthened in this unique, interactive environment. TCRM's unique purpose and format is designed to promote discussion and provide a forum for feedback that moves working papers and ideas forward.
LEARN MORE & SUBMIT |
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NCFR MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES |
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NCFR Awards and Recognition
Apply for the Cognella Innovation in Teaching Award
Deadline May 31, 2026
Cognella and NCFR have partnered to recognize outstanding Family Science teachers through the Cognella Innovation in Teaching Award for Family Science.
We are searching for outstanding higher education instructors in Family Science who bring innovation, passion, and personal drive for excellence to their teaching practices each and every day.
The first-place recipient will receive a $1,000 cash prize, and the second-place recipients will each receive a $500 Cognella book credit.
Submissions will be accepted through May 31, 2026.
NOMINATE OR APPLY
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NCFR Awards and Recognition
NCFR Accepting All Award Submissions
Deadline May 22 for most awards
It is that time of year where you get a chance to nominate yourself, your students, colleagues, or mentors for an award from NCFR and/or its member groups!
NCFR awards recognize those who further the interests of NCFR, and exemplify the standards to which members aspire. Award recipients are distinguished colleagues who have dedicated themselves to working in the family field and have achieved outstanding accomplishments.
All award applications are now submitted through a secure online platform.
The application deadline for most awards is May 22, 2026.
NOMINATE OR APPLY
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NCFR Grants
Submit Your Research Grant Proposals by April 1
NCFR grant submission period is now open!
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NCFR Olson Grant: Bridging Research, Theory, and Practice: $10,000 annual grant available to NCFR members working to creatively contribute to the discipline of Family Science by bridging research, theory, and practice in their work. Learn more.
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NCFR Darling Family Life Education Research Initiative Grant: $5,000 biennial grant available to NCFR members and Certified Family Life Educators with the purpose of integrating Family Science research into the practice of Family Life Education. Learn more.
Please note: Application for IRB approval must be submitted prior to submitting the grant application and match the project name. |
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NCFR Volunteers
Call for Conference Proposal Reviewers
Sign up by April 1
A large number of proposals is expected for this year's NCFR conference, and your involvement as proposal reviewer is paramount to ensure a high-quality program. All proposals will be blind-reviewed.
Serving as a proposal reviewer is a benefit of NCFR membership.
SIGN UP TO REVIEW
Not a member? Join or renew your membership and you too can partake in this volunteer opportunity. |
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POLICY |
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NCFR Policy Corner This Week's Policy Highlights
March 26, 2026 | Two-Minute Read
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Federal: LGBTQ Foster Care Protections - The Department of Health and Human Services is proposing to rescind protections ensuring identity-affirming foster placements for LGBTQ youth, leading to concerns about placements with untrained caregivers and restricted access to specialized mental health resources. The public can submit comments on the proposed rule until April 6, 2026.
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State: Wisconsin Medicaid Extension - Governor Tony Evers signed SB 23, extending Wisconsin’s postpartum Medicaid coverage from 90 days to one full year. Effective July 1, 2026, this bipartisan law aims to reduce infant mortality and address racial disparities in maternal health by providing extended, consistent medical support for new mothers.
SEE FULL HIGHLIGHTS
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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NCFR Webinars
Better Surveys, Better Data: A Practical Guide for Researchers
April 29, 2026 / Noon - 1 p.m. CT
Presented by: Ting Yan, Ph.D., David Dutwin, Ph.D.
This webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the survey design process, blending literature with practical, real-world examples. Whether you’re new to surveys or seeking a refresher, this session equips you with actionable strategies to design surveys that deliver trustworthy insights on family life and inform policies affecting family well-being. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for making informed design decisions that elevate the quality and impact of your research.
Approved for 1.0 hour of CFLE continuing education
REGISTER TO ATTEND
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CFLE Conversation
Increasing Your Visibility as a Certified Family Life Educator
May 6, 2026 / Noon - 1 p.m. CT / Free for CFLEs
Facilitator: Jody Johnston Pawel, LSW, CFLE, CTSS, CFLC-E
Are you a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) trying to advertise yourself and your services? Join this conversation to engage in active discussion with other CFLEs about ideas, challenges, and tips for increasing your visibility as a CFLE. Come prepared to share and chat with others. The facilitator will share their experiences and guide the conversation.
Ms. Johnston Pawel is an award-winning author of over 100 research-based parenting curricula, programs, and resources. She has trained over 100,000 parents and professionals and has certified over 100 Parent’s Toolshop® trainers and coaches worldwide. She serves as a parenting expert to the media, with 300+ media appearances in the first year of the launch of her award-winning book The Parent’s Toolshop®, and was the Assistant Producer and On-air Parenting Expert of the Emmy-nominated Ident-a-Kid television series.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT |
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NCFR JOURNALS |
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NCFR Journals
April Issue of FR & New NCFR Journal Articles
Read 6 New Early-View Articles Published March 15–21
Catch up on the latest research from NCFR's scholarly journals — Journal of Marriage and Family (JMF), Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science (FR), and Journal of Family Theory & Review (JFTR).
In addition to new early-view articles, the April issue of FR is available online now, featuring research on parenting and development, family resources, romantic relationships, family resources during COVID-19, and much more.
SEE ALL NEW NCFR RESEARCH
If you are an NCFR member subscribed to one of our journals, you can access articles by logging into your NCFR account. You can also sign up for email alerts. |
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NCFR Journals
Family Relations Seeks Early-Career Scholars for Editorial Fellowships
Apply by April 10, 2026
Early-career scholars are invited to apply for an Editorial Fellowship with NCFR’s Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science.
Fellows will develop experience with and skills in manuscript review, editorial processes, and evaluation of translational implications of research, and will become familiar with Family Science research from around the world.
Apply by April 10, 2026. Persons whose voices have historically been underrepresented are encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates will be notified by mid-April/early May 2026. Fellowships will run from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, with the possibility of extending into a second year.
LEARN MORE & APPLY
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CALLS FOR PAPERS |
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Mental and Behavioral Health Ecosystems
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
The Journal of Human Sciences and Extension seeks abstracts for a summer 2027 special issue: "Mental and Behavioral Health Ecosystems."
This issue examines the evolving role of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in mental health research, education, and community partnerships.
Submit a 250-word abstract by May 1, 2026.
SUBMIT ABSTRACTS |
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Call for Papers: Family Relations Special Section
Theme: Ukrainian Forced Migrants' Transnational Families
Submit letters of intent by April 30 for a special section of NCFR's Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science (FR) themed "Ukrainian Forced Migrants’ Transnational Families: New Relationality and Shared Agency."
The guest editors welcome submissions that offer one or more of the following:
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Problematizing perspectives that elaborate the specificities of UFMTFs
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Empirical perspectives on specific aspects of this target group
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Applicative perspectives offering practical, policy- and solution-oriented insights
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Co-research-based methodologies and/or work led by forced migrant researchers
For authors invited to submit a paper, manuscripts will be due Sept. 30.
SEE CALL FOR PAPERS |
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NCFR Nexus
Family Communication and Conflict Resolution
Submission Deadline: May 1
The summer 2026 issue of NCFR Nexus will explore family communication and conflict resolution using the broadest possible definition of "family."
Healthy and effective communication is essential to family well-being and supports NCFR’s vision of "Every Family Thriving." Yet, communication breakdowns and unresolved conflicts are common challenges across all types of families, regardless of structure, background, or stage in the family life cycle.
NCFR Nexus invites articles from researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers. Submissions are due May 1, 2026, via the NCFR Nexus Article Submission Form.
READ MORE
Questions or ideas? Contact editor Beth Magistad, Ph.D., CFLE, at nexuseditor@ncfr.org. |
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NCFR PUBLICATIONS |
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Wisdom for Parents. Key Ideas from Parent Educators
Edited by Elizabeth A. Ramsey, Ph.D., CFLE
$29.95 retail. $25.95 for CFLEs
Family Science professionals from across the discipline share stories, reflection, and poems in this extensive collection of parenting knowledge that can benefit anyone— teachers, researchers, students, and parents!
A variety of relevant topics on the joys and challenges of parenting are woven together to create a valuable resource both in and out of the classroom setting. This second edition includes updated entries, new contributions, and discussion questions.
Family Life Education: The Practice of Family Science
Edited by Wm. Michael Fleming, Ph.D., CFLE; and Michael J. Walcheski, Ph.D., CFLE
$79.99 retail. $69.99 for NCFR members and CFLEs
Useful and informative for seasoned and emerging professionals, as well as for students, this textbook provides a comprehensive examination of the profession from the perspectives of many leading family scholars and educators.
The second edition includes four sections that consider the knowledge and skills needed for the effective practice of Family Life Education (FLE) and chapters on FLE with various populations and relevant issues. |
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NCFR JOBS CENTER |
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Employment Opportunities
Employers: Get your job opening included in Zippy News by posting it in
NCFR's online Jobs Center! Get started here.
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North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University’s Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) seeks a 9-month half-time benefited remote lecturer position to begin on August 17, 2026. The selected candidate will teach 4 asynchronous online courses per academic year, provide academic advising for Junior and Senior HDFS majors, and other service to the HDFS department. This position will be working fully online, with the possibility of working remotely.
Location: Fargo, North Dakota
Required Education: Master's
Application Deadline: Applications reviewed beginning April 14, 2026; open until filled
SEE FULL DETAILS |
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