Children's Hospital BostonOffice of Sponsored Programs

Launched in 2000, the Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP) is a randomized controlled trial that studies how neglect in early childhood changes neurological development. Initially funded through the Early Experience and Brain Development MacArthur Research Network, the study has followed a cohort of young people who either spent their early childhood in institutional or foster care settings. The results show that foster care is preferable and have changed policy and practice in countries around the world. This flexible support award enables the BEIP team to collect another round of data to better understand participants’ lives, families, and health status. The BEIP team is widely disseminating the results. The award is expected to add to our understanding of how early trauma affects those who have experienced it and their futures. It also enables BEIP to sustain its work after losing substantial federal funding.

To support the Bucharest Early Intervention Project: Adolescent Follow-up.

To support participation in the Network on Early Experience and Brain Development (over four years).

In support of the Research Network on Early Experience and Brain Development's Bucharest Early Intervention Project (over three years).

To establish the Institute of Child Development in Romania (over three years).