Funding available for future early childhood and speech-language professionals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 10, 2026) — Applications are being accepted for a grant-funded opportunity at the University of Kentucky that covers graduate school tuition and provides a stipend for students pursuing careers in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education or Communication Sciences and Disorders.  

The funding is provided through a grant awarded to UK by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs and supports the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Training for Interdisciplinary Providers (NASTIPS) project.  

NASTIPS is designed to bring together future early childhood providers and speech-language pathologists for shared coursework and field experiences. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students in both fields learn to collaborate effectively while supporting young children with neonatal abstinence syndrome and other high-intensity needs, as well as their families.  

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education 

NASTIPS’ Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education option is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field but are interested in becoming certified to work in early childhood settings. Students in this option will take 33 credit hours, leading to Rank III certification in Kentucky. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 15. The NASTIPS cohort will begin coursework in Summer 2026 and is expected to finish in Summer 2028  

“Students selected for this program will not only gain the skills needed to support children with complex needs, but also the ability to work as part of a team, which is an essential part of serving families,” said Sarah Hawkins-Lear, Ed.D., an assistant professor in the UK College of Education. 

For more information on applying for NASTIPS funding for the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education option, contact Hawkins-Lear at shawkins12@uky.edu. 

Speech-Language Pathology 

NASTIPS’ Interdisciplinary Speech-Language Pathology option is designed for first-year graduate students who have been formally accepted into the UK master’s in speech-language pathology program. Students in this option will take 64 or more credit hours, making them eligible to apply for a Kentucky state Speech-Language Pathology license and for an ASHA Clinical Fellowship. The NASTIPS speech-language pathology cohort will begin coursework in Summer 2026 and is expected to finish in Spring 2028. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 20. 

“Opioid addiction is a significant concern in Kentucky. Although programs are available for adults, there is a significant shortage of qualified providers equipped to address the needs of children who have been exposed to addictive substances in utero. NASTIPS is positioned to prepare Speech-Language pathologists and early childhood educators to work collaboratively to identify and meet the unique challenges of these children. NASTIPS is one step towards closing the loop of care for all Kentuckians affected by opioids,” said Joneen Lowman, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the UK College of Health Sciences. 

For more information on applying for NASTIPS funding the speech/language pathology option, contact Lowman at joneen.lowman@uky.edu. 

This project is supported by the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education as part of an award H325K230041 totaling $1,137,159 with 100% funded by the Department of Education.