New Hampshire Early Care and Education (NH ECE) Research Consortium Membership Request

The NH ECE Research Consortium Membership Request Form clarifies the eligibility requirements for Consortium membership and describes the benefits of participation. By signing the form, you are applying to become a Consortium member.

• The NH ECE Research Consortium was established by the Center for Social Policy in Practice (SPiP) at the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) through funding awarded by the Couch Family Foundation in fall 2023. 
• The Consortium is staffed by SPiP, who help to define research objectives and priorities, to establish policies regarding publications and intellectual property, and to create and manage Consortium branding and webpages. 
• Members of the Consortium may participate by submitting their NH ECE research for inclusion in Consortium webpages and other outreach mechanisms and by contributing to Consortium network-building activities.

• Consortium membership is open to individuals and organizations with relevant expertise that aligns with the purpose of the Consortium, including the advancement of knowledge to support early care and education in NH. If you request membership as an organization, we recommend that you make sure the leadership of your organization is aware of this form. While we do not require proof of their approval, your submission of this form as an organization is based on the honor system and suggests that you have the authorization to do so. Individuals or organizations who are not producing, using, or disseminating data related to NH early care and education are not eligible to become members of the Consortium, but they are very welcome to access resources available on the Consortium website.
• Initial and ongoing membership is granted at the discretion of UNH. After you sign the form, we will review your submission and reach out to confirm your membership.
• Members are responsible for upholding ethical standards for research at all times in accordance with ethical guidelines, applicable laws, and the policies of their organizations. Members are also expected to collaborate in a cooperative and coordinated manner to achieve the Consortium's purpose. 

There are no fees required for membership. The Consortium is fully funded by external dollars granted to UNH, and UNH maintains discretion over its funding contributions to the Consortium.

• Members will have the opportunity to enhance the reach of their NH ECE research by leveraging the Consortium's dissemination infrastructure, including via Consortium webpages, mailing list, and other outreach mechanisms.
• Members will be invited to participate in network-building activities and Consortium events.
• As a member, you will be added to the Consortium mailing list to receive updates on Consortium activities via email. Non-members are also welcome to sign up to receive updates.
• Meaningful collaborations between members may be showcased in the "Featured Collaborations" section of the Consortium website. Members may also be highlighted in NH ECE Ecosystem Stakeholder Maps maintained by the Consortium.
• Members may have access to the Consortium for technical assistance related to their NH ECE research and evaluation.

• Members may submit their original research to be reviewed by Consortium staff for inclusion on the Consortium website and other media. By submitting their work, members agree to a brief review process to verify topical alignment and ethical and methodological integrity. Research conducted by members must be the original work of the authors and must not infringe on any third-party rights. Researchers are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all content, including references and data, and must guarantee that research submitted to the Consortium does not contain plagiarized content or data.
• Once approved, members give non-exclusive and royalty-free permission to publish their content on Consortium webpages and other publications. Members may also have the opportunity to leverage Consortium branding to boost the dissemination of their work. Members retain the right to publish their own content, including with approved Consortium branding, outside of the Consortium and do not need to notify or receive permission from UNH.
• Members have the benefit of expanding the reach of their work by hyperlinking to their external publications through Consortium webpages after review but will otherwise only re-publish other members' content with authors' written permission.
• Members always retain full ownership of their preexisting intellectual property, and SPiP retains ownership of Consortium intellectual property, including branding and webpages. Any collaborative intellectual property completed in partnership between members will be subject to separate project agreements.
• Consistent with the University of New Hampshire's non-profit status, Consortium activities may not include participation or intervention in any political campaign or lobbying activities.

Consortium activities are funded by external sources, and it may continue to seek external funding to support its activities. Like the Consortium itself, members should engage with external funders directly to explore funding opportunities. Any opportunities for subcontracting with the University of New Hampshire or other Consortium members would be established outside of this agreement.

Members may end their membership by submitting 30 days' written notice. UNH may also end membership for cause, including loss of eligibility. Otherwise, membership will remain in effect on the condition of continued Consortium funding.

UNH may terminate membership with 90 days' written notice to all members.

Contact Consortium staff by sending a message through our contact page. We will get back to you as soon as we can!