The UKRI Infrastructure Fund and the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have provided funding of £42.8m for the Generation New Era study, which will study 30,000 children born in 2026, collecting data at the ages of between 9-11 months and at 3-4 years.

The research will examine physical, mental and social development, and explore how technological, environmental and social changes affect early childhood experiences.

The intention of the study is that it will track the participating children and their families throughout their lives.

Previous longitudinal birth cohort studies have included the 1958 National Child Development Study, 1970 British Cohort Study and Millennium Cohort Study, and the Children of the 90s study.

Leading the new study are co-directors Professor Alissa Goodman and Professor Lisa Calderwood of the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, and Professor Pasco Fearon of the University of Cambridge.

Senior academics from Swansea, Ulster, and Edinburgh universities will also participate in the research, which aims to recruit children and families from across the UK.

The study will start inviting families to take part in the study from summer 2026.

Generation New Era co-director, Professor Alissa Goodman (UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies,  said: “In such a rapidly changing world, it is vital to have rich data on the lives of children and families, especially those from disadvantaged and less often heard groups. Standing on the shoulders of the UK’s famous birth cohort studies, which have tracked multiple generations of people over the past eight decades, Generation New Era will aim to shine a light on the biggest challenges facing our society today.

“As the government works to give every child the best start in life, the study can help shape vital policies and services for babies and parents across the UK. Thanks to the commitment of our participants, we can support the health and development of this new generation of babies – and help future generations thrive.”

Over the years, findings from birth cohort studies have informed evidence and government policy on subjects including the harmful effects of maternal smoking on unborn children and safe sleeping positions for infants.

Such studies have also provided evidence that led to the extension of maternity leave to one year, and the introduction of paid paternity leave, adoption leave, the right to request flexible working and shared parental leave.

ESRC executive chair Stian Westlake said: “The UK has a proud tradition of world-leading longitudinal cohort research that has produced major policy improvements.

“Generation New Era is the latest in a series of UKRI research infrastructure investments supporting longitudinal population studies. This study will help us to understand the lives of children born across all regions of the UK in the next year, and has the potential to make the UK a happier, healthier and fairer place, improving lives and livelihoods.”