Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER): Special Education Research, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324A

For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022.

           Purpose of Program: In awarding the research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. In awarding research training grant programs, IES aims to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant education and special education research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners.

Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing four research competitions through two of its centers:

The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing one competition in the following area: education research.

The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is announcing three competitions—one competition in each of the following areas: special education research, special education research training, and special education research and development center.

NCER Competition

The Education Research Competition (ALN 84.305A).  Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one of the following topics:

•      Career and Technical Education.

•      Civics Education and Social Studies.

•      Cognition and Student Learning.

•      Early Learning Programs and Policies.

•      Improving Education Systems.

•      Literacy.

•      Policies, Practices, and Programs to Support English Learners.

•      Postsecondary and Adult Education.

•      Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education.

•      Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Context for Teaching and Learning.

•      Teaching, Teachers, and the Education Workforce.

NCSER Competitions

The Special Education Research Competition (ALN 84.324A). Under this competition, NCSER encourages a broad range of research, including studies that may have more than one research focus (such as reading and behavior) and may focus broadly on students with disabilities or on a particular disability (such as autism spectrum disorders). The range of research supported through this program includes, but is not limited to, programs to improve child development and school readiness; academic and/or behavioral interventions; instructional practices and/or professional development programs for teachers and other school-based personnel; strategies for improving the family support and engagement critical to the success of students with disabilities; policies and systems-level interventions and programs to address school finance, school-community collaborations, or school structures that affect educational progress for students with disabilities; transition from secondary school to postsecondary education, career, and/or independent living; as well as access to, persistence in, and completion of postsecondary education.

The Research Training Programs in Special Education Competition (ALN 84.324B). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address Early Career Development and Mentoring.

Special Education Research and Development Center (R&D Center) (ALN 84.324C). Under this competition, NCSER will consider applications that address Research and Development Center on the K-12 Special Education Teacher Workforce.

Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the opportunity to comment on matters relating to grants.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.

Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324A.