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 two competitions in the following areas: education research, and statistical and research methodology in education.

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

NCER Competitions

Education Research Grants Program (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.

·      English Learner Policies, Programs, and Practices.

·      Improving Education Systems: Policies, Finance, Organization, Management, and Leadership.

·      Literacy.

·      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.

Statistical and Research Methodology in the Education Sciences (ALN 84.305D). Under this competition, NCER will consider applications that address one of the following topics:

·      Core Grants (which supports the development of new and improved statistical and research methods and their dissemination to education researchers).

·      Toolkits, Guidelines, Compendia, Review Papers, and Curated Data Resources.

NCSER Competitions

Special Education Research Grants Program (ALN 84.324A). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address the following topic:

·      Education Systems.

Research Training Programs in Special Education (ALN 84.324B). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address the following topic:

·      Early Career Development and Mentoring.

Multiple Submissions: You may submit applications to more than one of the FY 2025 research grant programs offered through the Department, including those offered through IES as well as those offered through other offices and programs within Department. You may submit multiple applications to each IES grant program announced here as long as they address different key issues, programs, or policies.  However, you may submit a given application only once for the IES FY 2025 grant competitions, meaning you may not submit the same application or similar applications to multiple grant programs within IES, to multiple topics within a grant competition, or multiple times within the same topic. If you submit multiple similar applications, IES will determine whether and which applications will be accepted for review and/or will be eligible for funding. 

In addition, if you submit the same or similar application to IES and to another funding entity within or external to the Department of Education and receive funding for the non-IES application prior to IES scientific peer review of applications, you must withdraw the same or similar application submitted to IES, or IES may otherwise determine you are ineligible to receive an award. If reviews are happening concurrently, IES staff will consult with the other potential funder to determine the degree of overlap and which entity will provide funding if both applications are being considered for funding.

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.

Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal civil rights laws.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR part 75 are applicable, except for the provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b), 75.102, 75.103, 75.105, 75.109(a), 75.200, 75.201, 75.209, 75.210, 75.211, 75.217(a)-(c), 75.219, 75.220, 75.221, 75.222, 75.230, and 75.250(a). (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. 

Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not apply to these competitions.

Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324A.