Open for applications

Federal funding opportunity

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

Department of Education

  • OpportunityED-GRANTS-080626-002
  • Agency codeED
  • CategoryDiscretionary (D)
41 days until applications close Thu, October 1, 2026
PostedAug 6, 2026 ClosesOct 1, 2026
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Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.

N/a Est. program funding
N/a Award ceiling
N/a Award floor
N/a Expected no. of awards

Program summary

Synopsis

NCSER training programs prepare individuals to conduct special education and early intervention research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners.

Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address one of the following topics: (1) Early Career Development and Mentoring or (2) Methods Training for Special Education Research. The Early Career program provides support for an integrated research and career development plan for early career investigators at institutions of higher education or non-academic research organizations who have established an interest in special education research and are developing research careers focused on learners with or at risk for disabilities. The Methods Training program funds training to help current education researchers, including state and local education agency research staff, maintain and enhance their research and analysis skills in order to conduct rigorous and relevant research focused on learners with or at risk for disabilities. For FY 2027, NCSER is only accepting applications for Methods Training focused on analyzing large administrative datasets to address research questions related to learners with or at risk for disabilities. 

Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324B.

Timeline

Key dates

  • August 6, 2026
    Opportunity posted to grants.gov
  • August 21, 2026
    Today — 41 days of the window remain
  • October 1, 2026
    Applications close
  • October 31, 2026
    Opportunity archived

Who may apply

Eligibility

Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:

  • Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional info on eligibility
For the Early Career program, IES provides funds to the institution of the PI who submitted the application for their research and career development. Applicants to the Early Career program must be a research institution (academic or non-academic). Institutions located in the territorial United States that have the ability and capacity to conduct rigorous research are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, non-profit and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and institutions, such as colleges and universities. For the Methods Training Program, applicants located in the territorial United States that have the ability and capacity to conduct training in scientific research methods are eligible to apply. An applying institution may hold more than one Methods Training award and submit multiple applications to the Methods Training Program if they are substantively different from one another and have no overlaps in key personnel.
Cost sharing or matching
Not required

Awarding agency

Additional information

Agency name
Department of Education
Full announcement
Research Training Programs in Special Education Request for Applications (RFA) ↗
Grantor contact
Holly Clark Management and Program Analyst
2022456408
Katherine.Taylor@ed.gov

Assistance listing

CFDA program(s)

  • 84.324 Research in Special Education

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