Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER): Research Training Programs in Special Education, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324B | ED GRANTS 080626 002

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant competition from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), through the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER), listed under ALN 84.324B. It is focused on strengthening the workforce pipeline for high-quality special education and early intervention research.

2) What is the main purpose of the program?

The core purpose is workforce development in special education research. The program supports research training and career development so that researchers can build skills, experience, and professional support to produce rigorous evidence that can inform policy and practice for learners with disabilities or those at risk for disabilities.

3) Is this funding meant for direct services to students?

No. The opportunity is framed around research training rather than direct service delivery. The emphasis is on research methods, analytic capacity, mentorship, and career development that lead to stronger, more credible research in the field.

4) What topics will NCSER review under this competition?

NCSER will only review applications that fit one of two topics: (1) Early Career Development and Mentoring, or (2) Methods Training for Special Education Research.

5) What is the Early Career Development and Mentoring topic?

This topic supports early career investigators who are moving toward independent research careers in special education. Awards support an integrated plan that combines research activities with structured professional growth, typically including mentorship, skill building, and a clear pathway toward a sustained program of research focused on learners with or at risk for disabilities.

6) Who applies for the Early Career Development and Mentoring topic: the individual PI or the institution?

The application is submitted by the principal investigator (PI), but the award funds are provided to (and administered by) the PI's host institution. The host organization is responsible for administering the grant while supporting the PI's research and career development plan.

7) Who is eligible to apply under the Early Career Development and Mentoring topic?

Eligible applicants must be research institutions that can demonstrate capacity to conduct rigorous research. The eligibility description includes a broad range of entities such as public and private colleges and universities, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and public or private agencies and institutions.

8) What is the Methods Training for Special Education Research topic?

This topic is designed for researchers already working in education research roles who need opportunities to maintain, update, or deepen their methodological and analytic skills. It can include researchers based in state and local education agencies, along with other research staff and practitioners involved in analysis and evaluation.

9) What is the overarching goal of the Methods Training topic?

The goal is to strengthen the quality and relevance of research on learners with or at risk for disabilities by improving technical skills used to design studies, analyze data, and interpret findings.

10) Are there special constraints on Methods Training proposals for the FY 2027 competition?

Yes. For FY 2027, NCSER is only accepting Methods Training proposals focused specifically on analyzing large administrative datasets to answer research questions about learners with or at risk for disabilities.

11) What does "large administrative datasets" mean in this context?

Based on the provided description, this refers to large-scale administrative data systems maintained by states, districts, or other public agencies, and using those data to generate credible evidence relevant to special education and early intervention.

12) Who is eligible to apply under the Methods Training topic?

Eligible applicants are institutions located in the territorial United States that can demonstrate they have the expertise and infrastructure to deliver training in scientific research methods.

13) Can an institution hold more than one Methods Training award?

Yes. The program allows an institution to hold more than one Methods Training award.

14) Can an institution submit multiple Methods Training applications in the same competition?

Yes, an institution may submit multiple Methods Training applications in the same competition as long as the proposed projects are substantively different and do not overlap in key personnel.

15) Why does the program restrict overlap in key personnel for multiple Methods Training proposals?

The stated intent is to prevent duplication and overlapping efforts, while still allowing strong organizations to propose distinct training offerings.

16) Where must applicant institutions be located?

For Methods Training, eligible applicants must be institutions located in the territorial United States. The eligibility language across topics is described as focused on organizational capacity within the territorial United States.

17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this competition?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is ED GRANTS 080626 002.

18) What federal agency is issuing this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of Education funding opportunity, issued through IES/NCSER.

19) What is the application closing date shown in the provided information?

The original application closing date listed is 2026-10-01.

20) Are award ceilings, project periods, or the expected number of awards provided here?

No. The extract provided notes that the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified. Applicants would need to consult the full notice or program package for budget limits, project period, and expected award counts.

21) What types of organizations are mentioned as eligible (especially for Early Career Development and Mentoring)?

The provided eligibility description explicitly includes public and private colleges and universities, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and public or private agencies and institutions, as long as the applicant is a research institution with the ability to carry out rigorous research.

22) What does "tightly targeted" mean for applicants?

It means applicants must align their proposal to one of the two allowable topics. For the Methods Training topic in this cycle, proposals must be centered on training that builds advanced capacity to analyze large administrative datasets for research related to learners with or at risk for disabilities.

23) What kinds of outcomes is this program trying to achieve?

Across both topics, the program is aimed at improving the strength and credibility of special education and early intervention research by developing researchers and improving methodological skills, so the resulting evidence can better inform policy and practice for learners with disabilities or those at risk.