Institute of Education Sciences (IES), National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER), US Department of EducationGrant

Up to $3,750,000 Special Education Grant

Dec 11, 2026 23:59:00 ET

Opportunity type

Grant

Funding

Fully Funded

Location

United States

Deadline

Dec 11, 2026 23:59:00 ET

About this opportunity

The Institute of Education Sciences, the research arm of the US Department of Education, funds bold, high risk research projects through its National Center for Special Education Research. For 2027 the competition backs Phase 1 projects that research and develop transformative ways to improve how preservice teachers are attracted, trained and retained, so that preK to 12 general and special education teachers are better prepared to teach students with or at risk for disabilities.

What you get:

Up to $1,250,000 a year for up to 3 years, a maximum of $3,750,000 in total for Phase 1
Projects that meet their Phase 1 objectives may be able to apply for Phase 2: up to 2 more years and up to $3,000,000, pending availability of funds
Virtual office hours and applicant resources from IES

What you'll do:

Research and develop a transformative solution that dramatically improves teacher education systems
Study outcomes for preservice special education and general education teachers, such as knowledge and skills, certification, workforce entry, instructional practice, well-being and retention
Set up co-design partners, such as teacher candidates, teachers, deans of education, principals, parents and students with disabilities, before the end of Year 1
Secure cost sharing of at least 5 percent of the federal award during Year 1
Report against project-specific deliverables and metrics that IES uses to judge whether the project is on track

Key dates:

Optional letter of intent due October 29, 2026
Applications close December 11, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, through Grants.gov
Possible start date July 1, 2027

More information:

The full Request for Applications: https://ies.ed.gov/sites/default/files/ncser/document/2026/10/FY2027_324T.pdf
IES Application Submission Guide: https://ies.ed.gov/application-submission-guide
Program officer: Dr. Courtney Pollack, Courtney.Pollack@ed.gov

Who can apply

Applicant must be an institution with the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research; eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, institutions of higher education and non-profit, for-profit, public or private organisations
Research must be relevant to education in the United States and address factors under the control of US education systems
Research must focus on preservice teachers and examine outcomes for preK to 12 special education and/or general education teachers who teach students with or at risk for disabilities
A plan for co-design partners and a plan for cost sharing of at least 5 percent of federal funds
One principal investigator per award; applications submitted electronically through Grants.gov

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Good to know

+Up to $1,250,000 a year for up to three years
+Projects that meet their goals may apply for up to $3,000,000 more
+Free to apply
+Run by the U.S. Department of Education's research arm, and open to nonprofits and companies as well as universities

Worth checking yourself

!You must cost share at least 5 percent of the federal funds, in cash or in kind
!Institutions apply, not individuals, with one principal investigator
!The research must focus on preparing future teachers of students with or at risk for disabilities in U.S. schools
!Years two and three depend on having co-design partners and a cost sharing agreement in place
!Applications close at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern on 11 December 2026, through Grants.gov, which needs registration in advance

Sources checked

IEies.ed.govApplyIEies.ed.govApplyIEies.ed.govApplyAPapi.grants.govOfficial

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