Fed – Sp Ed – IDEA Discretionary: IDEA Discretionary (Special Education Paraprofessional Professional Development Grant)
🏛 Illinois State Board of Education
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations providing professional development to special education paraprofessionals in Illinois. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, educational institutions, and state agencies with experience in special education training. Applicants must develop on-demand learning modules and in-person professional development focused on the continuum of disability needs. Collaboration with existing ISBE-funded technical assistance projects is required.
Funding supports curriculum development, delivery of training programs, dissemination activities, and data collection/analysis. Activities must align with IDEA requirements and serve paraprofessionals across the state. This is a restricted indirect cost program subject to supplement, not supplant rules.
Program description
Development of on-demand learning modules, in person professional development of paraprofessionals across the State. Efforts to include dissemination, data collection and analysis to be reported to ISBE. Collaboration with current ISBE grant-funded technical assistance projects is expected. These grant funds will be focused on providing Special Education paraprofessionals with high quality professional development applicable to students on the continuum of needs within disability areas. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) set aside grants are supplemental funds to assist that state with other state-level activities, including technical support to support children with disabilities. This is a federal restricted indirect cost program. The grant is subject to supplement, not supplant requirements. Beneficiaries: N/A Federal Assistance Listing: 84.027 — Special Education Grants to States. Administered by the Illinois State Board of Education via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 586-53-3670).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Education Assistance)
- Project Narrative describing professional development model
- Budget Narrative explaining indirect cost allocation
- Timeline for module development and training delivery
- Data collection and evaluation plan
- Letters of partnership from ISBE-funded technical assistance projects
- Organizational capacity documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Deborah Scott
- 📧 descott@isbe.net
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.027 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,474,757,567
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$1,474,208,303
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$1,470,487,107
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$1,376,822,318
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$1,250,501,548
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$1,217,469,323
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$1,208,117,902
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$1,148,644,105
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$1,143,752,099
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$907,743,620
Top States by Funding
- CA 5 awards $6,048.2M
- TX 5 awards $5,968.5M
- NY 5 awards $4,380.1M
- IL 6 awards $3,464.6M
- FL 4 awards $3,072.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2027 | $300,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, educational institutions, and state agencies with proven expertise in special education professional development can apply. Applicants must be able to develop and deliver training statewide.
What activities does this fund?
The grant supports development of on-demand learning modules, in-person professional development, dissemination, and data collection. All activities must serve special education paraprofessionals across Illinois.
What is the funding amount?
Individual award amounts are not specified, but the total funding pool is $300,000 for the program. Contact ISBE for specific award guidance.
Are indirect costs allowed?
Yes, but this is a restricted indirect cost program. Indirect rates may be lower than standard rates. Check with ISBE for specific caps.
What does "supplement, not supplant" mean?
Grant funds must add new services or capacity—not replace existing funding. You cannot use these funds to continue current activities with existing budget.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Partner early with ISBE-funded technical assistance projects to show alignment and avoid duplication.
- Design learning modules that address the full continuum of disability areas, not just one category.
- Include a clear data collection plan showing how you'll measure paraprofessional competency gains.
- Develop sustainable dissemination strategies (webinars, toolkits, peer networks) to maximize reach across Illinois.
- Document how grant funds create new capacity beyond current special education training efforts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to clarify how activities supplement rather than replace existing staff development budgets. Not securing partnerships with ISBE technical assistance projects before submitting. Proposing training that's too narrow in scope instead of addressing the full disability continuum.
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