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 (ED)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 3, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and institutions preparing individuals to conduct special education and early intervention research. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, non-academic research organizations, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations located in the territorial United States. The Early Career program supports early-stage researchers at institutions of higher education or non-academic research organizations. The Methods Training program funds institutions conducting training in research methods for current education researchers and state/local education agency staff.
Two tracks are available. Early Career Development and Mentoring supports integrated research and career development for investigators developing special education research careers. Methods Training funds enhance research and analysis skills for conducting rigorous research on learners with disabilities.
Applicants must demonstrate ability and capacity to conduct rigorous research or research training. Institutions may hold multiple Methods Training awards if applications are substantively different.
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Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing research and career development plan
- Budget narrative and budget forms
- Curriculum vitae of principal investigator(s)
- Institutional commitment/endorsement letter
- References or letters of recommendation (Early Career)
Program contact
- 👤 Holly Clark Management and Program Analyst
- 📧 Katherine.Taylor@ed.gov
- 📞 2022456408
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.324 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$4,761,023
-
$4,500,000
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$4,492,505
-
$3,999,930
-
$3,995,272
-
$3,966,426
-
$3,800,000
-
$3,799,999
-
$3,799,991
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$3,799,990
Top States by Funding
- FL 12 awards $32.9M
- TX 11 awards $30.0M
- KS 9 awards $27.1M
- CA 8 awards $25.8M
- OR 8 awards $25.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 84.324). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $68,798,477 | |
| 2025 | $48,567,424 | |
| 2026 est. | $64,255,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply to this grant?
Academic institutions, non-academic research organizations, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations in the territorial United States. Both Early Career and Methods Training programs accept applications from eligible institutions.
What are the two main program tracks?
Early Career Development and Mentoring supports early-stage investigators with integrated research and career development plans. Methods Training funds training to enhance research skills for current researchers and education agency staff.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant. Your institution does not need to match federal funds.
What makes a competitive application?
Strong applications demonstrate capacity for rigorous research or training, clear career development plans (Early Career), or relevant methods training content (Methods Training focused on administrative datasets for FY 2027).
Can my institution apply for multiple awards?
Yes. Institutions may hold multiple Methods Training awards if applications are substantively different with no overlapping key personnel.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate your institution's capacity for conducting rigorous special education research or delivering research training. Show track record if available.
- For Early Career: Develop an integrated research and career development plan that demonstrates long-term commitment to special education research on learners with disabilities.
- For Methods Training: In FY 2027, focus applications on training for analyzing large administrative datasets related to learners with disabilities. This is the funded priority.
- Identify and include strong mentors or collaborators for Early Career track. Mentoring relationships strengthen competitiveness significantly.
- Align your research questions directly to issues important to education policymakers and practitioners. Show relevance beyond academia.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying from an institution outside territorial US or without demonstrated research capacity. Weak or vague career development plans that don't show commitment to long-term special education research. For Methods Training, proposing training topics other than administrative data analysis without understanding FY 2027 priorities.
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