Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER): Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking in Special Education, Assistance Listing
🏛 Department of Education (ED)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state education agencies and research organizations conducting special education research using longitudinal data systems.
State educational agencies (SEAs) responsible for K-12 education can apply directly. Other state agencies overseeing early intervention, pre-K, career/technical education, or postsecondary programs are also eligible. State postsecondary systems may serve as the eligible agency.
Applicants must demonstrate capacity for rigorous research. Non-profits, for-profits, universities, and research firms can partner with state agencies. Applications must include the state agency addressing the education issue being studied.
The grant supports using statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) to generate evidence for special education program and policy decisions at state and local levels.
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Program description
Through this grant program, NCSER supports state agencies’ use of their statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) to provide evidence for their own program and policy decisions, and those of their local education agencies pertaining to learners with or at risk for disabilities
Assistance Listing Number: 84.324S.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal application form)
- Project Narrative with research questions and methods
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Letters of commitment from state agency partners
- Research team qualifications and CVs
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
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$4,500,000
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$4,492,505
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$3,999,930
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$3,995,272
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$3,974,172
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$3,966,426
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$3,800,000
-
$3,799,999
-
$3,799,999
Top States by Funding
- TX 15 awards $36.9M
- FL 13 awards $34.3M
- KS 13 awards $32.7M
- CA 10 awards $29.4M
- 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 for this grant?
State education agencies must be included in the application. Universities, research organizations, and other agencies can partner with a state agency to apply. For-profit and non-profit organizations are eligible.
What is the deadline and application process?
The deadline is October 1, 2026. Follow the NCSER application guidelines for submitting your full proposal through the required federal system.
What activities does this grant support?
Projects using statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) to provide evidence for special education policy and program decisions. Research must directly support state and local education agency decision-making.
How competitive is this program?
NCSER grants are highly competitive and require demonstrated research capacity. Strong methodological rigor and clear policy relevance strengthen applications.
What is the funding range?
Awards around $1,200,000 are typical, though exact amounts vary by project scope and review outcomes.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Lead with a strong state education agency partner with real commitment to using your findings in policy decisions. A reluctant partner will weaken your application.
- Ground your research questions directly in current state policy needs. Generic research questions unconnected to state priorities will not be competitive.
- Show capacity to work with existing statewide longitudinal data systems. Propose realistic timelines for data access and cleaning.
- Include a detailed dissemination plan for sharing findings with state and local education agencies. NCSER values practical, actionable research.
- Develop a strong evaluation plan with clear metrics for measuring research quality and policy impact. Rigor matters greatly at NCSER.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to include a committed state education agency partner or proposing research disconnected from state policy needs. Underestimating data access timelines and technical challenges. Submitting generic research proposals without clear relevance to special education program decisions.
Similar grants
- CLOSED Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Education Research (NCER): Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305S — Department of Education
- CLOSED 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
- CLOSED Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Education Research (NCER): Research Training Programs in The Education Sciences, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305B — Department of Education
- OPEN Integrated Data Systems & Services (IDSS) — U.S. National Science Foundation
- CLOSED Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Education Research (NCER): Statistical and Research Methodology in Education, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305D — Department of Education