Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.323A
Can you apply?
This grant is for state education agencies, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and consortia of these entities that are committed to addressing significant shortages of qualified special education and related services personnel. Eligible applicants must operate State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) programs that provide pre-service and in-service professional development activities. The grant supports activities in all 50 states, territories, and Washington DC. Approved activities include teacher preparation, professional development courses, mentoring programs, and recruitment initiatives targeting personnel shortages in high-need special education areas such as teaching students with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practices and coordination with higher education institutions.
This grant is for state education agencies, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and consortia of these entities that are committed to addressing significant shortages of qualified special education and related services personnel. Eligible applicants must operate State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) programs that provide pre-service and in-service professional development activities. The grant supports activities in all 50 states, territories, and Washington DC. Approved activities include teacher preparation, professional development courses, mentoring programs, and recruitment initiatives targeting personnel shortages in high-need special education areas such as teaching students with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practices and coordination with higher education institutions.
Program description
For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234), and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-
16571/common-instructions-and-information-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionary-grantams.
Program Purpose: The purpose of the SPDG program is to assist State educational agencies (SEAs) in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, educational, and transition services to improve results for children with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to SEAs to carry out the activities described in the State plan submitted under section 653 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1453).
Assistance Listing Number: 84.323A.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for state education agencies, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and consortia of these entities that are committed to addressing significant shortages of qualified special education and related services personnel. Eligible applicants must operate State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) programs that provide pre-service and in-service professional development activities. The grant supports activities in all 50 states, territories, and Washington DC. Approved activities include teacher preparation, professional development courses, mentoring programs, and recruitment initiatives targeting personnel shortages in high-need special education areas such as teaching students with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practices and coordination with higher education institutions.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative describing personnel development activities, targets, and evaluation plan
- Budget Narrative and Detailed Budget (SF-424A or equivalent)
- Assurances and Certifications (including civil rights compliance)
- Letters of Commitment/MOUs from higher education partners and other collaborating agencies
- Data documentation supporting identified personnel shortages
- Evaluation Plan with measurable outcomes and data collection methods
- Evidence of state-level coordination and approval
Program contact
- 👤 Holly Clark Management and Program Analyst
- 📧 Jennifer.Coffey@ed.gov
- 📞 2022456408
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.323 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$9,679,344
-
$9,600,001
-
$8,971,610
-
$8,215,718
-
$7,490,000
-
$7,035,139
-
$6,634,396
-
$6,556,464
-
$6,555,705
-
$6,548,109
Top States by Funding
- OH 2 awards $13.8M
- CO 2 awards $13.6M
- NC 2 awards $13.2M
- CA 2 awards $13.0M
- VA 2 awards $12.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for SPDG funding?
State education agencies, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and consortia of these entities are eligible. Private organizations and individual schools are generally not eligible; applicants must be state-level agencies or authorized state entities.
What is the application deadline?
The application period opens on April 15, 2026, with a final deadline of June 16, 2026. Applicants should submit through grants.gov well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
What types of activities can be funded?
SPDG funding supports professional development for special education and related services personnel, including pre-service teacher preparation, in-service professional development, mentoring, recruitment initiatives, and capacity-building activities to address documented personnel shortages.
How competitive is this grant?
SPDG is highly competitive. Successful applications typically demonstrate significant unmet personnel needs, strong partnerships with higher education institutions, evidence-based program design, and clear sustainability plans beyond the grant period.
What is the typical funding range?
SPDG awards vary based on state population and demonstrated need, typically ranging from $200,000 to over $500,000 annually, with multi-year funding cycles. Consult the Federal Register notice for current award amounts.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document unmet personnel needs with data: Use state workforce surveys, special education teacher shortage reports, and demographic data showing gaps in qualified personnel to establish compelling need.
- Emphasize evidence-based practices: Design activities grounded in research-backed teaching methods and models; reference peer-reviewed studies supporting your approach to teacher development and recruitment.
- Build strong higher education partnerships: Establish formal MOUs with colleges, universities, and teacher preparation programs; clearly define roles, commitments, and shared outcomes in your application narrative.
- Align with OSEP priorities: Review the most recent Federal Register notice and program guidance to ensure your proposed activities address current national priorities such as culturally responsive practices, personnel pipeline development, or underserved geographic areas.
- Include a clear sustainability and scalability plan: Demonstrate how activities will continue or expand beyond the grant period; identify state or local funding sources, policy changes, or institutional commitments that support long-term implementation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail to sufficiently document workforce shortages with concrete data, relying instead on general statements about "need." Weak partnerships with higher education institutions—or vague commitments without formal agreements—are frequently cited as deficiencies. Additionally, applicants sometimes propose activities not clearly aligned with evidence-based practices or lacking clear metrics for success, making it difficult for reviewers to assess impact and sustainability.
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