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IES Announces Grant Competitions in Special Education Research and Training
May 30, 2017

The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) released funding announcements for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) grant competitions. NCSER supports research and research training programs aimed at promoting rigorous research on special education and early intervention for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with or at risk for disabilities.

For FY 2018, NCSER has released four Requests for Applications (RFAs): (1) Special Education Research Grants, (2) Research Training Programs in Special Education, (3) Low-Cost, Short-Duration Evaluation of Special Education Interventions, and (4) Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Policy and Practice in Special Education (Networks). Networks is a new research program aimed at creating a network of research teams focused on an issue of critical importance in special education; for the FY 2018 competition, the network teams must focus their research on integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in elementary schools.

NCSER Competitions for FY 2018

Special Education Research Grants (84.324A): This program seeks to expand the knowledge base and understanding of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with or at risk for disabilities. Grants support exploratory research, development and pilot testing of new interventions, efficacy and effectiveness studies to evaluate interventions, and the development and validation of measures. There are 11 topic areas covered by this research program: Autism Spectrum Disorders; Cognition and Student Learning in Special Education; Early Intervention and Early Learning in Special Education; Families of Children with Disabilities; Mathematics and Science Education; Professional Development for Teachers and School-based Service Providers; Reading, Writing, and Language Development; Social and Behavioral Outcomes to Support Learning; Special Education Policy, Finance, and Systems; Technology for Special Education; and Transition Outcomes for Secondary Students with Disabilities. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: June 22, 2017, APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 17, 2017.

Research Training Programs in Special Education (84.324B): These training programs seek to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant special education and early intervention research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners. For FY 2018, there are three training programs: Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Special Education and Early Intervention; Early Career Development and Mentoring; and Methods Training Using Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trial (SMART) Designs for Adaptive Interventions in Education. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: June 22, 2017, APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 17, 2017.

Low-Cost, Short-Duration Evaluation of Special Education Interventions (84.324L): This competition is designed to support rigorous evaluations of special education interventions that state or local education agencies expect to produce meaningful improvements in student outcomes in a short period of time, such as a single semester or academic year. The interventions must focus on infants, toddlers, children, and/or youth with or at risk for disabilities. The 2-year projects must be carried out by research institutions and state or local education agencies working together as partners. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: June 22, 2017, APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 3, 2017. (NOTE: A second grant competition will be held in early 2018, with applications available on January 11, 2018 and due on March 1, 2018).

Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Policy and Practice in Special Education (84.324N): This competition aims to create a network of research teams to work together and share ideas on a specific issue of critical importance to special education. For FY 2018, the Network's research must focus on integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in elementary schools. Integrated MTSS are frameworks that provide multiple levels of support through coordinated, research-based practices, strategies, and structures to meet the academic and behavioral needs of all learners. The Institute intends to fund up to four Research Teams. If at least two Research Teams receive awards, the Institute intends to fund one Network Lead. Applicants may submit proposals to one or both network roles. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: July 13, 2017, APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 21, 2017.

More information about the NCSER research programs, goals, application process, and deadlines are available on the IES Funding Opportunities web page. Pre-recorded webinars that describe the grant programs, application procedures, and grant writing procedures will be available in the coming weeks.

Media Contact: Dana Tofig, Communications Director, Institute of Education Sciences, 202-245-8235, dana.tofig@ed.gov