Purpose
The Early Career Development and Mentoring (Early Career) program supports grants that prepare researchers at academic and non-academic research institutions and organizations to conduct high-quality early intervention and special education research. The intent is to support researchers who are addressing issues that are important to learners with or at risk for disabilities from infancy through postsecondary education, their families, educators, and policymakers.
The program provides support for an integrated research and career development plan, including mentorship, for investigators in the early stages of their careers who have established an interest in special education research, with the ultimate aim of launching independent research careers focused on with or at risk for disabilities.