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Institute of Education Sciences (IES): National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER): Transformative Research in Special Education, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324T

Department of Education

Deadline
December 11, 2026
Award size
Up to $3.8 million
Matching funds
RequiredYou must contribute some of the cost
Fit for small groups
Better for larger organizations

In plain language

This grant pays for research to create new and better ways to train teachers who work with students with disabilities. It is meant to help organizations that can do scientific research.

The money can pay for

  • Research to improve teacher training
  • Development of new teaching methods
  • Studies on special education
  • Creating solutions for students with disabilities

Who can apply

Organizations that can do scientifically valid research, including colleges, non-profits, and other groups.

Is it a fit for a small group?

Better for larger organizations. This grant is for research and requires specialized skills and resources that small community nonprofits typically do not have.

Before you apply

  • Matching funds are required
  • Eligibility is limited to organizations with research capacity
  • The grant focuses on teacher training for students with disabilities
  • Federal applicants need an active registration at SAM.gov and a Grants.gov account. Registration can take several weeks, so start early.

This summary was written by GrantGather with AI, based on the official listing. It can contain mistakes. Check the official listing on Grants.gov before you apply.

From the official listing

Through the Transformative Research in Special Education Grants program, IES seeks to support research and development of transformative solutions to seemingly intractable problems and challenges in special education. Transformative projects enact bold and innovative thinking, involve interdisciplinary collaboration, are inherently risky, and use high-quality research approaches to create high-reward, scalable solutions with the potential to lead to dramatic improvements for students with or at risk for disabilities. In FY 2027, the Transformative Research in Special Education Grants program will focus on Phase 1 grants to research and develop transformative solutions to dramatically improve preservice teacher education systems so they can better attract, train, and retain preK-12 general and special education teachers who are prepared to provide high-quality instruction and…

Read the full description

Through the Transformative Research in Special Education Grants program, IES seeks to support research and development of transformative solutions to seemingly intractable problems and challenges in special education. Transformative projects enact bold and innovative thinking, involve interdisciplinary collaboration, are inherently risky, and use high-quality research approaches to create high-reward, scalable solutions with the potential to lead to dramatic improvements for students with or at risk for disabilities. In FY 2027, the Transformative Research in Special Education Grants program will focus on Phase 1 grants to research and develop transformative solutions to dramatically improve preservice teacher education systems so they can better attract, train, and retain preK-12 general and special education teachers who are prepared to provide high-quality instruction and substantially improve outcomes for students with or at risk for disabilities. Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.324T

Opportunity number
ED-GRANTS-101526-002
Posted
October 16, 2026
Eligible applicants
Others (see eligibility details)
Eligibility details
Institutions that have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, institutions of higher education and non-profit, for-profit, public, or private organizations and entities.
Assistance listing
84.324 Research in Special Education
Agency contact
Holly Clark Management and Program Analyst
Courtney.Pollack@ed.gov
2022456408
Open the official listing on Grants.govAgency’s full announcement

Nonprofits are eligible here through the “Others” category. Read the eligibility details carefully.