Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Education Research Program CFDA Number 84.305A 2 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): IES Education Research Program (CFDA 84.305A)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Education Research Program (CFDA 84.305A), a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education. It is intended to fund scientifically rigorous education research.

2) What is the main purpose of the IES Education Research Program?

The core aim is to generate reliable, valid evidence about education practices, interventions, and policies that support learning, raise academic achievement, and expand access to educational opportunities for all students.

3) What kinds of outcomes is IES trying to support through this program?

IES is looking to support research that can inform real-world decisions made by parents, educators, school and district leaders, researchers, policymakers, and the public, particularly in areas where there is a national need for stronger evidence.

4) What does "scientifically rigorous" or "scientifically valid" research mean in this context?

Based on the notice description, it means applicants must be able to design and carry out rigorous studies using appropriate methods and have the ability and infrastructure to conduct high-quality education research.

5) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad but not unlimited. Eligible applicants include:

• Public and private colleges and universities
• Public or private agencies and institutions
• Nonprofit organizations (including those with 501(c)(3) status)
• For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses)
• Small businesses

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the capacity to conduct scientifically rigorous education research.

6) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The notice states that for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) and small businesses may apply, as long as they can demonstrate the ability and infrastructure to conduct high-quality education research.

7) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity indicates that it does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

8) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

9) What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

The activity category is education.

10) What is the relationship between CFDA 84.305A and CFDA 84.305?

The listing is tied to the IES Education Research, Development and Dissemination portfolio (CFDA 84.305). The notice also provides a practical instruction for searching in Grants.gov: search by the CFDA number without the alpha suffix (for example, search "84.305" rather than "84.305A").

11) Where do applicants access the application package?

The notice points applicants to Grants.gov for electronic application packages and indicates that multiple IES research competitions are accessed through Grants.gov.

12) What CFDA number should be used when searching for this on Grants.gov?

When searching on Grants.gov, the notice instructs applicants to search by the CFDA number without the alpha suffix. Example: search "84.305" rather than "84.305A".

13) What other IES competitions are mentioned as being available through Grants.gov?

The notice states that applicants can find electronic application packages for multiple IES research competitions, including:

• Education Research
• Education Research Training
• Research on Statistical and Research Methodology in Education
• Evaluation of State and Local Education Programs and Policies
• Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships
• Special Education Research
• Special Education Research Training
• Accelerating the Academic Achievement of Students with Disabilities Research Initiative

14) What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

• Posted date: March 6, 2012
• Application package availability date: July 19, 2012
• Deadline for transmittal of applications: September 20, 2012
• Archive date: October 20, 2012

15) Is this opportunity still open?

The opportunity is labeled as archived (archive date October 20, 2012). That indicates the specific competition cycle described in this notice has closed, even though IES research programs continue to run on recurring cycles under updated annual notices.

16) Where can applicants find the official rules and requirements?

The notice repeatedly points to the official Federal Register announcement as the controlling and authoritative document. It is described as the source for full details on requirements, priorities, and submission rules, including eligibility nuances, pre-application and application requirements, performance measures, program priorities, and contact information.

17) If there is a conflict between a summary listing and the Federal Register, which one controls?

Based on the notice language, the Federal Register announcement is the controlling (authoritative) document for official guidance and the most accurate requirements.

18) Who should be contacted for help accessing the announcement electronically or for Grants.gov technical issues?

The notice lists a Grants.gov systems administrator contact for help accessing the announcement electronically:

Julius Cotton
Phone: 202-245-6140
Email: julius.cotton@ed.gov

19) Who should be contacted for program-related questions?

The notice lists the IES program manager contact for program-related questions:

Emily Doolittle
Phone: 202-219-1201
Email: Emily.Doolittle@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences
400 Maryland Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20202

20) What does the notice emphasize about applicant readiness?

It emphasizes that eligibility depends not just on organizational type, but on the ability to design and carry out rigorous studies using appropriate methods, supported by the capacity and infrastructure needed for high-quality education research.