Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Statistical Research Methodology in Education CFDA Number 84.305D | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): IES Statistical and Research Methodology in Education (CFDA 84.305D, FY 2014)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a fiscal year (FY) 2014 grant competition announced by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, under CFDA 84.305D titled Statistical and Research Methodology in Education.

2) What is the purpose of the Statistical and Research Methodology in Education program?

The program is intended to strengthen the quality and usefulness of education research nationwide by supporting work that improves statistical tools, research designs, and methodological approaches used to study education programs, policies, and student outcomes.

3) Which office within the Department of Education runs this competition?

This competition is run through the National Center for Education Research (NCER) within IES.

4) What law authorizes this grant competition?

The opportunity is authorized under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002.

5) How does this competition fit within IES research grants overall?

IES research grants are described as aiming to produce reliable, valid evidence that parents, educators, students, researchers, policymakers, and the public can trust when making decisions about what works in education. The broader mission includes building fundamental knowledge about learning and educational outcomes across the education pipeline from early childhood through K-12, postsecondary, and adult education.

6) What other NCER research competitions were planned for FY 2014?

The FY 2014 NCER competitions listed were: Education Research, Education Research Training, Education Research and Development Centers, Statistical and Research Methodology in Education (this opportunity), and Partnerships and Collaborations Focused on Problems of Practice or Policy.

7) Was there a National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) competition in FY 2014?

The notice states that NCSER would not hold competitions in FY 2014, clarifying that this opportunity sits within NCER rather than a separate FY 2014 special education competition track.

8) Is this a discretionary or formula grant?

This funding announcement is described as discretionary.

9) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.

10) What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The competition is under CFDA 84.305D and falls under the broader CFDA listing 84.305 (Education Research, Development and Dissemination).

11) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The source record identifies the Funding Opportunity Number as ED-GRANTS-042313-004.

12) Is the Grants.gov posting the official set of requirements?

No. The announcement explicitly notes it is a synopsis of the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are directed to the Federal Register publication for controlling requirements, including application content and formatting rules, submission procedures, performance measures, priorities, and official program contact details.

13) Where should applicants look for the definitive rules and requirements?

Applicants should rely on the Federal Register notice as the authoritative source for requirements and how proposals will be reviewed.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is broadly open to applicants that can demonstrate the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research. Eligible applicant types described include, but are not limited to, nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and institutions, with colleges and universities specifically named as examples.

15) Does eligibility appear limited to a specific type of institution?

No. The description indicates broad eligibility across many organization types, as long as the applicant can demonstrate the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

17) Are there still budget rules applicants must follow even without a match requirement?

Yes. While the listing says no cost sharing/matching is required, applicants are still directed to the official Federal Register notice for controlling details that may address allowable costs, indirect cost treatment, and other budget rules.

18) How must applications be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (not by email). Applicants download the application package, complete it offline, and upload/transmit it through the Grants.gov Apply site.

19) Can applications be submitted by email?

No. The announcement states applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov rather than by email.

20) What is the tip for finding the correct application package in Grants.gov search?

Applicants must search by the CFDA number without the letter suffix, meaning search for 84.305 rather than 84.305D (or other variants like 84.305A).

21) When was the application package available?

For this competition cycle, the application package was made available on June 6, 2013.

22) What was the deadline to submit an application?

The deadline for transmittal of applications was September 4, 2013.

23) What was the posting date for this opportunity?

The posting date was April 23, 2013.

24) When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on October 4, 2013, reflecting that it was time-bound to the FY 2014 competition window.

25) Who should be contacted for technical help with Grants.gov access or system issues?

For technical issues accessing or using the announcement through Grants.gov systems, the notice lists Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov FIND Systems Admin) and the email EducationGrantInquiries@ed.gov.

26) Who should be contacted for program questions about the competition itself?

For programmatic questions, the notice lists the program manager Phil Gagne at IES, with phone and email contact information, and a Department of Education address in Washington, DC.

27) What kinds of work is this competition meant to fund?

The competition is designed to fund research that advances education statistics and methodology, including improvements to statistical tools, research designs, and methodological approaches for studying education programs, policies, and student outcomes.

28) What is the key takeaway for applicants reading the Grants.gov synopsis?

The Grants.gov posting is positioned as helpful for orientation, but applicants are expected to use the Federal Register notice as the definitive guide to what must be submitted, how to submit it, and how proposals will be evaluated.