Special Education Research and Development Centers CFDA 84.324C | Apply Online

Special Education Research and Development Centers (CFDA 84.324C) - FAQs

What is the Special Education Research and Development Centers grant (CFDA 84.324C)?

This opportunity is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Education through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). It funds research and development centers focused on special education, with the goal of building fundamental knowledge and translating that knowledge into stronger educational practices and outcomes.

Which federal agency administers this competition?

The competition is administered by the U.S. Department of Education through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is intended to produce reliable, valid, and usable evidence for a broad set of stakeholders (including parents, educators, students, researchers, policymakers, and the public). These centers are expected to strengthen what the field knows about effective educational practices and interventions that support learning, improve academic achievement, and expand access to educational opportunities for all students, including students with disabilities.

What kind of work is IES trying to fund through these centers?

IES is looking to fund research and development centers that provide national leadership in special education research, build fundamental knowledge about education, and translate that knowledge into improved educational practices and outcomes. The notice also emphasizes supporting work in areas of demonstrated national need, so proposed center activities should be motivated by pressing problems in special education and designed to generate rigorous evidence that can inform practice and policy.

Who is the intended audience or beneficiary of the evidence produced by these centers?

The evidence is meant to be usable by parents, educators, students, researchers, policymakers, and the public.

Does the opportunity specifically include students with disabilities?

Yes. A central focus is improving education practices and outcomes for all students, explicitly including students with disabilities.

What does the announcement say about the type of research capacity applicants should have?

Applicants are expected to have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broad. It includes (but is not limited to): public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses, as noted in the opportunity summary), state governments, and other public and private agencies and institutions such as colleges and universities.

Are nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status eligible?

Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility description includes for-profit organizations, with the opportunity summary noting an exception for small businesses.

Are state governments eligible to apply?

Yes. State governments are listed among eligible applicants.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is described in the opportunity summary, meaning applicants are not required to provide matching funds as a condition of applying.

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Applicants were required to use the Grants.gov Apply site to download the application package, complete it offline, and upload it for submission.

Could applicants submit an application by email?

No. The notice states that applications could not be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the agency.

What were the key dates listed in the synopsis?

The synopsis lists an application availability date of February 1, 2010 and a deadline for transmittal of applications of September 16, 2010. The opportunity was later archived on October 16, 2010.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number listed is ED-GRANTS-020410-012.

What categories is this opportunity associated with?

The opportunity is categorized under Education, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development.

What legal authority is cited for this competition?

The competition is described as authorized under the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (Title I of Public Law 107-279).

Was this part of a larger set of IES competitions?

Yes. It was part of IES's FY 2011 set of competitions supporting both education research and special education research.

Is the synopsis enough to understand all requirements and details?

No. The announcement stresses that the synopsis is not a substitute for the official Federal Register notice. Applicants are directed to consult the formal notice for full details that typically affect competitiveness and compliance.

What types of details are likely found only in the official Federal Register notice?

The synopsis indicates the Federal Register notice includes items such as eligibility nuances, required components of the application, pre-application and application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and program contact information.

Who are the listed contacts for technical or administrative issues accessing the announcement?

For technical or administrative issues accessing the announcement, the synopsis lists Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov system administration) and Joyce Mays (management analyst).

Who is the program manager contact for this opportunity?

The program manager contact listed is Celia Rosenquist at IES, with phone and mailing address information provided in the notice.