OSERS-OSEP: Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities--Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel, Assistance Listing Number 84.325D | ED GRANTS 100824 001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the official name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities: Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel" under OSERS-OSEP.

2) What is the Assistance Listing Number for this program?

The Assistance Listing Number is 84.325D.

3) Which federal agency runs this grant program?

This is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Special Education Programs - OSERS/OSEP).

4) What is the main goal of this program?

The core focus is building the pipeline of leadership-level personnel who will strengthen services and improve outcomes for children with disabilities, including infants and toddlers.

5) What needs is the program intended to address?

The program is designed to respond to needs identified by states, especially where there are shortages or capacity gaps in preparing professionals in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education roles that directly support children with disabilities.

6) What are the two main parts of the program purpose?

First, it aims to help address state-identified personnel preparation needs by funding projects that train and prepare professionals to work effectively with children with disabilities across early childhood through school-age settings. Second, it emphasizes quality and effectiveness by requiring that funded preparation is grounded in skills and knowledge drawn from practices established through scientifically based research and experience.

7) What does the program mean by preparing "leadership personnel"?

Based on the description provided, the program is aimed at advanced preparation of leadership-level personnel who can implement and sustain evidence-informed practices in real-world systems, rather than focusing only on theory or short-term training.

8) Does the program focus on specific age groups?

Yes. The program targets improving services and results for children with disabilities, including infants and toddlers, and supports preparation across early childhood through school-age settings.

9) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education (IHEs) and private nonprofit organizations, with additional eligibility conditions tied to the absolute priority described in the opportunity summary.

10) What additional eligibility condition applies under the absolute priority?

To qualify under that priority, the applicant must either (1) be an IHE that has a doctoral degree program preparing scholars in special education, early intervention, or related services, or (2) be a nonprofit organization that has legal authority to apply on behalf of such an IHE.

11) If a nonprofit applies, what role can it play relative to an IHE?

A nonprofit may apply if it has legal authority to apply on behalf of an eligible IHE partner with the required doctoral program, essentially acting as an eligible intermediary or fiscal agent for that IHE.

12) Is this program intended for entry-level training programs?

The eligibility condition tied to the absolute priority signals that the opportunity is specifically aimed at advanced preparation of leadership personnel and expects applicants to have the infrastructure to train scholars at the doctoral level, rather than supporting entry-level training alone.

13) What kinds of professional fields are included in the preparation focus?

The program supports preparation of professionals in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education roles that directly support children with disabilities.

14) What expectations are stated about the quality and research basis of the training?

Funded preparation is expected to be grounded in skills and knowledge drawn from practices established through scientifically based research and experience, with an emphasis on implementing and sustaining evidence-informed practices in real-world systems.

15) Are private nonprofit organizations eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

The summary references nonprofits "including those with or without 501(c)(3) status)" and points to the standard federal approach for documenting nonprofit status under 34 CFR 75.51.

16) What documentation can be used to prove nonprofit status under 34 CFR 75.51?

Acceptable documentation may include: (1) current IRS recognition of tax-deductible status under section 501(c)(3); (2) certification from a state taxing authority or attorney general confirming nonprofit operation and restrictions on earnings benefiting private individuals; or (3) incorporation documents that clearly establish nonprofit status.

17) What if the applicant is a local affiliate of a larger parent organization?

If the nonprofit is a local affiliate of a larger state or national parent organization, the applicant may submit the parent organization documentation along with a statement confirming the affiliate relationship.

18) What is the opportunity identifier listed in the posting details?

The synopsis lists the opportunity as ED GRANTS 100824 001.

19) What type of grant is this?

It is categorized as a discretionary grant under the Education funding activity area.

20) What is the application closing date?

The original closing date listed is November 22, 2024.

21) How many awards are expected to be made?

The expected number of awards is 12.

22) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $1,050,000.

23) When was this opportunity created, according to the listing?

The listing indicates a creation date of October 8, 2024.

24) Is the posted synopsis the official source for requirements?

No. The synopsis is explicitly described as a summary of the official Federal Register notice, and applicants are expected to rely on the Federal Register publication for the authoritative requirements.

25) What kinds of requirements are expected to be found in the Federal Register notice (rather than the synopsis)?

The Federal Register notice is described as the authoritative source for priorities, selection criteria, performance measures, budget rules, and submission instructions.

26) Where should applicants look for standard application procedures and submission information?

The opportunity points applicants to the Department of Education's Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022) for standard procedures and the addresses used to obtain and submit applications.