Institutes of Education Sciences (IES): Education Research and Development Centers CFDA Number 84.305C | ED GRANTS 092717 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 092717 001

The Institutes of Education Sciences (IES) Education Research and Development Centers opportunity (CFDA 84.305C) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education. Its core aim is to strengthen the nation s evidence base in education by supporting scientifically valid research that produces trustworthy findings about what works, for whom, and under what conditions. IES frames this work as national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge about two broad outcome areas: first, developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers who have, or are at risk for, a disability; and second, education outcomes for students across the full pipeline, from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education. The practical intent is to generate reliable and valid information that families, educators, researchers, and policymakers can use to improve learning, academic achievement, and access to educational opportunities.

This funding notice sits within a larger set of IES research competitions planned for FY 2018 and is administered through two IES centers: the National Center for Education Research (NCER) and the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER). Across both centers, IES announced ten total competitions. NCER is responsible for five competitions, including a general education research competition, the education research and development centers competition (the one tied to CFDA 84.305C), a competition focused on partnerships and collaborations that address problems of practice or policy, and two competitions supporting low cost, short duration evaluations of education interventions. NCSER also runs five competitions that mirror similar goals in the special education space: special education research, research training programs in special education, two low cost, short duration evaluations of special education interventions, and a research networks competition focused on high priority policy and practice problems in special education. The notice also lists the related CFDA numbers that cover these competitions: 84.305A, 84.305C, 84.305H, 84.305L, 84.324A, 84.324B, 84.324L, and 84.324N.

Eligibility is broadly defined around research capability rather than organizational type. Any applicant with the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research may apply. The eligible applicant categories explicitly include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (when they are not institutions of higher education); for profit organizations (other than small businesses); and other eligible entities. In plain terms, IES is open to universities, research organizations, school systems, government agencies, nonprofits, and certain private sector organizations, as long as they can credibly carry out rigorous education research.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, using the Grants.gov Apply system. Applicants are expected to download the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit it through the portal. The notice is explicit that applications cannot be submitted by email. A small but important administrative detail is that when searching for the application package on Grants.gov, applicants must search by the numeric CFDA number without the letter suffix. For example, applicants should search for 84.305 rather than 84.305A or 84.305C, then select the correct package for the competition they intend to enter.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number ED GRANTS 092717 001, categorized as a discretionary grant within the education activity area. The posting date (creation date) is September 27, 2017, and the original closing date listed is October 26, 2017. The synopsis also emphasizes that it is only a summary and that the authoritative requirements come from the official Federal Register notice, which includes the detailed rules on pre application and application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and program contact information. For applicants, that Federal Register notice is the key document for final compliance, formatting, deadlines, and competition specific expectations, with the synopsis serving mainly as a high level overview of purpose, scope, and submission pathway.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Institutes of Education Sciences (IES): Education Research and Development Centers CFDA Number 84.305C" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.305.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-09-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Others.

Apply for ED GRANTS 092717 001

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