OSERS: OSEP: Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Other Minority Serving Institutions, ALN 8 | ED GRANTS 120723 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 120723 002

The U.S. Department of Education, through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), is offering a discretionary grant competition focused on strengthening the pipeline of well-prepared professionals who serve infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. The opportunity is titled "Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Other Minority Serving Institutions" and is listed under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.325M. In practical terms, this competition is designed to invest in educator and provider preparation programs so they can produce more qualified personnel and better meet the workforce needs that states have identified in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education roles that support learners with disabilities.

The core purpose has two parts. First, the program aims to address state-identified shortages and preparation needs by increasing the number and quality of trained personnel entering the field. Second, it emphasizes that training should be grounded in scientifically based research, meaning grantees are expected to prepare future professionals using practices and methods with credible evidence behind them. The overall intent is not only to increase staffing capacity, but also to improve effectiveness, so graduates are genuinely ready to succeed in real service settings such as schools, early intervention programs, and related service environments.

Eligibility is intentionally targeted to institutions and organizations that serve communities historically underrepresented in the education workforce. Eligible applicants include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The competition also allows private nonprofit organizations that are associated with HBCUs, TCCUs, and MSIs to apply. The broader eligible applicant categories in the listing include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), as well as certain other entities, but the notice highlights the priority on the HBCU/TCCU/MSI context and affiliated nonprofits.

For nonprofit applicants, the notice points to the federal regulation at 34 CFR 75.51 for how to document nonprofit status. Acceptable documentation can include an IRS determination letter recognizing 501(c)(3) status; a certification from a state taxing body or the state attorney general verifying nonprofit operation and confirming that net earnings do not benefit private individuals; or a certified copy of incorporation documents that clearly establish nonprofit status. If the applicant is a local affiliate of a parent nonprofit, documentation for the parent organization may be used along with a statement confirming the affiliate relationship. This is a practical compliance detail that applicants need to get right early, because it affects basic eligibility and application completeness.

On funding details, this is a grant (not a contract), categorized under education activities. The funding opportunity number is ED GRANTS 120723 002. The opportunity was created on December 7, 2023, with an original application closing date of February 20, 2024. The listed award ceiling is $1,250,000, and the Department anticipated making about 29 awards. While the synopsis does not spell out the full range of allowable costs or the project period length, these are typically defined in the official Federal Register notice and accompanying application package, along with selection criteria and any absolute or competitive priorities that could shape what the Department is most interested in funding.

The synopsis repeatedly stresses that it is only a high-level overview and that the authoritative requirements live in the official Federal Register application notice. That official notice is where applicants will find the detailed priorities, performance measures, application formatting rules, required project components, submission instructions, and program contacts. It also directs applicants to follow the Department of Education Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published December 7, 2022) for key procedural requirements, including how and where to obtain and submit applications. In short, the summary tells you what the program is trying to accomplish and who it is meant to serve, while the Federal Register notice tells you exactly how to apply and what will be scored.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSERS: OSEP: Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Other Minority Serving Institutions, ALN 8" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.325.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 29 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: 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, Others.

Apply for ED GRANTS 120723 002

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