2021-12173. Applications for New Awards; Education Research and Special Education Research Grant Programs

AGENCY:

Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for the Education Research and Special Education Research Grant Programs, Assistance Listing Numbers (ALNs) 84.305A, 84.305B, 84.305D, 84.305R, 84.305S, and 84.324X. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 4040-0001.

DATES:

The dates when applications are available and the deadlines for transmittal of applications invited under this notice are indicated in the chart at the end of this notice and in the Requests for Applications (RFAs) that are posted at the following websites: https://ies.ed.gov/​funding,, www.ed.gov/​programs/​edresearch/​index.html,, and www.ed.gov/​programs/​specialedresearch/​index.html.

ADDRESSES:

For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The contact person associated with a particular research competition is listed in the chart at the end of this notice, as well as in the relevant RFA and application package.

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: In awarding these grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need.

Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing seven research competitions through two of its centers:

The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing five competitions—one competition in each of the following areas: Education research; education research training; systematic replication in education; statistical and research methodology in education; and using longitudinal data to support State education recovery policymaking.

The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is announcing two competitions for research to accelerate pandemic recovery in special education.

NCER Competitions

The Education Research Competition. Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one of the following topics:

• Career and Technical Education.
• Civics Education and Social Studies.
• Cognition and Student Learning.
• Early Learning Programs and Policies.
• Effective Instruction.
• English Learners.
• Improving Education Systems.
• Postsecondary and Adult Education.
• Literacy.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education.
• Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning.

Note: While NCER is not now establishing a separate, stand-alone topic area within the Education Research Grants competition inviting research related to COVID-19 as authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), we invite applications to the standing topics listed above designed to accomplish this purpose. If you intend to submit a project in one of the topic areas identified above that is specifically intended to address COVID-19 learning loss, we ask that you express or state this intention clearly in your proposal and on item 4(b) of the SF424 Federal Application Assistance Form.

The Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences Competition. Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one of the following topics:

• Early Career Mentoring Program for Faculty at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).^[1]

• Postdoctoral Research Training Program in the Education Sciences.
• Methods Training for Education Researchers.

Research Grants Focused on Systematic Replication. Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address identifying what works for whom and under what conditions in education through systematic replication.

Statistical and Research Methodology in Education. Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one of the following topics:

• Regular Grants to support the development of new and improved methods, toolkits, guidelines, and syntheses.
• Early Career Grants to support the development of new and improved methods by early career researchers with the support of a mentor or advisory panel.

Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Recovery Policymaking. Under this competition, NCER will only consider applications that address State agencies' use of their State's education longitudinal data systems as they and local education agencies reengage their students after the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

NCSER Competitions

Research to Accelerate Pandemic Recovery in Special Education. Under these competitions, NCSER will consider only applications that directly address a pandemic-related problem, issue, program, policy, or practice that is important to a State or local education agency, has the potential to improve outcomes significantly and rapidly for students with or at risk for disabilities, and will provide actionable and timely results to districts and schools. NCSER will hold two competitions.

NCSER will not hold any additional competitions in FY22. If funding is available in FY 2022, the Director intends to use the grant slate developed in FY 2021 for the Special Education Research Grants program to make new awards to high-quality applications that remain on this slate.

Exemption From Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the opportunity to comment on priorities, selection criteria, definitions, and requirements.

Program Authorities: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq. and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-2) Sec. 2010.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR part 75 are applicable, except for the provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b), 75.102, 75.103, 75.105, 75.109(a), 75.200, 75.201, 75.209, 75.210, 75.211, 75.217(a)-(c), 75.219, 75.220, 75.221, 75.222, 75.230, and 75.708. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.

Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not apply for these competitions.

II. Award Information

Types of Awards: Discretionary grants and cooperative agreements.

Fiscal Information: These competitions will be supported with funds appropriated through the ARP, as well as with regular appropriations for IES programs. Note that ARP funds may only be used to support activities that involve “research related to addressing learning loss caused by the coronavirus . . .” Although Congress has not yet enacted an appropriation for FY 2022, IES is inviting applications for these competitions now so that applicants can have adequate time to prepare their applications. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. In addition, the level of available funding may depend on IES provision of additional support for ongoing grants that have been affected by COVID-19. IES may announce additional competitions later in 2021.

Estimated Range of Awards: See chart at the end of this notice. The size of the awards will depend on the scope of the projects proposed.

Estimated Number of Awards: The number of awards made under each competition will depend on the quality of the applications received for that competition and the availability of funds.

For all competitions, contingent on the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2023 from the list of highly-rated unfunded applications from the FY 2022 competitions.

Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Project Period: See chart at the end of this notice.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: Applicants that have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and institutions of higher education, such as colleges and universities.

For the Research Training in the Education Sciences grant program, eligible applicants vary by program topic. For the Early Career Mentoring Program, applicants must be a minority-serving institution. For the Postdoctoral Research Training Program in the Education Sciences, applicants must be academic institutions located in the United States and its territories that confer doctoral degrees in fields relevant to education. For the Methods Training for Education Researchers program, applicants must be located in the territorial United States and have the ability and capacity to conduct training in scientific research methods. For the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Recovery Policymaking grant program, eligible applicants must be the State agency responsible for the education issue, program, or policy to be examined. Eligible State agencies include the State education agency (SEA) responsible for the State's K-12 sector as well as State agencies responsible for other specific education sectors such as prekindergarten, career and technical education, postsecondary education, and adult education. State agencies may apply alone, or in conjunction with research organizations such as universities and research firms, and/or with other appropriate organizations (such as other State agencies or local education agencies). The State agency must be the grantee and must provide the Principal Investigator.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: These programs do not require cost sharing or matching.

3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this competition may award subgrants—to directly carry out project activities described in its application—to the following types of entities: Nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and institutions of higher education. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf,, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

2. Other Information: Information regarding program and application requirements for the competitions will be contained in the currently available IES Application Submission Guide and in the NCER and NCSER RFAs, which will be available on or before June 30, 2021, on the IES website at: https://ies.ed.gov/​funding/​. The dates on which the application packages for these competitions will be available are indicated in the chart at the end of this notice.

3. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements concerning the content of an application are contained in the RFA for the specific competition. The forms that must be submitted are in the application package for the specific competition.

4. Submission Dates and Times: The deadline date for transmittal of applications for each competition is indicated in the chart at the end of this notice and in the RFAs for the competitions.

We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements.

5. Intergovernmental Review: These competitions are not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria: For all of its grant competitions, IES uses selection criteria based on a peer review process that has been approved by the National Board for Education Sciences. The Peer Review Procedures for Grant Applications can be found on the IES website at https://ies.ed.gov/​director/​sro/​peer_​review/​application_​review.asp.

For the 84.305A, 84.305D, 84.305R, and 84.324X competitions, peer reviewers will be asked to evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the research plan, the qualifications and experience of the personnel, the resources of the applicant to support the proposed activities, and the quality of the dissemination history and dissemination plan. These criteria will be described in greater detail in the RFAs.

For the 84.305B competition, peer reviewers for the early career mentoring program will be asked to evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the research training plan, the quality of the career development plan, the qualifications and experience of the personnel, the resources of the applicant to support the proposed activities, and the quality of the dissemination history and plan. For the 84.305B competition, peer reviewers for the postdoctoral training programs will be asked to evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the research training plan, the qualifications and experience of the personnel, and the resources of the applicant to support the proposed activities. For the 84.305B competition, peer reviewers for the methods training programs will be asked to evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the research training plan, the qualifications and experience of the personnel, the resources of the applicant to support the proposed activities, and the quality of the dissemination history and plan. These criteria are described in greater detail in the RFA.

For the 84.305S competition, peer reviewers will be asked to evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the research plan, the applicability and availability of the data to be analyzed, and the quality of the plans to disseminate and use the findings in State decision-making. These criteria are described in greater detail in the RFA.

For all IES competitions, applications must include budgets no higher than the relevant maximum award as set out in the relevant RFA. IES will not make an award exceeding the maximum award amount as set out in the relevant RFA.

2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, IES may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, compliance with the IES policy regarding public access to research, and compliance with grant conditions. IES may also consider whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of unacceptable quality.

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, IES also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206, before awarding grants under these competitions, the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, IES may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this competition to receive an award that over the course of the project period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards—that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant—before we make an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.

Please note that, if the total value of your currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting applications in accordance with:

(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);

(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 200.216);

(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR 200.322); and

(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, also.

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. Grant Administration: Applicants should budget for an annual meeting of up to three days for project directors to be held in Washington, DC.

4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under one of the competitions announced in this notice, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).

(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by IES. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by IES under 34 CFR 75.118. IES may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/​fund/​grant/​apply/​appforms/​appforms.html.

5. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its education research and special education research grant programs, IES annually assesses the percentage of projects that result in peer-reviewed publications and the number of IES-supported interventions with evidence of efficacy in improving learner education outcomes. In addition, NCSER annually assesses the number of newly developed or modified interventions with evidence of promise for improving learner education outcomes. School readiness outcomes include pre-reading, reading, pre-writing, early mathematics, early science, and social-emotional skills that prepare young children for school. Student academic outcomes include learning and achievement in academic content areas, such as reading, writing, math, and science, as well as outcomes that reflect students' successful progression through the education system, such as course and grade completion; high school graduation; and postsecondary enrollment, progress, and completion. Social and behavioral competencies include social and emotional skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are important to academic and post-academic success. Additional education outcomes for students with or at risk of a disability (as defined in the relevant RFA) include developmental outcomes for infants and toddlers (birth to age three) pertaining to cognitive, communicative, linguistic, social, emotional, adaptive, functional, or physical development; and developmental and functional outcomes that improve education outcomes, transition to employment, independent living, and postsecondary education for students with disabilities.

6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, IES considers, among other things: Whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; whether a grantee is in compliance with the IES policy regarding public access to research; and if IES has established performance measurement requirements, whether the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance targets in the grantee's approved application.

In making a continuation award, IES also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed under FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the RFA in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.

Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.

You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.

Mark Schneider,

Director, Institute of Education Sciences.

ALN and name	Application package available	Deadline for transmittal of applications	Estimated range of awards *	Project period	For further information contact
National Center for Education Research (NCER)
84.305A Education Research	6/30/21	9/9/21	$100,000 to $760,000	Up to 5 years	Helyn Kim, [e-mail].
Career and Technical Education Civics Education and Social Studies Cognition and Student Learning Early Learning Programs and Policies Effective Instruction English Learners Improving Education Systems Postsecondary and Adult Education Literacy Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning
84.305B Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences	6/30/21	9/9/21	$100,000 to $312,000	Up to 5 years	Katina Stapleton, [e-mail].
Early Career Mentoring Program for MSI Faculty. Postdoctoral Research Training Program in the Education Sciences Methods Training for Education Researchers
84.305D Statistical and Research Methodology in Education	6/15/21	8/12/21	$40,000 to $300,000	Up to 3 years	Phill Gagne, [e-mail].
Regular Early Career
84.305R Research Grants Focused on Systematic Replication	6/30/21	9/9/21	$400,000 to $900,000	Up to 5 years	Christina Chhin, [e-mail].
84.305S Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Recovery Policymaking	6/15/21	8/12/21	$40,000 to $333,000	Up to 3 years	Allen Ruby, [e-mail].
National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
84.324X-1 Research to Accelerate Pandemic Recovery in Special Education	6/15/21	8/2/21	$500,000 to $1,000,000	Up to 4 years	Katherine Taylor, [e-mail].
84.324X-2 Research to Accelerate Pandemic Recovery in Special Education	6/15/21	9/9/21	$500,000 to $750,000	Up to 4 years	Katherine Taylor, [e-mail].
* These estimates are annual amounts.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Note: If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

Footnotes

1.  To qualify as an MSI for the purpose of the Early Career Mentoring Program, the institution must already have been certified as an MSI and must be on one or more of the following lists:

• Institutions on the Office of Postsecondary Education's FY21 or FY20 lists of Title III and Title V eligible institutions will be considered MSIs.
• HBCUs listed on the Department's FY21 or FY20 lists of Title III and Title V eligible institutions as meeting the criteria of 34 CFR 608.2 will be considered MSIs.