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Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

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The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.

Welcome to OSEP

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

About OSEP

The mission of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is to lead the nation's efforts to improve outcomes for children with disabilities, birth through 21, and their families, ensuring access to fair, equitable, and high-quality education and services. Our vision is for a world in which individuals with disabilities have unlimited opportunities to learn and to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives.

OSEP administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which authorizes formula grants to states under Part B, grants to lead agencies for the infants and families program under Part C, and discretionary grants under Part D to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support grants for state personnel development, technical assistance and dissemination, technology, personnel development, and parent-training and information centers.

People and Offices

The activities and services OSEP provides and supports are the direct result of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

 

OSEP Legislation and Policy

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) assists states with implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As part of its mission, OSEP is charged with developing, communicating and disseminating federal policy on early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and on the provision of special education and related services for children with disabilities.

View Policy Letter and Policy Support Documents

 

Other Policy-related Information:

Significant Policy Guidance Under Executive Order #13422
 

Information on Grant Opportunities and funding from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

IDEA Formula Grants

OSEP administers three formula grant programs authorized by Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These formula grants are awarded to states annually to support early-intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, preschool children ages three through five, and special education for children and youth with disabilities.

Read more about OSEP's Formula Grant Programs.

IDEA Discretionary Grants

OSEP, through Part B and Part D of IDEA, provides discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, and technology, personnel development. Discretionary grants are also available to some for-profit organizations. Discretionary grants are grants awarded through a competitive process.

Read more about OSEP's Discretionary Grant Programs.

New OSEP Funding Opportunities!

 


ED Discretionary Grants Resources

The Department of Education hosts a number of online resources for ED grant applicants:


Special Education Research Grants

IDEA authorized the establishment of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER), along with the transfer of responsibilities for research in special education to the new center. The center is located within the Department's Education's Institute for Education Services. Information on current NCSER grant competitions can be found at the IES Funding page.


IDEA Funding

The Department of Education's State Allocation Tables by program and by state show recent and estimated allocations under formula-allocated and selected students aid programs.

The Department of Education's Budget News Page provides the latest information about Congressional activities on the Department's appropriations.

OSEP Programs and Projects

IDEA Formula Grant Programs

OSEP administers three formula grant programs authorized by IDEA. These formula grants are awarded to states annually to support early-intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, preschool children ages three through five, and special education for children and youth with disabilities.

Part B Formula Grants

IDEA Part B Formula Grants assist states in providing a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities, ages three through 21.

ProgramALN#Purpose
Preschool Grants84.173Authorized by Part B, Section 619 for children ages three through five.
Grants to States84.027Authorized by Part B, Section 611 for children ages three through 21.
   

Part C Formula Grants

IDEA Part C Formula Grants support early intervention services for infants and toddlers.

ProgramALN#Purpose
Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities84.181Authorized by Part C for infants and toddlers, ages birth through two, and their families.
   

 

View funding tables, application forms, and grant award letters

 


IDEA Discretionary Grant Programs

Discretionary grants are awarded through a competitive process. OSEP conducts application reviews through a formal peer review process using a standing panel. The reviewers who serve on the standing panel score applications based on the legislative and regulatory requirements as well as by the published selection criteria established for the grant programs and projects.

OSEP provides discretionary grants to state educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit organizations to support technical assistance and dissemination, technology and media services, state personnel development grants, personnel preparation, state data collections, and parent-training and information centers.

New OSEP Funding Opportunities! 

 

ProgramALN#Purpose

IDEA Part B

  
Technical Assistance on State Data Collection84.373Improve the capacity of states to meet the IDEA data collection and reporting requirements

IDEA Part D

  
State Personnel Development Grants84.323Help state educational agencies reform and improve their systems for personnel preparation and professional development of individuals providing early intervention, educational, and transition services to improve results for children with disabilities
Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities84.325Help states meet state-identified needs for adequate numbers of fully-certified personnel to serve children with disabilities by supporting competitive awards
Technical Assistance and Dissemination84.326Improve services provided under the IDEA, including the practices of professionals and others involved in providing services that promote academic achievement and improve results for children with disabilities
Educational Technology, Media, and Materials For Individuals with Disabilities84.327Support accessible technology and educational media and material
Parent Training and Information Centers84.328Ensure parents of children with disabilities and youth have access to resources, information, and training
   

ED Discretionary Grants Resources

The Department of Education hosts a number of online resources for ED grant applicants:


Special Education Research Programs

IDEA authorized the establishment of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER), along with the transfer of responsibilities for research in special education to the new center. The center is located within the Department's Education's Institute for Education Services (IES). Information on current NCSER grant competitions can be found at the IES Funding page.


Transition

OSERS established a Transition Steering Committee to focus on the services, needs, and outcomes of youth with disabilities as they transition to postsecondary education and employment.


More Information on OSEP-Funded Projects

  • The OSEP-funded SigNetwork provides information about State Improvement Grants (SIGs) and State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG).
  • The U.S. Department of Education has established a network of 15 regional and 7 content Comprehensive Centers to provide assistance to benefit states and districts nationwide on key issues related to closing the achievement gap.
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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Page Last Reviewed:
October 3, 2024