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.
Learn how OSEP is organized.
Get to know the people at OSEP
The Office of the Director (OD) in OSEP ensures the effective implementation of OSEP's legislative mission and advises on federal educational policy.
MSIP carries out activities related to the Part B, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and 619 formula grant programs.
Administers the discretionary grant programs designed to help students with disabilities achieve improved educational results.
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:
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.
| Program | ALN# | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Grants | 84.173 | Authorized by Part B, Section 619 for children ages three through five. |
| Grants to States | 84.027 | Authorized 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.
| Program | ALN# | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities | 84.181 | Authorized 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!
| Program | ALN# | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
IDEA Part B | ||
| Technical Assistance on State Data Collection | 84.373 | Improve the capacity of states to meet the IDEA data collection and reporting requirements |
IDEA Part D | ||
| State Personnel Development Grants | 84.323 | Help 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 Disabilities | 84.325 | Help states meet state-identified needs for adequate numbers of fully-certified personnel to serve children with disabilities by supporting competitive awards |
| Technical Assistance and Dissemination | 84.326 | Improve 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 Disabilities | 84.327 | Support accessible technology and educational media and material |
| Parent Training and Information Centers | 84.328 | Ensure 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.
Find out how to contact the team at OSEP.
OSERS Newsletters, including the OSEP Update and ED Early Learning Newsletter, showcase content from ED, OSERS, OSEP, OSEP-grantees & other agencies.
OSEP provides written guidance and clarification regarding implementation of the IDEA.
Each year, OSEP prepares its Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
OSEP has revised its accountability system to shift the balance from a system focused on compliance to one that puts more emphasis on results.
The IDEA website features expanded content to help you learn about the law protecting students with disabilities.