Formula Grant Discretionary Grant Special Education Research Transition More Information
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) supports a comprehensive array of programs and projects authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that improve results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
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. |
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.
| 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.