The Comprehensive Centers program supports the establishment of Comprehensive Centers (CCs) to provide capacity-building services to State educational agencies (SEAs), regional educational agencies (REAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools that improve educational opportunities and outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students, and particularly for groups of students with the greatest need, including students from low-income families and students attending schools implementing comprehensive support and improvement or targeted or additional targeted support and improvement activities under section 1111(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).
Each Comprehensive Center must develop a 5-year plan for carrying out authorized activities. The plan of each center is developed to address the educational challenges facing students, practitioners, and education system leaders, as well as priorities established by the Department and the States. Each center has an advisory board, with representation from SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and business representatives, that advises the center on: (1) allocation of resources, (2) strategies for monitoring and addressing the region's educational needs (or the Nation's needs in the case of national and content centers), (3) maintaining a high standard of quality in the performance of its activities, and (4) carrying out the center's activities in a manner that promotes progress toward improving student academic achievement.
The Comprehensive Center Network
By statute, the Department is required to establish 20 Centers, with at least one center in each of the 10 geographic regions served by the Department's Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs).
These Centers comprise the Comprehensive Center Network (CCNetwork), consisting of a National Comprehensive Center (National Center), Regional Comprehensive Centers (Regional Centers), and Content Centers working together to support SEAs, REAs, Tribal education agencies (TEAs), LEAs, and schools to address areas of national need and advance several key focus areas, including to assist States and districts in academic achievement and excellence, to offer all students a comprehensive and rigorous education, to eliminate the educator shortage, to provide every student with a pathway to multilingualism, and to provide schools with adequate and equitable funding.
Types of Services
Centers develop annual service plans for carrying out authorized activities that address State, regional, and national needs.
Regional Centers
Regional Centers provide high-quality intensive capacity-building services to State and local clients and recipients to assist them in selecting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that support improved educator and student outcomes. Each Regional Center acts as the primary line of support to build capacity of the recipients being served by the Comprehensive Center to:
- Carry out approved Consolidated State Plans under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESEA);
- Implement, scale up, and sustain evidence-based programs, practices, or interventions that focus on key initiatives that lead to LEAs and schools improving student outcomes;
- Address the unique educational obstacles faced by underserved populations;
- Improve implementation of ESEA programs including collecting and reporting program data and addressing corrective actions or results from audit findings and ESEA program monitoring; and
- Work with the National Center and Content Centers to assist clients in selecting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based programs, policies, practices, and interventions to make their work available to as many REAs, LEAs, and schools in need of support as possible.
National Center
The National Center provides high-quality, high-impact technical assistance and capacity-building services to the Nation that are designed to improve educational opportunities, educator practice, and student outcomes. National Center services must assist SEAs, REAs, TEAs, LEAs, and Regional Center clients and recipients to:
- Implement approved ESEA Consolidated State Plans, with preference given to implementing and scaling evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that directly benefit entities that have high percentages or numbers of students from low-income families;
- Implement and scale up evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that lead to the increased capacity of SEAs and LEAs to address the unique educational challenges and improve outcomes of schools implementing comprehensive support and improvement activities or targeted or additional targeted support and improvement activities as referenced in title I, part A of the ESEA (ESEA sec. 1111(d)) and their student);
- Implement State accountability and assessment systems;
- Implement and scale up evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that improve instruction and outcomes in core academic subjects, including math and literacy instruction;
- Address the unique educational obstacles faced by rural and Tribal students; and
- Address other emerging education topics of national importance that are not being met by another federally funded technical assistance provider.
The National Center additionally coordinates the work of the CCNetwork to effectively use program resources to support evidence use and the implementation of evidence-based practices to close opportunity gaps and improve educational outcomes, particularly accelerating academic achievement in math and literacy for all students, and particularly for groups of students with the greatest need. The National Center coordinates and collaborates with the Regional Centers and Content Centers to assess educational needs, coordinate common areas of support, including with other federal providers, communicate about the work of the CCNetwork, and help clients navigate available support.
Content Centers
The Content Centers provide high-quality, useful, and relevant targeted and universal capacity-building services in a designated content area of expertise to SEA, REA, TEA, and LEA clients designed to improve educational opportunities, educator practice, and student outcomes. Content Centers build the capacity of practitioners, education system leaders, public schools, LEAs, and SEAs to use evidence in a designated content area to:
- Use evidence in State or local policy or programs;
- Improve program implementation to achieve desired educational outcomes; and
- Address high-leverage problems and provide access to urgently needed services to build Centers' capacity to support SEAs and local clients.
Content Centers coordinate and align targeted and universal capacity-building services with the National Center, Regional Centers, and other federally funded providers to assess potential client needs, avoid duplication of services, and widely disseminate products or tools to ensure the use of services by as many SEA, REA, TEA, and LEA recipients as possible.
For information about Comprehensive Center resources, projects, and support, visit https://compcenternetwork.org/.
Applicant Information
2026 Application Notice and Instructions (ANI)
On May 8, 2026 the U.S. Department of Education (Department) published three Application Notice and Instructions (ANI) for new awards for the 2026 Comprehensive Centers Program: Program and Grantee Support Services (84.283B) grant competition, inviting organizations to apply for up to five-year grant awards to establish Comprehensive Centers that provide capacity-building services to State educational agencies (SEAs), regional educational agencies (REAs), including Tribal educational agencies (TEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools that improve educational opportunities and student outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students, particularly for groups of students with the greatest need. The Department may choose to make awards in fiscal year 2026 or subsequent fiscal years.
The Department invites applications for three types of Centers:
- A National Center to coordinate client-driven technical assistance to address SEA, REA, TEA, and LEA priorities related to evidence use and implementation of evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes nationally
- Regional Centers to provide intensive, client-driven technical assistance aligned to State and local priorities and needs related to selecting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions in support of improved educator practice and student outcomes, especially in math and literacy
- Content Centers to provide technical assistance on a specific topic of national or regional importance reflected across State and local needs and priorities, including Field-Initiated Centers; Emerging Needs Center; and National Center for Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities.
Competition Timeline
- Deadline for Intent to Apply: May 29, 2026
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 30, 2026
- Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 8, 2026
Competition Priorities
Absolute Priorities
- Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet the absolute priority for a specific competition. The absolute priorities used in this competition are: National Center, Regional Centers, Field-Initiated Content Centers, Emerging Needs Content Centers and Meaningful Learning Opportunities.
Competitive Preference Priorities
- An application may receive up to 10 additional points under a Competitive Preference Priority. The competitive preference priorities for this competition vary based on the absolute priority. They are: Returning Education to the States, and for Field-Initiated Content Centers, Meaningful Learning Opportunities, and Promoting Evidence-Based Literacy.
An applicant must identify in the abstract form and the project narrative section of the application any priority that it addresses. Applicants should review the ANI for each Center for specific information on how to meet the absolute and competitive preference priorities for their specific application.
Application Instructions and Submission
How to Apply
To apply for this competition, applicants must submit the application through Grants.gov and follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application. Applicants should review the ANI in its entirety and only rely upon the information and requirements listed in the ANI. An application will not be evaluated for funding if the applicant does not comply with all the procedural rules that govern the submission of the application, or the application does not contain the information required under the program.
Notice of Intent to Apply:
The Department strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application by Friday, May 29, 2026. To do so, please email OESE.ComprehensiveCenters@ed.gov with the subject line “Intent to Apply,” and include the applicant’s name and a contact person’s name and email address. Notification is optional and non-binding. Please see the ANI for more information.
For additional questions, please email OESE.ComprehensiveCenters@ed.gov.
Applicant Resources
Pre-Application Webinars for Prospective Applicants
Webinars for prospective applications review the competition eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, and application requirements. Check back on this page for updated resources throughout the competition.
Please review the materials provided for prospective applicants by Center type:
General Information
Regional Centers
National Center
Content Centers
National Center for Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities
- Webinar slides
- Webinar transcript - coming soon
- Webinar recording - coming soon
Application Instructions and Submission Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
The Department has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to respond to applicant questions received.
Submit questions to the Department at: OESE.ComprehensiveCenters@ed.gov.
Eligibility
Who May Apply
Research organizations, institutions, agencies, institutes of higher education, or partnerships among such entities, or individuals, with the demonstrated ability or capacity to carry out the activities described in this notice, including regional entities that carried out activities under the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (as such Act existed on the day before November 5, 2002) and title XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as such title existed on the day before January 8, 2002).
Call for Peer Reviewers
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) seeks qualified individuals to serve as Peer Reviewers for the 2026 Comprehensive Centers Program grant competition. The request for Peer Reviewers seeks to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates with relevant subject matter expertise aligned to serve on panels to review applications for Comprehensive Centers, including a National Center, Regional Centers, Content Centers, the National Center for Improving Literacy (NCIL) and the Bureau of Indian (BIE) Regional Center.
For more information, please review the Call for Peer Reviewers.
Funding
Funding Status
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Appropriation | Number of New Awards | Range of New Awards | Number of Continuation Awards | Range of Continuation Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $48,500,000 | 19* | $1,000,000 to $6,500,000* | ||
| FY 2025 | $48,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 19 | $1,000,000 to $5,039,769 |
| FY 2024 | $48,500,000 | 19 | $1,000,000 to $6,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
| FY 2023 | $53,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,472,657 |
| FY 2022 | $52,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,472,657 |
| FY 2021 | $50,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,429,926 |
| FY 2020 | $50,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,472,657 |
| FY 2019 | $50,500,000 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,471,484 | 0 | 0 |
*Estimated
Note: $1,500,000 of the total Comprehensive Centers Program appropriation is awarded to the National Center on Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities (ALN: 84.283D).
Legislation
Comprehensive Centers Program is a discretionary grant program authorized under Title II, Sec. 203, of the Educational Technical Assistance Act (ETAA) of 2002.
The Educational Technical Assistance Act (ETAA) of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9601) authorizes support for not less than 20 grants to local entities, or consortia of such entities, with demonstrated expertise in providing capacity-building services in reading, mathematics, science, and technology, especially to low-performing schools and districts, including the administration and implementation of programs authorized under the ESEA. Under section 203(a)(2) of the ETAA, the Department is required to establish at least one Center in each of the 10 geographic regions served by the Department's Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) authorized under section 941(h) of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994. The proposed funding for Regional Centers established under the ETAA must take into consideration the school-age population, proportion of economically disadvantaged students, increased cost burdens of service delivery in rural areas, and number of schools identified for improvement under ESEA section 1111(d). Accordingly, the regions for the proposed Regional Centers take into account total SEAs, LEAs, REAs, SEAs, and LEAs eligible for the Small, Rural School Achievement Program and the Rural Low-Income School Program, schools, and the associated RELs.
Regulations
- The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
- Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
- 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.
- 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.
- The regulations in 34 CFR part 299.
- Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions published on May 8, 2026 (91 FR 25452)
- Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria published on May 13, 2024 (89 FR 41498)
- Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Performance Measures published on April 4, 2019.
Comprehensive Center Network
- Comprehensive Center Network (CCNetwork): Find resources and additional information about Comprehensive Center services.
- National Center on Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities: Find additional information about resources from the NCIL.
Other Technical Assistance Resources
Find links to other technical assistance (TA) resources and programs that partner with the Comprehensive Centers:
- Regional Educational Laboratories
- Equity Assistance Centers
- OESE Technical Assistance Centers
- Office of Special Education Programs TA&D Network
Comprehensive Centers Program Evaluation
Section 204 of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 (ETAA) requires that the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), a component of the Department's Institute of Education Sciences, provide for an ongoing independent evaluation of the Comprehensive Centers to determine the extent to which each center meets its objectives.
- Final Evaluation Report of the Comprehensive Technical Assistance Centers for the Fiscal Year 2012 Grantees (2019-2024 Cohort):
- The study's report is expected in 2026 and will be announced on the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance site.
- Additional information is available on the National Evaluation of the 2019 Comprehensive Centers Program Grantees page.
- Final Evaluation Report of the Comprehensive Technical Assistance Centers for Fiscal Year 2012 Grantees (2012-2019 Cohort)
- Final Evaluation Report of the Comprehensive Technical Assistance Centers for Fiscal Year 2011 Grantees (2005-2011 Cohort)
2024 Awards: Comprehensive Centers
The 2024 Comprehensive Centers included one National Comprehensive Center, 14 Regional Centers, and 4 Content Centers.
National Comprehensive Center
- Westat, Inc.
Jill Lammert, Director
Carrie Murthy, Deputy Director
Anushka Shirali, Deputy
Phone: (240) 314-2418
Regional Comprehensive Centers
Region 1 (Northeast): Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
- American Institutes for Research
Ellen Cushing, Director
Abigal Foley, Deputy Director
Phone: (202) 403-5524
- American Institutes for Research
Region 2 (Islands): Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
- Family Health International (FHI 360)
Risa Sackman, Co-Director
Karen Maldonado, Co-Director
Phone: (919) 544-7040
- Family Health International (FHI 360)
Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic): Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.,
Kerry Hoffman, Co-Executive Director
Kandace Jones, Co-Executive Director
Phone: (301) 407-6500
- ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.,
Region 4 (Appalachia): Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- Westat, Inc.
Dr. Bradford Keller, Co-Project Director
Aliya Pilchen, Co-Project Director
Phone: (304) 206-6819
- Westat, Inc.
Region 5 (Southeast): North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Eric Grebing, Co-Director
Phone: (336) 315-7431
George Hancock, Co-Director
Phone: (910) 783-8324
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Region 6 (Gulf): Florida, Alabama, Mississippi
- RMC Research Corporation
Robin Jarvis, Director
Phone: (813) 915-0010
- RMC Research Corporation
Region 7 (Midwest): Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
- American Institutes for Research
Tori Cirks, Director
Phone: (630) 649-6693
Betheny Lyke, Deputy Director
Phone: (312) 288-7612
- American Institutes for Research
Region 8 (Central): Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Susan Shebby, Director
Karen Gray-Adams, Deputy Director
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Region 9 (Southwest): Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
- Westat, Inc.
Kristin Nafziger, Director
Phone: (512) 893-4503
- Westat, Inc.
Region 10 (West): Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Jenny Scala, Co-Project Director,
Alicia Espinoza, Co-Project Director
Phone: (617) 201-8280
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Region 11 (Northwest): Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana
- Education Northwest
Jennifer Esswein, Co-Director
Cortney Rowland, Co-Director
Phone: (503) 275-9636
- Education Northwest
Region 12 (Pacific East): American Samoa, Hawaii, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Child Trends, Incorporated
Dr. Kapono Ciotti, Co-Director
Christopher Mazzeo, Co-Director
Phone: (919) 869-1279
- Child Trends, Incorporated
Region 13 (Pacific West): Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Palau
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Sinton Soalablai, Co-Director
Erin D'Amelio, Deputy Director
Phone: (312) 201-6896
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Region 14: Bureau of Indian Education
- WestEd
Robert Salley, Project Director
Mario Molina, Deputy Director
Phone: (415) 565-3000
- WestEd
Content Centers
Center on English Language Proficiency
- Loyola Marymount University
Magaly Lavadenz, Co-Director
Sheila J. Briggs, Co-Director
Phone: (310) 338-2924
- Loyola Marymount University
Center for Early Learning Success
- AZ Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
Lisa Gordon, Director
Eric Bucher, Deputy Director for Resource Development
Phone: (480) 965-7117
- AZ Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
Center for Strategic Funding and Finance
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Beth Howard-Brown, Co-Director
James Colyott, Co-Director
Phone: (803) 936-0752
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Center on Strengthening and Supporting the Educator Workforce
- Research Triangle Institute
Fredrica Nash, Co-Director
Robin Wisniewski, Co-Director
Phone: (919) 423-0611
- Research Triangle Institute
For more information about the work of the Comprehensive Center Network, visit: https://compcenternetwork.org/
2026 Awards
- FY 2026 Appropriation: $48,500,000
- Number of New Awards: TBD
- Number of Continuation Awards: TBD
2025 Awards
- FY 2025 Appropriation: $48,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 19
- 14 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
- 4 Content Centers
- Center on English Learners and Multilingualism
- Center for Early School Success
- Center on Fiscal Equity
- Center on Strengthening and Supporting the Educator Workforce
2024 Awards
- FY 2024 Appropriation: $48,500,000
- Number of New Awards: 19
- 14 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 4 Content Centers
- Center on English Learners and Multilingualism
- Center for Early School Success
- Center on Fiscal Equity
- Center on Strengthening and Supporting the Educator Workforce
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2023 Awards
- FY 2023 Appropriation: $53,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2022 Awards
- FY 2022 Appropriation: $52,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2021 Awards
- FY 2021 Appropriation: $50,500,000
- Number of New Awards: 20
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2020 Awards
- FY 2020 Appropriation: $50,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2019 Awards
- Appropriation: $50,500,000
- Number of New Awards: 19
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
The Comprehensive Centers program supports the establishment of Comprehensive Centers (CCs) to provide capacity-building services to State educational agencies (SEAs), regional educational agencies (REAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools that improve educational opportunities and outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students, and particularly for groups of students with the greatest need, including students from low-income families and students attending schools implementing comprehensive support and improvement or targeted or additional targeted support and improvement activities under section 1111(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).
Each Comprehensive Center must develop a 5-year plan for carrying out authorized activities. The plan of each center is developed to address the educational challenges facing students, practitioners, and education system leaders, as well as priorities established by the Department and the States. Each center has an advisory board, with representation from SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and business representatives, that advises the center on: (1) allocation of resources, (2) strategies for monitoring and addressing the region's educational needs (or the Nation's needs in the case of national and content centers), (3) maintaining a high standard of quality in the performance of its activities, and (4) carrying out the center's activities in a manner that promotes progress toward improving student academic achievement.
The Comprehensive Center Network
By statute, the Department is required to establish 20 Centers, with at least one center in each of the 10 geographic regions served by the Department's Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs).
These Centers comprise the Comprehensive Center Network (CCNetwork), consisting of a National Comprehensive Center (National Center), Regional Comprehensive Centers (Regional Centers), and Content Centers working together to support SEAs, REAs, Tribal education agencies (TEAs), LEAs, and schools to address areas of national need and advance several key focus areas, including to assist States and districts in academic achievement and excellence, to offer all students a comprehensive and rigorous education, to eliminate the educator shortage, to provide every student with a pathway to multilingualism, and to provide schools with adequate and equitable funding.
Types of Services
Centers develop annual service plans for carrying out authorized activities that address State, regional, and national needs.
Regional Centers
Regional Centers provide high-quality intensive capacity-building services to State and local clients and recipients to assist them in selecting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that support improved educator and student outcomes. Each Regional Center acts as the primary line of support to build capacity of the recipients being served by the Comprehensive Center to:
- Carry out approved Consolidated State Plans under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESEA);
- Implement, scale up, and sustain evidence-based programs, practices, or interventions that focus on key initiatives that lead to LEAs and schools improving student outcomes;
- Address the unique educational obstacles faced by underserved populations;
- Improve implementation of ESEA programs including collecting and reporting program data and addressing corrective actions or results from audit findings and ESEA program monitoring; and
- Work with the National Center and Content Centers to assist clients in selecting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based programs, policies, practices, and interventions to make their work available to as many REAs, LEAs, and schools in need of support as possible.
National Center
The National Center provides high-quality, high-impact technical assistance and capacity-building services to the Nation that are designed to improve educational opportunities, educator practice, and student outcomes. National Center services must assist SEAs, REAs, TEAs, LEAs, and Regional Center clients and recipients to:
- Implement approved ESEA Consolidated State Plans, with preference given to implementing and scaling evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that directly benefit entities that have high percentages or numbers of students from low-income families;
- Implement and scale up evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that lead to the increased capacity of SEAs and LEAs to address the unique educational challenges and improve outcomes of schools implementing comprehensive support and improvement activities or targeted or additional targeted support and improvement activities as referenced in title I, part A of the ESEA (ESEA sec. 1111(d)) and their student);
- Implement State accountability and assessment systems;
- Implement and scale up evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions that improve instruction and outcomes in core academic subjects, including math and literacy instruction;
- Address the unique educational obstacles faced by rural and Tribal students; and
- Address other emerging education topics of national importance that are not being met by another federally funded technical assistance provider.
The National Center additionally coordinates the work of the CCNetwork to effectively use program resources to support evidence use and the implementation of evidence-based practices to close opportunity gaps and improve educational outcomes, particularly accelerating academic achievement in math and literacy for all students, and particularly for groups of students with the greatest need. The National Center coordinates and collaborates with the Regional Centers and Content Centers to assess educational needs, coordinate common areas of support, including with other federal providers, communicate about the work of the CCNetwork, and help clients navigate available support.
Content Centers
The Content Centers provide high-quality, useful, and relevant targeted and universal capacity-building services in a designated content area of expertise to SEA, REA, TEA, and LEA clients designed to improve educational opportunities, educator practice, and student outcomes. Content Centers build the capacity of practitioners, education system leaders, public schools, LEAs, and SEAs to use evidence in a designated content area to:
- Use evidence in State or local policy or programs;
- Improve program implementation to achieve desired educational outcomes; and
- Address high-leverage problems and provide access to urgently needed services to build Centers' capacity to support SEAs and local clients.
Content Centers coordinate and align targeted and universal capacity-building services with the National Center, Regional Centers, and other federally funded providers to assess potential client needs, avoid duplication of services, and widely disseminate products or tools to ensure the use of services by as many SEA, REA, TEA, and LEA recipients as possible.
For information about Comprehensive Center resources, projects, and support, visit https://compcenternetwork.org/.
Applicant Information
2026 Application Notice and Instructions (ANI)
On May 8, 2026 the U.S. Department of Education (Department) published three Application Notice and Instructions (ANI) for new awards for the 2026 Comprehensive Centers Program: Program and Grantee Support Services (84.283B) grant competition, inviting organizations to apply for up to five-year grant awards to establish Comprehensive Centers that provide capacity-building services to State educational agencies (SEAs), regional educational agencies (REAs), including Tribal educational agencies (TEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools that improve educational opportunities and student outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all students, particularly for groups of students with the greatest need. The Department may choose to make awards in fiscal year 2026 or subsequent fiscal years.
The Department invites applications for three types of Centers:
- A National Center to coordinate client-driven technical assistance to address SEA, REA, TEA, and LEA priorities related to evidence use and implementation of evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes nationally
- Regional Centers to provide intensive, client-driven technical assistance aligned to State and local priorities and needs related to selecting, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions in support of improved educator practice and student outcomes, especially in math and literacy
- Content Centers to provide technical assistance on a specific topic of national or regional importance reflected across State and local needs and priorities, including Field-Initiated Centers; Emerging Needs Center; and National Center for Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities.
Competition Timeline
- Deadline for Intent to Apply: May 29, 2026
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 30, 2026
- Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 8, 2026
Competition Priorities
Absolute Priorities
- Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet the absolute priority for a specific competition. The absolute priorities used in this competition are: National Center, Regional Centers, Field-Initiated Content Centers, Emerging Needs Content Centers and Meaningful Learning Opportunities.
Competitive Preference Priorities
- An application may receive up to 10 additional points under a Competitive Preference Priority. The competitive preference priorities for this competition vary based on the absolute priority. They are: Returning Education to the States, and for Field-Initiated Content Centers, Meaningful Learning Opportunities, and Promoting Evidence-Based Literacy.
An applicant must identify in the abstract form and the project narrative section of the application any priority that it addresses. Applicants should review the ANI for each Center for specific information on how to meet the absolute and competitive preference priorities for their specific application.
Application Instructions and Submission
How to Apply
To apply for this competition, applicants must submit the application through Grants.gov and follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application. Applicants should review the ANI in its entirety and only rely upon the information and requirements listed in the ANI. An application will not be evaluated for funding if the applicant does not comply with all the procedural rules that govern the submission of the application, or the application does not contain the information required under the program.
Notice of Intent to Apply:
The Department strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application by Friday, May 29, 2026. To do so, please email OESE.ComprehensiveCenters@ed.gov with the subject line “Intent to Apply,” and include the applicant’s name and a contact person’s name and email address. Notification is optional and non-binding. Please see the ANI for more information.
For additional questions, please email OESE.ComprehensiveCenters@ed.gov.
Applicant Resources
Pre-Application Webinars for Prospective Applicants
Webinars for prospective applications review the competition eligibility requirements, priorities, selection criteria, and application requirements. Check back on this page for updated resources throughout the competition.
Please review the materials provided for prospective applicants by Center type:
General Information
Regional Centers
National Center
Content Centers
National Center for Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities
- Webinar slides
- Webinar transcript - coming soon
- Webinar recording - coming soon
Application Instructions and Submission Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
The Department has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to respond to applicant questions received.
Submit questions to the Department at: OESE.ComprehensiveCenters@ed.gov.
Eligibility
Who May Apply
Research organizations, institutions, agencies, institutes of higher education, or partnerships among such entities, or individuals, with the demonstrated ability or capacity to carry out the activities described in this notice, including regional entities that carried out activities under the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (as such Act existed on the day before November 5, 2002) and title XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as such title existed on the day before January 8, 2002).
Call for Peer Reviewers
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) seeks qualified individuals to serve as Peer Reviewers for the 2026 Comprehensive Centers Program grant competition. The request for Peer Reviewers seeks to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates with relevant subject matter expertise aligned to serve on panels to review applications for Comprehensive Centers, including a National Center, Regional Centers, Content Centers, the National Center for Improving Literacy (NCIL) and the Bureau of Indian (BIE) Regional Center.
For more information, please review the Call for Peer Reviewers.
Funding
Funding Status
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Appropriation | Number of New Awards | Range of New Awards | Number of Continuation Awards | Range of Continuation Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $48,500,000 | 19* | $1,000,000 to $6,500,000* | ||
| FY 2025 | $48,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 19 | $1,000,000 to $5,039,769 |
| FY 2024 | $48,500,000 | 19 | $1,000,000 to $6,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
| FY 2023 | $53,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,472,657 |
| FY 2022 | $52,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,472,657 |
| FY 2021 | $50,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,429,926 |
| FY 2020 | $50,500,000 | 0 | 0 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,472,657 |
| FY 2019 | $50,500,000 | 20 | $1,000,000 to $6,471,484 | 0 | 0 |
*Estimated
Note: $1,500,000 of the total Comprehensive Centers Program appropriation is awarded to the National Center on Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities (ALN: 84.283D).
Legislation
Comprehensive Centers Program is a discretionary grant program authorized under Title II, Sec. 203, of the Educational Technical Assistance Act (ETAA) of 2002.
The Educational Technical Assistance Act (ETAA) of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9601) authorizes support for not less than 20 grants to local entities, or consortia of such entities, with demonstrated expertise in providing capacity-building services in reading, mathematics, science, and technology, especially to low-performing schools and districts, including the administration and implementation of programs authorized under the ESEA. Under section 203(a)(2) of the ETAA, the Department is required to establish at least one Center in each of the 10 geographic regions served by the Department's Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) authorized under section 941(h) of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994. The proposed funding for Regional Centers established under the ETAA must take into consideration the school-age population, proportion of economically disadvantaged students, increased cost burdens of service delivery in rural areas, and number of schools identified for improvement under ESEA section 1111(d). Accordingly, the regions for the proposed Regional Centers take into account total SEAs, LEAs, REAs, SEAs, and LEAs eligible for the Small, Rural School Achievement Program and the Rural Low-Income School Program, schools, and the associated RELs.
Regulations
- The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
- Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
- 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.
- 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.
- The regulations in 34 CFR part 299.
- Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions published on May 8, 2026 (91 FR 25452)
- Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria published on May 13, 2024 (89 FR 41498)
- Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Performance Measures published on April 4, 2019.
Comprehensive Center Network
- Comprehensive Center Network (CCNetwork): Find resources and additional information about Comprehensive Center services.
- National Center on Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities: Find additional information about resources from the NCIL.
Other Technical Assistance Resources
Find links to other technical assistance (TA) resources and programs that partner with the Comprehensive Centers:
- Regional Educational Laboratories
- Equity Assistance Centers
- OESE Technical Assistance Centers
- Office of Special Education Programs TA&D Network
Comprehensive Centers Program Evaluation
Section 204 of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 (ETAA) requires that the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), a component of the Department's Institute of Education Sciences, provide for an ongoing independent evaluation of the Comprehensive Centers to determine the extent to which each center meets its objectives.
- Final Evaluation Report of the Comprehensive Technical Assistance Centers for the Fiscal Year 2012 Grantees (2019-2024 Cohort):
- The study's report is expected in 2026 and will be announced on the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance site.
- Additional information is available on the National Evaluation of the 2019 Comprehensive Centers Program Grantees page.
- Final Evaluation Report of the Comprehensive Technical Assistance Centers for Fiscal Year 2012 Grantees (2012-2019 Cohort)
- Final Evaluation Report of the Comprehensive Technical Assistance Centers for Fiscal Year 2011 Grantees (2005-2011 Cohort)
2024 Awards: Comprehensive Centers
The 2024 Comprehensive Centers included one National Comprehensive Center, 14 Regional Centers, and 4 Content Centers.
National Comprehensive Center
- Westat, Inc.
Jill Lammert, Director
Carrie Murthy, Deputy Director
Anushka Shirali, Deputy
Phone: (240) 314-2418
Regional Comprehensive Centers
Region 1 (Northeast): Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
- American Institutes for Research
Ellen Cushing, Director
Abigal Foley, Deputy Director
Phone: (202) 403-5524
- American Institutes for Research
Region 2 (Islands): Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
- Family Health International (FHI 360)
Risa Sackman, Co-Director
Karen Maldonado, Co-Director
Phone: (919) 544-7040
- Family Health International (FHI 360)
Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic): Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.,
Kerry Hoffman, Co-Executive Director
Kandace Jones, Co-Executive Director
Phone: (301) 407-6500
- ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.,
Region 4 (Appalachia): Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- Westat, Inc.
Dr. Bradford Keller, Co-Project Director
Aliya Pilchen, Co-Project Director
Phone: (304) 206-6819
- Westat, Inc.
Region 5 (Southeast): North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Eric Grebing, Co-Director
Phone: (336) 315-7431
George Hancock, Co-Director
Phone: (910) 783-8324
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Region 6 (Gulf): Florida, Alabama, Mississippi
- RMC Research Corporation
Robin Jarvis, Director
Phone: (813) 915-0010
- RMC Research Corporation
Region 7 (Midwest): Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
- American Institutes for Research
Tori Cirks, Director
Phone: (630) 649-6693
Betheny Lyke, Deputy Director
Phone: (312) 288-7612
- American Institutes for Research
Region 8 (Central): Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Susan Shebby, Director
Karen Gray-Adams, Deputy Director
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Region 9 (Southwest): Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
- Westat, Inc.
Kristin Nafziger, Director
Phone: (512) 893-4503
- Westat, Inc.
Region 10 (West): Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Jenny Scala, Co-Project Director,
Alicia Espinoza, Co-Project Director
Phone: (617) 201-8280
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Region 11 (Northwest): Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana
- Education Northwest
Jennifer Esswein, Co-Director
Cortney Rowland, Co-Director
Phone: (503) 275-9636
- Education Northwest
Region 12 (Pacific East): American Samoa, Hawaii, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Child Trends, Incorporated
Dr. Kapono Ciotti, Co-Director
Christopher Mazzeo, Co-Director
Phone: (919) 869-1279
- Child Trends, Incorporated
Region 13 (Pacific West): Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Palau
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Sinton Soalablai, Co-Director
Erin D'Amelio, Deputy Director
Phone: (312) 201-6896
- National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
Region 14: Bureau of Indian Education
- WestEd
Robert Salley, Project Director
Mario Molina, Deputy Director
Phone: (415) 565-3000
- WestEd
Content Centers
Center on English Language Proficiency
- Loyola Marymount University
Magaly Lavadenz, Co-Director
Sheila J. Briggs, Co-Director
Phone: (310) 338-2924
- Loyola Marymount University
Center for Early Learning Success
- AZ Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
Lisa Gordon, Director
Eric Bucher, Deputy Director for Resource Development
Phone: (480) 965-7117
- AZ Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
Center for Strategic Funding and Finance
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Beth Howard-Brown, Co-Director
James Colyott, Co-Director
Phone: (803) 936-0752
- American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Center on Strengthening and Supporting the Educator Workforce
- Research Triangle Institute
Fredrica Nash, Co-Director
Robin Wisniewski, Co-Director
Phone: (919) 423-0611
- Research Triangle Institute
For more information about the work of the Comprehensive Center Network, visit: https://compcenternetwork.org/
2026 Awards
- FY 2026 Appropriation: $48,500,000
- Number of New Awards: TBD
- Number of Continuation Awards: TBD
2025 Awards
- FY 2025 Appropriation: $48,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 19
- 14 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
- 4 Content Centers
- Center on English Learners and Multilingualism
- Center for Early School Success
- Center on Fiscal Equity
- Center on Strengthening and Supporting the Educator Workforce
2024 Awards
- FY 2024 Appropriation: $48,500,000
- Number of New Awards: 19
- 14 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 4 Content Centers
- Center on English Learners and Multilingualism
- Center for Early School Success
- Center on Fiscal Equity
- Center on Strengthening and Supporting the Educator Workforce
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2023 Awards
- FY 2023 Appropriation: $53,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2022 Awards
- FY 2022 Appropriation: $52,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2021 Awards
- FY 2021 Appropriation: $50,500,000
- Number of New Awards: 20
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2020 Awards
- FY 2020 Appropriation: $50,500,000
- Number of Continuation Awards: 20
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
2019 Awards
- Appropriation: $50,500,000
- Number of New Awards: 19
- 19 Regional Comprehensive Centers
- 1 National Comprehensive Center
Information about the Comprehensive Centers: National Comprehensive Center on Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities grant (ALN: 84.283D).
RACs advise the Secretary on educational needs of the 10 regions served by the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs).