Under the Department of Education, a Special Education Research grant is being offered. Eligible applicants include state governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations (with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status), private institutions of higher education, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
The purpose of this particular grant is to make it possible for national leaders to expand both basic knowledge and understanding of education that goes from early childhood learning through adult education. Using research grants associated with educational institutions, parents, educators, researchers, policymakers, and the public would gain access to education practices that are reliable and valid. With these practices, which improve and support learning and academic achievement, all students would have access to various opportunities for education.
Through this grant, support programs in a number of research arenas with the greatest national need would be offered. The goal is for 12 different research competitions to be conducted during fiscal year 2011. Under the National Center for Education Research, eight competitions will be conducted to include education research, education research training, competition for education research, and research on statistical, research methodology, and evaluation of State and local education programs and policies. In addition, the National Center for Special Education Research will conduct competitions for special education research, special education research training, and special education research and development.
The competitions for the National Center for Education Research will focus on applications specific to one the following:
• Reading and Writing
• Mathematics and Science Education
• Cognitive and Student Learning
• Teacher Quality (for reading, writing, mathematics, and science education)
• Social and Behavioral Context
• Education Leadership
• Education Policy, Finance, and Systems
• Organization and Management of School and Districts
• Analysis of Longitudinal Data to Support both State and Local Education Reform
• Early Learning Programs and Policies
• English Learners
• Postsecondary Education
• Adult Education
• Education Technology
For training under this center, applications considered would need to address one of these categories:
• Cognition and Adult Literacy
• State and Local Education Policy
• Postsecondary Education and Employment
Under the National Center for Special Education Research, applications accepted would relate to one of the areas listed below:
• Early Intervention and Early Learning in Special Education
• Reading, Writing, and Language Development
• Mathematics and Science Education
• Social and Behavioral Outcomes to Support Learning
• Transition Outcomes for Special Education Secondary Students
• Cognition and Student Learning in Special Education
• Professional Development for Teachers and Related Services Providers
• Special Education Policy, Finance, and Systems
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
On the training side for this specific center, the following area of research would need to be addressed for interested applicants.
• School-Based Interventions for Secondary Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The need for more in-depth research and education pertaining to special education needs has become obvious in recent years for all of these categories. For example, with the number of diagnosed cases of autism on the rise, proactive measures have reached critical levels. Because of this, grants such as this are essential, for not only parents, teachers, researchers, and policymakers, but ultimately students (both children and adults) so all students are provided with equal opportunity learning.
While the actual amount of funding awarded under this grant will depend on availability, as well as the scope of projects being proposed, eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. Keep in mind that all applicants would need to have the ability and capacity for conducting research, which is scientifically valid. To get started, a request for application, along with additional information would need to be made. These packages can be requested by visiting the government’s website at http://ies.ed.gov/funding and http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ies/programs.html.
The application package would be downloaded, completed offline, uploaded, and then submitted via the internet. It is important for applicants to understand that only applications processed online will be accepted. In other words, any applications submitted in paper form will automatically be rejected. The only approved exceptions include applicants without internet access or those without the ability to upload large documents to the government’s website. For both mailed and faxed applications, the Department of Education would need to receive them with a postmark no later than two weeks from the September deadline.
Mailed applications for the educational grant would be sent to:
Elizabeth Payer
US Department of Education
555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Room 602C
Washington, DC 20208
Faxed copies would be sent to 202-219-1466
