Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Innovation and Early Learning Programs: Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program Mid-Phase Grants Assistance Listing Number 84.411B

The U.S. Department of Education, through its Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, is soliciting applications for the Education Innovation and Research Program Mid-Phase Grants under Assistance Listing Number 84.411B. The program is authorized under section 4611 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, and is designed to support the creation, development, implementation, replication, or scaling of entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations that aim to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students. The Department emphasizes rigorous evaluation of funded projects to ensure that supported initiatives are effective and can contribute to the broader body of knowledge on educational improvement strategies. The Mid-Phase grants are a part of the larger EIR Program, which has historically supported innovation in education. Unlike the Early-Phase or Expansion competitions, this notice specifically invites applications for Mid-Phase grants. The Department notes that although no Early-Phase competition is planned, high-scoring, unfunded applicants from any of the FY 2024 competitions may still be considered for funding. The opportunity is discretionary and is targeted toward applicants that demonstrate both capacity and evidence of prior effectiveness in addressing the needs of disadvantaged students. Applications became available on September 12, 2025, with a closing date of October 14, 2025. The deadline for intergovernmental review is December 11, 2025. The Department will also post additional competition information for prospective applicants on the program’s website. Applicants are required to submit proposals electronically through Grants.gov by the specified deadline. The opportunity is not rolling and follows a fixed submission window. It is recurring in nature, as the EIR program is administered annually. For the current cycle, an estimated eight awards will be made, with individual award ceilings of up to $10,000,000. The total program funding available is approximately $253,000,000. Cost-sharing or matching is required, though the notice does not specify a fixed match percentage. Eligibility for this program is broad but structured. Eligible applicants include local educational agencies (LEAs), state educational agencies (SEAs), the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and consortia of SEAs or LEAs. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status may apply, either independently or in partnership with LEAs, SEAs, or BIE. Additionally, partnerships may include nonprofits, businesses, educational service agencies, or institutions of higher education (IHEs). Certain requirements apply for applicants seeking to qualify as rural applicants, including specific locale codes designations. Nonprofits must demonstrate their status through IRS recognition, state certifications, or incorporation documentation. IHEs may apply in limited partnership contexts, but public institutions without 501(c)(3) status are not eligible. Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with the program’s goals, the strength of the evidence base supporting proposed innovations, and the capacity of applicants to implement and evaluate their projects. The Department places a strong emphasis on improving outcomes for students most in need, particularly those in underserved or disadvantaged communities. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the official Federal Register notice for full details on application requirements, performance measures, and program priorities. For further information, applicants may contact Dr. Sonji Jones-Manson at the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-5900. Dr. Jones-Manson can be reached by telephone at 202-987-1753 or via email at eir@ed.gov. Additional information, including application instructions, can be accessed in the Federal Register notice and on the Department’s competition website. The archive date for this opportunity is November 13, 2025.