Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): Technical Assistance on State Data Collection--IDEA Data Management Center; Assistance Listing Number 84.373M

The FY 2025 IDEA Data Management Center grant opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Education, through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). This opportunity falls under Assistance Listing Number 84.373M and is administered as a cooperative agreement authorized by 20 U.S.C. 1451–1455. The overarching goal of this program is to strengthen states’ capacity to meet data collection and reporting requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), particularly under Parts B and C. This is a federal grant program with a strong emphasis on technical assistance and systems improvement for special education data reporting. The program utilizes set-aside funds from Section 611(c)(1) of IDEA and is further authorized by Section 616(i) of IDEA and appropriations in Public Law 118-47. The competition’s absolute priority is the establishment and operation of the IDEA Data Management Center. The purpose of this center is to assist states in improving data coordination, quality, use, and reporting. Specifically, the program addresses compliance and performance data collection and analysis, targeting requirements outlined in Sections 616, 618, and 642 of IDEA. For FY 2025, the Secretary of Education plans to reserve $27.5 million from the maximum authorized $42.6 million (adjusted for inflation) for activities authorized under the program. The center is expected to provide high-quality, evidence-based technical assistance in a way that is scalable, replicable, and sustainable across a five-year project period of up to 60 months. Eligible applicants for this grant include a wide range of entities, such as State Educational Agencies (SEAs), lead agencies under Part C of IDEA, Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) including public charter schools considered LEAs, institutions of higher education (IHEs), other public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, for-profit organizations, and agencies from freely associated states and outlying areas. There is no requirement for matching funds, though applicants may include voluntary cost-sharing if desired. The program uses an unrestricted indirect cost rate and encourages applicants to submit proposed rates with supporting documentation based on audited financial statements or IRS Form 990. Applications for this competition open on June 25, 2025, and must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time on July 25, 2025. No extensions will be granted for late submissions. A pre-recorded informational webinar will be made available by June 30, 2025, to provide technical guidance for applicants. While submission of a Notice of Intent to Apply is optional, it is encouraged and can be submitted by emailing Amy.Bae@ed.gov with contact information. Applicants must follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528). The application requires several standard forms and attachments, including the SF-424, ED-524 Budget Information, a narrative responding to selection criteria, and a project abstract uploaded as a PDF or Word document. The narrative section should be limited to 70 double-spaced pages, using a 12-point font in Times New Roman, Courier, or Arial. Additional required uploads include resumes, letters of support, and appendices. Budget justifications must be itemized by year and should clarify any indirect cost calculations, including distinctions for training grants or restricted rate programs, when applicable. For further assistance, applicants can contact Amy Bae at the U.S. Department of Education via email at Amy.Bae@ed.gov. Questions will be answered within 24–48 business hours. The application must be validated through the Grants.gov system by the submission deadline. Upon successful submission, a Grants.gov tracking number will be issued. All materials, including reviewer comments and scoring for awarded applications, may be published online by the Department of Education following the award process.

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