The Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities—Interdisciplinary Preparation of Early Intervention, Special Education, and Related Services Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities Who Have High-Intensity Needs is a discretionary grant program managed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. This grant aims to address state-identified needs for personnel in early intervention, special education, and related services, ensuring they are equipped with evidence-based skills and knowledge to effectively serve children with high-intensity needs. This includes children with multiple or significant disabilities requiring intensive and individualized interventions.
The funding opportunity supports interdisciplinary projects at the master’s, educational specialist, or clinical doctoral levels, emphasizing collaborative preparation across different graduate degree programs. These programs must integrate shared coursework, coordinated field and clinical experiences, and align with national or state personnel standards. Projects may serve two distinct focus areas: infants and preschool-age children or school-age children, both requiring high-intensity support.
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (IHEs) and nonprofit organizations authorized to act on behalf of IHEs. Projects may span up to 60 months with a maximum annual award of $350,000 and a total maximum award of $1.25 million. A minimum of 65% of the total award must support scholars. The grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds.
Applications open on May 27, 2025, and must be submitted by June 26, 2025. An intergovernmental review deadline is set for August 25, 2025. Pre-application webinars will be available online by June 2, 2025. Applicants may use the first 12 months and up to $100,000 of the award for project planning, provided this is well justified. Applications must include detailed narrative responses to selection criteria, charts and course syllabi in appendices, letters of support, and data collection assurances. All applications must be submitted per the Department’s common application instructions.
For further information, applicants can contact Sunyoung Ahn at the U.S. Department of Education, phone 202–987–0141 or via email at Sunyoung.Ahn@ed.gov. Grant recipients must comply with all applicable civil rights and accessibility regulations and report scholar data to the Personnel Development Program Data Collection System.
Focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, meet all required assurances, budget at least 65% for scholar support, and ensure alignment with federal guidelines.
