OSERS: OSEP: National Center to Improve Faculty Capacity to Use Educational Technology in Special Education Personnel and Leadership Preparation Programs; Assistance Listing Number 84.327F

The U.S. Department of Education, through its Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement under the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities program. Specifically, the department seeks to establish a National Center to Improve Faculty Capacity to Use Educational Technology in Special Education Personnel and Leadership Preparation Programs. The center will be responsible for advancing faculty competencies in integrating educational technology, including assistive technology (AT) and artificial intelligence (AI), into higher education curricula for special education personnel. This initiative aligns with the objectives outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), especially under sections 674(b) and 681(d). Its core mission is to enhance educational outcomes for children with disabilities by improving how educators are trained to leverage technology in both in-person and online learning environments. The National Center will aim to increase faculty knowledge, build institutional capacity, establish professional learning networks, and ensure that graduates are equipped to use evidence-based technology tools that support improved literacy and learning outcomes. Applicants are expected to describe their proposed project’s significance and design, demonstrate a strong research foundation, and submit a logic model. The design must be grounded in evidence-based practices and supported by current literature, including on adult learning principles and implementation science. The center will offer three tiers of technical assistance: universal/general, targeted/specialized, and intensive/sustained. Each tier must include a detailed approach for identifying recipients, ensuring accessibility, and evaluating effectiveness. The awarded project must also include a robust evaluation plan developed and implemented with a third-party evaluator. The evaluation must address both formative and summative aspects and measure fidelity of implementation, impact, and user feedback. Applicants are required to allocate sufficient budget to cover evaluation activities and must also demonstrate strong resource planning and personnel qualifications. The grant opportunity opens on June 25, 2025, and closes on July 25, 2025, with an intergovernmental review deadline on August 25, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to review the pre-recorded technical assistance webinars available by June 30, 2025, on the OSERS grant competition website. One award is anticipated, with up to $700,000 in funding available for the first 12-month period. The project period can extend up to 60 months, contingent on performance and funding availability. The eligible applicants include state and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and tribal organizations. The initiative does not require matching funds, and indirect costs follow an unrestricted rate. Grant management obligations include attending multiple annual meetings in Washington, D.C., posting progress updates, engaging doctoral or post-doctoral students, and ensuring accessible product design. Questions about the grant should be directed to Tina Diamond at christina.diamond@ed.gov or by phone at (202) 245-6723.